Overview

This set of 20 advanced comprehension questions is tailored for students preparing for the 11+ exam. These questions challenge students to engage with more complex passages, requiring them to interpret themes, make inferences, and draw on vocabulary and grammatical understanding to answer. The focus is on critical thinking, detailed comprehension, and analytical reasoning.

Sample Passage and Questions

Sample Passage:

The river flowed steadily through the valley, its surface glistening under the midday sun. Along the banks, tall trees cast their shadows on the water, while birds fluttered in the branches above. A fisherman stood by the water’s edge, patiently waiting for a catch, his rod still in the quiet afternoon air. In the distance, children’s laughter echoed from a nearby village, mixing with the soft hum of nature.

Sample Questions:

  1. What time of day is described in the passage?
  • a) Morning
  • b) Afternoon
  • c) Evening
  • d) Night
  1. How does the author describe the river’s flow?
  • a) Rapidly and violently
  • b) Calmly and steadily
  • c) Erratically and noisily
  • d) Quietly but turbulently

Answers: 1) b) Afternoon, 2) b) Calmly and steadily

Questions

Passage 1

In the heart of the city, there was a small, hidden café that very few people knew about. Its walls were covered in ivy, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted out into the quiet street. Inside, the air was warm and cosy, and a few regulars sat by the windows, sipping their drinks and reading their books. The owner, an elderly man with a kind smile, quietly went about his work, serving each customer with care and attention.

Questions

  1. How does the passage describe the café’s location?
  2. What is the atmosphere inside the café?
  3. What can you infer about the café’s owner from the passage?

Passage 2

The castle stood atop the highest hill, its towers reaching up into the sky. For centuries, it had watched over the surrounding lands, witnessing the rise and fall of kings and queens. Inside, its halls were grand but empty, the sound of footsteps echoing through the stone corridors. At night, the wind howled through the castle, making it seem as though the walls themselves were alive with whispers from the past.

Questions

  1. How does the author describe the castle’s position in the landscape?
  2. What has the castle “witnessed” over time?
  3. How does the passage create a sense of mystery about the castle?

Passage 3

The garden was a riot of colour. Bright yellow daffodils, deep purple irises, and vibrant red tulips stood proudly in the sunshine. The bees buzzed busily from flower to flower, collecting nectar, while butterflies fluttered through the air. At the back of the garden, a small wooden bench sat in the shade of an old oak tree, offering a quiet place to rest and watch the world go by.

Questions

  1. Which flowers are mentioned in the passage?
  2. What does the passage suggest about the mood in the garden?
  3. What is the significance of the bench at the back of the garden?

Passage 4

High in the mountains, the air was thin and crisp. The peaks, dusted with snow, gleamed in the early morning light, and the valleys below were shrouded in mist. A lone hiker made his way along the narrow path, his breath visible in the cold air. He paused for a moment, taking in the vast landscape before him, feeling both exhilarated and insignificant in the face of nature’s grandeur.

Questions

  1. How does the author describe the air in the mountains?
  2. How does the hiker feel as he pauses to look at the landscape?
  3. What contrast does the passage create between the hiker and the natural world?

Passage 5

The sea stretched out endlessly, a shimmering blue expanse under the midday sun. Waves lapped gently against the shore, their rhythmic sound a soothing backdrop to the cries of seagulls overhead. A small boat rocked gently in the harbour, tethered to the dock. Fishermen sat nearby, mending their nets, speaking in low voices as they prepared for the next day’s catch.

Questions

  1. How does the author describe the sea’s appearance?
  2. What activity are the fishermen engaged in?
  3. How does the passage create a peaceful atmosphere?

Advanced Comprehension Questions

Passage 6

Long ago, in a time forgotten by most, a mighty forest stood where now there is only barren land. This forest was said to be home to creatures of great wisdom and power, creatures who could speak the language of men and guide them on paths unseen. Many travellers sought the forest, hoping to find answers to their deepest questions, but few returned. Those who did spoke of a deep, ancient magic that lived among the trees, a magic that watched, waited, and sometimes, whispered.

Questions

  1. What is said to have once existed in the barren land?
  2. What did travellers seek in the forest?
  3. How does the passage create an air of mystery and magic?

Passage 7

The marketplace buzzed with life. Vendors called out to passers-by, advertising their goods—fresh fruits, handmade jewellery, and colourful fabrics. The air was filled with the scent of spices and grilled meat, and the sound of music floated through the crowd. In the centre of the square, a group of musicians played, drawing a crowd of onlookers who clapped along with the rhythm.

Questions

  1. How does the passage describe the atmosphere in the marketplace?
  2. What sensory details does the author use to bring the scene to life?

Answers

Passage 1

  1. The café is described as small and hidden, suggesting it is not well-known.
  2. The atmosphere is warm, cosy, and quiet, with only a few regulars present.
  3. The owner is portrayed as kind and attentive, showing care for his customers.

Passage 2

  1. The castle is described as being on the highest hill, overseeing the surrounding lands.
  2. The castle has witnessed the rise and fall of kings and queens over the centuries.
  3. The passage uses the empty halls and the howling wind at night to create a sense of mystery.

Passage 3

  1. The flowers mentioned are daffodils, irises, and tulips.
  2. The mood in the garden is peaceful and lively, with bees buzzing and butterflies fluttering.
  3. The bench offers a place for quiet reflection, suggesting it’s a peaceful retreat.

Passage 4

  1. The air is described as thin and crisp, indicating a cold, fresh atmosphere.
  2. The hiker feels exhilarated but also insignificant in the vastness of the landscape.
  3. The passage contrasts the hiker’s smallness with the grandeur and immensity of nature.

Passage 5

  1. The sea is described as a shimmering blue expanse, stretching endlessly.
  2. The fishermen are mending their nets and preparing for the next day’s catch.
  3. The peaceful atmosphere is created through descriptions of gentle waves, the cries of seagulls, and the calm activity of the fishermen.

Passage 6

  1. A mighty forest is said to have once existed.
  2. Travellers sought the forest for answers to their deepest questions.
  3. The passage uses phrases like “ancient magic” and “whispered” to create a mysterious and magical atmosphere.

Passage 7

  1. The atmosphere is lively and bustling, full of activity and noise.
  2. The author uses sensory details such as the scent of spices, the sound of music, and the sight of colourful goods to bring the marketplace to life.

This advanced comprehension set encourages students to engage with deeper meaning, inferential thinking, and more complex vocabulary, helping them prepare for the demands of the 11+ exam.