Question 1: Identify three statements in the passage that are factual, and explain why they are facts.

Answer: Sample answer: The park opened last Tuesday; the mayor stated the park would bring benefits; critics argue the project is a waste of funds. They are facts because they can be verified or are statements of direct observation or reported speech.

Question 2: Find two opinions expressed in the passage and describe how you can tell they are opinions.

Answer: Sample answer: Residents praised the park; critics say it wastes funds. These are opinions because they reflect personal judgments or feelings and cannot be proven true or false.

Question 3: Correct the following sentence if it contains an error: ‘The design of the park is aesthetically pleasing, but some believe it lacks functionality and will soon fall into disrepair.’

Answer: No correction needed; the sentence is factually accurate and clearly expressed.

Question 4: Identify any language in the passage that might suggest bias or a subjective viewpoint.

Answer: Sample answer: Words like ‘great excitement’, ‘transform’, ‘vibrant community hub’, ‘endless benefits’, and ‘most people seem optimistic’ suggest positive bias, while ‘criticise’, ‘waste of funds’, and ‘underestimating’ indicate negative bias.

Question 5: Which sentences in the passage are presented as direct speech or reported speech? List them.

Answer: Sample answer: 'The mayor stated that the park would bring endless benefits'; 'Critics argue that the project is a waste of public funds.'

Question 6: Identify and correct any ambiguous or misleading wording in the passage.

Answer: Sample answer: None; the passage is generally clear, but the phrase ‘most people seem optimistic’ could be more specific.

Question 7: Analyse how the use of adjectives like ‘aesthetic’ and ‘functional’ influence the reader’s perception of the park.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 8: Write a short paragraph (about 150 words) summarising the main arguments for and against the park, based on the passage.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 9: In your opinion, does the passage present a balanced view of the park project? Justify your answer with references to the text.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 10: Create a brief headline (7-10 words) that accurately captures the main idea or controversy discussed in the passage.

Answer: Sample headline: 'City’s New Park Sparks Debate: Benefits or Waste?'