ESOL Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'The farmers market opens every Saturday at 8 a.m. and closes at noon. Vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and handmade crafts. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags.' What is the MAIN PURPOSE of this passage?
- To argue that farmers markets are better than grocery stores
- To inform readers about the farmers market's schedule and offerings (Correct answer)
- To persuade people to start selling at farmers markets
- To describe the history of farmers markets in the US
Correct answer: To inform readers about the farmers market's schedule and offerings
The passage gives factual information about when the market is open and what is sold there.
Question 2: Read the sentence: 'Despite the heavy rain, the soccer game continued without interruption.' What does 'despite' signal?
- A result
- A contrast or unexpected situation (Correct answer)
- A cause
- A sequence of events
Correct answer: A contrast or unexpected situation
'Despite' signals that something happened even though a different outcome might be expected.
Question 3: A student reads: 'Maria studied every night for two weeks. On exam day, she felt confident and finished early.' What can you INFER about Maria?
- She did not do well on the exam
- She was nervous because she had not studied enough
- Her preparation helped her feel ready for the exam (Correct answer)
- She finished the exam early because it was too easy
Correct answer: Her preparation helped her feel ready for the exam
The passage links her two weeks of study to her confidence and finishing early, implying preparation paid off.
Question 4: Which sentence contains a DETAIL that supports the main idea 'Exercise improves mental health'?
- Running shoes can be expensive.
- People who exercise regularly report lower levels of stress and anxiety. (Correct answer)
- Many gyms offer membership discounts in January.
- Exercise requires a lot of time and energy.
Correct answer: People who exercise regularly report lower levels of stress and anxiety.
Only this sentence directly explains how exercise benefits mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
Question 5: Read: 'The cafeteria will be closed on Monday for maintenance. Students should bring their lunch or visit the nearby food truck.' What should a student do on Monday?
- Go to the cafeteria as usual
- Skip lunch to save money
- Bring lunch from home or use the food truck (Correct answer)
- Ask the principal to reopen the cafeteria
Correct answer: Bring lunch from home or use the food truck
The passage directly tells students to bring their lunch or visit the food truck since the cafeteria is closed.
Question 6: Which text structure is used in this passage? 'First, chop the onions. Next, heat the oil in a pan. Then, add the onions and cook for five minutes. Finally, add the tomatoes.'
- Cause and effect
- Compare and contrast
- Sequential/chronological order (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
Correct answer: Sequential/chronological order
Words like 'first,' 'next,' 'then,' and 'finally' signal a step-by-step sequential order.
Question 7: Read: 'The library is a quiet place. Visitors must turn off their phones and speak in low voices. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.' What is TRUE according to the passage?
- Children under 12 are not allowed in the library
- Visitors may use their phones as long as they are quiet
- Adults must be with children under 12 in the library (Correct answer)
- The library has a special section for children
Correct answer: Adults must be with children under 12 in the library
The passage states children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
ESOL Reading Comprehension 2
Read the passage: 'The farmers market opens every Saturday at 8 a.m. and closes at noon.
Vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and handmade crafts.
Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags.' What is the MAIN PURPOSE of this passage?