Practice mode Reading Comprehension

Based on the passage about bamboo, why might designers see it as a good alternative to timber?

Read the passage: Bamboo may look like a tree, but it is actually a giant member of the grass family. Some species are among the fastest-growing plants on Earth and can shoot up by tens of centimetres in a single day during the growing season. Unlike most trees, many bamboo plants send up new stems from the same underground root system after the old stems are cut, so harvesting does not require replanting. The hollow stems are light yet remarkably strong, which is why bamboo has been used for centuries across Asia for scaffolding, furniture, bridges and houses. Today, designers looking for alternatives to slow-growing timber are showing growing interest in bamboo floors, panels and even bicycle frames.

Correct answer D. It can be harvested repeatedly and regrows quickly without replanting.

Explanation

The passage says bamboo grows very fast and sends up new stems after cutting, while timber is slow-growing, implying bamboo appeals because it renews itself quickly.

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In the passage about mountain glaciers, what does the word ‘retreating’ most nearly mean?

Read the passage: Mountain glaciers are slow-moving rivers of ice that form where more snow falls in winter than melts in summer. Over many years the snow is pressed into dense ice, which creeps downhill under its own weight. In many mountain ranges around the world, including parts of the Himalayas and the Alps, glaciers have been retreating for decades as average temperatures rise. Their lower ends, or snouts, now lie higher up the valleys than they did in the past, sometimes leaving behind lakes held back by loose piles of rock. Because glaciers release meltwater slowly during warm months, they help keep rivers flowing in dry seasons, so their loss could affect water supplies for millions of people downstream.

Correct answer D. Shrinking back up the valley

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Question 02 Reading Comprehension

What is the author’s main purpose in the passage about brisk walking?

Read the passage: You do not need an expensive gym membership to become healthier. Walking briskly for thirty minutes on most days of the week can strengthen your heart, help control your weight and lift your mood. It requires no special equipment beyond a comfortable pair of shoes, and it can easily be fitted into a busy day. Try getting off the bus one stop early, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking to the corner shop rather than riding a motorbike. Invite a friend or family member to join you, and the time will pass quickly. Start small if you need to, but start today. Your body will thank you for every step.

Correct answer B. To encourage readers to walk more as a simple way to improve their health

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Question 03 Reading Comprehension

In the passage about Nani in the Ahmed household, what does the word ‘frugal’ most nearly mean?

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Correct answer D. Careful to avoid waste and unnecessary spending

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Question 04 Reading Comprehension

Which option best states the central idea of the passage about how vaccines work?

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Based on the passage about bamboo, why might designers see it as a good alternative to timber?

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