Comprehension Level 8 (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 8 p. 1

WEEK ONE VOCABULARY VOCABULARY TEACHER USE ONLY Read Meaning 1st 2nd 3rd domesticated (tamed) feral (wild) approach (come closer) brumbies (wild horses) descendant (from a common ancestor) muster (gather animals or people together) reined (pulled the reins on a horse) SAMPLE steed (horse) whirl (turn around fast) gaze (look around) graze (eat grass) mount (get on a horse or a horse) startling (surprising) defiant (disobedient) simmer (boil slowly) scouting (searching) schemed (planned) relentlessly (without stopping) rallied (get better or meet) whinnied (horse sound) 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 8 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)Brumbies are free-roaming feral horses found in Australia, most commonly in the Australian Alps region in south-eastern parts of the country, in the Northern Territory and in Queensland. (2)Brumbies are the descendants of escaped or lost horses originally belonging to the early European settlers. (3)Historically, mobs or bands of brumbies were mustered and domesticated to provide cheap stock horses for farms and stations. (4)Today, brumbies are the subject of some controversy. (5)Many people regard them as a pest and a threat to native flora and fauna and believe they should be exterminated. (6)However, others believe they should be preserved as a valued part of Australia’s heritage. SAMPLE Find the facts by looking back in the text. Infer by making connections. 1. The collective noun for a group of 4. Brumbies brumbies is a a) are native to Australia. a) pack. b) were introduced to Australia. b) mob. c) belong to farmers. c) stock. Connect sentences 1 and 2. 2. Farmers used brumbies because 5. You are unlikely to find brumbies a) they were fit and fast. a) in the northern areas of Australia. b) they could be mustered. b) in Tasmania. c) they were free. c) in mountainous areas. Connect sentence 1. 3. Some people believe brumbies should Evaluate by connecting to your own knowledge. be exterminated because they a) damage the environment. 6. What do you think should happen to b) are a part of Australia’s heritage. brumbies? c) are wild. Connect to sentences 6 and 7. NUTSHELL SENTENCE: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Comprehension Level 8 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. Brumbies __________ free-roaming feral horses __________ in (Verb to be.) Australia, in the Australian Alps __________ in(Need a verb to describe the horses’ action.) most commonly (Needs to be a noun.) south-eastern parts of the __________, in the Northern Territory (The article ‘the’ indicates next word is a noun.) and in Queensland. Brumbies are __________ descendants of SAMPLE (Descendants is a noun – you need an article.) escaped __________ lost horses originally __________ to the (Conjunction joining escape to lost.) (‘Originally’ what? Need a verb.) early European settlers. Historically, mobs or bands of__________ were mustered and __________ to provide cheap (What is the subject of this sentence?) (Mustered and what? Need another verb.) stock horses for farms and __________. Today, brumbies are (Farms and what? Need another noun.) the __________ of some controversy. Many people (Article ‘the’ indicates next word is a noun.) __________ them as a pest __________ a threat to native flora (Need a verb showing the people’s action.) (Need a conjunction that links pest to threat.) and fauna and believe they should be exterminated. __________, others believe they should be __________ as a (Need a conjunction that links this sentence to the previous sentence.) valued part of Australia’s heritage. (What should they be doing? Need a verb.) country found and region preserved or subject the regard however domesticated brumbies stations are belonging * 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 8 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)A muster or roundup involves gathering livestock (usually sheep or cattle) for branding, shearing or in preparation for transporting to market. (2)It is a difficult and sometimes dangerous job. (3)It may be accomplished on foot, with horses, in various vehicles or by helicopter, depending on the terrain and the distance. (4)Dogs are typically used in mustering as they can often access locations which are more difficult for horses or vehicles. (5)A good dog is worth several men. (6)Stockmen need to be tough as it is an exhausting job. (7)The mustered livestock is usually corralled in a holding yard. Ask: • What is the story about? • What did the story tell you about mustering? • 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 three sentences that do NOT give you information about the process of mustering? Put a line through those three sentences. • The sentences that are left are providing supporting detail. Put a circle around the number next to those sentences. Comprehension Level 8 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 the rider reined in his steed, the feral cow whirled around and disappeared. The clue word is: a) whirled b) after c) around d) reined SAMPLE i) The rider reined in his steed first. ii) The feral cow whirled around first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 2. During mustering, Dylan gazed around searching for cattle. The clue word is: a) during b) mustering c) time d) around i) Mustering occurred first. ii) Gazing around occurred first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 3. The brumbies have been grazing in the paddock since they were domesticated. The clue word is: a) been b) since c) ever d) domesticated i) The brumbies were grazing in the paddock first. ii) The brumbies were domesticated first. iii) Both happened at the same time. 4. Before mounting your steed, don’t startle it by approaching quietly. The clue word is: a) before b) approaching c) don’t d) mounting i) Mount your steed first. ii) Approach your steed first. iii) Do both at the same time. Comprehension Level 8 p. 14

DAY FOUR: DIRECTIONS & CRITICAL READING FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS Read the passage and follow the directions. A root word is usually derived from Latin or Greek. It is the primary unit of a word and reflects the most basic meaning of that word. A prefix is attached to the front of a word. Prefixes change or add meaning to the root word. A suffix is attached to the end of a word. A suffix can change the tense, it can indicate the plural form of a word and it can be used to change a word from one part of speech to another part of speech. The root word ‘mount’ means to raise or climb. You can make 9 different words containing a prefix and suffix from the table below and the root word ‘mount’. Write the 9 words. Write the one prefix and one suffix that cannot be used to make a word. Prefixes Root Suffixes sur a SAMPLE ed dis un mount s er Suffix: ing Prefix: 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. startling domesticated simmer graze rein scouting whirl gaze mount defiant 1. Erect is to demolish as wild is to ____________. (Opposite meaning – antonym) 2. Milk is to curdle as water is to ____________. (Action related to liquid) 3. Author is to write as ballerina is to____________. (Action related to occupation) 4. Plastic is to bag as leather is to ____________. (Material from which object is made) 5. Boat is to board as horse is to ____________. (Action associated with object) 6. Bird is to peck as cattle is to ____________. (Action associated with object) 7. Shy is to bashful as surprising is to ____________. (Action associated with object) 8. Ears are to hear as eyes are to ____________. (Action associated with object) 9. Worried is to relaxed as obedient is to ____________. (Opposite meaning – antonym) 10. Farmer is to ploughing as stockman is to ____________. (Action associated with occupation) Comprehension Level 8 p. 15

DAY FIVE: EXTENDED READING THE GENTLEMAN As the student is reading, ask some of the following questions. Discuss the reasons underlying the answers. • Picture this scene (1) Scouting cattle through a clump of trees, and describe. we paused to look around. Describe the men who are mustering. Mustering was not for faint of heart, Describe the the cattle must be found. brumbies and the stallion. Grazing, high above a water course, were brumbies wild and unclaimed. • What is meant by ‘unclaimed’? Led by a stallion, defiant and strong, fast, proud and untamed. SAMPLE • Why do you think (2) The ‘Gentleman’ was known far and wide, he was called the a horse all wanted to own. Gentleman? I gazed at him longingly from afar, • Why would you “I want him,” I did moan. approach down wind? Slowly, carefully, we approached, downwind, no noise – it took skill. The Gentleman stood for two deep breaths, tossed his head, then raced downhill. • How do you know (3) Sticks and earth flung from pounding hooves the brumbies were of the stallion and his mares. galloping fast? Effortlessly they galloped, fast and free. Our speed was slow, to compare. I reined in my horse and watched them leave. “I’ll get you!” I loudly vowed. For days and months, I planned and schemed to trap that horse, so royal and proud. • What does (4) I needed riders with staying power, ‘riding him to the so I passed the word around. ground mean? In relays we had a fighting chance • Why would they to ride him to the ground. have more chance capturing Stockmen rode in from near and far, the Gentleman in and camped out overnight. relays? Excitement simmered round the camp, as they talked about the fight. Comprehension Level 8 p. 16

• Describe the scene. (5) The stockmen woke with the streaks of dawn What can you see? and mounted steeds with silent skill. What can you hear? We tracked the Gentleman to a nearby ridge, watched him standing proud and still. • What are the streaks of dawn? The mares were scattered all about, quietly grazing in the morning. But not the Gentleman who sensed our presence, and loudly snorted them a warning. • Why was he (6) The mob raced off behind the Gentleman, looking for Don? towards the mountain top. • What do you think I chased after them with one clear goal, Don will do? I must never let them stop. The older mares were beginning to tire, I urged my brumby on. As we thundered over the mountain rise, I peered about for Don. SAMPLE • Why was he (7) There was a shout and the stockman appeared, waiting for the from behind a clump of trees. team of stockmen I reined my mount and watched Don turn the mob, to drive the while I rested in the breeze. brumbies back? My horse and I returned the way we came, slowly down the track. Then I waited for the team of stockmen, to drive the brumbies back. • Why were the (8) Two hours later the mob approached, brumbies described a dusty moving cloud. as a ‘dusty moving cloud’? Galloping tirelessly in the lead, the Gentleman, head held proud. • Why was the mob of brumbies getting On my fresh mount, I darted forward, smaller? replacing a foam-flecked steed. The mob was getting smaller by the mile, as tired mares dropped off the speed. Comprehension Level 8 p. 17

• Why were the mob (9) The relay race continued on, beat? until all the mob were beat. • What Except one defiant Gentleman, characteristics in who refused to accept defeat. this stanza show you the Gentleman Exhausted, covered in sweat, he rallied, was defiant, proud and made a final try, and strong? To break away from the stockyard gates, he kept his head up high. • Why were the (10) The stockmen gathered, like a gigantic beast, stockmen whirling stockwhips overhead. described as a ‘gigantic beast’? They drove him relentlessly inside, and locked the gates before he fled. • Why do you think the mares Late that night, I couldn’t sleep were puzzled? and walked down to the yard. The Gentleman’s mares whinnied in a puzzled way, at their locked up guard. SAMPLE • How do you think (11) I was sleeping still when Don dashed up, the Gentleman got with the startling news. free? The Gentleman was no longer there, we needed to look for clues. Beneath a splinter on the upmost rail, we saw a tuft of hair. It belonged to the Gentleman, and we could only stare. • How did the (12) “That rail is over eight foot high. Gentleman get How could he have jumped that?” free? “He deserved his freedom and to him, • Why do you think I doft my hat.” the writer made this decision? I often wonder, while mustering, why I let the Gentleman go, • Demonstrate how you ‘doft’ a hat. And placed the tuft of hair up high, so nobody would know! PURPOSE: Entertain Inform Persuade Instruct TENSE: Past Present Future Comprehension Level 8 p. 18

SAMPLEREADING FOR A PURPOSE Use synonym knowledge. 1. When the poet first saw them, the brumbies were feeding a) next to a river. b) on a ridge. c) with some cattle. Infer. 2. The poet believed he could catch the Gentleman by using a relay of riders a) because that way they could tire him out. b) because it would be like a game. c) because they could trap him. Cause and effect. 3. The Gentleman was able to snort a warning because he a) was proud. b) was standing on a ridge. c) had been standing guard. Infer. 4. The poet could not catch the Gentleman without assistance because a) he was protected by a mob of mares. b) he was too dangerous. c) he could outrun any other horse. Figurative language. 5. A foam-flecked steed is a horse that a) has recently been washed. b) is exhausted. c) has a black coat flecked with white patches. Predict. 6. The stockman was behind a clump of trees a) so he could have a rest out of the sun. b) so he couldn’t be seen by the Gentleman. c) because that was where he had been told to wait. Figurative language. 7. ‘He kept his head up high’ means that he a) wasn’t accepting defeat. b) was looking ahead. c) didn’t want to have a drink. Infer. 8. The Gentleman a) was set free by the writer. b) jumped the fence and escaped. c) fled before the gate was locked. Comprehension Level 8 p. 19

DIG DEEPER A. What does it really mean? 1. Not for faint of heart (1) A. Everyone was talking and laughing 2. Wild and unclaimed (1) 3. Excitement simmered (4) B. Stopped running 4. Streaks of dawn (5) 5. Thundered over the mountain rise (6) C. Not for people who were easily scared 6. A dusty moving cloud (8) 7. Dropped off the speed (8) D. The first rays of light in the morning 8. The mob were beat (9) 9. Gathered like a gigantic beast (10) E. They were exhausted F. Galloped over the ridge G. Not tamed or owned by anyone H. Huge group all moving and shouting together I. The hooves of the galloping horses made the fine particles of dirt go up SAMPLE B. Find the behaviours that show these characters have the listed traits. Character Traits Behaviours Gentleman Proud Defiant Persistent Poet Respectful C. Words with similar meanings are called synonyms. Find the synonym for the words in bold. The number at the end indicates the paragraph in which the word is located. 1. rebellious • wild, unclaimed, defiant (1) 2. effortless • clumsily, easily, forcefully (3) 3. promised • schemed, vowed, compare (3) 4. dispersed • scattered, streaks, tracked (5) 5. startling • alarming, originating, tragic (11) Comprehension Level 8 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. domesticated muster Antonym: _________ Synonym: _________ feral SAMPLE reined Antonym: _________ Homophone: _________ approach steed Alternative meaning: Synonym: _________ _________ whirl Synonym: _________ brumbies Another type of horse: _________ descendant gaze Root meaning: _________ Synonym: _________ Comprehension Level 8 p. 21

(gather animals or people (tamed) together) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (pulled the reins on a horse) (wild) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ SAMPLE (horse) (come closer) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (turn around fast) (wild horses) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (look around) (from a common ancestor) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 8 p. 22

graze scouting Homonym: _________ Homonym: _________ mount schemed Word using ‘mount’: Homonym: _________ _________ SAMPLE startling relentlessly Synonym: _________ Part of speech: _________ defiant rallied Antonym: _________ Synonym: _________ simmer whinnied Part of speech: _________ Another horse sound: _________ Comprehension Level 8 p. 23

(searching) (eat grass) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (planned) (get on a horse or a horse) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ SAMPLE (without stopping) (surprising) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (get better or meet) (disobedient) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (horse sound) (boil slowly) Sentence:___________________________________________ Sentence:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Comprehension Level 8 p. 24

WEEK 1 ANSWERS SHORT READING EXERCISE 1. B Purpose: Inform – it explains about brumbies. 2. C Tense: Present 3. B Nutshell: ‘(Title)’ is about wild horses living in Australia. 4. B 5. B 6. It is important that student provides a reason for the opinion given. MAIN IDEA Main Idea: 1 Supporting details: 3, 4, 7 SEQUENCING SAMPLE 1. B i 2. A iii 3. B ii 4. A ii FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS surmounted surmounts surmounting amounted amounts amounting dismounted dismounts dismounting Prefix: un Suffix: er CRITICAL READING 1. domesticated 4. rein 7. startling 10. scouting 8. gaze 2. simmer 5. mount 9. defiant 3. whirl 6. graze READING FOR A PURPOSE 1. B 5. B 2. A 6. B Purpose: Entertain 3. C 6. A Tense: Past 4. C 8. A DIG DEEPER B C A Gentleman 1. defiant 1. C 6. I Proud – head held high, 2. easily 2. G 7. B Defiant – tossed his head, refused to accept 3. vowed 3. A 8. E defeat 4. scattered 4. D 9. H 5. alarming 5. F Poet Persistent – planned & schemed for days, kept chasing Respectful – let the Gentlemen go free Comprehension Level 8 p. 25