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.

Last updated

413 questions · page 14 of 21

261. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.When you imagine the desert, you probably think of a very hot place covered with sand. Although this is a good description for many deserts, Earth's largest desert is actually a very cold place covered with ice: Antarctica.In order for an area to be considered a desert, it must receive very little rainfall. More specifically, it must receive an average of less than ten inches of precipitation-which can be rain, sleet, hail, or snow-on the ground every year. Antarctica, the coldest place on earth, has an average temperature that usually falls below the freezing point. And because cold air holds less moisture than warm air, the air in Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all. This is evident in the low precipitation statistics recorded for Antarctica. For example, the central part of Antarctica receives an average of less than 2 inches of snow every year. The coastline of Antarctica receives a little bit more-between seven and eight inches a year. Because Antarctica gets so little precipitation every year, it is considered a desert.When precipitation falls in hot deserts, it quickly evaporates back into the atmosphere. The air over Antarctica is too cold to hold water vapor, so there is very little evaporation. Due to this low rate of evaporation, most of the snow that falls to the ground remains there permanently, eventually building up into thick ice sheets. Any snow that does not freeze into ice sheets becomes caught up in the strong winds that constantly blow over Antarctica. These snow-filled winds can make it look as if it is snowing.Even though snowfall is very rare there, blizzards are actually very common on Antarctica.Based on the information in the final paragraph, it can be understood that blizzards in Antarctica are mainly the result of

  • 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

263. Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home.When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy from the store.After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?Do you know how to turn that milk into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite ingredients.The author's main purpose in writing this passage is to

  • 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

264. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home.When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy from the store.After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?Do you know how to turn that milk into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite ingredients.As used in paragraph 5, which is the best definition for customize?

  • 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

265. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home.When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy from the store.After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?Do you know how to turn that milk into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite ingredients.In paragraph 4, the author asks a series of questions in order to

  • 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

266. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home.When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy from the store.After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?Do you know how to turn that milk into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite ingredients.As used in paragraph 3, which is the best synonym for purchase?

  • 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

267. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home.When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy from the store.After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?Do you know how to turn that milk into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite ingredients.Which of the following conclusions would work best at the end of this passage.

  • 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.

268. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.When you imagine the desert, you probably think of a very hot place covered with sand. Although this is a good description for many deserts, Earth's largest desert is actually a very cold place covered with ice: Antarctica.In order for an area to be considered a desert, it must receive very little rainfall. More specifically, it must receive an average of less than ten inches of precipitation-which can be rain, sleet, hail, or snow-on the ground every year. Antarctica, the coldest place on earth, has an average temperature that usually falls below the freezing point. And because cold air holds less moisture than warm air, the air in Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all. This is evident in the low precipitation statistics recorded for Antarctica. For example, the central part of Antarctica receives an average of less than 2 inches of snow every year. The coastline of Antarctica receives a little bit more-between seven and eight inches a year. Because Antarctica gets so little precipitation every year, it is considered a desert.When precipitation falls in hot deserts, it quickly evaporates back into the atmosphere. The air over Antarctica is too cold to hold water vapor, so there is very little evaporation. Due to this low rate of evaporation, most of the snow that falls to the ground remains there permanently, eventually building up into thick ice sheets. Any snow that does not freeze into ice sheets becomes caught up in the strong winds that constantly blow over Antarctica. These snow-filled winds can make it look as if it is snowing. Even though snowfall is very rare there, blizzards are actually very common on Antarctica.As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for precipitation?

  • 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

269. Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.Many people like to eat pizza, but not everyone knows how to make it. Making the perfect pizza can be complicated, but there are lots of ways for you to make a more basic version at home.When you make pizza, you must begin with the crust. The crust can be hard to make. If you want to make the crust yourself, you will have to make dough using flour, water, and yeast. You will have to knead the dough with your hands. If you do not have enough time to do this, you can use a prepared crust that you buy from the store.After you have chosen your crust, you must then add the sauce. Making your own sauce from scratch can take a long time. You have to buy tomatoes, peel them, and then cook them with spices. If this sounds like too much work, you can also purchase jarred sauce from the store. Many jarred sauces taste almost as good as the kind you make at home.Now that you have your crust and your sauce, you need to add the cheese. Cheese comes from milk, which comes from cows. Do you have a cow in your backyard? Do you know how to milk the cow?Do you know how to turn that milk into cheese? If not, you might want to buy cheese from the grocery store instead of making it yourself.When you have the crust, sauce, and cheese ready, you can add other toppings. Some people like to put meat on their pizza, while other people like to add vegetables. Some people even like to add pineapple! The best part of making a pizza at home is that you can customize it by adding your own favorite ingredients.According to the author, which of the following ingredients do you need to have ready before you can add the toppings?I. crustII. sauceIII. cheese

  • 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

270. When you imagine the desert, you probably think of a very hot place covered with sand. Although this is a good description for many deserts, Earth's largest desert is actually a very cold place covered with ice: Antarctica.In order for an area to be considered a desert, it must receive very little rainfall. More specifically, it must receive an average of less than ten inches of precipitation-which can be rain, sleet, hail, or snow-on the ground every year. Antarctica, the coldest place on earth, has an average temperature that usually falls below the freezing point. And because cold air holds less moisture than warm air, the air in Antarctica does not hold much moisture at all. This is evident in the low precipitation statistics recorded for Antarctica. For example, the central part of Antarctica receives an average of less than 2 inches of snow every year. The coastline of Antarctica receives a little bit more-between seven and eight inches a year. Because Antarctica gets so little precipitation every year, it is considered a desert.When precipitation falls in hot deserts, it quickly evaporates back into the atmosphere. The air over Antarctica is too cold to hold water vapor, so there is very little evaporation. Due to this low rate of evaporation, most of the snow that falls to the ground remains there permanently, eventually building up into thick ice sheets. Any snow that does not freeze into ice sheets becomes caught up in the strong winds that constantly blow over Antarctica. These snow-filled winds can make it look as if it is snowing. Even though snowfall is very rare there, blizzards are actually very common on Antarctica.The main purpose of paragraph 1 is to

  • 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. 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

279. The ancient Colosseum or Coliseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre is an oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, Italy. The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest of its kind. They started building it in 70 AD under the supervision of emperor Vespasian and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. The site chosen was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills, through which a canalized stream ran. It took ten years to build. The Colosseum in Rome represents a lifestyle that we today are only able to study but never experience. The Coliseum has been used in many ways. In ancient Rome, men fought each other in it. They fought against lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my! It was dreadful. But most of the people loved It. As many as 80,000 Romans would pack inside to watch. These gruesome events went on until 523. The Coliseum has been damaged many times over the years. It was struck by lightning in the year 217. This started a fire. Much of the Coliseum is made of Travertine, limestone, concrete and volcanic stone. But the fire damaged the upper levels which were made of wood. This damage took many years to repair. It was not finished until the year 240. The worst damage happened in 1349. A mighty earthquake shook Rome and the Coliseum. The south side of the building collapsed. Pieces of the arena were all over the ground. Many people took the fallen stones. Others took stones from the seating areas. They used them to repay houses and churches. The Romans of those days were not connected tothe Coliseum. It had last been used as a castle. Before that it was a graveyard. It has been hundreds of years since the games. The damage to the Coliseum was never repaired. It's good thing the outer wall of it still stands strong. Today the Coliseum is one of Rome's most popular attractions. People from all over the world come to Italy to see it. It has even appeared on the back of a coin. I guess that makes it a symbol that many people want too.Q.1 Which happened first?

  • 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

280. The ancient Colosseum or Coliseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre is an oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, Italy. The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest of its kind. They started building it in 70 AD under the supervision of emperor Vespasian and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. The site chosen was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills, through which a canalized stream ran. It took ten years to build. The Colosseum in Rome represents a lifestyle that we today are only able to study but never experience. The Coliseum has been used in many ways. In ancient Rome, men fought each other in it. They fought against lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my! It was dreadful. But most of the people loved It. As many as 80,000 Romans would pack inside to watch. These gruesome events went on until 523. The Coliseum has been damaged many times over the years. It was struck by lightning in the year 217. This started a fire. Much of the Coliseum is made of Travertine, limestone, concrete and volcanic stone. But the fire damaged the upper levels which were made of wood. This damage took many years to repair. It was not finished until the year 240. The worst damage happened in 1349. A mighty earthquake shook Rome and the Coliseum. The south side of the building collapsed. Pieces of the arena were all over the ground. Many people took the fallen stones. Others took stones from the seating areas. They used them to repay houses and churches. The Romans of those days were not connected tothe Coliseum. It had last been used as a castle. Before that it was a graveyard. It has been hundreds of years since the games. The damage to the Coliseum was never repaired. It's good thing the outer wall of it still stands strong. Today the Coliseum is one of Rome's most popular attractions. People from all over the world come to Italy to see it. It has even appeared on the back of a coin. I guess that makes it a symbol that many people want too.When did the Roman finish building the Coliseum?

  • 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