Elc reading comprehension task PDF

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ELC231/230 READING

READING – TECHNOLOGY I Get Your Message!

Pre-activity A

Look at the photos and think of as many ways as you can in which technology   

B

makes life easier or more pleasant may be dangerous to individuals or to the environment may develop in the future

What do you think these text messages mean?

i wan 2 c u 2day Tx me b4 u go..

Can u w8 4 me? 

letz tk sm pics w my nw cam! BTW, tq..

C

Talk 2 u l8r

Can you think of other simplified texts you often use?

ELC231/230 READING READING Reading is a skill. With intelligent practise you can learn to read faster with better understanding. Efficient reading will help you shorten your study periods, improve your grades and get more enjoyment and information from your reading materials. There are different styles of reading for different situations. The technique you choose will depend on the purpose for reading. For example, you might be reading for enjoyment, information, or to complete a task. If you are exploring or reviewing, you might skim a document. If you are searching for information, you might scan for a particular word. You also need to adjust your reading speed and technique depending on your purpose. However when reading large volumes of information, skimming and scanning search techniques may be more practical than reading strategies.

I.

SKIMMING Skimming refers to the process of quickly identifying the main ideas within a passage to get an overall impression of the content of a reading selection. Skimming is done at a speed three to four times faster than normal reading. People often skim when they have lots of material to read in a limited amount of time. You can also use skimming when you want to see if an article may be of interest in your research. When you looked up portable in the dictionary, you do not plod through the pages word by word. You open the dictionary to the p’s, skim the guide words at the top of each page until you find the ones that include the por words. Similarly, you do not read every word in a book. You glance over the pages to discover any main ideas or to locate specific facts.

HINTS AND TIPS FOR BETTER SKIMMING 

When skimming for information, you glance at or read a document or report quickly, noting only the main points.



Some people read the first and last paragraphs using headings, summaries and other organizers as they move down the page or screen.



You might want to read the title, subtitles, headings, sub-headings, and illustrations.



When you are seeking for specific information, consider reading the first sentence of each paragraph rather than reading for comprehension.



Skimming works well to find dates, names, and places. It might be used to review graphs, tables, and charts as well.



Notice any italicized or boldface words or phrases.

ELC231/230 READING

PRACTICE 1 A.

Read the report below and decide whether the following statements are ‘TRUE’ or ‘FALSE’.

The letters www do not stand for the “Wide World of Wrestling” as hooked wrestling fans may guess. The letters www refer to the World Wide Web, more commonly referred to simply as the Web. As millions of people worldwide access the Web on a regular basis, the letter ‘w’ in triplicate is typed millions of times on a daily basis. Many website addresses begin with the letters www, which basically indicate to the user that he or she will enter the World Wide Web in order to locate the web address. Technology has made the three letters www into possibly the most frequently used and most commonly known letter pattern in the world.

(a)

Wrestling fans refer to the letters www as the World Wide Web.

(b)

People use the letter ‘w’ millions of times in a day.

(c)

A user of the World Wide Web locates web address by typing www.

(d)

Technology has made the letters www into different patterns.

ELC231/230 READING

B.

Read the text below and answer the questions that follow.

Thanks to new technology; you no longer have to wait for a bundle of newsprint to arrive on your doorstep every morning. If you want to know what’s going on in the world, you can get breaking news instantly on the internet. As you grow up, new fashions, video games, and computer technologies will continue to challenge your imagination. Picture this: It's been a long day at school. You brought home a load of homework and as you switch on your computer to work on an assignment, an animated image on your computer screen smiles and says, "Hey, it's good to see you again. But you look worn-out. Are you doing OK?" You say that you are pretty exhausted, rub your eyes and yawn. "I know the feeling," the image replies, blinking and sighing. "But don't worry. You'll get through it in no time. I’ll keep you company.” Does a friendly, caring computer like this sound far-fetched to you? At the speed technology is advancing now, it isn’t impossible for computer scientists and engineers to design computers that can recognize your feelings, offer help or a little friendly company while you work or play. You'll have a computer that can tell when you're bored and responds by telling you shaggy dog stories. Or even one that can give you hints when you're dealing with a frustrating math problem. It is almost not impossible for computers to do all these. As technology advances, you may even get an MP4 player that senses when you're feeling stressed and selects music or movies to calm you down. Or a cell phone that automatically dials your best friend's number when you’re feeling down. However, the biggest question is; will people be ready to deal with it when it happens. Will you?

(a)

What is the passage mainly about?

(b)

What can possibly happen when computer technology advances?

(c)

What are shaggy dog stories?

(d)

State the benefit/s we have gained from computer technology as stated in the passage.

(e)

Does the passage sound optimistic on the development in computer technology? Support your claim with examples from the passage.

ELC231/230 READING II.

SCANNING Scanning is a reading technique to be used when you want to find specific information quickly. In scanning you have a question in your mind and you read a passage only to find the answers, ignoring other unrelated information. You often scan when looking up a word in the telephone book or dictionary. You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you are looking for, so you are concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases. Scanning is also used when you first find a resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you have scanned the document, you might go back and skim it.

HINTS AND TIPS FOR BETTER SCANNING 

When scanning, look for the author's use of organizers such as numbers, letters, steps, or the words first, second, or next.



Selectively read and skip through sections of the passage.



Use headings and any other aids that will help you identify which sections might contain the information you are looking for.



Try to anticipate how the answer will appear and what clues you might use to help you locate the answer. For example, if you were looking for a certain date, you would quickly read the paragraph looking only for numbers.



Look for words that are bold faced, italics, or in a different font size, style, or colour. Sometimes the key ideas are in the margin.



Do not read everything in detail. Let your eyes move quickly across the page until you find what you are looking for. Look for key words or concentrate on certain parts.



In the examination, you will focus your attention on the relevant parts depending on the questions asked.



Other than the ‘traditional’ way of looking up a favourite recipe in the index of a cookbook, or searching for a plumber in your local Yellow Pages, you can scan web pages on the Internet to find specific information.

ELC231/230 READING

PRACTICE 1 Look at the table below and decide whether the following statements are ‘TRUE’ or ‘FALSE’.

Which Medium of Entertainment Would Children Choose If They Could Only Have One?

Internet Television Mobile phone MP3 Player iPod

Boys 9-13 24% 16% 29% 22% 9%

Girls 9-13 22% 12% 32% 20% 14%

Boys 14-18 22% 13% 25% 22% 18%

(a)

The mobile phone is the most popular choice of medium among the four groups of children.

(b)

Girls aged 14 -18 prefer the internet as much as they prefer mobile phones.

(c)

The interest in iPods among the younger boys and girls is 28%.

(d)

All the boys and girls choose the MP3 Player more than the television.

Girls 14-18 25% 20% 24% 21% 10%

ELC231/230 READING

III.

OBTAINING MEANING REFERENCE

OF

WORDS

FROM

CONTEXT/CONTEXTUAL

Guessing meaning from context is an important skill. Even native speakers often hear unknown words in speech and must try to guess the meaning through context. To read rapidly with good comprehension, you need a large vocabulary. We can often guess intelligently the meaning of a word or phrase which we may not know. Sometimes, we may come across a word which when used in a different situation, has a different meaning. Using the information from where the word or phrase is found as ‘cues’, we make a logical guess of the meaning of the word or phrase. You should also look out for contextual clues like synonyms, antonyms, restatement, definitions, explanations and examples. E.g.

After spending five month in the jungle, the hunter longed for home. (The word longed is used as a verb. It means ‘yearned’. The hunter had been away from home for too long, and he ‘had a strong desire’ to go home.)

You can use many strategies to help you in guessing vocabulary: a) b) c) d) e)

make predictions and prepare yourselves before reading pay attention to the repetition of key words use your intuition to make inferences pay attention to discourse markers use the words and phrases surrounding the unknown word to make quick guesses about its general meaning. For example, you read: Thousands of people [owned slaves] every day all over the world in lots of different periods. Are they simply wicked? I mean, that would be one explanation. The bulk of the population of the world through most of human history have just been bad people, and that’s the end of the story. Obviously, that’s not a very sophisticated historical explanation. You might not be familiar with the word wicked. However, because you know that this word might represent a possible explanation for slave owners. and because the word is repeated using the word ‘bad’ instead of wicked, you can infer that wicked must be an adjective that means something like bad. The exact definition usually does not matter; you only need an approximate idea of its meaning. Also, be confident! With practice, your guesses will usually be right!

f)

Recognize the definition or an explanation of an unknown word For example: Magma is just molten rock and it usually has gasses dissolved in it. In this way, it is directly telling us the standard definition of magma.

ELC231/230 READING

PRACTICE 1 A.

Provide a word or words of similar meaning to the underlined word/words in the following text. (a)

They advertised the mobile phones so intensely that it was an immediate success. intensely means ___________________________________

(b)

The popularity of text messaging has caused students to use abbreviations in their writing. abbreviation means ________________________________

(c)

Internet addicts become social recluses because they stop going out and talk to people face-to-face. recluses means ___________________________________

(d)

Violence in computer games may lead to aggressive behaviour in children. aggressive means _________________________________

(e)

Text messaging and e-mails help us to keep in touch with others. keep in touch means _______________________________

ELC231/230 READING

PRACTICE 2 A.

Read the abstracts from the Voices of Youths forum.

CHILD RIGHTS – Should Young Kids Own Mobile Phones?

I think the mobile device is a great way to keep in touch with my parents. I’m 16 and I guess it’s all right to own one especially when I go out spending time with friends. KRYS, 16

Nobody really needs a mobile phone. There are other ways to communicate like having face to face communication and using the public phones… And… I can’t stand the oversimplified text. Sup? Nm, U? prty, u cmin? Sure, gtg!

I use the mobile to call my friends about school work. I’m responsible enough not to misuse my credit. However, there are students who are the total opposite of me. They misuse the camera phone and SMS during class. Yonaten, 11

There should be a minimum age for kids to own a mobile phone. Some kids walk down the street with a phone to their ears, acting like grown ups. They are prone to accidents and become vulnerable to mugging and aggression. Imran, 14

Cellphone is about communication including calling the police or the ambulance in times of need. Cellphone used to be a luxury but today, it ’s merely another household product. In this regard kids and teenagers could have cellphones although they do not have to be the most up to date or fancy ones. Rina, 16

Place a check mark (√) before the nearest meaning to the underlined words. 1.

I think the mobile device is a great way to keep in touch with my parents. _____ (a) _____ (b) _____ (c)

2.

appliance mechanism gadget

I’m responsible enough not to misuse my credit. _____ (a) _____ (b) _____ (c)

abuse waste exploit

ELC231/230 READING 3.

There are other ways to communicate like having face to face communication and using the public phones. _____ (a) _____ (b) _____ (c)

4.

Children are prone to accidents and become vulnerable to mugging and aggression. _____ (a) _____ (b) _____ (c)

5.

transmission interaction consultation

exposed defenseless weak

Cellphones used to be a luxury. _____ (a) _____ (b) _____ (c)

comfort bonus lavishness

B.

Scan the abstracts for answers to these questions. Remember, you do not need to read every word.

1.

What is the forum about?

2.

What is the age range of the participants?

3.

Krys and Yonaten use their mobile phones to ____________ and ______________.

4.

True or false? According to Aisyah, a mobile phone is the only means of communication.

5.

What is Yonaten complaining about?

6.

How can people keep in touch with each other besides using mobile phones?

7.

What can most probably happen if a child uses a mobile phone while walking?

8.

True or false? Aishah cannot understand simplified text.

9.

True or false? Rina feels that children should have up-to-date mobile phones.

10.

Who feels that it is not necessary to own a mobile phone?

ELC231/230 READING PRACTICE 3 Read the passage and answer the following questions. Apply what you have learnt in this chapter.

Science used to be presented as individual subjects like Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Students in school learnt Science as how it was taught in the classroom or how it was presented in textbooks. But this has changed with time. Students now see Science differently; as a practical discipline which requires communication skills and the application of knowledge and understanding. Students are expected to learn to communicate when contributing to a group or even when they are working alone. They learn research skills such as the use of reference materials and practise gathering and organizing information from different sources. They develop the ability to record and report as well as to translate information from one form to another to suit a particular purpose or assignment. Familiarity with computers has now become essential as pupils are expected to use spreadsheets and diagrams for collecting and presenting information. Technology, which was previously encountered as an option at Secondary School and often limited to Technical Drawing, is now introduced as a component of the primary school syllabus as ICT. Although it is not made compulsory, students are encouraged to use this new approach so they become well-acquainted with technology. Similar to Science, technology learning is based on practice and students are encouraged to identify opportunities for design and technological activities. As they approach school-leaving age, they will be able to learn these abilities in the contexts of home, school, recreation, community and also business and industry. They will also learn to innovate, generate designs, plan and make things using appropriate resources; then to evaluate the processes, products and effects of their design and technological activities. Computer literacy from an early age and the ability to use suitable software applications such as computer-aided design programs now form a significant element of the school syllabus. Who knows… another Einstein could be created!

1.

What can Science offer students?

2.

Why is it important for students to familiarize themselves with computers?

3.

The word compulsory means ________________. Which contextual clues does it use? ________________.

4.

What is the new approach in Science based on?

5.

What are the abilities learned as students approach school-leaving age?

6.

Do you think it is important to be computer literate at an early age? Why?...