TYPES OF QUESTIONS IN READING COMPREHENSION

I. Main Idea Questions

a. What is the passage mainly about?
b. Which of the following statements best summarize the main idea of the passage?
c. Which of the following would serve as the best title of the passage?
d. Which of the following statements summarize the main idea of the passage?
e. What is the main purpose of the passage?

II. Questions for Vocabulary in Context

a. The word/ phrase “.....” in the passage/ paragraph is closest in meaning to ....
b. The word/ phrase “.....” in the passage/ paragraph could best be replaced by which of the following?
c. The word/ phrase “.....” in the passage/ paragraph means ....

III. Reference Questions

a. The word “it/they/which/that ...” in the passage/paragraph refers to ...

IV. Questions for Coherence Understanding

a. The paragraph precedes this passage/ paragraph is mostly probably about ...
b. The paragraph that follows this passage is mostly probably about ...
c. Look at the ... gaps that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. Where
should the sentence best fit?

V. Questions for purposes

a. Why does the author mention “....” in paragraph/passage?
b. Why does the writer introduce ... in the paragraph/passage?
c. Why does the author give the details about ...?
d. Why does the writer refer to/relate to/cite ...?

VI. Questions for paraphrased information

a. Which of the following best states/summarizes the highlighted sentence/ the sentence in bold/italics in
the passage?

VII. Questions for detailed information

1. Single focus
a. According to the passage. Who/when/where/what/how/ ....?
b. In the passage, what does the author say about ...?
c. What does the writer mention as an example of ...?
d. According to the passage, which of the following true about ...?

2. Without single focus

a. In the passage, the author states that ....
b. According to the passage, which of the following is (NOT) true?
c. According to the passage, all of the following are true EXCEPT ...
d. All of the following are mentioned in the passage EXCEPT ...

VIII. Inference/Implication Questions

a. From the passage, it can be inferred that ....
b. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph/passage?
c. based on the information in paragraph/ passage, which of the fowwling can be inferred?
d. It is implied in the passage that ....
e. According to the passage, with which statement do you think the author would most probably agree?
 MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS

Example 1:
“Also, a stranger may remind you of a meeting with someone. This may be because of something as
simple as the fact that he or she is physically similar to someone who treated you well or badly. Your
feelings about a stranger could be influenced by a smell in the air that brings to mind a place where you were
happy as a child. Since even a single word can bring back a memory such as that, you may never realize it is
happening.”
What does the paragraph discuss?
A. Meanings of signals one implies towards a stranger.
B. Factors that may influence one’s feelings about a stranger.
C. How people usually behave to a stranger.
D. Factors that cause people to act differently.

Example 2:
“The average home library has a number of old favourite books, many unread books, and a few very
useful books. The most useful one of all - besides the dictionary – is likely to be a world almanac. A good
almanac includes a wealth of information – biographical, historical, and geographical. Records of all sorts
– the highest, the lowest, the longest and the biggest – are all included in the almanac.”
The main idea of the paragraph is that _____.
A. Everyone should have a home library. B. The almanac is an unread book.
C. The dictionary is not the most useful book. D. An almanac includes important information.

Example 3:
“Nothing is as useful as a flashlight on a dark night if a fire goes flat. Few inventions are as helpful to
a child who is afraid of the dark. In fact, the modern flashlight brings light to many dark situations.
Finding something in the back of a closet is easy with a flashtlight in hand. A camper also needs one after the
light of the campfire has faded.”
The main idea of the paragraph is that _____.
A. Some children are afraid of the dark. B. Modern flashlight is very useful.
C. You need a flashlight to find things. D. A flashlight is always beside any campers.

Example 4:
“Dishes have to be washed. There are floors to sweep and laundry to wash, fold and put away.
Windows need washing, and furniture needs to be dusted and polished. Besides these chores, houses need
constant organization too.”
The main idea of the paragraph is that _____.
A. Any houses have dishes and floors. B. We often have to wash windows.
C. Houses need constant organization. D. Housework is never done.

Example 5:
“Upon the creation of the United States, one of the core concepts on which the hopes for the new
democracy were pinned was the ideal that its citizens would be enlightened individuals with clearly
articulated rights and the opportunity for individual achievement and education. It was believed that in
a free nation where the power belongs to the people, the commitment to education defines the
progress of that democracy and is the catalyst for future progress. This core value has not only stood
the test of time but has also grown in importance. In this new Information Era and international
economy, education is an increasingly vital commodity, a precursor of potential success and a driving
force of change. It is important to recognize, however, that we approach education today differently than in
the past, partly because the kinds of jobs people had didn't require the kind of basic education and specialized
training that is often required in the workforce today. In the 1950s, for instance, only 20 percent of American
jobs were classified as professional, 20 percent as skilled, and 60 percent as unskilled. Today, our world has
changed. The proportion of unskilled jobs has fallen to 20 percent, while skilled jobs now account for
at least 60 percent of the workforce. Even more important, almost every job today increasingly requires a
combination of academic knowledge and practical skills that require learning throughout a lifetime.”
Which of the following titles would be best for the passage?
A. Education and Jobs in the Past and at Present in the United States
B. The Significant Role of Education in American Citizens' Careers
C. Academic Knowledge and Practical Skills in American Professions
D. Recent Changes of Educational and Vocational Systems in America

Example 6:
“Basketball was invented in 1891 by a physical education instructor in Springfield,
Massachusetts, by the name of James Naismith. Because of terrible weather in winter, his physical
education students were indoors rather than outdoors. They really did not like the idea of boring,
repetitive exercises and preferred the excitement and challenge of a game. Naistmith figured out a team
sport that could be played indoors on a gymnasium floor, that involved a lot of running, that kept all team
members involved, and that did not allow the tackling and physical contact of American style football.”
What is the topic of this passage?
A. The life of James Naismith B. The history of sports
C. Physical education and exercise D.The origin of basketball

Example 7:
“Most of the ice on the Earth, close to 90 percent of it, is covering the surface of the continent
Antarctica. It does not snow very much in Antarctica, but whatever snow does fall remains and grows deeper and
deeper. In some areas of Antarctica, the ice has perhaps been around for as much as a million years and now is
more than two miles deep.”
1. The main idea of the passage is that
A. the Earth is a cold planet
B. most of the Earth's ice is found in Antarctica
C. it snows more in Antarctica than in any other place on the Earth
D. Antarctica is only two miles wide but is 90 percent ice
2. The best title for the passage is
A. Snowfall in Antarctica B. The Icy Earth
C. The Cold, Cold Snow D. The Causes of Antarctica's Ice Pack

Example 8:
“The extremely hot and humid weather that occurs in the United States in July and August is commonly
called the "dog days" of summer. This name comes from the star Sirius, which is known as the Dog Star. Sirius is
the brightest visible star, and in the hot summer months it rises in the east at approximately the same time as the
Sun. As ancient people saw this star rising with the Sun when the weather was at its hottest, they believed that
Sirius was the cause of the additional heat; they believed that this bright star added its heat to the heat of the Sun and
that these two together made summer weather so unbearably hot.”
1. The topic of this passage is
A. how dogs like to play during the summer
B. the causes of hot and humid weather
C. why the hot summer days are known as the "dog days"
D. the days that dogs prefer
2. The main idea of this passage is that
A. the name for the summer days came from Sirius, the Dog Star
B. dogs generally prefer hot summer days
C. the hottest days occur in the summer because of the movements of the Sun and stars
D. Sirius rises at almost the same time as the Sun during the summer months.

QUESTIONS FOR DETAILED INFORMATION

STATED DETAIL QUESTIONS
Example 1:
“In 1945 the town’s population was 176,214 and in 1975 it was 200,842. By December 1985 the
population had grown to 250, 562.”
When was the latest population count taken? _____.
A. In 1945 B. In 1975 C. In 1985 D. In 2000

Example 2:
“The rainfall in the city is usually 16 inches per year, but in 1979 the rainfall was a record setting 20
inches. Therefore, about 20% fewer tourists came to visit the city than usual. Because of the drop in the tourist
trade, the city lost $100,000 in business owing to the rain.”
How much money did the city lose? _____.
A. 16 inches B. 20 inches C. 20% D. $100,000

Example 3:
“Flutes have been around for quite some time, in all sorts of shapes and sizes and made from a
variety of materials. The oldest known flutes are, about 20,000 years old, they were made from
hollowed-out bones with holes cut in them. In addition to bone, older flutes were often constructed
from bamboo or hollowed-out wood.
Today flutes are generally made of metal, and in addition to the holes they have a complicated
system of keys, levers, and pads. The instrument belonging to well-known flautist James Galway is not
just made of any metal, it is made of gold.”
According to the passage, the oldest flutes:
A. had holes cut in them B. were made of metal
C. were made 200,000 years ago D. had a complicated set of levers and pads

Example 4:
“Many parts of the southwestern United States would become deserts again without the
waters of the Colorado River. A system of thousands of miles of canals, hundreds of miles of tunnels
and aqueducts, and numerous dams and reservoirs bring Colorado River water to the area. The Imperial
Valley in southern California is an example of such a place; it is a vast and productive agricultural area that
was once a desert. Today, 2,000 miles of canals irrigate the fertile land and keep it productive.”
1. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a way that Colorado River water gets to the
Southwest?
A. By truck B. In bottles C. In wells D. Through canals
2. According to the passage, the Imperial Valley
A. is a desert today B. is located in Colorado
C. produces a lot of agricultural goods D. does not require irrigation

Example 5:
“The ancestors of humans had a lot more hair than the humans of today; in fact, they had thick hair
all over their bodies. This thick hair was necessary for protection against the cold of the Ice Ages. As Earth
got warmer, the hair began to thin out, except for on the head. The head hair has remained through the
evolutionary process, both as a sort of pillow to cushion the sensitive head when it gets banged around and
as a sort of hat to keep the head warm and prevent so much heat from escaping through the scalp.”
1. According to the passage, what happened as the temperature on Earth increased?
A. The hair on the head began to thin out. B. The hair on the body remained the same.
C. The hair on the body got thicker. D. The hair on the body began to thin out.
2. The author indicates that one of the purposes of hair on the head is to
A. fill up pillows B. help heat escape through the scalp
C. ensure that the head is warm D .make it easier to think

UNSTATED DETAIL QUESTIONS

Example 1
“The Florida Keys area beautiful chain of almost 1,000 coral and limestone islands.
These islands form an arc that heads first southwest and then west from the mainland. U.S. Highway 1,
called the Overseas Highway, connects the main islands in the chain. On this highway, it is necessary
to cross forty-two bridges over the ocean to cover the 159 miles from Miami, on the mainland, to Key
West, the farthest island on the highway and the southernmost city in the United States.”
Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Florida Keys?
A. The Florida Keys area chain of islands.
B. The Florida Keys contain coral and limestone.
C. The Florida Keys are in the shape of an arc.
D. The Florida Keys are not all inhabited.

Example 2:
“Newcastle is on the bank of the River Tyne. There is a cathedral and a university. Newcastle is
next to Gateshead. The main industries used to be shipbuilding and coalmining, but now the chemical
and soap industries are important. I miss the people, who are very friendly, and I miss the beautiful
countryside near the city, where there are so many hills and streams.”
Which of the following is NOT true about Newcastle?
A. Its people are friendly. B. Its main industry now is shipbuilding.
C. It has a cathedral and a university. D. It is next to Gateshead.

Example 3:
“Newcastle is on the bank of the River Tyne. There is a cathedral and a university. Newcastle is next
to Gateshead. The main industries used to be shipbuilding and coalmining, but now the chemical and
soap industries are important. I miss the people, who are very friendly, and I miss the beautiful countryside
near the city, where there are so many hills and streams.”
Which of the following is NOT true about Newcastle?
A. Its people are friendly. B. Its main industry now is shipbuilding.
C. It has a cathedral and a university. D. It is next to Gateshead.

Example 4:
“In the 1960s, as space travel was becoming a subject of much discussion, Pan American Airlines
began receiving some fairly unusual requests for flight information. People began making requests to
be on the first flight that Pan Am made to the Moon.
On a whim, Pan Am started a waiting list for the first flight to the Moon. Similar requests have
come to Pan Am over the years, and Pan Am has responded by adding the names of the requesters to
the list.
Unfortunately for Pan Am, the original company is no longer in business, and it never got to the Moon.
However, when it went out of business, it had a waiting list of more than 90,000 names for its first lunar
flight.”
1. All of the following are mentioned about Pan American Airlines, EXCEPT that
A. it started business in the 1960s B. it received requests for its first flight to the Moon
C. it kept some people on a long waiting list D .it went out of business
2. Which of the following is NOT true about Pan Am's Moon flights?
A. People asked Pan Am about its flights to the Moon.
B. Pan Am kept a waiting list for its Moon flights.
C. Pan Am never really made any Moon flights.
D. Pan Am's waiting list had only a few names on

IMPLIED DETAIL QUESTIONS

Example 1:
“The number of rings in a tree can be used to determine how old a tree really is. Each year a tree
produces a ring that is composed of one light-colored wide band and one dark-colored narrow band. The
wider band is produced during the spring and early summer when tree stem cells grow rapidly and become
larger. The narrower band is produced in fall and early winter when cell growth is much slower and cells do
not get very large. No cells are produced during the harsh winter and summer months.”
It is implied in the passage that if a tree has 100 wide bands and 100 narrow bands, then it is:
A. a century old B. two centuries old
C. fifty years old D. two hundred years old
Example 2:
“Until 1996, the Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world, with more than a hundred
stories. It is located in Chicago, whose nickname is the Windy City. The combination of a very tall
building in a city with such weather conditions leads to a lot of swaying in the breeze.
On a windy day, the top of the building can move back and forth as much as three feet every few
seconds. The inside doors at the top of the building open and close, and water in sinks sloshes back
and forth.”
1. The Sears Tower is probably
A. as tall as the Empire State Building B. no longer the tallest building in the world
C. taller than any other building D. still the highest building in the world
2. It can be inferred from the passage that Chicago
A. has moderate weather B. is generally warm
C. has humid weather D. usually has a lot of wind
3. It is implied in the passage that the upper-level doors in the Sears Tower open and close because
A. the building was poorly constructed B. people go in and out so often
C. the building moves in the wind D. there is water in the sinks.

Example 3:
“The most common last name in the English-speaking world is Smith, which was taken from
the job of working with metals. A silversmith, for example, is someone who works with the metal
silver. Historical records indicate that the use of this last name is at least 700 years old. Today, there
are more than 3.3 million Smiths living in the United States and perhaps another million Smiths
living in other English-speaking countries worldwide”
1. It can be inferred from the passage that family names
A. were always taken from the area where a family lived B. were short names
C. had little or no meaning D. could be taken from jobs
2. In England there are probably
A. more Smiths than there are in the United States B. more than a million Smiths
C. fewer than a million Smiths D. no families with the name of Smith

Example 4:
“On the hardness scale, corundum immediately follows diamond, which is the hardest mineral in
the world. Corundum is perhaps better known by the names of its gemstones, ruby and sapphire.
Basically, gem corundum is divided into two groups: corundum that is red in color is called ruby,
and corundum that is any other color is called sapphire.
Pure corundum is clear, but pure corundum is rarely found in nature. If small amounts of the
chemical substance chromic oxide ( Cr203) got into the crystal structure when it formed millions of
years ago, then the corundum turned a deep, rich red and became ruby.
Red is not the only color that corundum can take on. Other chemical substances enter into
the crystal structure of corundum, and it can take on a variety of other colors. Most people
associate blue with sapphires, and certainly when corundum contains impurities that turn it blue,
it is called sapphire. However, corundum can have a variety of other colors - e.g., green or purple-and
still be called sapphire.”
1. It can be inferred from the passage that corundum is
A. the hardest mineral in the world B. not as hard as sapphire
C. the second hardest mineral D. a rather soft mineral
2. Chromic oxide is probably what color?
A. Clear B. Blue C. Red D. Green
3. Yellow corundum is most likely called
A. gold B. chromic oxide C. ruby D. sapphire