NSW Year 7 English - Comprehension Task
NSW Year 7 English - Comprehension Task
Text: "This Off Day"
Section A: Multiple Choice
1. Why are the kids grouchy in the beginning of the story?
A) They had to go to school early
B) They were scared of the sea
C) They had a hot, uncomfortable night
D) They were fighting over food
2. What is Jaguar most afraid of?
A) Getting into trouble
B) Being yelled at
C) Strangers
D) Crocodiles
3. What makes Neoma realise the 'baby' isn't real?
A) The baby speaks
B) It starts crying
C) She sees crab legs under it
D) It floats away
4. What does the sea wall protect the village from?
A) Pirates
B) Strangers and crocs
C) Storms only
D) The elders
5. What is the tone of the ending of the story?
A) Calm and peaceful
B) Excited and happy
C) Uneasy and tense
D) Joyful and energetic
Section B: Short Answer
6. Describe the relationship between Neoma and Jaguar. Use evidence from the text.
7. Why do the children laugh when they realise the crab is using a doll's head?
8. What does Neoma's reaction to the crab show about her character?
9. Why is the arrival of the strangers so shocking to the village?
Section C: Language & Technique
10. How does the author use humour and contrast to balance fear and tension in the story?
Section D: Personal Response
11. Do you think the siblings from the Valley of the Sun had the right to take the villagers' trees?
Why or why not?
Why or why not?
Answer Sheet: 'This Off Day'
Answer Sheet: "This Off Day"
Section A: Multiple Choice
1. C) They had a hot, uncomfortable night
2. D) Crocodiles
3. C) She sees crab legs under it
4. B) Strangers and crocs
5. C) Uneasy and tense
Section B: Short Answer
6. Neoma and Jaguar are best friends who always work as a team. Neoma says, "We always do
things as a team, him and me." This shows their strong bond. She feels upset when he runs away,
which highlights how much she values loyalty.
7. They laugh out of relief. At first, they think it's a real baby with crab legs, which is terrifying. When
they realise it's just a crab using a doll head as a shell, their fear turns into nervous laughter.
8. Neoma is brave and compassionate. She approaches the creature instead of running away, and
when others want to harm it, she defends the crab's right to keep its unusual shell.
9. The strangers arrive uninvited, with weapons, and ignore village customs. The peaceful village is
shocked because these outsiders act like they own the place and show no respect for the elders.
Section C: Language & Technique
10. The author uses humour to lighten fear, such as when Neoma sees Jaguar's torn shorts. This
balances the scary scene with laughter. The crab with the doll head is also creepy but funny,
showing how the children cope with fear using humour.
Section D: Personal Response
11. No, the siblings didn't have the right. They ignored the village's rules about nature and treated
the elders disrespectfully. They should have asked permission and followed local customs.
