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WACE English practice questions

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Question 1Reading and comprehension of texts

A student reads a short story and is asked to identify its central concern. Which term describes the main idea or underlying message the text communicates about life or human experience?

  1. Setting
  2. Theme Correct answer.
  3. Plot
  4. Motif

Explanation

Theme refers to the central idea or insight about life that a text conveys, often implied rather than stated directly. It differs from plot, which is the sequence of events, and from setting, which is where and when events occur. A motif is a recurring element that may support a theme but is not the theme itself.

Question 2Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The wind clawed at the shutters and screamed through every gap in the walls.' Which technique is the writer using?

  1. Simile
  2. Personification Correct answer.
  3. Alliteration
  4. Hyperbole

Explanation

Personification gives human qualities or actions to non-human things. Here the wind is described as clawing and screaming, which are human or animal actions attributed to a natural force. A simile would require an explicit comparison using 'like' or 'as', which is absent here.

Question 3Reading and comprehension of texts

A newspaper article opens with a brief anecdote about one family affected by rising rents before presenting statistics. What is the main purpose of opening with this anecdote?

  1. To prove the statistics are inaccurate
  2. To engage readers emotionally before presenting evidence Correct answer.
  3. To summarise the article's conclusion
  4. To introduce an opposing viewpoint

Explanation

Writers often open with a personal story to create an emotional connection and draw readers into an abstract issue. The anecdote humanises the topic so the later statistics feel relevant. It does not function as proof, summary, or counter-argument in this position.

Question 4Reading and comprehension of texts

Which of the following best describes the role of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

  1. It states the paragraph's main idea Correct answer.
  2. It concludes the whole essay
  3. It provides a supporting statistic
  4. It introduces a counter-argument

Explanation

A topic sentence announces the main idea that the rest of the paragraph develops and supports. Supporting details, evidence, and examples follow it. It does not conclude an entire essay or necessarily introduce a counter-argument.

Question 5Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this passage: 'Although the council approved the new cycleway, construction will not begin until funding is secured.' What does the passage suggest about the cycleway?

  1. It was rejected by the council
  2. It is already under construction
  3. It has been permanently cancelled
  4. It is approved but not yet guaranteed to proceed Correct answer.

Explanation

The concessive 'although' signals that approval has occurred, while the clause about funding indicates a condition still to be met. Together they imply the project is approved but its start depends on money. The passage does not state cancellation, rejection, or that work has begun.

Question 6Reading and comprehension of texts

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. She packed three items, a map: a torch and a water bottle.
  2. She packed three items: a map, a torch and a water bottle. Correct answer.
  3. She packed three items a map, a torch: and a water bottle.
  4. She packed: three items a map, a torch and a water bottle.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list or explanation after a complete clause. In the correct sentence, 'She packed three items' is a full clause and the colon introduces the list that follows. The other versions place the colon mid-list or interrupt the clause incorrectly.

Question 7Reading and comprehension of texts

A writer describes a character's trembling hands and rapid, shallow breathing during an interview. What technique is the writer using to convey the character's state?

  1. Physical description as indirect characterisation Correct answer.
  2. Flashback
  3. Direct statement of emotion
  4. Dialogue

Explanation

Indirect characterisation reveals a character's feelings through observable actions and physical details rather than naming the emotion. Trembling hands and shallow breathing let readers infer nervousness. Direct statement would simply say the character was anxious.

Question 8Reading and comprehension of texts

In a persuasive text, which feature most clearly signals an appeal to the reader's emotions rather than logic?

  1. A step-by-step logical argument
  2. A table of comparative costs
  3. A cited research report
  4. Vivid language describing suffering Correct answer.

Explanation

Emotional appeals, or pathos, rely on vivid and evocative language that stirs feelings such as sympathy or outrage. Research reports, logical arguments, and cost tables appeal to reason and evidence instead. Vivid descriptions of suffering are the clearest emotional signal among the choices.

Question 9Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this extract: 'The old library stood at the corner, its windows boarded and its steps cracked with age.' What mood does the description primarily create?

  1. Celebratory
  2. Humorous
  3. Chaotic and frantic
  4. Neglected and melancholy Correct answer.

Explanation

Details such as boarded windows and cracked steps suggest decay and neglect, creating a melancholy mood. The description is static and quiet rather than frantic or celebratory. Nothing in the extract invites humour.

Question 10Reading and comprehension of texts

A student is comparing two opinion pieces on school uniforms. Which approach best demonstrates analysis rather than summary?

  1. Counting the number of paragraphs in each piece
  2. Explaining how each writer's choice of evidence shapes their argument Correct answer.
  3. Quoting the first sentence of each article
  4. Listing each writer's main points in order

Explanation

Analysis examines how writers construct meaning, including how their selection and use of evidence influences the reader. Simply listing points or quoting openings summarises content without interpreting technique. Counting paragraphs describes structure superficially rather than analysing effect.

Question 11Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'Not everyone who owns a library card reads regularly.' Which statement is logically supported by the sentence?

  1. Most library card holders read regularly
  2. Nobody who owns a library card reads regularly
  3. Some library card holders do not read regularly Correct answer.
  4. Only people without cards read regularly

Explanation

The phrase 'not everyone' means that at least one person in the group does not fit the description, so some card holders do not read regularly. It does not claim that most do read, that none read, or anything about people without cards. The claim is deliberately limited in scope.

Question 12Reading and comprehension of texts

An author writes a travel piece using first-person narration and frequent sensory details. What is the most likely effect of these combined choices?

  1. It creates an immersive and personal perspective Correct answer.
  2. It suggests the events are fictional
  3. It distances the reader from the experience
  4. It makes the account seem objective and scientific

Explanation

First-person narration draws readers into the writer's viewpoint, while sensory details make places and experiences vivid. Together they create an immersive, personal account. They do not distance readers or make the writing seem scientific or fictional.

Question 13Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this paragraph: 'Sales of electric cars rose sharply last year. Charging stations remain scarce in rural areas. Many drivers still hesitate to switch.' What is the relationship between these sentences?

  1. Chronological sequence of events
  2. Problem and solution
  3. Contrast between growth and remaining obstacles Correct answer.
  4. Cause and effect, where scarcity caused sales to rise

Explanation

The paragraph sets strong sales growth against persistent barriers such as scarce charging stations and driver hesitation. This juxtaposition creates a contrast between progress and remaining difficulties. No causal link, timeline, or solution is stated.

Question 14Reading and comprehension of texts

Which option correctly identifies the difference between a fact and an opinion?

  1. Facts only appear in scientific texts
  2. An opinion is always false
  3. A fact is always more interesting than an opinion
  4. A fact can be verified, while an opinion expresses a judgement or belief Correct answer.

Explanation

A fact is a statement that can be checked or verified against evidence, whereas an opinion expresses a personal judgement, belief, or evaluation. Opinions are not necessarily false, and facts appear across many text types. Interest and text genre do not define the distinction.

Question 15Reading and comprehension of texts

A writer repeats the phrase 'we cannot wait' three times in a short speech. What is the most likely rhetorical effect?

  1. It creates urgency and emphasises the message Correct answer.
  2. It signals the speech is ending
  3. It introduces a new topic each time
  4. It suggests the speaker is uncertain

Explanation

Repetition, or anaphora when phrases begin successive clauses, reinforces a message and builds emotional momentum. Repeating 'we cannot wait' stresses urgency and insistence. It does not convey uncertainty, introduce separate topics, or necessarily mark a conclusion.

Question 16Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The committee's decision, widely criticised by parents, was announced on Monday.' What does the sentence imply about the decision?

  1. It was made by parents
  2. It has not yet been announced
  3. It was popular with parents
  4. It attracted significant public disapproval Correct answer.

Explanation

The embedded phrase 'widely criticised by parents' indicates substantial disapproval of the decision. The main clause confirms it was announced on Monday. The sentence does not say parents made the decision or that it was popular.

Question 17Reading and comprehension of texts

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. I admired the flowers while walking through the park.
  2. The flowers, which I admired while walking, were beautiful.
  3. Walking through the park, I admired the flowers.
  4. Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful to me. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory phrase does not logically connect to the subject of the main clause. In the first sentence, 'walking through the park' appears to describe 'the flowers', which cannot walk. The other sentences attach the modifier to a sensible subject.

Question 18Reading and comprehension of texts

A review states: 'The film's slow pacing is either a daring artistic choice or a failure of nerve.' What is the function of this sentence?

  1. It provides statistical evidence
  2. It frames the issue as a binary choice Correct answer.
  3. It quotes the director
  4. It presents a balanced conclusion

Explanation

The 'either...or' construction presents two opposed interpretations as the only possibilities, framing the issue as a binary. This rhetorical framing can oversimplify by excluding middle positions. The sentence offers no statistics, quotation, or settled conclusion.

Question 19Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this extract: 'He had promised himself he would never return. Yet here he was, twenty years later, standing at the same gate.' Which technique is most evident?

  1. An unreliable narrator
  2. Irony created by the gap between intention and outcome Correct answer.
  3. Foreshadowing of a future event
  4. Direct characterisation through description

Explanation

Irony arises when an outcome contradicts an expectation or intention, as when a character's firm promise is reversed by later events. The gap between 'never return' and his actual return creates this effect. The extract does not foreshadow a future event, directly name traits, or establish unreliability.

Question 20Reading and comprehension of texts

An article about climate policy uses the phrase 'so-called experts' when referring to scientists. What does this phrasing most likely signal about the writer's stance?

  1. Support for stricter policy
  2. Respect for scientific authority
  3. Neutral reporting of facts
  4. Scepticism toward the experts' credibility Correct answer.

Explanation

The modifier 'so-called' implicitly questions whether the people described genuinely deserve the label, conveying scepticism or dismissal. This loaded language reveals the writer's stance rather than neutral reporting. It does not signal respect for authority or clear support for policy.

Question 21Reading and comprehension of texts

A student must evaluate the strength of an argument in an editorial. Which question is most useful for testing the argument's reasoning?

  1. How many readers agree with it?
  2. How long is the editorial?
  3. Who designed the page layout?
  4. Does the evidence actually support the conclusion drawn? Correct answer.

Explanation

Evaluating an argument requires checking whether the evidence genuinely supports the conclusion and whether hidden assumptions are sound. Length, layout, and popularity do not establish logical strength. Popularity in particular is not evidence of validity.

Question 22Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this passage: 'The report notes a decline in literacy rates. It attributes this to reduced library funding, though it concedes that other factors may contribute.' Which statement best captures the report's position?

  1. Library funding is the sole cause of the decline
  2. Literacy rates have risen despite funding cuts
  3. The report rejects any link between funding and literacy
  4. Library funding is a likely contributor among several possible factors Correct answer.

Explanation

The report attributes the decline to reduced funding while conceding that other factors may also contribute. This makes funding a probable but not exclusive cause. The concession rules out claims of sole causation or outright rejection of the link.

Question 23Reading and comprehension of texts

A satirical article praises a politician's 'remarkable consistency' while describing contradictory statements. What allows the reader to recognise the satire?

  1. The article uses formal vocabulary
  2. The article mentions a politician
  3. The literal meaning matches the facts presented
  4. The praise conflicts with the evidence, signalling irony Correct answer.

Explanation

Satire often says the opposite of what it means, so apparent praise becomes criticism when it clashes with the evidence given. Recognising this depends on detecting the gap between surface meaning and implied meaning. Formal vocabulary or the subject matter alone does not create satire.

Question 24Reading and comprehension of texts

Two texts describe the same protest. Text A calls participants 'concerned residents'; Text B calls them 'a disruptive mob'. What does this difference most clearly demonstrate?

  1. That both texts use identical framing
  2. How word choice positions readers to evaluate the same events differently Correct answer.
  3. That one text is factually accurate and the other is not
  4. That the protest did not occur

Explanation

The contrasting labels carry different connotations, one sympathetic and one hostile, which shape how readers judge the same group. This illustrates how lexical choice constructs perspective. The labels alone do not establish which account is factually accurate.

Question 25Reading and comprehension of texts

An author interrupts a chronological narrative with a scene set years earlier that explains a character's fear. What is the primary function of this structural choice?

  1. To conclude the story
  2. To introduce a new narrator
  3. To confuse the reader deliberately
  4. To slow the pace and provide motivating background Correct answer.

Explanation

A flashback pauses the forward movement of a narrative to supply earlier events that explain present behaviour. Here it clarifies the source of the character's fear, adding motivation and depth. It is not inherently confusing, does not necessarily change narrators, and does not conclude the story.

Question 26Reading and comprehension of texts

A student reads a short story and asks: 'What is the main idea the author wants me to take away?' Which reading skill is the student using?

  1. Skimming for specific details
  2. Identifying the central theme Correct answer.
  3. Evaluating the author's bias
  4. Analysing sentence structure

Explanation

Identifying the central theme means determining the overarching message or insight the text conveys, which is exactly what the student is asking for. Skimming for details, analysing grammar, and evaluating bias are different reading skills that focus on surface information, form, or perspective rather than the main idea.

Question 27Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The hikers reached the summit at noon, exhausted but triumphant.' Which word best describes the tone of the sentence?

  1. Celebratory Correct answer.
  2. Sarcastic
  3. Neutral
  4. Melancholic

Explanation

The words 'triumphant' and 'exhausted' together convey a sense of achievement and positive accomplishment, which creates a celebratory tone. Melancholic would suggest sadness, sarcastic would imply mockery, and neutral would lack emotional colouring.

Question 28Reading and comprehension of texts

In a narrative, a character says one thing but the reader knows the character means the opposite. What is this technique called?

  1. Foreshadowing
  2. Flashback
  3. Dramatic irony Correct answer.
  4. Metaphor

Explanation

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader understands a situation better than the characters do, often because a character's words contrast with what the reader knows to be true. Foreshadowing hints at future events, flashback interrupts to show past events, and metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two things.

Question 29Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this paragraph: 'The new policy will reduce waiting times. It will also lower costs for families. Most importantly, it will save lives.' What is the main purpose of the paragraph?

  1. To persuade readers to support the policy Correct answer.
  2. To compare two different policies
  3. To describe a policy in neutral detail
  4. To entertain readers with a story

Explanation

The paragraph lists benefits in a way that builds toward a strong emotional and practical appeal, which is characteristic of persuasive writing. It does not tell a story, present neutral description, or compare policies.

Question 30Reading and comprehension of texts

Which of the following is a statement of fact rather than opinion?

  1. Canberra has the best restaurants in the country.
  2. Canberra is the most beautiful city in Australia.
  3. Everyone should visit Canberra at least once.
  4. Canberra is the capital city of Australia. Correct answer.

Explanation

A fact is a statement that can be verified objectively, such as a city's status as a capital, which is a matter of public record. The other options use evaluative words like 'most beautiful', 'should', and 'best', which express personal judgments and cannot be proven true or false.

Question 31Reading and comprehension of texts

A writer wants to show that a character is nervous without stating it directly. Which technique would best achieve this?

  1. Describing her tapping foot and stammering speech Correct answer.
  2. Stating 'She was nervous' in the narration
  3. Using a footnote to explain her anxiety
  4. Having another character say 'She is nervous'

Explanation

Showing rather than telling involves using observable actions, dialogue, and sensory details to imply a character's emotional state. Describing physical behaviours such as a tapping foot and stammering allows readers to infer nervousness, which is more engaging than direct statements.

Question 32Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The wind whispered through the trees.' Which literary device is used?

  1. Hyperbole
  2. Personification Correct answer.
  3. Onomatopoeia
  4. Simile

Explanation

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things; here the wind is described as 'whispering', which is a human action. A simile uses 'like' or 'as', hyperbole is exaggeration, and onomatopoeia uses words that imitate sounds.

Question 33Reading and comprehension of texts

When reading an argumentative essay, which element is most essential for understanding the writer's position?

  1. The number of examples used
  2. The length of the paragraphs
  3. The thesis statement Correct answer.
  4. The title of the essay

Explanation

The thesis statement expresses the main claim or position that the essay will argue, making it the key to understanding the writer's stance. Titles may be suggestive but are not always explicit, while paragraph length and number of examples are structural features that do not define the position.

Question 34Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this extract: 'The city at night was a sea of lights, each window a tiny beacon of hope.' Which two figurative devices are used?

  1. Metaphor and simile
  2. Simile and hyperbole
  3. Personification and onomatopoeia
  4. Metaphor and personification Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'was a sea of lights' is a metaphor comparing the city to a sea without using 'like' or 'as'. Calling each window 'a tiny beacon of hope' personifies the window by attributing hope, a human quality, to it. There is no simile because no comparison uses 'like' or 'as', and no hyperbole or onomatopoeia is present.

Question 35Reading and comprehension of texts

A textbook chapter uses headings, bullet points, and bolded key terms. What is the main purpose of these features?

  1. To hide the author's opinion
  2. To increase the word count
  3. To help readers locate and remember information Correct answer.
  4. To make the text more entertaining

Explanation

Headings, bullet points, and bold terms are organisational and emphasis devices that guide readers to key information and aid retention. They are not primarily for entertainment, concealment, or padding.

Question 36Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The scientist's findings were met with scepticism, not because they were flawed, but because they challenged established beliefs.' What does the sentence suggest about the reception of the findings?

  1. The findings were ignored because they were poorly presented.
  2. The findings were doubted due to their revolutionary nature. Correct answer.
  3. The findings were immediately accepted by the scientific community.
  4. The findings were rejected because they contained errors.

Explanation

The sentence explicitly states that scepticism arose 'not because they were flawed, but because they challenged established beliefs', meaning the doubt was due to the challenge to orthodoxy. It does not say the findings were flawed, accepted, or ignored.

Question 37Reading and comprehension of texts

Which of the following best describes the function of a counterargument in a persuasive text?

  1. To acknowledge an opposing view and then refute it Correct answer.
  2. To weaken the writer's own position
  3. To provide additional evidence for the main claim
  4. To summarise the main points of the argument

Explanation

A counterargument acknowledges a opposing viewpoint and is typically followed by a refutation that strengthens the writer's own position. It is not meant to weaken the writer's stance, provide direct evidence, or summarise the argument.

Question 38Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this extract from a review: 'The novel's plot is as tangled as a ball of yarn after a kitten has played with it.' What is the effect of this simile?

  1. It emphasises how confusing and disordered the plot is. Correct answer.
  2. It suggests the plot is simple and straightforward.
  3. It implies the plot is entertaining and playful.
  4. It indicates the plot is carefully structured.

Explanation

The simile compares the plot to a tangled ball of yarn, which conveys confusion and disorder. It does not suggest simplicity, playfulness (the kitten is part of the comparison but the focus is on the tangle), or careful structure.

Question 39Reading and comprehension of texts

A student is reading a news article and wants to check whether it is balanced. Which question would be most helpful?

  1. Is the article written in the first person?
  2. Is the article printed in a colourful format?
  3. Does the article include quotations from both sides of the issue? Correct answer.
  4. Does the article use long words?

Explanation

Balance in a news article often involves presenting multiple perspectives, such as quotations from both sides of a debate. Formatting, vocabulary complexity, and person are not reliable indicators of balance.

Question 40Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The committee, having reviewed all submissions, announced its decision.' What is the grammatical function of 'having reviewed all submissions'?

  1. It is a main clause.
  2. It is an independent clause.
  3. It is a prepositional phrase.
  4. It is a participial phrase modifying 'the committee'. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'having reviewed all submissions' is a participial phrase that describes what the committee had done before announcing its decision, so it modifies 'the committee'. It is not a main or independent clause because it cannot stand alone as a sentence, and it is not a prepositional phrase.

Question 41Reading and comprehension of texts

Which of the following sentences uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The recipe requires flour; sugar; and eggs.
  2. I wanted to go to the party; but I had too much homework.
  3. He ran quickly; to catch the bus.
  4. She enjoys reading; her brother prefers sports. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, as in 'She enjoys reading; her brother prefers sports.' The other options misuse the semicolon with a conjunction, in a list, or before a dependent phrase.

Question 42Reading and comprehension of texts

An author writes: 'The politician's speech was a masterpiece of evasion, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.' What is the author's attitude toward the speech?

  1. Admiring
  2. Neutral
  3. Critical Correct answer.
  4. Confused

Explanation

The phrase 'masterpiece of evasion' and the allusion to 'sound and fury, signifying nothing' indicate that the author views the speech as empty and evasive, which is a critical attitude. Admiration would be praise, neutrality would lack judgment, and confusion would suggest uncertainty.

Question 43Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this passage: 'The study found that students who read for pleasure daily scored higher on vocabulary tests. However, the researchers cautioned that correlation does not imply causation.' What does the caution mean?

  1. The relationship between reading and vocabulary may not be causal. Correct answer.
  2. Vocabulary tests are unreliable measures of reading ability.
  3. Reading for pleasure definitely causes higher vocabulary scores.
  4. Students should not read for pleasure.

Explanation

The phrase 'correlation does not imply causation' means that even though two variables are associated, one may not cause the other; other factors could be involved. It does not assert a definite causal link, question the tests, or advise against reading.

Question 44Reading and comprehension of texts

Which of the following best explains why an author might use short, simple sentences in a tense action scene?

  1. To slow down the narrative for reflection
  2. To create a sense of rapid pace and urgency Correct answer.
  3. To provide detailed background information
  4. To demonstrate the author's large vocabulary

Explanation

Short sentences can quicken the pace and create a feeling of urgency or tension, mirroring the action. They are less suited to detailed background, reflective slowing, or showcasing vocabulary.

Question 45Reading and comprehension of texts

A student is analysing a poem and notices that the poet repeats the word 'never' at the start of three consecutive lines. What is this technique called?

  1. Anaphora Correct answer.
  2. Caesura
  3. Enjambment
  4. Assonance

Explanation

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines, which is exactly what the poet is doing with 'never'. Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence across a line break, caesura is a pause within a line, and assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds.

Question 46Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this sentence: 'The CEO's announcement was met with a chorus of groans from the employees.' What does the phrase 'a chorus of groans' suggest?

  1. The employees sang in harmony.
  2. The announcement was well received.
  3. The employees were confused by the announcement.
  4. Many employees expressed dissatisfaction simultaneously. Correct answer.

Explanation

The metaphor 'a chorus of groans' implies that many employees groaned together, indicating widespread dissatisfaction. It does not suggest singing, positive reception, or confusion.

Question 47Reading and comprehension of texts

In a film review, the writer states: 'The director's obsession with visual spectacle comes at the expense of character development.' What does the reviewer imply?

  1. The director should make more films.
  2. The film prioritises visuals over characters. Correct answer.
  3. The film's visuals are poor.
  4. The characters are well developed.

Explanation

The phrase 'comes at the expense of character development' means that the focus on visual spectacle has reduced the attention given to characters. It does not imply poor visuals, well-developed characters, or a recommendation for more films.

Question 48Reading and comprehension of texts

Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

  1. She admired the flowers while walking through the park.
  2. Walking through the park, she admired the flowers.
  3. The flowers were beautiful as she walked through the park.
  4. Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the subject that the modifier is intended to describe is missing or unclear. In 'Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful', the introductory phrase seems to modify 'the flowers', implying the flowers were walking, which is illogical. The other sentences have clear subjects.

Question 49Reading and comprehension of texts

Read this passage: 'The historian's account is meticulously researched, yet it reads like a novel, carrying the reader along on a tide of vivid detail.' What is the effect of the mixed metaphor 'carrying the reader along on a tide of vivid detail'?

  1. It conveys that the book is both engaging and rich in detail. Correct answer.
  2. It suggests the book is difficult to understand.
  3. It implies the book is fictional.
  4. It indicates the book is poorly researched.

Explanation

The metaphor of a tide carrying the reader suggests being swept along effortlessly, which conveys engagement, while 'vivid detail' indicates richness of information. The passage also states the book is meticulously researched, so it is not difficult, fictional, or poorly researched.

Question 50Reading and comprehension of texts

A student reads two articles about a new law. Article A states: 'The law will burden small businesses with unnecessary red tape.' Article B states: 'The law will provide essential protections for workers.' Which statement best describes the difference between the two articles?

  1. Article A is longer than Article B.
  2. Article A focuses on economic impact, while Article B focuses on social impact. Correct answer.
  3. Article A is factual, while Article B is opinionated.
  4. Article B is more objective than Article A.

Explanation

Article A frames the law in terms of burden on small businesses (economic impact), while Article B frames it in terms of worker protections (social impact). Both use evaluative language, so neither is purely factual or objective, and length is not indicated.