READ BETTER

                               STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING READING COMPREHENSION

GLIMPSES

•       READING SKILL

•       OBJECTIVES

•       ASSESSMENT

•       CHALLENGES

•       STRATEGIES

•       SAMPLE PAPER

We read differently according to the purpose of our reading.

q  Instructions

q  Information

q  Pleasure

q  Examination

4 MAJOR SKILLS

ü  SKIMMING

ü  SCANNING

ü  PREDICTING

ü  MAKING CONNECTIONS/LINKING

 

OBJECTIVES AS OUTLINED IN CBSE CURRICULUM

•       skim for main ideas and scan for details

•       select and extract relevant information, using reading skills of skimming and scanning

•       understand the writer's purpose and tone

•       comprehend the difference between the literal and the figurative

•       Specifically develop the ability to be original and creative in interpreting opinion

  

ASSESSMENT- ENGLISH (CORE) 301 2021: 20 MARKS                          

TERM 1 (40 MARKS)

PASSAGE 1:MCQ – 8M (8/10 QUESTIONS)

PASSAGE 2: MCQ – 6M (6/8 QUESTIONS)

TERM 2 (40 MARKS)

PASSAGE1

•       Q& ANS, FILL IN – 8M (8/9 QUESTIONS)

PASSAGE 2

•       Q& ANS – 6M ( 6/7 QUESTIONS)

 READING SKILL- CHALLENGES

SAMPLE PAPER

Passage 1 (473 words) & Passage 2 (295 words)

§   Unseen Passages

§  The combined word limit for both the passages will be 700-750 words

§  Multiple Choice Questions / Objective Type Questions will be asked

 

Passage1: FACTUAL/DESCRIPTIVE/LITERARY

Passage2: UNSEEN CASE BASED WITH VERBAL/VISUAL INPUTS

ü  Comprehension (understanding textual & global)

ü  Interpretation ( explain, express, examine)

ü   Inference ( form opinions, analyze, deduce/conclude)

ü  Vocabulary (words known & used- words, phrases)

STRATEGIES

1. Skimming & Speed Reading

ü  Quick reading- Focus on content words (Nouns/Verbs)

ü  Handy to find the main points/ locate information

ü  NOT reading in detail

ü  Gives the reader a sense of the attitude and tone of the writer, Global understanding

2. Scanning

ü  Searching a text quickly for a specific piece of information.

ü  Identify a word/ key words

ü  Short answer question (locate/find out an exact detail)

ü  Sentence completion/ fill in the gaps

ü  Understanding the main ideas

ü  True/False/Not given

ü  True: The statement agrees with the information in the passage/text

ü  False: The statement is incorrect and does not agree with the information in the passage

ü  Not given: Cannot say whether the statement is True or False because there is no information about this in the passage.

3.Inferring

ü  Deciding how a writer feels about something from the way that they write rather than the words they use.

ü  COMMENT/REFLECT/OBSERVE/REMARK

CONNECTING

Text to the reader, text & world

ü  COMPARE, LINK, IDENTIFY, ASSOCIATE

  

CBSE SAMPLE PAPER:

Read the passage given below.

1. Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary. A ghost net is a fishing net that’s been lost or abandoned in the ocean. They are one particularly appalling part of the global ghost fishing problem, which includes fishing gear abandoned in the water. Any net or line left in the ocean can pose a threat to marine life. Just because a net is no longer used by fishers doesn’t mean it stops working. These nets continue to trap everything in their path, presenting a major problem for the health of our oceans and marine life.  (introductory idea , paraphrasing)
2. Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from catching fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and birds from rising to the surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net, this threat is monumental. The ghost nets harm coral reefs too—breaking corals, exposing them to disease and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight (Make a remark, threat)
3. Ghost nets are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics’ crisis. Most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this micro plastic for food and eat it, which can harm internal organs, keep them from eating and expose them to toxic chemicals.  (Crisis caused by plastic)
4. Exorcising ghost nets from our oceans will require commitment, cooperation and innovation. Many groups are working to remove ghost nets from the sea and are collaborating with local fishers and governments around the world to identify target areas and remove as many nets as possible. In 2015, a single World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-led mission in the Baltic Sea hauled up 268 tons of nets, ropes and other material. (Action and steps taken)
5. To stop these nets from becoming ghosts in the first place, conservation organisations advocate for fishing gear that can be traced to its owner so anyone dumping nets can be fined and refundable deposits on nets to encourage returning or recycling rather than littering. Tools like sonar reflectors that can make ghost nets easier to find and working with small-scale fisheries to develop more sustainable fishing gear and practices are other suggestions. It is only by attacking this problem from all sides, together with conservation partners, fishers and supporters, can we banish ghost nets and protect our oceans. (Solutions)

 Comprehending the passage and answering the questions given below.

I. Ghost nets have been named so because they

 A. cause much harm to the marine life.

 B. are functional though not in use by fishers.

C. are not owned by anyone.                                                                 

 D. act as a snare for all animals in oceans.

Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary. A ghost net is a fishing net that’s been lost or abandoned in the ocean. They are one particularly appalling part of the global ghost fishing problem, which includes fishing gear abandoned in the water. Any net or line left in the ocean can pose a threat to marine life. Just because a net is no longer used by fishers doesn’t mean it stops working. These nets continue to trap everything in their path, presenting a major problem for the health of our oceans and marine life.

ANS:. C. are not owned by anyone.  (Paraphrase)

2. Comment on the writer’s reference to the ghost nets in paragraph one, as a health problem for the oceans.

Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary. A ghost net is a fishing net that’s been lost or abandoned in the ocean. They are one particularly appalling part of the global ghost fishing problem, which includes fishing gear abandoned in the water. Any net or line left in the ocean can pose a threat to marine life. Just because a net is no longer used by fishers doesn’t mean it stops working. These nets continue to trap everything in their path, presenting a major problem for the health of our oceans and marine life.

• Make connection between ‘ghost nets’ and ‘health of oceans’
• Cause & effect

Comment – Ghost nets  pose a great threat to marine life (MAKE A REMARK -THREAT)

     III.        III. List the two ways being entangled in a ghost net is likely to impact a walrus.

DETAILS OF THREAT

Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from catching fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and birds from rising to the surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net, this threat is monumental. The ghost nets harm coral reefs too—breaking corals, exposing them to disease and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight.

(Note: Walrus is a mammal)

Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from catching fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and birds from rising to the surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net, this threat is monumental. The ghost nets harm coral reefs too—breaking corals, exposing them to disease and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight

IV Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘negligible’, from words used in paragraph two.

1. unimpressive B. monumental C. exposing D. threat

Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from catching fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and birds from rising to the surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net, this threat is monumental. The ghost nets harm coral reefs too—breaking corals, exposing them to disease and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight

V. The writer would agree with the given statements based on paragraph three, EXCEPT:

 A. Most ghost nets take a few years to completely disintegrate.

B. Ghost nets contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

C. Most ghost nets provide nutrition to marine animals, upon disintegration.

D. Ghost nets can curtail freedom of marine animals.      (CRISIS -PLASTC)

Ghost nets are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics’ crisis. Most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this micro plastic for food and eat it, which can harm internal organs, keep them from eating and expose them to toxic chemicals.

6. Some records share that fishing nets used to be made of common rope using natural fibers, prior to the 1960s. Based on your understanding of paragraph three, list one major advantage that these had over the fishing nets being used in present times.

Ghost nets are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics’ crisis. Most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this microplastic for food and eat it, which can harm internal organs, keep them from eating and expose them to toxic chemicals.                                                                           (PLASTIC CRISIS)

Advantage: Modern Fishing net: Plastic – non biodegradable whereas common rope: natural fibers – biodegradable

VII .Why is it fair to say that commitment and innovation have to go hand-in-hand to rid the oceans of ghost nets?

Exorcising ghost nets from our oceans will require commitment, cooperation and innovation. Many groups are working to remove ghost nets from the sea and are collaborating with local fishers and governments around the world to identify target areas and remove as many nets as possible. In 2015, a single World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-led mission in the Baltic Sea hauled up 268 tons of nets, ropes and other material.                                                                    ACTION/STEPS TAKEN

The Paragraph details the action under taken/steps being taken but the question is elicit  REASONS.

INFER: CHALLENGING ISSUE –Continuous efforts, creative/out of the box thinking solution (Paraphrasing)

VIII. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference, with respect to the following:

The writer quotes the example of the WWF-led mission in the Baltic Sea (Paragraph 4), in order to........................................................................................................................

Exorcising ghost nets from our oceans will require commitment, cooperation and innovation. Many groups are working to remove ghost nets from the sea and are collaborating with local fishers and governments around the world to identify target areas and remove as many nets as possible. In 2015, a single World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-led mission in the Baltic Sea hauled up 268 tons of nets, ropes and other material.

Ans: Create awareness the importance of working together to address the problem

IX. How can the solutions, suggested in paragraph five, best be described?

A.     practical B. presentable C. popular D. prejudiced  

(Solutions – practical)

To stop these nets from becoming ghosts in the first place, conservation organisations advocate for fishing gear that can be traced to its owner so anyone dumping nets can be fined and refundable deposits on nets to encourage returning or recycling rather than littering. Tools like sonar reflectors that can make ghost nets easier to find and working with small-scale fisheries to develop more sustainable fishing gear and practices are other suggestions. It is only by attacking this problem from all sides, together with conservation partners, fishers and supporters, can we banish ghost nets and protect our oceans.

X.Select the most suitable title for the above passage.

A. The Scary Side of Ghost Nets

B. Ghost Nets – A Result of Human Dominance

C. Ghost Nets – A Menace to Marine Life

D. Ways to Tackle the Problem of Ghost Nets

(Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary ; Threat to marine life. )

READING SKILL TASKS: PRACTICE

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/unit-4-reading-skills

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/activities-for-learners/?skill=reading

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/search/reading+comprehension

https://agendaweb.org/reading/comprehension_interm1.html