Text for section A
The Power Beneath the Earth
Deep beneath the Earth's surface, the ground is far from still. Extremely hot,
melted rock called magma moves slowly beneath the Earth's crust. Sometimes,
this magma finds a weak point in the crust and begins to rise towards the surface.
When it escapes, a volcano is formed.
4
Volcanoes can be found on land and beneath the oceans. Some volcanoes are
active and may erupt regularly, while others have been quiet for thousands of
years. During an eruption, a volcano may release lava, ash, rocks and gases. The
lava can be extremely hot and can travel across the land, destroying everything in
its path.
9
However, volcanoes are not always destructive. After an eruption, the ash and
volcanic material can make the soil rich in nutrients. This allows farmers to grow
crops successfully in some areas near volcanoes. In addition, cooled lava can
create new land and even form islands.
13
Scientists who study volcanoes are called volcanologists. They carefully observe
changes in the ground and measure earthquakes and gases around active
volcanoes. These clues can help scientists predict when an eruption might happen.
Although it is impossible to predict every eruption exactly, early warnings can give
people time to move to a safer place.
Volcanoes may seem frightening, but they have helped to shape our planet for
millions of years. From creating mountains and islands to providing rich soil for
farming, these powerful natural features continue to change the world beneath our
feet.
1
Section A: Reading
Spend 30 minutes on this section
Read the Text in the insert, and answer question 1-10.
1. What does the word magma means in the first paragraph? Tick (✓) one box.
A type of soil found near volcanoes
Extremely hot, melted rock
A gas released during an eruption
A weak point in the Earth's crust
[1]
2. Look at paragraph 1.
What happens when magma escapes from the Earth's surface?
[1]
3. Look at paragraph 2.
(a) Give two things that a volcano may release during an eruption.
1.
2.
[2]
(b) What does the phrase “destroying everything in its path” suggest about lava?
[2]
4. Look at paragraph 3.
Give two benefits of volcanoes mentioned in the text.
1.
2.
[2]
2
5. In lines 10-13.
Why can farmers grow crops successfully near some volcanoes?
Reason:
Evidence:
[2]
6. What does the word volcanologist means in the first paragraph?
Tick (✓) one box.
A scientist who studies volcanoes
A person who lives near a volcano
A scientist who studies the weather
A person who predicts earthquakes
[1]
7. Look at paragraph 4.
(a) Which two things do volcanologists observe or measure? Tick (✓) two boxes.
Changes in the ground
The number of farmers near volcanoes
Earthquakes
The weather in other countries
Gases around active volcanoes
[1]
(b) Find a quotation from the text that suggests
why early warnings are important.
[1]
3
8. Look at paragraph 5.
What does the writer mean by “shape our planet”?
[2]
9. Look at paragraph 2, line 6.
Find and copy one word that means “happening often.”
[1]
10. Look at paragraph 3.
Why does the writer begin the paragraph with the word “However”?
[1]
11. Look at paragraph 1.
The writer describes the ground as “far from still.”
What does the writer mean by this phrase?
[1]
12. Match each paragraph to its main idea.
Paragraph 1
How volcanoes can be helpful
Paragraph 2
How volcanoes change the Earth
Paragraph 3
How volcanoes are formed
Paragraph 4
How scientists study volcanoes
Paragraph 5
What happens during a volcanic eruption
[4]
4
13. Look at the whole text.
Do you think the writer believes that volcanoes are only harmful?
Yes
No
Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.
[2]
14.
Which of these is the best summary of the text? Tick (✓) one box.
Volcanoes are dangerous and should always be avoided.
Volcanoes can be destructive, but they also have
benefits and help change the Earth
Scientists can accurately predict every volcanic eruption.
Volcanoes are only found on land.
[1]
Stage 4 English Reading Comprehension
Mark Scheme – The Power Beneath the Earth
Question
Answer
Marks
1
Award 1 mark for:
1
2
• Extremely hot, melted rock
Award 1 mark for:
1
3
• A volcano is formed
Award 1 mark for:
(a) Any two: lava / ash / rocks / gases.
2
4
(b) It suggests that lava can be very destructive and can
destroy things as it moves.
Award 1 mark for:
2
2
5
• It makes soil rich in nutrients.
• It helps farmers grow crops.
• It can create new land.
• It can form islands.
Award 1 mark for:
5
• Because volcanic ash and material make the soil rich in
nutrients.
6
• Quote: After an eruption, the ash and volcanic material can
make the soil rich in nutrients. This allows farmers to grow
crops successfully in some areas near volcanoes.
Award 1 mark for:
7
• A scientist who studies volcanoes
Award 1 mark for:
1
(a) Any two: changes in the ground / earthquakes / gases.
1
(b) early warnings can give people time to move to a safer
place.
1
8
They give people time to move to a safer place before an
eruption.
Award 1 mark for:
2
9
• Volcanoes change the Earth's surface by creating features
such as mountains and islands.
Award 1 mark for:
1
• Regularly.
10
Award 1 mark for:
1
11
• It introduces a contrast between the destructive effects of
volcanoes and their benefits
• It connects the 2 paragraphs
Award up to 2 marks for:
1
• It shows that there is movement/activity beneath the Earth's
surface.
12
Award 1 mark for:
4
Paragraph 1
How volcanoes are formed
Paragraph 2
What happens during a volcanic eruption
Paragraph 3
How volcanoes can be helpful
Paragraph 4
How scientists study volcanoes
Paragraph 5
How volcanoes change the Earth
13
Award up to 2 marks.
2
14
• No. The writer explains that although volcanoes can be
destructive, they can also create rich soil, new land and
islands.
• Yes. Because it destroys the home of people near volcano.
Award up to 2 marks.
1
• Volcanoes can be destructive, but they also have benefits
and help change the Earth.