English Language Reading Comprehension Exercises

Posted on May 20, 2026 in Medicine & Health

Half of Women in Music Experience Discrimination

• 1.
  • A) False: “It says that one third of women… sexually harassed at work.”
  • B) True: “The report said women are… compared to 21,750 for men.”
  • C) False: “Founder of the non-profit music development organisation Women in CTRL.”
  • D) False: “Rebecca Ferguson said in her evidence that misogyny in music was just ‘the tip of the iceberg’.”
• 2.
  • A. The data from a report says that women make less money than men on average, despite being highly qualified. Also, many have been sexually harassed at work.
  • B. Because harassment and discrimination are very common in the music industry, as suggested by the report and personal testimony.
  • C. Because if she had accepted the advances of the male singer, she would have been considered a poor worker. However, if she had reported the musician who harassed her, she would have been sacked.
• 3. A) Barrier, B) Genuine, C) Unprofessional
• 4. A) Had taken (b), B) Depending on (a), C) Was echoed (d)

What, Exactly, Is ‘Moderate Drinking’?

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: “But other countries define moderate drinking, also called low-risk drinking, differently.”
  • B. TRUE: “But many researchers now think that those conclusions were based on data analyses that had ‘all kinds of methodological problems’.”
  • C. FALSE: “A few countries have adjusted their recommendations.”
  • D. FALSE: “‘Less is more; less is better’, Dr. Stockwell said, ‘Drink less; live longer’.”
• 2.
  • A. Because it did not take into account that people who did not drink usually suffered from some health condition, while it was more common for moderate drinkers to lead healthy lives.
  • B. The new research methods focus primarily on diseases caused by alcohol rather than on general health.
  • C. These new recommendations lower the moderate consumption threshold in general, both for men and women. They are also based on the latest scientific data.
• 3. A) Urgent, B) Abstained, C) Precise
• 4. A) Was defined (b), B) Include (a), C) As (d)

Drink-Driving

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: The current general limit in Spain is 0.5 g/l, with a lower 0.3 g/l limit for professional and novice drivers, though under 18s are subject to a zero limit.
  • B. FALSE: The new lower generalised limit will put Spain on the same level as Norway and Sweden.
  • C. FALSE: According to European Commission estimates, 25% of all road deaths across the European Union are alcohol-related.
  • D. TRUE: Heavy goods vehicles should also be fitted with these devices.
• 2.
  • A. The text mentions three major causes of car accidents: not wearing seatbelts, speeding, and drink-driving.
  • B. The driver blows into the machine and it prevents the car from starting if the alcohol level is over the permitted limit.
  • C. It aims to decrease casualties caused by drink-driving, supporting EU legal measures while advising drivers.
• 3. A) Safety, B) Proper, C) Forum
• 4. A) Will be saved (d), B) Came (c), C) Hasn’t Spain also taken (c)

Skincare Trends

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: The rise of the “baby and child skincare market” is expected to reach $380m by 2028.
  • B. FALSE: My daughter and her friends are fully aware of the language of “body positivity”; this movement has not really involved the skin issue.
  • C. TRUE: There’s never been more pressure to have perfect skin.
  • D. TRUE: These are the body-image lessons dripping from the internet through tweens’ relationships with skincare.
• 2.
  • A. The author is worried about the new tendency for children to become obsessed with standardised perfect skin, ignoring skin diversity.
  • B. Because the social imposition of being thin and fit has evolved into having perfect skin without imperfections among young people.
  • C. Data published by the market-research firm Mintel shows that nearly 70% of Gen Z men use skin products.
• 3. A) Aware, B) Moisturiser, C) Merrily
• 4. A) Has been published (c), B) Shouldn’t be (b), C) Would have found (c)

The Twins Who Created Their Own Language

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: “The brothers insist Umeri isn’t an intentionally secret language… It definitely has a very sentimental value to us.”
  • B. FALSE: “An estimated 30-50% of twins develop a shared language.”
  • C. FALSE: “They began to translate phrases word for word from English into Spanish. Later they looked at Italian.”
  • D. TRUE: “Pooling together various grammatical elements of all the languages they had studied, the brothers realised Umeri could actually become a fully-fledged language itself.”
• 2.
  • A. Because she thinks that’s a more accurate word to describe the phenomenon of cryptophasia.
  • B. Because he was one of the first who listened to them using Umeri at a very young age.
  • C. Because it would be useless to design it, taking into account that there is no Umeri font.
• 3. A) Intentionally, B) Pattern, C) Hazy
• 4. C, A, B

Singapore: The Sixth ‘Blue Zone’

• 1.
  • A. TRUE: “In addition, the number of centenarians in Singapore doubled over the 10-year period from 2010-2020.”
  • B. TRUE: “This huge leap in longevity has largely been driven by intentional government policy and investment.”
  • C. TRUE: “Keeping the country clean and beautiful also gives residents a sense of security and calm.”
  • D. FALSE: “Prioritising the seamless integration of parks, gardens and nature reserves into the cityscape has earned Singapore the reputation of being a ‘garden city’.”
• 2.
  • A. Nowadays children can expect to live to more than 86, and from 2010-2020 the number of 100-year-old people doubled.
  • B. Because they have seen firsthand the transformation in community health consciousness.
  • C. Singapore has integrated green areas into the cityscape and implemented strict laws successfully.
• 3. A) Likely, B) Enhances, C) Efficient
• 4. D, B, C

Rafael Nadal’s Retirement

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: “Often called the ‘King of Clay’ for his dominance on that surface.”
  • B. TRUE: “Nadal’s career has been defined by not only his success but also his struggles with injuries.”
  • C. TRUE: “He shared his gratitude for everyone who supported him during his long career.”
  • D. FALSE: “His legacy will be remembered not just for his incredible achievements, but also for his perseverance.”
• 2.
  • A. Nadal’s career is extensive, highlighted by his 14 French Open titles.
  • B. Injuries have influenced his career, but he has overcome them to continue winning.
  • C. Roger Federer was a major opponent, but their rivalry proved that competition can be positive.
• 3. A) Achievements, B) Milestones, C) Supported
• 4. A) Will be played (a), B) On (d), C) Has headed (d)

Spanish Anti-Tourism Protests

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: “Six protesters in Tenerife in an attempt to halt two major tourism projects on the island.”
  • B. TRUE: “The country’s central bank has reported that nearly half of families who rent at market prices are at risk of poverty.”
  • C. FALSE: “As the protests continue beyond the summer, there are particular concerns in destinations like the Canary Islands.”
  • D. TRUE: “Barcelona city hall has announced that short-term apartments will be banned from 2028.”
• 2.
  • A. Spain is expected to receive around 25 million more visitors by 2040.
  • B. The industry is essential to the economy and drove recovery after the pandemic.
  • C. Measures include banning short-term apartments, limiting visitors to natural parks, and charging for Plaza de España.
• 3. A) Halt, B) Squirted, C) Banned
• 4. A) Might have influenced (d), B) Had addressed (a), C) More significant (d)

Heartstopper Star on Representation

• 1.
  • A. FALSE: “It’s hard to deny that the supporting cast are a huge, monumental reason for fans tuning in too.”
  • B. TRUE: “Tara’s relationship with Darcy this season touches on boundary setting and navigating codependency.”
  • C. TRUE: “Corinna takes immense pride in contributing to de-stigmatising Black queerness.”
  • D. FALSE: “Natural Black hair didn’t use to get much screen time on TV and film.”
• 2.
  • A. By portraying an unhealthy relationship, she has learned the signs and what to avoid in real life.
  • B. He has been reassuring and guided her through the difficult task of portraying anxiety.
  • C. There’s still a long way to go, but it is getting better.
• 3. A) Ensemble, B) Grown-up, C) Erratic
• 4. A) Which (d), B) Her to breathe (b), C) Representing (c)

Is Handwriting Getting Worse?

• 1.
  • A. TRUE: “A business administrator named Ramón Rubio founded a small academy aimed primarily at training candidates.”
  • B. FALSE: “Visually, it is very different from the print or script typeface that predominates today.”
  • C. FALSE: “This lack of handwriting has adopted forms more similar to those of printed letters.”
  • D. TRUE: “A series of graphological features are established that will remain intact in adulthood.”
• 2.
  • A. They have been used for more than 50 years—since the 1970s.
  • B. Students are not used to handwriting, so their calligraphy is changing to resemble printed text.
  • C. Yes, as we age, our calligraphy changes, which experts say can reveal much about our lives.
• 3. A) Reinforce, B) Strokes, C) Adolescence
• 4. A) Whose (b), B) Joining (a), C) For (b)