Reading for Comprehension Level 10 (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 10 p. 1

WEEK ONE VOCABULARY VOCABULARY TEACHER USE ONLY Read Meaning 1st 2nd 3rd colossal (huge) traverse (travel across) adamant (refusing to change) ire (anger) nemesis (enemy) scoundrel (rascal, dishonest) brawny (strong and muscular) ruse (sneaky plan) antagonise (annoy) swathe (wrap in cloth) lough (lake) SAMPLE pursuing (chasing) fragment (piece) hospitality (offering friendship, food, safety, etc.) petrified (very scared) envisioned (imagined) resolved (decided) blaspheme (curse) recoup (recover) hollered (yelled) 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 10 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)What is the most colossal, the most intriguing and the most unusual geographical formation? (2)The Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland. (3)The extraordinary 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal-shaped basalt columns, forming stepping stones from the cliff tops disappearing into the ocean, are so unique that they were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. (4)These fascinating rock structures were created 50 to 60 million years ago during the Palaeocene Epoch. (5)Intense volcanic activity resulted in highly fluid molten basalt forming an extensive lava plateau. (6)As the lava cooled, horizontal contraction occurred resulting in cracks propagating down, leaving spectacular pillar-like structures. (7)The size of these immense columns was primarily determined by the speed at which the lava cooled. (8)If you’re ever in Ireland, be adamant that traversing this extensive network of 12 to 28 metre high hexagonal pillars is on your sight-seeing agenda. SAMPLE Find the facts by looking back in the text. Infer by making connections. 1. In 1986, the Giant’s Causeway was 4. This would be a difficult site to a) formed from volcanic activity. navigate if you were b) traversed by 40,000 tourists. a) a geologist. c) declared a heritage site. b) in a wheelchair. c) a UNESCO representative. 2. The hexagonal-shaped columns were formed 5. The Palaeocene Epoch occurred a) as a lava plateau cooled. a) relatively recently. b) as cliffs disappeared into the ocean. b) before dinosaurs existed. c) by the Irish. c) after dinosaurs became extinct. 3. The pillars are diverse in size because Connect sentence 41. a) the lava didn’t cool at a constant speed. b) they formed 50-60 million years ago. Evaluate by connecting to your own knowledge. c) of erosion caused by the waves. 6. Describe the most interesting natural formation you have seen. How do you think it compares to the Giant’s Causeway? NUTSHELL SENTENCE: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 10 p. 11

DAY 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. What is the most colossal, the most intriguing and the most unusual geographical __________? The Giant’s Causeway is __________ in (Unusual what? Needs to be a noun.) County of Northern Irelan(Ndee.d aTvehrbeafteerxthtersuabojecrt.d) inary Antrim on the north coast 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal-shaped basalt _________, forming stepping stones from the cliff tops _______(W_h_at_is minadetoof thebasalt? Noeecdea anonun,.) are so unique that they were declar(Neeedd __________a verb describing what the clWiff toopsralreddoHinge.) ritage Site by (Need an article.) UNESCO in1986. These fascinating rock __________ were __________ 50 to 60 million years ago du(rRiocnkgwhatth? NeeedPaanoluan.e) ocene Epoch. (Were what? Need a verb.) Intense volcanic activity __________ in highly fluid molten basalt forming __________ ex(tWehnatshaipvpeed? lNaeevdaa veprbl.)ateau. __________ the lava cooled, hor(Niezedoann atraticlle.c) ontraction occurred(Nereed sa cuonljtuinnctigon tihnat licnkrsacocolkingslapvartoocpracaksg.)ating SAMPLE down, leaving spectacular pillar-like structures. __________ size of these immense columns was primarily determined(Nebedyantahrticele.s) peed at which the lava cooled. __________ you’re ever in Ireland, be adamant that ______(N_ee_d a_c_onjutnhctiiosn extensive network of 12that links being in Ireland to viewing the pillars.) to 28 metre high hexagonal (Apdaimlalnat arbsout_w_hat_? _Ne_ed_a_ve_rb_.) _ on your sight-seeing __________ . (Sight-seeing what? Need a noun.) (Verb to be.) created agenda formation located a resulted an as if the is traversing columns structures disappearing * verb=be, do or have word * subject=who or what the sentence is about * noun=naming word * conjunction=joins words, phrases or sentences * article= used in front of a noun to tell us if it is something specific (the) or something general (a/an) Comprehension Level 10 p. 12

SAMPLEDAY THREE: MAIN IDEA & SEQUENCING MAIN IDEA Find the one main idea and four supporting details in the following passage. The main idea is the 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)Welcome to the Ire of the Nemesis, a video game for the brave and resilient. (2)Your challenge is to defeat your arch nemeses to rise to the top echelon. (3)Players begin at the lowest rank of Scoundrel and move through a hierarchy of levels until they reach the all-powerful position of Brawny Lord. (4)On entering the game, players are represented by a silhouette. (5)Through ingenious ruses, players gradually obtain information about the other players, increasing their power. (6)Dominant nemeses traverse the landscape, completing missions, which in turn further increases their power. (7)Extend acts of hospitality to Brawny Lords and avoid antagonising them, until you have equal power. (8)If you rouse their ire, the consequences for you will be disastrous. Ask: • What is the passage about? • What is the main aim of the game? • Highlight the sentence that provides this information in yellow as this is the main idea. • What are the levels players move through and what are two main ways of rising to the top echelon? Place a circle around the number at the beginning of each of these sentences as they are providing the supporting details. • Which are the three sentences that do NOT give you information about the aim of the game and how you rise through the hierarchy of levels? Place a cross on the numbers at the beginning of these sentences. Comprehension Level 10 p. 13

SEQUENCING Read the sentence, circle the clue word that will help you decide the answer and then choose the correct statement. 1. Finn toiled for days until the causeway of cobblestones bridged the two lands. The clue word is: a) toiled b) until c) causeway d) bridged SAMPLEi) Finn toiled first. ii) The causeway bridged the two lands first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 2. Prior to settling in the bathtub, Finn swathed himself in a sheet. The clue word is: a) prior b) in c) swathed d) himself i) Finn settled in the bathtub first. ii) Finn swathed himself in a sheet first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 3. Lough Neagh was formed as a result of Finn scooping out a huge clod of earth. The clue word is: a) formed b) result c) of d) clod i) Lough Neagh was formed first. ii) Finn scooped out the clod of earth first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 4. While eating fat nailed onto timber, Benadonner fragmented his teeth. The clue word is: a) while b) eating c) onto d) fragmented i) Benadonner ate fat nailed onto timber first. ii) Benadonner fragmented his teeth first. iii) Both happened at the same time. Comprehension Level 10 p. 14

DAY FOUR: DIRECTIONS & CRITICAL READING FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS Read the movie timetable to answer the questions. * The Hospitable Scoundrel (HS-1½ hrs) *My Brawny Nemesis (BN-1hr) * Traversing Lough Neagh (TLN-2hrs) *Pursuing the Blasphemous Suspect (PBS-2½ hrs) * Problems Resolved (PR-1½ hrs) *The Petrified Scoundrel (PS-2hrs) Time Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 11.00am BN PS PBS PR 11.30am PR PS TLN 12.00pm HS TLN PBS HS PBS 2.00pm PBS BN PR TLN BN 2.30pm TLN PS PS 6.00pm SAMPLE HS PS 6.30pm HS 7.00pm 7.30pm BN PR PBS 1. Which day has the latest finishing time? ____________________ 2. What is the time of the lunch break on each day? M:_____________ T:_____________ W:_____________ Th: :_____________ F: :_____________ Sa: :_____________ Su:_____________ 3. If you finished work at 6pm, would you be able to see all the movies in one week? _____ 4. If you were interested in travel movies, which would be the best days to got to the movies? ___________________________________________________________________________ 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. swathe resolve blaspheme petrified infuriate ally hospitality lough scoundrel colossal 1. Antagonise is to mollify as nemesis is to ____________. (Opposite meaning – antonym) 2. Horse is to mount as cloth is to ____________. (Action related to noun) 3. Clerk is to service as hotelier is to____________. (Action related to occupation) 4. Ire is to anger as cuss is to ____________. (Similar meaning – synonym) 5. Studious is to professor as dishonest is to ____________. (Value associated with person) 6. Hollered is to bellowed as enrage is to ____________. (Similar meaning – synonym) 7. Brawny is to scrawny as minute is to ____________. (Opposite meaning – antonym) 8. Smiling is to ecstatic as shaking is to ____________. (Action associated with feeling) 9. Slumber is to bed as swim is to ____________. (Action associated with noun) 10. Money is to recoup as conundrum is to ____________. (Action associated with noun) Comprehension Level 10 p. 15

DAY FIVE: EXTENDED READING As the student is The Giant’s Causeway reading, ask some of the following questions. Discuss the reasons underlying the answers. SAMPLE • Why might Fionn Characters: Narrator, Finn McCool, Benadonner, Oonagh have been known as Finn McCool? (1)Narrator: Long, long ago, a great giant, Fionn Mac Cumhaill (commonly known as Finn McCool) lived amongst the towering cliffs, rocky hills, • Why might winding rivers and scooped out lakes of Northern Ireland. Across the Irish Benadonner be Sea his nemesis, the giant Benadonner (otherwise known as Red Man), known as Red roamed Scotland. For years, Mc Cool and Red Man hollered and Man? antagonised each other from across the water. Each year, Finn’s ire intensified. Determined to challenge Benadonner to a fight, he resolved to • Locate Scotland construct a causeway from Ulster across the water to Scotland. He toiled for and Ireland on a days until his causeway, built from extraordinary six-sided cobblestones world map. that fitted neatly together like honeycomb, bridged the two lands. • What do Finn’s (2)Finn [Hollering]: Benadonner, are you too cowardly to traverse the actions tell you causeway? Are you petrified of being pummelled by an Irishman? about his personality? (3)Narrator: Suddenly, Finn heard thundering feet, so loud and heavy the very earth beneath his feet trembled. Arising out from the mist, a colossal • What is meant by figure gradually emerged. As Benadonner approached, Finn realised that the ‘run-of-the-mill’? giant was larger than he had ever envisioned. Finn turned and sprinted home to the Fort-of-Allen in County Kildare. • Why does she tell Finn to wrap (4)Finn: Oonagh! Oonagh! What am I going to do? I provoked Benadonner himself in a sheet and now he’s pursuing me. He’s not just a run-of-the-mill giant. He’s and to get into the colossal. Quickly, stuff five pounds of moss in each ear so we’re not bathtub? deafened by his thunderous footsteps. He’s going to kill me for sure. (5)Oonagh: Here, swathe yourself in this sheet and settle yourself in the bathtub. I have a ruse. Comprehension Level 10 p. 16

• We refer to this SAMPLE(6)Narrator: Within minutes Benadonner pummelled on the door of the Fort- strait as the ‘Irish of-Allen with a spear that was as immense as a Round Tower. Sea’. Why does Benadonner call it (7)Oonagh [Opening the door]: Hello, can I help you? the ‘Scottish Sea’? (8)Benadonner [Hollering]: Where is he? Where is that spineless scoundrel • Compare the size who blasphemes me across the Scottish Sea? of a chariot wheel to an object with (9)Oonagh: Are you asking after Finn? Sure it’s a pity, but Finn is out which the student stalking deer in County Kerry. Would you like to come in anyway and relax is familiar. after your lengthy journey? I’ll show you the Great Hall where you can rest awhile. • What is Oonagh trying to achieve? (10)Narrator: Oonagh escorted Benadonner to the Great Hall. • What is a griddle? (11)Oonagh: Here, you can stow your spear next to Finn’s. • Why is she (12)Narrator: Oonagh indicated a huge fir tree with a pointed star on the top, preparing the food in this manner? (13)Oonagh: And perhaps you could lean your shield against Finn’s. • Find a container (14)Narrator: Oonagh indicated a block of building oak the size of four that would hold 5 chariot wheels. gallons. (15)Oonagh: Now, please take your time to recoup and I’ll make you Finn’s • What might favourite snack. Benadonner be thinking? (16)Narrator: Oonagh returned to the kitchen and prepared a cake of griddle- bread baked with the iron griddle pressed inside. Next, she hammered a strip of hard fat onto a block of red timber. When all was prepared, she delivered the food and a five-gallon bucket of honey beer to Benadonner. (17) Benadonner [Biting hungrily into the griddle bread]: Thank you for your hospitality……Ooh….oow. How can Finn eat this bread? I’ve just shattered my three front teeth. (18)Narrator: Benadonner put the bread aside and sank his teeth into the fat nailed into the timber. [Loud cracking sound.] This time two of his back teeth fragmented. Hollering in pain, he sculled the honey beer to numb the pain. (19)Oonagh [To Benadonner]: Would you like to say ‘hello’ to the baby? Just let me feed him first. (20)Narrator: Oonagh lead Benadonner into the bathroom. In the bath-cradle, Finn peeped out from behind the sheet in which he was swathed, contentedly sucking on his thumb and make cooing noises. Oonagh lobbed the loaf of bread to him which he deftly caught and began sucking on the crust. Comprehension Level 10 p. 17

• Why is (21) Benadonner [Astounded]: I…I’m not good with babies. I’m feeling a little Benadonner woozy from the honey-beer. Could I go outside to clear my head? sweating? (22)Narrator: Oonagh escorted Benadonner out into the garden and pointed to • Why was he in some boulders the size of chairs scattered around the lawn. such a hurry to return home? (23)Oonagh: Finn and his friends play catch with these rocks. Finn practises by hurling one over the Fort then sprinting around to catch it before it strikes the • How would you ground. describe Oonah’s personality? (24)Narrator: Benadonner walked over to a boulder. He was brawny, but the boulder was so heavy he could only elevate it just above his head before dropping it, ricking his neck in the process. (25) Benadonner [Sweating profusely]: Thank you for your kind hospitality, but I really haven’t the time to wait longer for Finn. I need to return to Scotland before the tide covers the causeway. (26)Narrator: Benadonner fled back to Scotland destroying the causeway in his wake. As Finn chased after him, he scooped a huge clod of earth out of the ground and flung it at the retreating Scot. The clod missed its target and landed in the middle of the sea. Today, we call it the Isle of Man. When next it rained, water filled the hole and it became the largest lough in Ireland – Lough Neagh. SAMPLE PURPOSE: Entertain Inform Persuade Instruct TENSE: Narrator’s part written in: Past Present Future Characters’ parts written in: Past Present Future Comprehension Level 10 p. 18

SAMPLEREADING FOR A PURPOSE Read carefully. 1. According to this myth, the Giant’s Causeway was a) man-made. b) a natural phenomenon. c) always in existence. Cause and effect. 2. Which of the following provides an indication of Benadonner’s size? a) Thundering feet made the earth tremble. b) He emerged from the mist. c) His teeth shattered. Figurative language. 3. ‘Run of the mill’ means a) bizarre. b) typical. c) sprinting. Infer. 4. Which would not have a similar effect to ‘stuffing your ears with moss’? a) Wearing a woollen hat. b) Donning ear muffs. c) Poking your fingers in your ears. Make connections. 5. Oonagh’s ruse was to make Finn a) appear larger and stronger than reality. b) impossible to find. c) seem like a harmless baby. Characterisation. 6. To Benadonner, Oogah would have seemed a) shrewd, but caring. b) hospitable and kind. c) timid, yet mean. Cause and effect. 7. Benadonner sweated profoundly because a) it was a particularly hot and humid day. b) he’d been sprinting. c) it’s a natural reaction to pain and terror. Infer. 8. The purpose of the myth is to a) provide a warning against antagonising others. b) describe the interaction of giants. c) explain the existence of a natural formation. Comprehension Level 10 p. 19

DIG DEEPER A. Use the story to complete this table. Main Setting Protagonist Antagonist Main Problem Solution Resolution SAMPLE B. Find the behaviours that show these characters have the listed traits. Character Traits Behaviours Finn angry 1. Sprinted for home. Oonagh scared 2. Pummelled on the door. Benadonner intelligent 3. Hammered fat onto timber. 4. Thought he would be killed. 5. Wrapped Finn in a sheet. 6. Hollered, “Where is he?” C. Myths weave together true facts and fantasy. Decide if the following sentences taken from this myth are fantasy (F) or could possibly be real (R). 1. Turned and sprinted for home. ____ 2. Stuffed 5lbs of moss in their ears. ____ 3. Swathed himself in a sheet. ____ 4. A spear as immense as a round tower. ____ 5. Stalking deer in County Kerry. ____ 6. Scooped out a large clod of earth. ____ 7. Hole became the largest lough in Ireland. ____ 8. Clod of earth became an island. ____ 9. Sculled 5 gallon bucket of honey beer. ____ 10. Woozy from honey beer. ____ 11. Made a causeway from cobblestones that spanned an ocean. ____ 12. Shattered teeth eating timber. ____ 13. Caught a loaf of bread. ____ 14. Played catch with boulders. ____ Comprehension Level 10 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. scoundrel colossal Antonym: _________ Synonym: _________ brawny traverse Antonym: _________ Part of speech: _________ SAMPLE ruse adamant Synonym: _________ Synonym: _________ antagonise ire Part of speech _________ Antonym: _________ swathe nemesis Rhyming word: _________ Synonym: _________ Comprehension Level 10 p. 21

(huge) (rascal, dishonest) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (travel across) (strong and muscular) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ SAMPLE (refusing to change) (sneaky plan) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (anger) (annoy) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (enemy) (wrap in cloth) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 10 p. 22

envisioned lough Synonym: _________ Homophone: _________ resolved pursuing Antonym: _________ Synonym: _________ SAMPLE blaspheme fragment Part of speech: _________ Part of speech: _________ recoup hospitality Synonym: _________ Root word: _________ hollered petrified Antonym: _________ Antonym: _________ Comprehension Level 10 p. 23

(lake) (imagined) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (chasing) (decided) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ SAMPLE (piece) (curse) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (offering friendship, food, (recover) safety, etc.) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (very scared) (yelled) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 10 p. 24

WEEK 1 ANSWERS SHORT READING EXERCISE 1. C Purpose: Persuade – best tourist destination/most interesting formation 2. A Tense: Present and past 3. A Nutshell: ‘(Title)’ describes the formation of the Giant’s Causeway in 4. B Ireland 50-60 million years ago as a result of cooling lava. 5. C 6. It is important that student provides a reason for the opinion given. MAIN IDEA Main Idea: 2 Supporting details: 3, 4, 5, 7 SEQUENCING SAMPLE 1. B i 2. A ii 3. B ii 4. A iii FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS 1. PBS F:12.30-2.00 3. Yes 2. M:12.00-2.00 S: No break 4. Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun S: 1.30-2.00 T:1.30-2.00 W:1.30-2.00 T:1.30-2.30 CRITICAL READING 1. ally 4. blaspheme 7. colossal 10. resolve 8. petrified 2. swathe 5. scoundrel 9. lough 3. hospitality 6. infuriate READING FOR A PURPOSE Purpose: Entertain 1. A 5. A Tense: Narrator: Past Characters: Present 2. A 6. B 3. B 6. C 4. A 8. C DIG DEEPER B C A Finn-scared-1,4 1. R 8. F Setting: Finn’s Fort-of-Allen in County Kildare Oonagh-intelligent-3,5 2. F 9. F Protagonist: Oonagh 3. R 10. R Antagonist: Benadonner Benadonner-angry-2,6 4. F 11. F Problem: Finn didn’t want to be killed by 5. R 12. R Benadonner 6. R 13. R Solution: Oonagh developed a plan to make 7. F 14. F Benadonner believe Finn was larger and stronger than in reality Resolution: Benadonner returned to Scotland and destroyed the causeway Comprehension Level 10 p. 25