Free Year 9 Comprehension — compare and contras... Practice | Skillo

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Question 1 — Easy

Read the following passage, then answer the question. Antarctica is the driest, coldest, and windiest continent on Earth, yet it is also one of the most scientifically significant. The ice sheet covering Antarctica holds approximately 60 percent of the world's fresh water, and its stability has profound implications for global sea levels. Australian scientists have maintained a continuous presence at research stations on the continent since 1954, studying everything from glaciology to astrophysics. The ice core samples extracted from Antarctic glaciers contain trapped air bubbles from hundreds of thousands of years ago, providing an irreplaceable record of past atmospheric conditions and helping scientists understand how the climate has changed over geological time. Why are Antarctic ice core samples described as 'irreplaceable' in the passage?

Answer: Option D is correct — The passage states that ice cores contain trapped air bubbles from hundreds of thousands of years ago, providing an irreplaceable record of past atmospheric conditions. The other options introduce details not found in the passage.

Question 2 — Medium

Read the following passage, then answer the question. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, a consequence of the nation's high UV radiation levels and historically outdoor-oriented culture. The 'Slip, Slop, Slap' public health campaign, launched in 1981, successfully shifted community attitudes toward sun protection by encouraging Australians to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat. The campaign is widely credited with reducing melanoma incidence rates among younger Australians in subsequent decades. However, dermatologists warn that tanning remains aspirationally popular among teenagers, and that many young people continue to underestimate the cumulative risk of UV exposure over a lifetime. According to the passage, what ongoing challenge do dermatologists identify despite the success of the 'Slip, Slop, Slap' campaign?

Answer: Option C is correct — The passage states that dermatologists warn about tanning remaining aspirationally popular among teenagers and young people underestimating cumulative UV risks. The other options are not supported by information in the passage.

Question 3 — Hard

Read the following passage, then answer the question. The didgeridoo is one of the world's oldest wind instruments, developed by Aboriginal Australians of northern Australia possibly as long as 1,500 years ago. It is traditionally made from eucalyptus branches hollowed out by termites, and produces its distinctive drone through a technique called circular breathing — exhaling through the mouth while simultaneously inhaling through the nose. Mastering circular breathing can take considerable time and practice. The instrument plays an important role in ceremonies and storytelling traditions for many Aboriginal communities. In recent decades, the didgeridoo has attracted global interest, with musicians worldwide incorporating its sound into contemporary genres. Which sentence best summarises the main idea of the passage?

Answer: Option D is correct — The passage covers the instrument's ancient origins, cultural significance, playing technique, and its recent international appeal, making option B the most complete summary of the main idea.

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