Prose Comprehension
Text (Extract from a story)
The forest at dusk was alive with whispers. Tall sal trees stood like watchful guards, their shadows
stretching across the narrow path where Anika walked. She tightened her scarf as the evening wind
rustled through the branches. Every snap of a twig underfoot echoed too loudly, and every hoot of an
unseen owl made her heart leap.
Anika had taken this shortcut before, but tonight felt different. The sky was heavy with clouds, blotting
out the moonlight. She could just make out the shape of an old shrine ahead, its stone walls cracked and
vines crawling up like green fingers. As she passed it, the wind rose suddenly, scattering dry leaves in a
swirl.
She heard footsteps. Soft, deliberate, following hers. Her breath quickened. She turned sharply—
nothing but shadows. The forest was silent now, as if holding its breath. Anika forced herself forward,
clutching the strap of her schoolbag.
The path dipped towards a stream. The water gurgled over stones, but even its sound did little to calm
her. She risked another glance back. This time, she saw it: a flicker of light, weaving between the trees.
Someone—or something—was carrying a lantern.
Her feet froze. The lantern glow grew brighter, bobbing closer. Then a voice called her name. “Anika!”
It was familiar—too familiar. She hadn’t heard that voice in two years, not since her cousin had moved
abroad. Her chest tightened with confusion. “Is someone playing a trick on me?” she whispered.
The figure stepped out at the edge of the clearing. For a moment, the glow revealed a face she knew
well, smiling exactly as she remembered. But then, just as suddenly, the lantern extinguished. Darkness
swallowed the clearing, and Anika was left staring at emptiness.
Questions
1. Look at lines 1–6.
a. The forest is described as “alive with whispers.” What does this suggest about the
atmosphere? [1]
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b. What effect is created by the simile “trees stood like watchful guards”? [2]
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c. Which two sounds add to the sense of unease? [2]
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2. Look at lines 7–12.
a. How does the description of the shrine make the setting seem eerie? Use one quotation. [2]
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b. Why does the writer describe the vines as “green fingers”? [2]
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3. Look at lines 13–20.
a. Give two phrases that show Anika’s growing fear. [2]
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b. Why does the writer repeat the word “nothing” in line 16? [1]
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4. Look at lines 21–28.
a. What is the effect of describing the lantern light as “weaving between the trees”? [2]
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b. Tick (✔) the statement you agree with most and give two reasons with quotations. [4]
• The focus is on the mystery of the figure.
• The focus is on Anika’s fear of being alone.
Reason 1:
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Quotation:
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Reason 2:
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Quotation:
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5. Look at lines 29–37.
a. Identify two words or phrases that suggest Anika’s shock at hearing the voice. [2]
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b. How does the writer create suspense at the end of the passage? Give one explanation with a
quotation. [3]
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6. Find one example each of a simple, a compound, and a complex sentence from the passage. [6]
7. a. Rewrite into a compound sentence: “She tightened her scarf as the evening wind rustled
through the branches.” [2]
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b. Rewrite into a complex sentence: “Her feet froze when she saw the lantern glow grow
brighter.” [2]
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8. Quote two examples of visual imagery from the passage and explain their effect. [4]
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