Reading Strategy

1. Type of Texts:

Read the following texts and decide whether it is fiction or non-fiction. Discuss which genre or text type it is.

a. The damage being done to coral reefs in the 21st century is a cause of great concern to governments and
environmentalists alike. It is estimated that 60% of reefs are already seriously damaged from overfishing,
anchor damage and coral mining.

b. Standing in the shadows looking up at the manor house, he watched and waited. His opportunity would
arise soon, he was sure of that. There was a single light in a small window in the eaves of the house. Soon it
would flash on and off three times. That was his cue to act.

c. There can be no doubt that computers have brought about a revolution in the way schools are run, with
many arguing that online schools will become the norm in the near future.

d. 'What do you want?' came the robotic voice from the other spaceship. Sumair looked up, terrified, his eyes
unable to see what was in front of him due to the blinding white light emanating from the doorway.
Tentatively, he stepped forward.

e. It was a terrifying sight all right. But at least, thought All, they would soon know the truth. It had been a
long, hard battle, but the fantastical creatures had at last retreated as the last of their arrows had been fired at
the woodland tower.

f. He grew up as a poor kid in a slum in Brazil and lit up the world with his audacious and mesmerising football
skills. Having dreamt of being spotted by a talent scout, his dream came true one ordinary day as he played
with his friends on a dusty street. He laughs when he talks of it now.

g. If you're looking for an exciting city break with a truly mesmerising combination of culture, relaxation and
shopping, Colombo is definitely the choice for you!

h. The men marched on, their eyes dimmed with fatigue, their feet blistered in their ill-fitting boots, the
screams of falling shells behind them. How much longer could this war go on? How much more could they
take?

i. At the G7 conference today, government leaders agreed that collective action is needed to impede the
growing tide of obesity affecting the health of citizens in many of the world's wealthiest countries. One of the
proposals discussed was that foods containing high amounts of unsaturated fats or refined sugars should
attract increased tariff and taxes.

j. When I was not much more than a newborn child, my father was involved in a dispute that deprived him of
his chieftainship at Mvezo and revealed a strain in his character I believe he passed on to his son. I maintain
that nurture, rather than nature, is the primary moulder of personality, but my father possessed a proud sense
of rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness, that I recognise in myself. (From Long Walk to Freedom by
Nelson Mandela)
2. Read the text and then complete the tasks.

Bali is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world - and it's easy to see why! With its idyllic
golden beaches, unrivalled and spectacular scenery and exotic sunsets, it has everything to offer the
discerning tourist looking for an escape from the pressures of the modern world. For a tiny island in the Indian
Ocean, Bali certainly packs a punch!

A holiday in Bali is the perfect getaway - there are activities to suit everyone. For the active tourist the surfing
and trekking is unsurpassed. The incredible coastal waters offer fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities
across the majority of the island. For those looking for rest and relaxation, spas or yoga and meditation
retreats are sure to set your mind free while the markets and galleries offer ample opportunity for absorbing
the rich culture while supporting local people by shopping for local crafts. For anyone seeking fun, Bali's
nightlife with its lively cafés and trendy restaurants will make your holiday one to remember.

And of course, if you really want to get away from it all, far from its picturesque beaches, Bali can offer tourists
inland areas that have retained their remote rural charm and maintained their unique Balinese culture. These
areas are characterized by a stunning region of rice terraces intricately carved into the hillsides with extensive
views over the mesmerizing valleys below.

To reach Bali, you can book flights from all major international airports. The best time to visit is during the
island's dry season from May to October, although it is cheaper between November and April when you may
experience short rainstorms. The main languages spoken on the island are Indonesian, Balinese and English.
The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah.

Go on - book your holiday to beautiful Bali today!

a) Scan the text, and then describe what it is about in two sentences. Consider the text type, its purpose
and audience.
b) Skim the text and highlight what Bali offers a tourist looking for rest, relaxation, shopping and good
food.
c) Re-read the text and consider how the content is structured. Make a list of how the information is
ordered for the reader.
d) What can you infer about the impact of the tourist industry on Bali from paragraph 3?
e) Closely read the text and explain why the following phrases are effective:
I. For a tiny island... Bali certainly packs a punch!
II. stunning region of rice terraces intricately carved into the hillsides
3. Reading for Comprehension

Read the following text about a married couple who leave the city for a day out in the countryside.

It was a gloriously sunny day; perfect for relaxing in the hills with a picnic lunch. The two-hour drive in a
stifling car with no air conditioning would seem like a minor inconvenience when they finally arrived at their
destination, where the cooling breezes would provide relief from the oppressive heat of the city. They would
also enjoy a sense of freedom that comes from being in a large open space. Yaseera secretly hoped it would
help them break the endless cycle of bickering they seemed to be trapped in lately.

As Faisal drove them away from their tatty apartment block, the car was dwarfed by the tall buildings lining
the highway on either side. Yaseera sighed at the peeling paintwork on the building exteriors and the lines of
washed clothes hanging from every tiny balcony. Married life piled up on top of hundreds of other families in a
tiny one-bedroomed box wasn't what she had dreamed of as a rural child longing for city life.

To Yaseera's surprise, the highway was moving seamlessly and their journey was smooth. They reached the
foothills and began the meandering drive along the ribbon road that wound its way up the hills. She sighed
with contentment, luxuriating in the anticipation of their arrival at the national park, famous for its stunning
views and peaceful ambience.

After an hour of searching for a space in the crowded car park - arguing bitterly all the while - Faisal and
Yaseera dejectedly made their way up the hillside trail. Everywhere they looked there were crowds of people:
people queuing for ice-creams and bottles of water; people queuing for the restrooms; people queuing to
have their photographs taken with tame monkeys; people queuing to pay the fees for their parking ticket
before leaving. Every bit of space as far as they could see seemed to be choked with people milling about,
children running around screaming, and the debris of picnics just eaten. They had come looking for paradise
but all they had found was an area ruined by mass tourism.

Look for clues in the text. Record the meaning in a table. The first two have been done for you.

Word Meaning in context Synonyms What the writer is conveying

stifling suffocating airless, sweltering, that the car journey is uncomfortably hot
choking
minor insignificant unimportant, slight that the destination will make the
uncomfortable journey worth it.

4. Finding words and phrases in a text

Read this non-fiction text about exploring a cave.

Exploring a cave can be an unpleasant experience: there is a damp, sometimes musty smell which is common to all
caves. You can see nothing initially but, when your eyes adjust to your unfamiliar surroundings, the strange light casts
eerie shadows on the walls. Sometimes you are aware of creatures such as mice scurrying across your path.

If you are exploring a low cave, at the start of the walk having to stoop seems like fun, but that wears off as soon as you
have travelled a short distance, You not only have to crouch down all the time, you also have to keep your head up so
that you can see the roof of the cave. You have, therefore, a constant pain in the neck - but this is nothing compared to
the pain in your knees.

After about a kilometre it becomes an unbearable agony. You begin to worry whether you will ever get to the end- still
more, how on earth you are going to get back. Your pace grows slower and slower in response to the difficulties.

Sometimes it is hard going underneath your feet too, with jagged pieces of rock littering the ground ready to pierce even
the hardiest boot. This is in addition to the frequent and deep pools of stagnant water often masking themselves as
shallow puddles. You certainly need to tread very carefully.

Answer the following questions.

a. Give a phrase from paragraph 1 that shows that all caves have the same smell.
b. Give one word from paragraph 1 that means 'at first'.
c. Identify two features of exploring caves in paragraph 1 that may be frightening.
d. What is the worst pain caused by exploring a low cave according to paragraph 2?
e. What are the two main worries of someone walking in a low cave according to paragraph 3!
f. Give two pieces of evidence from paragraph 4 that show cave walkers need to be careful about where they
tread.

Skim read the following fiction text, then describe what it is about in two sentences.

A long hungry hot afternoon drive later, they reached their destination: the Lake View Hotel. Its plain whitewashed
walls, sloping gardens and perfectly symmetrical blue swimming pool would have made it the ultimate in modern
holiday resorts of the early 1960s. But now even the blistering garden shrubs had a vintage look to them. There were
boulders in the drive and the walls at the front had begun to crumble.

'Is this another ruin?' Hector muttered as he slowly climbed out.

I thought you would like it, Hector. Old-world. Quiet. Very good for meditative types.' [……..] ‘Now where's the
reception?' He marched inside and rang a desk bell.

The main foyer was spacious, with a view of the pool and then the lake in the distance beyond. It had excellent natural
light.

‘I think the staff might have died some time ago.' Hector sat down on a rickety wicker chair and contemplated a three-
year-old calendar pinned to the wall.

Brendan rang the bell with extra vigour.

From The Match by Romesh Gunesekera

a. Give two details about how the men were feeling at the end of their journey from the first line.
b. What does the name of the hotel tell you about its situation?
c. Give one word from the first paragraph which means 'best'.
d. Give two pieces of evidence that the outside of the hotel looks run down.
e. What does the description 'meditative type' tell the reader about Hector?
f. Why does Hector say, 'I think the staff might have died some time ago"?
g. Give two positive details about the reception area and one negative detail.
h. What does the phrase 'extra vigour' tell the reader about how Brendan rang the bell?