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Reading Comprehension
DIRECTION: Each passage below is followed by questions based on its content. Answer all questions
following a passage on the basis of what is stated and implied in it.
Passage 1.
Fluorine, together with chlorine, bromine and iodine, is one of the halogens. Being an active
element – one of the most active known – it is not found as an element but as a fluoride occurring
especially in igneous rock formation as fluorspar, fluorapatite and fluorite, all of which are fluorides of
calcium. It also occurs in the endemic regions in soils and rocks, it is present in sea water at a
concentration of about one part per million, and it is found in many foods as a trace element.
There is no such thing as chemically pure water in nature. All water contain salts which enter the
water as it passes over various rock formations, the relatively insoluble calcium fluoride being one of
them. The portion of the salt that dissolves ionizes immediately, fluorine thus appearing in the water as
the fluoride ion. It is present in such small quantities that it is measured in parts per million. The whole
physiological action depends on this ionization of the fluoride salt, the salt itself…
In adjusting the fluoride content of water the relatively insoluble calcium fluoride is not added…
Instead, sodium fluoride is generally used to increase the concentration of fluoride’s ions. Chemically, the
result is the same. No chemist will recognized any difference between fluorides occurring naturally and
those added to water.
1. Fluorine together with chlorine, bromine and iodine is one of the
a. Alkaline metals c. Halogens
b. Gases d. Noble gases
2. Why is sodium fluoride used in adjusting the fluoride content of water instead of calcium
fluoride?
a. Because calcium fluoride is c. Calcium fluoride is insoluble
expensive d. Calcium fluoride does not readily
b. Sodium fluoride is always available react with water
3. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Some water contains salts like c. Fluorine is not found in foods
calcium fluoride d. Fluorine is not found as an element
b. Fluorine ions occur in large but as a fluoride
quantities
4. Fluoride occurs as fluorspar, fluorapatite and fluorite especially in
a. Sedimentary rock formation c. Mountain formation
b. Igneous rock formation d. Volcanic eruption
5. All water contain salts which enter the water as it passes over various
a. Cloud formation c. Rock formation
b. Water formation d. Pond formation

Passage 2.
Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, but to weigh and consider.
Some books are to be taste, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; That is,
some books are to be read, only in parts; others to be read but not curiously, and some few to be read
wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of
them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments and the meaner sort of books; else
distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; Conference a
ready man; and Writing an exact man; and therefore, if a man writes little he need have a great memory;
if he confers little he need have a present wit; and if he reads little he need have much cunning, to seem to
know that he doth not. Histories make men wise; Poets, witty; the Mathematics, subtle; Natural
Philosophy, deep; Moral, grave; Logic and Rhetoric, able to contend; Abeunt studia in mores.
(FRANCIS BACON, Essay: 1561-1626)
1. What are meant to be disgusted?
a. Men c. Books
b. Water d. Mores
2. When do you consider a man full?
a. When he can confer
b. When he can read
c. When he can see
d. When he can read and understand
3. How can a reader learn from a book?
a. When he joins arguments
b. When he knows many writers
c. When he can write poems
d. When he applies and assimilates the words
4. According to the passage, why does a man read?
a. To contradict and confute c. To taste and swallow
b. To believe and take for granted d. To weigh and consider
5. How will a reader treat a book?
a. As a friend c. As a memoire
b. As a confidante d. As a historian

Passage 3.
The fungi which cause disease in the vegetable garden contain no chlorophyll themselves and
therefore live on other plants, taking the processed plant food from the leaves or other green parts of the
host plant. Fungi are usually spread by wind or by contact, as the seeds or ‘spores’ are tiny. When the
fungi spore settles on a suitable leaf, and the weather is sufficiently humid, it will send rootlike organs
into the flesh of the leaf and draw out processed plant food. This will soon kill the affected part of the leaf
and a brown patch will appear where the leaf tissues have been killed.
‘Maize rust’ and ‘Tomato leaf mould’ are two common fungus diseases which occur in the
vegetable garden. ‘Maize rust’ is easily identified by the yellowish-brown, powder-like ‘pistules’ formed
under the leaves at the beginning of the rains. These will rapidly turn into brown patches where the leaf
tissues has been killed. If the plant is attacked while young, the disease may kill the plant, for as the
leaves are destroyed the amount of plant food produced will decrease until in the end there is not enough
to keep it alive. This disease can be avoided by growing one of the new rust-resistant varieties which are
available from the Philippine Seedling Bank (PSB).
“Tomato leaf mould” is most severe during the middle of the rains, and the symptoms are easy to
identify. The leaves turn brown in patches and the plant begins to have s withered appearance, the decay
starting from the bottom leaves and moving upwards. There are many varieties starting from the resistant
but few have been found to be totally resistant in the wetter parts of the tropics. Tall varieties suffer more
as they take longer to mature and the disease has more time to spread. The variety ‘Dwarf Gem’, although
affected by the disease, is usually able to set a good crop of fruit before the disease becomes severe.
1. Fungi harm vegetables by
a. Using the host plant’s processed c. Attacking the roots of the host plant
food d. Killing the seeds produced by the
b. Releasing chlorophyll into the host host plant
plant
2. ‘Maize rust’ may kill a plant if it attacks
a. At the beginning pf the rains c. When the plant is young
b. When the plant is well grown d. Any variety of maize plant
3. If a tomato plant is attacked by ‘leaf mould’
a. Its leaves will turn brown c. It will not suffer too much if it is tall
b. Decay will move up the plant d. Wet weather might help it to live
4. The fungus diseases mentioned… occur in the vegetable garden
a. Only c. Never
b. Always d. Often
5. For these fungus diseases to flourish they need
a. Humid weather c. Damp water
b. No wind d. Sufficient roots

Passage 4.
Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Thus the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who had a servant that owed him ten thousand
talents. Because he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that
he had, and payment be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, have
patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and
freed him and forgave him the debt.
“But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred
pence, and he laid hands on him, and took him by the threat, saying, “Pay me what you owe.” And his
fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying “Have patience with me, and I will pay you
all.” And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told their
lord all that was done.
“Then his lord, after calling him forth, said to him ‘O wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt,
because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had
pity on you?” And his lord was angered and delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all that was
due to him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you do not forgive from your heart
your brothers’ trespasses.”
1. Jesus told Peter that he must forgive his brother
 a. Seven times c. Many times
b. Seventy times seven d. Sometimes
2. The king forgave his servant because
a. He left sorry for him
b. The servant paid him quickly
c. The servant fell down and hurt himself
d. The servant’s wife promised to sell their goods to pay the debt
3. When the servant imprisoned the man who owed him money, his companions…
a. Did nothing
b. Were angry
c. Asked him what he was doing
d. Reported what he had done, to their lord
4. In this parable Jesus is teaching about
a. Money
b. Kings
c. Forgiveness
d. Prisons
5. The servant’s lord was angry with him finally because
a. He had not paid the debt
b. He had no pity on his fellow servant
c. The lord wanted the money
d. The servant continued to beg for more time to pay

LANGUAGE USAGE
Identifying Errors
1. The staff at the university library deserve recognition for helping to locate the many sources
a b c d
needed for successful completion of my doctoral dissertation. No error.
e
2. Many a friend offer to help her pass her examination in her major subject. No error.
a b c d e
3. A number of the books is regularly donated to public schools. No error.
a b c d e
4. Neither the nurses nor the doctor were around when the emergency happened. No error.
a b c d e
5. Some young trees planted near the house has grown up above the proof. No error.
A b c d e
6. My friend and critic have gone to another university. No more.
a b c d e
7. Frightened the little boy screamed loud as his neighbor’s friendly eighty-pound dog
a b c d
bounded up the sidewalk. No error.
8. Of the three girls who have recently joined the basketball team. Frienda is the taller. No error.
a b c d
9. Because they close resemble sound argument, fallacious arguments can sound convincing,
 a b
so be sure to carefully organize your thoughts when you’re writing an opinion paper. No error.
c d
10. The puppy had been treated bad by its previous owner, but the people at the animal shelter
a b c
worked hard to find a loving home for little Scotty. No error.
d e

For each of the following paragraphs, choose the topic sentence that best fits the rest of the paragraph.
11. The term “spices” is a pleasant one, whether it connotes fine French cuisine or a downhome, cinnamon-
flavored apple pie. _____. Individuals have traveled the world seeking exotic spices for profit and, in
searching, have changed the course of history. Indeed, to gain control of lands harboring new spices,
nations have actually gone to war.
a. The taste and aroma of spices are the main elements that make food such a source of fascination and
pleasure.
b. The term might equally bring to mind Indian curly made thousands of miles away and those delicious
barbecued ribs sold down on the corner.
c. It is exciting to find a good cookbook and experiment with spices from other lands – indeed, it is one
way to travel around the globe!
d. The history of spices, however, is another matter altogether, often exciting, at times filled with danger
and intrigue.
12. _____. Although these mechanical alarms are fairly recent, the idea of a security system is not new. The
oldest alarm system was probably a few strategically placed dogs that discouraged intruders with a loud
warning cry.
a. Anyone who lives in a large, modern city has heard the familiar sound of electronic security alarms.
b. Everyone knows that a large, barking dog will scare away strangers, even the mail carrier.
c. Why spend money on an alarm system when you can get the same service from an animal?
d. Without a good alarm system, your place of business could be vandalized.
13. _____. According to scholars, these patterns about certainly represent the labyrinth that best to Minotaur, a
monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man. Legend has it that, in ancient times, King Minos
built the labyrinth in order to imprison the Minotaur, which loved to dine on human flesh.
a. Patterned corridors are commonplace in many architectural structures.
b. In the palace at Knossos, on the isle of Crete, there is a corridor leading to the outside the is decreased
with coils and spiral patterns.
c. Archeologists contend that patterns on the walls and corridors of ancient architectural structures are
usually meaningful.
d. Scholars who have studied the palace at Knossos, on the isle of Crete, are at a loss to explain the
meaning of the coils and spirals on its corridor walls.
14. _____. It is important to take special precautions to keep these medications in a secure place, where is child
cannot get to them. Every item in the medicine cabinet should be labeled in large letters and attached to the
container. Even if you believe the medicine cabinet is too high for a child to reach, it should be locked at all
times.
a. Many families have small children.
b. Many medications are extremely dangerous if swallowed.
c. If your child accidentally swallows a medicine, rush him or her to the hospital right away.
d. New, life-saving medicines are being approved by the FDA every day.
15. _____. It is true that Ernest Hemingway went to war to gather material for his stories and F. Scott
Fitzgerald lived a life of dissolution that destroyed him. However, Emily Bronte seldom ventured outside
her father’s tiny country rectory, yet she wrote Wuthering Heights, a tale of passionate love and increase
hatred, and one of the greatest woks in the English language.
a. It is not necessary for a writer to endanger his or her life in order to have something to write about.
b. There are many ways for gifted writers to collect material for their stories and novels.
c. Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Emily Bronte are all known for the passion with which
their work is imbued.
d. Hemingway and Fitzgerald are well known for their reckless lifestyles, which nevertheless gave rise to
some of the finest works in the English language.