Reading Comprehension Practice MCQs

Civil Service Exam English reading comprehension practice with five original passages on the national ID, the heat index, records disposal, barangay health workers and solar power for islands.

1. 1

   Passage: "Before the national ID, many citizens carried several documents to prove who they were, and each agency kept its own records. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) gives every registered person one permanent number and a single proof of identity. For people without bank accounts, this matters most: a valid ID is often the first requirement for opening one. Officials stress, however, that the system works only if records are accurate, so registrants should check their printed details and report errors at once." What is the main idea of the passage?

   ABanks no longer require any ID from clients.BAgencies should keep separate records of every citizen.CPhilSys gives each registered person one identity number and proof of identity, which helps especially those without bank accounts, but only if records are accurate.DThe national ID has replaced all government services.

   Correct answer: C. PhilSys gives each registered person one identity number and proof of identity, which helps especially those without bank accounts, but only if records are accurate.

   The passage explains the change from many documents to one number, highlights the benefit for people without bank accounts, and ends with a caution about accuracy. The first option covers all three points.

   Read details

   mediumShow answer
2. 2

   Passage: "Before the national ID, many citizens carried several documents to prove who they were, and each agency kept its own records. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) gives every registered person one permanent number and a single proof of identity. For people without bank accounts, this matters most: a valid ID is often the first requirement for opening one. Officials stress, however, that the system works only if records are accurate, so registrants should check their printed details and report errors at once." According to the passage, why does the national ID matter most for people without bank accounts?

   AIt replaces the need for a bank.BA valid ID is often the first requirement for opening an account.CBanks give them priority lanes.DIt gives them free money.

   Correct answer: B. A valid ID is often the first requirement for opening an account.

   The passage says that "a valid ID is often the first requirement for opening one". The other options are not mentioned in the text.

   Read details

   easyShow answer
3. 3

   Passage: "Before the national ID, many citizens carried several documents to prove who they were, and each agency kept its own records. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) gives every registered person one permanent number and a single proof of identity. For people without bank accounts, this matters most: a valid ID is often the first requirement for opening one. Officials stress, however, that the system works only if records are accurate, so registrants should check their printed details and report errors at once." What does the passage advise registrants to do?

   ACheck their printed details and report errors at onceBAvoid using the ID at banksCRegister twice to be safeDCarry all their old documents every day

   Correct answer: A. Check their printed details and report errors at once

   The last sentence advises registrants to "check their printed details and report errors at once", because the system works only if records are accurate.

   Read details

   easyShow answer
4. 4

   Passage: "Before the national ID, many citizens carried several documents to prove who they were, and each agency kept its own records. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) gives every registered person one permanent number and a single proof of identity. For people without bank accounts, this matters most: a valid ID is often the first requirement for opening one. Officials stress, however, that the system works only if records are accurate, so registrants should check their printed details and report errors at once." As used in the passage, the word "permanent" most nearly means:

   APrintedBTemporaryCLasting without changeDExpensive

   Correct answer: C. Lasting without change

   A permanent number lasts and does not change over time. This is what lets one number follow a person through all transactions with different agencies.

   Read details

   easyShow answer
5. 5

   Passage: "The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature. On a humid day, sweat evaporates slowly, so the body cools less efficiently, and a temperature of 33°C can feel like 40°C or more. Health officials advise people to drink water regularly even before they feel thirsty, to avoid strenuous outdoor work at midday, and to watch for warning signs such as dizziness, headache and confusion. Older adults, young children and outdoor workers face the greatest risk." What does the heat index measure?

   AThe highest temperature ever recordedBHow hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperatureCThe amount of rainfall in a dayDThe temperature of the sea

   Correct answer: B. How hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature

   The first sentence defines the heat index as a measure of "how hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature". It is different from the air temperature alone.

   Read details

   easyShow answer
6. 6

   Passage: "The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature. On a humid day, sweat evaporates slowly, so the body cools less efficiently, and a temperature of 33°C can feel like 40°C or more. Health officials advise people to drink water regularly even before they feel thirsty, to avoid strenuous outdoor work at midday, and to watch for warning signs such as dizziness, headache and confusion. Older adults, young children and outdoor workers face the greatest risk." According to the passage, why does the body cool less efficiently on a humid day?

   AThe air temperature is always above 40°C.BSweat evaporates slowly.CThe sun sets later.DPeople drink too much water.

   Correct answer: B. Sweat evaporates slowly.

   The passage states that on a humid day "sweat evaporates slowly, so the body cools less efficiently". Evaporating sweat is how the body releases heat.

   Read details

   mediumShow answer
7. 7

   Passage: "The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature. On a humid day, sweat evaporates slowly, so the body cools less efficiently, and a temperature of 33°C can feel like 40°C or more. Health officials advise people to drink water regularly even before they feel thirsty, to avoid strenuous outdoor work at midday, and to watch for warning signs such as dizziness, headache and confusion. Older adults, young children and outdoor workers face the greatest risk." Which of the following is NOT among the advice given in the passage?

   AWatch for dizziness, headache and confusionBAvoid strenuous outdoor work at middayCDrink water even before feeling thirstyDTake salt tablets every hour

   Correct answer: D. Take salt tablets every hour

   The passage advises drinking water regularly, avoiding strenuous midday work and watching for warning signs. Salt tablets are not mentioned, and "NOT" questions require checking each option against the text.

   Read details

   mediumShow answer
8. 8

   Passage: "The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when humidity is combined with air temperature. On a humid day, sweat evaporates slowly, so the body cools less efficiently, and a temperature of 33°C can feel like 40°C or more. Health officials advise people to drink water regularly even before they feel thirsty, to avoid strenuous outdoor work at midday, and to watch for warning signs such as dizziness, headache and confusion. Older adults, young children and outdoor workers face the greatest risk." Based on the passage, which group should be most careful during periods of high heat index?

   AOlder adults, young children and outdoor workersBOffice workers in air-conditioned roomsCPeople who live near the seaDYoung adults who exercise indoors

   Correct answer: A. Older adults, young children and outdoor workers

   The last sentence names "older adults, young children and outdoor workers" as the groups at greatest risk. Answers about other groups are not supported by the passage.

   Read details

   easyShow answer
9. 9

   Passage: "Not every document needs to be kept forever. Government offices follow records disposition schedules that state how long each type of record must be kept. Records with lasting value, such as land titles and civil registry documents, are kept permanently, while routine papers like visitor logs may be disposed of after a set period with proper approval. Keeping everything is not the safe choice it seems: crowded storage rooms make important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged by fire or flood." What is the main point of the passage?

   AOffices should follow schedules that say how long each type of record must be kept, because keeping everything has its own risks.BVisitor logs are more important than land titles.CRecords should be destroyed as soon as possible.DAll government records must be kept forever.

   Correct answer: A. Offices should follow schedules that say how long each type of record must be kept, because keeping everything has its own risks.

   The passage explains records disposition schedules, gives examples of permanent and temporary records, and warns that keeping everything makes important files harder to find and protect.

   Read details

   mediumShow answer
10. 10

    Passage: "Not every document needs to be kept forever. Government offices follow records disposition schedules that state how long each type of record must be kept. Records with lasting value, such as land titles and civil registry documents, are kept permanently, while routine papers like visitor logs may be disposed of after a set period with proper approval. Keeping everything is not the safe choice it seems: crowded storage rooms make important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged by fire or flood." According to the passage, which records are kept permanently?

    ALand titles and civil registry documentsBVisitor logsCDuplicate copies of memosDRoutine papers

    Correct answer: A. Land titles and civil registry documents

    The passage gives land titles and civil registry documents as examples of records with lasting value that are kept permanently. Visitor logs are given as an example of routine papers.

    Read details

    easyShow answer
12. 11

    Passage: "Not every document needs to be kept forever. Government offices follow records disposition schedules that state how long each type of record must be kept. Records with lasting value, such as land titles and civil registry documents, are kept permanently, while routine papers like visitor logs may be disposed of after a set period with proper approval. Keeping everything is not the safe choice it seems: crowded storage rooms make important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged by fire or flood." What condition does the passage set before routine papers may be disposed of?

    AThey must be at least fifty years old.BThey must have been kept for a set period, and disposal must have proper approval.CThe office must be running out of space.DThey must first be published online.

    Correct answer: B. They must have been kept for a set period, and disposal must have proper approval.

    The passage says routine papers "may be disposed of after a set period with proper approval". Disposal is not left to individual employees' judgement.

    Read details

    mediumShow answer
13. 12

    Passage: "Not every document needs to be kept forever. Government offices follow records disposition schedules that state how long each type of record must be kept. Records with lasting value, such as land titles and civil registry documents, are kept permanently, while routine papers like visitor logs may be disposed of after a set period with proper approval. Keeping everything is not the safe choice it seems: crowded storage rooms make important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged by fire or flood." The author says keeping everything "is not the safe choice it seems." What reason supports this?

    AStorage rooms are too expensive to build.BRecords disposition schedules forbid keeping any papers.CCrowded storage makes important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged.DOld records are always useless.

    Correct answer: C. Crowded storage makes important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged.

    The final sentence explains that crowded storage rooms make important files harder to find and more likely to be damaged by fire or flood. This is the reason given for the author's claim.

    Read details

    mediumShow answer
14. 13

    Passage: "Every Tuesday, Aling Nena walks from house to house in her barangay with a notebook and a blood pressure monitor. As a barangay health worker, she does not diagnose illness, but she knows which neighbours have missed check-ups, which babies are due for vaccines, and who needs a reminder to take their medicine. Doctors at the rural health unit say her visits catch problems early. When asked why she continues despite the small allowance, she answers simply: 'Kapag malusog ang kapitbahay, panatag ang buong barangay.'" What does Aling Nena do during her house visits?

    AShe performs vaccinations at home.BShe collects fees for the rural health unit.CShe tracks missed check-ups, vaccines and medicines and reminds her neighbours.DShe diagnoses illnesses and prescribes medicine.

    Correct answer: C. She tracks missed check-ups, vaccines and medicines and reminds her neighbours.

    The passage says she does not diagnose illness, but she knows who missed check-ups, which babies are due for vaccines and who needs reminders about medicine.

    Read details

    easyShow answer
15. 14

    Passage: "Every Tuesday, Aling Nena walks from house to house in her barangay with a notebook and a blood pressure monitor. As a barangay health worker, she does not diagnose illness, but she knows which neighbours have missed check-ups, which babies are due for vaccines, and who needs a reminder to take their medicine. Doctors at the rural health unit say her visits catch problems early. When asked why she continues despite the small allowance, she answers simply: 'Kapag malusog ang kapitbahay, panatag ang buong barangay.'" According to the doctors at the rural health unit, what is the value of her visits?

    AThey reduce the doctors' working hours.BThey raise funds for the barangay.CThey replace hospital care.DThey catch health problems early.

    Correct answer: D. They catch health problems early.

    The passage states that doctors "say her visits catch problems early". Early detection is one of the main contributions of barangay health workers.

    Read details

    easyShow answer
16. 15

    Passage: "Every Tuesday, Aling Nena walks from house to house in her barangay with a notebook and a blood pressure monitor. As a barangay health worker, she does not diagnose illness, but she knows which neighbours have missed check-ups, which babies are due for vaccines, and who needs a reminder to take their medicine. Doctors at the rural health unit say her visits catch problems early. When asked why she continues despite the small allowance, she answers simply: 'Kapag malusog ang kapitbahay, panatag ang buong barangay.'" Which word best describes Aling Nena, based on the passage?

    AIndifferentBAmbitious for wealthCCarelessDDedicated

    Correct answer: D. Dedicated

    She visits every week despite a small allowance and knows her neighbours' health needs in detail. These actions show dedication to the community, not concern for money.

    Read details

    mediumShow answer
17. 16

    Passage: "Every Tuesday, Aling Nena walks from house to house in her barangay with a notebook and a blood pressure monitor. As a barangay health worker, she does not diagnose illness, but she knows which neighbours have missed check-ups, which babies are due for vaccines, and who needs a reminder to take their medicine. Doctors at the rural health unit say her visits catch problems early. When asked why she continues despite the small allowance, she answers simply: 'Kapag malusog ang kapitbahay, panatag ang buong barangay.'" What does her answer "Kapag malusog ang kapitbahay, panatag ang buong barangay" suggest about her motivation?

    AShe dislikes visiting houses.BShe wants a higher allowance.CShe plans to move to another barangay.DShe believes the health of each neighbour affects the peace of mind of the whole community.

    Correct answer: D. She believes the health of each neighbour affects the peace of mind of the whole community.

    The saying means "When the neighbour is healthy, the whole barangay is at ease." It shows she is motivated by the well-being of the community rather than by personal gain.

    Read details

    mediumShow answer
18. 17

    Passage: "For decades, many small islands depended on diesel generators that ran only a few hours each night. Fuel had to be shipped in by boat, so electricity was expensive and stopped whenever storms delayed deliveries. Solar panels combined with batteries are changing this. Once installed, they need no fuel, and the batteries store daytime energy for use at night. The equipment still costs money to buy and maintain, but several island communities now enjoy power around the clock for the first time." According to the passage, why was electricity on many small islands expensive and unreliable?

    ADiesel had to be shipped in by boat, and deliveries were delayed by storms.BThe islands had too many power lines.CSolar panels kept breaking down.DResidents refused to pay their bills.

    Correct answer: A. Diesel had to be shipped in by boat, and deliveries were delayed by storms.

    The passage says fuel "had to be shipped in by boat, so electricity was expensive and stopped whenever storms delayed deliveries." Generators also ran only a few hours each night.

    Read details

    easyShow answer
19. 18

    Passage: "For decades, many small islands depended on diesel generators that ran only a few hours each night. Fuel had to be shipped in by boat, so electricity was expensive and stopped whenever storms delayed deliveries. Solar panels combined with batteries are changing this. Once installed, they need no fuel, and the batteries store daytime energy for use at night. The equipment still costs money to buy and maintain, but several island communities now enjoy power around the clock for the first time." What role do batteries play in the solar systems described?

    AThey lower the price of diesel.BThey store daytime energy for use at night.CThey replace the solar panels.DThey burn fuel during storms.

    Correct answer: B. They store daytime energy for use at night.

    The passage explains that "the batteries store daytime energy for use at night", which allows power around the clock even though solar panels produce electricity only in daylight.

    Read details

    easyShow answer
20. 19

    Passage: "For decades, many small islands depended on diesel generators that ran only a few hours each night. Fuel had to be shipped in by boat, so electricity was expensive and stopped whenever storms delayed deliveries. Solar panels combined with batteries are changing this. Once installed, they need no fuel, and the batteries store daytime energy for use at night. The equipment still costs money to buy and maintain, but several island communities now enjoy power around the clock for the first time." Which statement can be inferred from the passage?

    ADiesel generators are no longer used anywhere.BStorms no longer affect island communities.CSolar equipment is free to buy and maintain.DSolar power with batteries makes island communities less dependent on fuel deliveries.

    Correct answer: D. Solar power with batteries makes island communities less dependent on fuel deliveries.

    Since solar systems need no fuel once installed, communities no longer depend on boats bringing diesel. The passage directly says the equipment still costs money, so the second option is false.

    Read details

    mediumShow answer
21. 20

    Passage: "For decades, many small islands depended on diesel generators that ran only a few hours each night. Fuel had to be shipped in by boat, so electricity was expensive and stopped whenever storms delayed deliveries. Solar panels combined with batteries are changing this. Once installed, they need no fuel, and the batteries store daytime energy for use at night. The equipment still costs money to buy and maintain, but several island communities now enjoy power around the clock for the first time." Which title best fits the passage?

    AWhy Islands Should Stop Using ElectricityBHow to Ship Fuel Safely by BoatCSunlight Brings Round-the-Clock Power to Small IslandsDThe History of Diesel Engines

    Correct answer: C. Sunlight Brings Round-the-Clock Power to Small Islands

    The passage is about how solar panels and batteries are replacing diesel generators and giving islands power around the clock. The other titles focus on minor details or contradict the passage.

    Read details

    mediumShow answer