BKSB Reading Comprehension Skills Questions and Answers 1 — 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?
- To argue against the pedestrianisation of the town centre.
- To advertise new shopping opportunities in the town centre.
- To inform residents and visitors about the upcoming changes to the town centre. (Correct answer)
- To profile the local council members.
Correct answer: To inform residents and visitors about the upcoming changes to the town centre.
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2: Which of the following reading techniques is most effective for quickly finding a specific date in a lengthy historical document?
- Skimming
- Scanning (Correct answer)
- Close reading
- Summarising
Correct answer: Scanning
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?
- Close reading the entire email line by line.
- Summarising the email for a friend.
- Scanning the email for keywords like 'Saturday' and 'Sunday'.
- Skimming the email to understand the general message and key details. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Skimming the email to understand the general message and key details.
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?
- Sarah always trusts the weather forecast.
- Sarah's umbrella was broken.
- Sarah is going on a long journey.
- Sarah is relying on her intuition rather than the official forecast. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sarah is relying on her intuition rather than the official forecast.
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?
- An interesting detail or fact mentioned in the text.
- The author's single most important point or message. (Correct answer)
- A summary of the first paragraph only.
- A personal opinion the reader forms about the text.
Correct answer: The author's single most important point or message.
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.
Question 6: A manager receives a 20-page report on quarterly sales figures. They need to prepare for a meeting in 10 minutes and must quickly understand the report's overall findings and conclusions. Which of the following is the most efficient approach?
- Read the entire report word-for-word.
- Scan the document for every instance of the word 'profit'.
- Read the title, introduction, subheadings, and the concluding summary. (Correct answer)
- Ask a colleague to explain the report.
Correct answer: Read the title, introduction, subheadings, and the concluding summary.
This approach is a form of skimming. By focusing on organisational features like the title, introduction, subheadings, and conclusion, the manager can quickly grasp the main points and overall structure of the report without reading every detail, which is the most efficient strategy given the time constraint.
BKSB Reading Comprehension Skills Questions and Answers 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?