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La Rioja PAU English (UR) study materials
La Rioja PAU English (UR) study resources

La Rioja PAU English (UR) practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension

In the La Rioja PAU English exam, a reading-comprehension item asks you to identify the main idea of a short article about urban gardening. Which approach best captures the text's main idea rather than a supporting detail?

  1. Summarise the overall point the writer builds across the whole passage, including the conclusion. Correct answer.
  2. Copy the first sentence of the article, since introductions always state the thesis.
  3. Quote the longest paragraph verbatim as the answer.
  4. Select the sentence containing the most statistics about vegetable yields.

Explanation

The main idea is the central claim the writer develops from the opening through the closing, so it must be stated as a whole-text summary. First sentences may be hooks, statistics are usually supporting evidence, and a long paragraph is not automatically the thesis.

Question 2Reading comprehension

A PAU reading task asks: 'According to the text, what reason does the author give for the rise in cycling?' The relevant lines say cycling rose 'chiefly because new bike lanes made commuting safer.' Which answer is correct?

  1. Government advertising campaigns
  2. Better weather conditions
  3. Improved safety from new bike lanes Correct answer.
  4. Rising fuel prices

Explanation

The question asks for the reason stated in the text, and the passage explicitly attributes the rise to safer commuting created by new bike lanes. Any option not mentioned in those lines is unsupported even if plausible in real life.

Question 3Reading comprehension

In the PAU English reading section, a question uses the phrase 'the writer implies that...'. What kind of answer does this require?

  1. A general fact about the world unrelated to the passage.
  2. The reader's personal opinion about the topic.
  3. A direct quotation copied exactly from a single line.
  4. A conclusion drawn from clues in the text rather than a sentence stated word for word. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Implies' signals an inference: the answer follows logically from evidence in the text but is not written explicitly. Direct quotations answer 'states' questions, while personal opinion and outside facts fall outside reading comprehension.

Question 4Reading comprehension

A PAU passage contains the sentence: 'The council's plan was met with lukewarm enthusiasm.' Which restatement best preserves the meaning of 'lukewarm enthusiasm'?

  1. Complete and hostile rejection
  2. Overwhelming and passionate approval
  3. Mild, unenthusiastic support Correct answer.
  4. Total indifference with no reaction at all

Explanation

'Lukewarm' literally means only slightly warm, and figuratively means half-hearted, so 'lukewarm enthusiasm' is mild or limited support. It is neither strong approval nor outright rejection, and it still involves some response rather than none.

Question 5Reading comprehension

The PAU reading paper asks you to find a word in the text that means 'very large in size or amount'. In the passage, the word appears in: 'The city faces an enormous challenge in reducing traffic.' Which word is the answer?

  1. reducing
  2. challenge
  3. traffic
  4. enormous Correct answer.

Explanation

The task requires locating a synonym for 'very large in size or amount', and 'enormous' carries exactly that meaning. The other words are nouns or a verb unrelated to size or quantity.

Question 6Reading comprehension

A PAU item asks which statement is true according to a passage about remote work. The text says: 'Most employees reported higher productivity at home, although managers remained sceptical.' Which option is supported?

  1. Employees generally felt more productive, but managers were doubtful. Correct answer.
  2. Productivity fell for most employees.
  3. Managers were convinced that productivity had risen.
  4. All employees preferred working from home.

Explanation

The sentence states two facts: most employees reported higher productivity and managers stayed sceptical. The correct option combines both accurately, while the others contradict or exaggerate the text.

Question 7Reading comprehension

In the PAU reading test, a question reads: 'What is the author's attitude towards fast fashion?' The passage criticises its environmental cost but notes some brands are improving. Which description fits best?

  1. Openly enthusiastic
  2. Entirely approving
  3. Completely neutral
  4. Critical but balanced Correct answer.

Explanation

The author criticises environmental damage yet acknowledges improvement, which shows a critical but balanced stance. Tone questions require weighing both negative and positive signals rather than picking an extreme.

Question 8Reading comprehension

A PAU reading question asks you to choose the best title for a passage about how a small town revived its economy through a local festival. Which title best reflects the whole text?

  1. Why Tourism Is Always Risky
  2. How a Festival Revived a Town Correct answer.
  3. The History of Festivals in General
  4. A Guide to Planning Events

Explanation

A good title captures the specific focus of the passage: a festival's role in reviving one town's economy. The other titles are either too general or introduce topics the passage does not develop.

Question 9Reading comprehension

A PAU passage states: 'Unlike her brother, who dreaded exams, Marta approached every test with composure.' What can be inferred about Marta?

  1. She failed most of her exams.
  2. She remained calm during exams. Correct answer.
  3. She was more anxious than her brother.
  4. She refused to take exams.

Explanation

'Composure' means calmness and self-control, and the contrast with a brother who dreaded exams reinforces that Marta stayed calm. The text gives no information about results or refusal, and the contrast rules out greater anxiety.

Question 10Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading passage, the pronoun 'they' appears in: 'Scientists studied the bees and recorded how they reacted to heat.' What does 'they' refer to?

  1. The records
  2. The heat levels
  3. The scientists
  4. The bees Correct answer.

Explanation

Pronoun reference questions require matching the pronoun to the nearest logical antecedent. Here 'they reacted to heat' describes the bees' behaviour, and scientists are the ones doing the recording, so 'they' refers to the bees.

Question 11Reading comprehension

A PAU item asks you to identify the function of the sentence 'In other words, the problem is not lack of money but lack of planning' within its paragraph. What is its function?

  1. It restates the previous idea in clearer terms. Correct answer.
  2. It provides a counter-argument to the whole passage.
  3. It introduces a completely new topic.
  4. It gives a statistical example.

Explanation

The marker 'in other words' signals a paraphrase or clarification of what came before. It does not shift topic, oppose the passage, or supply statistics, so its function is restatement.

Question 12Reading comprehension

A PAU passage says: 'The museum, which opened in 1990, attracts thousands of visitors.' According to the text, when did the museum open?

  1. In 1990 Correct answer.
  2. Before 1990
  3. The text does not say
  4. After 2000

Explanation

The non-defining relative clause 'which opened in 1990' supplies the date directly, so the answer is 1990. Distractors invent alternative dates or deny that information is present, but the passage states it clearly.

Question 13Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading task, the word 'sustainable' appears in 'sustainable tourism'. Which definition best matches its use here?

  1. Able to continue without damaging resources Correct answer.
  2. Requiring constant government funding
  3. Extremely profitable in the short term
  4. Popular only with young travellers

Explanation

In environmental and economic contexts, 'sustainable' means able to be maintained long term without depleting resources. Profitability, funding needs and age of travellers are unrelated to this core meaning.

Question 14Reading comprehension

A PAU passage argues: 'Banning plastic bags alone will not solve ocean pollution; we must also rethink packaging and recycling.' Which statement best summarises the writer's position?

  1. Plastic bags are the only cause of ocean pollution.
  2. Tackling pollution requires broader measures than a single ban. Correct answer.
  3. Recycling should be abandoned as ineffective.
  4. Banning bags is unnecessary and should stop.

Explanation

The writer says one measure is insufficient and calls for additional action on packaging and recycling, which is a call for broader measures. The passage does not claim bags are the sole cause, reject recycling, or oppose bans outright.

Question 15Reading comprehension

A PAU question asks what the writer suggests by saying 'the new policy was a drop in the ocean'. Which interpretation is correct?

  1. The policy was extremely effective.
  2. The policy had only a tiny effect compared with what is needed. Correct answer.
  3. The policy caused serious flooding problems.
  4. The policy concerned maritime law.

Explanation

'A drop in the ocean' is an idiom meaning a very small, insufficient amount. It is figurative, so it does not refer to actual water or flooding, and it implies limited rather than great effect.

Question 16Reading comprehension

In a PAU passage, the connector 'nevertheless' appears: 'The journey was exhausting; nevertheless, the team reached the summit.' What relationship does 'nevertheless' express?

  1. Contrast with what came before Correct answer.
  2. A chronological sequence
  3. Addition of a similar idea
  4. A cause-and-effect link

Explanation

'Nevertheless' introduces a statement that contrasts with the preceding difficulty, meaning 'in spite of that'. It does not add a similar point, show causation, or mark time order.

Question 17Reading comprehension

A PAU reading item asks you to decide whether the statement 'The article claims that online learning is suitable for every student' is true or false. The article says online learning 'works well for some, but not all, learners.' What is the correct answer?

  1. True, because the article praises online learning.
  2. True, because the article mentions students.
  3. False, because the article never mentions online learning.
  4. False, because the article says it suits only some learners. Correct answer.

Explanation

The statement says 'every student', but the text limits suitability to 'some, but not all', so the statement is false. Recognising quantifiers like 'every' versus 'some' is essential in true/false reading items.

Question 18Reading comprehension

In a PAU passage about a novelist, the text says she 'drew on her childhood in a rural village' for her stories. What does 'drew on' mean here?

  1. Criticised harshly
  2. Sketched pictures of
  3. Used as a source of inspiration Correct answer.
  4. Moved away from

Explanation

'Draw on' means to use something as a resource or source, so here it means she used her childhood as inspiration. It has nothing to do with drawing pictures, leaving, or criticising.

Question 19Reading comprehension

A PAU item presents the sentence: 'Not only did the volunteers clean the beach, but they also raised funds for local wildlife.' What does this sentence emphasise?

  1. The volunteers failed to raise funds.
  2. The volunteers did two significant things. Correct answer.
  3. The volunteers only cleaned the beach.
  4. The volunteers worked alone.

Explanation

The 'not only... but also' structure adds a second achievement to the first, emphasising that both actions occurred. It does not limit the volunteers to one action, deny the fundraising, or comment on working alone.

Question 20Reading comprehension

A PAU reading passage contains: 'Had the town invested earlier, the flood defences would have been ready.' What does this sentence imply about the town?

  1. It never needed flood defences.
  2. It is planning to invest in the future.
  3. It invested early, so the defences were completed.
  4. It did not invest early enough, so the defences were not ready. Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the town invested'), describing an unreal past situation. It implies the town did not invest early and consequently the defences were not ready.

Question 21Reading comprehension

In a PAU passage, the writer notes that a study's sample was small and self-selected. What is the writer's purpose in mentioning these details?

  1. To question how far the study's findings can be generalised Correct answer.
  2. To praise the researchers' careful sampling method
  3. To explain the statistical formulas used
  4. To prove the study's conclusions are completely correct

Explanation

Pointing out a small, self-selected sample is a way of highlighting limitations, which undermines how widely the results can be applied. It does not support the conclusions, praise the method, or explain formulas.

Question 22Reading comprehension

A PAU text says: 'While the critics praised the film's cinematography, they were less generous about its script.' Which statement accurately reflects the text?

  1. The critics praised the script above all else.
  2. The critics liked the visuals more than the writing. Correct answer.
  3. The critics ignored the film entirely.
  4. The critics disliked the visuals and the writing equally.

Explanation

The concessive 'while' contrasts strong praise for cinematography with weaker enthusiasm for the script, so the visuals were better received. The other options invert this contrast or deny any review took place.

Question 23Reading comprehension

A PAU passage states: 'Rarely has a local initiative attracted such widespread support.' Which paraphrase keeps the meaning?

  1. It is unusual for a local initiative to gain this much support. Correct answer.
  2. The initiative attracted very little support.
  3. Local initiatives frequently attract this level of support.
  4. Support for the initiative has never been measured.

Explanation

Fronted 'rarely' with inversion emphasises that such broad support is uncommon for a local initiative. It does not mean support is frequent or minimal, nor does it question whether support was measured.

Question 24Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading passage, the author describes a politician's promises as 'castles in the air'. What does the author suggest about these promises?

  1. They are carefully costed and practical.
  2. They are unrealistic and unlikely to be achieved. Correct answer.
  3. They have already been fulfilled.
  4. They concern building and architecture.

Explanation

'Castles in the air' is an idiom for plans or hopes that are imaginative but impractical and unlikely to be realised. It is figurative, so it does not refer to real buildings, and it implies the opposite of practical or fulfilled promises.

Question 25Reading comprehension

A PAU item asks you to infer the writer's view from: 'Supporters of the scheme point to its low cost; opponents, however, argue that it delivers little of value.' Which inference about the writer is most defensible?

  1. The writer firmly opposes the scheme.
  2. The writer considers the debate irrelevant.
  3. The writer firmly supports the scheme's low cost.
  4. The writer presents both sides without clearly endorsing either. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence balances supporters' cost argument against opponents' value argument with neutral reporting verbs, so the safest inference is that the writer reports both sides without committing. Claiming firm support or opposition goes beyond the evidence.

Question 26Reading comprehension

A La Rioja PAU reading passage contains: 'The volunteers had barely finished planting the vines when the first frost arrived.' What does the sentence imply about the timing of the frost?

  1. It arrived several weeks after the planting was completed.
  2. It arrived at exactly the same moment as the planting began.
  3. It came long before the volunteers began planting.
  4. It came almost immediately after the planting was done. Correct answer.

Explanation

The construction 'had barely ... when' signals that the second event happened very soon after the first, with almost no interval between them. The past perfect 'had finished' places the planting first, and 'barely' stresses how little time passed before the frost.

Question 27Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading text, the phrase 'the council's decision was met with a lukewarm response' appears. What does 'lukewarm' convey about public reaction?

  1. People reacted with great excitement.
  2. People reacted with complete indifference and did not notice.
  3. People reacted with open hostility.
  4. People reacted without much enthusiasm. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Lukewarm' literally describes something only slightly warm and is used figuratively to mean mild or unenthusiastic. It sits between enthusiasm and hostility, indicating a restrained, unimpressed reaction rather than strong feeling either way.

Question 28Reading comprehension

A passage states: 'The festival, originally a modest village gathering, now draws visitors from across Europe.' Which detail does the text give about the festival's past?

  1. It has always attracted international tourists.
  2. It began as a small local event. Correct answer.
  3. It was cancelled for several years before returning.
  4. It was founded by European institutions.

Explanation

The phrase 'originally a modest village gathering' identifies its early form as small and local. 'Now draws visitors from across Europe' contrasts the present with that past, so the historical detail is its modest local origin.

Question 29Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading passage, the sentence 'The report stops short of recommending a total ban' appears. What is the report's position?

  1. It recommends a ban but only for a limited period.
  2. It explicitly demands an immediate and total ban.
  3. It suggests measures but avoids calling for a complete prohibition. Correct answer.
  4. It rejects any form of regulation whatsoever.

Explanation

The idiom 'stop short of' means to go almost as far as something but not actually do it. Here the report comes close to recommending a total ban but holds back, so it proposes measures without demanding complete prohibition.

Question 30Reading comprehension

A text about a vineyard reads: 'Yields fell sharply in 2023, a consequence of the drought that had parched the region the previous summer.' What caused the drop in production?

  1. A decision to reduce planting deliberately
  2. An outbreak of disease among the vines
  3. A sudden frost in the spring of 2023
  4. A drought during the preceding summer Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence explicitly attributes the fall in yields to 'the drought that had parched the region the previous summer'. The past perfect places the drought before the 2023 harvest, so it is the stated cause.

Question 31Reading comprehension

A passage contains: 'The new library is not merely a place to borrow books; it has become the town's living room.' What does this comparison emphasise?

  1. The library lends furniture as well as books to residents.
  2. The library is quieter and more comfortable than people's homes.
  3. The library functions as a social meeting space for the community. Correct answer.
  4. The library has replaced all other public buildings in the town.

Explanation

Calling the library 'the town's living room' is a metaphor for a shared, comfortable communal space where people gather. The contrast with 'not merely a place to borrow books' reinforces that its role goes beyond lending.

Question 32Reading comprehension

In a PAU passage, the writer says: 'It would be naive to assume that technology alone can close the achievement gap.' What is the writer doing with this statement?

  1. Describing a study that measured the achievement gap
  2. Praising schools that have invested heavily in devices
  3. Proving that technology has no place in education
  4. Warning against an oversimplified belief about technological solutions Correct answer.

Explanation

Calling a belief 'naive' signals that the writer considers it simplistic, and 'technology alone' implies other factors are also needed. The sentence therefore cautions the reader against expecting a single technical fix.

Question 33Reading comprehension

A text states: 'Whereas the coastal towns depend heavily on summer tourism, the inland villages rely on agriculture throughout the year.' What contrast does the text draw?

  1. Northern regions versus southern regions
  2. Seasonal tourist income versus year-round farming income Correct answer.
  3. Rich coastal towns versus poor inland villages
  4. Old industries versus newly created jobs

Explanation

The conjunction 'whereas' sets up a contrast between two economic bases: summer-dependent tourism on the coast and all-year agriculture inland. The opposition is between seasonal and continuous sources of income.

Question 34Reading comprehension

A passage reads: 'The scheme was praised in principle, though few municipalities put it into practice.' What situation does the sentence describe?

  1. General approval that was rarely acted upon Correct answer.
  2. A plan that was implemented everywhere without objection
  3. Confusion about what the scheme actually required
  4. Widespread rejection of the scheme by municipalities

Explanation

'Praised in principle' indicates approval in theory, while 'though few ... put it into practice' shows that implementation was rare. The sentence contrasts theoretical support with limited real application.

Question 35Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading passage, the writer remarks: 'The museum's new wing is impressive, if somewhat impersonal.' How should the comment be understood?

  1. The wing is neither impressive nor impersonal.
  2. The wing is impersonal only according to some visitors.
  3. The wing is impressive because it is impersonal.
  4. The wing is impressive but has a slightly cold quality. Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure 'adjective, if somewhat + adjective' concedes a mild drawback while maintaining the main positive judgement. So the writer finds the wing impressive but detects a slightly cold, impersonal quality in it.

Question 36Reading comprehension

A text says: 'By the time the rescue team arrived, the hikers had already found shelter.' What does the sentence tell us about the order of events?

  1. The rescue team arrived before the hikers found shelter.
  2. The hikers found shelter before the rescue team arrived. Correct answer.
  3. The hikers and the rescue team arrived at the same time.
  4. The hikers found shelter only after being rescued.

Explanation

The past perfect 'had already found' marks the earlier action, and 'by the time ... arrived' marks the later one. The sequence is therefore shelter first, rescue team second.

Question 37Reading comprehension

In a passage, the word 'harvest' appears in: 'The cooperative decided to harvest the olives earlier than usual.' Which use of 'harvest' matches this meaning?

  1. Collecting data for a research project
  2. Storing equipment for the winter
  3. Gathering a crop from the fields Correct answer.
  4. Receiving an award for an achievement

Explanation

In this sentence 'harvest' is a verb meaning to gather a ripening crop, here olives. The other options use or invent figurative senses that do not fit the agricultural context.

Question 38Reading comprehension

A PAU passage states: 'The author's latest novel has divided critics, some hailing it as a masterpiece while others dismiss it as self-indulgent.' What does the text report about critical opinion?

  1. Critics have largely ignored the novel.
  2. Critics unanimously consider the novel a masterpiece.
  3. Critics agree that the novel is poorly written.
  4. Critics disagree strongly about the novel's quality. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Divided critics' plus the contrasting reactions ('hailing it as a masterpiece' versus 'dismiss it as self-indulgent') show sharp disagreement. The text reports both extremes without endorsing either.

Question 39Reading comprehension

A text contains: 'The government pledged to cut emissions, a promise that environmental groups described as too little, too late.' What do the environmental groups think of the pledge?

  1. It is generous and timely.
  2. It is insufficient and comes after the damage is done. Correct answer.
  3. It is unnecessary because emissions are already falling.
  4. It is legally binding and well funded.

Explanation

The idiom 'too little, too late' means an effort is both inadequate in size and made after the useful moment. The groups therefore regard the pledge as insufficient and overdue.

Question 40Reading comprehension

In a passage about urban planning, the writer notes: 'Pedestrianising the centre reduced traffic, but shopkeepers reported a fall in takings.' What does the sentence present?

  1. A plan supported unanimously by businesses
  2. A benefit accompanied by an unexpected drawback Correct answer.
  3. A policy that failed on every measure
  4. A change with no measurable consequences

Explanation

The sentence sets a positive outcome (less traffic) against a negative one (lower takings), using 'but' to signal the counterpoint. This presents a mixed result rather than outright success or failure.

Question 41Reading comprehension

A PAU text says: 'Scholars have long debated whether the painting is authentic; the latest analysis, far from settling the question, has only deepened the controversy.' What is the effect of the latest analysis?

  1. It has made the dispute more intense rather than resolving it. Correct answer.
  2. It has been rejected by scholars as unreliable.
  3. It has ended the debate by disproving the painting.
  4. It has finally proved the painting's authenticity.

Explanation

The phrase 'far from settling the question' denies resolution, and 'has only deepened the controversy' states that the dispute has intensified. The analysis thus aggravates rather than concludes the debate.

Question 42Reading comprehension

In a reading passage, the pronoun 'it' appears in: 'The committee reviewed the proposal and rejected it after lengthy discussion.' What does 'it' refer to?

  1. The proposal Correct answer.
  2. The discussion
  3. The rejection
  4. The committee

Explanation

Pronoun reference is resolved by looking at the nearest preceding noun that fits the verb. You reject a proposal, not a committee or a discussion, so 'it' refers to 'the proposal'.

Question 43Reading comprehension

A passage reads: 'The volunteers, many of whom had never worked in conservation before, restored several kilometres of dry-stone walls.' What does the text indicate about the volunteers?

  1. Most of them were new to conservation work. Correct answer.
  2. All of them were experienced conservationists.
  3. They worked mainly on building new walls.
  4. They were paid professionals hired for the task.

Explanation

The non-defining relative clause 'many of whom had never worked in conservation before' tells us that a large share of the volunteers lacked prior experience. The main clause reports what they achieved, not their professional status.

Question 44Reading comprehension

A PAU passage states: 'Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind; most species see quite well, and many also navigate by echolocation.' What is the writer correcting?

  1. A belief that bats are becoming extinct
  2. A scientific theory about how echolocation works
  3. A common misconception about bats' eyesight Correct answer.
  4. A rumour that bats attack humans

Explanation

'Contrary to popular belief' introduces a correction of a widespread assumption, and the clause that follows refutes the idea that bats are blind. The writer affirms that they see well and also use echolocation.

Question 45Reading comprehension

In a text, the writer observes: 'The more the town invested in cycle lanes, the fewer cars appeared in the centre.' How is the relationship between the two trends presented?

  1. As a single event that happened once
  2. As a cause of increased car use
  3. As an unrelated coincidence
  4. As two changes that developed in parallel Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'the more ... the fewer ...' construction expresses a proportional relationship in which two trends move together over time. It presents investment and reduced car numbers as parallel developments.

Question 46Reading comprehension

A passage says: 'The professor's explanation was so convoluted that even her colleagues struggled to follow it.' What does 'convoluted' suggest about the explanation?

  1. It was inaccurate and misleading.
  2. It was brief and to the point.
  3. It was excessively complicated and hard to follow. Correct answer.
  4. It was delivered in a foreign language.

Explanation

'Convoluted' describes something extremely intricate and difficult to follow, which is confirmed by colleagues struggling to understand it. The word concerns complexity, not accuracy or length.

Question 47Reading comprehension

A PAU passage contains: 'Had the subsidies been available earlier, many small farms would have survived.' What does the sentence suggest?

  1. The subsidies were never needed by the farms.
  2. The farms received subsidies and thrived.
  3. The farms failed because support came too late. Correct answer.
  4. The farms survived thanks to early subsidies.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the subsidies been available'), describing an unreal past situation. It implies the subsidies were not available in time and that this timing caused the farms to fail.

Question 48Reading comprehension

In a passage, the writer notes: 'Attendance at the annual fair has risen steadily since the organisers moved it to the spring.' What can be inferred about the timing change?

  1. It coincided with a sustained increase in visitors. Correct answer.
  2. It was reversed after one year.
  3. It caused attendance to fall sharply.
  4. It had no effect on the number of visitors.

Explanation

'Has risen steadily since' links a continuous increase to the moment the fair was moved, implying the change in timing coincided with growing attendance. The text states the correlation without proving a strict cause.

Question 49Reading comprehension

A text reads: 'The novel is less a detective story than a meditation on memory and loss.' What is the writer's main point about the novel?

  1. Its central interest lies in memory and loss rather than in detection. Correct answer.
  2. It is equally balanced between crime and memory.
  3. It is a conventional detective story with a strong plot.
  4. It fails because it has no clear theme.

Explanation

The 'less X than Y' construction shifts emphasis from the first category to the second. The writer therefore classifies the novel primarily as a reflection on memory and loss, with the detective element secondary.

Question 50Reading comprehension

In a passage, the writer says: 'The council's pledge to plant a thousand trees was welcome, however modest it seemed beside the scale of the problem.' How does the writer regard the pledge?

  1. Neutrally, without any evaluation
  2. Positively, while acknowledging its limited scale Correct answer.
  3. Angrily, as a deliberate deception
  4. Negatively, as a pointless gesture

Explanation

'Welcome' expresses approval, and 'however modest it seemed' concedes that the measure is small relative to the problem. The writer thus welcomes the pledge while recognising its limits.