Edutest Year 7 Reading Comprehension Practice

Try each question first, then open the worked solution to check your answer and see how to reach it.

1. 1.Read the text: "The chameleon is widely celebrated for its remarkable ability to change colour, a trait frequently and mistakenly attributed solely to the need for camouflage against predators. In reality, this dynamic physical adaptation serves multiple complex purposes, including intricate communication with rival or mate chameleons, and crucial thermoregulation. Because they are ectothermic, they rely on environmental heat. A dark colour, for instance, absorbs more of the sun's radiant heat during a chilly morning, while a much lighter colour effectively reflects it away during the sweltering midday heat." The passage suggests that a chameleon might turn a lighter colour to...

   • AHide from a predator
   • BWarn another chameleon
   • CCool down
   • DAbsorb more sunlight
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (Cool down)

   The passage explains that colour helps with thermoregulation: a dark colour 'absorbs more of the sun's radiant heat', while a lighter colour 'effectively reflects it away during the sweltering midday heat'. Reflecting heat in hot weather means cooling down. Option D describes what a darker colour does, so it is the opposite.

2. 2.Read the text: "Photosynthesis is a complex biochemical process utilized by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to convert radiant light energy from the sun into usable chemical energy. This fascinating botanical mechanism not only fuels the growth of the flora itself, but it is fundamentally vital for the continuation of almost all life on Earth, primarily because it serves as the overwhelming source of breathable oxygen in our atmosphere." The passage states that photosynthesis is "vital for life on Earth" because...

   • AIt produces sugar for plants
   • BIt uses water
   • CIt is the main source of atmospheric oxygen
   • DIt requires sunlight
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (It is the main source of atmospheric oxygen)

   The question quotes the passage, so find that part. Photosynthesis is vital 'primarily because it serves as the overwhelming source of breathable oxygen in our atmosphere'. The word 'because' gives the reason. Producing sugar and needing sunlight are true but are not the reason given for its importance to life.

3. 3.Read the text: "Following decades of tense border disputes and economic stagnation, the leaders of the two neighboring nations finally sat down at the negotiating table. In a historic treaty, the two countries formed a powerful alliance designed specifically to improve international trade networks and bolster regional military security." An "alliance" is a:

   • AA competition
   • BA disagreement
   • CA union formed for mutual benefit
   • DA type of ship
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (A union formed for mutual benefit)

   The context explains the word: the two countries formed an alliance 'designed specifically to improve international trade networks and bolster regional military security' for both of them. An alliance is a union formed for mutual benefit. The passage ends years of disputes, so 'disagreement' and 'competition' are the opposite.

4. 4.Read the text: "Before conducting the rigorous, double-blind clinical trials, the research team spent months analyzing preliminary laboratory data. The lead scientist's working hypothesis was that their newly synthesized compound would prove significantly more effective at treating the infection than the standard medication currently on the market." A "hypothesis" is:

   • AA proven fact
   • BA proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence
   • CA final conclusion
   • DA detailed report
   Show answer and working

   Answer: B (A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence)

   The scientist's hypothesis was a prediction made before the 'rigorous, double-blind clinical trials', using only 'preliminary laboratory data'. That makes it a proposed explanation based on limited evidence that still needs testing. It cannot be 'a proven fact' or 'a final conclusion', because the trials had not happened yet.

5. 5.Read the text: "For centuries, the boundless mystery of space exploration has relentlessly fascinated humanity and pushed the limits of our technological capabilities. From Galileo's very first rudimentary telescope to the highly sophisticated Mars rovers currently analyzing alien soil millions of miles away, our innate, insatiable desire to understand the vast universe continuously drives scientific innovation forward." What is the main idea?

   • AMars rovers are cool
   • BTelescopes are old
   • CCuriosity drives space exploration
   • DSpace is empty
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (Curiosity drives space exploration)

   The main idea sums up the whole passage, not one detail. The text describes humanity's long fascination with space and ends by saying our 'insatiable desire to understand the vast universe continuously drives scientific innovation'. That is curiosity driving exploration. Mars rovers and telescopes are supporting examples, not the main idea.

6. 6.Read the text: "Working tirelessly in her modest laboratory under challenging conditions, Marie Curie emerged as a brilliant pioneer in the dangerous and newly discovered field of radioactivity. Breaking numerous societal barriers, she was not only the first woman to win a prestigious Nobel Prize, but she also remains the only person in history to ever win it in two completely different scientific fields." What can we infer?

   • AShe was not smart
   • BShe was a man
   • CShe was a groundbreaking scientist
   • DShe disliked science
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (She was a groundbreaking scientist)

   An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. Marie Curie was 'a brilliant pioneer', 'the first woman to win a prestigious Nobel Prize' and 'the only person' to win it in two sciences. Together these show she was a groundbreaking scientist. The other options contradict the text, which describes her as a woman and a brilliant scientist.

7. 7.Read the text: "Extensive scientific data unequivocally shows that human-induced climate change is causing average global temperatures to rise at an increasingly alarming rate. This persistent warming effect directly leads to the rapid melting of polar ice caps and a subsequent rising of sea levels, which seriously threaten to inundate densely populated coastal cities around the world." What is the cause of rising sea levels?

   • AMelting ice caps
   • BRain
   • CWind
   • DBoats
   Show answer and working

   Answer: A (Melting ice caps)

   The passage describes a chain: rising temperatures lead 'to the rapid melting of polar ice caps and a subsequent rising of sea levels'. 'Subsequent' means following on from, so the melting ice caps cause the sea level rise. Rain, wind and boats are not mentioned as causes in the text.

8. 8.Read the text: "Pushing the heavy mahogany door ajar, the seasoned detective carefully entered the dim, abandoned study room. It was eerily silent, except for the rhythmic, steady ticking of a massive grandfather clock in the corner, while a single, flickering candle burned low on the dusty wooden table." What mood is set?

   • AJoyful
   • BChaotic
   • CMysterious
   • DBoring
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (Mysterious)

   Mood is the feeling a scene creates. The 'dim, abandoned study room', 'eerily silent', with a ticking clock and 'a single, flickering candle' burning low create suspense and unease, and a detective is investigating. That is a mysterious mood. 'Chaotic' does not fit the silence, and the careful details are not boring.

9. 9.Read the text: "Rapidly advancing technology like Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing the modern world in profound and unexpected ways. Complex AI algorithms can now safely drive autonomous cars, accurately diagnose rare medical diseases, and even write creative poetry. However, despite these incredible benefits, many economists deeply worry about its disruptive impact on traditional jobs and the global workforce." What is a concern about AI?

   • AIt cannot drive
   • BIt is too slow
   • CImpact on jobs
   • DIt is expensive
   Show answer and working

   Answer: C (Impact on jobs)

   The word 'However' introduces the concern: 'many economists deeply worry about its disruptive impact on traditional jobs and the global workforce'. So the concern is the impact on jobs. The text says AI can 'safely drive autonomous cars', so option A contradicts the passage, and speed and cost are not discussed.

10. 10.Read the text: "Deep within the dense, overgrown jungle, the crumbling stone pillars and moss-covered altars of the ancient ruins whispered secrets of a glorious, forgotten past to anyone willing to listen closely." This is an example of:

    • ASimile
    • BPersonification
    • CFact
    • DAlliteration
    Show answer and working

    Answer: B (Personification)

    Personification gives human qualities to things that are not human. Stone pillars and altars cannot really whisper or share secrets, but the sentence says they 'whispered secrets of a glorious, forgotten past'. That is personification. There is no comparison using 'like' or 'as', so it is not a simile, and it is figurative rather than factual.