Reading comprehension — IGCSE English As A Second Language (0993) questions by topic

Read the article about an activity called parkour, and then answer the questions. What is another term for parkour?

What was the name of the group of friends who started parkour?

What was the group instructor's previous job?

Which movement did Sebastian try first?

Which object did the group use to practise parkour in the park?

How did Sebastian say he benefited from doing parkour? Give three details.

Read sections A–D of a magazine article about young seals in New Zealand. For each statement, write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, on the line. Which section includes the…

Read the blog by a student about prickly pear plants growing in Switzerland, and then answer the questions. For each question, choose the correct answer, A, B or C, and put a tick…

What is the main problem with prickly pears in Switzerland? A They can cause nasty injuries. B They prevent anything else from growing. C They affect popular winter sports.

Lia discovered that prickly pear plants were first brought to Switzerland A many years ago. B by a plant collector. C as a source of food.

What does 'diminishing' mean in line 23? A getting smaller B causing plants to die C happening at a lower level

What does Lia suggest about removing the prickly pear plants? A It is easier in certain locations. B It has never been tried before. C It is unlikely to be successful.

The purpose of the blog is to A report on a long-term scientific project. B encourage people to help remove plants. C make people aware of an environmental issue.

When was the term 'cosplay' invented?

What type of cosplay does Lana prefer?

What is the most famous cosplay contest called?

What type of character is Lana planning to be next in cosplay?

How would Lana like to make money from cosplay in the future?

How has Lana benefited from doing cosplay? Give three details.

For each statement, write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, on the line. Which person … suggests why wild swimming is better than swimming in a pool?

In the first paragraph, the writer suggests that Serena is interesting because… Choose A, B or C. A: she's unusually clever. B: she's wearing a special device. C: she's the only…

What information does the writer give in the second paragraph? Choose A, B or C. A: what has been learned from studying babies' brains. B: how babies' brains differ from those of…

Why is Serena asked to wear gloves? Choose A, B or C. A: to make her fingers more visible. B: to protect some equipment. C: to record her movements.

Serena begins her house-building task by… Choose A, B or C. A: describing her design. B: watching a short video. C: choosing what material to use.

Serena's house-building task is part of research into how young children… Choose A, B or C. A: follow instructions. B: develop creativity. C: remember details.

The phrase 'as she does so' in paragraph 5 refers to… Choose A, B or C. A: speaking quietly. B: moving rapidly. C: visiting the lab.

Where does the green turtle get its name from?

What makes the diet of adult green turtles different from other turtle species?

Where do green turtles usually sleep while underwater?

How does a male green turtle differ from a female?

How are green turtles described by the International Union for Conservation of Nature?

How are green turtles put in danger during their lives? Give three details.

For each statement, write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, on the line. Which text includes the following ideas and opinions? Reading work by poets from my own age group inspired…

In paragraph 1, the writer suggests that decisions on whether to give negative feedback… Choose A, B or C. A: depend on how you're feeling. B: prove easy for most people. C: are…

What does 'this' refer to in line 12? Choose A, B or C. A: people are often unwilling to provide feedback. B: people fail to realise how valuable feedback is. C: teachers say that…

In paragraph 3, the writer says that… Choose A, B or C. A: the quality of feedback varies according to the situation. B: people have a strong desire to get feedback. C: those…

In paragraph 4, the writer says that a strength of the research was that… Choose A, B or C. A: it analysed situations in which levels of authority vary. B: the different…

In paragraph 5, the writer suggests that feedback given in schools should… Choose A, B or C. A: be a mixture of higher-level and general. B: appear to be positive even when it is…

In the final paragraph, what advice does the writer offer about providing feedback? Choose A, B or C. A: Give it at every possible opportunity. B: Approach every situation with…

How long ago did the Breathe Easy event first take place in Harmouth?

Where can local people get cheaper tickets to the Breathe Easy event?

What activity is being organised specifically for younger visitors at the Breathe Easy event?

What sort of films are being shown at the Breathe Easy event?

What can visitors to the Food Zone get for free at the Breathe Easy event?

What do organisers still need volunteers to do at the Breathe Easy event? Give three details.

For each statement, write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, on the line. Which person … explains what they did with the money they earned?

What does Gemma say about the place where she learned to snowboard? Choose A, B or C. A: The staff at the centre were very encouraging. B: The centre was part of a large chain…

In paragraph 2, gymnastics is mentioned in order to… Choose A, B or C. A: suggest that it is a suitable sport for younger people. B: explain why Gemma decided to change sports. C:…

How does Gemma feel about the trophy she won in 2020? Choose A, B or C. A: surprised by how large it was. B: worried about causing damage to it. C: disappointed because not many…

What do we learn about the period when Gemma was injured? Choose A, B or C. A: The recovery process was more complex than she first thought. B: It gave her the chance to go and…

What does 'This' refer to in line 31? Choose A, B or C. A: travelling all over the world. B: becoming very well known. C: entering more competitions.

What is the purpose of this article? Choose A, B or C. A: to describe the career and achievements of a young sportsperson. B: to warn other sportspeople of the work involved in…

How many trees will be used to create the Future Library?

What must writers have shown in their writing to be chosen for the project?

What time of year do the writers hand over their new book?

How do people finally reach the Future Library ceremony location?

What instructions is each writer given about the content of their new book? Give two details.

What nationality is the writer who finished their book at the last minute?

What concerns does Katie have about the project? Give two details.

For each question, write the correct letter A, B, C or D on the line. Which person … is enjoying learning to be more artistic?

How many trees will be used to create the Future Library?

What must writers have shown in their writing to be chosen for the project?

What time of year do the writers hand over their new book?

How do people finally reach the Future Library ceremony location?

What instructions is each writer given about the content of their new book? Give two details.

What nationality is the writer who finished their book at the last minute?

What concerns does Katie have about the project? Give two details.

What attracts writers to take part in the project? Give four details.

For each question, write the correct letter A, B, C, D or E on the line. Which person … is enjoying learning to be more artistic?

How did Luke find out about the chance to volunteer at the festival?

What benefit of volunteering was Luke unaware of when he applied?

What was the main venue in the town for the festival?

How many authors gave talks?

What type of writing was the focus of the most popular event?

What event was held on the last evening?

Where did the guided tour start?

What were Luke's main duties as a volunteer? Give two details.

How does Luke think that the festival could be improved? Give four details.

For each question write the correct letter A, B, C, D or E on the line. Which section includes the following information? the suggestion that a symbol was created to reduce the…

In which century did beavers die out in Scotland?

What clothing made from beaver fur was especially popular?

How long did it take to prepare the first application to reintroduce beavers to Scotland?

What reason was given for rejecting the first application to reintroduce beavers?

Which group of people was most strongly against the reintroduction of beavers?

What important decisions about Scottish beavers have been made since 2016? Give two details.

What sound does the writer listen for to check if beavers are active?

Which phrase does the writer like to use to describe beavers?

For each question write the correct letter A, B or C on the line. Which person … says their accommodation was smaller than they were expecting?

In which century did beavers die out in Scotland?

What clothing made from beaver fur was especially popular?

How long did it take to prepare the first application to reintroduce beavers to Scotland?

What reason was given for rejecting the first application to reintroduce beavers?

Which group of people was most strongly against the reintroduction of beavers?

What important decisions about Scottish beavers have been made since 2016? Give two details.

What sound does the writer listen for to check if beavers are active?

Which phrase does the writer like to use to describe beavers?

What do we learn about beaver populations in places other than Scotland? Give four details.

For each question write the correct letter A, B, C or D on the line. Which person … says their accommodation was smaller than they were expecting?