11+ Comprehension, St Paul's Girls' School: Practice Papers & In-Depth Guided Answers

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As the final strokes of six o'clock resounded from the ornate college clock tower, an air of excitement blanketed the usually serene quadrangle, where a most unusual footrace would presently take place. In the shades of the ancient and revered buildings, young and old donned their finest trousers and shoes in preparation for the exhilarating competition.

Gathered on one side of the quadrangle were the eager spectators, jubilant in anticipation, cheering and applauding the racers with a fervor that seemed almost indecorous within these hallowed walls. Amongst the fascinating palette of characters stood Mr. Nathaniel Brownlow, the respectable master of ceremonies, with the demeanour of a seasoned captain ready to steer the ship through stormy waters.

The racers, in their eccentric assortment of attire, warily approached the starting line, their nerves and excitement palpable. Conversations and witticisms soon gave way to the ceremonious silence as Mr. Brownlow raised his resplendent pocket watch above his head, ready to initiate the race with his melodious signal.

With an air of conspiratorial glee, he proclaimed, "Ready, sirs! On the count of three!" And so, on this auspicious afternoon in Cambridge, the race began with a cacophony of cheers and the pounding footsteps of the young men as they raced around the august courtyards, their feet upsetting the solemn silence that had once been their constant companion.

The front-runners burst forth from the shadow of the great clock tower like a pack of wild stallions, each vying for the victory that would elevate them in the annals of college lore. Their cheeks were the color of a rose in full bloom, and their fervent breaths mingled with the laughter of the onlookers, creating a symphony of unrestrained emotion.

Throughout the winding paths, the racers pushed themselves to the limit, their muscles straining, hearts pounding, and the exhilaration of potential glory driving them ever forward. In the far corner of the quadrangle, one William Marlowe emerged from a grove of sycamore trees, his eyes a beacon of determination.

The finishing line, an invisible boundary between mediocrity and everlasting fame, drew ever nearer. The tense spectators, hope glinting in their eyes, pressed ever closer to beseech the gods of fortune that their chosen champion might be the first to cross this illusory barrier.

As the racers cascaded past the final stretch, the throng of spectators roared with a fervor evocative of the great gladiatorial matches of Rome. And when William Marlowe crossed the finish line first, they rejoiced as if the very heavens had opened up and showered them with the divine blessings of victory.

 

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QUESTIONS

1. The passage describes a footrace through a Cambridge college in the nineteenth century. Describe THREE ways the footrace is shown as a special and unusual event. [3]

2. What do you think the writer means when he refers to Mr. Nathaniel Brownlow's demeanour as 'a seasoned captain ready to steer the ship through stormy waters'? [4]

3. The word 'conspiratorial' comes from the Latin word 'conspirare,' which means 'to blow together.' What do you think the writer means when he describes Mr. Brownlow's glee as 'conspiratorial'? [4]

4. Re-read the description of the racers at the start of the race in paragraph 3: ('The racers, in their...melodious signal'). Choose a phrase from these sentences that you think describes the pre-race atmosphere particularly well and explain why you chose it. [6]

5. Do you think the race's stakes were monetary rewards or something else?What in the passage prompts your answer? [8]

6. Re-read the description of the footrace in paragraphs 5 and 6: ('The front-runners...' to '...a beacon of determination'). What do the writer's choice of words in these sentences suggest about how the racers feel about the competition? [5]

7. Do you find it surprising that such a high-energy footrace took place in a Cambridge college, given the context? Give reasons for your answer, using details from the passage. [7]

8. Based on the passage, do you think the winner of the race, William Marlowe, would be treated with lasting respect and admiration or just momentary praise? Give reasons for your answer, using details from the text. [5]

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Model Answers

1. The passage describes a footrace through a Cambridge college in the nineteenth century. Describe THREE ways the footrace is shown as a special and unusual event. [3]

a) The air of excitement in the usually serene quadrangle sets the scene for an exceptional event that breaks the customary calmness of the college grounds.

b) The eager spectators' cheering and applauding with a fervor that seems almost indecorous emphasizes the uncommon nature of this event taking place within the hallowed walls of the college.

c) Referring to the race as a "most unusual footrace" highlights the fact that this type of competition is atypical and out of the ordinary for the setting and time period.

 

2. What do you think the writer means when he refers to Mr. Nathaniel Brownlow's demeanor as 'a seasoned captain ready to steer the ship through stormy waters'? [4]

The writer's description of Mr. Brownlow likens him to an experienced and capable leader who is prepared to navigate challenges with skill and confidence. The metaphor of steering the ship through stormy waters implies that he possesses the expertise and calmness necessary to maintain control and ensure the success of the event. The passage suggests that his presence lends a level of authority to the event, despite its unusual and energetic nature in the context of the Cambridge college.

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3. The word 'conspiratorial' comes from the Latin word 'conspirare,' which means 'to blow together.' What do you think the writer means when he describes Mr. Brownlow's glee as 'conspiratorial'? [4]

When the writer describes Mr. Brownlow's glee as 'conspiratorial,' the sense is that he is taking part in or orchestrating a secret or shared plan, as if he is going against the typical rules and expectations of the college environment with the footrace. It suggests that there is a level of excitement or pleasure derived from participating in something unexpected or clandestine, making the race even more thrilling for everyone involved. The word, being derived from 'conspirare,' could also imply that there is a sense of unity or togetherness amongst the participants as they engage in this event that goes against the college's usual tranquility.