Reading comprehension

The new community library opened on Monday and immediately proved popular. By Friday of its first week, more than 2,000 residents had registered for membership, far exceeding the council's forecast of 500. Based only on this passage, which statement is best supported?

• AThe library's membership in its first week surpassed the council's forecast✓
• BThe library will remain popular for many years
• CMost residents in the town are keen readers
• DThe council deliberately underestimated demand

Answer: The passage states 2,000 registered against a forecast of 500, so first-week membership exceeded the forecast; the other options add claims not given.

A bakery reports that sales of sourdough loaves rose by 30% last quarter, while sales of white sliced bread fell by 10%. Total bread sales rose overall. According to the passage, which statement is accurate?

• AWhite sliced bread sales increased
• BSourdough sales rose by 30% last quarter✓
• CSourdough is cheaper than white sliced bread
• DTotal bread sales fell

Answer: The passage directly states sourdough sales rose 30%; white sliced fell, and total sales rose.

The museum is free to enter on weekdays but charges a 5 pound admission fee at weekends. Children under 12 enter free at all times. A family with two adults and one ten-year-old visits on a Saturday. How much do they pay in total?

• A5 pounds
• B10 pounds✓
• C15 pounds
• D0 pounds

Answer: Two adults pay 5 pounds each at the weekend (10 pounds); the under-12 child enters free.

A train company introduced a new express service that cut the journey between two cities from 90 minutes to 60 minutes. Demand for tickets rose sharply, and the company added extra carriages within a month. Which statement is best supported by the passage?

• AThe express service is more expensive than the old one
• BThe new service reduced the journey time by 30 minutes✓
• CAll trains on the route are now express services
• DPassengers were unhappy with the old service

Answer: The journey fell from 90 to 60 minutes, a 30-minute reduction; the other claims are not stated.

In a recent survey, 70% of employees said they preferred hybrid working, 20% preferred working fully in the office, and the remainder preferred working fully from home. What percentage preferred working fully from home?

• A5%
• B10%✓
• C20%
• D30%

Answer: 70% plus 20% accounts for 90%, leaving 10% who preferred working fully from home.

The charity raised 12,000 pounds at its annual gala, which was 50% more than the previous year's total. It plans to spend three-quarters of this year's amount on local food banks. How much will be spent on local food banks?

• A6,000 pounds
• B8,000 pounds
• C9,000 pounds✓
• D12,000 pounds

Answer: Three-quarters of 12,000 pounds is 9,000 pounds.

A report notes that the factory operates three shifts: morning, afternoon, and night. The night shift produces the fewest units because fewer staff are scheduled, while the morning shift produces the most. The afternoon shift falls between the two. Which shift produces the second-highest number of units?

• AMorning
• BAfternoon✓
• CNight
• DAll produce the same

Answer: Morning produces most and night the fewest, so the afternoon shift is second-highest.

The council announced that recycling rates in the district had reached 55%, up from 45% the year before. It set a target of 65% for the following year. By how many percentage points did the recycling rate need to rise to meet the new target?

• A5 points
• B10 points✓
• C15 points
• D20 points

Answer: The rate is 55% and the target is 65%, a rise of 10 percentage points.

A software firm employs 400 people. Of these, 60% work in engineering, 25% in sales, and the rest in administration. How many people work in administration?

• A40
• B60✓
• C100
• D150

Answer: Engineering and sales account for 85%, leaving 15% of 400, which is 60 people, in administration.

The article explains that the coastal village relies almost entirely on tourism, which peaks in July and August. During winter, many shops close and unemployment rises. The local council is now encouraging year-round attractions to stabilise the economy. What is the main concern described in the passage?

• AThe village has too many tourists in winter
• BThe village's economy is seasonal and unstable in winter✓
• CThe council wants to ban tourism
• DShops are too expensive in summer

Answer: The passage describes seasonal tourism causing winter closures and unemployment, which the council wants to address.

A study found that students who slept at least eight hours scored, on average, 15% higher on tests than those who slept fewer than six hours. The study did not measure students sleeping between six and eight hours. Which conclusion is best supported?

• ASleeping more than eight hours always improves scores
• BStudents sleeping at least eight hours averaged higher scores than those sleeping under six hours✓
• CSleep has no effect on test scores
• DStudents sleeping seven hours scored lowest

Answer: The study only compared the two named groups; nothing is established about seven-hour sleepers or causation beyond the reported average.

The memo states that all staff must complete fire-safety training by the end of March. Those who fail to do so will lose building access until the training is completed. A staff member completes the training on 2 April. According to the memo, what happens?

• AThey are dismissed immediately
• BThey lose building access until they complete the training, which they then do✓
• CThey are exempt because April is a new month
• DNothing changes for them

Answer: Missing the March deadline triggers loss of access until completion; completing on 2 April satisfies that condition.