Answers for comprehension (language for impact practice) Pages 31-35

Question 1:
The text below describes how Langdon, a professor was trapped in the Secret Archives.
Spinning blind, he called out, but his voice emerged strangled. The peril of his
predicament suddenly closed in around him. When he threw his weight into the door, for
an instant he thought he felt the door start to turn. He pushed again, but the door refused
to budge a single inch. His lungs strained for oxygen after what seemed like an intense
workout. Almost resigning to fate, Langdon walked away to catch his breath.
In the Paragraph, Langdon found himself trapped in The Secret Archives.
Explain how the language used emphasises the physical challenges Langdon
experienced while escaping the room. Support your ideas with two details from the
paragraph.

Answer:
1. "Spinning blind, he called out, but his voice emerged strangled."
This quote shows that Langdon was very dizzy and had trouble breathing that he
couldn't even call out properly.
2. "His lungs strained for oxygen”
This quote means Langdon was so tired as it felt like he had just finished a hard
workout, that he was struggling to get enough air.
3. "He pushed again, but the door refused to budge a single inch."
This quote shows that even though he was using a lot of effort to push the door, but it
wasn't working, making him even more tired.
Question 2:
In the text below, the writer talks about his bus journey to Oudtshoorn, a town in South
Africa.
On the Sunday morning, I finally left Cape Town. It was raining. There was so much rain
that its sound blurred into one long, jarring noise. I scurried down Government Lane, the
leafy pathway that cuts through the botanical gardens, cursing both the inclement winter
weather and my decision to pre-purchase a ticket to Oudtshoorn. I’d chosen
Oudtshoorn because I thought that its famous ostrich races might just be the motivation
I needed to get up before dawn. But the rain that morning pounded and when it started
trickling off my pack and down the back of my neck, I seriously considered turning back
to my warm bed.
At the beginning of the text, the weather seems unfavourable as the writer leaves Cape
Town. Explain how the language used in Paragraph 1 emphasises how unpleasant the
rain was that day.
Support your ideas with two details from Paragraph 1.

Answer:
1. "There was so much rain that its sound blurred into one long, jarring noise."
This quote shows that the rain was extremely heavy and that the noise was annoying
and unpleasant, making the rain seem even worse.
2. "But the rain that morning pounded and when it started trickling off my pack and down
the back of my neck…”
This quote shows how uncomfortable the very heavy rain made the writer.
Question 3:
The text below is about how Gerald Durrell’s fascination with scorpions lands him in
trouble with his family.
Now I maintain to this day that the female scorpion meant no harm. She was agitated and
a trifle annoyed at being shut up in a matchbox for so long, and so she seized the first
opportunity to escape. She hoisted herself out of the box with great rapidity, her babies
clinging on desperately, and scuttled onto the back of Larry’s hand. There, not quite
certain what to do next, she paused, her sting curved up at the ready. Larry, feeling the
movement of her claws, glanced down to see what it was, and from that moment things
got increasingly confused. He uttered a roar of fright and what ensued was complete
pandemonium.
The female scorpion is described as being determined to make her escape. Explain how
the language used in the Paragraph emphasises this.
Support your ideas with two details from the Paragraph.

Answer:
1. "She seized the first opportunity to escape."
This quote shows the scorpion's determination to get out as soon as she had the
chance. The word "seized" suggests that she acted quickly and decisively, highlighting
her strong desire to escape.
2. "She hoisted herself out of the box with great rapidity, her babies clinging on
desperately."
This quote emphasises her determination by describing how quickly she moved and the
effort to free herself.
Question 4
The text below is about a young girl participating in a race.
Every time, just before I take off in a race, I always feel like I’m in a dream. I dream I’m
flying lazily like a bird over a long sandy beach in the early morning sun, kissing the leaves
of the trees as I fly by. Then, I climb up the hill effortlessly to the orchard as a choo-choo
train, and there’s always the smell of fresh apples. The whole time I’m dreaming this, I
get lighter and lighter until I’m flying over the beach again, getting blown through the sky
like a feather that weighs nothing at all.
The Paragraph describes the writer’s dream just before every race she participates.
Explain how the language used in the Paragraph emphasises how at ease she feels.
Support your ideas with three details from the Paragraph.

1. The quote "Flying lazily like a bird over a long sandy beach" suggests that she is not in
a rush and implies freedom and ease.

2. The quote "Climb up the hill effortlessly to the orchard" highlights how easy and
comfortable the experience is for her.

3. The quote "Getting blown through the sky like a feather that weighs nothing at all”
suggests the feeling of being completely at ease and how relaxed and carefree she feels
just before the race.
Question 5:
The text below tells a story about a group of hikers who explore Torngat Mountains
National Park and their encounter with a wild polar bear.
On Sunday, July 21, 2013, a plane carrying the Sierra Club party descended toward the
eastern shore of the Torngats, weaving between the peaks. Slippery ice formed over the
glassy lakes, and water dripped from sharp dagger-like icicles that hung from bare tree
branches. The deceivingly stable masses of ice were surrounded by majestic glaciers that
covered the entire landscape in white. The plane landed on Nachvak Fjord and deposited
the passengers, comprising Ross, the leader, Chase, the planner, Charlie, the adventurer
and Dyer, the joker.
At the beginning of this text, the Sierra Club party arrived at the eastern shore of Torngats.
Explain how the language used in the Paragraph presents the environment in Torngats
as unsafe.
Support your answer with three details from the Paragraph.

Answer:
1. The quote "Weaving between the peaks." suggests that the plane had to navigate
carefully through the mountains, indicating a challenging and potentially dangerous flight
path.

2. The quote "Slippery ice formed over the glassy lakes." implies that the surfaces are
treacherous and difficult to walk on, posing a risk of slipping and falling.

3. The quote "Water dripped from sharp dagger-like icicles that hung from bare tree
branches." suggests a sense of danger, as these icicles could potentially fall and cause
injury.