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Comprehension
Read about the development of radio communication in this quiz.

Comprehension

Sharpen your 11 Plus English comprehension. Read a short passage, spot clues, and choose the best answers using meaning, inference, and careful checking.

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Fascinating Fact:

Vocabulary in context means swap the hard word for a simple synonym and check the sentence still reads naturally.

In 11 Plus English, comprehension tests how well you understand a passage. You will use context clues, inference, and careful re-reading to locate evidence and justify your answers.

  • Comprehension: Understanding what a text means, not just reading the words.
  • Inference: A sensible idea you work out from clues in the text.
  • Skim and scan: Skim for the gist, scan to find specific words or details.
What does inference mean in 11 Plus comprehension?

Inference means using clues in the passage to work out ideas that are not said directly, then explaining your reasoning clearly.

How can I improve for the 11 Plus comprehension test?

Practise daily. Read a mix of texts, learn new vocabulary, underline key evidence, and check each answer against the question’s exact wording.

What is the difference between skimming and scanning?

Skimming is quick reading for the main idea. Scanning is looking fast for a specific word, phrase, or detail in the text.

The questions below are based on the following text:

Radio owes its development to the invention of the telegraph and the telephone; indeed, all three technologies are closely related, and radio technology actually began as wireless telegraphy. Technically speaking, the term 'radio' refers to either the electronic appliance itself or to the content of the electronic device.

The whole thing started with the discovery of radio waves: these are electromagnetic waves that have the capacity to transmit data such as music, speech and pictures through space. Of those devices that function by using electromagnetic waves, some of the commonest ones are the following: radio, microwaves, cordless phones, remotely controlled machines and television.

During the 1860s, James Clerk Maxwell predicted the existence of radio waves; in 1886, the German physicist, Heinrich Hertz demonstrated that rapidly varying electric currents could be projected into space in the form of radio waves: waves that are similar to those of light and heat. In 1866, Mahlon Loomis successfully demonstrated the concept of wireless telegraphy: his experiment provided the first known example of wireless aerial communication. Finally, Guillermo Marconi proved that communicating by radio waves was technologically feasible: in 1902, a transmission from the Marconi station in Glace Bay, Canada, became the first radio message to cross the Atlantic. Guillermo Marconi is often called the "Father of Radio"; however, he did not invent it. Be that as it may, he was probably the person who did more than anyone else to advance radio technology.
1 .
What is meant by 'The whole thing'?
The invention of the telegraph and the telephone
The development and invention of the telegraph, the telephone and the radio
The development and invention of the telegraph and the telephone
The development and invention of the radio
'The whole thing' refers to how everything initially started and led on to the development and invention of the telegraph, the telephone and the radio
2 .
Thinking about its role in the text, what is meant by the word 'capacity'?
measure of electrical output
volume
physical ability
size
In the text, 'capacity' means 'the physical ability to do something'
3 .
What sort of scientist do you think James Clerk Maxwell was?
Physician
Physicist
Pharmacist
Chemist
Heinrich Hertz was a physicist, so you should have gone for 'physicist' - which is what he was. Look around for helpful tips!
4 .
What does 'Heinrich Hertz demonstrated' mean?
Heinrich Hertz showed
Heinrich Hertz complained
Heinrich Hertz entertained
Heinrich Hertz guessed
In the text, 'demonstrate' means 'to show or prove something convincingly'
5 .
Thinking about its role in the text, what is meant by the word 'projected'?
swirled
floated
drawn
sent
In the text, 'project' means 'to send'. Think of the 'varying electric currents' being 'thrown' into space
6 .
In 'his experiment provided', whose experiment does 'his' refer to?
Guillermo Marconi's
James Clerk Maxwell's
Heinrich Hertz's
Mahlon Loomis's
'his' is in the same sentence as Mahlon Loomis
7 .
What did Guillermo Marconi prove?
Communicating by sound waves was technologically feasible
Communicating by waves was technologically feasible
Communicating by radio waves was technologically feasible
Communicating by radios was technologically feasible
Read the questions carefully. By the way, sound waves are not the same as radio waves: sound can't travel in a vacuum
8 .
What does 'it' in the second to last sentence refer to?
The radio
Father of Radio
The telegraph
The telephone
He's called the "Father of Radio" - that's the clue!
9 .
What does the writer mean by saying 'Be that as it may'?
Who cares that he didn't invent the radio
However, he didn't invent the radio
Despite being the "Father of Radio"
Despite not inventing the radio
In the text, 'Be that as it may' means 'despite that'. The 'that' being the fact that he didn't invent the radio
10 .
Which of the following would be an appropriate title for the text?
The development of the telephone
The development of the radio
The development of the telegraph
The development of radio waves
The text is about the radio: 'Radio owes its development to ... '
Author:  Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)

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