CLUES AND TIPS TO THE PAPER 3 READING COMPREHENSION ANSWER

QUESTION 1 – 7 TOP GLOBAL BRANDS

1. (1) The company that recorded NO CHANGE in rank (2)in 2012 but(3) minimal increase
in sales (4)was Google.
-False because even though Google shows no change but the increase in sales is 26%
much higher than Coca Cola (8%).
STEM -

2. …brand ….recorded a surge in sales between 2011 and 2012 was Coca Cola…
= the word SURGE = an sudden increase /a rapid growth
Look at the last 3 columns of the table
Sales (in millions USD)
Coca Cola = 2011 : 71.86 2012: 77.83 (8%)
Apple = 2011: 33.49 2012: 76.56 (129%)

3. …The other companies maintained their status as the world’s top ten brands for 2011
and 2012 except for Samsung and Toyota.
Identify the top 10 brands for 2011 and 2012 by comparing the change (rate) of the
brands in the two years.
2011 -2012 : Maintains: Coca Cola , Google,
Check Samsung’s ranking = from number 17 to Number 9 (okay-this is as stated in the
question).
Check Toyota’s ranking = from number 11 to 10.
Why is B the answer even though it is true that Samsung and Toyota did not maintain
their status as the world’s top 10 brands.
 >> It’s the phrase ‘’ the other companies’’ which implies all the other 8 companies
managed to maintain their ranking but not Samsung and Toyota.
 What can we learn from this question?
The STEMs of the question can be anywhere in the statement.
The STEMs refer to the phrase/the point that your comprehension is being tested
on.
In Q3 the STEMs are (1) The other companies (2) maintained their status (3)as
the world’s top ten brands for (4) 2011 and 2012
(5) except for (6) Samsung and Toyota.

4. Having a strong brand name is important to capture the export market.

Tips:
i. First , understand what the statement means = having a strong name for a brand is
important to conquer, to penetrate, to do business in the export market ( in market
that are overseas/ beyond one’s own country/selling to other countries.

The answer is A.
Look at Paragraph 3, Line 25 ‘’ Having a strong brand name and identity is also
important to companies competing in the global economy as they must reach
customers far from their home base’’. This line has the same implications with the
statement.

5. Top brand companies venturing into new markets face stiff competition from existing
brand names.
Top brand companies that explore new markets face tough competition from brands
that already exist in those markets.
The answer is C.
How can we be sure of this??
We have to ‘’ Analyse’ the information related to the statement. We have to identify the
main ideas of each paragraphs and check if the statement is mentioned or not in the
passage.
>>Paragraph 1 = Line 7 ..However, in today’s marketplace the appeal of brand names is
greater than ever and marketers recognise that building and reinforcing the image of
their brands is a key to profitability and growth.
>>> Paragraph 2 = ….Reasons why brands are more important that ever before…(line 15-
16)
 >>>>>Paragraph 3 = Having a strong brand name and identify is also important to
companies competing in the global economy as they must….

So clearly the statement in Q5 is not discussed in the passage. Therefore (ergo) the
answer is C (not stated).

6. A successful brand always keeps its promise to its customers.

The answer is C Not Stated. Why?
The trick with the STEM again.
(1)A successful brand (2)always (3) keeps its promise to its customers.

(1)A successful brand (2)always (3) keeps its promise to its customers.
If you ignore Stem 2 (ALWAYS) you would choose A as your answer which is inaccurate
.

You must consider the stem and how it changes the meaning of the whole statement
which is not the same with the original idea in the passage (look at Paragrapg 2, line
21 ‘’ A brand is a promise to the customer’’.

A brand is a promise to the customer. Yes, that’s what a brand stands for but whether
successful brand always keep its promise to its customer or not is not mentioned in
the line. In fact the line is very brief and straightforward and simple ‘’ a brand is a
promise to the customer’’ and there is no further elaboration on this matter given.
Therefore the answer is C.
7. (1) Nokia and Samsung (2)face difficulties entering new markets.
The answer is C Not Stated. Why?
First, go back to the passage and look for where Nokia and Samsung are mentioned.
Paragraph 3, Line 27.
The Main Point: Having a strong brand name and identity is also important to
companies competing in the global economy as they must reach customers far from
their home base.
Supporting Points /Example:
Companies such as Nokia which is based in Finland, or Samsung which is headquartered
in South Korea, rely heavily on markets outside their home countries to sell their mobile
phones and other electronic products.
** The issue is not discussed in the passage.
 QUESTION 8-14 RED MENACE IN THE PADDY INDUSTRY

8. The weedy rice (padi angin) has caused the paddy industry to lose almost RM100 million
in the last two decades.
The answer is A (true).
How do we know that’s the answer.
Paragraph 1 ,Line 1-2
The red menace (the weedy rice) that has plague the paddy industry for more than 20
years, resulting in almost RM100 million in losses…
 Tips:
First, check the stem against the original statement from the passage.
(1).The weedy rice (padi angin)√ (2)has caused the paddy industry to lose (3)**almost
(4) RM100 million√ (5) in the last two decades.√

(1)The red menace (the weedy rice) that (2)has plague the paddy industry (3)for more
than 20 years, resulting in (4) almost RM100 million in losses…

A decade is a period of ten years/ a century is a period of 100 years.

2 decades mean 20 years.

9. The two new strains of paddy are not affected by imidazolinone.

The answer is A (True)
Why?
The two new strains of paddy = Mr 220-CL1 and MR220-CL 2
Tips:
Check the stems:
(1) The two new strains of paddy are (2)not affected by imidazolinone.

Paragraph 2 , line 1-2

These new varieties are tolerant to a potent herbicide called imidazolinone that will
not allow the weedy rice to sprout.

Not affected by something = can tolerate something

10.With the Clearfield Production System (CPS), Malaysia will soon be able to export rice.
The answer is C (Not Stated).
How do you get the answer?
Check for the stems in the statement.
(1)With the Clearfield Production System (CPS), (2) Malaysia will soon be able to
export rice.
Reread the passage.
Scan for lines where CPS is mentioned.

Paragraph 1: Line 5-6 = The Clearfield Production System (CPS) will see the cultivation of
two special varieties of paddy called the MR220-CL1 and MR220-CL2.
=about 2 new varieties of paddy.
 Paragraph 2: Line 5-6 = Now, with the CPS, farmers finally have a cheap and easy
solution to deal with the weedy rice that does not damage the cultivated paddy.
=deal with the weedy rice without damaging the cultivated paddy
Paragraph 3: Line 5-7 = With the CPS, since the new paddy yields can be increased from
4.4 tonnes to 6.5 tonnes per hectare. This means that for every RM1 a farmer invests,
he would get RM2.50 in returns, said Azmi. ‘’ This will bring our country one step closer
to being self-sufficient in terms of rice production. It also relieves the stress of food-
shortage’’.
= increased production /higher profit /being self-sufficient in terms of rice production
means the country will be able to produce enough rice on its own without having to buy
/import from other countries like Vietnam and Thailand.

Therefore, it is clear that the statement is not discussed/not stated in the passage.

11.Which of the following is not true of the MR220-CL1 and MR220-CL2 strains of paddy?
Tips:
i. Check the option (A,B,C) one by one against the passage.
A They give higher profits to the farmers √ -this is true based on
Paragraph 3: This means that for every RM1 a farmer invests, he would get
RM2.50 in returns, said Azmi.

B They are able to withstand the herbicide imidazolinone

Paragraph 2 line 1-2 : These new varieties are tolerant to a potent herbicide called
imidazolinone ….

Able to withstand = able to stand =able to tolerate /are tolerant

12.The word scourge (line 9) is closest in meaning to **/ske:dz/

Tips: This is a vocabulary question. You need to arrive at the meaning of the word using
contextual/logical clues.
How?
Go through the options given (A,B,C) and try to guess the meaning of the words and
check which one of them is closest/nearest/most similar in meaning with the what you think
the word scourge means as mentioned in the passage:
Paragraph 2 line 8-9 : …the padi angin which has no commercial value and has been a scourge
to farmers in the peninsular for more than two decades.
What are clues in these sentences?
the padi angin which has no commercial value and has been a scourge to farmers in the
peninsular for more than two decades.
>>>use logical to infer the implications of the clues >>> padi angina +no values+ a scourge to
farmers ….a scourge can’t mean something positive…it has to mean something negative >>>
we can guess this much up until here but how do we ascertain which of the three words is
closest in meaning with the idea?
We go through the word 1 by 1 and delete any words that do not reflect the same idea.

A Bane ------what does bane mean ? Boon and bane?a benefit or a problem?
B killer ….not a murderer but refers to an extremely difficult or unpleasant thing.
C hurdle …refers to an obstacle/a blockage that must be overcome.

So, for the context of this passage, the best answer is A.

13.What is true of padi angin? (what is true about padi angina)?

Tips: Go through the option (A,B,C) one by one. Study the stems in the statements and
check against the passage.

A (1) It looks more like weeds than paddy. (No it doesn’t, it looks like paddy but with
empty grains)
Lets check how padi angina is described in the passage.
Paragraph 1, line 3 : A paddy lookalike…. ( it looks like paddy)
PICTURE THESE IN YOUR MIND
 (Paddy ) (weedy Rice) (weed).

B It invades the space where standard paddy is grown. (Yes, this is true)
Paragraph 2 , Line 3-4
Tips:
i. Check the stems against the statement in the passage.
ii. It (1) invades the space (2)where standard paddy is grown.
iii. Understand the meaning of the key words i.e invades = takes over/dominate/use up/compete for
iv. Read the statement in the passage that mention the matter
A paddy lookalike, the weedy rice (padi angin) has had a stronghold on cultivated varieties ( grown standard
paddy) by growing alongside them and competing for nutrients and space.

C It competes with the new varieties of paddy for nutrients.

Tips:
i. Check the stems

(1). It competes with √(2) the new varieties of paddy× (3).for nutrient√
A paddy lookalike, the weedy rice (padi angin) has had a stronghold on cultivated varieties ( grown standard
paddy) by growing alongside them and competing for nutrients and space.
*** Not with the new varieties but with the standard cultivated varieties (the old varieties).

14. Which of the following is not part of the joint venture project between MARDI and BASF?
A Conducting training workshops. (JV3)
B Providing convenient cultivation packages
C Monitoring the cultivation of the new varieties of paddy

Tips:
i. Check the options give (A,B,C) 1 by 1 against the information given by the passage.
ii. Reread parts that mentioned about the JV Project between MARDI and BASF.
Paragraph 6
JV1: It is a paddy growing method growing method that combines the use of genetically cultured
paddy, together with a purpose-designed herbicide from BASF.
JV2: They will be selling both the paddy seeds and herbicide as an easy to use package.
 JV3: We will run training sessions and hold demonstrations for farmers to learn how to use the
CPS>
QUESTION 15 TO 21 : THE BIG FAT SURPRISE ( FATS VERSUS CARBOBYDRATE DEBATE )

15 Governments and doctors wag their fingers to this tune the world over (lines 4 and 5). This means that all
government and doctors.
A are issuing the same warning as AHA
B regard AHA as the authority on heart disease
C are certain of the link between cholesterol and heart diseases
Tips:
i. Refer to Paragraph 1, line 2-6: ‘’ High levels of blood cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease
and stroke.’’ So goes the warning from the AHA, the supposed authority on the subject.
Government and doctors wag their fingers to the tune the world over. Gobble too much bacon and
butter and you may well die young. But what if they were wrong
Meaning = AHA warned that high levels of blood cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease and
stroke and government and doctors all over the world are giving the same warning to the people as
well making people think that eating too much bacon(Protein/red meat) and butter (fat) will make
them die young. But what if their way of thinking is wrong?
ii. Try to understand what the statements mean literally and figuratively.
Government and doctors =/
Wag their fingers to this tune the world over = wag their fingers to this tune all over the world
Wag their fingers = comes from the phrase ‘’finger wagging’’ which means the action of
reprimanding and warning someone about the danger of something.

Since A is clearly the answer, we don’t have to waste time analysing B and C.
16. In her book, ‘’The Big Fat Surprise’’ , Nina Teicholz argues that
Is it A, B or C.

Nina Teicholz has written for "Gourmet" magazine, "The" "New Yorker", " The Economist", " The New York Times", " "and
"The Washington Post". She also reported for National Public Radio. She lives in New York with her husband and two
sons.

Born: May 7, 1965 (age 52)

Books: The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet

Tips:
i. Reread the passage and look for parts where the book is mentioned and read for Nina Teicholz
main argument is.
ii. Paragraph 2, 1& 5-6
Nina Teicholz, an American journalist, makes just that argument in her compelling new book, ‘’The
Big Fat Surprise’’ – that argument refers to line 6 of Paragraph 1 ‘’ But what if they were wrong’’
and then this compounded by the idea in line 11-12 (P2) ‘’ The question is whether saturated fat is
truly to be blamed’’ (for heart disease and stroke).

A saturated far does not increase the risk of heart diseases.

B & C are totally out so don’t waste time analysing these two options.
17 . The following is true of Ancel Keys except
A. he identified the factor that caused heart attacks – TRUE ( LINE 22)
B . (1) he campaigned ** did he?? (2) against the eating of saturated fat –check the stems …X
C. he influenced the write-up of the first dietary guidelines (TRUE (LINE 23-24)
Tips:
i. Reread part of the passage where Ancel Keys is mentioned.
ii. Refer to Paragraph 4, like 19.
Top among them was Ancel Keys, a professor at the University of Minnesota, whose worked landed
him over the cover of Time magazine in 1961.
A He provided an answer to why middle-aged men were dropping dead from heart attacks, as well
as a solution: eat less fat.
C. Work by Keys and others propelled the American government’s first set of dietary guidelines, in
1980. Line 23
** This is a killer question. You need to reread Paragraph 4 carefully.
18. The phrase poke holes (line 27) means

A To reject - to push away an idea

B To ridicule – To make fun of something
C To discredit – to find something bad abt. Something/ to find
faults with something.
19. Paragraph 6 is about ( what is the main idea in Paragraph
6)?
A the effects of replacing animal fat with vegetable oil.
B The variety of fat-free products developed by good producers.
C the consequences of the dietary advice given by academics and
governments.
Tips:
i. Reread paragraph 6.
ii. Identify the topic sentence/the main point/the sentence that carries the
most important point >>‘’ The opinions of academics and government, as
presented, led to real change’’.
20. Eating a low-fat diet results in
A. longer lifespan for diabetics
B. fewer deaths from heart attacks.
C. increased consumption of carbohydrate.

Tips
i. Locate where this point is discussed in the passage
Paragraph 6, line 36 -38
Advice for keeping to a low-fat diet also played directly into food
companies’ sweet spot for biscuits, cereals and confectionery (all carb
ladden food); when people eat less fat, they are hungry for something else
(carbs).
21. Ms Teicholz feels that people still hold on to their beliefs about saturated fat
because……
The answer is A
Tips:
i. Go back to the passage and identify where this idea is discussed
-the idea is about why people still continue with their beliefs about
saturated fat.
-the questions so far follow the order of the paragraphs in the passage.
- Refer to Paragraph 7. Line 49
‘’ is not so much science as generations of bias and habit’’.
Question 22-29
Question 30-37
Question 38 to 45 AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION