Read the following text – Reading Passage 5:

Wiixutta, knowledge or learn in the Emakhuwa language, is a knowledge center in the Santo
António neighborhood in Onhipiti, the local name for the Island of Mozambique. It’s an idea that
blossomed from the heart and the head of Moira Forjaz during the two years she worked on her
photography book Ilhéus, dedicated to the elderly of what was the country’s first capital. “I have
always been fascinated by the island since my first trip in 1976. But this project took me to the
heart, where people live. I understood better and decided that I wanted to lend a hand and make a
difference. There are schools, but there is no space where people of all ages can meet, take their
rightful place in the world, through experience and understanding. Vakanivakani (i.e., little by
little) the social company Wiixutta was born. And when a centre like Wiixutta is born, the result
is simply beautiful. Because it is born out of emotion, out of the desire to do, to confront, to
practice curiosity, to spread knowledge and wisdom. Without forgetting organic agriculture, Yes!
Wiixutta also has an agricultural field working as a ‘classroom’. Indeed! How do you make a
flower bed? How do you plant a tree? How do you sow? Children and adults are welcome.
Practicing social distance due to COVID-19, the capacity is at 25 per slot, as well as to watch
films and theatre plays, talking about the news, the environment, global warming, rights and du-
ties, citizenship. A center born out of humility - there are schools on the Island of Mozambique
and Wiixutta doesn’t compete with anyone. It’s a place to enjoy the pleasure of being together, of
listening to those who have the skill to speak and explain, and reflect in groups. It’s a learning
and teaching place; where one is moved by a film, a play, listening to tales of something that
seemed impossible, finding and sharing solutions; it’s one place where one learns through music.
With goodwill partners, Wiixutta will bring special people to Onhipiti; musicians, actors,
technicians... “We believe in the transmission of ideas and thoughts, through creative learning
for adults and children. Our aim is to foster their will to learn. “One of Wiixutta’s first activities -
after a beach cleaning session - was training in menstrual hygiene for 300 girls who received
menstrual cups for their own use, to improve their daily lives and their future, because no girl
should miss a day of school due to lack of menstrual hygiene products. The project was
developed in collaboration with the Cup&Go organization. Wiixutta is an open space, from the
community to the community, working with volunteers and partners. It’s born out of joy,
because spreading culture is part of life. Today’s islanders don’t want to be held hostage to
exoticism and ideology. Knowledge cannot be under the shadow of political flags, because it
breaks all social barriers. That is why all activities are free - culture is from everyone and to
everyone. Without prejudice, to help reflect, with the right lightness. Wiixutta is an open process,
it’s a way to practice curiosity, on the Island of Mozambique.

Exercises

Part one: text mechanics

1. What type of a text is Passage 5? Justify your view.

It is an argumentative text. The writer intends to persuade readers in the topic, specially
the project Wiixutta.
2. The text has some fragments. Can you identify some two of them? Given that this is
a proficient writer, can you find a reason why the author may have used a fragment
instead of a full sentence in each case? Please, write out the fragments into full
sentences.

1. Without forgetting organic agriculture. Yes! Wiixutta also has an agricultural field working as
a ‘classroom’.

2. That is why all activities are free - culture is from everyone and to everyone. Without
prejudice, to help reflect, with the right lightness. Wiixutta is an open process, it’s a way to
practice curiosity, on the Island of Mozambique.

Correction:

1. Without forgetting organic agriculture, Wiixutta also has an agricultural field working as a
‘classroom’.
2. Wiixutta is an open process; it’s a way to practice curiosity on the Island of Mozambique
without prejudice to help reflect with the right lightness. That is why all activities are free -
culture is from everyone and to everyone.

3. The text has some ellipses. Can you find them and then write them out in full?
4. What is the difference between a fragment and an ellipsis?
Fragment is a sentence without either a subject or a verb, while in ellipsis a word is left
out, or omitted from a sentence. But the words omitted do not change the meaning of the
sentence.

Part two: comprehension & interpretation

1. What is Wiixutta’s main purpose, according to the text?

The Wiixuta’s main purpose is to give the community chance to learn, create good
opportunities for the future generation, and also to invite different people who can help in
education or health to support the community.
2. How do we say ‘little” in Emakhuwa? How do you know?
“Little” in Emakhuwa is “Vakani”. I know because of the expression “Vakanivakani”
3. How do the locals call the Island of Mozambique?
They call Onhipiti.

4. Moira Forjas is quoted as saying: “I understood better and decided that I wanted to
lend a hand and make a difference” (line 6) – what did she understand better? How
do you know?
She understood that the community needed to be helped, and she saw she could make
their life better dedicating her time to help building the island.
5. The writer claims that “spreading culture is part of life” (line 29) – Do you agree
with this statement? Why (not)?
 Yes, I agree. Spreading culture is part of life because it contributes to the quality of life
and helps us relate to each other. Learning about other cultures helps us understanding
different perspectives in the world we live in.
6. The writer also says that “knowledge cannot be under the shadow of political flags,
because it breaks all social barriers” (lines 30-31) – What do you think? Do you
agree with it? Why (not)?
7. Without forgetting organic agriculture. Yes! Wiixutta also has an agricultural field
working as a ‘classroom’ (lines 11-12) – Is the use of the underlined expressions in
this text literal meaning, idiomatic meaning or a figure of speech? Justify
Organic agriculture – literal meaning
An agricultural field – literal meaning
8. The author of the text writers: “how do you make a flower bed? How do you plant a
tree? How do you sow?” (lines 12-13) – what exactly, do you think, is the writer
trying to convey when talking about making a flower bed, planting a tree or sowing
in this text?
She is talking about abilities or skills, teaching people to make a bed using flowers,
planting trees…
9. There are schools, but there is no space where people of all ages can meet, take their
rightful place in the world, through experience and understanding (lines 7-8) – when
you read the underlined expression in the context of the text, what do you think the
writer implies that happens at Wiixutta? Justify
There are no places for people to be taught knowledgeable things, no places that they can
open their minds for future generations. They need a place that can lead them to their
destinies by learning.

Part three: vocabulary

Say what the following may mean in the text:

1. It’s an idea that blossomed from the heart and the head of Moira Forjaz (line 3)
Moira is the one who came up with the idea of the project as she took photographs trying
to retreat it.
 2. In line 3, we have the Portuguese word ilhéus. The text has an English equivalent for
that. Find it, write it down and say the line you found it in.
Islanders, line 29.

3. This project took me to the heart, where people live (lines 5-6 )

4. Today’s islanders don’t want to be held hostage to exoticism and ideology (lines 29-
30)
Today islanders don’t want to remain in the exotic idea that the past islanders used to be,
having a certain way of thinking and doing things. They want to feel comfortable doing
whatever they want.

Part four: Reading for pleasure

Read the short story at:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/pdfs/aesop/the_hare_the_tortoise.pdf

After reading it, say what you learnt from it. Justify your point.

Notes

 Complete the steps above and submit your work via email to your Chefe de Turma by or
on March 5tht. Your Chefe de Turma will submit the work via email to the teacher on
March 6th.
 Your Chefe de Turma is not allowed to accept your work after March 6 th. Your teacher
will not accept work directly from you or any other student, but from the Chefe de
Turma.
 Should you have any questions about the videos, the readings and tasks, please contact
the teacher during office hours (office 219) outlined in your syllabus. You may also reach
the teacher by scheduling a meeting with him or by going to his office on the days and at
the times you have English VI classes.