Neighbourhood News
Reading · 45 minutes
Reading texts
The New Crossing
Arun watched workers paint bright white stripes near the school gate. Last week, cars had hurried past while students waited. By Friday, a crossing supervisor stood with a stop sign and a smile. Arun felt taller as he crossed, even though his backpack was as heavy as ever.
Community Notice
The council will plant shade trees along Banksia Street on Monday. Footpaths may be partly closed between 10 am and 2 pm. Please follow signs and use the temporary path beside the oval. The new trees will provide shade as they grow.
Shade Matters
More shade belongs near every playground. Shade helps children rest between games and makes waiting areas more comfortable in warm weather. A tree takes time to grow, so planting now is a gift to future students.
Questions
Text: The New Crossing
What did the workers paint?
Answer and explanation
Answer: bright white stripes near the school gate
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: The New Crossing
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: A new crossing makes the school gate feel safer.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: The New Crossing
In this text, what does 'supervisor' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: a person who watches and helps manage safety
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: The New Crossing
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Arun feels more confident crossing the road.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: The New Crossing
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to show a local change
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: The New Crossing
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: before, change and feeling after
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: The New Crossing
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 New Crossing
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: A new crossing makes the school gate feel safer.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Community Notice
When may footpaths be partly closed?
Answer and explanation
Answer: between 10 am and 2 pm
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: Community Notice
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Tree planting will affect footpaths for part of the day.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: Community Notice
In this text, what does 'temporary' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: for a short time only
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: Community Notice
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: The council expects people to walk nearby safely.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: Community Notice
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to inform the community
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: Community Notice
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: event, time, instruction and reason
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: Community Notice
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: Community Notice
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Tree planting will affect footpaths for part of the day.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Shade Matters
Why does the writer say planting now is a gift?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Future students will benefit when the trees grow.
This detail is stated directly in the text.
Text: Shade Matters
Which sentence best states the main idea?
Answer and explanation
Answer: Playgrounds need more shade.
The main idea covers the whole text, not just one small detail.
Text: Shade Matters
In this text, what does 'future' mean?
Answer and explanation
Answer: a time that has not happened yet
The surrounding words help show the meaning in context.
Text: Shade Matters
Which inference is best supported by the text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: The writer is thinking beyond the present.
This inference combines a text clue with sensible background knowledge.
Text: Shade Matters
What is the main purpose of this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: to persuade readers to support shade planting
The language and structure show why the text was written.
Text: Shade Matters
Which structure best describes this text?
Answer and explanation
Answer: opinion, reasons and memorable ending
The parts of the text are organised in this way.
Text: Shade Matters
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: Shade Matters
Write one sentence explaining what this text helps the reader understand.
Answer and explanation
Answer: Playgrounds need more shade.
A strong answer should include the overall idea of the text in the student's own words.
Text: Neighbourhood News
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: Neighbourhood News
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
Original Pi Leo Academy reading texts and questions. This is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ACARA, NAPLAN or VCAA.