Question

Reading

Read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.

from Nobel Lecture
by Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist who has been fighting for the educational rights of women and girls for years. In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work, becoming the youngest person to receive that distinction. The following excerpt comes from her Nobel Prize Lecture, given on December 10, 2014.
1 The world can no longer accept that basic education is enough. Why do leaders accept that for children in developing countries, only basic literacy is sufficient, when their own children do homework in algebra, mathematics, science and physics?
2 Leaders must seize this opportunity to guarantee a free, quality, primary and secondary education for every child.
3 Some will say this is impractical, or too expensive, or too hard. Or maybe even impossible. But it is time the world thinks bigger.
4 Dear sisters and brothers, the so-called world of adults may understand it, but we children don’t. Why is it that countries which we call “strong” are so powerful in creating wars but are so weak in bringing peace? Why is it that giving guns is so easy but giving books is so hard? Why is it, why is it that making tanks is so easy, but building schools is so hard?
5 We are living in the modern age and we believe that nothing is impossible. We have reached the moon 45 years ago and maybe will soon land on Mars. Then, in this twenty-first century, we must be able to give every child quality education.
6 Dear sisters and brothers, dear fellow children, we must work . . . not wait. Not just the politicians and the world leaders, we all need to contribute. Me. You. We. It is our duty.
7 Let us become the first generation that decides to be the last that sees empty classrooms, lost childhoods, and wasted potentials.
8 Let this be the last time that a girl or a boy spends their childhood in a factory.
9 Let this be the last time that a girl is forced into early child marriage.
10 Let this be the last time that a child loses life in war.
11 Let this be the last time that we see a child out of school.
12 Let this end with us.
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©Nobel Prize Outreach AB

Answer 1

I don’t see the specific questions you were given. Do you want to paste them here? I can answer them directly.

Meanwhile, here are 10 sample multiple-choice comprehension questions (with the best answer and a short explanation) based on the excerpt from Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Lecture. If these aren’t the questions you need, paste yours and I’ll answer them.

1) What is the main idea of the selection?
A. Education should focus only on basic literacy.
B. The world should guarantee free, quality primary and secondary education for every child.
C. Only leaders can improve education.
D. Science and physics are more important than reading.
Answer: B. Explanation: Yousafzai argues leaders must guarantee free, quality primary and secondary education (line 2) and challenges the idea that basic education is enough (line 1).

2) What is Malala’s primary purpose in this speech excerpt?
A. To explain how to build schools
B. To describe her childhood
C. To persuade leaders and people to act so every child receives quality education
D. To criticize science and technology
Answer: C. Explanation: The speech uses persuasive language urging action (lines 2–3, 6–7).

3) Which best describes the tone of the excerpt?
A. Apathetic
B. Humorous
C. Urgent and hopeful
D. Indifferent
Answer: C. Explanation: The speaker expresses urgency (“we must work . . . not wait.” line 6) and hope (“Let us become the first generation…” line 7).

4) Why does Malala ask questions like “Why is it that giving guns is so easy but giving books is so hard?” (line 4)?
A. To gather information
B. To show confusion and to criticize priorities of the world
C. To teach grammar
D. To praise military efforts
Answer: B. Explanation: The rhetorical questions highlight contradictions and criticize world priorities.

5) What does “Leaders must seize this opportunity” (line 2) mean?
A. Leaders should take advantage of people
B. Leaders should act decisively now to ensure education for all
C. Leaders should own schools
D. Leaders should delay action
Answer: B. Explanation: “Seize this opportunity” implies taking decisive action to guarantee education.

6) In line 6, when Malala says “Not just the politicians and the world leaders, we all need to contribute. Me. You. We. It is our duty.” who does “we” refer to?
A. Only world leaders
B. Only children
C. Everyone—politicians, leaders, children, and adults
D. Only teachers
Answer: C. Explanation: She explicitly includes politicians and everyone, calling for collective responsibility.

7) What literary device is used in the repeated phrase “Let this be the last time…” (lines 7–11)?
A. Simile
B. Hyperbole
C. Repetition (anaphora)
D. Irony
Answer: C. Explanation: The same phrase starts several sentences, emphasizing the wish to end injustices.

8) What is Malala criticizing in the statement “The world can no longer accept that basic education is enough.” (line 1)?
A. That children should not be educated at all
B. That only basic literacy is deemed sufficient for children in developing countries
C. That advanced education is unnecessary anywhere
D. That children shouldn’t study algebra
Answer: B. Explanation: She criticizes the low expectations (basic literacy only) for children in developing countries compared with richer countries.

9) Why does Malala mention that “We have reached the moon 45 years ago and maybe will soon land on Mars.” (line 5)?
A. To show science is unimportant
B. To argue that technological achievements prove the world can solve the education problem if it chooses
C. To explain space travel
D. To criticize astronauts
Answer: B. Explanation: She uses technological achievements to argue that if humanity can do difficult things, it can also provide quality education for every child.

10) What does the phrase “wasted potentials” (line 7) most nearly mean?
A. Physical waste
B. Missed opportunities to develop talents and abilities
C. Financial loss
D. Broken buildings
Answer: B. Explanation: “Wasted potentials” refers to children's talents and abilities being lost when they lack education or opportunity.

If you have a different set of questions, paste them and I’ll choose the best answer for each.