Comprehension Level 6 (Am) Sample

CONTENTS PAGE Instructions 2 • Vocabulary …………………….…….…………………….……... 2 • Short Reading Exercise ………………...…………...…….……… 4 • Cloze………………………….…………………………….…….. 4 • Main Idea………………….……………………….……….…….. 6 • Sequencing …..………………….…………….………….….…... 6 • Following Directions …………………………………………….. 6 • Critical Reading …………………….……………………..……... 8 • Extended Reading ………………………………………………… 8 • Reading for a Purpose ……….…………………………………… 8 • Dig Deeper .……………………………………………………….. SAMPLE Week 1: ………………….……………..………………………....…. 10 Week 2: ………………..…………..………….………………..……. 26 Week 3: …………………...…………………..………………..……. 42 Week 4: ………………………………………………………...……. 58 Week 5: …………………..…………..………………………...……. 74 Week 6: ………………………………………………………...……. 90 Week 7: …………….………………………………………...……… 106 Week 8: ……………….………………………………………..……. 122 Week 9: ……………..………………………………………..……… 138 Week 10: …………….………………………………………..……... 154 References: ….…………………………………………………..…… 170 Comprehension Level 6 p. 1

WEEK ONE VOCABULARY TEACHER USE ONLY VOCABULARY Read Meaning 1st 2nd 3rd remote (far from anything) provisions (food and equipment) grueling (exhausting, tough) potentially (possibly) possessions (things you own) spinifex (wild coarse grass) outcrop (rock formation) menacing (alarming, scary) hurricane lantern (an oil lamp that won’t go out in the wind) SAMPLE anticipating (expecting) proposal (offer to marry) outskirts (outer edges) anxious (concerned, worried) embroider (decorate by sewing) compelled (forced) relief (feeling better) unsettled (feeling that something is not right) apprehensive (nervous) burden (load or problem) brim (upper or outer edge) GOALS: • Read the words in 20 seconds • Know the meanings of the words PLEASE RECORD YOUR BEST TIME FOR EACH DAY Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Comprehension Level 6 p. 10

DAY ONE: SHORT READING EXERCISE Read the story. Circle the correct answer for each question. Write a title for the story that reflects the main idea. Write a nutshell sentence. TITLE:____________________________________ PURPOSE: Entertain Inform Persuade Instruct TENSE: Past Present Future (1) Resourceful – able to make do with limited resources. (2) Independent – able to make decisions quickly and don’t need to rely on others. (3) Inventive – able to create solutions to overcome difficulties or a lack of resources. (4) Risk-taker – have the courage to go to remote areas with harsh environments. (5) Self-sufficient – don’t need to rely on others for provisions or entertainment. (6) Courageous – able to face adversity, grueling conditions and potentially dangerous situations. (7) Hardworking – work for long hours in difficult conditions often for little reward. (8) Frugal – not requiring many possessions and able to live with little money. SAMPLE 1. This is a list of characteristics that 4. If you were self-sufficient, you might would be useful for a) watch a lot of television. a) women. b) grow your own vegetables. b) students. c) purchase bread from a bakery. c) pioneers. 5. A risk-taker would not 2. A resourceful person would be able to a) live in a remote area. a) make clothes from a hessian sack. b) be very courageous. b) purchase clothes over the internet. c) choose the safest option. c) wash clothes in a washing machine. Evaluate by connecting to your own knowledge. 3. A frugal person would a) not have expensive furniture. 6. Could you be a pioneer? Why? b) refuse to wear second-hand clothes. c) not be resourceful. NUTSHELL SENTENCE: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Comprehension Level 6 p. 11

SAMPLEDAY TWO: CLOZE Read all the words in the box. Read the story. Try to fit the words from the box into the spaces. Put a line through each word in the box as you use it. If you don’t immediately know the answer, leave it out and move to the next word. When you have finished, circle all the words you haven’t used in the box. Now read the story again and see if you can fill in the words you missed the first time. • Resourceful – able to __________ do with limited resources. (Able to do what? Need a verb.) • Independent – able to make __________ quickly and don’t need to __________ on other(Msa.ke what? Need a noun.) (Need to do what? Need a verb.) • Inventive – able to create __________ to overcome difficulties __________ a(Clraeactekwhaot? Nfeerdea nsooun.u) rces. (Need a conjunction to join the items.) • Risk-taker – have the __________ to go to remote areas __________ harsh environments.(Have what? Need a noun.) • Self-sufficient –(Need a conjunction to join the items.) don’t __________ to rely on others for provisions or _______(_Do_n’t_wha.t? Need a verb.) (Or what? Need a noun.) • Courageous – able to face adversity, grueling conditions __________ potentially dangerous __________ . • Hardworking – work(Need a conjunction to join the items.) for long __________(Dangerous what? inNeed da nioufnf.)icult conditions often for little ____(_Lo_ng_wh_at?_N_eed.a noun.) • Frugal – not __________(Fomr littalenwhyat? pNeeod asnsouen.s) sions and able to __________ w(Notiwthhat?lNietedtlaeverbm.) oney. (Able to do what? Need a verb.) rely make decisions and hours with live need solutions entertainment reward requiring courage situations or * verb=be, do, or have word. * conjunction=joins words, phrases, or sentences * noun=naming word. Comprehension Level 6 p. 12

SAMPLEDAY THREE: MAIN IDEA & SEQUENCING MAIN IDEA Find the one main idea and three supporting details in the following passage. The main idea is the big idea or key point. The supporting details provide extra information. Highlight the main idea. Circle the number at the beginning of the sentences which provide supporting detail. (1)Roebourne is a remote town located in the desert environment of the north-west of Western Australia. (2)It was originally the land of the Ngarluma people. (3)John and Emma Withnell were the first white settlers in the area and they established Mount Welcome Station which became the town site of Roebourne in 1866. (4)At that time, the closest town to the north was Darwin, over 1,553 miles away and Geraldton to the south, over 620 miles away. (5)It has a harsh climate, with menacing hurricanes and temperatures peaking at 39 degrees Celsius in December. (6)This dry and arid land, dotted with rocky outcrops, is dominated by red desert soil with a few stunted trees, shrubs, and drought resistant, needle-sharp spinifex, a hardy type of grass. Ask: • What is the story about? • What did the story tell you about Roebourne’s location and environment? • Highlight the key word(s) in each sentence that show(s) this in red. • Which is the one sentence that provides an overview of all these ideas? That is the main idea. Highlight this sentence in yellow. • Which are the two sentences that do NOT give you information about the Roebourne environment? Put a line through those two sentences. • The sentences that are left are providing supporting detail. Put a circle around the number next to those sentences. Comprehension Level 6 p. 13

SEQUENCING Read the sentence, circle the clue word that will help you decide the answer and then choose the correct statement. 1. After Emma received the beautifully embroidered handkerchief, she wrote a thank you letter. SAMPLEThe clue word is: a) received b) after c) wrote d) embroidered i) Emma received the embroidered handkerchief first. ii) Emma wrote the thank you letter first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 2. During the voyage, the stock were fed and watered. The clue word is: a) during b) voyage c) were d) stock i) The voyage occurred first. ii) The stock were fed and watered first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 3. Evelyn had felt anxious since night had fallen. The clue word is: a) felt b) since c) anxious d) fallen i) Evelyn felt anxious first. ii) Night had fallen first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 4. Before searching for water, John unloaded the provisions. The clue word is: a) before b) searching c) unloaded d) provisions i) John searched for water first. ii) John unloaded the provisions first. iii) Both happened at the same time. Comprehension Level 6 p. 14

DAY FOUR: DIRECTIONS & CRITICAL READING FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS • Circle the key word from each sentence below. • Use the key word to decide which encyclopedia you would use to find the answer. • Write the volume of the encyclopedia at the end of each sentence. 1. How do hurricane lamps work? ____ 2. The burden of living in a desert. ____ 3. The history of marriage proposals. ____ 4. What difficulties are faced by people living on farms on the outskirts of cities? ____ 5. Relaxing activities for when you’re feeling anxious. ____ 6. How to embroider a flower. ____ 7. Uses for spinifex. ____ 8. Self-defense techniques to use against menacing burglars. ____ Vol 1 Vol 2 Vol 3 Vol 4 Vol 5 Vol 6 Vol 7 Vol 8 Vol 9 Vol 10 A-B C-D E-F G-I J-L M-N O-Q R-S T-V W-Z SAMPLE CRITICAL READING Determine the relationship between the first two words in bold. Select a word from the list that shows a similar relationship to the third word in bold in each sentence. Make sure the student understands all the words in the box before beginning the exercise. Do the ones the student finds easy first. spinifex anticipating relief embroidered provisions apprehensive proposal compelled light gruelling 1. Menacing is to scary as expecting is to ____________. (Similar meaning – synonym) 2. Window is to clean as handkerchief is to ____________. (Adjective relating to object) 3. Employment is to interview as marriage is to____________. (Action related to activity) 4. Water is to vessel as ground is to ____________. (Where object is found) 5. Car is to transport as hurricane lamp is to ____________. (Action associated with object) 6. Quiet is to silent as unsettled is to ____________. (Similar meaning – synonym) 7. Remote is to close as easy is to ____________. (Opposite meaning – antonym) 8. Roebourne is to town as clothes are to ____________. (Example) 9. Tired is to awake as anxious is to ____________. (Opposite meaning – antonym) 10. Seize is to grab as forced is to ____________. (Similar meaning – synonym) Comprehension Level 6 p. 15

DAY FIVE: EXTENDED READING As the student is Mount Welcome reading, ask Northwest, Western Australia some of the 23rd December, 1864 following questions. Discuss the reasons underlying the answers. • How do you know (1)My dearest friend, Evelyn, this is a letter? (2)Thank you for your birthday card, the beautiful embroidered • How long ago was handkerchief, your very informative letter, and especially for the the letter written? books. It’s hard to believe that I’m 22 years and 2 days old and that we have been living in this remote and lonely land for six months • Locate Western now. It feels like a lifetime since I was a 16 year old May bride. Australia on a map.SAMPLE • What was the writer’s preferred present? Why? • How many years has she been married? • What sort of (3)It took us nearly a month to sail up the coast from Fremantle to provision might reach our destination, De Grey River mouth. Out little vessel, the Sea Ripple, was loaded to the brim with stock and provisions, leaving have been on the little space for my adventurous husband John, his brother Robert, our two young children (George and young John), my siblings (Fanny and vessel? John) and three servants. • Why might this (4)All went well until we were nearly at our destination when we had incident have been an extremely uncomfortable and potentially disastrous introduction to disastrous? the northwest. A violent storm drove our ship ashore onto a rocky outcrop. We unloaded the stock, so we could repair the damage. • What was probably However, by the time the ship was patched and refloated, all but 86 of damaged? our 460 sheep were lost. They’d either wandered away or died from drinking salt water. • What is the problem with drinking sea water? Comprehension Level 6 p. 16

• Why did the writer (5)Finally, we sailed into Tien Tsin harbor. John was exhausted. I felt feel she was in a like I was sizzling in a frying pan. The children were crying from frying pan? thirst and hunger. Once we had safely unloaded everything onto the beach, John set out to search for water leaving the children and me in • What would you charge of our possessions. have done if you were in this position? • Why was the house (6)Luckily, John found a good supply of water in from the coast and built of stones, this has become the site of our new home – Mount Welcome. mud, and spinifex? Together, we have built a one-roomed house with stones, mud-bats, and a spinifex roof. Our plan is to gradually add to this room as time • Why did they only and resources permit. build one room? (7)Our nearest neighbors are over fifty miles away and the children • What would be and I are often by ourselves for days on end when John is working on some advantages the outskirts of the property. At these times, I really miss my eleven and disadvantage siblings and the winter evenings when we all sat around the huge of living in a house kitchen fire. This land and climate is so different from where we grew with one room? up in York. SAMPLE • What would you do if you were in this situation? • How do you think where the writer is currently living is different to where she grew up as a child? • Discuss in general (8)I am kept busy looking after three children (you probably know that terms what it Robert was born soon after we arrived) and helping around the would be like property. I cannot express how grateful I am that my father, George giving birth in this Hancock, taught me to read. It’s a priceless gift that keeps the situation. loneliness at bay. • Why was being able to read a priceless gift? • What misfortune (9)One time, night had fallen and I was feeling particularly anxious might have and on edge because John hadn’t returned. After I had tucked the children into bed, I tried to read, but I felt unsettled and befallen John? apprehensive that something might have happened to John. The dogs kept up a continuous barking and I came to the conclusion that someone must be camped nearby. I compelled myself to peer into the darkness from the kitchen window. Comprehension Level 6 p. 17

• Locate an object (10)To my horror, there was a shadowy figure about twenty-five yards that is 25 yards from the house. I seized and loaded the rifle, which I kept in a corner of the room. Returning to the window, I slipped the rifle barrel away. through, calling out, “Go away or I’ll shoot.” • Using all your (11)In the dim light, the figure seemed to take on a menacing attitude senses, describe and appeared to move its head in a sinister way. “Go way,” I this scene in detail screamed again. Then with a trembling finger, I pressed the trigger. I in your own words. had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, for I knew I had hit my mark and yet the figure remained standing. Seizing a hurricane • How was the writer lantern, I ran out to investigate. Imagine my relief when I found that feeling? How do the ‘stranger’ about to attack us was in fact a dress and hat I had hung you know? on the clothes line to dry! SAMPLE • What might have been causing the dress to move? • What sort of (12)The awful loneliness of this vast land is my greatest burden, gruelling work followed very closely by the grueling work. Yet, as I said to father, “I might the writer am forever grateful for John’s proposal.” We may be poor, but John have to do? is a kind, hard-working, and honest man. • What might have (13)I am already anticipating your next letter. happened if the writer didn’t get (14)Your friend always, distant though I may be married? *Emma Withnell. • Why would she be anticipating the next letter? PURPOSE: Entertain Inform Persuade Instruct TENSE: Past Present Future * Based on a story written in Emma Withnell’s diary Comprehension Level 6 p. 18

SAMPLEREADING FOR A PURPOSE Infer. 1. One reason that does NOT explain why the sheep drank the seawater is a) that they were thirsty. b) it was the only water available. c) the ship was damaged. Infer. 2. Emma was pleased she could read because a) she could teach her own children to read. b) it gave her something to occupy her time. c) her father had not been a good teacher. Infer. 3. The ‘stranger’ Emma saw was a) only real in her imagination. b) her husband returning. c) a sick local seeking help. Cause and effect. 4. The ‘figure’ was moving because a) it was trying to scare Emma. b) of a gentle breeze. c) the light was dim. Cause and effect. 5. Emma felt sick after pulling the trigger because a) her dress now had a hole in it. b) the stranger was still scaring her. c) she thought she’d killed someone. Infer. 6. Emma a) regretted marrying John. b) wished John was not so poor. c) was pleased she’d married John. Predict. 7. Why would Emma be anticipating Evelyn’s next letter? a) It was a way of finding out what was happening in the world. b) Emma was kept busy looking after her children. c) She could practice her reading. Characterization. 8. Emma was a) easily upset. b) often unhappy and frightened. c) brave and courageous. Comprehension Level 6 p. 19

DIG DEEPER A. Several problems were encountered in this recount. Write the solution for each problem and the resolution. Key character Main setting Problem 1 Vessel was damaged. Solution Problem 2 Emma was lonely. Solution Problem 3 Emma saw a menacing figure outside. SAMPLE Solution Resolution B. In the following passage, underline and replace the verbs so that the account is written in present tense. Night had fallen and I was feeling particularly anxious and on edge because John hadn’t returned. After I tucked the children into bed, I tried to read, but I felt unsettled and apprehensive that something had happened to John. The dogs kept up a continuous barking and I came to the conclusion that someone was camped nearby. I compelled myself to peer into the darkness from the kitchen window. C. This piece of writing is a 1. report. Highlight the conventions used in the writing that prove 2. form. your choice is correct. 3. letter. 4. poem. 5. documentary. Comprehension Level 6 p. 20

On the front of the card find an antonym, a synonym, or an example of a type for each word as directed and on the back write a sentence using the word. spinifex remote Antonym: _________ Another type of grass: _________ outcrop provisions Part of speech: _________ Example: _________ SAMPLE menacing grueling Antonym: _________ Synonym: _________ hurricane lamp potentially Base word: _________ Another type of lighting: _________ anticipating possessions Base word: _________ Example: _________ Comprehension Level 6 p. 21

(far from anything) (wild coarse grass) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (food and equipment) (rock formation) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ SAMPLE (exhausting, tough) (alarming, scary) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (possibly) (an oil lamp that won’t go out in the wind) Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (things you own) (expecting) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 6 p. 22

relief proposal Antonym: _________ Base word: _________ unsettled outskirts Base word: _________ Synonym: _________ SAMPLE apprehensive anxious Antonym: _________ Antonym: _________ burden embroider Synonym: _________ Synonym: _________ brim compelled Example: _________ Synonym: _________ Comprehension Level 6 p. 23

(offer to marry) (feeling better) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (outer edges) (feeling that something is not right) Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ SAMPLE (concerned, worried) (nervous) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (decorate by sewing) (load or problem) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (forced) (upper or outer edge) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 6 p. 24

WEEK 1 ANSWERS SHORT READING EXERCISE 1. B Purpose: Inform 2. A Tense: Present 3. A Nutshell: ‘(Title)’ is a list of characteristics required to be a pioneer. 4. A 5. C 6. It is important that student provides a reason for the opinion given. MAIN IDEA Main Idea: 1 Supporting details: 4, 5, 6 SEQUENCING 1. A i 2. A iii 3. B ii 4. A ii SAMPLE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS 5. relaxing – Vol 8 1. hurricane lamp – Vol 4 6. embroidery – Vol 3 2. desert – Vol 2 7. spinifex – Vol 8 3. marriage – Vol 6 8. self-defence – Vol 8 4. farms – Vol 3 CRITICAL READING 1. anticipating 4. spinifex 7. grueling 10. compelled 8. provisions 2. embroidered 5. light 9. relief 3. proposal 6. apprehensive READING FOR A PURPOSE 1. C 5. C 2. B 6. C Purpose: Entertain 3. A 6. A Tense: Past 4. B 8. C DIG DEEPER B C A Night is falling and I am feeling 3-Letter Key character: particularly anxious and on edge Emma Withnell because John hasn’t returned. After I • Address at the top Setting: Mt. Welcome tuck the children into bed, I try to Solution 1: Unloaded and read, but I feel unsettled and • My dearest friend patched ship apprehensive that something has Evelyn Solution 2: Read books happened to John. The dogs keep up a Solution 3: Shot at figure continuous barking and I come to the • Your friend always, Resolution: Discovered it conclusion that someone is camped Emma Withnell nearby. I compel myself to peer into was only a dress and hat. the darkness from the kitchen window. Comprehension Level 6 p. 25