Reading & Word Skills
20 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 20 free Functional Skills English Entry Level practice questions on Reading & Word Skills, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Reading & Word Skills: example questions & answers
20 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
Which letter comes first in the alphabet?
- AM
- BC
- CZ
- DA✓
Answer: A is the first letter of the alphabet.
Put these words in alphabetical order: dog, apple, cat. Which comes first?
- Athey are equal
- Bdog
- Capple✓
- Dcat
Answer: Alphabetical order goes by the first letter: apple (a), cat (c), dog (d).
A sign reads 'PUSH'. What should you do at the door?
- APush it away from you✓
- BWait for someone to open it
- CKnock and wait to be let in
- DPull it towards you instead
Answer: 'PUSH' tells you to push the door open, away from you.
A sign says 'NO SMOKING'. What does it mean?
- AThis is the smoking area
- BYou can buy cigarettes here
- CSmoking is allowed in this room
- DYou must not smoke here✓
Answer: 'No Smoking' means smoking is not allowed in that place.
Instructions say: 'Add water, then stir.' What do you do first?
- ABoth at once
- BNothing
- CStir
- DAdd water✓
Answer: The word 'then' shows the order: add water first, then stir.
Read: 'The shop opens at 9am and closes at 5pm.' What time does it close?
- A9am
- B5pm✓
- CIt does not say
- DMidday
Answer: The text states the shop closes at 5pm.
Which word means a place where you borrow books?
- ABakery
- BGarage
- CLibrary✓
- DStation
Answer: A library is where you can borrow books.
Read: 'Tom is taller than Ben.' Who is taller?
- ABen
- BTom✓
- CCannot tell
- DBoth the same
Answer: The sentence says Tom is taller than Ben, so Tom is taller.
Which word is the opposite of 'big'?
- Asmall✓
- Bhuge
- Clarge
- Dtall
Answer: The opposite (antonym) of 'big' is 'small'.
Which word means the same as 'fast'?
- Aslow
- Bquiet
- Cheavy
- Dquick✓
Answer: 'Quick' means the same as 'fast'.
A form asks for your 'surname'. What should you write?
- AYour family/last name✓
- BYour age on your last birthday
- CThe first name you were given
- DYour full home address
Answer: Your surname is your family name (last name).
On a form, 'D.O.B.' stands for:
- ADirection of travel
- BDate of birth✓
- CDrop off box
- DDay of the week
Answer: D.O.B. means 'Date of Birth'.
Which word would you find FIRST in a dictionary?
- Aapple✓
- Bmonkey
- Ctiger
- Dzebra
Answer: Dictionaries are alphabetical; 'apple' (a) comes before monkey, tiger and zebra.
A text message says: 'Meeting moved to 2pm.' What changed?
- AThe place
- BThe date
- CThe time✓
- DNothing
Answer: The message says the meeting was moved to 2pm — the time has changed.
Which sentence is the most polite?
- APen!
- BGive me a pen.
- CPen. Now.
- DCould I please have a pen?✓
Answer: Asking 'Could I please…?' is the most polite, formal way to make a request.
Which letter is a vowel?
- AR
- BT
- CE✓
- DB
Answer: The vowels are a, e, i, o, u. 'E' is a vowel.
Read: 'Take one tablet twice a day.' How many tablets per day?
- A1
- B2✓
- C3
- D12
Answer: 'Twice a day' means two times, so one tablet twice = 2 tablets a day.
Which is the correct greeting to start a formal letter to someone you don't know?
- ADear Sir or Madam,✓
- BYo, how are you doing?
- CHiya, hope you are well
- DHey there, you alright?
Answer: 'Dear Sir or Madam,' is the correct formal opening when you don't know the person's name.
Which word means 'a meal eaten in the morning'?
- ASnack
- BSupper
- CDinner
- DBreakfast✓
Answer: Breakfast is the meal eaten in the morning.
What is the main purpose of a 'to-do list'?
- ATo remember tasks you need to do✓
- BTo tell an exciting story to children
- CTo advertise a product to customers
- DTo explain what the weather will be
Answer: A to-do list helps you remember and organise the tasks you need to complete.