Garden Jobs
Reading · 45 minutes
Reading texts
The Seed Roster
Maya checked the class roster and sighed. Her group had watering duty, but the sky outside was already heavy with rain. Mr Hall asked the students to inspect the garden before deciding. Beside the bean poles, Maya pushed one finger into the soil. It was dry below the surface. 'Rain clouds do not always mean rain,' she told her group. They filled two small watering cans and gave each seedling a careful drink.
Why Mulch Helps
Mulch is a layer of leaves, straw or bark placed over soil. It helps slow down water loss on hot days and can protect tiny roots from strong sunlight. Mulch also makes it harder for weeds to grow because many weed seeds need light. A thin layer works best around young plants, as piling mulch against stems can trap too much moisture.
A Note from the Garden Club
Subject: Please label your herbs
Hello Garden Club,
Thank you for planting mint, parsley and basil near the kitchen window. Please add labels by Friday so classes can identify the herbs during science. Use waterproof marker because the sprinklers reach that bed. If your label is missing, check the art room for spare paddle-pop sticks.
From, Amira
Questions
Text: The Seed Roster
What did Maya check before making a decision?
Answer and explanation
Answer: the soil below the surface
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: The Seed Roster
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Maya uses evidence instead of guessing from the weather.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: The Seed Roster
In this text, what does 'inspect' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: look at carefully
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: The Seed Roster
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Maya is thoughtful because she checks the soil before acting.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: The Seed Roster
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to entertain while showing sensible problem-solving
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: The Seed Roster
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: problem, investigation and solution
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: The Seed Roster
Which kind of meaning is needed to answer the detail question?
Answer and explanation
Answer: literal meaning
The answer is directly stated in the text.
Text: The Seed Roster
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Maya uses evidence instead of guessing from the weather.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
What can happen if mulch is piled against stems?
Answer and explanation
Answer: It can trap too much moisture.
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Mulch protects soil and plants when used carefully.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
In this text, what does 'layer' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: a covering spread over something
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Too much mulch close to stems can be harmful.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to explain how mulch helps plants
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: definition followed by benefits and a warning
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
Which kind of meaning is needed to answer the detail question?
Answer and explanation
Answer: literal meaning
The answer is directly stated in the text.
Text: Why Mulch Helps
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Mulch protects soil and plants when used carefully.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
Why should students use waterproof marker?
Answer and explanation
Answer: The sprinklers reach that bed.
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: The garden club needs to label herbs clearly.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
In this text, what does 'identify' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: recognise or name
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: The labels will be used by other classes.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to give instructions
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: subject, greeting, request, reason and sign-off
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
Which kind of meaning is needed to answer the detail question?
Answer and explanation
Answer: literal meaning
The answer is directly stated in the text.
Text: A Note from the Garden Club
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: The garden club needs to label herbs clearly.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Garden Jobs
Which feature helps show that the texts have different purposes?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Their text types and structures are different.
Different text types use different features to suit their purpose and audience.
Text: Garden Jobs
Name one idea that connects at least two texts in this paper.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Answers will vary but should name a shared idea from the texts.
A suitable answer links two texts using a shared topic, idea, setting or purpose.
Curriculum links
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