Free Year 7 Comprehension strategies — locate a... Practice | Skillo

Question 1 — Easy

Read the passage below, then answer the question. Solar energy has become an increasingly common feature of the Australian landscape. Australia receives among the highest levels of solar radiation of any continent, making it exceptionally well-suited to photovoltaic technology. By 2023, more than 3.5 million Australian homes had rooftop solar panels installed — the highest per-capita rate in the world. Supporters argue that solar power reduces household electricity bills and decreases reliance on fossil fuels. Critics point out that solar generation is intermittent: panels produce no power at night and less on overcast days, creating challenges for grid stability. Battery storage systems are increasingly offered as a solution to this limitation. What is the main limitation of rooftop solar power identified in the passage?

Answer: Option C is correct — The passage explicitly states that 'solar generation is intermittent: panels produce no power at night and less on overcast days,' identifying this as the main limitation discussed by critics.

Question 2 — Medium

Read the passage below, then answer the question. The surf lifesaving movement in Australia began in the early twentieth century in response to the growing popularity of ocean swimming and the alarming number of drowning deaths on public beaches. The first surf lifesaving club was established at Bondi in 1907, introducing trained volunteers who could patrol the water and respond to emergencies. Over the following decades, the movement spread along the coastline and developed the iconic equipment still in use today, including the rescue reel, the surf boat, and the torpedo buoy. Today, surf lifesavers — the vast majority of whom are unpaid volunteers — perform hundreds of thousands of preventive actions each patrol season. What is the main purpose of this passage?

Answer: Option D is correct — The passage traces the history of surf lifesaving from its origins at Bondi in 1907 through to the present day, making its primary purpose descriptive and informative.

Question 3 — Hard

Read the passage below, then answer the question. Australia's alpine regions, found primarily in New South Wales and Victoria, host ecosystems that are as fragile as they are spectacular. Above the treeline, where temperatures can plunge below zero even in summer, only specially adapted plants such as snow daisies and cushion plants can survive. These plants grow extraordinarily slowly — a cushion plant the size of a dinner table may be hundreds of years old. Despite their resilience, alpine ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures reducing snowfall and altering the composition of plant communities that have remained stable for millennia. The passage suggests that cushion plants are remarkable primarily because of their —

Answer: Option A is correct — The passage highlights that a cushion plant the size of a dinner table may be hundreds of years old, emphasising the contrast between their small, unremarkable appearance and their great age.