Section A: Reading Comprehension (10 marks)
Read the passage below and answer the following questions:
Text: Cole’s Kingdom
After arriving at Grandma Jenny’s house, Cole and his family began sorting out her belongings, ready for her to move out. Cole had the special task of clearing out the attic.
The attic was long and gloomy, filled with mixed-up shapes and threatening angles. Faint light seeped in from three grimy skylights, and the air was thick with dust. Fresh rain tapped lightly on the roof, and wind whipped through the trees outside. Cole felt far away from everyone, as if the world and everything in it were trapped within the attic.
As Cole flicked on an old light switch, he was amazed. Instead of dusty old boxes, the attic was a treasure trove. There were cupboards made of dark wood, engraved with leaves and flowers, stuffed with ancient books, silver cups, and brass ornaments. He opened a chest to find clothes from what looked like Victorian times, and in another chest, a collection of antique jewellery.
Cole found himself tiptoeing around the objects, feeling like he was walking through a sleeping world. His fingers brushed against a wooden rocking horse that seemed so lifelike it gave him a start. He felt like he was trespassing in a forgotten, magical kingdom.
As he explored further, something sparkled beneath a pile of old blankets. Cole cautiously pulled at it, revealing what looked like a beautiful piece of jewellery, possibly a crown, hidden away for years.
Why was Cole in the attic?
