Practice Selective High School Placement Test #1

Disclaimer: This mock selective test is for practice only and is not an official examination.
Instructions and format are based on the official test to provide realistic practice. This test is
intended solely for educational use.

Reading Question Paper [ANSWERS]

Practice Test 40 Minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Please read this page carefully.

DO NOT OPEN THIS QUESTION PAPER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

A separate answer sheet is provided for this test.

There are 30 multiple-choice questions in this paper. For each question, choose the one correct
answer and record your choice on the separate answer sheet. If you make a mistake, erase
thoroughly and try again.

You will not lose marks for incorrect answers, so you should attempt all 30 questions.

You must complete the answer sheet within the time limit. There will not be any extra time at the
end of the exam to record your answers on the answer sheet.

You can use the question paper for notes, but no extra paper is allowed.

Please note that some words and phrases are shaded in the texts as they are referred to in
some questions.

Dictionaries and calculators may NOT be used.

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Read the extract below then answer the questions.

Extract 1: from Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Stevenson

We had made a great deal of way during the night, and were now lying becalmed about half a
mile to the south-east of Treasure Island. Grey-coloured woods covered a large part of the
surface. This even tint was broken up by streaks of yellow sand in the lower lands, and by many
tall trees of the pine family, out-topping the others – some singly, some in clumps; but the
general colouring was uniform and sad. The hills ran up clear above the vegetation in spires of
naked rock. All were strangely shaped, and the Spy-glass, which was the tallest rock on the
island, was likewise the strangest in shape, running up sheer from almost every side, and then
suddenly cut off at the top like a pedestal to put a statue on.

The Hispaniola was rolling under in the ocean swell. The mast was creaking, the rudder was
banging to and fro, and the whole ship moaning, groaning and jumping like a factory. I had to
cling tight to the ropes, and the world turned giddily before my eyes; for though I was a good
enough sailor when there was way on, this standing still and being rolled about like a bottle was
a thing I never learned to bear, without a qualm or two, on an empty stomach.

Perhaps it was this; perhaps it was the look of the island with its grey, melancholy woods, and
wild stone spires and the surf that we could both see and hear foaming and thundering on the
steep beach – and you would have thought anyone would have been glad to get to land after
being so long at sea – but my heart sank into my boots; and from that first look onward, I hated
the very thought of Treasure Island.

We had a dreary morning’s work before us, for there was no sign of any wind, and the rowing
boats had to be got out and the ship towed three or four miles up a narrow passage to the haven
behind the island. I volunteered for one of the boats. The heat was sweltering, and the crew
grumbled fiercely over their work. I thought this was a very bad sign; for up to that day, the men
had gone willingly and briskly about their business; but the very sight of the island had relaxed
the cords of discipline.

We brought up about a third of a mile from either shore, Treasure Island on one side, and
Skeleton Island on the other. The bottom was clean sand. The plunge of our anchor sent up
clouds of birds wheeling and crying over the woods; but in less than a minute they were down
again, and all was once more silent.

The place seemed entirely landlocked, buried in woods, the trees coming right down to
high-water mark, the shores mostly flat, and the hill tops standing round at a distance in a sort of
amphitheatre, one here, one there. Two little rivers, or, rather two swamps, emptied out into this
pond, as you might call it; and the foliage round that part of the shore had a kind of poisonous
brightness.

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There was not a breath of air moving, nor a sound but that of the surf booming half a mile away
along the beaches and against the rocks outside. A peculiar stagnant smell hung over the
anchorage – a smell of sodden leaves and rotting tree trunks. I observed the doctor sniffing and
sniffing like someone tasting a bad egg.

‘I don’t know about treasure,’ he said, ‘but I’ll stake my wig there’s fever here.’

For questions 1 – 8, choose the option (A, B, C or D) which you think best answers the
question.

1. In the first paragraph, which of the following is described to be the strangest in shape?
a. Woods
b. Trees
c. Hills
d. Spy-glass

Answer: D
While options A, B, C are all strangely shaped, the text explicitly tells us that D is the strangest
in shape: “All were strangely shaped, and the Spy-glass, which was the tallest rock on the
island, was likewise the strangest in shape”

2. What does the phrase "the world turned giddily before my eyes" suggest about the
speaker’s physical state?
a. He is overwhelmed with joy
b. He is feeling disorientated, possibly from seasickness
c. He is experiencing a moment of realisation
d. He is feeling confident

Answer: B
“The world turned giddily before my eyes” shows the character’s confusion as the world
energetically spins around them. This indicates feelings of dizziness and disorientation which
could be a result of being seasick.

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 3. Which of the following best describes the speaker’s mood in the fourth paragraph?
a. Courageous
b. Disappointed
c. Impatient
d. Uncomfortable

Answer: D
The beginning of the fourth paragraph, “We had a dreary morning’s work before us, for there
was no sign of any wind,” reveals the narrator’s dread for the impending working conditions
that they have to go through. These feelings of discomfort are compounded by their desire to
volunteer for “one of the boats” to escape the challenges they face on the boat.

4. Where does the narrator and his crew disembark?

a. A third mile from Skeleton Island
b. On the shore of Treasure Island
c. A quarter mile from Treasure Island
d. The swamps of Skeleton Island

Answer: A
“We brought up about a third of a mile from either shore, Treasure Island on one side, and
Skeleton Island on the other,” shows that the crew is a third of a mile from both Treasure and
Skeleton Island.

5. In the fifth and sixth paragraphs, what tone is evoked by the speaker’s description of the
Island?
a. Serene
b. Calm
c. Foreboding
d. Optimistic

Answer: C
The anchor’s plunge sending birds into an uproar before a swift return to silence suggests an
eerie stillness about the islands. This is supported by the speaker’s correction from “two little
rivers” to “two swamps” and the oxymoron of “poisonous brightness,” hinting at a sinister aura
of the island’s surroundings. This contributes to a tone of an unease and foreboding.

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 6. What does the final line “but I’ll stake my wig there’s fever here” suggest about the
Island?
a. The island may be a source of illness and danger
b. The island has medicinal properties
c. The island’s climate is warm and pleasant
d. The island is an addictive place to visit

Answer: A
The final line "but I’ll stake my wig there’s fever here" suggests that the island is likely to be a
breeding ground for disease, particularly some form of fever, which was often associated with
malaria or similar illnesses in historical contexts. This is supported by the “stagnant smell” of
natural decay in the previous paragraph, an ominous symbol alluding to the hidden and
unpleasant dangers of the island.

For questions 7 – 8, you will need to refer back to the whole extract.

7. Which of the literary techniques are not used in the extract?

a. Personification
b. Simile
c. Allusion
d. Idiom

Answer: C
● Personification in “and the whole ship moaning, groaning and jumping”
● Simile in “sniffing like someone tasting a bad egg”
● Idiom in “my heart sank into my boots”
● No allusions in the text

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 8. At one point in this extract, the writer explicitly contrasts:
a. The challenging conditions at sea and the stillness of the island
b. The crew’s attitude before and after approaching the Island
c. The island’s beauty with its foreboding atmosphere
d. All of the above

Answer: D
● Option A is correct. The tumultuous sea conditions at sea are captured in “the whole
ship moaning, groaning and jumping like a factory. I had to cling tight to the ropes, and
the world turned giddily before my eyes,” emphasising the narrator’s struggle with the
vigorous motion of the sea. In stark contrast, as the crew approaches the island, they
encounter a complete absence of wind - “there was no sign of any wind, and the
rowing boats had to be out and the ship towed three or four miles up a narrow
passage.” This underscores a dramatic shift from the earlier challenges at sea to an
unexpected and tedious stillness.
● Option B is correct. Initially, the crew is described as enthusiastic and efficient,
evidenced by the line, "up to that day, the men had gone willingly and briskly about
their business." However, this positive demeanour drastically changes upon their
approach to Treasure Island. The text states, "but the very sight of the island had
relaxed the cords of discipline," signifying a noticeable shift from eagerness to a sense
of disillusionment.
● Option C is correct. The island’s grandeur and natural appeal is depicted through the
vivid imagery in “Grey-coloured woods covered a large part of the surface... streaks of
yellow sand in the lower lands, and by many tall trees of the pine family.” However, this
is contrasted with the menacing and unwelcoming environment in “The hills ran up
clear above the vegetation in spires of naked rock... the island with its grey,
melancholy woods, and wild stone spires and the surf.” This suggest that the island,
while beautiful, holds a sinister and foreboding aspect.
● Hence, the answer is Option D, all of the above.

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Read the poem below by Robert Louis Stevenson then answer the following questions.

From a Railway Carriage

Faster than fairies, faster than witches,

Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle,
All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by.

Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,

All by himself and gathering brambles;
Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
And there is the green for stringing the daisies!
Here is a cart run away in the road
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is a mill and there is a river:
Each a glimpse and gone for ever!

For questions 9 – 14, choose the option (A, B, C or D) which you think best answers the
question.

9. In the first verse, the speed of the train is compared with

a. Troops in battle
b. Driving rain
c. Fairies and witches
d. Painted stations

Answer: C
The line "Faster than fairies, faster than witches" directly compares the train's speed to that of
fairies and witches, implying a magical, almost supernatural speed.

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 10. The railway carriage is metaphorically described as
a. A tramp who stands and gazes
b. A army marching forwards for a battle
c. A curt run away in the road
d. A child who clambers and scrambles

Answer: B
The line "And charging along like troops in a battle" metaphorically describes the railway
carriage as an army charging forward. Options A, C, D refer to the speaker’s observations
outside the train window in the second stanza.

11. What can be inferred from the lines “And ever again, in the wink of an eye, / Painted
stations whistle by.”?
a. The stations are brightly coloured
b. The train is moving so quickly that the speaker cannot differentiate one
scene from another
c. The train moves passes through a rural landscape
d. The speaker notices many scenes pass by

Answer: B
These lines emphasise the rapid movement of the train, so fast that the stations appear to be
just brief flashes ("in the wink of an eye"). This suggests that the train's speed makes it
difficult for the speaker to distinguish individual scenes.

12. In the second verse, the tone of the poem can be described as
a. Curiosity
b. Romantic
c. Reflective
d. Serene

Answer: A
The second verse, with its various observations of people and landscapes ("Here is a child...
Here is a tramp..."), reflects a tone of curiosity. The speaker seems interested and attentive to
the diverse scenes and characters observed from the train.

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 13. What of the following best describes the effect of the rhyming scheme in the poem
a. It mimics the unpredictable nature of a train journey.
b. It reflects rhythm and speed of the railway carriage
c. It creates a sense of chaos and confusion
d. It adds a playful, whimsical quality to the poem

Answer: A
The rhyming scheme in the poem contributes to a rhythmic, fast-paced feel, mirroring the
movement of the railway carriage. This rhythm captures the feeling of a train journey, with its
steady, ongoing motion.

14. In the final line, what does the speaker refer to as being “gone for ever!”
a. The beauty of the natural world
b. The scenery outside the carriage
c. The people he sees from the train
d. The excitement he feels

Answer: B
The final line reflects on the fleeting nature of the scenes viewed from the train. As the train
speeds past, each view ("Each a glimpse") is momentarily seen and then lost forever,
emphasising the transient nature of the scenery outside the carriage.

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Read the text below then answer the questions.

Six sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from the sentences (A – G) the one
which fits each gap (15 – 20). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

The Great Barrier Reef's Ecosystem

The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, is a marvel of natural beauty.
Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, it's renowned for its vibrant marine life and
significant ecological importance. This vast underwater landscape is not just a tourist attraction,
but a vital part of Earth's marine ecosystem.

The ecological significance of the Great Barrier Reef is immense. It's a biodiversity hotspot,
home to thousands of marine species, many of which are endemic. 15 (E) Its complex structure
provides habitats and food for a myriad of creatures, from tiny plankton to large marine
mammals. The health of this ecosystem is a key indicator of the overall well-being of our
planet's oceans.

Answer: (E) The reef plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of the marine
ecosystem.
The topic of the paragraph involves the “ecological significance” of the Reef, how it is home to
thousands of marine species.” By process of elimination, option E is correct because it is
related to ecology of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef has a profound economic and cultural impact. 16 (G). For the
Indigenous peoples, the reef holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, with a rich history
that spans thousands of years. This relationship highlights the reef's role not only as a natural
resource but also as an integral part of Australia's cultural heritage and identity.

Answer: (G) It supports numerous industries, including tourism and fishing,

contributing significantly to the Australian economy.
The topic sentence refers to the Reef’s economic and cultural impact. While the later half of

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 the paragraph talks about the Reef’s cultural significance, the economic impact is not outlined.
As such, we can infer option G is correct because it talks about how the Reef supports
industries which support the Australian economy.

The Great Barrier Reef faces significant threats, primarily due to climate change and human
activities. 17 (D). Pollution, overfishing, and coastal development also pose severe risks. These
threats jeopardise the reef's health and the survival of its diverse marine life. Addressing these
challenges is crucial for the preservation of this unique ecosystem and its inhabitants.

Answer: (D) Rising sea temperatures have led to coral bleaching, a devastating
phenomenon that weakens corals.
We can see from the topic sentence that environmental threats are explored as a
consequence of climate change. These environmental effects are further illustrated in the
sentence after the gap, meaning that an introduction of these repercussions is required, only
shown in option D. While C does talk about controlling pollution, it does not introduce the
effects.

Conservation efforts for the Great Barrier Reef are extensive and multifaceted. They involve
government initiatives, scientific research, and community engagement. 18 (C). The
involvement of Indigenous communities is also crucial, incorporating traditional knowledge in
conservation strategies. These efforts aim not only to protect the reef but also to ensure its
resilience and ability to recover from environmental stresses.

Answer: (C) Programs focus on monitoring reef health, controlling pollution, and
mitigating climate change impacts.
The previous two sentences suggest that this paragraph is related to the “conservation efforts”
and “initiatives” to preserve the reef. Option B and C are possible options, but Option B is the
better option because it mentions “programs,” which is a direct tie to the “government
initiatives, scientific research, and community engagement” mentioned in the previous
sentence.

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Scientific research at the Great Barrier Reef has led to significant discoveries about marine
ecosystems. Researchers study coral biology, oceanography, and marine biodiversity, providing
insights into the complex interdependencies within the reef. This research is vital for
understanding the impacts of environmental changes and for developing effective conservation
strategies. 19 (F).

Answer: (F) The reef serves as a natural laboratory, offering invaluable opportunities
for scientific advancement and enhancing our knowledge of marine life.
This paragraph focuses on scientific research into the reef and the various disciplines that can
be studied to give scientists a greater insight into the complexities of the setting. It goes on to
explain the importance of this in “understanding the impacts of environmental changes” and
“conservation”, which needs to be continued and summarised in the concluding sentence.
This is shown in Option F as the metaphorical “natural laboratory” indicates its importance for
future scientific advancement. While B does talk about conservation, it does not engage with
the scientific value of reefs.

The future of the Great Barrier Reef holds global significance. As a key barometer for the health
of the world's oceans, its fate is intertwined with broader environmental challenges. 20 (B). The
reef's survival is crucial not only for its inherent value but also as a symbol of our commitment to
preserving the Earth's biodiversity.

Answer: (B) Efforts to preserve the reef are part of a larger struggle to combat climate
change and protect our planet's natural resources.
The preceding sentences discuss the global significance of the Great Barrier Reef, particularly
its role as an indicator of the health of the world's oceans and its connection to broader
environmental challenges. Option B directly addresses these themes, linking the efforts to
preserve the reef to the wider fight against climate change and the protection of natural
resources.

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 A. It stretches over 2,300 kilometres, offering a spectacular underwater spectacle
unmatched anywhere in the world.
B. Efforts to preserve the reef are part of a larger struggle to combat climate change and
protect our planet's natural resources.
C. Programs focus on monitoring reef health, controlling pollution, and mitigating climate
change impacts.
D. Rising sea temperatures have led to coral bleaching, a devastating phenomenon that
weakens corals.
E. The reef plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem.
F. The reef serves as a natural laboratory, offering invaluable opportunities for scientific
advancement and enhancing our knowledge of marine life.
G. It supports numerous industries, including tourism and fishing, contributing significantly
to the Australian economy.

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Read the four extracts below on the theme of horror

For questions 21 – 30, choose the option (A, B, C or D) which you think best answers the
question.

Which writer…
explains the different reactions to fear? 21 C

employs vivid visual imagery? 22 D

foreshadows something supernatural? 23 A

describes the speaker overcoming fear? 24 B

personifies fear? 25 B

outlines the speaker being startled? 26 A

describes the reasoning behind why people seek out fear? 27 C

details a supernatural monster? 28 D

mentions one of the body’s chemical messengers? 29 C

mentions blood in the extract? 30 A

Explanations
21. Extract C explains the two different reactions to fear as “the low road” which is the
adrenaline response and “the high road” which gives people reassurance that they won’t
get hurt.
22. Extract D employs a long-winded sentence and visual imagery to describe the
appearance of the monster Frankenstein.
23. Extract A foreshadows the Count’s supernatural nature when the speaker observes the
Count’s lack of reflection in the mirror despite his physical presence.
24. Extract B describes the speaker overcoming fear in the final sentence - “The darkness
is strong, and many people fear it. But, it is no match for me.”
25. Extract B personifies the fear of the darkness as a mysterious figure who “coils around”
the speaker and taunts her.
26. Extract A outlines the speaker’s shock in response to the Count’s lack of reflection in
the mirror, causing him to cut himself.

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 27. Extract C describes how people seek out fear to feel more satisfied and happy as
“thrill-seeking is like anything pleasurable – gambling, eating, – it releases dopamine”.
28. Extract D details a supernatural monster and the speaker’s “agony” of what he/she has
created.
29. Extract C mentions “dopamine” as a “neurotransmitter that helps control our brain’s
reward and pleasure centres”. Neurotransmitters are the body’s chemical messengers.
30. Extract A mentions “blood was trickling over my children” when the speaker is startled
by the Count’s mysterious appearance.

Extract A from Dracula by Bram Stoker

I only slept a few hours when I went to bed, and feeling that I could not sleep any more,
got up. I had hung my shaving mirror by the window, and was just beginning to shave.
Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard the Count's voice saying to me, "Good
morning." I started, for it amazed me that I had not seen him, since the reflection of the
mirror covered the whole room behind me. Having been startled I had cut myself slightly
but I did not notice it at that moment. Having answered the Count's greeting, I turned to
the mirror again to see how I had been mistaken. This time there could be no mistake, for
the man was behind me, and I could see him over my shoulder. But there was no reflection
of him in the mirror! The whole room behind me was displayed, but there was no sign of a
man in it, except myself!

This was startling, and coming on the top of so many strange things, was beginning to
increase that vague feeling of uneasiness which I always feel when the Count is near. But
at that moment I saw the cut had bled a little, and the blood was trickling over my chin. I put
down the razor, turning as I did so half round to look for some sticking plaster.

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Extract B from Fear of Darkness by Tiana Lynch

https://www.write4fun.net/view-entry/369240

“Come with me, girl, and you can live a life without fear. You’d never have to fear again.” The
shadows would beckon.

I don’t want to live in fear anymore. I don’t want to be afraid of anything anymore - and yet, this
scares me. I wanted to be the one who comes out of this battle with my worries unscathed. I
don’t want to be a coward. I want to be courageous and win this fight on my own.

“What do you say?” The darkness grinned, coiling around me. “Doesn’t a life without fear sound
wondrous?”

I breathed in. “Without fear, what is courage?”

The shadows began to screech. It was the worst sound one could hear. I began to run towards
the new tunnel of light that was opening up, just making it through the gate in time.

The darkness is strong, and many people fear it. But, it is no match for me.

Extract C from What is the science behind fear? by Nadia Kounang

https://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/29/health/science-of-fear/index.html

When presented with something that scares you, your brain reacts with its fight or flight
response. For example, if you see a snake while hiking, there are two roadways for your brain,
said Norrholm.

First is the low road that represents your brain's sensory systems in the brain’s amygdala. It’s
“what you see, smell, hear,” and signals to the brain that this is something to fear. It’s the
adrenaline response that tells your heart to beat faster and your body to sweat.

Almost simultaneously, there’s a high road reaction. “That goes through your higher cortical
centre in your brain. The high road says ‘I’ve seen this kind of snake before, and I don’t have to
worry’,” said Norrholm. Think of it as the reasoning response that overrides the low road.

“There is some evidence to suggest that thrill-seeking is like anything pleasurable – gambling,
eating, – it releases dopamine,” said Norrholm. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps
control our brain’s reward and pleasure centres. “We know that the more you reward something,
the more that they do it,” said Norrholm.

And the more that thrill-seekers seek out the dangerous behaviour, the better they are able to
engage the cortical high road, and provide the rational context that the thrill-seeking behaviour
isn’t dangerous.

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Extract D from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

It was on a dreary night of November, that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils. With an
anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might
infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. It was already one in the
morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out,
when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature
open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.

How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with
such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had
selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful!—Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the
work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of
a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery
eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set,
his shrivelled complexion, and straight black lips.

END OF PRACTICE EXAM

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