Reading comprehension is an important part of English preparation for competitive examinations such as ADRE. It tests a candidate’s ability to understand a passage, identify the main idea, find specific information, understand vocabulary from context, and draw conclusions.
The following practice passages are designed for ADRE aspirants. Try to answer the questions without looking at the answers first.
Passage 1: Importance of Education
Education plays an important role in the development of an individual and society. It provides people with knowledge, skills and confidence to face different situations in life. An educated person is generally better able to understand social problems and participate responsibly in society.
Education is not limited to learning from books. It also teaches discipline, cooperation, communication and problem-solving. In a developing country, education can contribute to economic growth by creating skilled and productive citizens. It can also help reduce social inequality by providing opportunities to people from different backgrounds.
However, access to quality education remains a challenge in many areas. Poverty, lack of infrastructure and limited educational resources can prevent children from receiving proper education. Therefore, governments and communities need to work together to make education accessible and effective for everyone.
Questions
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Education is only useful for getting employment.
B. Education contributes to individual and social development.
C. Education is mainly about reading books.
D. Education is important only in developing countries.
2. According to the passage, education teaches all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Discipline
B. Cooperation
C. Problem-solving
D. Competition
3. How can education contribute to economic growth?
A. By reducing the number of schools
B. By creating skilled and productive citizens
C. By preventing people from working
D. By increasing social inequality
4. Which of the following is mentioned as a challenge to education?
A. Excessive employment
B. Lack of infrastructure
C. Too many teachers
D. Excessive educational resources
5. The word “accessible” in the passage means:
A. Available to people
B. Difficult to understand
C. Expensive
D. Restricted
Answers
1. B — The passage mainly explains the importance of education in individual and social development.
2. D — Competition is not mentioned among the benefits listed.
3. B — Education creates skilled and productive citizens.
4. B — Lack of infrastructure is specifically mentioned.
5. A — Accessible means available or easy to obtain/use.
Passage 2: Environmental Protection
The environment provides human beings with air, water, food and other resources necessary for life. Forests, rivers, wetlands and wildlife are important components of the natural environment. However, rapid urbanisation, deforestation, pollution and excessive use of natural resources have created serious environmental problems.
Deforestation can lead to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and changes in local climate conditions. Pollution of rivers and other water bodies can affect both humans and aquatic life. Similarly, excessive dependence on fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and climate change.
Environmental protection is not solely the responsibility of governments. Individuals can also contribute by reducing waste, conserving water, planting trees and using resources carefully. Sustainable development aims to balance economic development with environmental protection so that natural resources remain available for future generations.
Questions
1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an environmental problem?
A. Deforestation
B. Pollution
C. Urbanisation
D. Literacy
2. What can deforestation cause?
A. Soil erosion
B. Increased biodiversity
C. Cleaner rivers
D. Reduced climate variation
3. Who is responsible for protecting the environment according to the passage?
A. Only governments
B. Only scientists
C. Governments and individuals
D. Only industries
4. What is the aim of sustainable development?
A. To stop all economic development
B. To balance economic development and environmental protection
C. To increase the use of natural resources
D. To eliminate forests
5. The word “conserving” means:
A. Wasting
B. Protecting and using carefully
C. Destroying
D. Selling
Answers
1. D — Literacy is not mentioned as an environmental problem.
2. A — Deforestation can cause soil erosion.
3. C — Both governments and individuals have responsibilities.
4. B — Sustainable development seeks a balance between development and environmental protection.
5. B — Conserving means protecting something and using it carefully.
Passage 3: Digital Technology
Digital technology has changed the way people communicate, study and work. Smartphones, computers and the internet allow people to access information within seconds. Students can use online resources to learn new subjects, attend virtual classes and communicate with teachers and classmates.
Despite these advantages, excessive use of digital devices can create problems. Spending too much time on screens may reduce physical activity and affect concentration. The internet also contains inaccurate information, so users need to evaluate information carefully before accepting it as true.
Digital literacy is therefore becoming increasingly important. A digitally literate person should know how to use technology effectively, protect personal information and distinguish reliable information from misleading content.
Questions
1. What has digital technology changed?
A. Only communication
B. Only education
C. Communication, study and work
D. Only employment
2. What can students do using online resources?
A. Access learning materials
B. Avoid all forms of education
C. Eliminate the need for teachers
D. Stop communicating
3. What is one disadvantage of excessive screen use?
A. Increased physical activity
B. Better concentration in every situation
C. Reduced physical activity
D. Complete absence of information
4. Why should internet users evaluate information carefully?
A. All internet information is false.
B. The internet may contain inaccurate information.
C. The internet contains no useful information.
D. Online information cannot be accessed quickly.
5. A digitally literate person should be able to:
A. Use technology responsibly and identify reliable information
B. Avoid all technology
C. Believe everything available online
D. Share personal information publicly
Answers
1. C
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. A
Passage 4: Time Management
Time is one of the most valuable resources available to every person. Unlike money or material possessions, lost time cannot be recovered. Effective time management helps students and workers complete their responsibilities without unnecessary stress.
A good time-management system begins with setting clear priorities. Important tasks should be identified and completed according to their urgency and importance. Preparing a daily schedule can help people organise their activities. However, a schedule should remain realistic because an overly difficult plan may become difficult to follow.
Avoiding unnecessary distractions is another important part of time management. Social media, excessive entertainment and frequent interruptions can reduce productivity. Regular breaks are also useful because they allow the mind to rest and can improve concentration.
Questions
1. Why is time considered valuable?
A. It can always be recovered.
B. Lost time cannot be recovered.
C. It can be purchased.
D. It is less important than money.
2. What should be done first in effective time management?
A. Ignore important tasks
B. Set clear priorities
C. Avoid making plans
D. Increase distractions
3. Why should a schedule be realistic?
A. An unrealistic plan may be difficult to follow.
B. A schedule should contain no tasks.
C. Difficult schedules always improve productivity.
D. Planning is unnecessary.
4. Which of the following can reduce productivity?
A. Regular breaks
B. Clear priorities
C. Frequent interruptions
D. Proper planning
5. What is the most suitable title for the passage?
A. The Importance of Money
B. Effective Time Management
C. Social Media and Entertainment
D. Problems of Education
Answers
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. B
Passage 5: Assam and the Brahmaputra
The Brahmaputra is one of the most important rivers of Assam. It plays a significant role in the geography, agriculture, economy and culture of the state. The river and its tributaries provide water for agriculture and support many communities living in the river valley.
At the same time, the Brahmaputra creates challenges, particularly during the monsoon season. Floods and riverbank erosion affect agricultural land, houses and infrastructure in many areas. Therefore, effective flood management and environmental conservation are important for the sustainable development of the Brahmaputra valley.
The river also supports a rich variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Protecting these ecosystems is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the well-being of communities dependent on natural resources.
Questions
1. Why is the Brahmaputra important to Assam?
A. Only because of tourism
B. Because of its role in geography, agriculture, economy and culture
C. Only because it is a small river
D. Because it prevents all floods
2. During which season are floods particularly significant?
A. Winter
B. Summer
C. Monsoon
D. Spring
3. What is one major problem caused by the river?
A. Riverbank erosion
B. Lack of water everywhere
C. Desertification of the entire state
D. Absence of biodiversity
4. What is necessary for sustainable development of the Brahmaputra valley?
A. Ignoring floods
B. Effective flood management and environmental conservation
C. Increasing pollution
D. Destroying ecosystems
5. The word “biodiversity” refers to:
A. Variety of living organisms
B. Amount of rainfall
C. River depth
D. Agricultural production
Answers
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. A
ADRE Reading Comprehension Strategy
1. Read the questions first
Look at the questions quickly before reading the passage. This helps you identify what information you need.
2. Identify the main idea
Ask yourself: “What is the passage mainly about?”
3. Look for keywords
Important words from the question often appear directly or indirectly in the passage.
4. Do not use outside knowledge unnecessarily
Choose the answer based primarily on the information given in the passage.
5. Understand words from context
If you do not know a word, read the sentence before and after it. The context often gives its meaning.
6. Eliminate wrong options
Remove options that are clearly contradicted by the passage before selecting your final answer.
7. Watch for extreme words
Options containing words such as always, never, completely, only and all should be checked carefully because they may not match the passage.
Quick ADRE Practice Tip
For the actual examination, practise completing a comprehension passage within a limited time. Focus on:
Reading → Understanding → Finding evidence → Eliminating wrong options → Answering
Regular practice will improve both reading speed and accuracy.
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