SC Reading Comprehension

What is meant by ‘the reality of unemployment is pretty stark.’? (lines 64 – 66)

• For young adults, flexibility in the job market is essential. 

• For young adults, unemployment is a grim aspect of modern society. 

• Young adults are not committed to pursuing a career. 

• Young adults are not fully aware of the problems of unemployment. 

What tone is displayed by Hugh Mackay in the question, ‘(If you had applied unsuccessfully for 200 jobs, as a respondent in one of my recent research projects had, what would you do next?)’? (lines 72 – 76)

• Critical
  

• Hopeful
  

• Neutral
  

• Sympathetic 

What figure of speech is used in the quotation, ‘shaking the very foundations of the institution of marriage.’? (lines 80 – 82) io

• Alliteration

• Metaphor
  

• Personification 

• Simile 

What is the tone of the question, ‘Do you imagine that contemporary children and adolescents exchange information about their parents’ marital status in darkly whispered confessions behind their hands?’? (lines 90 – 96)

• Concerned 

• Ironic
  

• Mysterious 

• Shocked 

What does the term ‘gritty realism’ (line 130) tell us about recent writing for young adults?

• It is more sensational writing than ever before. 

• It is written in the present tense and is more accessible. 

• It is about difficult issues confronting today’s youth. 

• It shows young adults that there are positive options in life. 

In lines 125 – 139, what does Hugh Mackay see as a contradiction in the lives of young adults?

• They only embrace gritty realism in books, not in real life. 

• They stay at home longer to avoid life on the streets. 

• They are materialistic but do not want to work for a living. 

• They are street wise but are reliant on others. 

Hugh Mackay states that the symbol of ‘untied laces’ (line 171) is ambiguous because 

• this symbol can represent freedom and uncertainty. 

• this symbol represents the gap between the generations. 

• Hugh Mackay is uncertain of his view. 

• Hugh Mackay does not understand the ‘rising generation’. 

What is the main purpose of the introduction (lines 1–4)?

• To introduce the author of the article 

• To introduce the speaker in the article 

• To describe the journey of Halley’s Comet 

• To describe the appearance of Halley’s Comet 

What do the parentheses used in the expression ‘(the city’s)’ (lines 31–32) tell the reader?

• These words are not important. 

• These words are to be emphasised. 

• These words were not originally said by the speaker. 

• These words were offered by the speaker as an aside. 

What is the meaning of ‘diminished’ (line 43) as it is used in this passage?

• Became visible 

• Decreased in size 

• Was lit by the sun 

• Was less impressive