Short Reading Comprehension Review Questions

Short Reading Comprehension Skill Set Three

The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related passages
may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated
or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided.

Questions 1–3 are based on the following passage.

It was four o’clock when he landed on the rocks, which the rays of an intensely scorching sun had rendered so
hot that I could scarcely place my foot upon them. How the people without shoes bore it I cannot imagine. Never
shall I forget the extraordinary spectacle that met our sight the moment we passed the low range of bushes, which
formed a screen in front of the river. A crowd of many hundred Irish emigrants had been landed during the present
(5) and former day and all this motley crew—men, women, and children, who were not confined by sickness to the sheds
(which greatly resembled cattle-pens)—were employed in washing clothes or spreading them out on the rocks and
bushes to dry.

1. The reader may infer all of the following from the 3. The use of the term “spectacle” in line (3)
passage except: suggests the narrator was
A. the narrator was wearing shoes. A. expecting to see an eclectic mix of emigrants
B. there was a goodly number of sick among at the river.
the emigrants. B. surprised to see so many people who had
C. the memory of the sight of the emigrants will landed within two days.
fade over time. C. understandably elated to find others who
D. the narrator had been hidden from view of were seeking to establish homes.
the emigrants by natural boundaries. D. shocked to see the scene presented with so
E. it was summertime or on a latitude close to many emigrants and what they were doing.
the equator. E. thrilled at the final joining up with the
remainder of the emigrant settlers.
2. Which is the best description of the word “motley”
as used in line (5)?
A. a diverse mix of emigrants
B. a group who was in need of bathing
C. a group with dirty clothes
D. a mix of rich and poor settlers
E. a group including all sexes and ages

Questions 4–8 are based on the following passage.

I think I knew General Washington intimately and thoroughly; and were I called on to delineate his character, it
should be in terms like these.
His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong, though not
so acute as that of a Newton, Bacon, or Locke; and as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in
(5) operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion. Hence the common remark of his
officers, of the advantage he derived from councils of war, where hearing all suggestions, he selected whatever was
best; and certainly no general ever planned his battles more judiciously.

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Part II: Reading Comprehension

4. Why does the author write the first two lines (1–2) 7. What does the author mean by the term
before writing about Washington? “penetration” as used in line (3)?
A. as simply an introduction to establish his topic A. power to read minds
B. to serve as a notification that he is about to B. ability to enter or pass through objects
expose Washington C. genius to engage those who are of a first
C. to prepare the reader for the limitations he order mind
found in Washington D. ability to assess and figure out difficult tasks
D. to suggest that he was able to observe E. power to reason with the assistance of
Washington in various surroundings leaders of the day
E. to qualify himself as one who is knowledge-
able enough to fully present the subject 8. What may be inferred about Washington’s
judgment based on the passage?
5. Which of the following best describes the
A. He was quick to decide and held to his
treatment of Washington in this passage?
decision.
A. presented only those aspects of Washington B. He was slow and methodical, but committed.
that are deemed positive C. He required the assistance of others and then
B. reflected primarily on the negative sides of quickly decided.
Washington D. He ignored input from the greatest minds of
C. presented only enough positive attributes to the day when deciding.
suggest his leadership was questionable E. He rushed to judgment before considering
D. presented both the positives and the flat sides the consequences.
of Washington
E. reflected upon the personality of Washington
as opposed to his accomplishments

6. What may we infer about the author as it relates to

the assessment of Washington’s mind?
A. He knew enough of the top minds of his day
and could relate them to Washington.
B. He was informed from sufficient sources as
to make a relative comparison to those with
first order minds.
C. He believed he had the ability to properly
assess the abilities of Washington’s mind and
could appropriately compare it to those he
could recognize as having a mind of the very
first order.
D. A mind of the very first order was indeed a
rarity and that only he and a very few others,
certainly not Washington, possessed such
a mind.
E. Washington must have had a good mind to
be selected for the positions he was assigned
but not a good enough mind as to get any
better positions; such as a mind of greater
order would.

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