Test Your Understanding: Simple Reading Comprehension Questions for Students

The following reading comprehension questions are designed for beginners and non-native speakers. Although they are simple comprehension questions, they will test your understanding and improve reading skills.

Reading comprehension questions

Read the texts and answer the following questions.

Academic language

Text #1

An academic presentation is a way of sharing information about research or a topic in person, usually with the help of a PowerPoint or other visual aids. When giving an academic presentation, it is important to speak clearly, use appropriate body language, and engage with the audience. Visual aids can help to illustrate key points and keep the audience engaged.

Answer these questions based on the text 1:

What is an academic presentation and how is it typically delivered?
What are some key strategies for delivering an effective academic presentation?
How can visual aids be used to enhance the impact of an academic presentation?

Text #2

The introduction is the beginning of an academic report or paper. It should introduce the topic and provide some background information. The conclusion is the end of the report or paper. It should summarize the main points and provide a final thought or conclusion. Both the introduction and conclusion are important for giving context and helping the reader understand the purpose and scope of the report or paper.

Answer these questions based on the text 2:

What is the purpose of the introduction and conclusion in an academic report or paper?
What information should be included in the introduction of an academic report or paper?
How do the introduction and conclusion contribute to the overall understanding of an academic report or paper?

Text #3

When writing an academic report or paper, it is important to cite your sources. This means giving credit to the authors of the sources you used in your research. You can do this by using a citation style, such as APA or MLA, which provides guidelines for formatting your citations. Citing your sources is important for avoiding plagiarism and showing your reader where you found your information.

Answer these questions based on the text 3:

Why is it important to cite sources when writing an academic report or paper?
What are some commonly used citation styles, and what purpose do they serve?
What is the benefit of citing sources when it comes to avoiding plagiarism and building credibility with readers?

Common Idioms

Text #1

Jenny was feeling sad because she had lost her favorite toy. She looked everywhere for it, but she couldn’t find it. Her mom noticed that she was feeling down and said, “Jenny, I know you’re feeling sad, but you need to keep your chin up. We’ll find your toy, I promise.” Jenny took a deep breath and tried to be positive, even though she was still sad.

Answer these questions based on the text 1:

How was Jenny feeling at the beginning of the story?
What did her mom say to her when she noticed that she was feeling down?
What does “keep your chin up” mean?
Did Jenny find her toy?

Text #2

Alex had a big test coming up, and he hadn’t studied at all. He knew that he needed to hit the books if he wanted to do well on the test. So, he spent the whole afternoon studying his notes and reviewing the material. By the time he went to bed, he felt much more confident about the test.

Answer these questions based on the text 2:

Why did Alex need to hit the books?
What did Alex do to prepare for the test?
What does “hit the books” mean?
How did Alex feel after studying?

Text #3

Sarah’s mum was planning a surprise party for her dad’s birthday. Sarah was very excited about the party and couldn’t wait to tell her dad. But her mom told her, “Sarah, don’t spill the beans! We want it to be a surprise.” Sarah realized that it would be much more fun for everyone if she kept the party a secret.

Answer these questions based on the text 3:

What was Sarah’s mum planning?
Why was Sarah excited about the party?
Why was it important for Sarah to keep the party a secret?
What does this mean – “couldn’t wait to tell her dad”?

Business Idioms

Choose from the following business idioms:

Think outside the box
Cut corners
Blue-sky thinking
Out of the blue
Raise the bar
Game changer
In the loop
Get the ball rolling
On the same page
Hit the ground running

Text #1

Mary was the newest member of the team. She was excited to start her new job, but she was also nervous. She wanted to make a good impression and _____________.

On her first day, she arrived early, dressed professionally, and ready to work. Her new boss welcomed her and introduced her to the rest of the team. They all seemed friendly and welcoming. However, Mary quickly realized that they had their own way of doing things.

She had to learn the new processes and _____________ to keep up with her colleagues. She decided to ask her new colleagues for help, and they were happy to show her the ropes. After a few weeks, Mary felt like she had _____________ and was working well with the team.

Answer these questions based on the text 1:

Who is Mary?
How did Mary feel on her first day?
What did Mary need to do to keep up with her colleagues?
How did Mary feel after a few weeks?
Did Mary ask for help from her colleagues?

Text #2

John’s birthday was coming up, and his friends wanted to throw him a surprise party. They knew they had to _____________ and come up with something really special.

After some _____________, they decided to have the party at a park near John’s house. They rented a big tent, bought decorations and food, and invited all of John’s friends. They were excited to see John’s reaction when they jumped out and yelled “surprise!” However, things didn’t go according to plan.

It started raining heavily just as the party was about to start. They quickly moved everything under the tent, but it was still crowded and wet. Despite the weather, they all had a good time and John was happy to see his friends.

Answer these questions based on the text 2:

Whose birthday was coming up?
What did John’s friends want to do for his birthday?
Where did they decide to have the party?
What went wrong on the day of the party?
Was John happy to see his friends at the party?

Text #3

The company was struggling to come up with a new product. They had tried everything, but nothing seemed to work. They needed to _____________ and come up with something truly innovative.

One day, a new employee joined the team. His name was Tom, and he had a reputation for _____________ and coming up with new ideas. The team was skeptical at first, but Tom quickly proved himself.

He suggested a new product that no one had ever thought of before. Everyone was amazed by his _____________ and creativity. The team worked hard to develop the product, and it ended up being a huge success.

Answer these questions based on the text 3:

What problem was the company facing?
Who was the new employee?
What was Tom’s reputation?
What did Tom suggest?
Was the product successful?

Business Vocabulary

Text #1

Market research is important for any business to gain a better understanding of their customers and competition. It involves collecting and analyzing information about the market, such as customer needs and preferences, industry trends, and competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.

By conducting thorough market research, businesses can gain a competitive advantage over their rivals. For example, a company that learns about its customers’ preferences can create products or services that meet those needs, which can help differentiate the business from its competitors.

Similarly, a company that understands its competitors’ strengths and weaknesses can identify opportunities to differentiate itself and gain a competitive edge.

Answer these questions based on the text 1:

What is market research?
Why is market research important for businesses?
What kind of information can be collected during market research?
How can market research help a business gain a competitive advantage?
Can you give an example of how a company can use market research to differentiate itself from its competitors?

Learn Common English Idioms #3

Text #1

Tom and his friends decided to go camping. As they approached a field to set up their campsite, they noticed cows grazing in the area. Tom turned to Sarah and said, “Look before you leap. Let’s make sure the field is suitable for camping.” Sarah felt like a fish out of water as It was her first time and she had never been out of the big city before. She quickly adapted and began enjoying the experience. After a day filled with hiking, storytelling, and enjoying the scenery, they decided to call it a day and enter their tents and get a well-deserved rest.

Answer these questions based on the text 1:

1. What did Tom and his friends decide to do?

a) Go hiking b) Go camping c) Go fishing d) Go to the beach

2. What made Tom say, “Look before you leap” to Sarah?

a) They encountered a river on their way to the camping site. b) They noticed cows in the field they were about to enter. c) They realized they forgot to bring tents for camping. d) They found a hidden trail nearby.

3. How did Sarah feel about camping initially?

a) Like a fish out of water, as it was her first time camping and she had never been out of the big city before. b) Like she missed the boat and couldn’t adapt to the outdoor environment. c) Like she called it a day and decided to go back to the city. d) Like she looked before she leaped and thoroughly enjoyed the camping experience.

4. What did they do after a day filled with activities?

a) They decided to call it a day and return home. b) They felt like fish out of water and continued exploring the outdoors. c) They missed the boat and couldn’t find a suitable place to set up their tents. d) They called it a day and entered their tents for a well-deserved rest.

Idiom Exercises #3

Learn Common English Idioms #4

Text #1

Samantha had been organizing a special surprise party for her friend’s birthday. However, she couldn’t contain her excitement and accidentally let the cat out of the bag. Samantha felt embarrassed, as if she had egg on her face for spoiling the surprise. Nevertheless, she didn’t give up. Instead, she put on a brave face and planned a smaller get-together. It was a bit challenging, but Samantha refused to throw in the towel. She worked hard to make it great for her friend.

Answer these questions based on the text 1: