Primary 6 PSLE English Comprehension Quiz

Primary 6 PSLE English Quiz - Comprehension

Name: ___________________________

Class: ___________________________

Date: ___________________________

Score: _______ / 40

Duration: 50 minutes

Total Marks: 40

Instructions

• Read each passage carefully before answering the questions.
• Answer all questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
• For multiple-choice questions, write the letter (A, B, C, or D) in the space provided.
• For open-ended questions, answer in complete sentences where required.
• Marks are shown in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part-question.
• The total time recommended for this quiz is 50 minutes.

Section A: Comprehension — Factual Recall (Questions 1–5)

Read the passage below and answer Questions 1 to 5.

Passage 1

The Sunda pangolin, also known as the scaly anteater, is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Found across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, this shy, nocturnal creature feeds mainly on ants and termites using its extraordinarily long, sticky tongue, which can extend up to 40 centimetres. When threatened, the pangolin curls into a tight ball, overlapping its tough keratin scales to protect itself from predators.

Despite its armour-like defence, the pangolin remains highly vulnerable to poaching. Its scales are falsely believed to have medicinal properties in some traditional practices, and its meat is considered a delicacy in certain cultures. As a result, all eight pangolin species worldwide are now threatened with extinction.

In Singapore, the Sunda pangolin is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation efforts include wildlife corridors that connect fragmented habitats, public education campaigns, and rescue-and-rehabilitation programmes run by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). Researchers have fitted some pangolins with GPS trackers to study their movement patterns and habitat use. These studies have revealed that pangolins in Singapore are surprisingly adaptable, using parks, golf courses, and even residential areas as they travel in search of food.

However, roadkill remains a significant threat. Between 2015 and 2023, over 50 pangolins were reported killed on Singapore's roads. To address this, the National Parks Board (NParks) has installed wildlife crossing signs and is exploring the construction of dedicated underpasses. Experts urge drivers to slow down in areas where pangolins are known to cross, especially at night when the animals are most active.

1. What is another name for the Sunda pangolin?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

2. How does the Sunda pangolin protect itself when it is threatened?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

3. Give two reasons why pangolins are hunted by poachers.

(a) _________________________________________________________________

(b) _________________________________________________________________ [2]

4. Which organisation in Singapore runs rescue-and-rehabilitation programmes for pangolins?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

5. According to the passage, what significant threat to pangolins is caused by vehicles on the road?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

Section B: Comprehension — Inference and Vocabulary in Context (Questions 6–10)

Read the passage below and answer Questions 6 to 10.

Passage 2

When twelve-year-old Mira first arrived at the community garden, she wrinkled her nose at the smell of compost and damp soil. She had been sent there by her mother, who believed that spending time outdoors would do her daughter "a world of good." Mira, however, was convinced that nothing could be more tedious than pulling weeds under the blazing sun.

Her mentor, Uncle Raj, a retired botanist, handed her a pair of gardening gloves and a trowel without a word. He led her to a raised bed where tomato seedlings stood in neat rows, their slender stems trembling in the breeze. "These are yours now," he said simply. "They'll need water every morning and a stake to lean on when they grow taller."

Mira sighed but knelt down. As her fingers pressed into the cool earth, something unexpected happened — she felt a quiet satisfaction she could not quite name. Over the following weeks, she began arriving early, before Uncle Raj. She learned to identify aphids from ladybugs, to prune dead leaves without damaging the stem, and to tell when a tomato was ripe by its colour and firmness.

By the end of the season, Mira's bed was heavy with fruit. She carried the first harvest home in a basket, her hands still faintly stained with soil. Her mother smiled and said, "You've changed." Mira shook her head. "I haven't changed," she replied. "I've just found something worth caring about."

6. In Paragraph 1, the phrase "wrinkled her nose" suggests that Mira felt __________ when she first arrived at the garden.

(A) excited

(B) disgusted

(C) curious

(D) nervous

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

7. Why did Mira's mother send her to the community garden?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

8. What does the word "tedious" in Paragraph 1 most likely mean?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

9. In Paragraph 3, the author writes that Mira "felt a quiet satisfaction she could not quite name." What does this tell us about Mira's experience?

_________________________________________________________________ [2]

10. What is the main message of this passage? Write your answer in one sentence.

_________________________________________________________________ [2]

Section C: Comprehension — Critical Thinking and Author's Purpose (Questions 11–15)

Read the passage below and answer Questions 11 to 15.

Passage 3

Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste enter the world's oceans. A significant portion of this waste originates not from coastal cities but from inland areas, carried by rivers and wind to the sea. Once in the ocean, plastic does not biodegrade in any meaningful human timeframe. Instead, it fragments into smaller and smaller pieces known as microplastics, which have now been found in the deepest ocean trenches, in Arctic ice, and even in the air we breathe.

Marine animals — sea turtles, whales, seabirds, and fish — ingest microplastics or become entangled in larger debris. The consequences are often fatal. A study published in 2022 estimated that over 800 marine species are affected by plastic pollution, either through ingestion or entanglement. Microplastics have also been detected in human blood, lung tissue, and placentas, raising urgent questions about long-term health impacts that scientists are only beginning to investigate.

Several countries have introduced legislation to curb plastic use. Over 120 nations have enacted some form of ban or restriction on single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, and food containers. However, enforcement varies widely, and global plastic production continues to rise. Critics argue that legislation alone is insufficient and that systemic changes — including redesigning products for reuse, investing in alternative materials, and holding manufacturers accountable for the full lifecycle of their packaging — are necessary to address the root causes of the crisis.

Environmental organisations emphasise that individual actions, while important, cannot substitute for large-scale policy change. "We cannot recycle our way out of this problem," said Dr. Lena Tan, a marine biologist, at a recent conference. "The solution requires a fundamental shift in how we produce, consume, and dispose of materials."

11. According to the passage, where does a significant portion of ocean plastic waste originate?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

12. Explain in your own words what happens to plastic once it enters the ocean.

_________________________________________________________________ [2]

13. The author mentions that microplastics have been found "in human blood, lung tissue, and placentas." Why does the author include this information?

_________________________________________________________________ [2]

14. What is the difference between what "critics argue" and what "environmental organisations emphasise" in Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 4? Complete the table below.

[4]

15. Do you think the passage is effective in convincing readers that plastic pollution is a serious problem? Give two reasons from the passage to support your answer.

(a) _________________________________________________________________

(b) _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________ [4]

Section D: Comprehension — Summary and Synthesis (Questions 16–20)

Read the passage below and answer Questions 16 to 20.

Passage 4

In 2019, Singapore launched the "Singapore Green Plan 2030," a nationwide initiative to advance the country's sustainability goals. The plan covers five key areas: City in Nature, Energy Reset, Sustainable Living, Green Economy, and Resilient Future. Among its targets are doubling the number of electric vehicle charging points by 2030, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by 30 per cent, and planting one million more trees across the island.

One of the most visible components of the Green Plan is the expansion of green spaces. NParks aims to develop 200 hectares of new parks and park connectors by 2030, ensuring that every household in Singapore is within a ten-minute walk of a park. Community gardens, which numbered around 1,500 in 2020, are expected to grow to 3,000 by the end of the decade. These gardens serve not only as sources of fresh produce but also as spaces for community bonding and environmental education.

The Green Economy pillar focuses on transforming Singapore into a regional hub for green finance, carbon trading, and sustainability services. The government has committed S$35 million to develop the local carbon market and support companies in adopting sustainable practices. Several major corporations have already pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with the national target.

However, some observers have raised concerns about the pace of change. While the targets are ambitious, progress on certain fronts has been slower than expected. For instance, the adoption of electric vehicles has been hampered by high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure in older housing estates. Similarly, waste reduction efforts face challenges due to deeply ingrained consumption habits. Advocates argue that more public education and stronger incentives are needed to accelerate behavioural change.

Despite these challenges, Singapore's approach is widely regarded as comprehensive and forward-thinking. By integrating environmental goals into urban planning, economic policy, and community engagement, the Green Plan represents one of the most holistic sustainability frameworks in Southeast Asia.

16. Name two of the five key areas covered by the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

(a) _________________________________________________________________

(b) _________________________________________________________________ [2]

17. What is the target for community gardens by the end of the decade?

_________________________________________________________________ [1]

18. How does the Green Economy pillar benefit Singapore? Give one reason from the passage.

_________________________________________________________________ [2]

19. Identify two challenges mentioned in the passage that could slow down the progress of the Green Plan.

(a) _________________________________________________________________

(b) _________________________________________________________________ [2]

20. In the final paragraph, the author describes Singapore's approach as "comprehensive and forward-thinking." Do you agree with this description? Using evidence from the passage, explain your answer in three to four sentences.

_________________________________________________________________ [4]

End of Quiz

Total: 40 marks