Passage-1 Reading Comprehension Practice Questions
The famous Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright are known for their pioneering work in the field of aviation. They were raised in Dayton, Ohio and from a young age, they had a passion for mechanics and innovation. Their interest in flight was sparked by their bicycle shop which they opened in 1892, this eventually lead them to the field of aviation.
The Wright brothers started their quest to build the first powered, heavier-than-air aeroplane in 1899. They used their understanding of physics and mechanics to develop and construct their own flying machines. They carried out numerous glider tests, accumulating important information about lift and drag, before eventually building a powered aircraft. On December 17, 1903, they successfully piloted their aeroplane, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, setting a key milestone in human history. Despite barely lasting 12 seconds and covering a distance of 120 feet, the flight was a significant accomplishment that would forever change the field of aviation.
The Wright brothers kept refining and developing their aircraft designs after their initial victory at Kitty Hawk. They established the Wright Company to build and market aeroplanes after receiving a patent for their flying machine in 1906. Additionally, they conducted numerous public and military aircraft demonstrations, including the first public flight in 1908 and the first flight in Europe in 1909.
Orville and Wilbur Wright are largely regarded as the pioneers of modern aviation, and the designs of their aircraft served as an inspiration for later advancements in the field. Their innovative thinking, inventiveness, and relentless resolve to master powered flight irrevocably altered the course of history and created brand-new possibilities for communication and travel. Future generations will continue to be motivated by their legacy to achieve great things and break new ground in the aviation industry.
1. The Wright brothers are known for their pioneering work in___?
a. Automobile manufacturing
b. Space travel
c. Aviation
d. Telecommunications
Answer: c. Aviation
Recommended: Passage-1 Practice Test
2. What did the Wright brothers open in 1892?
a. A bicycle shop
b. A restaurant
c. A clothing store
d. A toy store
Answer: a. A bicycle shop
3. In what year did the Wright brothers begin their journey toward creating the first powered, heavier-than-air aircraft?
a. 1871
b. 1867
c. 1899
d. 1906
Answer: c. 1899
4. What was the date of the Wright brothers’ successful flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina?
a. December 17, 1903
b. September 17, 1906
c. May 14, 1908
d. July 27, 1909
Answer: a. December 17, 1903
5. What was the duration and distance of the first successful flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina?
a. 12 seconds, 500 feet
b. 30 seconds, 1,000 feet
c. 45 seconds, 1,500 feet
d. 12 seconds, 120 feet
Answer: d. 12 seconds, 120 feet
6. When did the Wright brothers receive a patent for their flying machine?
a. 1899
b. 1903
c. 1906
d. 1908
Answer: c. 1906
7. When was the first public airplane flight made by the Wright brothers?
a. 1899
b. 1903
c. 1906
d. 1908
Answer: d. 1908
Passage-2 Reading Comprehension Practice Questions with Answers
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr., delivered a powerful and famous public address known as “I Have a Dream” at the March on Washington D.C., for Jobs and Freedom. In his speech, he passionately advocated for an end to racial discrimination in the United States and emphasized the importance of civil and economic rights. This speech is widely considered a turning point in the civil rights movement and still carries significant impact and relevance today.
King begins the speech by referencing the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863. He observes that “one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free.” Toward the end of the speech, King departs from his prepared text and speaks about his dreams of freedom and equality. This improvised peroration was prompted by a cry from Mahalia Jackson to “tell them about the dream, Martin!” In this part of the speech, which is now its most famous and moving section, King describes his visions of a future free from the constraints of slavery and discrimination.
The impact of “I Have a Dream” cannot be overstated. Jon Meacham writes that “With a single phrase, Martin Luther King Jr. joined Jefferson and Lincoln in the ranks of men who’ve shaped modern America.” The speech was voted the top American speech of the 20th century in a poll of scholars of public address in 1999. Its powerful words continue to inspire people around the world to fight for justice and equality.
In conclusion, “I Have a Dream” is a pivotal event in the civil rights struggle and a potent plea for the advancement of civil and economic rights as well as an end to prejudice. Even today, individuals are still motivated and influenced by its words.
1. When was “I Have a Dream” delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.?
a. August 28, 1963
b. January 1, 1900
c. July 4, 1776
d. November 22, 1963
Answer: a. August 28, 1963
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2. Where was “I Have a Dream” delivered?
a. New York City, NY
b. Chicago, IL
c. Birmingham, AL
d. Washington D.C.
Answer: d. Washington D.C.
3. What was the main theme of “I Have a Dream”?
a. Women’s suffrage
b. The abolition of slavery
c. Civil rights and economic equality
d. The Vietnam War
Answer: c. Civil rights and economic equality
4. Who inspired Martin Luther King Jr. to improvise the famous peroration on his dreams of freedom and equality?
a. Abraham Lincoln
b. Mahalia Jackson
c. Thomas Jefferson
d. Rosa Parks
Answer: b. Mahalia Jackson
5. In what year was “I Have a Dream” voted the top American speech of the 20th century in a poll of scholars of public address?
a. 1943
b. 1963
c. 1999
d. 1993
Answer: c. 1999
Passage-3 Reading Comprehension Questions Answers | RC Passages For English
Philosophy of Education is a label applied to the study of the purpose, process, nature and ideals of education. It can be considered a branch of both philosophy and education. Education can be defined as the teaching and learning of specific skills, and the imparting of knowledge, judgment and wisdom, and is something broader than the societal institution of education we often speak of.
Many educationalists consider it a weak and woolly field, too far removed from the practical applications of the real world to be useful. But philosophers dating back to Plato and the Ancient Greeks have given the area much thought and emphasis, and there is little doubt that their work has helped shape the practice of education over the millennia. Plato is the earliest important educational thinker, and education is an essential element in “The Republic” (his most important work on philosophy and political theory, written around 360 B.C.). In it, he advocates some rather extreme methods: removing children from their mothers’ care and raising them as wards of the state, and differentiating children suitable to the various castes, the highest receiving the most education, so that they could act as guardians of the city and care for the less able. He believed that education should be holistic, including facts, skills, physical discipline, music and art. Plato believed that talent and intelligence is not distributed genetically and thus is be found in children born to all classes, although his proposed system of selective public education for an educated minority of the population does not really follow a democratic model.
Aristotle considered human nature, habit and reason to be equally important forces to be cultivated in education, the ultimate aim of which should be to produce good and virtuous citizens. He proposed that teachers lead their students systematically, and that repetition be used as a key tool to develop good habits, unlike Socrates’ emphasis on questioning his listeners to bring out their own ideas. He emphasized the balancing of the theoretical and practical aspects of subjects taught, among which he explicitly mentions reading, writing, mathematics, music, physical education, literature, history, and a wide range of sciences, as well as play, which he also considered important.
During the Medieval period, the idea of Perennialism was first formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas in his work “De Magistro”. Perennialism holds that one should teach those things deemed to be of everlasting importance to all people everywhere, namely principles and reasoning, not just facts (which are apt to change over time), and that one should teach first about people, not machines or techniques. It was originally religious in nature, and it was only much later that a theory of secular perennialism developed. Perennialists believe that the core subjects of the liberal arts, such as literature, philosophy, and history, should be at the center of the curriculum as they provide a foundation for other subjects and promote critical thinking skills.
During the Renaissance, the French skeptic Michel de Montaigne (1533 – 1592) was one of the first to critically look at education. Unusually for his time, Montaigne was willing to question the conventional wisdom of the period, calling into question the whole edifice of the educational system, and the implicit assumption that university-educated philosophers were necessarily wiser than uneducated farm workers, for example. He argued that education should not be limited to the wealthy elite, but rather should be available to all individuals regardless of their social class. Montaigne also believed in the importance of experiential learning and suggested that education should be tailored to the individual needs and interests of the learner.
1. What is the philosophy of education?
a. The study of the purpose, process, nature, and ideals of education
b. A branch of philosophy and education
c. The teaching and learning of specific skills
d. All of the above
Answer: a. The study of the purpose, process, nature, and ideals of education
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2. What is the main focus of the passage?
a. The history of education
b. The philosophy of education
c. The practical applications of education
d. The societal institution of education
Answer: b. The philosophy of education
3. What does perennialism hold?
a. Principles and reasoning should be taught rather than just facts
b. People should be taught before machines or techniques
c. The liberal arts should be at the center of the curriculum
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
4. According to Aristotle, what should be the ultimate aim of education?
a. To produce good and virtuous citizens
b. To promote critical thinking skills
c. To be available to all individuals regardless of their social class
d. To be tailored to the individual needs and interests of the learner
Answer: a. To produce good and virtuous citizens
5. In Plato’s “The Republic,” what method did he advocate for education?
a. removing children from their mothers’ care and raising them as wards of the state
b. having teachers lead students systematically
c. questioning listeners to bring out their own ideas
d. experiential learning
Answer: a. removing children from their mothers’ care and raising them as wards of the state
6. What does Aristotle propose in terms of the teaching method in education?
a. Teachers should lead their students systematically
b. Repetition should be used as a key tool to develop good habits
c. Students should be questioned to bring out their own ideas
d. Education should be tailored to the individual needs and interests of the learner
Answer: a. Teachers should lead their students systematically
7. Who is credited as the earliest important educational thinker?
a. Aristotle
b. Plato
c. St. Thomas Aquinas
d. Michel de Montaigne
Answer: b. Plato
8. According to Plato, what should education include?
a. Mathematics, science, and literature
b. Play and physical education
c. Facts, skills, physical discipline, and music
d. Principles and reasoning rather than just facts
Answer: c. Facts, skills, physical discipline, and music
9. What did Michel de Montaigne argue about the availability of education?
a. It should be limited to the wealthy elite
b. It should be available to all individuals regardless of their social class
c. It should be tailored to the individual needs and interests
d. It should be based on experiential learning
Answer: b. It should be available to all individuals regardless of their social class
10. According to Perennialists which of the following subjects promote critical thinking?
a. Biology, philosophy, and history
b. Literature, philosophy, and history
c. Science and Arts
d. Techniques and machines
Answer: b. Literature, philosophy, and history
Passage-4 RC Passages Questions Answers for English Exam Preparation
The mysterious story of Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II, has captured the imagination of many people over the years. During his rule in Russia, the czar had planned to revoke some harsh laws established by previous czars, but some workers and peasants wanted more rapid social reform. In 1918, a group of these people known as the Bolsheviks overthrew the government and murdered the czar and what was believed to be his entire family on July 17 or 18.
Despite witnesses stating that all members of the czar’s family had been executed, rumors circulated that Anastasia had somehow survived. Several women over the years claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia, including a woman named Anastasia Tchaikovsky or Anna Anderson. In 1920, 18 months after the czar’s execution, Anderson was rescued from a river in Berlin. While recovering in the hospital, the doctors and nurses thought she resembled Anastasia and questioned her about her background. Initially, Anderson denied any connection to the czar’s family, but eight years later, she claimed to be Anastasia. She said that she had been rescued by two Russian soldiers after the czar and her family were killed and taken to Romania by two brothers named Tchaikovsky. She married one of the brothers, who took her to Berlin and left her there penniless. Unable to receive help from her mother’s family in Germany, Anderson attempted to drown herself.
Many individuals, including former servants and close friends of the czar, interviewed Anderson and said that she resembled Anastasia in terms of appearance and manners. Her grandmother and other family members, however, disputed that she was Anastasia. Anderson emigrated to the United States in 1928 under the name Anna Anderson because she was fed up with being accused of fraud. Even so, she persisted in her attempts to establish her identity as Anastasia, and in 1933 she went back to Germany to file a lawsuit against her mother’s family for an inheritance.
In the end, the court decided that it couldn’t confirm or refute Anderson’s claim to be Anastasia. The woman’s true identity is probably never going to be found, but her struggle to find herself has been the topic of several plays, movies, and books.
1. Who was Anastasia?
a. The czar of Russia
b. The youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II
c. A member of the Bolshevik party
d. A woman who claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia
Answer: b. The youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II
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2. Why did the Bolsheviks overthrow the government in Russia in 1918?
a. To support rapid social reform
b. To oppose the czar’s plans to revoke harsh laws
c. To support rapid social reform and oppose the czar’s plans to revoke harsh laws
d. None of these
Answer: c. To support rapid social reform and oppose the czar’s plans to revoke harsh laws
3. What was Anna Anderson’s connection to Anastasia?
a. She was Anastasia’s sister
b. She was Anastasia’s cousin
c. She claimed to be Anastasia
d. She was Anastasia’s nurse
Answer: c) She claimed to be Anastasia
4. How did Anna Anderson become known as Anastasia Tschaikovsky?
a. She married a man with the last name Tschaikovsky
b. She changed her name to Anastasia Tschaikovsky after immigrating to the United States
c. She was rescued from a river in Berlin by two brothers named Tschaikovsky
d. She was given the nickname Anastasia Tschaikovsky by the doctors and nurses at the hospital where she recovered
Answer: c. She was rescued from a river in Berlin by two brothers named Tschaikovsky
5. Why did Anna Anderson attempt to drown herself?
a. She was unable to receive help from her mother’s family in Germany
b. She was frustrated with being accused of fraud
c. She was unhappy with her marriage to one of the Tschaikovsky brothers
d. She was overwhelmed by her shattered mind and poor health
Answer: a. She was unable to receive help from her mother’s family in Germany
6. What did Anna Anderson do in 1933?
a. She immigrated to the United States
b. She changed her name to Anna Anderson
c. She returned to Germany to bring suit against her mother’s family
d. She declared to the court that she was Anastasia and deserved her inheritance
Answer: c. She returned to Germany to bring suit against her mother’s family
7. How did the court rule in the case brought by Anna Anderson in 1957?
a. It confirmed that she was Anastasia
b. It denied that she was Anastasia
c. It could neither confirm nor deny her identity as Anastasia
d. It ruled in favor of Anderson’s mother’s family
Answer: c. It could neither confirm nor deny her identity as Anastasia
8. Who denied that Anna Anderson was the real Anastasia?
a. The doctors and nurses at the hospital where she recovered
b. The Tschaikovsky brothers
c. Anderson’s grandmother and other relatives
d. The czar’s former servants and acquaintances
Answer: c. Anderson’s grandmother and other relatives
Passage-5 Reading Comprehension Questions Answers for Competitive exam Preparation
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who is best known for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the world in the 16th century. As a young noble in the court of Portugal, he became embroiled in political intrigue and lost the favor of the king. In search of a new patron, he offered his services to the future Emperor Charles V of Spain. Magellan proposed to prove that the East Indies fell under Spanish jurisdiction by sailing around the world.
On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships and 270 crew members. More than a year later, one of these ships was exploring the southern coast of South America when it sank. The remaining four ships searched for a water route across the continent, eventually discovering the Strait of Magellan near the 50th parallel south. One of the ships deserted in the Strait of Magellan and returned to Spain, so only four ships and a reduced crew of sailors were able to continue on to the Pacific Ocean.
After 98 days at sea, the sailors crossed the International Date Line in the early spring of 1521. During their journey across the Pacific, many of Magellan’s men died of starvation and scurvy disease. Eventually, Magellan became involved in an island conflict in the Philippines and he was killed in a tribal battle. Only one ship called the “Victoria” and 17 sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived to complete the journey back to Spain, thus proving that the earth is round and there is no edge to the world.
The Magellan expedition was a stunning success that proved it was possible to circumnavigate the globe. His adventurous journey opened up new trade routes for Europe and expanded European knowledge about the world. Additionally, it established the framework for the idea of a global community by connecting together individuals and nations in ways that were previously deemed impractical.
1. What was Ferdinand Magellan known for?
a. Leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the world
b. Discovering the New World
c. Inventing the steam engine
d. None of these
Answer: a. Leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the world
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2. When did Ferdinand Magellan set sail on his journey around the world?
a. 1480
b. 1519
c. 1522
d. 1521
Answer: b. 1519
3. How many ships and crew members were part of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition?
a. One ship and 50 crew members
b. Two ships and 100 crew members
c. Five ships and 270 crew members
d. Ten ships and 500 crew members
Answer: c. Five ships and 250 crew members
4. Did Ferdinand Magellan complete his journey around the world?
a. Yes
b. No
Answer: b. No
5. Why was Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition significant?
a. It demonstrated the feasibility of sailing around the world
b. It opened up new trade routes for Europe
c. It contributed to the expansion of European knowledge about the world
d. All of these
Answer: d. All of these
6. What disease did some members of Ferdinand Magellan’s crew suffer from during the expedition?
a. Malaria
b. Cholera
c. Scurvy
d. Dysentery
Answer: c. Scurvy
7. What was the name of the ship that returned to Spain and completed the first circumnavigation of the world?
a. Santa Maria
b. Nina
c. Pinta
d. Victoria
Answer: d. Victoria
8. How many survivors returned to Spain on the Victoria?
a. None
b. A handful
c. Half of the crew
d. All of the crew
Answer: b. A handful
9. What was the main purpose of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition?
a. To find a shorter route to Asia
b. To explore the New World
c. To establish a trade route to India
d. To prove that the earth was flat
Answer: a. To find a shorter route to Asia
