Activity Sheet, Lesson 1: What Reading Is - Mark Fullmer

Activity Sheet, Lesson 7: Levels of Comprehension
Task 1: Read the following story, then answer the questions.
Developmental Reading
“At a rest stop, I went to…you know DROP A LOAD…Weeelllll I was barely sitting down when I heard a
voice from the other stall saying: “Hi, how are you?” I‟m not the type to start a conversation in the men‟s
restrooms at a rest stop but, I don‟t know what got into me, so I answered, somewhat embarrassed,
“Doin Just Fine!” And the other guy says: “So what are you up to?” What kind of question is that? At that
point, I‟m thinking this is too bizarre so I say: “Uhhh I‟m like you, just traveling east!” At this point I am
trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question. “Can I come over to your place after a
while?” Ok, this question is just wacky but I figured I could just be polite and end the conversation. I tell
him, “Well, I have company over so today is a bad day for me!” Then I hear the guy say
nervously…”Listen Tito, I‟ll have to call you back. There‟s an idiot in the other stall who keeps answering
all my questions!”
1. Where does the story take place?
2. Who is the other guy talking to?
3. What could “Drop a load” mean?
4. Why does the man keep on answering the other guy‟s questions?
5. Is the story meant to be funny or educational?
6. Have you ever been in a similar situation?
7. What other kinds of misunderstanding do we have in conversations?
Task 2: Explain the differences between the different Levels of Comprehension
Level
Explanation
1. Literal
2. Interpretive
3. Applied