Reading Comprehension Questions

Read the following sentences and try to choose the best definition for the underlined word by searching for context clues in the sentence.

​

Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple Choice

The designer window treatments in her house, installed 17 years ago, were outmoded.

• unnecessary

• pointless

• out-of-date

• worthless

To be outmoded is to be old-fashioned or out-of-date. The designer window treatments may also be unnecessary, point- less, or even worthless. However, the key to the meaning is the context—that is, the phrase installed 17 years ago.

Multiple Choice

The spies conducted a covert operation.

• dangerous

• foreign

• hidden

• illegal

Something that is covert is hidden. It is related to the word cover; something covert is covered from view.

Multiple Choice

The baseball player’s malice toward the referee was revealed in his spiteful remarks to the media, which almost ruined the referee’s career.

• vindictive

• crazy

• rude

• unpleasant

To be spiteful is to be vengeful or vindictive. The keys here are the word malice and the phrase almost ruined the referee’s career.

Multiple Choice

Although Zachary is much too inexperienced for the managerial position, he is a wilful young man and obdurately refuses too with draw his application.

• foolishly

• reluctantly

• constantly

• stubbornly

When something is done obdurately, it is done in an inflexible or intractable manner, or stubbornly. The key here is the words wilful young man.

Multiple Choice

His neighbour’s superficial remarks trivialised the property line dispute and infuriated Malcolm.

• enraged

• petty

• insulting

• misleading

A superficial remark is insignificant and shallow, or petty. The key here is the word trivialised.

Multiple Choice

She showed a blatant disregard for the rules.

• obvious

• hidden

• last minute

• rebellious

Something blatant is done openly and boldly; it is obvious, out in the open, undisguised.

Multiple Choice

Her fashion sense was usually described as flamboyant, but on the night of the party, Tanya’s outfit was uncharacteristically modest.

• impeccable

• showy

• sloppy

• unassuming

Something that is flamboyant is flashy or showy. The keys here are the words usually described as flamboyant.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Powers was so gullible that he believed even the most outlandish excuses of his insincere employees.

• intelligent

• naive

• dishonest

• critical

To be gullible means to be easy to fool or naïve. The keys here are the words outlandish excuses and insincere employees.

Multiple Choice

You cannot become a certified teacher without completing the prerequisite student-teaching assignment.

• required

• optional

• preferred

• advisable

A prerequisite is something that is necessary or required. The fact that you can’t become a certified teacher without completing the student teaching assignment means it is required. The other choices do not imply a hard and fast rule.

Multiple Choice

Charles, aware of his susceptibility to gum disease, is diligent about flossing.

• uncomfortable

• excited

• thorough

• ambivalent

To be diligent is to be painstaking or thorough.