STAR Reading 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main idea of the passage below? "Dogs are known as loyal companions to humans. They help in various ways, such as guiding the blind, assisting in search and rescue missions, and providing emotional support."
- Dogs are dangerous animals.
- Dogs are helpful to humans in many ways. (Correct answer)
- Dogs should only live indoors.
- Dogs need a lot of training to be helpful.
Correct answer: Dogs are helpful to humans in many ways.
The passage begins by stating dogs are 'loyal companions' and then provides multiple examples of their helpfulness, such as 'guiding the blind, assisting in search and rescue missions, and providing emotional support.' These examples all illustrate different ways dogs contribute positively to human lives. Therefore, the main idea is that dogs are helpful to humans in many ways, encompassing all the specific examples given.
Question 2: Which word best describes the tone of the following sentence? "The butterfly gracefully danced from one flower to another, its wings shimmering in the sunlight."
- Angry
- Joyful (Correct answer)
- Fearful
- Neutral
Correct answer: Joyful
The sentence uses words like 'gracefully danced' and 'shimmering in the sunlight' to describe the butterfly's movement. These descriptive terms evoke positive and lighthearted imagery, suggesting beauty, lightness, and happiness. Such language creates a feeling of delight and appreciation, which is characteristic of a joyful tone.
Question 3: What does the word devour most likely mean in the sentence below? "The hungry child devoured the sandwich in just a few bites."
- To eat slowly
- To eat eagerly and quickly (Correct answer)
- To share food with others
- To prepare food carefully
Correct answer: To eat eagerly and quickly
The sentence describes a 'hungry child' who 'devoured the sandwich in just a few bites.' The combination of being hungry and consuming food in a very short time strongly implies rapid and enthusiastic eating. Therefore, 'devour' in this context means to eat very quickly and eagerly, reflecting the child's intense hunger.
Question 4: What is the author's purpose in the following passage? "Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to marine life. Every year, thousands of animals die from ingesting or getting tangled in plastic debris. It is time for everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle to save our oceans."
- To entertain readers with a story
- To inform readers about the dangers of plastic waste
- To persuade readers to take action against plastic waste (Correct answer)
- To describe marine animals' behavior
Correct answer: To persuade readers to take action against plastic waste
The passage first informs readers about the severe problem of plastic waste and its negative impact on marine life. However, it concludes with a direct call to action: 'It is time for everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle to save our oceans.' This concluding statement clearly indicates the author's intent to convince readers to change their behavior and actively participate in solving the problem, which is the definition of persuasion.
Question 5: Which sentence best supports the idea that "trees are vital to the environment"?
- Trees grow taller in areas with heavy rainfall.
- Many animals, such as birds and squirrels, live in trees.
- Trees produce oxygen, which humans and animals need to breathe. (Correct answer)
- The oldest tree in the world is over 5,000 years old.
Correct answer: Trees produce oxygen, which humans and animals need to breathe.
The statement 'trees are vital to the environment' implies their essential role in sustaining life and ecological balance. Trees produce oxygen through photosynthesis, a fundamental process that supports the respiration of most living organisms, including humans and animals. This direct contribution to the air we breathe is a critical and undeniable reason why trees are vital to the environment.
STAR Reading 1
What is the main idea of the passage below?
"Dogs are known as loyal companions to humans.
They help in various ways, such as guiding the blind, assisting in search and rescue missions, and providing emotional support."