Question

each of 6 students receives a craft kit containing y tubes of paint. genesis gives each student 4 more tubes of paint. altogether, the students have 42 tubes of paint.
do the students already have something before genesis gives them each 4 tubes of paint?
no, they do not have any paint before genesis gives them 4 tubes of paint.
yes, they each have a craft kit with y tubes of paint.

Explanation:

The problem states each student first receives a craft kit with $y$ tubes of paint, and then Genesis gives them 4 more tubes each. This confirms they already had paint from the craft kits before the additional 4 tubes.

Answer:

Yes, they each have a craft kit with y tubes of paint.