Free Passage Reading MCQs with Answers
413 Passage Reading MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Passage reading requires identifying the central idea, supporting facts, author's purpose, tone, sequence and conclusions supported by the text. Questions may also test inference, vocabulary in context, reference words and the difference between information stated directly and meaning implied by the passage.
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413 questions · page 14 of 21
- A. Freezing cold temperatures
- B. Large amounts of snowfall
- C. Low amounts of precipitation
- D. Strong winds
Explanation: Blizzards in Antarctica are mainly the result of strong winds blowing snow-filled air.
Correct answer: Strong winds- A. I only
- B. I and II only
- C. II and III only
- D. I, II, and III
Explanation: In paragraph 2, the author tells us that "Sam lets Mona lean on him when she walks." This supports option (I).In paragraph 2, the passage…
Correct answer: I, II, and III- A. Describe the history of pizza
- B. Teach a healthier way to make pizza
- C. Outline steps to make a basic pizza at home
- D. Provide tips about how to make your pizza especially delicious
Explanation: The author's main purpose in writing this passage is to provide instructions and guidance on making pizza at home.
Correct answer: Outline steps to make a basic pizza at home- A. To make personal
- B. To prepare for more than one
- C. To eat while ho
- D. To desire
Explanation: Customize (verb): to build according to personal preferences or tastes.In order to answer this question correctly, it helps to use…
Correct answer: To make personal- A. Support the idea that most people cannot make homemade cheese
- B. Reinforce the idea that most people probably live on farms
- C. Prove that store-bought cheese tastes better than homemade cheese
- D. Emphasize the superiority of homemade cheese over store bought cheese
Explanation: In paragraph 4, the author asks the reader, "Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?
Correct answer: Support the idea that most people cannot make homemade cheese- A. Forget
- B. Buy
- C. Ask
- D. Cook
Explanation: purchase (verb): to acquire through the payment of money or its equivalent; to buy. The question asks us to find the best synonym.
Correct answer: Buy- A. Although the crust, sauce, and toppings are all important ingredients in pizza, it is clear that the cheese is most important. Therefore, be sure your cheese is homemade.
- B. It can be understood that making your pizza from scratch should be avoided at all costs. Use store bought ingredients and save yourself a heap of trouble.
- C. As you can see, cooking a pizza can be fun, but it can also be very expensive. But, as you can see, the best things are worth paying for.
- D. Once you have prepared the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings, you are ready to bake your pizza. I think you will see that making pizza at home can be a good alternative to purchasing it from the store.
Explanation: A good conclusion restates the main idea and the basic points (or thesis) of the passage.
Correct answer: Once you have prepared the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings, you are ready to bake your pizza. I think you will see that making pizza at home can be a good alternative to purchasing it from the store.- A. Moisture in the air that falls to the ground
- B. Any type of weather event
- C. Weather events that only happen in very cold areas
- D. A blizzard that occurs in areas with limited snowfall
Explanation: Precipitation (noun): moisture in the air that falls to the ground. In paragraph 2, the author states that precipitation "can be rain…
Correct answer: Moisture in the air that falls to the ground- A. I only
- B. I and II only
- C. II and III only
- D. I, II, and III
Explanation: In paragraph 2, the author says, "When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust." This comes before the author instructs you to add…
Correct answer: I, II, and III- A. Accept a conclusion
- B. Introduce an argument
- C. Provide a brief history
- D. Deny a common belief
Explanation: In paragraph 1 the author writes, "When you imagine the desert, you probably think of a very hot place covered with sand." This lets us…
Correct answer: Deny a common belief- A. Describe the contents of bags
- B. Suggest people are not predisposed to prejudice
- C. Recommend all people share wealth with others
- D. Purport that all people have some value
Explanation: The passage uses the metaphor of bags to show that everyone has a mix of experiences and memories, suggesting that all people have…
Correct answer: Purport that all people have some value- A. Power to read minds
- B. Ability to enter or pass through objects
- C. Genius to engage those who are of a first order mind
- D. Ability to assess and figure out difficult tasks
Explanation: "Penetration" in the passage refers to the ability to understand and analyze complex matters, which fits the context of evaluating…
Correct answer: Ability to assess and figure out difficult tasks- A. to provide a rationale for the thought process
- B. to establish a reason for thinking and the self-service thinking provides.
- C. to evidence that thinking is a reward unto itself
- D. to herald the writing of thoughts
Explanation: The passage highlights the importance of writing to capture and develop thoughts, aligning with the purpose of heralding the act of writing.
Correct answer: to herald the writing of thoughts- A. Provides a rationale for his writing as stimulating thought
- B. Suggests that all men should keep a journal to aide them in thinking
- C. Admonishes thinkers to write in order to become inspired
- D. Praises random thoughts as a beginning of writing
Explanation: The passage provides a rationale for how writing helps stimulate and develop thoughts, which aligns with the author's purpose.
Correct answer: Provides a rationale for his writing as stimulating thought- A. The experiences of sitting and relaxing to think about historical thoughts
- B. The opportunity to write thoughts which may finalize the completion of thought
- C. The time to labor at thinking about life and planning future movements
- D. The time to remember lofty accomplishments and think upon improving them
Explanation: The author wishes to preserve and develop thoughts through writing, rescuing them from being forgotten, which aligns with the idea of…
Correct answer: The opportunity to write thoughts which may finalize the completion of thought- A. A surprise heretofore not discovered
- B. A thought that will manifest itself as yet another thought
- C. A journal entry to be treasured and joined with other entries.
- D. A reserved treasure one can rely upon as needed
Explanation: In the context of the passage, "nest egg" metaphorically represents a thought that will lead to further thoughts and ideas, fitting the…
Correct answer: A thought that will manifest itself as yet another thought- A. To enable us to recall our finest moments and cause us to rejuvenate
- B. So we can remember the untoward sides of humanity and reverse course
- C. Because in no other way can the measure of a man be determined following life
- D. That journaling is the pastime that renews thoughts to modify behavior
Explanation: The passage emphasizes the importance of recording thoughts and experiences through journaling.
Correct answer: To enable us to recall our finest moments and cause us to rejuvenate- A. That when someone doesn't think for a long time, thought will be stimulated to rescue itself
- B. That a thought has the power to reason and by so doing, has the ability to procreate abilities
- C. That reasoning as a component of thought must be the primary focus for forward development of the mind
- D. That the process of thinking initiates other thoughts, which in return will foster still other thoughts
Explanation: The passage highlights how journaling helps in remembering one's best thoughts and moments, and stimulates further creativity, aligning…
Correct answer: That when someone doesn't think for a long time, thought will be stimulated to rescue itself- A. The Coliseum was struck by lightning
- B. An earthquake damaged the Coliscum
- C. The Coliseum appeared on the back of a coin
- D. The Coliseum was used as a castle
Explanation: The lightning strike in 217 AD happened before the other events.
Correct answer: The Coliseum was struck by lightning- A. The year 70
- B. The year 523
- C. The year 80
- D. The year 240
Explanation: The year 80 : The passage states that construction of the Colosseum began in 70 AD and was completed in 80 AD.
Correct answer: The year 80