The Explorer - Session 16 - Reading Comprehension suggested answers

In "The Explorer," a reading comprehension exercise from KS2Gems, students delve into a passage titled "The Ruined City" and answer various questions to demonstrate their understanding. The man in the story is accompanied by a vulture, indicating his integration into the wild environment. The phrase 'like a dying screech owl' is used to describe the piercing quality of Max's crying. Clues such as his clothing patched with coconut fibre and a jacket adorned with animal furs and teeth fastenings suggest that the man has spent an extended period in the rainforest. The children drink from a pith helmet, which is an unconventional choice, revealing the resourcefulness required in the jungle.

Fred's curiosity about the explorer stems from his extensive reading about explorers and his eagerness to finally meet one. The narrative hints at a mysterious area beyond a curtain of lianas that the children are warned not to cross, likely concealing the man's shelter. The explorer's reluctance to assist the children is attributed to his preference for solitude, his aversion to children, especially the young Max, and his desire for privacy. It is revealed that the explorer's presence in the ruined city was the result of a plane crash. When Con inquires about attracting the explorer's attention, the curt reply 'You don't.' underscores the explorer's wish to remain undisturbed. A 50-word summary of "The Ruined City" would encapsulate these key details, painting a picture of an elusive explorer and the children's encounter with him in the depths of the rainforest.