e-Consult | Revision Qns

1.

Text: The old house stood on a hill overlooking the town. Its windows were dark and empty, like vacant eyes staring out at the world. The garden was overgrown with weeds, and the paint on the door peeled away like sunburnt skin. No one had lived there for years, and the local children whispered stories about strange noises coming from inside at night.

Question: What does the description of the house and its surroundings imply about its history and the feelings of the local community?

Model Answer: The description strongly implies that the house has a troubled or neglected history. The "dark and empty windows" and "overgrown garden" suggest a period of abandonment and decay. The comparison of the windows to "vacant eyes" creates a sense of sadness and perhaps even a hint of something unsettling. The local children's stories indicate that the community views the house with a mixture of fear and fascination, suggesting a potentially dark or mysterious past. The overall tone is one of isolation and perhaps a lingering sense of sorrow or unease associated with the house. It implies that something significant, possibly negative, happened there in the past, leading to its abandonment and the stories that have grown around it.

The imagery of decay suggests a long period of neglect.

The children's stories imply a local awareness of something unusual or potentially frightening.

The overall tone suggests a negative or melancholic history.

2.

Read the following email from a school principal to parents regarding upcoming school events:

“Dear Parents, I am writing to inform you about several important events happening at [School Name] in the next few weeks. Firstly, the school play, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ will be performed on Friday, November 17th, at 7:00 PM in the school auditorium. Tickets are £5 per person and can be purchased at the school office. Secondly, the annual school sports day will be held on Tuesday, September 26th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the school field. All students are expected to participate. Finally, there will be a parent-teacher meeting on Thursday, October 5th, at 6:00 PM in each student's classroom. Please ensure you attend to discuss your child's progress. Further details regarding each event will be sent home with your children next week.”

Question: A parent wants to know when the parent-teacher meeting is being held. Select the detail that provides this information.

The cost of tickets for the school play.

The date and time of the school sports day.

The name of the play being performed.

The date and time of the parent-teacher meeting.

Correct Answer: The date and time of the parent-teacher meeting.

Explanation: The question directly asks for the time of the parent-teacher meeting. The sentence "there will be a parent-teacher meeting on Thursday, October 5th, at 6:00 PM" provides this information. The other options relate to different events and are therefore not relevant to the question.

3.

Read the following passage from a science textbook about the different types of cells in a plant.

“Plant cells are broadly classified into two main types: parenchyma, xylem, and phloem. Parenchyma cells are the most common type and are involved in photosynthesis, storage, and secretion. Xylem cells are specialized for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. They are dead at maturity and form hollow tubes. Phloem cells are responsible for transporting sugars produced during photosynthesis from the leaves to other parts of the plant. Unlike parenchyma and xylem, phloem cells are living at maturity and require the assistance of companion cells.”

Extract three key facts about the function or characteristics of each cell type. Present these facts in a table.

Cell Function/Characteristics

Parenchyma Involved in photosynthesis, storage, and secretion. Most common type.

Xylem Transports water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant. Dead at maturity.

Phloem Transports sugars from leaves to other parts of the plant. Living at maturity, requires companion cells.

Answer:

The table above presents three key facts about the function or characteristics of each cell type. It clearly distinguishes between the roles of parenchyma, xylem, and phloem, highlighting their specific functions and distinguishing features. The table format allows for a clear and organized presentation of this factual information.

Cell	Function/Characteristics
Parenchyma	Involved in photosynthesis, storage, and secretion. Most common type.
Xylem	Transports water and minerals from roots to the rest of the plant. Dead at maturity.
Phloem	Transports sugars from leaves to other parts of the plant. Living at maturity, requires companion cells.

Reading (3)