Reading Comprehension Questions for CLAT 2026-Part II

There’s been another break-in, but this time a real one! Peter went down to the warehouse this morning at seven, as usual, and noticed at once that both the warehouse door and the street door were open. He immediately reported this to Pim, who went to the private office, tuned the radio to a German station and locked the door. Then they both went back upstairs.

In such cases our orders are not to was hour selves or run any water, to be quiet, to be dressed by eight and not to go to the bathroom,” and as usual we followed these to the letter. We were all glad we’d slept so well and hadn’t heard anything. For a while we were indignant because no one from the office came upstairs the entire morning; Mr. Kleiman left us on tenterhooks until eleven-thirty.

He told that the burglars had forced the outside door and the warehouse door with a crowbar, but when they didn’t find anything worth stealing, they tried their luck on the next floor. They stole two cashboxes containing 40 guilders, blank checkbooks and, worst of all, coupons for 330 pounds of sugar, our entire allotment. It won’t be easy to wangle new ones.

Mr. Kugler thinks this burglar belongs to the same gang as the one who made an unsuccessful attempt six weeks ago to open all three doors (the warehouse door and the two outside doors). The burglary caused another stir, but the Annex seems to thrive on excitement. Naturally, we were glad the cash register and the typewriters had been safely tucked away in our clothes closet.

Yours, Anne
PS. Landing in Sicily. Another step closer to the . . . !

Source: The Diary of a Young Girl 

What was stolen during the burglary described in the passage?

A. Valuable typewriters and furniture
B. Two cashboxes, blank checkbooks, and sugar coupons
C. Jewelry and important documents
D. Radios and other electronic equipment

Answer: B. Two cashboxes, blank checkbooks, and sugar coupons

What precaution did Anne and the others take after discovering the burglary?

A. They barricaded the doors to prevent another break-in
B. They followed strict orders to remain quiet and avoid using water
C. They immediately called the police for assistance
D. They hid all their valuable items in a different location

Answer: B. They followed strict orders to remain quiet and avoid using water

Why does Mr. Kleiman’s delay in visiting the Annex cause frustration?

A. He was supposed to replace the stolen items immediately
B. The group was anxious to learn more about the burglary
C. He forgot to lock the doors after the previous break-in
D. The group was relying on him for food supplies

Answer: B. The group was anxious to learn more about the burglary

How does Anne describe the overall reaction of the Annex residents to the burglary?

A. Panicked and disorganized
B. Calm and indifferent
C. Thriving on the excitement despite the tension
D. Suspicious of their helpers

Answer: C. Thriving on the excitement despite the tension

What additional information is hinted at in Anne’s postscript?

A. A new development in the war effort
B. Plans for the group to relocate
C. Preparations for another burglary
D. An improvement in their living conditions

Answer: A. A new development in the war effort

Dear Kitty,

Yesterday was a very tumultuous day, and we’re still all wound up. Actually, you may wonder if there’s ever a day that passes without some kind of excitement. The first warning siren went off in the morning while we were at breakfast, but we paid no attention, because it only meant that the planes were crossing the coast.

I had a terrible headache, so I lay down for an hour after breakfast and then went to the office at around two. At two-thirty Margot had finished her office work and was just gathering her things together when the sirens began wailing again. So she and I trooped back up stairs.

None too soon, it seems, for less than five minutes later the guns were booming so loudly that we went and stood in the hall. The house shook and the bombs kept falling. I was clutching my “escape bag,” more because I wanted to have something to hold on to than because I wanted to run away. I know we can’t leave here, but if we had to, being seen on the streets would be just as dangerous as getting caught in an air raid. After half an hour the drone of engines faded and the house began to hum with activity again.

Peter emerged from his lookout post in the front attic, Dussel remained in the front office, Mrs. van D. felt safest in the private office, Mr. van Daan had been watching from the loft, and those of us on the landing spread out to watch the columns of smoke rising from the harbor.

Before long the smell of fire was everywhere, and outside it looked as if the city were enveloped in a thick fog. A big fire like that is not a pleasant sight, but fortunately for us it was all over, and we went back to our various chores. Just as we were starting dinner: another air-raid alarm.

The food was good, but I lost my appetite the moment I heard the siren. Nothing happened, however, and forty-five minutes later the all clear was sounded. After the dishes had been washed: another air-raid warning, gunfire and swarms of planes. “Oh, gosh, twice in one day,” we thought, “that’s twice in one day,” we thought, “that’s twice too many.”

Little good that did us, because once again the bombs rained down, this time on the others of the city. According to British reports, Schiphol Airport was bombed. The planes dived and climbed, the air was abuzz with the drone of engines. It was very scary, and the whole time I kept thinking, “Here it comes, this is it.”

Source: The Diary of a Young Girl 

Why did Anne clutch her “escape bag” during the air raid?

A. She planned to flee if the situation worsened
B. She wanted to have something to hold on to for comfort
C. It contained important documents for survival
D. It was a requirement for safety drills

Answer: B. She wanted to have something to hold on to for comfort

What does the passage reveal about the group’s response to the air raids?

A. They remained calm and continued their routine
B. They were visibly frightened but followed a prepared protocol
C. They ignored the air raids as they felt it was unnecessary to react
D. They panicked and scattered to different parts of the city

Answer: B. They were visibly frightened but followed a prepared protocol

What does Anne describe as the most terrifying aspect of the air raids?

A. The sight of rising smoke from the harbor
B. The continuous drone of engines and fear of imminent danger
C. The sound of sirens during dinner time
D. The possibility of being caught on the streets

Answer: B. The continuous drone of engines and fear of imminent danger

How does the group react after the air raid ends?

A. They immediately leave the house to inspect the damage
B. They continue with their chores as usual
C. They spend hours discussing safety measures
D. They gather in the attic to assess the damage

Answer: B. They continue with their chores as usual

What was Anne’s reaction to the second air raid during dinner?

A. She lost her appetite as soon as she heard the siren
B. She encouraged everyone to stay calm
C. She took charge of the situation by organizing the group
D. She started planning an escape route

Answer: A. She lost her appetite as soon as she heard the siren