Year 7 — Reading

Retrieval

Locate explicit information in a text, skim and scan efficiently for key details, select the most relevant evidence, and summarise what you've found in your own words.

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💡Understand

Retrieval is the most basic reading skill an exam will test, and also the one it's easiest to lose marks on by rushing. It means finding information that is stated directly (explicitly) in a text — not information you have to work out or infer. The skill isn't just finding an answer, but finding the RIGHT answer efficiently, without re-reading the whole text every time.

“The museum opens at 9am on weekdays and 10am at weekends, and last entry is 30 minutes before closing.”

If asked 'what time does the museum open on a Saturday?', the answer (10am) is stated explicitly — you don't need to infer or calculate anything. Retrieval means locating that exact detail quickly, ignoring the surrounding information about weekdays and last entry that isn't relevant to this specific question.

🔍Spot it

Read the short text, then identify the explicitly stated answer to each question.

Question 1

The library is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. What time does it close?

💡 This is stated directly in the text — no inference needed.

Question 2

Maria packed her bag, checked the map twice, and left before sunrise. What did Maria do before leaving?

💡 This is explicitly stated as one of the three actions listed.

Question 3

The recipe requires 200g of flour, two eggs, and a pinch of salt. How many eggs are needed?

💡 The exact quantity is stated directly in the list.

🧠Think about it

If an exam question asks 'find one piece of evidence that the character is nervous', why is it important to select ONE precise piece of evidence rather than copying out a whole sentence or paragraph?

✍️Try it

Read the passage, then retrieve the specific detail asked for.

The train was delayed by twenty minutes due to a signal failure near the station.

Question 1

Why was the train delayed?

💡 The reason is stated directly in the sentence.

📝Practise

For each short passage, retrieve the exact detail requested.

Question 1

"The shop sells bread, milk, and fresh vegetables every day except Sunday." Which day is the shop closed?

Question 2

"Tom scored two goals in the first half and one in the second." How many goals did Tom score in total?

Question 3

"The hikers reached the summit just as the sun began to set." What were the hikers doing as the sun set?

Question 4

"The museum's rarest exhibit, a 300-year-old painting, was moved to a new gallery for restoration." How old is the painting? (number only)

💡 Look for the exact number given.

Question 5

"After weeks of rehearsal, the choir finally performed in front of a packed hall." Where did the choir perform?

Question 6

"The scientist's experiment failed three times before finally succeeding on the fourth attempt." On which attempt did the experiment succeed?

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

The expedition set off at dawn, carrying supplies for ten days. Within the first two days, heavy snowfall forced the team to shelter in a cave, delaying their progress by almost a full day. Despite this setback, the team pressed on, eventually reaching the base camp on day nine, a full day ahead of their original ten-day estimate once the delay was accounted for.

Question 1

How many days of supplies did the team carry?

💡 It's stated in the first sentence.

Question 2

What forced the team to shelter in a cave?

💡 Look at the second sentence.

Question 3

On which day did the team reach base camp? (number only)

💡 It's stated explicitly near the end of the passage.

🏆Challenge

The passage says the team reached base camp 'a full day ahead of their original ten-day estimate once the delay was accounted for' — even though they arrived on day nine, one day BEFORE the original day-ten plan. Explain in one or two sentences how careful retrieval of both numbers (the delay and the arrival day) is needed to correctly understand this slightly tricky detail.

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

Retrieval means finding information that is...

Question 2

Why should you retrieve a precise detail rather than a whole paragraph?

Question 3

"The bakery opens at 7am." What time does the bakery open?