BKSB Reading Comprehension Skills Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following passage and answer the question below.

'The local council has announced plans to pedestrianise the town centre. The scheme, set to begin next month, will involve closing High Street to all traffic between 8 am and 6 pm from Monday to Saturday. A spokesperson stated, 'This initiative aims to reduce pollution, improve safety for shoppers, and create a more pleasant environment for everyone.' However, some local business owners have expressed concern that the restrictions will deter customers who drive into town.'

What is the main purpose of this passage?

Accepted Answer

To inform residents and visitors about the upcoming changes to the town centre.

Answer

The passage provides factual details about a new scheme, including what it is, when it will happen, and the reasons behind it, as well as mentioning the reaction of some business owners. This balanced presentation of information indicates its primary purpose is to inform.

Question 2

Which of the following reading techniques is most effective for quickly finding a specific date in a lengthy historical document?

Accepted Answer

Scanning

Answer

Scanning is the technique of moving your eyes quickly over a text to find a specific piece of information, such as a name, number, or date, without reading every word.

Question 3

A student reads an email from their college with the subject line 'URGENT: Library Closure This Weekend'. To get a quick overview of the main points, such as which days and times the closure affects, which reading strategy should they use first?

Accepted Answer

Skimming the email to understand the general message and key details.

Answer

Skimming is used to quickly get the general idea or gist of a text. By reading headings, the first sentences of paragraphs, and looking for keywords, the student can quickly understand the main points of the closure without reading every word.

Question 4

Read the sentence: 'Despite the weather forecast predicting clear skies, Sarah packed her umbrella; she had a feeling it might rain.' What can you infer from this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Sarah is relying on her intuition rather than the official forecast.

Answer

An inference is a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning. The sentence contrasts the official forecast (evidence) with Sarah's 'feeling' (reasoning), which leads to the logical inference that she is trusting her own intuition.

Question 5

Which of the following is the best definition of a 'main idea' in a passage?

Accepted Answer

The author's single most important point or message.

Answer

The main idea is the central point the author is trying to convey. It's the overall message that all the other details and facts in the passage are meant to support and explain.

(BKSB) Basic and Key Skills Builder Practice Test

(BKSB) Basic and Key Skills Builder Practice Test

BKSB Reading Comprehension Skills Questions and Answers