These eight questions practise the four skills in close reading and evidence. Write your answer first, then open the explanation.
The set belongs to the SPM Bible Knowledge learning guide. The passages are original and are not prescribed texts.
Passage A
“Before sunrise Dewi walked to the far field with a jug of water. The young trees there were new, and the stream had shrunk. She poured a little at the roots of each tree, then went home to begin her own day.”
Question 1. When did Dewi walk to the far field?
Answer
Before sunrise. The word when needs a time, and this is the only time marker in the first sentence. Skill: finding the detail.
Question 2. Why did Dewi carry water to the trees?
Answer
The passage says the trees were new and the stream had shrunk, which gives the reason: the trees needed water and the stream could not supply it. A strong answer combines both facts. Skill: finding the detail that gives a reason.
Question 3. Sort as paraphrase, inference or unsupported claim: (a) “Dewi watered each tree.” (b) “Dewi cared about the young trees.” (c) “Dewi was paid to do this.”
Answer
(a) Paraphrase: “at the roots of each tree”. (b) Inference: walking before sunrise and watering each one suggests care. (c) Unsupported claim: payment is never mentioned. Skill: sorting statements.
Question 4. Choose the best evidence for the claim “Dewi was thorough”: “Before sunrise”, “at the roots of each tree” or “went home”.
Answer
“At the roots of each tree.” The word each shows she did not skip any tree, and the roots show she watered where it matters. “Before sunrise” shows effort, not thoroughness. Skill: choosing evidence.
Passage B
“The market flooded at noon. By evening the stallholders had carried their goods to the school hall, but Mr Yap stayed behind to move the last crates of oranges off the road.”
Question 5. What is the relationship between the flooding and the stallholders’ move?
Answer
Cause and effect, strongly suggested. The market flooded at noon, and by evening the goods were carried to the hall. A careful answer says “as a result” but notes the passage does not state the word because. Skill: linking events.
Question 6. Write a three-sentence answer to “Explain how Mr Yap’s actions differed from the other stallholders’.” Use a quotation.
Answer
“Mr Yap’s actions differed because he stayed behind. The other stallholders ‘carried their goods to the school hall’, but he remained to ‘move the last crates of oranges off the road’. This shows he finished clearing the road after the others had gone.”
Claim, evidence and link. Skills: contrast and evidence.
Question 7. A student writes, “Mr Yap was the bravest person in the market.” Is it supported?
Answer
No. The passage shows he stayed and worked, but it does not compare him with the others or mention bravery. A supported version: “Mr Yap stayed behind to finish clearing the road.” Skill: spotting an unsupported claim.
Question 8. Explain the link between “evening” and “stayed behind” in one sentence.
Answer
It is a sequence: by evening the others had finished, and Mr Yap then stayed to do the last task. The passage does not say why, so do not add a reason. Skill: sequence without inventing cause.
If you got these wrong
- Wrong detail: finding the detail a question needs.
- Claims that go too far: telling a paraphrase from an unsupported claim.
- Quotations that do not prove the point: supporting an explanation with the right evidence.
- Event links: explaining how two events are related.
For teacher feedback on your own attempts, see online one-to-one Bible Knowledge tuition.