Grade 4 ICAS-style Reading Comprehension Paper modeled on Narrative Text with a focus on higher-order thinking skills. It includes a fictional short story followed by multiple-choice questions that test inference, reasoning, character analysis, and sequencing.
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Narrative | Higher Order Thinking
📖 Passage 1: “The Secret of the Silent Bell”
In a quiet mountain village, nestled between snowy peaks and green meadows, stood a small stone church with a bell that hadn't rung in over fifty years. The villagers believed that the bell was magical — it only rang when someone discovered a hidden truth.
Nine-year-old Arya was curious. She had heard the story many times, but no one had ever seen the bell ring. Her grandfather, the oldest man in the village, once whispered to her, “The bell doesn’t ring for lies, only for brave truths.”
One misty morning, Arya wandered into the old bell tower with her journal. She had written something in it she never dared to say aloud: “I don’t want to become a shepherd like Papa. I want to paint the mountains.”
As soon as she read her words aloud in the tower, the silence broke.
DONG... DONG... DONG.
The villagers rushed out of their homes, staring in disbelief. The bell rang loud and proud for the first time in half a century.
Later that evening, her father knelt beside her and said, “You were brave. Follow the truth that makes your heart ring.”
❓ Questions (Choose the correct option: A, B, C, or D)
1. Why was Arya afraid to share what she wrote in her journal?
A. She thought the bell would never ring.
B. She didn’t know how to write clearly.
C. She feared disappointing her father.
D. She wanted to be a shepherd first.
🟩 [Skill: Inference & emotional reasoning]
2. What does the bell most likely symbolize in the story?
A. A warning for villagers
B. The passage of time
C. A reward for bravery
D. A tool for calling meetings
🟩 [Skill: Symbol interpretation]
3. Which line BEST shows that Arya was nervous but determined?
A. “Nine-year-old Arya was curious.”
B. “She had written something in it she never dared to say aloud.”
C. “The villagers believed that the bell was magical.”
D. “She had heard the story many times.”
🟩 [Skill: Selecting evidence to support a feeling]
4. What is the main message of the story?
A. Always listen to your elders.
B. Traditions are important to follow.
C. Truth and courage go hand in hand.
D. Bells are magical.
🟩 [Skill: Theme extraction]
5. Which of the following BEST describes Arya’s character?
A. Confused and careless
B. Curious and courageous
C. Shy and dishonest
D. Grumpy and selfish
🟩 [Skill: Character analysis]
6. What event causes the villagers to change their belief from a legend to truth?
A. Arya reads the story about the bell
B. Arya enters the tower alone
C. The bell rings after Arya tells her truth
D. Arya becomes a painter
🟩 [Skill: Cause and effect]
7. Why did the author include the grandfather’s line: “The bell doesn’t ring for lies, only for brave truths”?
A. To show that the bell needs a password
B. To warn Arya not to lie
C. To hint how the bell works
D. To explain how loud the bell is
🟩 [Skill: Predictive inference]
8. How did Arya's father respond to her truth?
A. He was angry but accepted it.
B. He ignored her and left.
C. He encouraged her to be brave.
D. He told her to be a shepherd anyway.
🟩 [Skill: Character interaction & emotional resolution]
📊 Answer Key
-
C
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
C
ICAS-style Reading Comprehension paper for Grade 4 (Australia). This time, the passage is a persuasive text — structured as a speech — and the questions are designed to test higher-order thinking like evaluating opinions, identifying persuasive techniques, and interpreting intent.
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Persuasive Text | Higher-Order Thinking
📖 Passage 2: “Why Every School Should Have a Pet” (Speech by a student named Maya)
Good morning teachers and friends,
Have you ever wondered why we feel calm when we stroke a dog or laugh when a cat does something silly? I believe that every school should have a pet. Not just because animals are cute, but because they teach us to care, to focus, and even to be responsible.
First, school can be stressful sometimes — exams, homework, and busy classrooms. Studies have shown that animals can reduce stress and help children feel calmer. If we had a pet, like a dog or a bunny, students could take short turns to sit and read beside it during breaks.
Second, pets teach responsibility. If we take turns feeding it, cleaning its area, and spending time with it, we learn how to care for another living being. Isn’t that just as important as learning maths?
And finally, pets make school more fun! Imagine walking into a room and seeing a cheerful puppy wagging its tail or a parrot greeting you with, “Good morning!” That would make anyone smile — even Mr. Gray from the library!
So, I say: Let’s welcome paws, claws, or feathers into our classrooms. A school pet might just be the best teacher we ever have.
Thank you.
❓ Questions (Choose the correct option: A, B, C, or D)
1. What is the MAIN purpose of Maya’s speech?
A. To explain how to buy a pet
B. To describe different types of animals
C. To convince the audience to agree with her idea
D. To tell a funny story about a dog
🟩 [Skill: Purpose of text]
2. Which sentence from the speech BEST shows that Maya is using emotional appeal?
A. “Studies have shown that animals can reduce stress.”
B. “Every school should have a pet.”
C. “Pets make school more fun!”
D. “Imagine walking into a room and seeing a cheerful puppy…”
🟩 [Skill: Identifying persuasive technique – pathos]
3. Why does Maya mention Mr. Gray from the library?
A. To explain why animals don’t belong in libraries
B. To make her audience laugh and connect
C. To suggest Mr. Gray will take care of the pet
D. To show the pet can read books
🟩 [Skill: Author's intent & tone]
4. Which of the following BEST supports Maya’s argument about learning responsibility?
A. Students could name the pet.
B. Students take turns feeding and cleaning up.
C. The pet might greet students in the morning.
D. Some students are scared of animals.
🟩 [Skill: Supporting details]
5. What kind of tone does Maya use in her speech?
A. Angry and serious
B. Funny and persuasive
C. Sad and dramatic
D. Confused and unsure
🟩 [Skill: Tone analysis]
6. What is the effect of using questions like “Have you ever wondered...?”
A. It distracts the reader
B. It makes the speech sound like a quiz
C. It encourages the listener to think and engage
D. It shows Maya is unsure of her argument
🟩 [Skill: Author technique – rhetorical question]
7. Based on the speech, which of these is the LEAST likely benefit of having a school pet?
A. Students feel less stressed
B. Students become more responsible
C. Students learn animal science
D. Students enjoy school more
🟩 [Skill: Elimination and logical reasoning]
8. Which of the following would BEST improve Maya’s argument?
A. Adding a story about a school that successfully kept a pet
B. Describing her favourite animal in detail
C. Telling a joke about animals in school
D. Listing all animals in the world
🟩 [Skill: Evaluation & improvement]
📊 Answer Key
-
C
-
D
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
A
ICAS-style Reading Comprehension Paper for Grade 4 (Australia) based on a poem. The questions are designed to engage higher-order thinking skills such as interpreting tone, imagery, symbolism, and the poet’s intent.
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Poetry | Higher-Order Thinking
📖 Passage 3: “The Boy Who Collected Stars” (Original Poem)
The Boy Who Collected Stars
By S. Ray
He wandered out when night was still,
With silver shoes and quiet will.
His lantern glowed a golden spark,
A tiny sun against the dark.
He whispered names to every light,
That twinkled gently through the night.
He called them hopes, he called them dreams,
He caught them in glass jellybeans.
He didn’t keep them all for show,
But gifted some to friends below.
“To help you when the skies are gray,
And guide you when you've lost your way.”
No one saw from where he came,
Or if the stars all knew his name.
But on the nights the sky feels near—
It’s likely that the boy was here.
❓ Questions (Choose the correct option: A, B, C, or D)
1. What is the boy doing in the poem?
A. Exploring the forest with a lantern
B. Gathering stars and giving them to others
C. Flying through space on a rocket
D. Sleeping under the night sky
🟩 [Skill: Literal & interpretive comprehension]
2. What do the stars most likely represent in the poem?
A. Actual stars in the sky
B. Lamps and candles
C. Hopes, dreams, and guidance
D. Fireflies and insects
🟩 [Skill: Symbolism / metaphor]
3. Why do you think the poet describes the boy’s shoes as “silver” and his will as “quiet”?
A. To show that he was lost in the dark
B. To describe how noisy the journey was
C. To create a magical, mysterious image
D. To say he was wearing a school uniform
🟩 [Skill: Language technique & imagery]
4. What is the mood created by the poem?
A. Scary and tense
B. Joyful and noisy
C. Calm and magical
D. Angry and stormy
🟩 [Skill: Mood interpretation]
5. What does the line “He caught them in glass jellybeans” most likely mean?
A. He was catching fireflies in candy jars
B. He used real jellybeans to store stars
C. He made up stories about food
D. He imagined capturing light in beautiful objects
🟩 [Skill: Figurative language / creative thinking]
6. Why does the boy give stars to others?
A. To make them rich
B. To help them feel hopeful and less lost
C. So he can sleep peacefully
D. Because the stars are too heavy
🟩 [Skill: Theme comprehension & purpose]
7. What kind of character is the boy likely to be?
A. Greedy and selfish
B. Mysterious and kind
C. Angry and proud
D. Loud and silly
🟩 [Skill: Character inference]
8. What is the most likely message of the poem?
A. Stars are beautiful and belong in jars.
B. Magic only happens at night.
C. Small acts of kindness can guide others.
D. You should collect things to be famous.
🟩 [Skill: Theme & message analysis]
📊 Answer Key
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
C
-
D
-
B
-
B
-
C
ICAS-style Reading Comprehension Paper for Grade 4 based on a factual text with a strong emphasis on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) such as inference, comparison, evaluation, and applying knowledge.
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Factual Text | Higher Order Thinking
📖 Passage: The Penguins of Patagonia
Penguins aren’t just found in Antarctica. Along the windy coasts of Patagonia in South America, a very special penguin lives — the Magellanic penguin.
Magellanic penguins have black and white feathers that help them blend in. From above, their black backs match the dark ocean. From below, their white bellies blend with the sky. This clever coloring helps them hide from predators like sea lions and killer whales.
These penguins dig burrows in the sand and grass to make nests. The burrows protect their eggs from the strong Patagonian winds and from heat. Both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm, which hatch after about 40 days.
Unlike other birds, Magellanic penguins can swim faster than they can walk. They flap their wings like flippers to shoot through the water, diving deep to catch fish and squid.
But these penguins face challenges. Oil spills and plastic pollution in the ocean can harm or kill them. Some young penguins also get confused and swim hundreds of kilometers in the wrong direction during migration.
Scientists are now tagging penguins with tiny devices to track their journeys and learn how to protect them better.
❓ Comprehension Questions
(Choose the best answer: A, B, C, or D)
1. What is the MAIN idea of the passage?
A. Magellanic penguins only live in Antarctica
B. Penguins are good pets if cared for
C. Magellanic penguins are unique and face many threats
D. Penguins can’t swim as fast as sea lions
2. Why is the penguin’s coloring important for its survival?
A. It makes them look like other birds
B. It helps them attract fish
C. It keeps them warm
D. It helps them stay hidden from predators
3. What can you infer about the Patagonian climate based on the penguins’ nesting behavior?
A. It is full of snow and ice
B. It has strong winds and can get hot
C. It is mostly made of forests
D. It rains almost every day
4. Why do scientists put tracking devices on penguins?
A. To watch how they swim for fun
B. To count how many penguins there are in the world
C. To learn how to protect them better
D. To help them become faster swimmers
5. Which fact shows that Magellanic penguins share responsibilities?
A. They both can swim very fast
B. Both parents take turns warming the eggs
C. The chicks hatch after 40 days
D. Penguins live in South America
6. What is MOST LIKELY to happen if the ocean gets more polluted?
A. Penguins will lay more eggs
B. Penguins will stop swimming
C. Penguins may die or migrate incorrectly
D. Penguins will grow longer flippers
7. The penguins’ flippers are most similar to which human tool?
A. A telescope
B. A pair of spoons
C. A paddle or fin
D. A blanket
8. What lesson can we learn from the passage?
A. Sea lions are dangerous
B. All animals live better in cold places
C. Animal behavior doesn’t change
D. Even strong swimmers like penguins need human protection
📊 Answer Key
-
C
-
D
-
B
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
C
-
D
ICAS-style Reading Comprehension Paper for Grade 4 (Australia) based on a poetry text. It uses higher-order thinking skills and targets areas like tone, mood, imagery, figurative language, and inference — ideal for a sharp student.
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Poetry | Higher Order Thinking
📖 Passage: “The Clock in the Attic”
By S.C. Ray
Tick-tock, tick-tock, a whispering sound,
From the attic above, so softly it’s found.
Covered in dust, the old clock stays still,
But when no one watches, it moves at will.
Its face is cracked, its hands are slow,
But secrets from long ago it seems to know.
It hums to spiders, it sings to the air,
Time trapped in silence, with nobody there.
Sometimes at midnight, a chime will begin,
Echoes of laughter, and footsteps within.
The past comes knocking in moments that slip,
And time takes a breath… then gives you a tip.
❓ Comprehension Questions
(Choose the correct option: A, B, C, or D)
1. What is the MAIN mood created by the poem?
A. Joyful and bright
B. Mysterious and magical
C. Angry and loud
D. Sad and gloomy
2. What literary device is used in “It hums to spiders, it sings to the air”?
A. Simile
B. Alliteration
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
3. What does the line “Time trapped in silence” suggest about the clock?
A. It no longer works at all
B. It is lost in a noisy room
C. It holds old memories and secrets
D. It’s broken and thrown away
4. Why might the clock chime only at midnight?
A. That’s when the clock wakes up
B. Midnight adds a feeling of mystery
C. It needs more sunlight to work
D. The spiders are most active then
5. What does the poet mean by “Time takes a breath… then gives you a tip”?
A. Time can give you presents
B. Time is alive and needs air
C. Time pauses and reveals something meaningful
D. Time wants to play tricks on you
6. Which line BEST creates an image in your mind?
A. “Tick-tock, tick-tock, a whispering sound”
B. “Its face is cracked, its hands are slow”
C. “Sometimes at midnight, a chime will begin”
D. All of the above
7. Which sentence BEST describes the theme of the poem?
A. Time is confusing and hard to read
B. Old things should be thrown away
C. Time can hold mysteries and stories from the past
D. The attic is a great place for a clock
8. How does the poet make the reader feel curious?
A. By describing a loud alarm clock
B. By using rhyme to make it sound funny
C. By giving the clock human-like traits and adding mystery
D. By showing that clocks don’t work anymore
📊 Answer Key
-
B – Mysterious and magical
-
C – Personification
-
C – It holds old memories and secrets
-
B – Midnight adds a feeling of mystery
-
C – Time pauses and reveals something meaningful
-
D – All of the above
-
C – Time can hold mysteries and stories from the past
-
C – By giving the clock human-like traits and adding mystery
ICAS-style Reading Comprehension Paper for Grade 4 based on a procedural text (how-to guide) — written to include higher-order thinking skills such as inference, evaluating purpose, understanding consequences, and applying steps in new situations.
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Procedural Text | Higher-Order Thinking
📖 Passage: How to Make a Solar Oven from a Pizza Box
Want to cook something using just sunlight? A solar oven is a fun, eco-friendly way to learn about solar energy while making a delicious treat like melted s’mores. Here’s how to build your own solar oven using a recycled pizza box!
You Will Need:
-
1 large pizza box (clean and empty)
-
Aluminum foil
-
Plastic wrap or a clear ziplock bag
-
Tape and scissors
-
A black sheet of paper
-
A ruler or wooden skewer
-
Marshmallows, chocolate, and biscuits
Steps:
-
Use scissors to carefully cut a flap on the top of the pizza box, leaving one side attached.
-
Cover the inside of the flap with aluminum foil — shiny side out — and tape it down. This flap will reflect sunlight into the box.
-
Line the bottom of the box with black paper. It will absorb the heat.
-
Cover the hole you made in the lid with plastic wrap (or a clear ziplock bag) to create a heat-trapping window.
-
Place your s’mores ingredients on the black paper.
-
Close the lid and use the ruler or skewer to prop the foil flap open so it reflects sunlight into the box.
-
Set the box outside in direct sunlight for 30–60 minutes. The chocolate and marshmallow should melt slowly.
Tips:
-
Do not leave the box unattended.
-
For best results, use it between 11 AM and 2 PM when the sun is strongest.
-
Try melting different foods and compare results!
❓ Comprehension Questions
(Choose the best answer: A, B, C, or D)
1. What is the MAIN purpose of this text?
A. To tell a story about cooking
B. To explain the science of the sun
C. To give instructions on how to build a solar oven
D. To compare different types of ovens
2. Why is black paper used at the bottom of the oven?
A. It’s easier to clean than white paper
B. Black paper makes the box look nicer
C. It reflects sunlight away
D. It absorbs more heat to help melt the ingredients
3. What is the role of the aluminum foil flap?
A. To keep birds away from the s’mores
B. To reflect sunlight into the box and increase heat
C. To block sunlight from entering
D. To cover the food from dust
4. What might happen if the plastic window is not sealed tightly?
A. The box might float away
B. Heat could escape, making it harder to cook
C. The chocolate will melt faster
D. The black paper will turn white
5. Why is this activity considered “eco-friendly”?
A. It uses electricity from the kitchen
B. It recycles a pizza box and uses solar energy
C. It makes you hungry and reduces waste
D. It works only on cloudy days
6. If a student wanted to cook faster, what could they try FIRST based on the passage?
A. Put more chocolate in the oven
B. Use a microwave instead
C. Place the box under stronger sunlight at noon
D. Paint the box with cold water
7. What would be the BEST reason to compare different melted foods using the oven?
A. To see which one burns the fastest
B. To understand how different materials absorb heat
C. To practise drawing foods
D. To eat all the ingredients as fast as possible
8. What kind of thinking does this activity MOST encourage in students?
A. Memorizing a scientific formula
B. Using teamwork in sports
C. Applying design and scientific thinking to solve problems
D. Drawing a pizza step by step
📊 Answer Key
-
C – To give instructions on how to build a solar oven
-
D – It absorbs more heat to help melt the ingredients
-
B – To reflect sunlight into the box and increase heat
-
B – Heat could escape, making it harder to cook
-
B – It recycles a pizza box and uses solar energy
-
C – Place the box under stronger sunlight at noon
-
B – To understand how different materials absorb heat
-
C – Applying design and scientific thinking to solve problems
ICAS-style Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Paper on a Persuasive Text, crafted for a sharp student using higher-order thinking skills (such as evaluating argument strength, identifying persuasive techniques, analyzing tone and viewpoint).
📝 ICAS-STYLE ENGLISH PAPER – GRADE 4
Reading Comprehension | Persuasive Text | Higher Order Thinking
📖 Passage: Opinion Piece – “Why Schools Should Start Later”
By Arjun Mehta (age 11)
Have you ever woken up in the dark, rushed through breakfast, and still felt sleepy at school? You’re not alone. I believe that schools should start later in the morning — and here’s why.
First, research shows that kids need around 9 to 11 hours of sleep to do their best in school. But with early school times and homework, many students don’t get enough rest. This can make them tired, cranky, and less focused in class.
Second, starting school later can actually improve learning. A study in the U.S. found that students who started school an hour later got better grades and made fewer mistakes. Isn’t that what every school wants?
Some adults say that starting later will make the school day end too late. But we could shorten morning breaks or make lessons more focused to save time. After all, what’s more important — long lunch breaks or better concentration?
If schools care about student success, they should listen to science and let kids sleep more. Waking up well-rested can change the whole day. Wouldn’t it be better if students learned with energy instead of with yawns?
❓ Comprehension Questions
(Choose the best answer: A, B, C, or D)
1. What is the author’s MAIN purpose in writing this article?
A. To describe how students eat breakfast
B. To share facts about bedtime routines
C. To convince people that schools should start later
D. To explain how teachers can teach better
2. Which of the following is a persuasive technique used in the article?
A. Using statistics and studies
B. Telling a fictional story
C. Making jokes about sleepy teachers
D. Describing classroom furniture
3. Why does Arjun mention the U.S. study about students starting later?
A. To make his article longer
B. To support his argument with evidence
C. To show how schools are different in other countries
D. To prove that he knows more than teachers
4. What assumption is the author making about students?
A. They always want more homework
B. They never want to come to school
C. They would benefit from more sleep in the morning
D. They don’t care about their grades
5. What does the author suggest as a solution to ending school later in the day?
A. Skip lunch entirely
B. Use weekends for school
C. Shorten breaks or make lessons more focused
D. Stop giving homework
6. What is the TONE of the article?
A. Sad and hopeless
B. Angry and aggressive
C. Calm and logical
D. Confused and unsure
7. Which sentence BEST shows the author’s opinion?
A. “You’re not alone.”
B. “Have you ever woken up in the dark?”
C. “I believe that schools should start later in the morning — and here’s why.”
D. “Kids need 9 to 11 hours of sleep.”
8. What would be the best COUNTER-ARGUMENT to Arjun’s article?
A. Students can learn better if they skip lunch.
B. Teachers prefer early mornings too.
C. Later school times might create problems for working parents.
D. Students enjoy waking up early.
📊 Answer Key
-
C – To convince people that schools should start later
-
A – Using statistics and studies
-
B – To support his argument with evidence
-
C – They would benefit from more sleep in the morning
-
C – Shorten breaks or make lessons more focused
-
C – Calm and logical
-
C – “I believe that schools should start later in the morning — and here’s why.”
-
C – Later school times might create problems for working parents
ICAS-style visual text (e.g. poster) for Grade 4
🖼️ POSTER: School Clean-Up Day!
🌱 Help Us Keep Our School Beautiful! 🌱
Join the Annual SCHOOL CLEAN-UP DAY
🗓 Friday, 15th August
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 School Playground (Meet at the Big Tree)
🧤 Gloves, garbage bags, and tongs will be provided.
🏆 Prizes for the Cleanest Class!
🍎 Healthy snacks and water available.
📸 Group photo at the end!
📬 To join, get your parent/guardian to sign the permission form and return it to your teacher by Wednesday, 13th August.
❓ Comprehension Questions
1. What is the MAIN purpose of this poster?
A. To teach students how to recycle at home
B. To remind students about exam dates
C. To encourage students to take part in a clean-up event
D. To invite students to a school picnic
2. What would MOST LIKELY happen if a student didn’t return the form by 13th August?
A. They would still get a prize
B. They may not be allowed to participate
C. They would be asked to bring gloves
D. They could come but not take a photo
3. Which group is MOST LIKELY the target audience of this poster?
A. Parents of Year 12 students
B. Teachers at a university
C. Primary school students
D. Office workers
4. Which visual element would BEST help this poster grab attention?
A. A grey background with long paragraphs
B. Bold headings and colorful images
C. Very small font in black and white
D. A list of difficult vocabulary
5. What does the phrase “Prizes for the Cleanest Class!” MOST LIKELY encourage?
A. Making a mess
B. Cheating to win prizes
C. Group effort and teamwork
D. Writing an essay on cleaning
📊 Answer Key
-
C – To encourage students to take part in a clean-up event
-
B – They may not be allowed to participate
-
C – Primary school students
-
B – Bold headings and colorful images
-
C – Group effort and teamwork
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