Passage Reference: In this search for energy the fungus has become the earth's major source of rot and decay. Wherever you see mould forming on a piece of bread, or a pile of leaves turning to compost, or a blown-down tree becoming pulp on the ground, you are watching a fungus eating. Without fungus action the earth would be piled high with the dead plant life of past centuries.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'source of rot and decay' = Option: 'cleans up the planet'

Tips: Be careful with positive summaries. If the passage describes a process but not its benefit to humans, do not add that meaning yourself.

Key Vocabulary:

• decay = slow breaking down
• piled high = accumulated

Question Focus: Detail question - checking classification of fungus

Correct Answer: B

Passage Reference: Observe the dilemma of the fungus: it is a plant, but it possesses no chlorophyll. While all other plants put the sun's energy to work for them combining the nutrients of ground and air into the body structure, the fungus must look elsewhere for energy supply. It finds it in those other plants which, having received their energy free from the sun, relinquish it at some point in their cycle either to animals (like us humans) or to the fungi. In this search for

Why this is correct: This statement cannot be derived because the passage never discusses whether fungus is parasitic or non-parasitic. It only explains how fungus gets energy from other plants. This is a Not Given trap.

Tips: If the passage never uses or explains a category like parasitic or non-parasitic, do not assume it.

Key Vocabulary:

• parasitic = living by harming another organism

Question Focus: Detail question - example identification

Correct Answer: C

Passage Reference: Wherever you see mould forming on a piece of bread, or a pile of leaves turning to compost, or a blown-down tree becoming pulp on the ground, you are watching a fungus eating.

Why this is correct: This can be derived from the passage. The writer clearly says that when we see mould, we are actually seeing fungus eating. This is a Synonym match, so the statement is supported by the text.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'mould ... you are watching a fungus eating' = Option: 'mould is a representation of fungus'

Tips: Examples are often used as direct evidence. Look for phrases like 'wherever you see' or 'for instance'.

Key Vocabulary:

• mould = fungus growth
• representation = example

Question Focus: Detail question - limits of fungus action

Correct Answer: D

Passage Reference: In fact, certain plants which contain resins that are toxic to fungi will last indefinitely; specimens of the redwood, for instance, can still be found resting on the forest floor centuries after having been blown down

Why this is correct: This can be derived from the text. The passage explains that some plants contain substances toxic to fungi, so they do not decay. This directly supports the statement. This is a Synonym match.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'toxic to fungi' = Option: 'cannot eat'

Tips: Words like 'toxic' often signal a clear limitation. Use them to confirm what fungus cannot do.

Key Vocabulary:

• toxic = poisonous
• indefinitely = for a very long time

Question Focus: Detail question - time reference

Correct Answer: E

Passage Reference: Without fungus action the earth would be piled high with the dead plant life of past centuries.

Why this is correct: This statement contradicts the passage. The writer says that without fungus, dead plants from past centuries would still be present, which means fungus normally does eat them. This is a Contradiction trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'dead plant life of past centuries' = Option: 'plants from centuries past'

Tips: Always check negatives like 'does not'. One missed word can completely reverse the meaning.

Key Vocabulary:

• past centuries = long ago
• action = activity

General Tips:

• For multiple-answer questions, focus on what cannot be derived. This is the reverse of most questions.
• Do not add human purpose or benefit unless the passage clearly says it.
• If a scientific label is not mentioned or explained, treat it as Not Given.
• Read all options carefully. In multiple-answer questions, more than one choice can be correct.