Primary 6 English: Comprehension & Critical Reading Practice

Plastic waste has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans, harming marine life and polluting ecosystems that took thousands of years to develop. Some people argue that recycling alone can solve this crisis, but the reality is more complicated. Much of the plastic we throw away is never actually recycled due to contamination or a lack of proper facilities. Instead, it is often shipped overseas, burned, or left to accumulate in landfills. Meanwhile, companies continue to produce single-use plastic packaging because it is cheap and convenient. If we truly want to address this problem, we must reduce our reliance on plastic altogether, not simply hope that recycling will fix everything. Small changes, such as carrying reusable bags and refusing straws, can add up when practised by millions of people. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the author's opinion of recycling as a complete solution?

The author states that "the reality is more complicated" than recycling alone solving the crisis, showing recycling is viewed as necessary but not sufficient on its own.

When Aaron found a wallet stuffed with cash on the playground, his first thought was to keep it. No one had seen him pick it up, and he could certainly use the money for the new bicycle he had been saving up for. Yet as he flipped through the wallet, he noticed a faded photograph of an elderly man with three young children, along with an identity card. Something about the photograph made Aaron pause. He thought about how worried the owner must be feeling, and how the children in the picture might depend on that money. After a long moment of hesitation, Aaron walked to the school office and handed the wallet to the teacher on duty, explaining exactly where he had found it. Later that week, the elderly man visited the school personally to thank Aaron, revealing that the money had been meant for his grandson's medical treatment. Aaron never did get his new bicycle that month, but he said the gratitude in the old man's eyes was worth far more. What does the last sentence suggest about Aaron's values?

By saying the old man's gratitude was worth more than the bicycle he gave up, Aaron shows he valued honesty and kindness above a material gain.

When Aaron found a wallet stuffed with cash on the playground, his first thought was to keep it. No one had seen him pick it up, and he could certainly use the money for the new bicycle he had been saving up for. Yet as he flipped through the wallet, he noticed a faded photograph of an elderly man with three young children, along with an identity card. Something about the photograph made Aaron pause. He thought about how worried the owner must be feeling, and how the children in the picture might depend on that money. After a long moment of hesitation, Aaron walked to the school office and handed the wallet to the teacher on duty, explaining exactly where he had found it. Later that week, the elderly man visited the school personally to thank Aaron, revealing that the money had been meant for his grandson's medical treatment. Aaron never did get his new bicycle that month, but he said the gratitude in the old man's eyes was worth far more. What is the author's purpose in revealing that the money was for the grandson's medical treatment?

This detail retroactively shows readers just how important Aaron's honest choice turned out to be, raising the stakes of his decision.

For centuries, scientists believed that the surface of Mars was completely dry and had never supported liquid water. However, in recent years, satellite images have revealed dark streaks on Martian slopes that appear and disappear with the seasons. Some researchers propose that these streaks are caused by flowing salty water, since salt can lower the freezing point of water and allow it to remain liquid even in Mars' extremely cold temperatures. Other scientists remain sceptical, suggesting that the streaks might instead be caused by dry sand cascading down the slopes, similar to avalanches on Earth. Until a spacecraft can directly sample these streaks, the true explanation remains uncertain. This ongoing debate illustrates an important principle of science: even striking evidence does not always lead to an immediate, universally accepted conclusion. Scientists must continue testing competing explanations before arriving at a confident answer. What is the main idea the author wants readers to understand from this passage?

The passage explicitly concludes that the debate "illustrates an important principle of science": conclusions require testing competing explanations before being confidently accepted.