STEP reading practice: 99 passages with answers

All 99 STEP reading passages

Each link opens the full passage with its questions. The answers are under each question, hidden until you click to show them.

1. Passage 1: DNA

   4 questions · In 1869 the Swiss scientist Friedrich Miescher, working in Tübingen, Germany, isolated a strange substance from the nuclei of white-blood cells. That event marked the …

2. Passage 2: Biochemical cycles

   3 questions · Biochemical cycles are the repeated movements of chemical elements through living organisms and the environment. Each cycle, such as the carbon or nitrogen cycle, has …

3. Passage 3: Problems and solutions

   4 questions · Everyone faces challenges at some point in life, but not all challenges are the same. Some are small and manageable, while others require what experts …

4. Passage 4: Chart: average temperatures

   2 questions · Chart or image question: What is the average temperature of Tokyo in March?

5. Passage 5: Tobacco

   3 questions · Tobacco is a leafy plant first grown in the Americas. Its green leaves naturally contain nicotine and other mild alkaloids that can affect the human …

6. Passage 6: Space debris

   3 questions · Old rockets, loose bolts, and silent satellites now spin round Earth faster than a rifle bullet. Engineers from many nations are already pooling their ideas …

7. Passage 7: St. Lucia

   4 questions · St. Lucia rises from the Caribbean Sea like a green fortress of nature. Dense rain- forests climb the sides of two volcanic peaks, the Pitons, …

8. Passage 8: Tuna and salmon

   3 questions · Atlantic salmon are famous for their long journey from cool northern rivers to the wide Atlantic Ocean and back again. Although people sometimes talk about …

9. Passage 9: The mixed economic system

   4 questions · A mixed economic system is one in which both the government and private sectors play significant roles in the economy. For example, the economy of …

10. Passage 10: Stress

    3 questions · Many people today feel overloaded with their daily responsibilities, whether at work, school, or home. The constant demand for multitasking and meeting deadlines can create …

11. Passage 11: Chart: airline passengers

    1 question · Chart or image question: According to the graph, which airline served the fewest number of passengers?

12. Passage 12: Earthquakes

    1 question · Earthquakes are natural disasters that occur when the Earth's crust suddenly shifts, releasing enormous amounts of energy. These seismic activities can cause buildings to collapse, …

13. Passage 13: Chart: annual births in Saudi Arabia

    2 questions · Chart or image question: what was the birth rate in Saudi Arabia in 2015?

14. Passage 14: Europeans in Australia

    2 questions · The arrival of Europeans in Australia began in 1788 when British settlers landed in New South Wales. They established a colony, marking the start of …

15. Passage 15: Computational thinking

    4 questions · Computational thinking is a problem-solving method that focuses on breaking down challenges into smaller, more manageable parts. The phrase "legs on a table" is often …

16. Passage 16: Phobias

    4 questions · Phobias are intense, irrational fears that can affect anyone, but they tend to impact women more than men. However, social phobia, which involves intense anxiety …

17. Passage 17: The Korean mother: language across generations

    12 questions · Language is what distinguishes humans from animals. It is our way to communicate with each other. Humans start to learn their language when they are …

18. Passage 18: Mei Lan the panda

    5 questions · Mei Lan is a male giant panda. He was born at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally identified by zoo staffers as female, Mei Lan …

19. Passage 19: The firefighter

    10 questions · Mike is a firefighter. One day, there was a huge fire in the forest. Mike went there and found that the greedy fire was like …

20. Passage 20: Stars and planets

    10 questions · The sun may appear to be the largest star in the sky but that's just because it's the closest. The largest known star in the …

21. Passage 21: Bees

    6 questions · Bees are insects known for their role in pollination and for producing honey. There are many species of bees, some of which live socially in …

22. Passage 22: The history of papermaking

    7 questions · The paper we use today is made by machine. Trees are cut up and processed into a mixture called wood pulp. The pulp, which contains …

23. Passage 23: The climate of Saudi Arabia's regions

    6 questions · Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East. It spans the vast majority of the Arabian Peninsula. There are three climatic zones in …

24. Passage 24: The King Fahd Causeway

    12 questions · It was King Saud’s idea to build a bridge linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia in 1954and Essa Ibn Salman Khalifa was the one who named …

25. Passage 25: Ants

    15 questions · Did you know that there are about 8000 species of ants? They basically live in organized groups called colonies. 2- Social lives of some members …

26. Passage 26: How animals sleep

    7 questions · Animals have many different ways of sleeping. Some animals sleep in groups for warmth. Lions, monkeys and penguins are a few animals that sleep in …

27. Passage 27: The workshop

    13 questions · Paul was a very hard-working employee and his work always seems effortless. He had a meeting with his manager to attend a workshop. The workshop …

28. Passage 28: Chart: coffee consumption

    2 questions · Chart or image question: How many gallons of coffee were consumed in the US in 1945?

29. Passage 29: Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

    10 questions · Ibn Sina or Avicenna, both names are correct, the name just changes from one language to another. He was born in AH 370/AD 980 near …

30. Passage 30: Knitting and crochet

    7 questions · Knitting has been around for a very long time. Scholars think it was probably invented in the Middle East around the fifth century CE, and …

31. Passage 31: Cupping therapy

    6 questions · Hijaamah is the profession of cupping in which a cup is used to collect the blood and a lancet is used by the cupper to …

32. Passage 32: Type A and Type B personalities

    5 questions · Type A and Type B are two types of personalities. Type A tends to compete with other people more than work individually. Also, they don’t …

33. Passage 33: Ice cream

    10 questions · In New York City there is an almost antique ice cream car driven by the best driver who makes the best ice cream ever. He …

34. Passage 34: The internet in Saudi Arabia

    6 questions · The internet's introduction to Saudi Arabia dates back to the early 1990s, a time when the country was taking its first steps into the digital …

35. Passage 35: Water leaks

    5 questions · The damage you described in your letter on 7 July has now been inspected. 2- Faults in the wiring appear to have been caused by …

36. Passage 36: Sleep and football

    4 questions · For professional footballers, performance on the field is of utmost importance. Quality sleep has been shown to have a direct impact on athletes' physical and …

37. Passage 37: Immigration to America

    3 questions · Since its early history in the early 1600s, the United States has been a destination for immigrants from various parts of the world. The allure …

38. Passage 38: World War II

    11 questions · World War II occurred during the years 1939 -1945. It was a war that involved virtually every part of the world and cost the most …

39. Passage 39: The history of Istanbul

    6 questions · Turkey is a country located mainly in Western Asia, with a small portion in Southeast Europe. It is one of the world's earliest permanently settled …

40. Passage 40: Air pollution

    2 questions · Air pollution is a very dangerous phenomenon, especially in this age where air pollutants are everywhere. When we think about air pollution, we always think …

41. Passage 41: Muhammad Ali

    13 questions · Muhammad Ali’s real name was Cassius Marcellus Clay. He travelled to the 1960 Rome Games to compete. Despite being only 18, he won all four …

42. Passage 42: Psychology

    5 questions · Psychology is a very deep subject and all our knowledge of it comes from experience. People who study this field are called psychologists. Psychologists provide …

43. Passage 43: Beating cancer

    4 questions · Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells in the body begin to divide and grow uncontrollably. In many cases, cancer can be treated …

44. Passage 44: Currencies

    10 questions · People named their coins after many things like their weight. For example, The English pound is derived from the Latin pondo meaning pound. So is …

45. Passage 45: Chart: first-time mothers

    2 questions · Chart or image question: In 2016, what percentage of women became first-time mothers at age 20?

46. Passage 46: Sugar

    1 question · When you eat or drink too much sugar, the extra insulin in your bloodstream can affect your arteries all over your body. It causes their …

47. Passage 47: Bone broth

    3 questions · Bone broth can be made with any animal bone. It's not new food. Some people swear the minerals that you get from bone broth can …

48. Passage 48: Vitamins and minerals

    4 questions · The two substances every human body needs to function properly are vitamins and minerals. Using them properly, our bodies would be maintained strong and healthy. …

49. Passage 49: Pigeons

    7 questions · Pigeons are incredibly complex and intelligent birds and they are highly sociable animals. They are often seen in flocks of 20-30 birds. 2-Pigeons build their …

50. Passage 50: Psychoanalysis

    4 questions · Psychoanalysis is defined as aset of psychological theories and therapeutic methods. It was created by Sigmund Freud. Traditional psychoanalysis is no longer practiced because it …

51. Passage 51: Plants

    4 questions · Plants, the life-sustaining organisms that populate our planet, play a vital role in the ecosystem and our daily lives. In this passage, we explore various …

52. Passage 52: Pizza

    6 questions · Pizza is a common love for Italians and people all around the world. It originated in Italy. You will find there a different pizza in …

53. Passage 53: Tourism in Jamaica

    4 questions · Tourism has become a major industry in Jamaica, contributing significantly to the country's economy. In 2019, tourism generated over $1.3 billion in revenue and employed …

54. Passage 54: The weather forecast

    2 questions · Today, Thursday, is very windy and cold. There is a chance of some rain too, so don’t leave home without your umbrella, especially if you …

55. Passage 55: Fish

    4 questions · Fish are aquatic vertebrates. They usually have gills, paired fins, a long body covered with scales, and tend to be cold-blooded. Fish come in different …

56. Passage 56: The octopus

    4 questions · The octopus is a fascinating creature that inhabits many of the world's oceans. These cephalopods can vary in size, with the larger octopuses reaching weights …

57. Passage 57: Mada'in Salih

    6 questions · Madin Saleh is an important site. In 2008 UNESCO announced it as a site of cultural heritage, becoming Saudi Arabia's first World Heritage site. It …

58. Passage 58: Software: device drivers

    4 questions · A device driver is a small piece of software that provides a software interface to hardware devices. Currently you don’t need-to-know precise details about the …

59. Passage 59: Dolphins

    4 questions · Welcome to the dolphin’s park. Today we will have fun together and will know everything about dolphins. 2- Known for their playful behaviour, they are …

60. Passage 60: Nano wood

    5 questions · Nano wood is heat-insulating material made from wood. It usually replaces Styrofoam because Styrofoam has chemicals that line the and cause cancer. Therefore, Styrofoam’s chemicals …

61. Passage 61: Vinegar

    2 questions · A summary of a survey provided by the Vinegar Institute in 1989, characterizes the production of vinegar by food category in the U.S.A. Vinegar is …

62. Passage 62: Plane crashes

    5 questions · Plane Crash is one of the rare but most dangerous accidents. They usually happen during takeoff and landing. The risk of crashing is biggest for …

63. Passage 63: COVID-19 and shopping

    5 questions · The COVID-19 Pandemic has blindsided many businesses and with very good reason. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, only the nimble and flexible have the greatest …

64. Passage 64: Stalin's Five-Year Plans

    8 questions · The Five-Year Plan was a road map for Stalin's great goals of industrialization which aimed at improving the economy of the Soviet Union. The industrial …

65. Passage 65: Depression

    3 questions · Depression is a complex mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in …

66. Passage 66: Bacteria

    1 question · Bacteria are single - celled organisms. They usually cause diseases.

67. Passage 67: Fast food and its harms

    8 questions · Healthy food refers to natural products that deliver your body with essentially needed nutrients. 2-Who doesn’t love burgers? Burgers and fast food are famous; people …

68. Passage 68: The Statue of Liberty

    7 questions · More than a million people immigrate to the United States to start new lives every year, and if they are arriving in New York, one …

69. Passage 69: Blood types

    6 questions · There are four basic blood types in the ABO typing system: Type A blood and Type B blood have antigens and make antibodies to fight …

70. Passage 70: Egg yolk

    6 questions · One of the main parts of the egg is yolk: the yellow, inner liquid part of the egg where the embryo forms. It is the …

71. Passage 71: The food waste problem

    3 questions · Food waste has become a pressing issue in today's society, with numerous factors contributing to its alarming scale. Among the contributors to this problem are …

72. Passage 72: Probability and randomness

    3 questions · Probability and randomness are two concepts that are closely related and often used in conjunction with one another. Probability is the study of the likelihood …

73. Passage 73: Niagara Falls

    2 questions · Niagara Falls is one of the world's most impressive natural wonders, drawing millions of tourists each year. The falls are made up of three separate …

74. Passage 74: Zero-waste stores

    2 questions · supermarkets has gained momentum in recent years, with a focus on reducing or eliminating packaging waste in the grocery industry. These stores offer a range …

75. Passage 75: Dopamine

    2 questions · Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry information from one cell to another. They …

76. Passage 76: Washington, D.C.

    3 questions · Washington DC, the capital of the United States, is a city steeped in history and brimming with iconic landmarks. One of the most significant areas …

77. Passage 77: Sustainability in Bangladesh

    3 questions · Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 163 million people, 80% of …

78. Passage 78: Ancient birds

    5 questions · Giant birds of the past have names that speak for themselves. The elephant bird, a native of Madagascar and the largest known giant bird, stood …

79. Passage 79: Software licensing

    3 questions · Software licensing helps protect the software company and the end-user. Using unlicensed software is illegal and can cost you time and money. Most software is …

80. Passage 80: Separating mixtures

    4 questions · It is important to be able to separate mixtures to obtain a desired component from the mixture and to be able to better understand how …

81. Passage 81: Population growth

    4 questions · Population growth rate is how fast a population changes in size over time. There are many factors that influence population change such as birth rate …

82. Passage 82: The physician

    2 questions · A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), or a medical doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining …

83. Passage 83: Chart: tea consumption

    2 questions · Chart or image question: Which country consumed the most tea in 2016?

84. Passage 84: A student questionnaire

    1 question · This year, the Office of Admission and Registration at our university, with the help of the professors, distributed a questionnaire to the students to answer. …

85. Passage 85: The Great Irish Famine

    5 questions · The Great Hunger or Irish Potato Famine was a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland that brought about a lot of deaths and …

86. Passage 86: Healthy eating

    5 questions · We can see the changing global diets. For example, in Japan, they depend on eating large quantities of seafood and western food which leads to …

87. Passage 87: Penguins

    1 question · Biologists in New Zealand are baffled by the sudden death of a large number of the world’s rarest species of penguin. Scientists’ examinations showed no …

88. Passage 88: The two areas

    1 question · A&B There were two areas A and B but animals in both areas spent time outside of their home to find plants and food.

89. Passage 89: Chart: Mars

    1 question · Chart or image question: When did the scientists discover Mars?

90. Passage 90: Taxes

    4 questions · There are some goods that their consumption is unhealthy, such as cigarettes, alcohol and any addictive drugs. These goods are called demerit goods. Governments always …

91. Passage 91: Internet cookies

    3 questions · Cookies are not computer programs. They are simply small files that pass information from your web browser to a website on the internet. These files …

92. Passage 92: Job offers

    2 questions · Riyadh,Engineers, Fluent in English and Spanish, Minimum Bachelor’s degree, Saudi, Minimum 5-years of experience. 2-Jeddah,Teachers, Fluent in English and French, Minimum Master's degree, Minimum 3 …

93. Passage 93: Email: preparing for a meeting

    2 questions · From: Mohammad To: Hamad Date: March 7 Subject: Preparation for a Meeting Dear Hamad, Please prepare for the next meeting. You were late for yesterday’s …

94. Passage 94: A car accident

    2 questions · While Ali Al-Salem was driving to the university, he had a terrible accident. He was rushed to the hospital where he was treated. He was …

95. Passage 95: Image: "Adam is not as tall as Eric"

    1 question · Chart or image question: What do you understand from this sentence?

96. Passage 96: Radio

    7 questions · In the Kingdom, radio is quite popular. The history of radio in Saudi Arabia goes back to 1949. Now, radio in Saudi Arabia has been …

97. Passage 97: Salt

    8 questions · According to a 700-year-old epic, while fighting the giants, a great princess dropped her ring into a salt mine at the battlefield at Marmaros in …

98. Passage 98: A menu price list

    1 question · Small Pizza= 15 riyals. 2. Rice and Meat= 20 riyals. 3. Cheese Sandwich and Pepsi= 12 riyals. 4. French Fries and Cola= 11 riyals. 5. …

99. Passage 99: The girl and her mother

    5 questions · A little girl had been shopping with her mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red-haired, freckle-faced image of innocence. …

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