Comprehension: Non-Fiction Set 9
Comprehension: Non-Fiction Set 9 provides a further unseen non-fiction extract for 11+ practice, again testing retrieval, structure, vocabulary in context and the writer's viewpoint in the GL Assessment / CEM / CSSE style. A new topic and a new passage make sure the skills are being applied afresh each time, rather than remembered from a previous extract.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the passage through once to identify its subject and whether it is mainly informing, explaining a process, or arguing a case.
- Notice any comparison the passage makes, for example between an old method and a new one, since 'compare' questions rely on this being tracked accurately.
- For factual retrieval questions, quote the precise figure, date or detail from the text rather than rounding or paraphrasing it.
- For 'in your own words' questions, rewrite the idea using different vocabulary, being careful not to accidentally copy the original phrase.
- Look for connecting words such as 'although', 'because' or 'as a result', since these often reveal the logical structure the writer is using.
- Give an answer of the right length for the marks: a single detail for 1 mark, but a fuller explanation with linked points for 3 or more marks.
Worked example
Extract: 'Traditional greenhouses rely on glass panels and constant heating, using large amounts of energy. Newer polytunnel designs, by contrast, trap warmth using layered plastic sheeting, cutting energy use by almost a third while still protecting crops from frost.' Question: What does this extract suggest is the main advantage of polytunnels over traditional greenhouses? (3 marks)
- Identify what is said about traditional greenhouses: they use glass panels and constant heating, described as using 'large amounts of energy'.
- Identify what is said about polytunnels: they use layered plastic sheeting and cut energy use by 'almost a third'.
- Notice the phrase 'by contrast', which signals the writer is directly comparing the two methods.
- Identify that the extract also notes polytunnels 'still protect crops from frost', showing the energy saving does not come at the cost of the crops' safety.
- Final answer: the extract suggests the main advantage of polytunnels is that they use significantly less energy, almost a third less, than traditional greenhouses, while still giving crops the same protection from frost.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1According to the extract, how much energy do polytunnels save compared with traditional greenhouses?Show answer
Answer: Almost a third.
Q2Give one word or phrase from the extract that describes how traditional greenhouses are heated.Show answer
Answer: 'constant heating'.
Q3True or False: according to the extract, polytunnels leave crops unprotected from frost.Show answer
Answer: False - the extract says polytunnels 'still protect crops from frost'.
Q4What is the effect of the connecting phrase 'by contrast' in the second sentence?Show answer
Answer: It signals that the writer is comparing polytunnels directly against traditional greenhouses, highlighting a difference between them.
Q5In your own words, explain how a polytunnel keeps crops warm, according to the extract.Show answer
Answer: It uses several layers of plastic sheeting to hold in warmth, rather than glass panels and continuous heating.
Q6Why might a writer choose to give a specific figure, such as 'almost a third', rather than simply saying polytunnels 'save energy'?Show answer
Answer: A specific figure gives the reader precise, checkable evidence, making the claim more convincing than a vague statement.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Extract: 'Newer polytunnel designs, by contrast, trap warmth using layered plastic sheeting, cutting energy use by almost a third while still protecting crops from frost.' Find and copy the phrase that shows polytunnels use less energy than traditional greenhouses. Then explain what this phrase tells the reader. (2 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 2 available
Explain how the writer uses comparison across the two sentences to present polytunnels favourably. (4 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the comprehension: non-fiction set 9 worksheet pack - 10 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 23 of 11+ English Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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