Free-to-download sample pages with answers

READING AND COMPREHENSION

UNIT 24A
Text 1

1 HELP koalas
2 Koalas are in trouble. They only eat certain species of eucalypts
3 but their habitat is in decline. Eucalypt forests are being logged
4 for timber, cleared to create farmland or destroyed by bushfires.
5 Also, because of climate change, more bushfires are occurring
6 and they are more severe.
7 Every koala needs a few trees of its own in the wild. These trees
8 are referred to as the koala’s home range. A koala stays in its
9 home range unless it is visiting another koala for breeding.
10 Joeys are only two centimetres long when born. They are blind, furless and earless.
11 The joey stays in its mother’s pouch for six to seven months and when it leaves the pouch
12 it travels on its mother’s back or abdomen. A joey may live with its mother for between
13 one and three years before moving off to find a home range of its own. A forest can only
14 be home to the number of koalas it can feed.
15 To save koalas we must save their forests. Eighty per cent of Australia’s eucalypt forests have
16 already been cleared. Some eucalypt forests are on private land. It’s up to the government
17 to make laws to save forests and koala habitats—or koalas are likely to become extinct.

1 Adult koalas live 5 Choose all that apply. The writer

A one to each eucalypt. A thinks it’s too late to save koalas from
B one to each tree. extinction.
C one to a few trees. B seems knowledgeable about koalas.
D in breeding pairs. C thinks it’s important to save koalas.
D wants the government to take action to
2 Choose all that apply. Koalas are losing
forests due to help koalas.
A farming. B bushfires. 6 Choose all that apply. You can judge that
C logging. D climate change. the image was chosen to
A show a dwindling eucalypt forest.
3 Koalas are
B make readers feel compassionate about
A always looking for new trees to move into.
B not very sociable.
koalas.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

C persuade the government to make laws

C very sociable.
D always seeking the company of other
to save koala habitats.
D make readers feel that koalas are cute
koalas.
and worth saving.
4 If all eucalypt forests are cleared, koalas will
A find other forests to live in.
B decide to eat different foods.
C live on private land.
D become extinct.
Answers and explanations on page 125

86
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 24B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 Koalas eat euculypt leaves.  adjective.
2 The govament needs A joey travels on mother’s back.
to save the forests.  13 Choose the correct contraction to complete
3 Koala habatats are shrinking. the sentence.
up to the government to
save forests.
4 Some forests are on privete land.
A It B It’s C Its D Its’
14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb
5 Write three words from the word family
from the text.
that includes occurring.
Koalas are to become extinct.
15 Join the clauses with a relative pronoun
VOCABULARY (which, who, whom, what, that).
Write the new sentence on the lines below.
Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have
Koalas need the eucalypt forests.
the nearest meaning to the underlined words.
Eucalypt forests are being cleared.
6 Koala numbers are in decline.
A decreasing B increasing
C growing D progressing

7 A forest can only feed a limited number

of koalas. PUNCTUATION
A large B restricted
C growing D logical 16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated
correctly.
8 Choose the correct definition for these
A Each koala has it’s own home range.
words from the text: home range.
B Eighty per cent of Australia’s koala
A the specific area in which an animal lives
forests have been cleared.
B some trees
C They are blind furless and earless.
C an area where an animal can find a mate
D a mountain range Rewrite each sentence correctly.
9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for this 17 koalas are in trouble in australia
word from the text: species.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

18 a joey stays in its mothers pouch for six to

Circle the word that does not belong. seven months
10 A save B protect
C conserve D destroy
11 A solution B trouble
C danger D strife Answers and explanations on page 125

87
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 24C
Text 2
1 12 7
Search Facebook

1 The Sanctuary
2 New to our care this week is an orphaned joey we named
3 Lucky. Lucky’s mother was killed by a car. Luckily the
4 driver stopped and checked the dead koala’s pouch for a
5 joey. He brought mother and baby to our rescue centre.
6 Our vet then checked Lucky for injuries.
7 We’ve made a faux fur pouch for Lucky to live in for the next few months and he’ll need
8 to drink special formula from a bottle. Then he’ll need a surrogate mother to ride on.
9 He’ll probably never be able to go back to the wild.
10 Sadly, too many koalas are killed by cars, dogs and cats. People can prevent koala
11 deaths by slowing down near koala crossing signs and keeping pets inside at night.
12 Let’s save our wildlife.
1.3K 492 Comments 193 Shares

Like Comment Share Donate View 6 more commments

1 What is the purpose of Text 2? 5 Which statement does not connect Text 1
A to instruct how to care for koalas in Unit 24A and Text 2?
B to give news about the work of The A People’s actions cause koala deaths.
Sanctuary B People don’t care about koalas.
C to inform people about problems faced C Koalas face many threats.
by koalas D People can help koalas in many ways.
D to instruct people to drive safely
6 How does the writer of Text 2 feel about
2 Text 2 is koalas?
A factual. B persuasive. A confident they will be safe in the future
C make-believe. D a recount. B sad and unable to help them
C hopeful that people will help them
3 Choose all that apply. Text 2 is
D depressed about their future
A informal.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

B formal.
C written for a known audience. Get creative
D written for an unknown audience.

4 Choose all that apply. Text 1 in Unit 24A 7 Write a blog that includes your
includes own opinions about what happened
A a recommended action to save koalas. to Lucky.
B a set of arguments for a point of view.
C opinions not supported by evidence.
D arguments for two sides of an issue. Answers and explanations on page 125

88
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 READING AND COMPREHENSION
UNIT 25A
Text 1

1 Anton’s discovery
2 Anton excitedly rushed ahead to point out his discovery:
3 two large potholes in the bitumen. He’d discovered the
4 holes, and others like them, last weekend but Peter had
5 not been able to get here to see them until now.
6 Anton said, “Weird, huh! They definitely weren’t here two
7 weeks ago when we went fishing with Louella’s dad. What do you think made them?”
8 Peter didn’t answer. He needed to think. The holes looked around one and a half ruler
9 lengths across—about 45 cm.
10 “Where are the rest?” Peter asked.
11 Anton led him through the trees towards the river, pointing out 45-cm round indentations
12 in the earth, each pair about 10 metres apart.
13 “Well?” Anton pestered impatiently.
14 “Wait up!” Peter snapped. Anton was like a cat on a hot tin roof. He could not keep his feet
15 still. He was definitely excited.
16 “Let me think!” Peter was perplexed.
17 Then they heard a rumbling noise and felt the ground tremble. They looked towards the
18 river. Anton gasped and they simultaneously dropped down, flat on the ground, behind
19 some tall grass.

1 Anton had found 4 Choose all that apply. You can infer that
A two potholes. Anton
B a series of potholes. A loves adventures. B loves excitement.
C a river. C enjoys a mystery. D is a quiet boy.
D his friend.
5 Use evidence in the text to make judgements
2 ‘Anton was like a cat on a hot tin roof ’ about the characters. Link the descriptions
(line 14) means that Anton was to the appropriate character.
A puzzled.
excitable irritable enthusiastic cautious
B scared.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

C so excited he couldn’t keep still. Peter Anton

D making a lot of noise. a thinker a chatterbox impatient energetic eager
3 You can infer that Peter is 6 Choose all that apply. The characters
A respected by Anton. A might be in danger.
B likely younger than Anton. B think it’s better to hide than run.
C definitely older than Anton. C have seen something that shocks them.
D probably Anton’s father. D have seen something that pleases them.

Answers and explanations on page 125

89
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 25B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 There were two large potwholes. adjective.
Anton pointed out
discovery.
2 Anton pestered impayshently.
13 Choose the correct contraction to complete
the sentence.
3 Anton rushed ahead excitedley.
He keep his feet still.
A couldnt B couldn’t
4 The bichumen wasn’t flat. C could’t D couldn’t’

14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb

5 Write three words from the word family from the text.
that includes discovered. He was excited.
15 Join the clauses. Write the new sentence on
the lines below.
The potholes measured 45 cm. They were
VOCABULARY 10 metres apart.

Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have

the nearest meaning to the underlined words.
6 Anton was excited.
A enthusiastic B troubled PUNCTUATION
C agitated D motivated
7 “Weird, huh!” said Anton. 16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated
A interesting B strange
correctly.
A He asked “What do you think made
C spooky D scary
them?”
8 Choose the correct definition for this word B “Well?” Anton pestered impatiently.
from the text: simultaneously. C “Wait up,” Peter snapped!
A side by side B coincidentally
C at the same time D one after the other Rewrite each sentence correctly.
9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for this 17 let me think snapped peter
word from the text: indentations.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

18 we went fishing with louellas dad said anton

Circle the word that does not belong.
10 A nagged B helped
C bothered D annoyed
11 A puzzled B perplexed
C curious D worried Answers and explanations on pages 125–126

90
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 25C
Text 2

1 Stepping out
2 The Macmillan Dictionary defines gait as the way that
3 something walks. Another word for gait is stride. Most
4 animals can vary their gait. Humans can lengthen or
5 shorten their gait according to the speed they need.
6 Humans stretch out their legs to run faster. They can
7 take short, shuffling, slower steps.
8 Stance phase is when the foot is on the ground. Swing
9 phase is when the foot is off the ground and moving forward.
10 The gait of extinct mammals is classified as walk, trot and run. Scientists work out the
11 animal’s stride length by measuring the distance between the fossilised footprints. Then
12 they can use stride length to estimate the height of the mammal.

1 What is the purpose of Text 2? D Two boys, examining weird indentations

A to instruct how to move faster with in the ground, are disturbed by
longer strides something that shocks them.
B to help readers understand animal
footprints 5 How are Texts 1 and 2 connected? Choose
C to inform readers about gait the best answer.
D to describe animals’ footsteps A Anton couldn’t keep his feet still for
Peter to measure his gait.
2 Text 1 in Unit 25A is a
B Anton’s discovery is likely the footprints
A narrative. B journal.
of a very large animal.
C report. D recount.
C Peter was likely trying to measure an
3 Choose the best answer. Text 1 in Unit 25A animal’s stride from its footprints.
tells what D An animal with a 45-cm footprint is a
A Peter thinks. very large animal.
B Anton and Peter think.
6 How does the writer of Text 2 feel about the
C Anton thinks.
topic?
D Louella’s father thinks.
A excited B confused
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

4 Which answer best summarises Text 1 in C interested D indifferent

Unit 25A?
A Peter and Anton are startled while
looking at something that Anton has Get creative
discovered.
B Two boys discover something that could 7 Write what happens next in
be dangerous. ‘Anton’s discovery’.
C Anton discovers something and shows
Peter, who seems perplexed.
Answers and explanations on page 126

91
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 READING AND COMPREHENSION
UNIT 26A
Text 1

1 Wind energy
2 Windmills have been used since ancient times to mill grain and to pump water.
3 Centuries ago, in the Netherlands, dikes (embankments or walls) were built to hold back
4 the water along the coastline so that people could use their land for agriculture. This
5 low-lying coastal land was constantly at risk of flooding, so tower windmills were built to
6 pump water off the land and into canals and rivers.
7 Old Dutch windmills are famous. The largest number
8 of them exist today in an area of the Netherlands
9 named Kinderdijk. This area has been declared a
10 United Nations World Heritage Site.
11 In Australia, windmills were manufactured in
12 Toowoomba from 1876. These windmills were used
13 to pump water for irrigation onto land from the
14 Great Artesian Basin. The Great Artesian Basin is a
15 freshwater supply lying underneath 23 per cent of
16 Australia. It lies underneath NT, SA, NSW and Qld.

1 A large number of old windmills exist in 5 How important were windmills to people
A Toowoomba. in the Netherlands in the past? Choose a
B areas where they are needed. rating.
C Kinderdijk. 1 = not very important
D Dutch. 2 = fairly important
2 Kinderdijk is 3 = very important
A in Australia. 4 = of major importance
B in the United Nations. A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
C in the Netherlands.
6 Use evidence from the text to make a
D in a windmill area.
judgement. Choose all that apply.
3 The photo shows A Nature did not intend for coastal
A a Toowoomba windmill. wetlands to be used as agricultural land.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

B a Dutch windmill. B People use technology to manage

C water from the Great Artesian Basin. natural events.
D flooded land. C Agricultural land will always flood.
4 Choose all that apply. Windmills can pump D Windmills were a clever invention.

water
A onto land.
B off land.
C into rivers.
D from underground. Answers and explanations on page 126

92
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 26B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 Dutch windmills are famus.  adjective.

2 Windmills have been used People needed to use land

since anchent times.  for agriculture.

3 Kinderdijk is a UN World Heritige Site. 13 Choose the correct contraction to complete

the sentence.
Most of the windmills manufactured in
4 The Great Arteesian Basin is
Toowoomba in 1876 exist anymore.
a huge water resource. 
A dont B do’nt C don’t D don’t’
5 Write three words from the word family
that includes famous.
14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb
from the text.
The low-lying land was at
risk of flooding.
15 Join the clauses. Write the new sentence on
VOCABULARY the lines below.
Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have Windmills were used in Australia. They
the nearest meaning to the underlined words. pumped water onto the land.

6 Windmills have been used since ancient

times.
A long ago B ageless
C current D modern PUNCTUATION
7 Low-lying land is at risk of flooding.
16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated correctly.
A suspicious B certain
A These dutch windmills are famous.
C in danger D a problem
B This is a United Nations World Heritage
8 Choose the correct definition for this word Site.
from the text: famous. C There are a lot of mill’s in the Kinderdijk
A popular B well-known area.
C special D useful Rewrite each sentence correctly.
9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for this 17 the great artesian basin lies underneath nt
word from the text: irrigation. sa nsw and qld
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

Circle the word that does not belong. 18 kinderdijk is a united nations world
10 A canal B waterway heritage site
C flood D channel

11 A built B installed
C manufactured D made
Answers and explanations on page 126

93
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 26C
Text 2

1 Kinderdijk
2 The name Kinderdijk means Children’s dike. Legend has it that Kinderdijk was named
3 because of a folktale, The cat and the cradle. The folktale seems to have originated in the
4 Saint Elizabeth’s flood of 1421 when there was a terrible flood and thousands of people
5 drowned.
6 The folktale says that when the floodwater subsided, a
7 boy saw a cradle floating on the water. He noticed a cat
8 leaping from one end of the cradle to the other, keeping
9 the cradle balanced so water couldn’t get in to sink it.
10 As the cradle came closer to the boy he saw a baby
11 sleeping peacefully in it. The baby was safe, hence the
12 name Kinderdijk.

1 What is the purpose of Text 2? 5 Which statement does not connect Text 1
A to explain how an area got its name in Unit 26A and Text 2?
B to retell an old folktale A People are dependent on water.
C to inform about Kinderdijk B Water supports life and destroys life.
D to inform about flooding in Kinderdijk C Cats are clever creatures.
D The Kinderdijk area has many old
2 Text 2 is
windmills.
A factual.
B persuasive. 6 How does the writer of Text 2 feel about the
C a narrative. Saint Elizabeth’s flood?
D a recount. A indifferent as it was a long time ago
B sad about the people who died
3 Text 1 in Unit 26A
C very impressed by the cat’s cleverness
A tells how windmills were invented.
D concerned about the farmers in
B describes windmill construction.
Kinderdijk.
C explains how windmills work.
D tells what windmills can do.

4 Text 1 in Unit 26A includes Get creative

© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

A a definition of the Great Artesian Basin.

B advice for visiting the Netherlands.
7 Find out about the windmills used
C advice about water use in Australia.
in Australia to pump water from the
D information about windmills in the past.
Great Artesian Basin. Write a report.

Answers and explanations on page 126

94
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 READING AND COMPREHENSION
UNIT 27A
Text 1

HOME ABOUT US SERVICES CONTACT US Search

1 A plastic ocean 15 DYING WHALE FULL

2 Did you know that there are 100 million tonnes of plastic in 16 OF PLASTIC
3 the ocean and that, according to the United Nations, eight 17 3 February 2017, Norway
4 million tonnes are being added every year?
18 A very sick whale that had
5 Did you know that there’s more plastic than plankton in some
6 areas of the ocean? 19 beached itself near Bergen
20 has been euthanised to end
7 Did you know that plastic breaks down into tiny particles?
8 Plankton-eating sea animals can’t tell the difference between
21 its suffering. Zoologists
9 these floating particles and food. 22 discovered 30 plastic bags
23 and other plastic waste in its
10 Did you know that, in the ocean, plastic absorbs toxins such
11 as agricultural run-off and that sea animals eat the poisonous 24 stomach. Zoologist Dr Astrid
12 plastic? Humans likely then eat poisoned fish. 25 Pedersen stated, “The whale
26 was very thin and malnourished
13 CLICK HERE to learn more about saving our oceans from plastic
27 because the plastic inside it
14 pollution.
28 had caused it to starve.
29 The plastic would’ve caused
30 it immense pain. No wonder
31 it beached itself. Poor thing.”

1 The whale was found 4 How did the whale die?

A by Dr Astrid Pedersen. A It was poisoned.
B in the ocean near Bergen. B It ate too much plastic and starved.
C by a zoologist. C It was killed by zoologists.
D on a beach. D It beached itself.

2 In some areas of ocean there is 5 Choose the best answer. The writer of
A more plastic than plankton. ‘A plastic ocean’ is
B more plankton than plastic. A opposed to killing whales.
C more plastic-eating animals than plastic. B hoping to get the plastic out of the ocean.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

D more floating plastic than animals. C opposed to plastic-eating animals.

D concerned about plastic.
3 What happens when plankton-eating
animals can’t tell the difference between 6 Dr Pedersen is
floating plastic and plankton? A kind and compassionate.
A They instantly die. B factual and neutral.
B They eat the floating plastic particles. C knowledgeable but neutral.
C The plastic particles absorb toxins. D cold and unfeeling.
D They eat plankton.
Answers and explanations on pages 126–127

95
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 27B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 Tonns of plastic ends up adjective.
in the ocean every year.  The whale was euthanised to end
2 There’s more plastic than planktin suffering.
in some ocean areas.  13 Insert a contraction to complete the
3 Sea animals eat poisinous plastic. sentence correctly.
The plastic caused the
whale immense pain.
4 Zoolagists study animals. 
5 Write three words from the word family
14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb
that includes pollution. from the text.
It’s that humans then eat
the poisoned fish.
15 Join the clauses. Write the new sentence on
VOCABULARY the lines below.
Dr Astrid Pedersen is a zoologist from
Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have Sweden. She examined the whale.
the nearest meaning to the underlined words.
6 Plastic absorbs toxins.
A holds B soaks up
C expels D hides

7 There are floating particles in the ocean. PUNCTUATION

A pieces B specks
C containers D crumbs 16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated
correctly.
8 Choose the correct definition for this word A “What can we do about plastic?” asked
from the text: euthanised. Denny.
A shot something so it dies quickly
B “There’s too much plastic in the ocean”
B died painfully
said Freda.
C killed painlessly
C The whale was discovered in norway.
D put to death
Rewrite each sentence correctly.
9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for this
word from the text: malnourished. 17 poor thing said dr astrid pedersen
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

Circle the word that does not belong. 18 the article was written on 3 february
10 A immense B considerable
C microscopic D enormous
11 A suffering B exertion
C distress D agony Answers and explanations on page 127

96
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 27C
Text 2

1 Family pledge
2 Robyn: Mum, can we try to be plastic-free?
3 Mum: Happy to do that.
4 Robyn: We learned about plastic at school. People have
5 to stop using it.
6 Mum: It’s not going to be easy to avoid plastic. It’s in
7 everything! Even toothpaste can contain plastic that you can’t even see.
8 Robyn: Ew! Gross! Sometimes I accidentally swallow my toothpaste.
9 Mum: A lot of people do.
10 Robyn: My teacher said that all sorts of chemicals are used in manufacturing plastic to
11 make it last longer but this also means those chemicals can leach into the ground and
12 into waterways. It’s not good for people if they end up drinking those chemicals.
13 Mum: True. Let’s pledge to be plastic-free! For ourselves and for animals.
14 Robyn: I’ll take the pledge.

1 Choose all that apply. The newspaper 5 In Text 2 “Ew” expresses

article, Text 1 in Unit 27A, includes A anger. B disgust.
A a headline. C pleasure. D excitement.
B statements.
6 Do you think the photo used for Text 2
C an interview quote.
could also be used to support Text 1 in Unit
D the writer’s opinion.
27A? Explain your answer.
2 Text 2 presents
A different points of view.
B one point of view.
C arguments for and against a point of view.
D expert evidence.

3 Choose all that apply. Text 1 in Unit 27A

and Text 2 are connected because they both
A deal with the dangers of plastic.
B say that plastic is harmful to animals
Get creative
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

and people.
C object to plastic toothpaste.
D recommend pledging to be plastic-free. 7 Find out more about plastic and
ways you can recycle plastic in your
4 In Text 2 what does Mum mean when she
area—or avoid buying plastic altogether.
says “Let’s pledge”?
Design a poster to raise awareness of
A Let’s think
the problems with plastic.
B Let’s persuade others
C Let’s avoid
D Let’s commit Answers and explanations on page 127

97
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 READING AND COMPREHENSION
UNIT 28A
Text 1

1 Book Review: Matilda

2 Author: Roald Dahl   Illustrator: Quentin Blake   Published in 1988
3 I recommend Matilda. It has an interesting plot, great characters and a satisfying ending. The story
4 tells of a girl called Matilda who is a genius. She has to cope with useless and neglectful parents
5 and a bullying school principal named Mrs Trunchbull.
6 I love the names Roald Dahl gives his characters. Their names suit their personalities. Matilda’s
7 lovely and supportive teacher is named Miss Honey. Matilda’s best friend is named Lavender.
8 There are some very funny scenes where Matilda plays some mean tricks on people
9 (they deserve it) and there are some scenes where you feel very sorry for
10 Matilda and Miss Honey because they are both victims of bullying.
11 Roald Dahl uses good descriptive words. For example, Mrs Trunchbull calls
12 Bruce Bogtrotter a foul carbuncle, a poisonous pustule, a miserable little
13 gumboil and a suppurating little blister. It’s funny but it’s mean to Bruce.
14 I really enjoyed this book and also the movie. I suggest you read the book first.
15 I would love to see Matilda performed on stage because I am sure that seeing
16 the story come to life with singing and dancing would be amazing.
17 By Alejandro

1 The school principal is 4 Alejandro says ‘they deserve it’ (line 9)

A Miss Honey. because
B Mrs Trunchbull. A he doesn’t blame Matilda for playing
C Bruce Bogtrotter. mean tricks on people.
D Roald Dahl. B some people have been mean to Matilda.
C Matilda turned into a bully.
2 Choose two answers. Alejandro says the D he feels that bullies deserve to be punished.
character Matilda is
A useless and neglected.
5 Choose all that apply. You can judge that
Alejandro
B lovely and supportive.
A enjoys reading.
C a genius who plays mean tricks on
B feels empathy for the characters in stories.
people.
C has a sense of humour.
D a victim of bullying.
D only likes humorous stories.
E a poisonous pustule.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

F tough. 6 What does ‘satisfying ending’ (line 3) mean?

A Readers feel satisfied that bad characters
3 What does Alejandro think is ‘mean’ to are punished.
Bruce? B Readers feel satisfied if they are told
A that he’s called a foul carbuncle what happens in the end.
B that he’s bullied by Matilda C Readers feel satisfied when good and bad
C that he has no friends characters get what they deserve.
D that Mrs Trunchbull calls him names D Readers enjoy a satisfying story.

Answers and explanations on page 127

98
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 28B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 Matilda is a genious.  adjective.

2 The Principle was Mrs Trunchbull. Mrs Trunchbull picks on Bruce because he
stole cake.
13 Insert a contraction to complete the
3 There are some very funny seens. sentence correctly.
Mrs Trunchbull is a funny character
4 Matilda was a victom of bullying. but also a bully.
14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb
5 Write three words from the word family from the text.
that includes bullying. “I enjoyed this book,” said
Alejandro.
15 Join the clauses. Write the new sentence on
the lines below.
Matilda’s teacher is Miss Honey. She is
VOCABULARY lovely to Matilda. She is also bullied.

Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have

the nearest meaning to the underlined words.
6 Their names suit their personalities.
A habits B characters
C behaviours D appearances
PUNCTUATION

7 Matilda has an interesting plot. 16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated

A storyline B theme correctly.
C message D conspiracy A “You ate my cake” bullied Trunchbull.”

8 Miss Honey was supportive. B Matilda was written by roald dahl.

A encouraging B unhelpful C Alejandro said he’d recommend the

C loving D loyal book.

9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for these Rewrite each sentence correctly.
words from the text: descriptive adjectives. 17 matilda and miss honey became friends
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

Circle the word that does not belong. 18 matilda is a funny story agreed cooper
10 A scab B carbuncle
C boil D pustule
11 A neglectful B inattentive
C attentive D negligent
Answers and explanations on page 127

99
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 28C
Text 2

1 Bullying
2 Bullying is defined as the continual or repeated abuse of someone.
3 There are four main types of bullying. These are:
4 1 Verbal bullying. This includes calling someone names, teasing them or threatening to hurt them.
5 2 Physical bullying. This includes hitting, kicking, shoving or tripping someone.
6 3 Social bullying. This includes continually leaving someone out of activities, ganging up against
7 them or spreading lies about them behind their backs.
8 4 Cyber bullying. This is when someone uses the internet to
9 harass someone or to spread lies about them, or to publish
10 photos or information about them that is private.
11 Bullying hurts people physically as well as mentally. The hurtful
12 mental effects of being bullied can last a person’s lifetime. It is
13 also unhealthy, long term, to be the person who does the
14 bullying.

1 Link the statements to the correct C helps readers decide whether or not to
paragraphs for Text 2. read the book.
Paragraph 1 A This paragraph gives D makes readers like Alejandro.
information about the topic.
5 Which statements connect Text 1 in
Paragraph 2 B This paragraph gives the Unit 28A and Text 2?
conclusion.
A Bullies are mean and nasty.
Paragraph 3 C This paragraph introduces the
B People in authority can be bullies.
topic.
C It’s good to read stories where bullies get
2 The writer of Text 1 in Unit 28A what they deserve.
A tells readers what to think about a book. D Constant name-calling is a form of
B presents his own judgement and gives bullying.
evidence.
6 Draw a cartoon illustration for each kind of
C tells the story of a girl named Matilda.
bullying described in Text 2.
D explains why he doesn’t like bullying.

3 What is the purpose of Text 2?

© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

A to instruct
B to give alternative viewpoints
C to inform
D to persuade Get creative
4 Choose all that apply. Text 1 in Unit 28A
A makes readers wonder what happens at 7 Write a review of a book you
the end of the story. enjoyed and would recommend to others.
B gets readers interested in reading the book.
Answers and explanations on pages 127–128

100
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 READING AND COMPREHENSION
UNIT 29A
Text 1

1 Get well soon

2 Dear Planet Earth
3 I know you’re in trouble.
4 Scientists tell us that the rate of climate change is escalating and that the burning of fossil fuels
5 (coal, oil and gas) is the main contributor because it releases greenhouse gases into the air. I don’t
6 understand why humans continue to dig up coal, and search for more gas and oil, when we have
7 renewable resources such as wind and sunshine.
8 Scientists tell us that climate change will cause more frequent extreme weather events such as cyclones,
9 heatwaves, fires and floods, and that the oceans will continue to warm and that sea ice will melt.
10 Scientists tell us what we can do to prevent further climate change and that countries around the
11 world need to act.
12 I am so sorry that irresponsible humans are not taking more urgent action
13 to help you. I pledge to help you, planet Earth. I will use less electricity. I will
14 reduce waste and recycle. I will definitely only walk or cycle to school.
15 I will eat fresh food rather than processed food. I will eat less meat.
16 Humans need you, planet Earth. It’s not too late to save you.
17 With love from
18 Damon

1 Burning fossil fuel releases 4 Choose all that apply. Damon believes that
A coal, oil and gas. continued climate change will
B climate change. A make Earth worse to live on.
C greenhouse gases. B affect people’s lives for the worse.
D renewable resources. C affect people’s lives for the better.
D help planet Earth.
2 Damon says he doesn’t understand
A how to use less electricity. 5 Why does Damon say that ‘countries
B how to walk to school. around the world need to act’ (lines 10–11)?
C why people continue to dig up coal. Choose all that apply.
D how Earth is in trouble. A Climate change is global.
B All countries share planet Earth.
3 Choose all that apply. Damon repeats
C All countries need climate change.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

‘Scientists tell us’ so that D Climate action requires cooperation

A it reinforces his opinion. between countries.
B readers can read faster.
C readers think he has scientist friends.
6 Choose all that apply. Damon is
A a thoughtful boy.
D readers know he is being truthful.
B a smart boy.
C interested in science.
D hopeful for the future.

Answers and explanations on page 128

101
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 29B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 Renewable resourses include adjective.
wind and solar power.  We need to save planet.
2 Climate change causes 13 Insert a contraction to complete the
more severe syclones. 
sentence correctly.
3 Countrees around the world need to act. not too late to save you.
14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb
4 Damon will eat less prosessed foods. from the text.
Damon will only walk or
5 Write three words from the word family cycle to school.
that includes renewable. 15 Join the clauses. Write the new sentence on
the lines below.
We need to listen to scientists. Scientists can
tell us how to prevent further climate change.
VOCABULARY
Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have
the nearest meaning to the underlined words.
6 The rate of climate change is escalating.
A increasing rapidly B going down
C increasing in steps D spiralling down PUNCTUATION
7 Solar and wind are renewable resources.
16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated
A consumables B sources of energy
correctly.
C irreplaceable D able to be replaced
A Extreme weather events include
8 Choose the correct definition for this word cyclones, heatwaves, fires and floods.
from the text: climate. B humans need you, planet Earth.
A wind and sun B weather conditions C I’ll help you, planet Earth
C weather changes D the seasons
Rewrite each sentence correctly.
9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for this
17 damon said its not too late to save you
word from the text: fossil fuel.
planet earth
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

Circle the word or word group that does not

18 coal oil and gas are fossil fuels
belong.
10 A cyclone B volcano
C heatwave D flood

11 A in trouble B in difficulty
C doing the wrong thing D struggling Answers and explanations on page 128

102
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 29C
Text 2

1 Renewables
2 Wind and solar are cheap and clean renewable energy sources. The numbers of wind and solar
3 farms are increasing all over the world as countries work to address climate change.
4 Wind and solar are clean because, unlike fossil fuels, they don’t pollute the environment and they
5 don’t contribute to climate change. Wind and solar are cheap because wind and sunshine are freely
6 provided in nature.
7 Those who argue against renewables complain that power from renewables is unreliable. They say
8 that relying on renewables will lead to blackouts and power failures. This complaint, however, is no
9 longer relevant because of the development of large-scale batteries that allow wind and solar
10 power to be stored to use when it’s not windy or sunny.
11 Coal is dirty. Wind and solar are clean. Coal is the past.
12 Renewables are the future.
13 By Harper

1 Text 2 4 Circle fact or opinion for Text 2.

A tells how to use renewable energy. A Wind and solar are renewable Fact Opinion
B tells why renewable energy is better than resources.
energy from coal. B Batteries will prevent blackouts Fact Opinion
C describes how solar power is made. and power failures.
D describes fossil fuels. C Batteries store energy. Fact Opinion
D 
Wind and sunshine are free. Fact Opinion
2 Choose all that apply. Text 1 in Unit 29A
A tells what the writer thinks. 5 Which statement best connects Text 1 in
B tells how the writer feels. Unit 29A and Text 2?
C is opposed to fossil fuels. A People’s actions impact climate change.
D presents different sides of an argument. B Not enough people care about the Earth.
3 Link the statements to the correct C Scientists know how to avoid further
paragraphs for Text 2. climate change.
This paragraph gives the D Farmers are aware of climate change.
Paragraph 1
argument against the topic. 6 Damon and Harper are both
This paragraph gives the A arguing for a better future.
Paragraph 2
B doing things at home to prevent climate
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

conclusion.
change.
Paragraph 3 This paragraph argues in favour C worried that the Earth is doomed.
of the topic. D recycling for the future.
Paragraph 4 This paragraph gives the
opening thesis statement. Get creative

7 Write your own letter to planet Earth.

Answers and explanations on page 128

103
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 READING AND COMPREHENSION
UNIT 30A
Text 1

1 This photo was taken in 1937. It shows my great-grandfather with his mother.
2 My great-grandfather was born in 1933. He does not know who his father was as his
3 mother never told him. He now lives in aged care. Mum says he still has most of his
4 marbles. I used to think that meant his toys but now I know better. He uses a motorised
5 scooter to get around. I certainly like to visit him and hear stories of the olden days.
6 My great-great-grandmother worked as a cleaner. She did not
7 have much money but she liked to look her best for family
8 outings. In the photo she is wearing her rabbit-skin stole.
9 Trapping rabbits for meat and fur was big business back in the
10 1930s. When my great-grandfather was twelve he had a shotgun
11 and he used it to shoot rabbits. He sold the pelts and his mother
12 cooked rabbit stew with the meat. She added onions, potatoes,
13 peas, carrots and thyme. I can’t imagine shooting rabbits at
14 age twelve but my great-grandfather said his mum’s stew was
15 very tasty and very affordable for a family with little money.
© Tanya Dalgleish

1 The writer’s great-grandfather now lives 4 How does the writer feel about their great-
A at home. grandfather?
B with the writer’s mother. A fond and keen to learn more
C with his great-great-grandmother. B unhappy that he shot rabbits
D in aged care. C judgemental about his lifestyle
D interested in his stories
2 In the 1930s, rabbit trapping
A was illegal. 5 ‘Marbles’ in the text means
B was not popular. A mental faculties.
C provided a good income. B spherical glass toys.
D was not profitable. C buttons.
D memories.
3 The writer’s great-grandfather is now best
at being 6 The writer knows that
A a good walker. A Great-grandfather had a terrible
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

B a good shot. childhood.

C a good storyteller. B it’s wrong to shoot rabbits.
D a child. C Great-grandfather had to shoot rabbits.
D rabbit stew would taste terrible.

Answers and explanations on page 128

104
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 SPELLING GRAMMAR
UNIT 30B
Rewrite the misspelt words in questions 1–4. 12 Complete the noun group with a possessive
1 Rabbits were big bizness in the 1930s. adjective.
His mother never told him who
father was.
2 Add potatos to the rabbit stew.
13 Insert a contraction to complete the
sentence correctly.
3 Rabbit stew was affordible. 
The writer imagine
4 Time is a herb.  shooting rabbits.
5 Write three words from the word family
14 Complete the sentence with a modal adverb
that includes tasty.
from the text.
I like to visit him.
15 Join the clauses. Write the new sentence on
the lines below.
VOCABULARY
The writer’s great-great-grandmother liked
Circle the answers in questions 6–7 that have to look her best. She wore a rabbit-skin stole.
the nearest meaning to the underlined words.
6 Great-great-grandmother worked as
a cleaner.
A practised B laboured
C played D slaved
PUNCTUATION
7 The stole was made of rabbit fur.
A thief B shawl 16 Circle the sentence that is punctuated
C took D coat correctly.
A mum’s stew was tasty.
8 Choose the correct definition for this word
B I can’t imagine shooting an animal.
from the text: pelt.
C Mum wore Fur in the 1930s.
A throw things at someone
B clothing made of animal fur Rewrite each sentence correctly.
C attack 17 The writer said mums stew was tasty
D the skin of an animal

9 Use a dictionary. Write a definition for this

word from the text: motorised.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

18 the stole was made of rabbits fur

Circle the word that does not belong.

10 A outings B parties
C trips D excursions

11 A hotpot B stew
C barbecue D casserole Answers and explanations on pages 128–129

105
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 TEXTS IN CONTEXT
UNIT 30C
Text 2

1 A huge mistake
2 Rabbits are a problem in Australia. They were brought to Australia on the First Fleet but
3 became a problem from the 1870s when a number of them were released into the wild.
4 (The settlers wanted to hunt them just like they’d done back in England.)
5 Each female rabbit can have up to 30 pups a year so by 1920 there were 10 billion feral
6 rabbits in Australia. They devastated native bushes and plants through overgrazing.
7 They changed the landscape completely and left no food for native animals.
8 Hunting wasn’t enough to control the rabbit population so in 1950 scientists used
9 mosquitoes to spread the Myxoma virus to kill rabbits.
10 The virus worked really well but as time went on it became
11 less effective. Rabbit numbers increased again.
12 In 1995 scientists released the Calicivirus to kill rabbits but
13 rabbits are starting to show some immunity to this virus.
14 Rabbit numbers continue to increase, with devastating
15 consequences for the environment.

1 The purpose of Text 2 is 5 Which statement best connects Text 1 in

A to inform. B to instruct. Unit 30A and Text 2?
C to argue D to recount. A People like to kill rabbits.
B People in the past loved rabbits.
2 Text 1 in Unit 30A is
C People in different times and places have
A a narrative. B a recount.
C a description. D an autobiography. had different opinions about rabbits.
D Everyone loves rabbit stew.
3 Summarise the facts in Text 2 for a timeline.
Prior to the First Fleet  6 The structure of Text 2 is
A a thesis statement and a sequence of events.
1788 
B an orientation and complication.
1870s  C a series of persuasive statements.
1920  D a thesis statement, information in
1950  chronological order and a conclusion.
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

1995 
Current  Get creative
4 Choose all that apply. Text 2 includes 7 Find out more about feral plants
A a recipe for rabbit stew.
and animals in Australia. Choose one
B some family history.
and make a time line of its history.
C significant historical dates.
D historical information.
Answers and explanations on page 129

106
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 NAPLAN-style Reading Test 4
Text 1

1 BREAKING NEWS: ALIENS—FIRST CONTACT

2 Aliens made contact with scientists a week 20 in cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise)
3 ago at the Centre for Extra-terrestrial 21 languages are also gathering to help work
4 Research in Coonabarabran, NSW. 22 out whether the sounds were made by
23 blowhole-like mouth parts. Experts do
5 The Centre said yesterday that contact was
24 not presume the aliens will have human
6 made last Tuesday and it is not a hoax. The
25 mouths or vocal cords.
7 aliens communicated with a system of
8 sounds, similar in effect to a Morse Code 26 Morse code is a system of long and short
9 but not made by any tapping instrument. 27 taps or clicks. It is a very effective and
10 These were systematic and not random 28 simple form of communication.
11 so scientists believe the sounds are a
29 There has been no further contact from
12 deliberate attempt at communication by
30 the aliens.
13 intelligent beings. Scientists have yet to
14 decipher the code to understand the
15 message it contained for Earth from
16 somewhere deep in space.
17 Language and communications experts
18 from major universities across the globe
19 have rushed to the observatory. Experts

Text 2

1 Flight or fight
2 They came towards me. One of them had its hand up, signalling
3 that it wanted me to stay calm. I wasn’t calm. Not at all.
4 I didn’t know whether to try to run or to scream or to grab a
5 rock as a weapon. It must have sensed I was close to panic.
6 I did not plan to be here like this. The horses had been
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

7 spooked and were unsettled and noisy. I was in the barn

8 checking on them when I saw an amazing green light rising
9 above the hill. I’d walked across the paddock to the top of
10 the hill to check it out and found the space ship.
11 Unthinking, I’d walked closer and then the aliens had beamed
12 down and spotted me. I was caught like a deer in the headlights.
13 I had no idea what they intended.

107
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 NAPLAN-style Reading Test 4
1 In Text 1 where did the message come from? 7 In Text 1 what effect does the image and
A universities across the globe headline have? Choose all that apply.
B Coonabarabran A They get the reader’s attention.
C deep in space B They make people want to read the article.
D last Tuesday C The image shows people what the aliens

2 In Text 1 the sounds were look like.

D They tell people that aliens are here on
A tapped out.
B in Morse Code.
Earth.
C systematic. 8 Does the image match the content of the
D random. article in Text 1? Explain.
3 In Text 1 why would cetacean language
experts be interested?
A Whales, dolphins and porpoises might
have made the sounds. 9 Text 2 is a narrative.
A science-fiction
B Aliens may not speak English.
B mystery
C Cetaceans have their own languages.
C fantasy
D Aliens might communicate through
D realistic
blowholes.
4 In Text 1 you can infer that scientists are 10 What does the simile ‘like a deer in the
by the prospect of aliens. headlights’ (line 12) imply in Text 2?
A The narrator looks like an animal to the
A frightened
B excited
aliens.
B An animal lit up by headlights can’t see.
C worried
C The narrator looks like a frightened deer.
D on edge
D The narrator is frozen in panic and
5 Choose all that apply. In Text 1 what confusion.
difference does it make if sounds were
systematic and not random? 11 What does the title of Text 2 mean?
A The aliens want to take the narrator on
A Random sounds can be made by
anything in space. a flight.
B The aliens might fight or kidnap the
B Systematic sounds imply purpose and
intelligence. narrator.
C The narrator doesn’t know whether to
C Space is very noisy so it’s easier to detect
systematic sounds. run or stay and perhaps have to fight.
D The aliens think the narrator could be
D Systematic sounds tells scientists that
dangerous and don’t know whether to
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

the aliens are friendly.

fly away or fight.
6 What could it mean that there’s no mention
of government involvement? 12 ‘Unthinking, I’d walked closer …’ (line 11).
A The government is waiting for aliens to
In Text 2 what does ‘unthinking’ imply?
contact them. Explain.
B The government isn’t interested.
C The government thinks it’s a hoax.
D The government is too busy.
Answers and explanations on page 129

108
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 NAPLAN-style Conventions of Language Test 4
Each sentence in questions 1–6 has one word 10 Which verb group correctly completes the
that is incorrect. Write the correct spelling of sentence?
each word in the boxes below. We to meet at the park this
1 I somtimes ride my bike to school. Saturday.
A should try B should tried
C must have try D have tried
2 My dog is frightend of cats. 11 Which two phrases could correctly
complete the sentence?
Layne hurried along the footpath. It would
3 There going to sing in the concert on be dark soon and he’d promised to be home
Saturday. .
A since yesterday.
B by dark.
C before it got dark.
4 The accident happend last week.
D for a long time.

12 Which options correctly join the clauses?

5 The children had tomato samiches for Digby, (1) name matches his
lunch. personality, carried on scattering clods of
dirt everywhere (2) he found
what he’d been excavating for.
(1) A whose B who
6 Monkeys and apes are diffrent.
C which D whom
(2) A so B because
C until D although
7 Choose the correct possessive adjective to
complete the sentence. 13 Which word needs an apostrophe (’)?
The children took books The farmers fields were filled with
back to the library. wonderful bees looking for blossoms.
A there B they’re C their D our A farmers B fields
C bees D blossoms
8 Choose the correct pronoun to complete
the sentence. 14 Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A “Put your hand up if you have a parent
The librarian asked for the books.
who was born in Australia” said the
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

We gave to her.
teacher.
A that B them C those D these
B Erins stepdad was born in Australia and
9 Which contraction correctly completes the her mum was born in Indonesia.
sentence? C Seventy per cent of the children have

The teacher asked, “ help parents born outside of australia.

D “I was born in India,” said Kalith.
me carry these bags?”
A Who’d B Who’s
C Who’ll D Who’ve Answers and explanations on page 129

109
Excel Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English
 6. B and D. You can judge that recommended action. C is
the image showing a cute incorrect because the text
mother and joey was selected includes evidence.
specifically to engage the 5. B. This statement is not
reader emotionally with the supported by either text.
topic and make readers want 6. C. You should judge that the
to save koalas. writer is hopeful for the future
of koalas.
Unit 24B PAGE 87
7. Responses will vary.
1. eucalypt
Unit 25A PAGE 89
2. government
3. habitats 1. B. See lines 3–4.
PAGE 85 4. private 2. C. See lines 14–15.
5. Suggested answers: occur, 3. A. You can infer that Peter is
occurs, occurred, occurrence respected by Anton because
6. A. Anton is keen to show Peter
his discovery and he can’t wait
7. B.
to hear what Peter thinks
8. A. about it. The boys are friends

ANSWERS
9. a group of similar animals or but you cannot infer which
plants boy is older.
10. D. 4. A, B and C. You can infer that
11. A. Anton loves adventures,
12. its excitement and a mystery. You
cannot infer that he is quiet
13. B. because he’s very sociable—he
14. likely has adventures and goes
15. Koalas need the eucalypt fishing with Louella’s dad.
forests which/that are being 5. D. You can judge that Peter is
cleared. irritable, cautious and a
16. B. thinker while Anton is
Unit 24A PAGE 86
17. Koalas are in trouble in excitable, enthusiastic, a
1. C. See line 7. Australia. chatterbox, impatient,
2. A, B, C and D. See lines 3–6. energetic and eager.
18. A joey stays in its mother’s
3. B. You can infer that koalas pouch for six to seven months. 6. A, B and C. You can judge
are not very sociable. Each that the characters see
Unit 24C PAGE 88 something that shocks them
koala stays in its home range
and does not share it with any because they gasp and drop
1. B. The text is online and set
other koalas. down to hide. You can judge
up to give news about what’s
that they think it’s better to
4. D. Without food, animals happening at The Sanctuary.
hide than run because they
cannot exist. Koalas only eat 2. A. The text is factual. It gives
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

both automatically hide.

eucalypts. information. Because they hide, you can
5. B, C and D. You can judge 3. A and D. The text is informal, judge that they might be in
that the writer is well friendly and chatty. It is online danger.
informed about the situation so the audience is wide and
facing the koala and believes consists of people not Unit 25B PAGE 90

it’s possible to save the koala, personally known to the 1. potholes

that it’s important to save the writer.
2. impatiently
koala and that the government 4. A and B. Text 1 presents one
needs to take action. 3. excitedly
side of the issue and a

125
Year 4 Advanced English—Answers
 4. bitumen 5. B. In Text 1 it’s likely that the 6. A.
5. Suggested answers: discover, indentations could be 7. C.
discovering, undiscovered, footprints. So the length
8. B.
discoverable between them will tell the
animal’s stride or gait. Text 2 9. the artificial supply of water to
6. A. land
tells readers that if you know
7. B. the stride, you can predict the 10. C.
8. C. height or size of an animal. 11. B.
9. recesses in the surface of 6. D. The writer is indifferent. 12. their
something The text is factual. There are 13. C.
10. B. no opinions evident. There is
14. constantly
11. D. no emotive language.
15. Windmills, which pumped
12. his 7. Responses will vary.
water onto the land, were used
13. B. Unit 26A PAGE 92 in Australia.
14. definitely or
1. C. See lines 7–9.
15. The potholes, which were ten Windmills, which were used
2. C. See lines 8–9.
metres apart, measured 45 cm. in Australia, pumped water
3. B. You can infer that this is a onto the land.
or
photo of a Dutch windmill.
ANSWERS

The potholes, which measured 16. B.

4. A, B, C and D. You can work
45 cm, were ten metres apart. 17. The Great Artesian Basin lies
out from the text that
or underneath NT, SA, NSW
windmills can pump water in
The potholes measured 45 cm and Qld.
all four suggested ways.
and were ten metres apart. 18. Kinderdijk is a United Nations
5. D. You can judge that the
16. B. World Heritage Site.
Kinderdijk windmills were of
17. “Let me think!” snapped Peter. major importance to people Unit 26C PAGE 94

18. “We went fishing with living along the coast of the
Netherlands in the past. 1. A. The text explains the
Louella’s dad,” said Anton.
reason for Kinderdijk’s name.
6. A, B and D. You can judge
Unit 25C PAGE 91
that nature did not intend for 2. A.
1. C. Text 2 begins with the topic coastal wetlands or lowlands 3. D.
sentence ‘The Macmillan to be used as farmland because 4. D. Text 1 gives information
Dictionary defines gait as the people have to continually about windmills in the past.
way that something walks.’ find ways to hold back the sea 5. C. There is no mention of a
The text informs readers water (A). Clever inventions cat in Text 1.
about gait. (technology) such as windmills
6. A. You should judge that the
2. A. Text 1 is a narrative. The
helps in managing natural
writer is indifferent. Emotive
text introduces readers to two events such as flooding (B and
language is not used and
characters and a complication D). C is incorrect because not
opinions are not given.
(a problem to be solved). all agricultural land will
always flood. 7. Responses will vary.
3. B. The text is a third-person
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

narrative. The writer tells what Unit 26B PAGE 93

Unit 27A PAGE 95

Peter and Anton think and 1. D. See lines 18–19.

feel so, although A and C are 1. famous
2. ancient 2. A. See lines 5–6.
also true, B is the best answer.
3. Heritage 3. B. You can infer that animals
4. D. This answer best
eat the plastic because they
summarises the narrative so 4. Artesian
think it’s food. A is incorrect
far. 5. Suggested answers: fame, because the plastic doesn’t kill
famously, infamous, defame, them instantly. The text says
defamation that plastic kills them slowly.

126
Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English—Answers
4. C. The whale was killed by the Unit 27C PAGE 97 Unit 28B PAGE 99
zoologists who then discovered
1. A, B and C. The article does 1. genius
the plastic in its stomach.
not include the writer’s opinion. 2. Principal
5. D. It only includes the quoted
3. scenes
6. A. You can judge that Dr opinions of Dr Pedersen.
Pedersen is kind and 4. victim
2. B. Mother and daughter share
compassionate because she one point of view. Different 5. Suggested answers: bully,
uses emotive language when points of view are not bullied, bullies
she says ‘The plastic would’ve discussed. 6. B.
caused it immense pain. No 7. A.
3. A and B.
wonder it beached itself. Poor
thing.’ 4. D. To pledge is to promise or 8. A.
commit to something. 9. vivid, expressive, interesting
Unit 27B PAGE 96 or imaginative words used to
5. B. “Ew” expresses disgust as in
1. Tonnes “That’s gross”. describe
2. plankton 6. The photo supports Text 1 as 10. A.
well as Text 2. The photo 11. C.
3. poisonous
reminds readers/viewers that 12. her
4. Zoologists the ocean is home to creatures
13. she’s

ANSWERS
5. Suggested answers: pollute, that are harmed by plastic.
polluting, polluted, 14. really
7. Responses will vary.
unpolluted, pollutant 15. Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey,
6. B. Unit 28A PAGE 98 who is also bullied, is lovely to
B. (A speck is smaller than a Matilda.
7. 1. B. See line 5.
piece.) or
2. C and D. See lines 4 and 8.
8. C. Matilda’s teacher Miss Honey
3. D. You can infer that
is lovely to Matilda and is also
9. weak and in poor health Alejandro recognises Mrs
bullied.
because of a lack of nutritious Trunchbull is mean to call
food Bruce names. A is only part 16. C.
10. C. of the answer. 17. Matilda and Miss Honey
D. You can infer that became friends.
11. B. 4.
Alejandro thinks people who 18. “Matilda is a funny story,”
12. its
are bullies deserve to be agreed Cooper.
13. would’ve.
punished.
14. likely Unit 28C PAGE 100
5. A, B and C. You can judge
15. Dr Astrid Pedersen, who is a that Alejandro enjoys reading 1. Paragraph 1: C. Paragraph 2:
zoologist from Sweden, good books. He empathises A. Paragraph 3: B.
examined the whale. with characters. He enjoys 2. B. Alejandro gives his own
or humour in stories. There is no opinions and reasons. Other
Dr Astrid Pedersen, a evidence in the text that answers are incorrect. He does
zoologist from Sweden, Alejandro only likes not try to tell others what to
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

examined the whale. humorous stories. think (A). He does not retell
16. A. 6. C. You can judge that a the story (C). Readers can
satisfactory ending is one infer that he doesn’t like
17. “Poor thing,” said Dr Astrid
where the good characters bullying but he doesn’t explain
Pedersen.
have a happy ending, the bad why (D).
18. The article was written on
characters get punished and 3. C.
3 February.
any loose ends are tied up so
or readers know what happened
The article was written on 3rd to all the characters.
February.

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Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English—Answers
 4. A, B and C. You should judge 8. B. positive that the future can be
that after reading what saved. D is incorrect as only
9. organic material that can be
Alejandro has to say about Damon mentions recycling.
burned for energy
Matilda, readers are likely to 7. Responses will vary.
10. B. (The others are worsened
wonder what happens in the
by climate change.) Unit 30A PAGE 104
end (A); will want to read the
book for themselves (B); and 11. C.
1. D. See line 3.
have decided whether or not 12. our
2. C. See lines 9–10.
to read the book for 13. It’s
3. C. You can infer that the
themselves (C). D could also 14. definitely writer’s great-grandfather is
be correct—some readers
15. We need to listen to scientists now best at storytelling
might think Alejandro sounds
who can tell us how to prevent because the writer likes to visit
likeable.
further climate change. and hear stories of the olden
5. A and D. These answers are
or days.
true of both texts. B and C
We need to listen to scientists 4. A. You can infer that the best
only apply to Text 1.
because they can tell us how answer is A because it allows
6. Responses will vary.
to prevent further climate for fondness as well as interest.
7. Responses will vary. change. D is true but only mentions
16. A. an interest in his stories. B and
ANSWERS

Unit 29A PAGE 101

C are incorrect because the
17. Damon said, “It’s not too late
1. C. See lines 4–5. writer does not make any
to save you, planet Earth.”
2. C. See lines 5–6. judgements about life or
18. Coal, oil and gas are fossil rabbit shooting in the olden
3. A and D. You can infer that fuels. days.
Damon repeats ‘Scientists tell
us’ to reinforce his opinion Unit 29C PAGE 103 5. A. You can judge that
and to let readers know that ‘marbles’ means mental
1. B. faculties (brain power).
scientific evidence will back
up his opinions. 2. A, B and C. Text 1 provides 6. C. You can judge that only C
information as well as the is true. The other statements
4. A and B. writer’s thoughts and feelings. are not supported by evidence
5. A, B and D. You can judge 3. Paragraph 1 gives the opening in the text. Rabbit shooting
that climate change affects the thesis statement. Paragraph 2 gave the family income and
planet so global action is argues in favour of the topic. food.
required. C is incorrect as no Paragraph 3 gives the
one needs climate change. argument against the topic. Unit 30B PAGE 105

6. A, B, C and D. There is Paragraph 4 gives the 1. business

evidence in the text to show conclusion.
that all answers are correct. 2. potatoes
4. A, B, C and D are all facts in
3. affordable
Unit 29B PAGE 102 the text.
4. Thyme
5. C. Both texts cite evidence
1. resources 5. Suggested answers: taste,
that climate change is
tasted, tasteful, tastiness,
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

2. cyclones preventable.
3. Countries tasting, tasteless
6. A. Both writers are arguing
4. processed for a greater effort towards a 6. B.
5. Suggested answers: renew, sustainable future. B is 7. B.
renewing, renewed, non- incorrect because only Damon 8. D.
renewable says what he is doing at home. 9. equipped with a motor
C is incorrect as neither writer
6. A. 10. B.
expresses concern that Earth
7. D. is doomed; both writers seem

128
Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English—Answers
11. C. 5. C. People in the past released 11. C. ‘Flight or fight’ is an
12. his rabbits on purpose and people expression that means escape
in the present are trying to or stand your ground.
13. can’t
remove them from the 12. If the narrator had thought
14. certainly landscape. This shows that about it, they would not have
15. The writer’s great-great- opinions about rabbits have gone closer to the spaceship
grandmother, who liked to changed over time. because that wasn’t a sensible
look her best, wore a rabbit- 6. D. The thesis statement is thing to do.
skin stole. ‘Rabbits are a problem in
or NAPLAN-style Conventions
Australia.’ The text continues
of Language Test 4 PAGE 109
The writer’s great-great- with information telling how
grandmother liked to look her and why rabbits are a 1. sometimes
best so she wore a rabbit-skin problem. The text has a 2. frightened
stole. concluding paragraph.
3. They’re
16. B. 7. Responses will vary.
4. happened
17. The writer said, “Mum’s stew
NAPLAN-style 5. sandwiches
was tasty.” Reading Test 4 PAGES 107–108
or 6. different
The writer said Mum’s stew 1. C. See lines 13–16. 7. C.

ANSWERS
was tasty. 2. C. See line 10. 8. B.
18. The stole was made of rabbits’ 3. D. You can infer that aliens 9. C.
fur. might have different methods 10. A.
of making sounds from
Unit 30C 11. B and C.
PAGE 106 humans. Their sounds could
have been made though 12. (1) A. (2) C.
1. A.
blowholes, like cetaceans 13. A.
2. C. Text 1 describes the family
(aquatic mammals such as 14. D.
members and some aspects of
dolphins and whales).
their lives in the past.
4. B. You can infer that scientists
3. Prior to the First Fleet: no
are excited. They are keen to
rabbits in Australia
communicate with alien life
1788: rabbits brought here on forms. There’s no mention of
the First Fleet concern or fear.
1870s: some rabbits released 5. A and B.
into the wild
6. C. This answer is most likely.
1920: 10 billion rabbits
destroying the Australian 7. A, B and D. You can judge
landscape that A and B are true. D is
also likely because the image
1950: the mixoma virus,
and headline imply that aliens
spread by mosquitoes to kill
have landed.
rabbits, worked well for a time
8. No, because aliens have not
© Pascal Press ISBN 978 1 74125 650 5

1995: the Calicivirus released

been seen.
to kill rabbits
Current: rabbit numbers 9. A.
continue to increase 10. D. An animal blinded by the
4. C and D. Text 2 provides
sudden appearance of
historical information and headlights becomes confused
includes significant dates in and frightened, not knowing
history. where to run or what to do.

129
Advanced Skills: Year 4 Advanced English—Answers