Comprehension - Factual Questions

In this article, we will be learning about the factual questions in comprehension as per the Primary 5 English grade. We will learn the following subtopics in Factual Questions in the comprehension section of the Primary 5 English paper:

• Understand the definition of factual questions
• Explore the answer requirements of interrogative keywords used in factual questions (5W1H)

We will also go through some of the questions on Interrogative words and Modal verbs to test our concepts on that topic.

Interrogative Words & Modal Verbs

• Interrogative Words

Interrogative words are also called question words.

• Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that change or complete the meaning of the main verb. 

Practice Questions - Interrogative Words & Modal Verbs

Question 1:

Let’s test your understanding of interrogative words!

Do you know __________ game you like better between these two choices?

1. where
2. when
3. which
4. what
    

Answer:

3) which

Explanation:

Option 3 is the right answer.
The Game is a thing - so use ‘which’ for a thing.
Where is used for the place
When is used for the time

Question 2:

Let’s test your understanding of interrogative words!

The residents taught themselves __________ to stay warm during cold weather by wearing more than two layers.

1. how
2. what
3. why
4. which

Answer:

1) how

Explanation:

Option 1 is the correct answer.
The method is shown in the question. So we use ‘how’. We use the adverb 'how' to introduce the method or way in which something happens.

Question 3:

Let’s test your understanding of interrogative words!

You said you called yesterday. To __________ did you speak?

1. which
2. who
3. whose
4. whom

Answer:

4) whom

Explanation:

Option 4 is the correct answer. The blank refers to the object - that is why ‘whom’ is used.

Question 4:

Let’s test your understanding of modal verbs!

“It’s wet and windy outside today. You __________ head out without an umbrella,” she advised.

1. shouldn’t 
2.  wouldn’t
3. couldn’t 
4. mustn’t

Answer:

1) shouldn't

Explanation:

Option 1 is the correct answer.
It is an instruction. So, there is an obligation to follow. If there is a strict obligation to follow, then the answer should be 4 instead. Since the answer is 1, you should explain that the modal verb "should" is used as a strong recommendation, advice or gentle obligation.

Question 5:

Let’s test your understanding of modal verbs!

When he was young, he __________ swim very well. He won so many medals and championships!

1. should
2. could
3. would
4. might

Answer:

2) could

Explanation:

Option 2 is also the only answer which is compatible with the tense of the question text: past tense.
All the other options indicate an action that has not occurred yet.
Would - is used to show the possibility
Could - is used to show the ability

Factual/Direct Questions

The answers to factual questions can be found directly in the comprehension text.

They often begin with 5W1H interrogative words:

• The “Who” Question

Provide the person’s name or identity as given/implied.

Example:

1. Who was the culprit?
2. Whom does the word “him” refer to?

Note: The person may or may not have a name; be sure to understand whom the pronouns in a passage refer to

Answer:

1. The culprit was an old man.
2. The word “him” refers to The Hulk.

Note: The answer should not refer to an item or object!

Model Question

What inspired you to educate people on urban farming?

I want to tell the story of food. In Singapore, where we import so much of our food, we’ve become disconnected from what we eat. We get strawberries and pumpkins all year round whereas most people around the world eat food seasonally - making them more appreciative of the produce they have.

Whom does the word “them” refer to? (1m)

1. Singaporeans
2. everyone in the world 
3. workshop participants
4. most people living outside Singapore

Answer:

4) most people living outside Singapore

Explanation:

The correct option is 4.
If you see in the passage, the pronoun generally refers to the noun just before it or closest to it. In the given passage, we see that the pronoun ‘them’, refers to ‘most people around the world’. Thus, option 4 is the correct answer.

• The “What” Question

Provide the objects, actions, dialogue, or incidents.

Example:

1. What did the writer do after she found out the truth?
2. What led her to the house?
3. What does “her” refer to?

Look for the most accurate answer in the passage that fits the keywords of the question.

Answer:

1. After the writer found out the truth, she (did) action.
2. Incident led her to the house.
3. The pronoun “her” refers to a car. (car refers to an object)

Model Question:

Uncle Lum could not help but curl his lips in a smile. He would taste victory soon. With that pleasant thought, he reached for the aromatic hot tea and took a sip. All of a sudden, a flying object hit his face, nearly knocking him off his seat. His shirt was soaked with tea. With his spectacles hanging crookedly, he was a mess. Mr Gopal quickly rushed over and helped his friend out with his spectacles.

Look at the phrase “he was a mess”.

In what two ways was Uncle Lum a mess? 

1. Uncle Lum’s shirt was soaked with tea.
2. Uncle Lum’s spectacles hung crookedly.

While answering the question, you must pay attention to the verbs used. The question requires you to use past tense (see 'was').

If you say, his shirt was soaked in tea and his spectacles hanging crookedly….you will get only partial marks as the tense is not correct for the second reason. As such, you have to pay attention to the verb while answering.

• The “When” Question

Provide the time frame or period.

Example:

1. When did she realize it was pointless?
2. When did he feel victorious?

Use the connector “when” to accurately pinpoint the time.

Answer:

1. She realized it was pointless when…
2. He felt victorious when…

Your answer must contain ‘when’. If you start your answer with ‘when’, it is an incomplete sentence.

• The “Where” Question

Provide the place or setting.

Example:

1. Where did the story occur?
2. Where was the writer’s brother going?

Use prepositions of place/location/direction/movement such as “in”, “at” or “to” to figure out the answer.

Answer:

1. The story occurred in…
2. The writer’s brother was going to the…

Practice Questions - Comprehension: Factual Questions

Question 1:

This was it! 6 August 2017. I had been waiting for weeks for this day! Since Father had told me that he had successfully obtained the tickets, I had been like a cat on hot bricks. Changi Airport’s Terminal 4, its newest terminal, was to open its doors that day. Only the first two hundred thousand people would enjoy this special opening. The terminal would be open to the public only later in the year.

“Jane, let’s go!” Father exclaimed. I grabbed my backpack and we set off. The mood was set for an enjoyable day.

The MRT train arrived on time. Unlike other days, the train was not crowded and there were many empty seats. We chose the two-seater at the corner. The long ride was very comfortable.

Whom does the word “we” refer to?

1. the writer
2. the writer’s father
3. the writer and the writer’s father                                       
4. the passengers

Answer:

3) the writer and the writer's father

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 3.

Question 2: 

This was it! 6 August 2017. I had been waiting for weeks for this day! Since Father had told me that he had successfully obtained the tickets, I had been like a cat on hot bricks. Changi Airport’s Terminal 4, its newest terminal, was to open its doors that day. Only the first two hundred thousand people would enjoy this special opening. The terminal would be open to the public only later in the year.

“Jane, let’s go!” Father exclaimed. I grabbed my backpack and we set off. The mood was set for an enjoyable day.

The MRT train arrived on time. Unlike other days, the train was not crowded and there were many empty seats. We chose the two-seater at the corner. The long ride was very comfortable.

What was so special about the opening of Terminal 4?

1. It was a new terminal.
2. It was only open to the first two hundred thousand people.
3. There were tickets on sale.
4. Jane and her father had been invited.

Answer:

2) It was only open to the first two hundred thousand people.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 2. Read the highlighted line. It is not that terminal 4 is special. It is a new terminal but since only limited people were allowed for the opening, it makes it more special.

Question 3:

Uncle Lum, who was in his sixties, had retired from his job as a teacher a few years ago. With lots of time on his hands, he slowly sipped his cup of coffee and read the newspapers. It had become his morning routine at the coffee shop since retirement. “An active mind will help in my game of chess later,” he muttered to himself. He took a glance at his watch and cheered, “Yes, it is time for my chess game.” He would meet his old friend, Mr Gopal, for a game of chess at the void deck of his block of flats.

What was Uncle Lum’s morning routine?

1. He would teach.
2. He would play a game of chess.
3. He would check his watch.
4. He had coffee and read the newspaper.

Answer:

4) He had coffee and read the newspaper.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 4. While answering such questions, look for the same phrase in the passage. The action will be right there or around that. See the highlighted text.

Question 4:

The above shows a schedule for a camp.
If I wanted to take part in outdoor-related activities, when should I stay at the camp?

1. from Tuesday to Friday 
2. from Thursday to Saturday
3. from Saturday to Sunday
4. from Monday to Wednesday

Answer:

3) from Saturday to Sunday

Explanation:

Option 3 is the correct answer.

Question 5:

Since the sky had cleared, the Wild Tigers set off to their destination, inviting Coach Andy to join them. Taking their torches with them, the boys and their coach entered the dark tunnel. As they were trekking through the underground tunnels to get to their favourite underground cave, it started raining heavily again. After Nick had written his birthday wish on the cave wall, the boys sang him a birthday song. Little did they know that it was the beginning of a birthday celebration that would go wrong.

Where is their “destination”?

1. It is walking through a dark tunnel.
2. It is their favorite underground cave.
3. It is a birthday party.
4. It is a trek through a forest.

Answer:

2) It is their favorite underground cave.

Explanation:

Option 2 is the correct answer.
The destination is the final place, and not someplace in between.

• The “Why” Question

Provide the reasons for why something happened.

Example:

1. Why was Captain America thrilled?
2. Why was he afraid of Venom?

Use connectors such as “because” or “as” to link back to the answer from the passage.

Answer:

1. Captain America was thrilled because…
2. He was afraid of venom as…

DO NOT start the sentence with because. If you do that, you will NOT get any marks.

Question 6:

Ah Lim slouched against the curved wall of the underpass. It was nearly lunchtime. His knees ached from standing for the past three hours and the rumbling in his stomach got more insistent. To distract himself, he opened up a precious packet of tissue paper, he started to fold it. His hands trembled as the effect of Parkinson’s disease had recently started to torment him. He had little control over the feathery tissue and the folds were uneven. An hour passed and his work was finally complete. A graceful crane bent its head towards him in his hand.

Why did Ah Lim want to “distract himself”?

1. He was bored from standing in the underpass.
2. He did not want to think about his pain or hunger.
3. He wanted to make the perfect paper crane.
4. He wanted to sell tissue paper.

Answer:

2) He did not want to think about his pain or hunger.

Explanation:

Option 2 is the correct answer.

Question 7:

Ah Lim slouched against the curved wall of the underpass. It was nearly lunchtime. His knees ached from standing for the past three hours and the rumbling in his stomach got more insistent. To distract himself, he opened up a precious packet of tissue paper, he started to fold it. His hands trembled as the effect of Parkinson’s disease had recently started to torment him. He had little control over the feathery tissue and the folds were uneven. An hour passed and his work was finally complete. A graceful crane bent its head towards him in his hand.

Why was Ah Lim having difficulties folding the tissue paper?

1. His hands were trembling as he had Parkinson’s disease.
2. He was hungry and distracted.
3. He was tormented by the people in the underpass.
4. He was tired and in pain.

Answer:

1) His hands were trembling as he had Parkinson’s disease.

Explanation:

Option 1 is the correct answer.

• The “How” Question

Explain the way or means which led to something occurring.

Example:

1. How did the girl discover the secret?
2. How do you know he was happy to see his friend?

Use connectors such as “when” or “by/from” to link your answer.

Answer:

1. She discovered the secret when…
2. I know that by/from…

Remember: The answer must directly allow you to conclude what was asked in the question.

Model Question:

Further down in the underpass, a middle-aged man played an upbeat tune on his guitar. He had caught the crowd at the right time. The musician swayed with his guitar as the crowd tapped their feet to the beat and snapped their fingers to the rhythm. The crowd gathered to listen to the musician play.

According to the passage, how do you know the crowd enjoyed the songs played by the musician? 

Answer:

I know the crowd enjoyed the songs as they tapped their feet to the beat and snapped their fingers to the rhythm.

Question 8:

Her mother stared at Ah Lim, the homeless man, who was lying on the floor. She covered her nose and grimaced when she noticed an empty can at his feet. She snatched the tissue-paper crane that Ah Lim had given her daughter, but the child struggled and wanted to keep it. Then, she smacked her daughter’s hand, tore it from her hands, and squashed it. “Dirty!” she exclaimed as she threw a judgmental look at Ah Lim, who was in his torn and stained clothing.

How do you know the mother did not approve of Ah Lim giving her child a paper crane?

1. Ah Lim is a homeless man.
2. The mother did not like the way Ah Lim smelled.
3. She snatched the paper crane from her daughter and threw it away.
4. She smacked her daughter’s hand and made her cry.

Answer:

3) She snatched the paper crane from her daughter and threw it away.

Explanation:

Option 3 is the correct answer.
Option 1 tells why
Option 2 also tells why
Option 3 tells HOW - action

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the Factual Questions in Comprehension as per the Primary 5 English syllabus.

• The answers to factual questions can be found directly in the comprehension text.
  They often begin with 5W1H interrogative words: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.
   
• Provide the correct detail according to the word:
  • Who: person’s name or identity.
  • What: actions, dialogue or incidents.
  • When: time, time frame or period.
  • Where: place or setting.
  • Why: reasons for why something happened.
  • How: way or means which lead to something.