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
12 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise all 20 Reading & Word Skills questions free in the browser, with instant feedback on every answer.
Which letter comes first in the alphabet?
- AC
- BA✓
- CM
- DZ
Answer: A is the first letter of the alphabet.
Put these words in alphabetical order: dog, apple, cat. Which comes first?
- Adog
- Bapple✓
- Ccat
- Dthey are equal
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?
- APull it towards you
- BPush it away from you✓
- CKnock
- DWait
Answer: 'PUSH' tells you to push the door open, away from you.
A sign says 'NO SMOKING'. What does it mean?
- ASmoking is allowed
- BYou must not smoke here✓
- CBuy cigarettes here
- DSmoking area
Answer: 'No Smoking' means smoking is not allowed in that place.
Instructions say: 'Add water, then stir.' What do you do first?
- AStir
- BAdd water✓
- CBoth at once
- DNothing
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✓
- CMidday
- DIt does not say
Answer: The text states the shop closes at 5pm.
Which word means a place where you borrow books?
- ALibrary✓
- BBakery
- CGarage
- DStation
Answer: A library is where you can borrow books.
Read: 'Tom is taller than Ben.' Who is taller?
- ABen
- BTom✓
- CBoth the same
- DCannot tell
Answer: The sentence says Tom is taller than Ben, so Tom is taller.
Which word is the opposite of 'big'?
- Alarge
- Bhuge
- Csmall✓
- Dtall
Answer: The opposite (antonym) of 'big' is 'small'.
Which word means the same as 'fast'?
- Aslow
- Bquick✓
- Cheavy
- Dquiet
Answer: 'Quick' means the same as 'fast'.
A form asks for your 'surname'. What should you write?
- AYour first name
- BYour family/last name✓
- CYour address
- DYour age
Answer: Your surname is your family name (last name).
On a form, 'D.O.B.' stands for:
- ADay of the week
- BDate of birth✓
- CDirection of travel
- DDrop off box
Answer: D.O.B. means 'Date of Birth'.