Question 1 of 10
Which word could best replace cascaded in 'Tiny avalanches cascaded coldly onto her hat'?
A) Drifted
B) Dripped
C) Tumbled
D) Balanced
Question 2 of 10
Which word could best replace yanked in 'She yanked viciously at the cord'?
A) Tugged
B) Stroked
C) Unwound
D) Dropped
Question 3 of 10
Which word could best replace straggling in 'a straggling flock of birds'?
A) Enormous
B) Scattered
C) Organised
D) Colourful
Question 4 of 10
Which word could best replace invigorated in 'now it invigorated her'?
A) Exhausted
B) Frightened
C) Confused
D) Energised
Question 5 of 10
The passage says 'the far hedge was like a pencil line drawn unevenly against the whiteness'. What technique is the author using and why?
A) Personification — to make the hedge seem alive and moving
B) Simile — to show how the snow makes the hedge look thin and distant, almost like a drawing
C) Alliteration — to create a pleasing sound when read aloud
D) Onomatopoeia — to imitate the sound of the wind
Question 6 of 10
The passage says 'the body of the castle itself rose like a black slab'. What effect does this simile create?
A) It makes the castle sound warm and welcoming.
B) It makes the castle sound small and unimportant.
C) It makes the castle seem dark, heavy, and imposing against the white snow.
D) It makes the castle sound like it is falling apart.
Question 7 of 10
The passage describes the laughter as 'muffled by distance and the blanketing snow'. Why does the author use the word 'blanketing'?
A) It suggests the snow covers everything like a blanket and absorbs sound, making things quieter.
B) It tells us the snow is the same colour as a blanket.
C) It means the snow is warm like a blanket.
D) It means the snow has just started falling and is still thin.
Question 8 of 10
Look at the sentence: 'Every step helped freeze away the indoor stuffiness of the last few days.' What does this tell us about Emily's life before this moment?
A) She has been on holiday abroad in a hot country.
B) She has been stuck indoors for several days, probably because of the heavy snow, and feels cooped up.
C) She has been ill in bed and is now feeling better.
D) She has been punished and sent to her room.
Question 9 of 10
The passage uses the phrase 'her heart beating fast'. What does this detail reveal about Emily at that moment?
A) She has been running very fast and is out of breath.
B) She is feeling cold and the cold is affecting her heart.
C) She is nervous and excited because she knows she is doing something wrong.
D) She is happy and calm to finally be in the castle grounds.
Question 10 of 10
The final paragraph describes 'The sky was heavy with the next snow' and 'Her breath rose in big bursts of cloud.' What atmosphere do these details create?
A) A cheerful, sunny atmosphere suggesting the weather is improving.
B) A frightening atmosphere suggesting immediate danger for Emily.
C) A noisy, busy atmosphere with lots of activity around her.
D) A cold, quiet, slightly dramatic atmosphere as more snow threatens to fall.