Year 8 Reading reasoning practice for selective school tests

What the section covers

Finding information

Locating a detail that is stated directly, sometimes in a table or a caption rather than the paragraphs.

Working things out

Answers the text implies but never says — why a character acted, what happened between two paragraphs.

Purpose and audience

Recognising persuasion, bias and tone, and how a writer's choices shape the reader.

Comparing texts

Holding two texts side by side and noticing where they agree, differ or contradict.

Sample questions

8 real questions from our Year 8 papers, covering the different ways this section asks things. Answer the ones you can click; the rest show how they work. Nothing to sign up for.

1. Question 1

   This situation clearly reflects Maya's denial.

   Which word is the best synonym for denial in this sentence?

   AcceptanceRefutationAngerPride

2. Question 2

   How can we complete the new sentence correctly?

   done brilliantly.being brilliant.since she is a top-performing student.being a top-performing student.

3. Question 3

   What is the closest synonym for hyperbolizing?

   Leo has been hyperbolizing the number of players on the opposing team.

   HidingExaggeratingExplainingReacting

4. Question 4

   What central idea is the author trying to convey in the passage?

   Living life on the edge is exciting.Importance of staying physically fit.Importance of discipline in life.Benefits of developing good habits.

5. Question 5

   Which sentence shows the correct punctuation?

   Lucas said, is there any limit to my idiocy? My god I never realised the issue in time.Lucas said, "Is there any limit to my idiocy? My God! I never realised the issue in time."Lucas said is there any limit to my idiocy. My god I never realised the issue in timeLucas said, "is there any limit to my idiocy? my god I never realised the issue in time."

6. Question 6

   From the passage, what best describes Mrs. Dutton?

   generousunpleasantmysteriousunsocial

7. Question 7

   Why did the narrator assume the new residents wouldn't mind noise from the kids?

   The new tenants were loud themselves.The new tenants hardly ever stayed in the house.The new tenants were very kind.The new tenants were hard of hearing.

8. Question 8

   What is the true origin of happiness according to the passage?

   successfriends and relativesinner peacematerial comforts