Topic: Reading Comprehension

Learning Objective: To be able to use a repertoire of

reading strategies to analyze and explore different layers
of meaning within texts.

Keywords: implicit, explicit, PEE, contextual

clues, vocabulary, text reference.

Year 9 Term 3 WEEK 9

 Explicit and Implicit meaning.
Read the text below then answer the questions that follow.
A lack of evidence prompted the town’s leaders to let him go free. In the end, Billington’s rebellious
and angry nature caught up with him. He was found guilty of the murder of John Newmen, and died
in disgrace on the gallows.
1. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following best describes
Billington?
a. quiet and shy
b. angry and rebellious
c. clever and amusing
d. bold and patriotic
2. Was Billington charged a death sentence? Support your answer.
Yes. According to the text, Billington died in disgrace on the gallows. The gallows were wooden
structures in the past used for execution which was punishment in the form of killing. Therefore
He did receive a death sentence.
Many animals hibernate during this part of the year, entering a state that is similar to a very deep
sleep. But hibernation is more than simply a deep sleep. The animal’s body temperature drops well
below its normal range, the animal does not wake up for a long period of time, and its metabolism
slows to the point that the animal does not need to eat or relieve itself during that period. In order
to prepare for hibernation, the animal must build up its body weight and increase its body fat. This
is important, since the animal will be living off its own body fat during the months of hibernation.
Of course, once the period of hibernation is over, the animal “wakes up” to find itself slim and trim
once again!
1. How does an animal prepare for hibernation?
a. It exercises for two months.
b. It gradually increases its sleeping habits.
c. It grows extra fur.
d. It eats more food than usual.
2. This passage best supports the statement that
a. food is scarce in the winter.
b. hibernation is very different from normal sleep.
c. bears hibernate every year.
Ratatouille is a dish that has grown in popularity over the last few years. It features eggplant,
zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic chopped, mixed, sautéed, and finally, cooked slowly over
low heat. As the vegetables cook slowly, they make their own broth, which may be extended with a
little tomato paste. The name ratatouille comes from the French word touiller, meaning to stir or
mix together.
1. Which of the following is the correct order of steps for making ratatouille?
a. chop vegetables, add tomato paste, stir or mix together
b. mix the vegetables together, sauté them, and add tomato paste
c. cook the vegetables slowly, mix them together, add tomato paste
d. add tomato paste to extend the broth and cook slowly over
low heat
2. Ratatouille can best be described as a
a. French pastry.
b. sauce to put over vegetables.
c. pasta dish extended with tomato paste.
 PEE WRITING
Q1. What does PEE stand for?
a. point, engage & explanation
b. point, evidence and explanation
c. point, evidence and engage
Q2. A PEE paragraph is a great way of explaining your ideas and knowledge in answering any
question. It gives you a structure to follow to help you write the perfect analytical paragraph.
a. True
b. False
Q3. Which of the following statements about PEE points is true?
a. The point should use words from the question to show that the question is being answered.
b. The point should always use the word point in it.
c. The point offers a thoughtful opinion or idea about a question that you have been given.
Example
 Context Clues
Read the following sentences and try to choose the best definition for the underlined words by
searching for context clues in the sentence.
1. Mr. Powers was so gullible that he believed even the most outlandish excuses of his
insincere employees.
a. intelligent
b. naïve
c. dishonest
2. Even though she’d read her supervisor’s memo four or five times, she still found his
rambling message ambiguous.
a. profound
b. inspiring
c. unclear
3. Since the townspeople were so dissatisfied, various methods to alleviate the
situation were debated.
a. ease
b. tolerate
c. clarify
d. Intensify
4. The suspect gave a plausible explanation for his presence at the scene, so the
police decided to look elsewhere for the perpetrator of the crime.
a. unbelievable
b. credible
c. insufficient
d. apologetic
Donna’s memo caused much contention around the office last week. She may have meant well,
but her usually caustic tone offended almost everybody. She has become a consistent nuisance at
work, and probably should be fired.
1. Based on the tone of the passage, which of the following words best describes the author’s
attitude toward Donna?
a. exasperated
b. admiring
c. isolated
2. The underlined word caustic, as used in this passage, most nearly means
a. cause and effect.
b. reoccurring.
c. biting.
d. unclear.
 In many instances, the government fails to adhere to
people’s concerns regarding societal misfits. As a
result, people get away with breaking the law and are
not held accountable for their actions thereafter.
Do you think that commoners should have the right to
take matters in their hands in this regard?
Cambridge Checkpoint Textbook pg.174

Text 12 B : Doctor Frankenstein’s Voice

Thank you!