comprehension 7 - testlife.co.uk

The Mountain Rescue Dog

When Ben first met Jasper, the mountain rescue dog, he expected an energetic animal that enjoyed running through forests. He did not expect a dog capable of helping to save lives.

Ben was visiting the local rescue centre with his aunt, who volunteered there every weekend. While other dogs played in the training field, Jasper remained focused on his handler, waiting patiently for the next instruction.

“Our dogs are trained to search for missing people,” explained Mr Hughes, the team’s leader. “They rely on their powerful sense of smell rather than their eyesight.”

To demonstrate, one of the volunteers disappeared behind a line of trees. A few moments later, Jasper was given a simple command and raced across the hillside. His nose stayed close to the ground as he followed an invisible scent. Within minutes, he stopped beside the hidden volunteer, barking loudly until the rest of the team arrived.

Ben watched in amazement.

“I thought rescue dogs just searched randomly,” he admitted.

Mr Hughes smiled.

“Not at all. Every search follows careful planning. The dogs are highly trained, but teamwork is just as important.”

Before leaving, Ben was allowed to reward Jasper with his favourite rubber ball. As the dog bounded happily across the field, it was difficult to imagine him working so seriously on dangerous mountains only days earlier.

Driving home, Ben realised that true skill often came from long hours of practice. What looked effortless was usually the result of patience, training and trust.

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1 / 15

How did Jasper find the hidden volunteer?

By using his powerful sense of smell.

By listening for sounds.

By following footprints.

By watching from a hill.

By following a map.

The passage explains that Jasper kept his nose close to the ground and followed the volunteer's scent until he found them.

2 / 15

Which sentence best supports the main theme?

Ben was visiting the rescue centre.

His nose stayed close to the ground.

Jasper wagged his tail.

Other dogs played in the training field.

The dogs are highly trained, but teamwork is just as important.

This sentence highlights the central message that successful rescues depend on both highly trained dogs and effective teamwork.

3 / 15

What mistaken idea did Ben have before watching Jasper?

Rescue dogs only worked in forests.

Rescue dogs relied on maps.

Rescue dogs worked alone.

Rescue dogs only worked at night.

Rescue dogs searched randomly without a plan.

Ben admits that he thought rescue dogs simply searched randomly, but he learns that every search is carefully planned.

4 / 15

According to Mr Hughes, what is just as important as the dogs?

Good weather.

Expensive equipment.

Speed.

Teamwork.

Experience.

Mr Hughes explains that although the dogs are highly trained, teamwork is equally important for a successful rescue.

5 / 15

How does Ben's understanding change by the end of the passage?

He decides rescue work is easy.

He realises skill comes from training, patience and trust.

He no longer likes dogs.

He believes luck is most important.

He wants to become a vet.

By the end of the visit, Ben realises that successful rescue work depends on training, patience and trust between dogs and people.

6 / 15

Why does the author include the training demonstration?

To prove that rescue work depends on preparation and skill.

To entertain the visitors.

To advertise the rescue centre.

To compare dogs with wolves.

To explain how forests are protected.

The training demonstration helps readers understand that rescue work relies on preparation, practice and skill rather than luck.

7 / 15

Why does the author describe Jasper happily playing with a rubber ball?

To compare different breeds.

To make the ending humorous.

To explain how dogs are trained.

To show Jasper had finished his training for the day.

To show that working dogs can also be playful.

The ending shows that although Jasper is a highly trained rescue dog, he is also an ordinary playful dog when his work is finished.

8 / 15

The word handler most nearly means

A person who trains and works with an animal.

A visitor.

A dog owner.

A rescue volunteer.

A veterinarian.

In this passage, a handler is the person who trains, controls and works closely with the rescue dog.

9 / 15

Why did Ben visit the rescue centre?

He worked there every weekend.

He was visiting with his aunt, who volunteered there.

He was helping with a rescue mission.

He wanted to adopt a dog.

He was attending a school trip.

The passage states that Ben was visiting the rescue centre with his aunt, who volunteered there every weekend.

10 / 15

What first surprised Ben about Jasper?

He refused to obey commands.

He was much smaller than expected.

He wore a bright orange jacket.

He remained calm and focused instead of being playful.

He barked constantly.

Ben expected Jasper to behave like the other playful dogs, but instead Jasper stayed calm, focused and waited for instructions.

11 / 15

What is the main purpose of Text A?

To explain dog breeds.

To describe mountain holidays.

To persuade readers to buy a rescue dog.

To explain how GPS works.

To entertain while showing the value of training and teamwork.

Text A tells an engaging story while showing readers the importance of training, teamwork and trust in rescue work.

12 / 15

What was Jasper trained to do?

Protect farm animals.

Guard buildings.

Compete in dog shows.

Search for missing people.

Herd sheep.

Mr Hughes explains that the rescue dogs are trained to search for missing people using their powerful sense of smell.

13 / 15

Which title best fits Text A?

Lost in the Mountains.

A Day at the Park.

Jasper's Amazing Nose.

Working Dogs.

Jasper's Important Job.

This title best reflects the story because Jasper's rescue work is at the centre of Ben's visit and what he learns from it.

14 / 15

The word demonstrate most nearly means

Repair.

Hide.

Celebrate.

Observe.

Explain with an example.

Here, 'demonstrate' means to show or explain something by giving a practical example.

15 / 15

Why does Ben describe Jasper differently at the beginning and the end of the story?

Jasper became a completely different dog during the visit.

Ben decided rescue dogs should only work in mountains.

Ben thought all rescue dogs should retire.

Ben realised that rescue dogs can be both hardworking and playful.

Jasper stopped enjoying his rescue work.

Not quite. Ben's opinion changes because he learns more about Jasper's work and behaviour.

Correct! Ben realises that Jasper can be serious while working and playful when relaxing.

At first, Ben expects Jasper to be an energetic dog, but by the end he understands that Jasper is both a highly trained rescue dog and a playful pet when off duty.

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How Search and Rescue Teams Save Lives

Search and rescue teams respond when people become lost or injured in places that are difficult to reach. Their work may involve mountains, forests, rivers or coastal areas where emergency vehicles cannot easily travel.

Many rescue teams include specially trained dogs because their sense of smell is far more powerful than that of humans. Dogs can detect scents carried by the wind or left on the ground, allowing them to locate missing people much more quickly.

However, successful rescues depend on more than the dogs alone. Team members carefully study maps, weather conditions and information about the missing person before deciding where to search. Modern technology, including drones and GPS equipment, also helps rescuers cover large areas safely.

Experts agree that rescue operations are most successful when skilled people, trained animals and modern equipment work together. Each plays an important role in helping to save lives.

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1 / 10

Which statement is true according to the passage?

Drones replace all rescue dogs.

Rescue teams only search in forests.

Weather does not affect rescues.

GPS and drones can support rescue operations.

Dogs rely mainly on eyesight.

The passage states that GPS devices and drones support rescue teams by helping them search difficult areas, while dogs and people continue to play essential roles.

2 / 10

The word detect most nearly means

Follow.

Lose.

Ignore.

Cover.

Find or notice.

In this passage, 'detect' means to find or notice something, such as a scent or clue that helps locate a missing person.

3 / 10

What is the author's main viewpoint?

Maps are no longer useful.

Dogs should always work alone.

Successful rescues depend on people, animals and technology working together.

Technology has made rescue teams unnecessary.

Rescue dogs are the only important part of a rescue team.

The author believes that successful rescues rely on skilled people, trained dogs and modern technology working together as a team.

4 / 10

The author's main purpose is to

Tell an adventure story.

Compare different dog breeds.

Teach people how to train rescue dogs.

Advertise mountain holidays.

Explain how search and rescue teams operate.

Text B explains how search and rescue teams work together, giving factual information about the people, dogs and technology involved.

5 / 10

How does modern technology help rescue teams?

It helps teams search large areas safely.

It trains volunteers.

It predicts accidents.

It chooses the search routes automatically.

It replaces the dogs completely.

The passage explains that GPS devices and drones help rescue teams search large areas more safely and efficiently, but they do not replace people or dogs.

6 / 10

Which word best describes the tone of Text B?

Informative.

Suspenseful.

Mysterious.

Humorous.

Emotional.

The passage presents clear facts and explanations about rescue work, making the tone informative rather than emotional or dramatic.

7 / 10

Where might search and rescue teams work?

Only underground.

Only in deserts.

Mountains, forests, rivers and coastal areas.

Only on beaches.

Only in cities.

The passage explains that search and rescue teams operate in many different environments, including mountains, forests, rivers and coastal areas.

8 / 10

Which sentence best summarises Text B?

Only dogs can find missing people.

Rescue dogs work without people.

Rescue teams combine skilled people, trained dogs and technology to save lives.

Technology has replaced rescue teams.

Modern rescue teams no longer need planning.

This summary includes the main idea that successful rescues depend on skilled people, trained dogs and modern technology working together.

9 / 10

Before beginning a search, team members study

Television reports only.

Rescue dog breeds.

Photographs of mountains only.

Animal tracks.

Maps, weather conditions and information about the missing person.

Before starting a rescue operation, team members carefully examine maps, weather conditions and details about the missing person to plan the search effectively.

10 / 10

Why are dogs valuable to rescue teams?

They can carry heavy equipment.

They can fly drones.

They work without people.

They read maps.

Their sense of smell is much stronger than a human's.

The passage explains that dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to detect scents that humans cannot, making them invaluable during searches.

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1 / 10

Which statement would both writers most likely agree with?

Only experienced adults can help.

Rescue work is easy to learn.

Dogs can replace rescue workers.

Technology alone is enough to save lives.

Rescue work requires training and teamwork.

Both texts emphasise that successful rescue work depends on training, teamwork and cooperation between people and rescue dogs.

2 / 10

How does the purpose of Text A differ from Text B?

Text A explains dog training, while Text B tells an adventure story.

Text A gives instructions, while Text B is a biography.

Text A advertises a rescue centre, while Text B tells a mystery.

Text A tells a personal story, while Text B explains factual information.

Text A is a newspaper report, while Text B is a diary.

Text A tells Ben's personal experience at the rescue centre, while Text B provides factual information explaining how search and rescue teams work.

3 / 10

Which feature appears only in Text B?

A rescue dog finding a volunteer.

A conversation with Mr Hughes.

Information about drones supporting rescue operations.

Ben's visit to the rescue centre.

A training demonstration.

Only Text B includes information about GPS and drones supporting rescue operations. These details do not appear in Text A.

4 / 10

Which feature appears only in Text A?

Description of search areas.

Explanation of rescue planning.

Information about GPS technology.

A character whose understanding changes.

Information about drones.

Only Text A follows a character whose understanding changes during the story. Text B is an informational text without a central character.

5 / 10

What is the main similarity between the two texts?

Both describe a mountain holiday.

Both focus on wild animals.

Both show how trained rescue dogs work with people to help save lives.

Both explain how rescue centres are built.

Both explain how dogs are bred.

Not quite. Think about the role of rescue dogs and the people who work with them.

Correct! Both texts show that trained rescue dogs work with people as part of rescue teams to help save lives.

Both texts show that trained rescue dogs work alongside people to help save lives, highlighting the importance of teamwork in rescue operations.

6 / 10

Which pair of words best describes the tone of each text?

Text A – Humorous | Text B – Dramatic.

Text A – Reflective | Text B – Informative.

Text A – Angry | Text B – Suspenseful.

Text A – Exciting | Text B – Persuasive.

Text A – Mysterious | Text B – Emotional.

Text A is reflective because it shows Ben's changing understanding, while Text B is informative because it explains facts about rescue teams.

7 / 10

Why have these two texts been presented together?

To advertise rescue centres.

To explain how dogs are trained for competitions.

To compare different mountain ranges.

To describe famous rescue dogs.

To compare one person's experience with factual information about search and rescue work.

The texts complement each other by combining one person's experience with factual information, helping readers understand both the personal and practical sides of search and rescue work.

8 / 10

What message is shared by both texts?

Technology is more important than people.

Mountains are too dangerous to explore.

Only dogs can save lives.

Rescue dogs work best alone.

Rescue work succeeds through preparation, skill and cooperation.

Both texts show that rescue work is successful because of careful preparation, skilled training and cooperation between people, dogs and technology.

9 / 10

How do the writers encourage readers to value rescue teams?

Both rely mainly on statistics.

Both use interviews with experts.

Both give instructions.

Text A uses a personal experience, while Text B uses facts and explanations.

Both tell fictional adventures.

Text A encourages readers through Ben's personal experience, while Text B uses factual explanations to show why rescue teams are important.

10 / 10

What is one difference between the two texts?

Text A is about pets, while Text B is about farming.

Text A takes place in a city.

Both describe the same rescue mission.

Text A focuses on Ben's experience, while Text B explains rescue work in general.

Text A discusses GPS, while Text B discusses museums.

Text A follows Ben's visit and what he learns, whereas Text B explains search and rescue work more generally.

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