NAPLAN Reading Comprehension 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A NAPLAN reading passage describes a wombat as a 'burrowing marsupial that is mostly active at night'. What does the word 'nocturnal' most likely mean in this context?
- Active during the day
- Active at night (Correct answer)
- Living underwater
- Eating only plants
Correct answer: Active at night
The passage states the wombat is 'mostly active at night', which is the definition of nocturnal. Using surrounding text to work out a word's meaning is a key NAPLAN reading skill.
Question 2: In a persuasive text, the author writes: 'Surely every sensible person agrees that recycling is essential.' Why has the author used the word 'surely'?
- To persuade the reader to agree (Correct answer)
- To describe a place
- To give a fact
- To ask a genuine question
Correct answer: To persuade the reader to agree
'Surely' is an emotive, persuasive word that pressures the reader into agreeing. Recognising persuasive language is tested in NAPLAN reading.
Question 3: A narrative begins: 'The old jetty groaned in the wind as Mia stepped onto the cracked timber.' What mood does this opening create?
- Tense and uneasy (Correct answer)
- Funny and silly
- Cheerful and bright
- Calm and relaxed
Correct answer: Tense and uneasy
Words like 'groaned', 'cracked' and 'old' build a tense, uneasy atmosphere. Identifying mood from word choice is a common NAPLAN reading question.
Question 4: Which sentence is the MAIN IDEA of a paragraph about the Great Barrier Reef being damaged by warmer oceans?
- Rising sea temperatures are harming the reef's coral (Correct answer)
- The reef is off the coast of Queensland
- Clownfish live among the coral
- Many tourists visit the reef each year
Correct answer: Rising sea temperatures are harming the reef's coral
The main idea sums up what the whole paragraph is about. The detail about warmer oceans damaging coral is the central point; the others are supporting facts.
Question 5: A report states: 'The platypus is one of only two mammals that lay eggs.' This information is best described as a:
- Fact (Correct answer)
- Opinion
- Prediction
- Instruction
Correct answer: Fact
A fact can be checked and proven true. Distinguishing fact from opinion is an important NAPLAN reading skill.
Question 6: Read: 'Although it was raining, the cricket match continued.' What does the word 'although' tell the reader?
- The events happened at the same time and as expected
- One thing caused another
- Something happened despite an obstacle (Correct answer)
- The order of two events
Correct answer: Something happened despite an obstacle
'Although' signals a contrast — the match continued despite the rain. Connective words guide meaning and are assessed in NAPLAN.
Question 7: An information text uses headings, bold words and a diagram. These features mainly help the reader to:
- Feel sad about the topic
- Find and understand information quickly (Correct answer)
- Buy a product
- Learn a new song
Correct answer: Find and understand information quickly
Text features such as headings and diagrams organise information so readers can locate and understand it. NAPLAN tests understanding of how text features work.
Question 8: A character is described as 'generous, always sharing her lunch and helping others'. The author shows this through:
- A weather report
- The setting of the story
- A list of rules
- Examples of the character's actions (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Examples of the character's actions
Authors reveal character through actions rather than just stating traits. The examples of sharing and helping 'show' generosity, a technique NAPLAN expects students to recognise.
NAPLAN Reading Comprehension 1
A NAPLAN reading passage describes a wombat as a 'burrowing marsupial that is mostly active at night'.
What does the word 'nocturnal' most likely mean in this context?