Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Answer: D

Some people stroll alongside even after the train has started moving because the doors are still open.

The second paragraph says the train 'simply draws out of the station while people stroll alongside and with studied nonchalance, clamber on, one after the other through the still-open doors.' The open doors are what let them board while the train moves.

The passage does not say they reached the platform late, that they want to enjoy the scene outside, or that they enjoy boarding a moving train; these are guesses about their motives, while the open doors are stated.

Answer: B

What can prevent you from enjoying the train trip is that you are lonely by temperament.

The third paragraph says that you can make friends and allies quickly, 'or be anti-social and lonely for the whole of the journey', and adds 'Of course, it depends on your personality'. Isolating yourself, which suits a lonely temperament, spoils the trip, since 'you can't isolate yourself completely on a train'.

Strangers around you are the company you can make friends with, not an obstacle. Worry about luggage is solved by finding an ally to watch it, and the passage never says that other travellers might not trust you.

Answer: C

The statement that is not true is that the narrator does not enjoy a picnic in the train.

The narrator says Indians prepare properly for train travel 'so it becomes a picnic on wheels' and that 'I get excited when I am part of it'. So the narrator does enjoy it.

The other three are in the last paragraph: the excitement of moving on to a new place, the pleasure at the new acquaintances the narrator is going to make, and the thrill at the dissolving of the city skyline into rural landscape beyond the windows.

Answer: A

You are well informed about your fellow passengers even before you have entered the compartment.

The first paragraph says you have found your name on the passenger's list, 'together with the names of those in the compartment with you', so you already know your fellow passengers' names, ages, sex and destination. This is before boarding.

The passage does not say you learn about them after introductions, after interacting with them, or once you have settled in your seats.

Answer: C

Those who stake a claim to territory in the compartment are those who do not travel light.

The second paragraph says 'Your fellow passengers are settling in, staking out their claims to territory with too much luggage.' People with a lot of luggage spread it out to claim space, so they are the ones who do not travel light.

The passage does not link the claims with those who need more space, with those whose seats are occupied, or with those who have not reserved seats.

Answer: C

Only statement (a) is correct, so the answer is '(b) and (c) are incorrect, (a) is correct'.

(a) is correct: the extract calls Untouchable 'a charming French comedy'.

(b) is incorrect: the two friends 'have almost nothing in common', and the extract lists their different tastes in music and art. (c) is incorrect as worded: the film is described as 'a huge international success', and the extract does not say it was successful in France and Algeria in particular.

Answer: B

The key gives warm friendship.

The last paragraph says that their working relationship 'quickly developed into a close friendship' and that all that really matters to their friendship is their 'shared love of laughter and adventure'. Of the options, warm friendship is the one that matches the bond the extract describes.

Love for music is wrong because the two men liked different music. Their immigration status is not a shared feature. 'Love for adventure sports' is the nearest distractor, since the extract mentions a shared love of adventure, but it never mentions sports.

Answer: B

Philip needed a nurse to help him with day-to-day practical things of life.

After the paragliding accident he lost the use of his arms and legs, and the extract says he 'needed practical help with his day-to-day life'.

Abdul's criminal past and immigration status were not what the job was for, and nothing says the nurse was hired to listen to classical music.

Answer: D

Abdul migrated to France to search for employment.

The extract says Abdul 'had quit a life of crime in Algeria and moved to France to look for work'.

He did not go to work in the film industry, the extract does not say he was running from the police, and his liking for pop music is mentioned only as a difference from Philip.

Answer: D

The aspect that is not true is 'He preferred listening to classical music'.

The extract says 'Abdul loved pop music, but Philip preferred classical music', so the preference for classical music belongs to Philip.

The other statements are true of Abdul: he had left a life of crime, was lively and quick-thinking, and became a close friend of his employer.