Reading comprehension is an important element in a person’s learning of the English language. We all know language is spoken or written and consequently heard or read. To guarantee the reader's understanding of the writer certain conventions have to be followed. This Upper Primary quiz will help you to become familiar with those conventions and to spot them in written text.
Understanding conventions in grammar, sentence construction and vocabulary, coupled with knowledge of the alphabet and parts of speech, are necessary for both writer and reader so as to be able to communicate with one another meaningfully.
[readmore]Vocabulary plays a vital part in language and a person may delve into his vocabulary bank to come up with words that he uses to convey his point of view in a written communication. It is up to the reader to understand the words used. Often, the writer uses words and puts them in sentences which have inbuilt clues which help the reader's understanding. Sometimes, in addition to the clues a context is also presented which again helps the reader to understand the word used. Learning to locate the clues and the context in which the words are used helps the reader immensely to understand what the writer has written. Here, the reader can also fall back upon his own experiences to put the written passage into context and understand the communication.
‘While batting, Sachin Tendulkar has a few eccentric habits, such as adjusting his abdomen guard.’ This text contains a clue which helps us to understand the meaning of the word ‘eccentric.’ Also, your own experience of watching Tendulkar bat would have given a hint as to the meaning of the word ‘eccentric’. Also the context in which the word is use (‘while batting) gives a hint of the meaning of ‘eccentric.’
Regular reading of a variety of texts and all types of writing will help to familiarise you with the conventions of English and also improve your reading comprehension levels. This quiz is just the start!
1.
|
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the following sentence?
'I was able to excavate my correct pair of socks from the bottom of my suitcase.' |
|
[ ] |
My suitcase contained lots of clothes and I had to search for my socks. |
[ ] |
My suitcase does not have a bottom. |
[ ] |
I had only one pair of socks. |
[ ] |
I had no other clothes in the suitcase other than socks. |
|
|
2.
|
'A batsman who gets out caught in the slips more times than other forms of getting out is showing symptoms of fishing outside the off stump.'
From reading the previous sentence we can deduce that 'symptoms' are what? |
|
[ ] |
A weakness. |
[ ] |
Signs of a weakness. |
[ ] |
A strength. |
[ ] |
Simple attributes. |
|
|
3.
|
'These holidays I cleaned my room and put all my things in their proper places.'
What did I do to my room? |
|
[ ] |
I searched my room. |
[ ] |
I organised my room. |
[ ] |
I painted my room. |
[ ] |
I locked my room. |
|
|
4.
|
Grace's brother is a person who investigates the way people lived in the past. What is Grace's brother's occupation? |
|
[ ] |
He is an engineer. |
[ ] |
He is a doctor |
[ ] |
He is an archaeologist. |
[ ] |
He is an architect. |
|
|
5.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals, making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'The DEBRIS in my brother's pig sty of a room included used paper cups, ticket stubs, and cigarette butts.' |
|
[ ] |
Eatables |
[ ] |
Files |
[ ] |
Products |
[ ] |
Trash |
|
|
6.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals, making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'Some friends decided to be very FRUGAL in their spending because they wanted to save enough money to buy tickets for the concert' |
|
[ ] |
Economical |
[ ] |
Wasteful |
[ ] |
Lavish |
[ ] |
Careless |
|
|
7.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'Although Anamika is usually DISHEVELLED, she was looking neat for her job interview.' |
|
[ ] |
Clean |
[ ] |
Tidy |
[ ] |
Messy |
[ ] |
Organised |
|
|
8.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'After the heavy rains, the road became SLIPPERY; in fact, many cars were sliding uncontrollably on the road.' |
|
[ ] |
Safe |
[ ] |
Secure |
[ ] |
Unstable |
[ ] |
Stable |
|
|
9.
|
Choose the sentence which gives the meaning of the capitalised word by using a context clue of contrast? |
|
[ ] |
'The boys wanted to be PUNCTUAL for the concert because they did not want to miss the beginning.' |
[ ] |
'After adding the powder the water became MURKY; in fact, the water was so cloudy you couldn't see the bottom.' |
[ ] |
'The teacher loses no opportunity to PRAISE her pupils, as she did on the occasion when they won the elocution contest.' |
[ ] |
'The teacher loses no opportunity to CENSURE her pupils, yet she rarely finds occasions to praise them.' |
|
|
10.
|
'When Trupti hurt her little finger lightly, she got all MELODRAMATIC and demanded to be taken to the clinic in an ambulance.'
The word in capitals means 'with exaggerated emotion.' Choose the clue that leads you to the definition. |
|
[ ] |
Trupti demanded to be taken to the clinic in an ambulance. |
[ ] |
Trupti hurt her little finger. |
[ ] |
Her name is Trupti. |
[ ] |
All of the above. |
|
|
1.
|
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the following sentence?
'I was able to excavate my correct pair of socks from the bottom of my suitcase.' |
|
[x] |
My suitcase contained lots of clothes and I had to search for my socks. |
[ ] |
My suitcase does not have a bottom. |
[ ] |
I had only one pair of socks. |
[ ] |
I had no other clothes in the suitcase other than socks. |
|
|
2.
|
'A batsman who gets out caught in the slips more times than other forms of getting out is showing symptoms of fishing outside the off stump.'
From reading the previous sentence we can deduce that 'symptoms' are what? |
|
[ ] |
A weakness. |
[x] |
Signs of a weakness. |
[ ] |
A strength. |
[ ] |
Simple attributes. |
|
|
3.
|
'These holidays I cleaned my room and put all my things in their proper places.'
What did I do to my room? |
|
[ ] |
I searched my room. |
[x] |
I organised my room. |
[ ] |
I painted my room. |
[ ] |
I locked my room. |
|
|
4.
|
Grace's brother is a person who investigates the way people lived in the past. What is Grace's brother's occupation? |
|
[ ] |
He is an engineer. |
[ ] |
He is a doctor |
[x] |
He is an archaeologist. |
[ ] |
He is an architect. |
|
|
5.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals, making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'The DEBRIS in my brother's pig sty of a room included used paper cups, ticket stubs, and cigarette butts.' |
|
[ ] |
Eatables |
[ ] |
Files |
[ ] |
Products |
[x] |
Trash |
|
|
6.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals, making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'Some friends decided to be very FRUGAL in their spending because they wanted to save enough money to buy tickets for the concert' |
|
[x] |
Economical |
[ ] |
Wasteful |
[ ] |
Lavish |
[ ] |
Careless |
|
|
7.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'Although Anamika is usually DISHEVELLED, she was looking neat for her job interview.' |
|
[ ] |
Clean |
[ ] |
Tidy |
[x] |
Messy |
[ ] |
Organised |
|
|
8.
|
Choose the correct meaning of the word in capitals making use of any clue provided in the following sentence.
'After the heavy rains, the road became SLIPPERY; in fact, many cars were sliding uncontrollably on the road.' |
|
[ ] |
Safe |
[ ] |
Secure |
[x] |
Unstable |
[ ] |
Stable |
|
|
9.
|
Choose the sentence which gives the meaning of the capitalised word by using a context clue of contrast? |
|
[ ] |
'The boys wanted to be PUNCTUAL for the concert because they did not want to miss the beginning.' |
[ ] |
'After adding the powder the water became MURKY; in fact, the water was so cloudy you couldn't see the bottom.' |
[ ] |
'The teacher loses no opportunity to PRAISE her pupils, as she did on the occasion when they won the elocution contest.' |
[x] |
'The teacher loses no opportunity to CENSURE her pupils, yet she rarely finds occasions to praise them.' |
|
|
10.
|
'When Trupti hurt her little finger lightly, she got all MELODRAMATIC and demanded to be taken to the clinic in an ambulance.'
The word in capitals means 'with exaggerated emotion.' Choose the clue that leads you to the definition. |
|
[x] |
Trupti demanded to be taken to the clinic in an ambulance. |
[ ] |
Trupti hurt her little finger. |
[ ] |
Her name is Trupti. |
[ ] |
All of the above. |
|
|
Obviously, the suitcase has a bottom - it is essential to hold clothes!