Reading Exam
1. A base access notice
Passage: Effective from Monday, access through Gate 2 uses a tighter security procedure for everyone entering the base area. Security staff will scan passes and may ask one follow-up question during peak hours. The change is part of a wider safety update and does not alter normal duty schedules. Teams are asked to arrive a few minutes earlier until queues settle. That extra step is meant to slow entry just enough for checks to stay orderly.
What changes for entry at Gate 2?
2. A formal email
Passage: Dear Team, the quarterly operations report is due on Tuesday at 12:00. Please send me your section early enough for a final check of formatting and missing data before submission. If you expect delays, tell me today so we can redistribute tasks. Thank you for keeping the timeline realistic and transparent. Best regards, Jane Wilson. The point is to keep the review possible before the deadline closes.
What does Jane want before final submission?
3. A gadget review
Passage: The new TrailPad is light, easy to carry, and its battery usually lasts through a full workday. The screen is clear even in daylight, and typing feels comfortable. The reviewer notes one weakness: startup takes longer than expected after a full shutdown. For users who open and close the device frequently, this delay can be annoying, even though overall performance is stable once it is running. The delay matters most for people who reopen the device often.
What criticism does the reviewer make?
4. A public notice
Passage: Please note that the main entrance to the city museum will be closed for refurbishment from 2 to 16 October. Visitors should use the side entrance on Park Street, where staff will direct groups and school tours. Opening hours remain unchanged, and all permanent exhibitions stay open during the works. The museum apologizes for temporary inconvenience and thanks visitors for their patience. The change is temporary, but it still affects how visitors enter.
What should visitors do instead of using the main door?
5. A course advertisement
Passage: Want to feel more confident in emergencies? Join our weekend first-aid course for beginners. You will practice how to react to common injuries, use a basic medical kit, and communicate clearly with emergency services. Training is hands-on and led by certified instructors. At the end, participants receive a completion certificate. Places are limited to keep group practice effective, so early registration is recommended. The course is built around practical handling, not passive reading.
What is this offer mainly about?
6. A short environmental article
Passage: Marine scientists report that average ocean temperatures have risen in several regions over the last decade. Warmer water puts stress on coral reefs and increases the chance of bleaching events, where corals lose the algae they need to survive. Reefs that recover slowly become less able to support fish populations. The article argues that reducing emissions and protecting local water quality are both necessary, not alternative options. The recommendation is about combining measures, because one alone is not enough.
What response does the article support?
7. A text message
Passage: Hi Alex, I am leaving for the mountains early Saturday for a hiking weekend. We plan a medium route on day one and a shorter trail on Sunday morning before driving back. Forecast looks clear, so we should get good views from the ridge. I will call you Sunday evening when I am home. Have a good weekend. Sam. The message is mainly about the timing of the call, not the route itself.
When will Sam call Alex?
8. An apartment advertisement
Passage: Two-bedroom apartment for rent near the city center. The flat is on the third floor, has a large kitchen, and a living room that opens onto a balcony. The building includes a lift and secure bike storage in the basement. The street is generally quiet but within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and public transport. Monthly rent is 850 pounds. Contact Sarah to arrange a viewing. The listing is meant to show how the room connects to the outside space.
Which feature is specifically mentioned?
9. A short article about cats
Passage: Cats are often described as fully solitary animals, but research and everyday observation show a more complex picture. Many cats create stable social routines with humans and with other cats in the same environment. They communicate through posture, voice, and scent marking. For example, rubbing against a person is usually a sign of trust and familiar bonding, not random movement. The example is there to show how a familiar gesture carries meaning.
How does the text interpret cats rubbing against people?
10. A short text about a career change
Passage: After ten years in a law office, Maria left her position and opened a small bakery. She had baked at home for years and wanted work that felt personally meaningful. Her income is lower than before, and she says the first year was financially demanding. Still, she describes the change as worthwhile because the work feels closer to her interests and gives her direct feedback from customers in her neighborhood. The move is worthwhile despite lower pay because the daily work feels different.
Why does Maria still value the change?
11. A magazine excerpt
Passage: A healthy lifestyle depends on more than strict diet plans. Experts recommend combining varied nutrition, regular movement, stable sleep routines, and basic stress management habits. Even short daily walks can improve energy and mood when practiced consistently. The article argues that health outcomes improve most when these elements support each other, rather than when people focus on one intense change for a short period. The advice works best when the habits reinforce one another.
What principle organizes the advice?
12. A job advertisement
Passage: We are hiring an experienced Project Manager to lead a software implementation team. Responsibilities include planning project phases, coordinating specialists, monitoring delivery risks, and keeping clients informed about scope changes. Applicants should demonstrate previous success in similar roles and confidence in cross-team communication. Knowledge of technical workflows is important because this role connects engineering timelines with business priorities. The role needs someone who has already carried responsibility end to end.
Which applicant is the strongest fit?
13. A travel guide text
Passage: Prague is known for its historic architecture and active cultural scene. Visitors can explore medieval squares, riverfront viewpoints, galleries, theatres, and small live-music venues within walking distance of the city center. Popular routes include an early morning walk over Charles Bridge and evening events in the old district. The guide presents Prague as a city where history and contemporary culture are both visible in everyday urban life. The city is presented as somewhere where the past still shapes daily life.
How is Prague characterized in the guide?
14. A short biography
Passage: Marie Curie was a scientist whose work helped establish modern research on radioactivity. Born in Poland, she continued her studies in France and later became the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize. She remains notable as the only person awarded Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. Her research contributed to methods later used in medical imaging and treatment, and she is still cited as a key figure in scientific history. The distinction matters because the achievement is unusually rare.
Which detail best shows how unusual her career was?
15. A science news report
Passage: Researchers at a coastal laboratory identified a previously undocumented deep-sea fish species living near geothermal vents. The species survives in conditions that are unusually hot for marine environments because of specialized proteins that protect cellular function. Scientists say the discovery broadens understanding of biological adaptation in extreme habitats. Further research will test whether these proteins could inspire future medical or industrial applications. The discovery matters because it opens a wider scientific comparison.
Why does the discovery matter scientifically?
16. A profile of volunteer work
Passage: James spends most Saturdays at a community support center that prepares meals for elderly residents and recently discharged patients. He helps with food packing, doorstep delivery routes, and short welfare check-ins. The work is often tiring because schedules change quickly and some visits are emotionally difficult. Even so, he continues because he feels useful and sees clear impact: regular deliveries reduce missed meals, and brief conversations help staff identify people who need additional services. He also says the role improved his communication and planning skills. The check-ins matter because they reveal needs that meals alone would miss.
What creates impact beyond meal delivery itself?
17. A restaurant review
Passage: The Green Table has a short menu that changes weekly based on local supply. At first, the smaller selection can look limiting, but each dish is executed with unusual consistency. Service is attentive without being intrusive, and staff explain ingredient sourcing when asked. Prices are above the local average, which remains the most common criticism. However, the reviewer argues that quality control, freshness, and reliable service standards justify the premium for diners who value the full experience rather than quantity alone. The reviewer accepts a trade-off between price and steadier quality.
What trade-off does the reviewer think is worth it?
18. Product setup instructions
Passage: To configure the SoundMax speaker, charge it until the battery indicator is steady, then power it on. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone and wait for nearby devices to appear. Choose "SoundMax" and confirm the pairing request if prompted. A blue light indicates successful connection. If no light appears, try the pairing step again before opening your music app. Volume settings sync after connection, not before. The procedure only works if the connection step is repeated once more.
What should the user do if the connection does not appear to complete?
19. A sports report
Passage: City Rangers won 3-0 in the regional final, but the scoreline alone does not explain the result. Their coach switched to a coordinated high press in the first half, forcing repeated turnovers near midfield. At the same time, the defensive line stayed compact, so the opposition had possession in harmless zones but few clear shots. Rangers converted two transition attacks and controlled tempo after halftime. Analysts described the win as tactical discipline rather than individual brilliance. The result is framed as a team effort rather than a one-player story.
What does the analysis emphasize most?
20. A travel reflection
Passage: My trip to Japan was memorable mainly because two cities offered contrasting rhythms within one itinerary. Tokyo felt fast, dense, and highly efficient, with digital systems guiding nearly every daily task. Kyoto, by contrast, encouraged slower routines through temple visits, quieter neighborhoods, and longer conversations with local hosts. Moving between them by rail made the contrast clearer rather than confusing. The experience was not only sightseeing; it changed how I think about balancing speed and attention in everyday life. The trip changes how the writer thinks about everyday pace and attention.
What deeper point does the writer make?
21. A business memo
Passage: From next month, staff may choose to work remotely on Fridays if their role allows uninterrupted delivery. The policy aims to improve work-life balance and reduce commuting emissions, but it does not remove accountability. Teams must keep core availability from 10:00 to 14:00, and client-facing meetings remain mandatory unless rescheduled in advance. Managers will review outcomes after eight weeks to confirm whether performance and coordination standards are maintained. The rule only applies when the role can keep work moving without interruption.
What condition decides who can use remote Fridays?
22. A historical analysis
Passage: The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed large sections of the city, largely because narrow streets and timber construction allowed flames to spread rapidly. Immediate losses were severe, but reconstruction policies changed long-term urban development. Authorities introduced wider streets, stricter building rules, and increased use of brick and stone. These choices reduced future fire risk and improved public sanitation. Historians therefore describe the event as both a disaster and a turning point in modern urban planning. The bridge is a turning point because rebuilding changed the city afterward.
Why do historians call the fire a turning point?
23. An artist profile
Passage: Elena Rossi is known for large sculptures assembled from discarded industrial materials. Instead of hiding the origin of each piece, she leaves traces of rust, serial marks, and mechanical joints visible, forcing viewers to confront the previous life of the objects. Critics link this method to her broader theme: cities consume, discard, and rebuild in repeating cycles. Her recent exhibition received praise not only for visual impact but also for connecting aesthetic choices to social and environmental questions. The visible marks help connect the artwork to wider social cycles.
What effect comes from keeping marks and rust visible?
24. An article on remote work
Passage: Remote work has expanded because it can increase flexibility for employees and reduce fixed office costs for companies. For many workers, removing daily commuting adds usable time and reduces routine stress. However, organizations that adopt remote models successfully usually define communication rules, response windows, and meeting expectations clearly. Without these structures, teams may experience slower coordination or social isolation. The article concludes that benefits are real, but they depend on intentional management rather than location alone. The article says remote work works only when expectations stay clear.
According to the article, what makes remote work sustainable?
25. A city council report
Passage: The council approved a pedestrian bridge over Central River after a close vote and several public hearings. Supporters argued that current crossings create long detours between the old town and the new commercial district, especially for school and evening foot traffic. Opponents focused on cost and suggested repairing existing roads instead. The final decision included a staged budget plan and a requirement to publish regular progress updates so residents can track spending and delays. The updates keep residents informed while the project moves forward.
How will the council keep the project transparent?
26. A cruise advertisement
Passage: Ocean Cruises is offering a four-week Mediterranean route with stops in Rome, Athens, and Istanbul. The ship includes multiple dining options, evening shows, guided onboard activities, and wellness facilities. The all-inclusive fare is 3,500 pounds per person and covers onboard meals, drinks, and standard activities. Travel to the ship is arranged separately. Customers booking by month-end receive one complimentary excursion in Rome, subject to itinerary timing and weather conditions. The fare excludes travel to ship, which must be arranged separately.
Which item is not part of the fare?
27. A scientific study summary
Passage: A Cambridge-led study followed 200 participants over three months to test whether routine exposure to green spaces affects stress. Participants who spent at least two hours per week in parks or woodland reported lower stress and anxiety scores than those with minimal exposure. The authors caution that outdoor time is a useful tool for prevention in urban health planning. The results also suggest that accessibility matters as much as total park size. The study treats green-space time as support, not a substitute for care.
How do the authors position time in green spaces?
28. A literary review excerpt
Passage: The Whispering Woods is reviewed as a psychological thriller that sustains tension through pacing and controlled ambiguity rather than constant action scenes. The critic praises character depth and the way minor details become relevant later in the plot. Some readers may find the ending unresolved, but the review treats that ambiguity as a stylistic choice rather than a structural failure. Overall, the tone is strongly positive, with the novel positioned as one of the author's more mature works. The ending is seen as deliberate, not as a weakness.
How is the unresolved ending interpreted in the review?
29. A university program overview
Passage: The new Master's in Sustainable Urban Development targets students who want to work on real city challenges, including transport pressure, pollution exposure, and unequal access to services. Courses combine theory with applied projects delivered alongside planners, engineers, and policy teams. Instead of training for one narrow profession, the program emphasizes interdisciplinary problem-solving and evidence-based decisions. Graduates are expected to work across public and private sectors where urban systems interact. The program is designed for people who can work across disciplines.
What graduate profile is the programme designed for?
30. A long-form media article
Passage: Social platforms changed communication by making visual and short-form content central to public interaction. This shift enabled rapid community building and gave creators direct channels to audiences. At the same time, the article argues that algorithmic pressure encourages users to post highly polished versions of their lives. Over time, repeated exposure to those selective snapshots can distort social comparison and expectations. The text does not reject social media entirely; it highlights a structural risk linked to how visibility is rewarded. The warning is about how edited visibility can distort comparison.
Which risk does the article highlight?