Comprehension

Week 3 Reading Comprehension Activity 

General Instructions: The worksheet contains three sections. Answer all the questions. Read each extract/paragraph and answer the questions relating to same.

Sweet Dreams

When people have a hard time falling asleep at night, there are three things that they can do to relax before going to sleep. One of the most pleasant ways to relax is to imagine a beautiful and peaceful place. This requires a creative mind, but it is very effective. Another common method is to practice deep-breathing exercises. These rhythmic exercises are good for getting rid of the tension that causes people to stay awake. A third method is to listen to relaxing music, especially soft music. Soft music is also popular because it helps students study better. Some people have developed unique ways to help them fall asleep, but these three methods

are extremely effective for the majority of people with sleep problems.

Questions

1. What is the main idea? Write the main idea in your own words. (2 marks)

2. Identify the major supporting details. Write the major supporting details in your own words. (3 marks)

 

Activity B

0. Critical reading is a demanding process. To read critically, you must slow down your reading and, with pencil in hand, perform specific operations on the text. Mark up the text with your reactions, conclusions, and questions. When you read, become an active participant.

Question 

This paragraph best supports the statement that __________

a. critical reading is a slow, dull, but essential process.

b. the best critical reading happens at critical times in a person’s life.

c. readers should get in the habit of questioning the truth of what they read.

d. critical reading requires thoughtful and careful attention.

e. critical reading should take place at the same time each day.

 

0. There are no effective boundaries when it comes to pollutants. Studies have shown that toxic insecticides that have been banned in many countries are riding the wind from countries where they remain legal. Compounds such as DDT and toxaphene have been found in remote places like the Yukon and other Arctic regions.

Question 

This paragraph best supports the statement that ___________

a. toxic insecticides such as DDT have not been banned throughout the world.

b. more pollutants find their way into polar climates than they do into warmer areas.

c. studies have proven that many countries have ignored their own anti-pollution laws. d. DDT and toxaphene are the two most toxic insecticides in the world.

e. even a worldwide ban on toxic insecticides would not stop the spread of DDT pollution.

 

0. Mathematics allows us to expand our consciousness. Mathematics tells us about economic trends, patterns of disease, and the growth of populations. Math is good at exposing the truth, but it can also perpetuate misunderstandings and untruths. Figures have the power to mislead people.

Question 

This paragraph best supports the statement that ________

a. the study of mathematics is dangerous.

b. words are more truthful than figures.

c. the study of mathematics is more important than other disciplines.

d. the power of numbers is that they cannot lie.

e. figures are sometimes used to deceive people.

 

0. Reality TV shows will have an adverse effect on traditional dramas and comedies. As reality TV increases in popularity, network executives will begin canceling more traditional programs and replacing them with the latest in reality TV.

Question 

This paragraph best supports the statement that _________

a. reality TV is low quality.

b. reality TV shows get the highest ratings.

c. more and more people love to watch and participate in reality TV.

d. as reality TV gets more popular, more traditional television shows may be threatened.

e. network executives make hasty and unwise decisions.

 

Activity C

(i) In criminal cases, the availability of readable fingerprints is often critical in establishing evidence of a major crime. It is necessary, therefore, to follow proper procedures when taking fingerprints. In major cases, prints should be obtained from all persons who may have touched areas associated with a crime scene, for elimination purposes.

Questions 

0. The main idea of the paragraph is that

a. because fingerprints are so important in many cases, it is important to follow the correct course in taking them.

b. all fingerprints found at a crime scene should be taken and thoroughly investigated. c. if the incorrect procedure is followed in gathering fingerprints, the ones taken may be useless.

d. the first step in investigating fingerprints is to eliminate those of non-suspects.

0. The paragraph best supports the statement that ______

a. no crimes can be solved without readable fingerprints.

b. all persons who have touched an area in a crime scene are suspects.

c. all fingerprints found at a crime scene are used in court as evidence.

d. all persons who have touched a crime-scene area should be fingerprinted.

 

(ii) Have you ever heard someone sing, “Happy birthday to you . . . happy birthday to you . . .”? If so, you are hardly alone—millions of people sing that song every year, and the tune is one of the most familiar of any song in North America.

Ironically, it is not known who wrote it! The tune was written by two sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill, who were school teachers in the late 19th century. But their song had different words; instead of “happy birthday to you,” the song ran “good morning to all.” The two sisters would sing this ditty to their students each morning as school began.

In 1924, the tune was published in a song book, which added the “happy birthday” lyrics as verse two. Today, the second verse of that song has become one of the best known tunes in the world—and nobody knows who wrote the words!

Questions 

0. According to the passage, who wrote the tune to “Happy Birthday”?

a. two priests

b. Irving Berlin

c. Patty and Mildred Hill

d. It is not known.

0. Why is it ironic that the author of the words to “Happy Birthday” is not known?

a. because almost everyone knows the song

b. because it shows how unjust life can be

c. because of modern copyright laws

d. because it was published in 1924

0. The underlined word ditty, as used in the passage, most nearly means

a. Silly.

b. shoe.

c. flower.

d. short song.

0. . What happened in 1924 to make “Happy Birthday” famous?

a. Nothing significant happened.

b. Hitler came to power in Germany.

c. The authors of the tune passed away.

d. The tune was published in a song book with the words as a second verse.