RIC-6932 Literacy Box 3 - Preview

Burgundy 1
Comprehension
BOSS
FOR A DAY
1. If I was the boss of my school for a day, I would ensure it was the most wonderful
school day anyone had ever experienced. Here’s what I would do:
2. 8.30 am: Arrive at school, unlock the front gates and go to my office. For a brief
period I’d just relax in the huge, comfortable leather chair with my feet on
my desk and my hands clasped behind my head. Why not? I’m the top
dog now!
3. 9.00 am: I’d make an announcement that all children were to immediately go to the
playground instead of their classrooms. Once I had the attention of the
crowd I’d tell them that we’d be commencing the day with … a giant water
balloon fight! Every child and teacher would race to grab a slippery water
balloon and get ready to let the fun begin!
4. 10:15 am: Time for a break. Children and teachers alike would be really exhausted
and ravenous from the water balloon fight. So I’d present to each child a
big bag of buttery, salty popcorn as a snack and we’d all watch a DVD
together in the library.
5. 11:30 am: All right, I know that we should include something educational during the
day, so I’d tell all the children to go to their classes for … awesome science
time! I would make sure that every class would have an amazing science
experiment like exploding volcanoes, flying rockets or electrifying energy
balls! Children would be allowed to visit every other classroom to try all the
different experiments. Who says school is boring?
6. 12:30 pm: Lunchtime! In the gymnasium I’d have set up a huge buffet feast for the
school. All of my favourite foods like pizza, hamburgers and hotdogs would
be included. The best part would be a two-metre high fountain with flowing
melted chocolate for dessert. There would be ten different kinds of fresh
fruits to choose for dipping into the chocolate. Delicious!
7. 1.15 pm: Silent reading. Children could grab a book and go anywhere in the school
to relax. I’d climb one of the trees in the school grounds and sit in the
branches.
8. 2.00 pm: Time for games! To finish off the last hour of the school day, children could
choose to play board games, sports games, card games or any other kind
of game they could think of. Teachers would have to participate as well!
1. Which activity would the writer do first as
the boss?
(a) silent reading
(b) science time
(c) water balloon fight
2. The writer probably wants to be the boss
for the day to:
(a) annoy the teachers.
(b) make school more interesting.
(c) sit in the office chair.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) science experiments are the best
educational experience.
(b) a chocolate fountain with fruit for
dipping is delicious.
(c) two types of games are card games
and board games.
4. You can predict that the writer:
(a) will convince the head to take the day
off.
(b) will have to go to school.
(c) will pretend to be sick and stay home.
5. In Paragraph 8, they refers to:
(a) children
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(b) teachers
(c) games
6. The paragraph that is mainly about what
the children would eat for lunch is:
(a) Paragraph 6
(b) Paragraph 5
(c) Paragraph 4
8. The children would watch a DVD
during break time because they:
(a) like to eat popcorn.
(b) like relaxing in the library.
(c) would be tired from the water
balloon fight.
9. A summary of Paragraph 5 would not
include which sentence?
(a) Children would participate in
fun science experiments in one
classroom only.
(b) Every class would have a different
experiment and children could try
every one.
(c) The school day would be fun and
educational through awesome
science time with interesting
experiments.
10. The purpose of this story is to:
(a) teach you how to be a boss.
(b) entertain and amuse you.
(c) convince you that school is
boring.
11. The writer would climb a tree to:
(a) relax and read a book.
(b) play games.
(c) throw water balloons.
12. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) buffets have many different kinds
of foods.
(b) the day would start with a water
balloon fight.
(c) school is boring.
9. 3.00 pm: School finishes. Everyone would return home happy because it was such a
crazy, but also a really entertaining, school day.
10. Beep, beep, beep! I guess that means it’s time to get up and get ready for school. I
wonder if I could convince the head to take the day off?
7. You can conclude that the writer:
(a) is not interested in science.
(b) thinks school is boring.
(c) does not like reading.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (1) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 1
Burgundy 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
ich word 1. 1. Adverbs pair Which is not activity can spelt tell would the manner, the writer time do 7. or first Which as 5. word 8. A belongs preposition The children in this phrase would group is watch a of group a DVD of
rectly? place the boss? where something happens. What words? words during starting break with time a because preposition. they: The
comfortable,
does
(a) immediately
silent
the adverb
reading
in this sentence tell
classroom
preposition
(a) popcorn like to
phrase
eat popcorn. lunchtime
in this sentence is:
about the verb go?
gymnaisium, (b) participaite
science time
(a) educational There
(b)
would
like relaxing
be a two-metre
in the library.
high
All children were to immediately go to
fountain with melted chocolate.
educational, the (c) sports water experiment field. balloon fight
(b) anywhere
(a)
(c)
there
would
would
be tired
be
from the water
(a)
2. The
manner
writer probably
(how)
(c) chocolate balloon fight.
ich two words are synonyms for wants to be the boss (b) with melted chocolate
mencing (b) for in the time Paragraph day (when) to: 3?
8. The word 9. ravenous (c) A summary a two-metre in Paragraph of high Paragraph 4 5 would not
applauding,
(c)
(a)
place
approving annoy
(where)
the teachers.
means to be: include which sentence?
6. A modal verb is used with another
stopping, 2. Verb (b) halting tense make can school tell more about interesting. what has (a) relaxedverb; (a) e.g. Children They might would sing. participate In this in
happened (past), what is happening
sentence, fun which science verb experiments does not in have one a
beginning, (c) starting sit the office chair.
(b) tired
(present) or what will happen (future). modal classroom verb? only.
What
3. It is a
tense
fact, not
are
an
the
opinion,
verbs in
that:
this (c) very hungry
ich sentence is spelt correctly?
If I (b) could Every do anything, class would I would have climb a different a
sentence?
experiment and children could try
Arrive at (a) school, science unlok experiments the front are the best 9. Which word tree has and a silent read consonant?
a book.
every one.
gates and
I’d give
go educational to
each
my offise.
child
experience.
a bag of popcorn
(a) science
(a) do
and we’d all watch a DVD.
(c) The school day would be fun and
I’d make (b) sure a every chocolate class would fountain with fruit for
(b) climb
(a) future
(b) public educational through awesome
have an amazing dipping science is delicious.
(c) read
(b) present
science time with interesting
experiment.
(c) boss
(c) two types of games are card games 7.
(c) past
A quantifying experiments. determiner tells how
A huge bufet and would board be set games. up
10. Which two much words of are the synonyms noun there for is; e.g. any
in the 3. gymnasium Which sentence with all has my the correct exhausted 10. game, in The Paragraph purpose every child. 4? of this Which story determiner is to: in
favourate 4. punctuation?
You foods. can predict that the writer:
(a) excited,
this
anxious (a) sentence teach you is not how a to quantifying be a boss. one?
(a) (a) Foods, will convince like pizza, the hamburgers head to take and the day
ich of these words (b) entertain and amuse you.
hotdogs, off.
follows the
(b) energetic,
I would
refreshed
tell all children to give each
lling rule ‘e goes away
would
when
be
ing
included.
teacher their attention.
(c) convince you that school is
(b) Foods, will have like to pizza go to hamburgers school.
(c) spent, tired
es to stay’ as in: commencing
and
(a) their
boring.
d exploding? (c)
hotdogs,
will pretend
would
to be
be
sick
included.
and stay 11. home. The phrase (b) I’m all the top dog now in
(c) Foods like pizza, hamburgers and
11.
electrifying
Paragraph (c) 2 The means each writer to: would climb a tree to:
5. In Paragraph hotdogs would 8, they be refers included. to:
boring
(a) be (a) relax and read a book.
8.
part An of adjective a pack. phrase begins with an
4. Which (a) children two words in this sentence are
entertaining
(b) take directions adjective; (b) play from e.g. games. others. delicious with peaches
prepositions (b) teachersshowing the relationship
and
(c)
cream.
throw
Which
water balloons.
is the adjective
between words; e.g. lunch in the (c) be in charge or the boss.
ich of the (c) word games pairs has the
phrase in this sentence?
e number
gymnasium?
of syllables as
12. Say each 12. word Hungry It is and after opinion, listen playing to not the sport, last a fact, they that: ran
missal? 6. I’d The climb paragraph a tree in that the school is mainly grounds about what vowel sound. eagerly (a) Which buffets to pair the have cafe of words many on ground has different level. kinds
and the sit children up in the would branches. eat for lunch is:
hamburger, volcano
the same last (a) vowel hungry of foods. sound after playing as silent? sport
(a) a, Paragraph the 6
teachers, chocolate
(a) experiment, (b) (b) ran rocket the eagerly day would start with a water
(b) (b) in, Paragraph up 5
different, experiment
(b) ravenous, (c) buffet cafe balloon on ground fight. level.
(c) the, and
(c) Paragraph 4
(c) different, (c) feastschool is boring.
ich word comes second in
habetical 7. You order? can conclude that the writer:
comfortable (a) is not interested in science.
Something extra
could (b) Rank thinks the school activities is boring. listed in the text in the order of your preference.
commence (c) List does five not changes like reading. that you would make if you were boss for a day.
1. Which word pair is not spelt
BOSS
7. Which word belongs in this group of
correctly?
words?
(a) comfortable, immediately
classroom popcorn lunchtime
(b) gymnaisium, participaite FOR A DAY (a) educational
(c) educational, experiment
(b) anywhere
1. If I was the boss of my school for a day, I would ensure it was the most wonderful
(c) chocolate
2. Which school two day words anyone are had synonyms ever experienced. for Here’s what I would do:
commencing in Paragraph 3?
8.
2. 8.30 am: Arrive at school, unlock the front gates
The
and
word
go to
ravenous
my office.
in
For
Paragraph
a brief
4
(a) applauding, period approving I’d just relax in the huge, comfortable
means
leather
to be:
chair with my feet on
(b) stopping, my halting desk and my hands clasped behind (a) my relaxed head. Why not? I’m the top
dog now!
(c) beginning, starting
(b) tired
3. 9.00 am: I’d make an announcement that all children (c) very were hungry to immediately go to the
3. Which sentence playground is spelt correctly? instead of their classrooms. Once I had the attention of the
(a) Arrive at crowd school, I’d unlok tell them front that we’d be commencing 9. Which word the day has with a silent … a consonant?
giant water
gates and balloon go to fight! my offise. Every child and teacher
(a)
would
science
race to grab a slippery water
balloon and get ready to let the fun begin!
(b) I’d make sure every class would
(b) public
4. 10:15 have am: an Time amazing for a science break. Children and teachers alike would be really exhausted
experiment. and ravenous from the water balloon
(c)
fight.
boss
So I’d present to each child a
(c) A huge
big
bufet
bag
would
of buttery,
be set
salty
up
popcorn as a
10. Which
snack
two
and
words
we’d all
are
watch
synonyms
a DVD
for
in the gymnasium
together in
with
the
all
library.
my
exhausted in Paragraph 4?
5. 11:30 favourate am: All foods. right, I know that we should include (a) something excited, anxious educational during the
day, so I’d tell all the children to go to their classes for … awesome science
4. Which of these
time!
words
I would
follows
make
the
sure that every class
(b)
would
energetic,
have
refreshed
an amazing science
spelling rule
experiment
‘e goes away
like
when
exploding
ing
volcanoes, (c) flying spent, rockets tired or electrifying energy
comes to stay’
balls!
as
Children
in: commencing
would be allowed to visit every other classroom to try all the
and exploding?
different experiments. Who says school 11. The is boring? phrase I’m the top dog now in
(a) electrifying
Paragraph 2 means to:
6. 12:30 pm: Lunchtime! In the gymnasium I’d have set up a huge buffet feast for the
(b) boring
(a) be part of a pack.
school. All of my favourite foods like pizza, hamburgers and hotdogs would
(c) entertaining be included. The best part would be a (b) two-metre take directions high fountain from others. with flowing
melted chocolate for dessert. There would
(c) be
be
in
ten
charge
different
or the
kinds
boss.
of fresh
5. Which of the fruits word to pairs choose has for the dipping into the chocolate. Delicious!
same number of syllables as
12. Say each word and listen to the last
7.
dismissal?
1.15 pm: Silent reading. Children could grab a book and go anywhere in the school
vowel sound. Which pair of words has
to relax. I’d climb one of the trees in the school grounds and sit in the
(a) hamburger, volcano
the same last vowel sound as silent?
branches.
(b) teachers, chocolate
(a) experiment, rocket
8. 2.00 pm: Time for games! To finish off the last hour of the school day, children could
(c) different, choose experiment to play board games, sports games, (b) ravenous, card games buffetor any other kind
of game they could think of. Teachers (c) would different, have to feast participate as well!
6. Which word comes second in
9. alphabetical 3.00 pm: School order? finishes. Everyone would return home happy because it was such a
crazy, but also a really entertaining, school day.
(a) comfortable
10.
(b)
Beep,
could
beep, beep! I guess that means it’s time to get up and get ready for school. I
wonder if I could convince the head to take the day off?
(c) commence
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (1) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (1) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 2
Comprehension
Ode to the stinky skunk
1. A skunk has the well-known ability
Of spraying an odour so strong
That no matter how you treat it
For a very long time you will ‘pong’!
2. Skunks make their homes in burrows
In hollow logs, under woodpiles and walls
They are also known to be quite bossy
And take over dens of other animals!
3. Most skunks are the size of a cat
With fluffy fur coloured white and black
All skunks have some form of striping
Along their tail and on their back
4. Skunks are omnivorous animals
Eating plants and animals they think nice
Such as insects, fruit, worms, eggs and
frogs
Or even small mammals, like mice
5. Cute baby skunks are called kits
The mother has from three to ten
She feeds them milk for two months
Then they follow her out of the den
6. A skunk sprays a smelly odour
From glands between its tail and legs
The foul smell has been described
As a blend of garlic, burnt rubber and
rotten eggs!
7. A skunk’s spray can travel three metres
And be smelt a kilometre away as well
The only animal that tries to attack one
Is the horned owl, which has no sense of
smell
8. The spray does no real harm
But it certainly keeps animals at bay
Because a blast of this stinky mist
Will last day after day after day!
1. Which food choice shows an animal is
omnivorous?
(a) insects and frogs
(b) fruit and eggs
(c) mice and fruit
2. It is an opinion, not a fact, that skunks:
(a) are bossy.
(b) have babies called kits.
(c) spray an odour.
3. The word one in Verse 7 refers to the:
(a) horned owl
(b) skunk
(c) only animal
4. The main idea of Verse 2 is to:
(a) explain that skunks live in burrows.
(b) describe skunks’ habitats.
(c) explain that skunks take over other
animals’ dens.
5. You can conclude a skunk’s odour is hard
to get rid of because it:
(a) is so strong.
(b) is in the form of a spray.
(c) travels three metres.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. Which statement is false?
(a) Newborn kits eat insects.
(b) Skunks have stripes.
(c) Cats are a similar size to skunks.
8. A skunk’s spray does not bother a horned
owl because:
(a) it eats that type of meat.
(b) the spray travels three metres.
(c) it can’t smell it.
9. Adult and newborn skunks both:
(a) eat plants.
(b) live in dens.
(c) drink milk.
10. The poet would agree that a skunk’s spray
is:
(a) fairly harmless.
(b) quite dangerous.
(c) short lasting.
11. The word pong in Verse 1 is an informal
word meaning:
(a) sing
(b) smell
(c) cry
12. Which statement is the best summary of
Verse 6?
(a) A skunk’s spray smells like garlic, burnt
rubber and rotten eggs.
(b) A skunk’s garlic, burnt rubber and rotten
egg smell comes from glands between its
tail and legs.
(c) A skunk’s stink glands are between its tail
and its legs.
7. If young skunks were near a hollow log
with their mother, they’d probably be
about:
(a) four weeks old.
(b) three months old.
(c) newly born.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (2) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 2
Burgundy 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
The clause 1. 1. The Which keeps word food animals pong choice in at Verse bay shows in 1 has an animal quote 7. is Which word 8. 5. A does skunk’s Which not spray pair have of does a words long not o are bother a horned
Verse 8 means marks: omnivorous? the animals stay:
sound like hollow? owl adjectives because: used to describe nouns in
(a) away (a) (a) because insects and it is frogs an important word. (a) known (a) it this eats line that of type the of poem? meat.
(b) close (b) (b) to fruit show and it eggs is part of direct speech. (b) owl (b) the As spray a blend travels of garlic, three burnt metres. rubber and
rotten eggs!
(c) still (c) (c) to mice show and it is fruit a correct, but informal, word. (c) follow (c) it can’t smell it.
(a) blend, burnt
Which 2. 2. pair Which It of is words an line opinion, of are the both not poem spelled a fact, has that been skunks: 8. The word 9. blend Adult
(b) in and
rubber, Verse newborn
rotten 6 could skunks be both:
correctly? punctuated (a) are bossy. correctly?
replaced with: (a) eat
(c) burnt,
plants.
rotten
(a) stripeing, (a) (b) For animals have a very babies long called time kits. you would ‘pong’!(a) block (b) live in dens.
6.
(b) flufy, certainly (b) (c) As spray a blend an odour. of garlic, burnt rubber and (b) mix
A verb with all its auxiliary verbs is a
(c) drink milk.
rotten, eggs
verb group; e.g. They are called kits.
(c) odour, omnivorous
(c) variety The verb group from this line from the
3. The word one in Verse 7 refers to the: 10.
(c) Such as insects, fruit, worms, eggs, and
The poet would agree that a skunk’s spray
poem is:
Which compound (a) frogs horned word owl does not mean 9. Which of these is: words’ root word has
the same as the two words that make
followed the
(b) skunk
(a) spelling The foul
fairly harmless. rule: smell ‘e has goes been away described
it? 3. A preposition makes a link between when ing comes (a) to has stay’? been described
words; (c) only e.g. animal homes in burrows. Which two
(b) quite dangerous.
(a) woodpiles
(a) striping
words are prepositions in this line of the
(b) foul smell
(c) short lasting.
(b) because 4. poem? The main idea of Verse 2 is to: (b) spraying (c) has been
11.
(c) kilometre (a) explain that skunks live in burrows.
The word pong in Verse 1 is an informal
In hollow logs, under woodpiles and walls(c) eating
7. word Which meaning: word is an adverb in this line of
Which word (a) (b) in, would
describe under also
skunks’
fit in
habitats.
with this 10. Which word (a) pair the
singhas poem? the same number
group of (b) words? (c) hollow, explain logs that skunks take over other of syllables as Because described? it certainly keeps animals at bay
animals’ dens.
(b) smell
smelly (c) odour under, woodpiles pong foul
(a) certainly, animal (a) certainly
(c) cry
(a) spray 5. You can conclude a skunk’s odour is hard (b) ability, kilometre
4. Preposition phrases starting with a
(b) keeps
to get rid of because it:
12.
(b) mist
Which statement is the best summary of
preposition can be used to describe (c) smelly, stinky (c) animals
(a) is so strong.
Verse 6?
(c) stinky nouns; e.g. milk for two months. The
11. Which pair
preposition (b) is in the form phrase of a describing spray. the glands
8. (a) of A words Which skunk’s do word spray not is both smells the relative have like a garlic, pronoun burnt
The word in this line of is the an poem antonym
short u sound
is:
rubber like referring under? and to rotten the noun eggs. that comes
for hollow
(c)
in
travels
Verse
three
2.
metres.
(a) coloured, before it? Example: the horned owl
The glands between its tail and legs
(b) cute A skunk’s garlic, burnt rubber and rotten
which has …
(a) hard6. Which statement is false?
(b) rubber, month egg smell comes from glands between its
(a) the glands
tail The and only legs. animal that tries to attack one
(b) round
(b)
(a)
between
Newborn
its
kits
tail
eat
and
insects.
(c) skunk, burrow
legs
(c) A (a) skunk’s only stink glands are between its tail
(c) solid
(c)
(b)
glands
Skunks
between
have stripes.
its tail
12. Which word belongs and
(b) that
its legs. in this group of
Which pair
(c)
of
Cats
words
are
is
a similar
not in
size to skunks. words?
(c) to
alphabetical order?
mice insects skunks frogs
7. If young skunks were near a hollow log
(a) smelly, skunk with their mother, they’d probably be (a) tail
(b) mammals,
about:
mice
(c) spray, spraying
(a) four weeks old.
(b) legs
(c) worms
(b) three months old.
Something extra
Type (c) newly words born. such as smelliest creatures in the world into an Internet search engine and discover
other animals who use smell for protection.
Ode to the stinky skunk
1. The clause keeps animals at bay in
Verse 8 means the animals stay:
(a) away
1. A skunk (b) close has the well-known ability
Of (c) spraying still an odour so strong
That no matter how you treat it
2. Which pair of words are both spelled
For a very long time you will ‘pong’!
correctly?
2. Skunks (a) stripeing, make their animals homes in burrows
In (b) hollow flufy, logs, certainly under woodpiles and walls
They (c) are odour, also omnivorous known to be quite bossy
And take over dens of other animals!
3. Which compound word does not mean
3. Most the skunks same are as the two size words of a cat that make
With it? fluffy fur coloured white and black
All (a) skunks woodpiles have some form of striping
Along (b) because their tail and on their back
(c) kilometre
4. Skunks are omnivorous animals
4. Eating Which plants word and would animals also they fit in think with nice this
Such group as insects, of words? fruit, worms, eggs and
frogs smelly odour pong foul
Or even small mammals, like mice
(a) spray
(b) mist
(c) stinky
5. The word is an antonym
for hollow in Verse 2.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a) hard
(b) round
(c) solid
6. Which pair of words is not in
alphabetical order?
(a) smelly, skunk
(b) mammals, mice
(c) spray, spraying
7. Which word does not have a long o
sound like hollow?
(a) known
5. Cute (b) owl baby skunks are called kits
The (c) follow mother has from three to ten
She feeds them milk for two months
8. The word blend in Verse 6 could be
Then they follow her out of the den
replaced with:
6. A (a) skunk blocksprays a smelly odour
From (b) mix glands between its tail and legs
The (c) variety foul smell has been described
As a blend of garlic, burnt rubber and
9. rotten Which eggs! of these words’ root word has
followed the spelling rule: ‘e goes away
7. A when skunk’s ing spray comes can to travel stay’? three metres
And (a) striping be smelt a kilometre away as well
The (b) spraying only animal that tries to attack one
Is the horned owl, which has no sense of
(c) eating
smell
10. Which word pair has the same number
8. The of syllables spray does as no described? real harm
But it certainly keeps animals at bay
(a) certainly, animal
Because a blast of this stinky mist
(b) ability, kilometre
Will last day after day after day!
(c) smelly, stinky
11. Which pair of words do not both have a
short u sound like under?
(a) coloured, cute
(b) rubber, month
(c) skunk, burrow
12. Which word belongs in this group of
words?
mice insects skunks frogs
(a) tail
(b) legs
(c) worms
Find out the origin of the word skunk to see where the animal is thought to get its name from.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (2) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (2) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 3
Begin with breakfast!
1. Toast, eggs, porridge, cereal, fruit, yoghurt … whatever food you like, breakfast is
definitely the way to start the day! As health professionals advise, you must begin with
breakfast!
2. ‘Eat your breakfast.’ ‘You must eat breakfast.’ These are things many parents always
say to their children. Why? Well, the meaning of the word itself provides the answer.
Breakfast is really two words, ‘break’ and ‘fast’. When you ‘fast’, you’re not eating. This
happens for hours while you’re sleeping (unless you get up and have a midnight
feast!). So, when you wake up you must break your fast—with breakfast!
3. Imagine your body is a car. After a night’s sleep, your car’s fuel tank is pretty empty.
You need to fill up the tank with fuel. Clearly, breakfast is the meal that fills it again. If
you don’t eat breakfast, you will have no fuel.
4. What you eat is turned into energy for your body to use. Not eating breakfast means
your store of energy remains low. How can you pay attention at school when your
brain doesn’t have enough energy to work properly? Breakfast will solve the problem!
5. Don’t use the excuse that because breakfast doesn’t offer enough food choices it’s a
boring meal. This is simply not true. There are so many different types of bread to toast:
thickly or thinly sliced loaves of white, wholemeal, wholegrain or rye to list a few. Then
there are bagels or muffins. To any of these you can add heaps of things like honey,
peanut butter, baked beans, grilled cheese. You could even dip a slice of bread in
beaten egg and lightly fry it to make French toast. Talking about eggs, you can have
them boiled, fried, poached or scrambled. If you boil them, it’s so much fun taking the
top off the egg and dipping thin toast fingers into the gooey yolk!
6. There are dozens of different kinds of packaged cereals which can be eaten with milk,
yoghurt or fruit. Pancakes are another big favourite. Breakfast doesn’t have to be a
solid food—homemade fruit smoothies are absolutely delicious and an excellent way
of sipping nutrients. With so many things on the menu, it is easy to begin with a great
breakfast!
7. Another important reason to begin with breakfast concerns weight control. Surveys
have found that people who skip breakfast are more inclined to put on weight. They
get hungry and eat more food than usual during the day to stop their hunger pangs.
They often nibble on high kilojoule snacks too.
8. So, don’t run out the door with your stomach rumbling! Begin with breakfast! It’ll
recharge your brain and your body and help you maintain a healthy weight.
1. The word maintain in the phrase
maintain a healthy weight (Paragraph
8) means:
(a) to reach
(b) to stay at
(c) to not be at
2. The fuel tank in Paragraph 3 refers to
your body’s:
(a) brain
(b) mouth
(c) stomach
3. How many suggestions did the writer
give for eggs at breakfast?
(a) three
(b) five
(c) eight
4. The pronoun it in Paragraph 3 refers to:
(a) tank
(b) fuel
(c) breakfast
5. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is to
explain:
(a) why people are overweight.
(b) how skipping breakfast means you
feel hungry.
(c) how having breakfast helps control
your weight.
6. A car and your body are similar
because they both need:
(a) refuelling
(b) petrol
(c) breakfast
7. Lack of concentration at school can be
caused by:
(a) daydreaming
(b) rushing breakfast
(c) skipping breakfast
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) fruit smoothies are an excellent
breakfast choice.
(b) breakfast means to break your fast.
(c) breakfast is the best way to start the
day.
9. Which sentence best summarises the
main points in Paragraph 1?
(a) Health professionals advise that no
matter what you eat for breakfast,
your day must begin with it.
(b) Breakfast is the way to start the day.
(c) No matter if you prefer porridge or
fruit, breakfast must start your day.
10. You can conclude that the text was
written to persuade people to:
(a) eat toast and eggs at breakfast.
(b) start each day with breakfast.
(c) not let their stomachs rumble.
11. Which two foods would most likely be
the writer’s favourites for breakfast?
(a) bagels and muffins
(b) French toast and fruit
(c) boiled eggs and smoothies
12. The writer would agree that:
(a) a breakfast menu doesn’t have
many choices.
(b) breakfast can be a boring meal.
(c) it is easy to begin with breakfast as
there are so many choices.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (3) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 3
Burgundy 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. 1. nutrients Which The word in sentence Paragraph maintain has in 6 been the phrase punctuated 8. The word 8. 5. gooey It Quantifying is a fact, in Paragraph not determiners an opinion, 5 tell that: how
ans something correctly? maintain food a healthy that: weight (Paragraph could be replaced
(a)
much
fruit
of
smoothies
with: the noun
are
there
an
is;
excellent
e.g. many
is nice to (a)
8)
eat.
means:
Do you prefer your eggs fried, (a) great
parents,
breakfast
some
choice.
people. The quantifying
(a) poached, to reach scrambled or hard-boiled.
determiner in this sentence is:
provides energy.
(b) runny (b) breakfast means to break your fast.
(b) Do to stay you prefer at your eggs fried,
People fast for several hours at night.
you can drink.
(c) golden(c) breakfast is the best way to start the
(c) poached, to not be scrambled, at or hardboiled?
have fewer
9. Which word (b) has several a silent consonant?
(a)
day.
for
ich words both
ables 2. than (c) The the Do fuel word you tank several? prefer in Paragraph your eggs 3 fried, refers to 9.
(a) nibble
Which sentence best summarises the
(c) at
scrambled,
your
nutrients poached, body’s: scrambled or hardboiled?
brain
6. (a) The Health adverb professionals always in this advise sentence
main points in Paragraph 1?
(b) scrambled
(a) toast, energy
that no
(c) yolk tells
(b) mouth
matter the what you in eat which for breakfast, something
stomach, 2. The hunger ellipsis (...) is punctuation that can happens. your day must begin with it.
(c) stomach
10.
be used: 1. show text is missing; 2. to In which word do the letters c and h
ich word provide follows the a pause; rule: ‘e 3. goes for dramatic effect. make a ch (b) Many sound Breakfast parents like French? is are the always to telling start their day.
ay when 3. ing The How comes ellipsis many to in suggestions stay’? Paragraph did 1 is the used writer for:
(c)
children
No matter
to eat
if
breakfast.
(a) stomach
you prefer porridge or
taking
give for eggs at breakfast?
(a) fruit, place
(a) Reason 1
(b) recharge
breakfast must start your day.
frying (a) three
(b) frequency
(b) Reason 2
(c) school 10. You can conclude that the text was
dipping (b) five
written (c) purpose
(c) Reason 3
to persuade people to:
(c) eight
11. Which words are both spelt
ich word (a) eat toast and eggs at breakfast.
3. Which is a synonym word is for a modal verb that helps correctly?
7. Which word is adverb because it
nitely 4. in Paragraph another The pronoun verb? 1? it in Paragraph 3 refers to: (b) describes start each how day something with breakfast. is done?
Example: he might eat, (a) defenite, Example: imagineeasily maintains?
sometimes we (a) can tank cook.
(b) diferent,
(c)
weight
not let their stomachs rumble.
Dip a slice in beaten egg and lightly fry
certainlyYou (b) must fuel break your fast with breakfast. (c) healthy, 11. Which it survey in a two pan. foods would most likely be
delightfully (a) (c) must breakfast
the (a) writer’s dip favourites for breakfast?
12. Which sentence has an apostrophe
(b) break
ich word 5. does The main not belong idea of in Paragraph this 7 is to in a contraction (a) (b) bagels beaten incorrectly and muffins placed?
up? (c) explain: with
(a) Don’t use
(b) (c) the
French lightly excuse
toast
that
and fruit
ffins 4. pancakes An (a) adjective why people eggs phrase are milk begins overweight. with an breakfast (c) doesn’t boiled eggs have and many smoothies
8. A simple preposition phrase has just a
feast adjective; (b) how skipping e.g. thin breakfast fingers of means toast. you choices.
12. The preposition writer would and agree a noun; that: e.g. with fuel,
fruit
What feel is the hungry. adjective phrase in this (b) You’ll think at school. its’ fun dipping The preposition toast phrase in
sentence?
(a) breakfast menu doesn’t have
(c) how having breakfast helps control fingers into this sentence a gooey egg.
yoghurt
is:
many choices.
There your are so weight. many different types of (c) We aren’t
bread that can be toasted.
(b)
What sure
breakfast
you if you’re eat
can
is ready turned for
be a
into
boring
energy.
ich group of words all have a
breakfast.
meal.
g e sound 6. A car and your body are similar
(a) you eat
(a) like There meal? are so many
(c) it is easy to begin with breakfast as
because they both need:
(b) there is turned
honey, eating, are so many choices.
(b) different bread types of bread
(a) refuelling
(c) into energy
peanut, (c) energy, can reason be toasted
(b) petrol
beaten, breakfast, least
(c) breakfast
word
is an antonym
boring 7. in Paragraph Lack of concentration 5. at school can be
Something extra
caused by:
delicious
Write
(a)
a paragraph
daydreaming
outlining what you ate for breakfast this morning and when, where and
appealing how you ate it. If you didn’t have breakfast, explain why.
(b) rushing breakfast
tasteless
Make
(c)
a list
skipping
of the
breakfast
foods usually available in your house to eat for breakfast, and a list of any
appliances or utensils used in their preparation or eating.
Begin with breakfast!
1. The word nutrients Paragraph 6
8. The word gooey in Paragraph 5
means something food that:
could be replaced with:
1. (a) Toast, is nice eggs, to porridge, eat. cereal, fruit, yoghurt … whatever (a) great food you like, breakfast is
(b) definitely provides the energy. way to start the day! As health professionals (b) runny advise, you must begin with
(c) breakfast! you can drink.
(c) golden
2.
2. Which
‘Eat your
words
breakfast.’
both have
‘You
fewer
must eat breakfast.’ These
9. Which
are things
word
many
has a
parents
silent consonant?
always
syllables
say to their
than
children.
the word
Why?
several?
Well, the meaning of the word itself provides the answer.
Breakfast is really two words, ‘break’ and ‘fast’. When (a) you nibble ‘fast’, you’re not eating. This
(a) happens scrambled, for hours nutrients while you’re sleeping (unless you (b) get scrambled up and have a midnight
(b) feast!). toast, So, energy when you wake up you must break your
(c)
fast—with
yolk
breakfast!
3. (c) Imagine stomach, your hunger body is a car. After a night’s sleep, your car’s fuel tank is pretty empty.
10. In which word do the letters c and h
You need to fill up the tank with fuel. Clearly, breakfast is the meal that fills it again. If
3. Which word follows the rule: ‘e goes
make a ch sound like French?
you don’t eat breakfast, you will have no fuel.
away when ing comes to stay’?
(a) stomach
4. (a) What taking you eat is turned into energy for your body to use. Not eating breakfast means
(b) recharge
your store of energy remains low. How can you pay attention at school when your
(b) frying
brain doesn’t have enough energy to work properly? (c) Breakfast school will solve the problem!
(c) dipping
5. Don’t use the excuse that because breakfast 11. doesn’t Which offer words enough are both food spelt choices it’s a
4. Which boring word meal. is This a synonym is simply for not true. There are so many correctly? different types of bread to toast:
definitely thickly or thinly Paragraph sliced loaves 1? of white, wholemeal,
(a)
wholegrain
defenite,
or
imagine
rye to list a few. Then
(a)
there
sometimes
are bagels or muffins. To any of these you can add heaps of things like honey,
peanut butter, baked beans, grilled cheese. You could
(b) diferent,
even dip
weight
a slice of bread in
(b)
beaten
certainly
egg and lightly fry it to make French toast. (c) Talking healthy, about survey eggs, you can have
(c) them delightfully boiled, fried, poached or scrambled. If you boil them, it’s so much fun taking the
12.
top off the egg and dipping thin toast fingers into
Which
the gooey
sentence
yolk!
has an apostrophe
5. Which word does not belong in this
in a contraction incorrectly placed?
6. group? There are dozens of different kinds of packaged cereals which can be eaten with milk,
(a) Don’t use the excuse that
yoghurt or fruit. Pancakes are another big favourite. Breakfast doesn’t have to be a
muffins pancakes eggs milk
breakfast doesn’t have many
solid food—homemade fruit smoothies are absolutely delicious and an excellent way
(a) feast
choices.
of sipping nutrients. With so many things on the menu, it is easy to begin with a great
(b) breakfast! fruit
(b) You’ll think its’ fun dipping toast
fingers into a gooey egg.
7.
(c)
Another
yoghurt
important reason to begin with breakfast concerns weight control. Surveys
(c) We aren’t sure if you’re ready for
6. Which have found group that of words people all who have skip a breakfast are more inclined to put on weight. They
breakfast.
long get hungry e sound and like eat meal? more food than usual during the day to stop their hunger pangs.
They often nibble on high kilojoule snacks too.
(a) honey, eating, bread
8. So, don’t run out the door with your stomach rumbling! Begin with breakfast! It’ll
(b) peanut, energy, reason
recharge your brain and your body and help you maintain a healthy weight.
(c) beaten, breakfast, least
7. The word is an antonym
for boring in Paragraph 5.
(a) delicious
(b) appealing
(c) tasteless
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (3) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (3) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 4
Box 2
Box 3
spache 4.1
Comprehension
1. They say things happen in threes. I don’t know who first said this, but last Monday I certainly
found out that it is true!
2. Actually, it all began on Sunday evening. Sunday was the last day before the start of daylight
saving. At 2 am on Monday, time was to be brought forward by one hour for several months
to gain an extra hour of sunlight in the evenings. People don’t actually get up in the middle
of the night to do that. They just do it as they’re going to bed. Well, our family forgot ... no,
make that Mum forgot. She’s the person who sets all the clocks in our house, like the one on
the microwave oven. She also sets her digital clock radio and uses it as an alarm. So, when her
alarm went off at the usual time of 6.30 am, it was really 7.30 am! Of course, if she’d used her
phone alarm, the time would have changed automatically. But she didn’t!
3. All the family were going about their usual morning routine, completely unaware of the actual
time. We soon came to our senses when Oliver from next door came over at 8.15 to get a lift
with us. I was working on it being 7.15, still in my pyjamas and about to pour some milk on my
cereal!
4. Well, it looked like a comedy in our house! Everyone was grabbing breakfast on the run,
racing around getting dressed, making lunches, packing bags. Finally, Mum’s car screeched to
a halt outside the school grounds only five minutes late.
5. It was assembly first thing on a Monday. I was whispering to my friend about what had
happened when I heard my name called out. Correction, I thought I heard my name called
out. Thinking I was to receive an award, I walked up towards the front. Another child was
doing the same. Then a friend pulled my sleeve as I passed him and said: ‘You idiot! It’s Dean
Johnson who won, not you!’ Oh, no! My name is Kane Johnson. How embarrassing! I went
bright red and tried to slink back unnoticed to my seat, pretending not to hear all the muffled
sniggering sounds.
6. The third unfortunate happening occurred during our sports session. Baseball was the game
that day. I was first batter and stood up to the plate, bat in hand. The ball was pitched to
me and I took a wild swing at it. At the same time I heard a ripping sound and realised the
stitching in my shorts had split. I was hoping that the laughter from my team mates was just
because I’d missed the ball. But no! They were also rolling around with laughter because the
split had revealed the underwear I was wearing. To save time getting dressed that morning,
I’d left my pyjama shorts on. They were bright yellow and covered in silver and black lightning
bolts! My face turned bright red again. I’m so glad things don’t happen in fours. Or do they?
1. The word sniggering in Paragraph 5
means to giggle in a manner that is:
(a) quiet and slightly rude.
(b) loud and very happy.
(c) extremely loud.
2. During daylight saving you have:
(a) more sunlight in the morning.
(b) more sunlight in the evening.
(c) no change to the sunlight.
3. Before Kane took a swing at the baseball
he:
(a) heard a ripping sound.
(b) went red in the face.
(c) stood up to the plate.
4. The pronoun him in Paragraph 5 refers to:
(a) Dean Johnson.
(b) the friend.
(c) the child.
5. The main idea of Paragraph 4 is to explain:
(a) what happened after Kane’s family
realised the correct time.
(b) that Oliver’s appearance made Kane’s
family realise the correct time.
(c) that Mum sped in the car to get them to
school on time.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Kane wore his pyjama shorts to school.
(b) what happened at Kane’s house was
funny.
(c) things happen in threes.
7. Kane’s family slept in because:
(a) it was darker outside than was usual.
(b) it was raining.
(c) the alarm wasn’t set correctly.
8. It is likely Kane thought he’d heard his
name called out because:
(a) he was expecting an award.
(b) a friend pulled his sleeve.
(c) his name sounded similar to the
winner’s.
9. The writer would agree that:
(a) things always happen in threes.
(b) things always happen in fours.
(c) things could happen in fours.
10. You can conclude that the writer:
(a) doesn’t mind being embarrassed.
(b) doesn’t enjoy being embarrassed.
(c) thinks incidents that occur are
comical.
11. The next time there is daylight saving,
Kane will most likely insist his mum:
(a) uses her mobile phone alarm.
(b) gets up at 2 am to change the time.
(c) continues to use her digital clock
alarm.
12. The second and third incidents are
similar because they both made Kane:
(a) late for school.
(b) feel embarrassed.
(c) popular among his friends.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (4) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Burgundy 4
Box 2
Box 3
All about words
spache 4.1
word 1. 1. automatically The words sniggering Monday, in Paragraph Sunday, in Paragraph Kane and 57. The word 5. Quantifying 8. It is likely is determiners an Kane antonym thought tell for he’d how much heard his
eans something Johnson means that to have giggle happens capital in a or letters manner because that is: they receive in Paragraph of the name noun 5. called there out is; e.g. because: several months,
rks: are:
(a) quiet and slightly rude.
(a) lose
more
(a)
daylight.
he was expecting
The quantifying
an award.
determiner
y itself (a)
(b)
days
loud
of
and
the
very
week
in this sentence is:
happy.
(b) give (b) a friend pulled his sleeve.
ith human (b)
(c)
help proper nouns
I was about to pour some milk on my cereal.
extremely loud.
(c) gain (c) his name sounded similar to the
ccasionally
(c) common nouns
(a) about
winner’s.
2. During daylight saving you have: 8. The word idiot (b) some in Paragraph 5 could be
2.
ich word is
In
(a)
a
Paragraph
synonym
more sunlight
for
2, the
ripping
ellipsis
in the morning.
in
(…)
replaced with: 9. The writer would agree that:
punctuation is used:
(c) cereal
agraph 6?
(b) more sunlight in the evening.
(a) idol (a) things always happen in threes.
(a) to provide a pause.
6.
oaring
The adverb automatically in this sentence
(b) (c) for no dramatic change to effect. the sunlight.
(b) child tells (b) the things always in happen which something
fours.
creeching
(c) to show missing text.
(c) fool happens. (c) things could happen in fours.
earing 3. Before Kane took a swing at the baseball
Her mobile phone changed the time
3. Verb he: tense can tell about what has 9. Which words 10. both You have can conclude a soft c sound that the writer:
automatically.
ich word pair happened (a) heard
both have
a (past), ripping
more what sound. is happening like racing?
(a) doesn’t mind being embarrassed.
ables than (present) the word or microwave? what will happen (future).
(a) frequency
(b) went red in the face.
(a) cereal, receiver
(b) doesn’t enjoy being embarrassed.
mbarrassing, Which assembly tense are the verbs in this
(b) purpose
(c) stood up to the plate.
(b) certainly, comedy
sentence?
(c) manner (c) thinks incidents that occur are
utomatically, unfortunate
(c) unnoticed, clockcomical.
As
4. The
it was
pronoun
raining,
him
I guessed
in Paragraph
it was
5
due
refers
to the
igital, evening
to: 7. A preposition phrase begins with a
cloud cover.
10. 11.
(a) Dean Johnson.
The contraction preposition; The she’d next in e.g. time Paragraph I walked there is 2 towards is daylight the saving,
ich word (a) follows past the rule: ’when
made from front. the Kane words: Which will phrase most likely is not insist a preposition his mum:
ing a suffix (b) the friend.
(b) beginning present with a vowel
(a) she and
phrase?
could (a) uses her mobile phone alarm.
ost words
(c) (c) ending
future the child. with e, the e is
This
(b)
unfortunate
gets up at
happening
2 am to change
occurred
the
during
pped before adding the suffix‘?
(b) she and had
time.
our sports session after lunch.
4. 5. A The noun main phrase idea is of a Paragraph group of words 4 is to which explain:
nnoticed
(c) she and would (c) continues to use her digital clock
begins (a) what with happened a noun after or its Kane’s determiner;
(a) This unfortunate
family
alarm.
happening
ressed
e.g. realised a car outside the correct the school time. grounds, 11. the Which pair (b) of during words our are sports in alphabetical session
appened start of daylight saving. What is the noun order? (c) 12. after The lunch second and third incidents are
(b) that Oliver’s appearance made Kane’s
phrase in this sentence?
similar because they both made Kane:
family realise the correct time.
(a) completely, comedy
ich pair of compound words do not
8. In this
I realised the stitching in my shorts had split.
(a)
sentence,
late for school.
which word is the
an the same (c) as that the Mum two sped words in that the car to get them
(b)
to
realised, conjunction revealed that joins the two smaller
ke them? (a) I school realisedon time.
(c) raining, racing sentences? (b) feel embarrassed.
unlight, breakfast (b) had split
We soon (c) popular came to among our senses his friends. when Oliver
6. It is a fact, not an opinion, that: 12. Which words both have a short u sound
nderwear,
(c)
baseball
the stitching in my shorts
arrived at the door.
(a) Kane wore his pyjama shorts to school.
like just?
orgot, towards
(a) soon
(b) what happened at Kane’s house was
(a) months, cover
(b) when
ich pair of words funny.
Something
do not both have
(b) during, usual
extra
(c) at
ng e sound (c) like things seat? happen threes.
(c) Sunday, due
venings, actually
7. Kane’s family slept because:
eam, wearing
(a) it was darker outside than was usual.
eceiver, threes
Write a paragraph about a fourth incident that could have happened to Kane.
(b) it was raining.
(c) Research the alarm to wasn’t find out set the correctly. difference in time between where you live and five other
locations in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere in both summer and winter. Take
daylight saving time into consideration.
1. The word automatically in Paragraph
2 means something that happens or
works:
(a) by itself
(b) with human help
(c) occasionally
2. Which word is a synonym for ripping in
Paragraph 6?
7. The word is an antonym for
receive in Paragraph 5.
(a) lose
(b) give
(c) gain
8. The word idiot in Paragraph 5 could be
replaced with:
(a) idol
1. (a) They roaring say things happen in threes. I don’t know who first said this, but last Monday I certainly
(b) child
found out that it is true!
(b) screeching
(c) fool
2.
(c)
Actually,
tearing
it all began on Sunday evening. Sunday was the last day before the start of daylight
saving. At 2 am on Monday, time was to be brought 9. forward Which words by one both hour have for several a soft months c sound
3. Which to gain word an extra pair hour both of have sunlight more in the evenings. People like don’t racing? actually get up in the middle
syllables of the night than to the do word that. They microwave? just do it as they’re going to bed. Well, our family forgot ... no,
(a) cereal, receiver
make that Mum forgot. She’s the person who sets all the clocks in our house, like the one on
(a) embarrassing, assembly
the microwave oven. She also sets her digital clock radio (b) certainly, and uses comedy it as an alarm. So, when her
(b) alarm automatically, went off at unfortunate the usual time of 6.30 am, it was really (c) unnoticed, 7.30 am! Of clock course, if she’d used her
(c) phone digital, alarm, evening the time would have changed automatically. But she didn’t!
10. The contraction she’d in Paragraph 2 is
3. All the family were going about their usual morning routine, completely unaware of the actual
4. Which word follows the rule: ’when
made from the words:
time. We soon came to our senses when Oliver from next door came over at 8.15 to get a lift
adding a suffix beginning with a vowel
with us. I was working on it being 7.15, still in my pyjamas (a) she and and about couldto pour some milk on my
to most words ending with e, the e is
cereal!
dropped before adding the suffix‘?
(b) she and had
4.
(a) Well, unnoticed it looked like a comedy in our house! Everyone was (c) she grabbing and would breakfast on the run,
racing around getting dressed, making lunches, packing bags. Finally, Mum’s car screeched to
(b) a halt dressed outside the school grounds only five minutes 11. late. Which pair of words are in alphabetical
(c) happened
order?
5. It was assembly first thing on a Monday. I was whispering to my friend about what had
(a) completely, comedy
5. Which happened pair of when compound I heard my words name do called not out. Correction, I thought I heard my name called
mean out. Thinking the same I was the to receive two words an award, that I walked up towards (b) realised, the front. revealed Another child was
make doing them?
same. Then a friend pulled my sleeve as I passed him and said: ‘You idiot! It’s Dean
(c) raining, racing
Johnson who won, not you!’ Oh, no! My name is Kane Johnson. How embarrassing! I went
(a) bright sunlight, red and breakfast tried to slink back unnoticed to my
12.
seat, Which pretending words both not to have hear a all short the muffled u sound
(b) sniggering underwear, sounds. baseball
like just?
6. (c) The forgot, third towards unfortunate happening occurred during our (a) sports months, session. cover Baseball was the game
that day. I was first batter and stood up to the plate, bat in hand. The ball was pitched to
6. Which pair of words do not both have
(b) during, usual
me and I took a wild swing at it. At the same time I heard a ripping sound and realised the
a
stitching
long e sound
in my
like
shorts
seat?
had split. I was hoping that the (c) laughter Sunday, from duemy team mates was just
(a) because evenings, I’d actually missed the ball. But no! They were also rolling around with laughter because the
split had revealed the underwear I was wearing. To save time getting dressed that morning,
(b) team, wearing
I’d left my pyjama shorts on. They were bright yellow and covered in silver and black lightning
(c) bolts! receiver, My face threes turned bright red again. I’m so glad things don’t happen in fours. Or do they?
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (4) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (4) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 5
Comprehension
The discovery
1. ‘No! You have to put things that are actually important in the time capsule. You can’t
just throw any old toy in there’, Janie explained to her brother for the third time. They
were collecting things to put into an old milk can they’d found in the shed. It would be
their time capsule.
2. ‘Fine, fine. Here’s my first teddy bear, my favourite rock, a couple of music CDs and my
trophy from the swimming race’, Joey said proudly as he carefully packed all of the
items into the milk can along with the newspaper from that day. He put the top on
and twisted.
3. Their father had told them they could bury the time capsule on the edge of their farm.
There was a spot of dry, brown dirt about a metre wide and long where nothing would
grow no matter how hard their father tried. Plants would die within days of being in
the ground, the cows would steer clear of the spot and even the dog would always
make sure to walk around it. Since it couldn’t be used for anything else it was as good
a spot as any for a time capsule.
4. They’d loaded some shovels and the milk can into a wheelbarrow and set out. The
dog had followed them most of the way, but disappeared with a whimper when it
saw where they were going. When they got to the spot they grabbed the shovels and
started digging. The dirt was so dry and sandy that it made digging fairly easy and
they had a good sized hole in about twenty minutes.
5. Just as Joey plunged the shovel into the hole for one last scoop of dirt they heard a
metallic ‘thunk’ sound. He had hit something. Joey looked at Janie who shrugged her
shoulders.
6. ‘Probably an old piece of a tractor or something’, she said dismissively.
7. Curious, Joey continued to dig and soon unearthed a small box about the size of a
loaf of bread. It was rusty and obviously quite old, but was covered in strange symbols
that looked like writing. Joey shook the box and something rattled inside. He tried
pulling off the lid but it wouldn’t budge. Holding the box up to his eye he could see a
bit of light through a crack. Something was glowing inside!
8. Janie backed away from it. ‘Joey, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. I think you should
put it back in the ground and bury it.’
9. ‘Don’t be stupid, Janie. We’ve got to see what’s inside. I’ll hit it with the shovel to see if
it opens.’ Joey picked up the shovel and gave it a solid whack. The lid slowly creaked
open and the glowing got brighter and brighter until …
1. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) digging the hole was easy.
(b) items in a time capsule should be
special.
(c) Janie and Joey found a metal box.
2. Janie and Joey were going to bury the
capsule on the edge of the property
because:
(a) nothing would grow there.
(b) the dog and cows were afraid of it.
(c) it was easy to dig in the dirt.
3. You could predict that inside the box was:
(a) a loaf of bread.
(b) something very strange.
(c) an old time capsule.
4. Which event happened first in the story?
(a) Joey hit something metallic with his
shovel.
(b) Janie backed away from the box.
(c) They set out to dig the hole.
5. You could tell that whatever was in the
box was probably:
(a) edible
(b) dangerous
(c) safe
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. Paragraph 3 is mainly about:
(a) explaining the reasons why the
capsule was buried at the edge of
the property.
(b) why plants wouldn’t grow in the
spot.
(c) how animals would avoid going
near the spot.
7. Janie and Joey were different because
Joey:
(a) had the same parents.
(b) wasn’t afraid of the box.
(c) wanted to bury a time capsule.
8. You can tell that Janie thought:
(a) the metallic ‘thunk’ sound was
probably buried treasure.
(b) they should investigate the
mysterious box.
(c) it was important to put special items
in the time capsule.
9. Which sentence could you leave out of
a summary of the metal box?
(a) A strange glow was coming from
inside.
(b) It was covered in strange symbols
that looked like writing.
(c) It was about the size of a small cake.
10. Which paragraph describes the kinds
of items that went into the capsule?
(a) Paragraph 2
(b) Paragraph 1
(c) Paragraph 3
11. In Paragraph 3, their refers to:
(a) the dog and father
(b) Janie and Joey’s family
(c) Janie and Joey
12. What happened after Janie told Joey to
bury the box?
(a) Joey put it back in the hole.
(b) Joey hit it with the shovel and it
opened.
(c) Janie said it was probably part of a
tractor.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (5) Prim-Ed Publishing

Burgundy 5
Burgundy 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
ich pair 1. of In It words is Paragraph a fact, is not 9 in an the opinion, ellipsis (…) that: is used: 7. Which 7. 5. compound Janie A noun and phrase word Joey does were is a group not different of words because
habetical
(a) order?
to digging provide the a pause. hole was easy.
have a similar Joey: which meaning begins with to the a words noun or its
capsule, (b) carnival
that make
items in a time capsule should be (a)
determiner; it?
had the same
e.g. cows
parents.
in the field,
for dramatic effect.
the dog with fear in its eyes. In this
shovel, symbol special.
(a) inside
(c) to show missing text.
(b) sentence, wasn’t afraid which of is the the box. noun phrase?
steer, started (c) Janie and Joey found a metal box. (b) newspaper (c) wanted to bury a time capsule.
2. Adverbs can tell the manner, time or
The symbols on the box look like writing
(c) important
word 2. dismissively place Janie and in which in Joey Paragraph something were going 6 happens. to bury the 8. You from can ancient tell that times. Janie thought:
ans to say: What capsule does on the adverb edge of in the this property sentence 8. In which word (a)
(a) the
pair the symbols
metallic
are both on
‘thunk’
words the box
sound was
excitedly
tell because: about the verb?
spelt correctly? (b) probably looked like buried writing treasure.
with disregard Joey (a) nothing carefully would packed grow all of there.
items (a) wimper, (b) (c) disappear they from should ancient investigate times. the
into (b) the the milk dog can.
sadly
and cows were afraid of it. (b) metallic, race mysterious box.
6.
(a)
(c)
manner
it was easy
(how)
An adjective phrase beings with an
to dig in the dirt. (c) ratteled, (c) adjective symbuls it was important that describes to put a special noun; items e.g.
ich word (b) pair time has (when) the same
They in pushed the time the capsule. wheelbarrow (noun),
mber of 3. syllables You could as predict metallic that in inside the box 9. was: Say each word pair. Which pair
(c) place (where)
heavy with shovels. In this sentence,
ragraph 5?
9.
(a) a loaf of bread.
has the same Which first sentence vowel sound could as you leave out of
which is the adjective phrase?
swimming, 3. Verb a summary of the metal box?
(b) race tense can tell about what has twenty?
something very strange.
happened (past), what is happening
The dog disappeared, afraid of the
tractor, brighter
(a) teddy, (a) edge A strange glow was coming from
(present) (c) an old or time what capsule. will happen (future). place they were going.
inside.
disappeared, In which favourite
(b) metre, unearth
tense are the verbs in this
(a) the dog disappeared
4. Which event happened first in the story? (b) It was covered in strange symbols
sentence?
(c) easy, steer
ich word does
(a) Joey
not belong
hit something
with
(b)
metallic with his
that afraid looked of the like place writing.
s group of Joey words? continued to dig and soon 10.
shovel.
Which word (c) (c) is It an they was antonym were about going the for size of a small cake.
unearthed a small box.
wspaper (b) something Janie backed nothing
grabbed in Paragraph 4?
away from the box.
(a) present
10.
7.
Which A preposition paragraph phrase describes begins the with kinds a
inside
(a) gripped
(c) They set out to dig the hole.
(b) future
of preposition. items that went It can into act the as capsule? an adverb;
together
(b) pushed e.g. They threw the shovels into the
5. (c) You past could tell that whatever was in the (a) wheelbarrow. Paragraph 2In this sentence which
within
(c) released
box was probably:
(b) is the Paragraph prepositional 1 phrase?
4. A verb with all its auxiliary verbs and
word plunged
sometimes (a) edible in Paragraph 5
11. Which word
including the word not, is
(c) shares Paragraph the same
Nothing grew on 3 the boundary, so they
uld be replaced with:
consonant sound with these words?
a (b) verb dangerous group; e.g. It is not being used.
buried it there.
11. In Paragraph 3, their refers to:
draggedThe (c) verb safe group in this sentence is: father (a) trophy nothing grew loaf
(a) the dog and father
pulled
(a) strange
The dog had followed them most of the
(b) on the boundary
6. Paragraph 3 is mainly about:
(b) Janie and Joey’s family
pushedway.
(b) fairly
(c) buried it there
(a) (a) the explaining dog hadthe reasons why the (c) creak(c) Janie and Joey
words quite and capsule quiet was are buried often at the edge of 8. In this sentence, which word is the
nfused. In (b) which had followed
12.
the sentence property. is one
12. The contraction What conjunction happened they’d in that Paragraph
after joins Janie the two told smaller Joey to
these words (c) used most correctly? of the way
4 is made bury sentences?
from the the box? words:
(b) why plants wouldn’t grow in the
It was a quite spot. morning on the
(a) they (a) had Since Joey the put dirt it was back so in dry the and hole. sandy,
farm that
(c)
day.
how animals would avoid going (b) they (b) would digging Joey in hit it it was with fairly the shovel easy. and it
When Something you feed near the the chickens spot. extra
you
(a) opened.
(c) they could
Since
must be quiet.
(c) (b) Janie so said it was probably part of a
Continue the story by writing an
Janie had quiet enough of Joey’s
tractor.
interesting conclusion.
(c) and
curiosity.
Make a list of ten objects you would put
into a time capsule.
1. Which pair
The
of words is not in
discovery
7. Which compound word does not
alphabetical order?
have a similar meaning to the words
(a) capsule, carnival
that make it?
(b) shovel, symbol
(a) inside
1. (c) ‘No! steer, You started have to put things that are actually important (b) newspaper in the time capsule. You can’t
just throw any old toy in there’, Janie explained to (c) her important brother for the third time. They
2. The
were
word
collecting
dismissively
things
in
to
Paragraph
put into an
6
old milk can they’d found in the shed. It would be
means to say:
8.
their time capsule.
In which word pair are both words
(a) excitedly
spelt correctly?
2. ‘Fine, fine. Here’s my first teddy bear, my favourite rock, a couple of music CDs and my
(b) with disregard
(a) wimper, disappear
trophy from the swimming race’, Joey said proudly as he carefully packed all of the
(c) items sadly into the milk can along with the newspaper (b) from metallic, that day. race He put the top on
and twisted.
(c) ratteled, symbuls
3. Which word pair has the same
3. number Their father of syllables had told as them metallic they in could bury the 9. time Say capsule each word on the pair. edge Which of their pair farm.
Paragraph There was 5? a spot of dry, brown dirt about a metre has wide the and same long first where vowel nothing sound would as
grow no matter how hard their father tried. Plants
(a) swimming, race
twenty? would die within days of being in
the ground, the cows would steer clear of the spot and even the dog would always
(b) tractor, brighter
(a) teddy, edge
make sure to walk around it. Since it couldn’t be used for anything else it was as good
(c) a spot disappeared, as any for favouritea time capsule.
(b) metre, unearth
(c) easy, steer
4. 4. Which They’d word loaded does some not belong shovels with and the milk can into a wheelbarrow and set out. The
this dog group had followed of words? them most of the way, but disappeared 10. Which word with is a an whimper antonym when for it
saw where they were going. When they got to the
newspaper something nothing
grabbed spot they in grabbed Paragraph the 4? shovels and
started digging. The dirt was so dry and sandy that it made digging fairly easy and
(a) they inside had a good sized hole in about twenty minutes.
(a) gripped
(b) together
(b) pushed
5. Just as Joey plunged the shovel into the hole for one last scoop of dirt they heard a
(c) metallic within‘thunk’ sound. He had hit something. Joey
(c)
looked
released
at Janie who shrugged her
shoulders.
5. The word plunged in Paragraph 5
11. Which word shares the same
6. could ‘Probably be replaced an old piece with: of a tractor or something’, consonant she said dismissively. sound with these words?
(a) dragged
father trophy loaf
7. Curious, Joey continued to dig and soon unearthed a small box about the size of a
(b) loaf pulled of bread. It was rusty and obviously quite old, (a) but strange was covered in strange symbols
(c) that pushed looked like writing. Joey shook the box and something (b) fairly rattled inside. He tried
pulling off the lid but it wouldn’t budge. Holding the (c) box creak up to his eye he could see a
6. The bit words of light quite through and a quiet crack. are Something often was glowing inside!
confused. In which sentence is one
12. The contraction they’d in Paragraph
8.
of
Janie
these
backed
words used
away
correctly?
from it. ‘Joey, I’ve got a bad feeling
4 is made
about
from
this.
the
I think
words:
you should
put it back in the ground and bury it.’
(a) It was a quite morning on the
(a) they had
9. ‘Don’t farm be that stupid, day. Janie. We’ve got to see what’s inside. I’ll hit it with the shovel to see if
(b) they would
it opens.’ Joey picked up the shovel and gave it a solid whack. The lid slowly creaked
(b) When you feed the chickens you
open and the glowing got brighter and brighter until (c) … they could
must be quiet.
(c) Janie had quiet enough of Joey’s
curiosity.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (5) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (5) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ring!
Master, please
explain why you
sleep so much
during the day
while we are
diligently studying?
Ring!
Ring!
Num! Num! Num!
Num! Num! Num!
Awaken! you indolent
student! How dare you
slumber during my lessons!
What did the great Buddha
say to you, Lee?
What wonderous words of
wisdom did he impart? Iam
extremely eager to learn
more!
I only appear to be sleeping, Lee. I am
really conversing with the great Buddha,
listening to his words of wisdom and learning.
That’s why I sleep so much. Buddha has a
great deal to teach me!
Saffron 1
The monk and the student
Zzzzzzzz!
Master, to my great
astonishment, the all-powerful
Great Buddha said he had
never ever seen you before
in his entire life!
Son, I cannot express my gratitude
to you for caring for me all night.
You have not rested at all!
You are a considerate and loving son, Lee.
Master, it only appeared
as though I was sleeping.
I was conversing with the
great Buddha, listening to
his wise words and learning
from him.
1. The word diligently means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
with a lot of care and effort
using all fingers
slowly
2. Why did Lee fall asleep in class?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The lessons were boring.
He had looked after his sick father
all night.
He was learning to do what the
monk was doing.
3. How did Lee’s father feel about his son
looking after him all night while he was
sick?
(a)
(b)
(c)
He considered it his son’s duty.
He did not care one way or the
other.
He was very grateful.
4. Lee’s explanation of what he was doing
when he appeared to be sleeping is
the main idea of which panel?
(a) Panel 6
(b) Panel 7
(c) Panel 8
5. Before the monk fell asleep in class he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
ate lots of food.
asked Lee what Buddha told him.
said he spoke to Buddha.
6. Lee is different from the monk because
he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
had a good reason for being tired.
went to sleep in class.
said he spoke to Buddha.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You could conclude that Lee is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a poor son.
very aware of the monk’s faults.
a lazy student.
8. Which statement best summarises this
folktale?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Monks should not eat before
teaching a class.
People who tell lies should be
careful they are not caught out.
Sons should look after their fathers.
9. The word his in Panel 6 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the Great Buddha
the monk
Lee
10. It is likely that the monk will realise that
Lee:
(a)
(b)
(c)
talked to the Great Buddha.
eats too much.
knows the reason he keeps falling
asleep in class.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that a person
meditating:
(a)
(b)
(c)
stays in one position.
looks peaceful.
looks ridiculous.
12. The purpose of a folktale is to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
give information.
persuade the reader to a point of
view or opinion.
entertain.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (6) Prim-Ed Publishing

Saffron 1
Saffron 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. in Which The Panel word sentence 3 means diligently is speaking? punctuated means: correctly? 8. Which 7. 6. two You Which words could phrase create conclude does the that not commence Lee is:
conversing
(a) ‘What with a did lot the of care Great and Buddha effort say to you,
contraction
(a)
with That’s
a
a
poor
preposition? in
son.
Panel 3?
learning (b)
Lee?’
using
the
all fingers
monk asked.
(a) That
(b)
(a) is
very
with
aware
the Great
of the
Buddha
monk’s faults.
gratitude
(b)
(c)
‘What
slowly
did the Great Buddha say, to you (b) That
(c)
(b) was
a
during
lazy student.
my lessons
Lee?’ the monk asked
(c) They (c) weremy gratitude
ich pair 2. of (c) Why words What did is Lee written did fall the asleep in Great alphabetical Buddha in class? say to you, Lee 8. Which statement best summarises this
er?
the monk ‘asked’?
9. Some 7.
(a) The lessons were boring.
words folktale? Which drop group the final of words e before is a preposition
extremely, express
adding ing; phrase e.g. care starting – caring. with a preposition and
2. Expressive (b) He had verbs looked make after a text his sick more father
(a) Monks should not eat before
Which word adding didn’t meaning need to to do the this? noun words?
considerate, interesting. conversing all night.
teaching a class.
Which expressive verb could
(a) during (a) of great wisdom
slumber, replace (c) sleeping He said was in learning Panel 8? to do what the
(b) People who tell lies should be
(b) conversing
(a) whispered monk was doing.
(b) careful what words they are not caught out.
ynonym (word with a similar meaning) for
(c) loving (c)
Sons did he should impart look after their fathers.
ber in 3. Panel (b) How 5 declared did is: Lee’s father feel about his son
10.
ignore (c) looking spoke after him all night while he was The suffix 9. 8. The Which -dom word means verbs his in are place Panel not or in 6 the refers past to: tense?
sick?
state of being; e.g. wisdom means
talk
(a)
the had Great seen Buddha
3. The
(a)
adverbial
He considered
of time
it his
relating
son’s
to
duty.
the verb the state of being wise. What
sleep sleep in this sentence is:
would the (b)
word the am freedom monk eager mean?
(b) He did not care one way or the
Please explain why you sleep so much during (a) the place (c)
Lee of was three conversing kingdoms
ynonym for indolent other. in Panel 5 is:
the day.
(b) the state of being free
lazy (c) He was very grateful.
10. It is likely that the monk will realise that
(a) please explain
(c) the state Lee: of being confined
rude 4. (b) Lee’s why explanation you sleepof what he was doing
(a) talked to the Great Buddha.
talkative when he appeared to be sleeping is 11. Which word has a soft g sound like
(c)
the main
during
idea
the
of
day
which panel?
religion? (b) eats too much.
ich word in Panel 6 is an antonym
4. Which (a) Panel conjunction 6 would best join the two (a) great (c) knows the reason he keeps falling
posite meaning) for foolish?
sentences below and keep their sense and
asleep in class.
(b) Panel 7
(b) gratitude
appearedmeaning?
(c) Panel 8
(c) 11. diligently It is a fact, not an opinion, that a person
wise He imparted some wondrous words of wisdom. meditating:
wondrous 5. I Before am extremely the monk eager fell to asleep learn more in class about he: 12. them. Which word
(a)
does
stays
not
in one
belong
position.
in the
category below?
ich sentence
(a) (a)
uses
and ate lots of food.
the correct
(b) looks peaceful.
Buddha God Brahma
ophones? (b) (b) because asked Lee what Buddha told him.
(c) looks ridiculous.
(a) monk
Lee had (c) seen (c) although hymn said he asleep spoke more to Buddha. than
once.
(b) 12. AllahThe purpose of a folktale is to:
5. 6. A Lee main is different clause makes from sense the monk by itself because and
Lee had seen him asleep more than once.
(c) Zeus(a)
give information.
contains he: a verb. The main clause in this
Lee had sentence scene (a) had him is: a asleep good reason moor than for being once.
(b) persuade the reader to a point of
tired.
Something
view or opinion.
extra
suffix -ous
I (b) was
means
conversing went having to sleep with
or possessing;
Buddha, class. listening to his
(c) entertain.
. wondrous.
wise
Which
words
word
and learning
does not
from
follow
him.
Research information about Buddha
(c) said he spoke to Buddha.
pattern? (a) listening to his wise words
and list five things you learnt from your
research.
envious (b) I was conversing with Buddha
cautious(c)
enormous
learning from him
Create a simple comic strip of your own
with eight panels. It could be funny, tell
a story or teach the reader something.
The monk and the student
1. Which word in Panel 3 means speaking?
Ring!
(a)
(b)
(c)
Master, please
explain why you
sleep so much
during the day
while we are
diligently studying?
Ring!
Ring!
Num! Num! Num!
Num! Num! Num!
conversing
learning
gratitude
2. Which pair of words is written in alphabetical
order?
(a)
(b)
(c)
extremely, express
considerate, conversing
slumber, sleeping
Awaken! you indolent
student! How dare you
slumber during my lessons!
What did the great Buddha
(b) say to you, Lee?
What wonderous words of
wisdom did he impart? Iam
(c)
extremely eager to learn
more!
I only appear to be sleeping, Lee. I am
really conversing with the great Buddha,
listening to his words of wisdom and learning.
That’s why I sleep so much. Buddha has a
great deal to teach me!
3. A synonym (word with a similar meaning) for
slumber in Panel 5 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
ignore
talk
sleep
4. A synonym for indolent in Panel 5 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
lazy
rude
talkative
5. Which word in Panel 6 is an antonym
(opposite meaning) for foolish?
(a)
(b)
(c)
appeared
wise
wondrous
6. Which sentence uses the correct
homophones?
(a)
Lee had seen hymn asleep more than
once.
Lee had seen him asleep more than once.
Lee had scene him asleep moor than once.
7. The suffix -ous means having or possessing;
e.g. wondrous. Which word does not follow
this pattern?
(a)
(b)
(c)
envious
cautious
enormous
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Zzzzzzzz!
Master, to my great
astonishment, the all-powerful (c)
Great Buddha said he had
never ever seen you before
in his entire life!
8. Which two words create the
contraction That’s in Panel 3?
(a)
(b)
(c)
That is
That was
They were
9. Some words drop the final e before
adding ing; e.g. care – caring.
Which word didn’t need to do this?
(a)
(b)
(c)
during
conversing
Son, I cannot express my gratitude
to you for caring for me all night.
You loving have not rested at all!
You are a considerate and loving son, Lee.
10. The suffix -dom means place or
state of being; e.g. wisdom means
the state of being wise. What
would the word freedom mean?
(a)
(b)
(c)
the place of three kingdoms
the state of being free
the state of being confined
Master, it only appeared
as though I was sleeping.
religion?
I was conversing with the
great Buddha, listening to
his wise words and learning
(a) great
from him.
11. Which word has a soft g sound like
(b)
(c)
gratitude
diligently
12. Which word does not belong in the
category below?
Buddha God Brahma
(a)
(b)
monk
Allah
Zeus
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (6) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (6) Prim-Ed Publishing

1. ‘That’s the all clear. Come on son, let’s go and see who’s been done for and what’s left of
our street ... not much, I shouldn’t wonder!’
2. Mum led the way out of our shelter under the vegetable patch. The sun was just rising,
heralding another new day without hope. The acrid smell of dust and explosives filled my
throat and nostrils and made my eyes water. How much longer would this stupid war go
on?
3. Our end of the street had survived the bombs but at the Turnham Lane end, where my
school was, it was a different story. I’d often dreamed of skipping school but this wasn’t
how I wanted to do it. There was an eerie silence as people emerged from their shelters
and inspected what was left of their homes. Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream broke the
silence.
4. ‘Peter!’ Just one word, but we all knew what it meant.
Saffron 2
Bombing horror
5. People began running down to where my aunt was scrambling over the rubble that
was once her home. Members of the Home Guard had arrived and were struggling to
pull the distraught mother away from the wreckage. Mum reached out and wrapped
comforting arms around her sobbing sister.
6. ‘Come with me, Edith. We’ll have a mug of strong, sweet tea. They’ll let us know ...
when they find him.’ The women walked slowly up the street, watched by their solemn
neighbours standing motionless.
7. I had been rooted to the spot since hearing Auntie Edith’s cry, but now I ran home to put
the kettle on. My mind was racing. Why hadn’t Peter gone into the shelter with his mum
when the air raid siren went? Did she know for sure that he’d been in the house when it
was hit?
8. After making the tea, I ran back to where the Guard were still searching the debris. It was
slow work. They had to be careful not to make any sudden moves that would dislodge
anything, just in case he was still alive. Then I heard it. It was only faint, but I
was sure. There it was again! A low moan.
9. ‘Here!’ I yelled. ‘Quickly! He’s here! He’s alive! I heard him! He’s alive! He’s alive!’
10. I sprinted back to my house. I was breathless and couldn’t
speak, but I didn’t need to. The light in my eyes and my
wide grin told Mum and Auntie Edith exactly
what they wanted
to hear.
1. At what time of day does the story
open?
(a) early morning
(b) mid-morning
(c) late morning
2. People had spent the night in air
raid shelters because:
(a) they wanted a change.
(b) there had been an air raid.
(c) their homes had been bombed.
3. In Paragraph 2, the word acrid
means:
(a) dry
(b) spiteful
(c) bitter
4. Which group of words do not refer to
the narrator’s Auntie Edith?
(a) distraught mother
(b) sobbing sister
(c) solemn neighbours
5. After making the tea, the first thing
the narrator did was:
(a) hear Peter’s moans.
(b) run back to Peter’s house.
(c) run home to deliver the news.
6. A summary of Paragraph 8 is:
The boy:
(a) heard his cousin’s moan as
he watched the guards slowly
searching the debris.
(b) waited impatiently while the
guards worked.
(c) heard his cousin’s moan and
alerted the guards.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. The main idea of Paragraph 3 is:
(a) the school was destroyed in the raid.
(b) one end of the street survived the
raid better than the other.
(c) the narrator’s home survived the raid.
8. In Paragraph 8, if the guards had not
worked slowly and carefully:
(a) Peter may have been killed by falling
debris.
(b) they may have hurt themselves.
(c) they may have damaged furniture in
the house.
9. You can conclude from the text that the
people were:
(a) surprised by the air raid.
(b) used to bombing raids.
(c) expecting that the war would soon
be over.
10. In writing the text, the author wants the
reader to:
(a) understand how the characters felt
and to feel empathy with them.
(b) learn about the effects of war.
(c) disagree with war.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) hot, sweet tea makes you feel better.
(b) Mum took Edith home for a mug of
tea.
(c) drinking tea solves lots of problems.
12. In Paragraph 7, the pronoun it refers to:
(a) the bomb
(b) Auntie Edith’s house
(c) the air raid
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (7) Prim-Ed Publishing

Saffron 2
Saffron 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
hich 1. 1. word A At noun does what group the time final of is a day letter group does e of the words story 7. that Which 7. pair 5. The of Possessive words main doesn’t idea determiners of Paragraph have the tell who 3 is: or
give the builds letter open? i on its a long noun; sound? e.g. my wide, happy u sound like
(a)
what sun
the
and a
school
noun mother?
was
belongs
destroyed
to; e.g.
in
your,
the raid.
survive
grin.
(a)
In
early
this
morning
sentence, the noun group
(a) wonder,
its.
much
The possessive determiner in this
giving information about the noun
(b) sentence one end is: of the street survived the
arrive day (b) is: mid-morning
(b) done, another raid better than the other.
People emerged from their shelters to
explosive The (c) sun late was morning just rising, heralding (c) sure, stupid (c) inspect the narrator’s what was home left of survived their homes. the raid.
another new day without hope.
hich 2. word People do the had letters spent ear the give night in air 8. Which 8. pair In of (a) Paragraph words fromis written 8, if the in guards had not
ifferent sound? (a) raid was shelters just rising because:
alphabetical worked (b) order? their slowly and carefully:
clear (b) (a) heralding they wanted another a change. new day (a) scream, (a) (c) scrambling Peter what may have been killed by falling
searching (c) (b) another there had new been dayan air raid. (b) throat, there
debris.
6. Which word is the relative pronoun
heard 2. A (c) preposition their homes makes had a been link between bombed. (c) wrapped,
(b)
wreckage
they may have hurt themselves.
that refers to the noun before it?
two words; e.g. run to school. The
(c) they may have damaged furniture in
ich word 3. in In Paragraph 52, is the a word acrid 9. A prefix added They to the front of a word
preposition that links a verb and a
the
watched
house.
my aunt scramble over
onym for anxious? means:
can give it the the opposite rubble that meaning. was once her home.
noun in this sentence is:
distraught
Which 9.
(a) dry
word You (a) has can They a prefix? conclude from the text that the
Mum stood by the wreckage and
comforting
(a) dislodge
people were:
wrapped (b) spiteful her comforting arms around
(b) over
sobbing
her sister.
(b) different
(a) surprised by the air raid.
(c) bitter
(c) that
(a) by
(c) distraught
(b) used to bombing raids.
emn from 4. Which Paragraph group 6 of is an words do not refer to
7.
(c)
Which
expecting
word is
that
an
the
adverb
war would
explaining
soon
tonym for:
(b)
the
around
narrator’s Auntie Edith? 10. In which word how does be
or
over.
when the suffix something mean was done;
serious
(c) her
with? e.g. The women walked slowly.
(a) distraught mother
10.
silly
(a) motionless
In Suddenly, writing the a bloodcurdling text, the author scream wants the
3. In (b) this sobbing sentence, sister the preposition
reader rang out to: to break the silence.
sombre
phrase
(c) solemn
which
neighbours
starts with a preposition (b) careful
(a)
and gives information about the
(a) understand Suddenly how the characters felt
(c) breathless and to feel empathy with them.
hich 5. contracted shelter After making is: word the from tea, the first thing
(b) bloodcurdling
agraph 1 Mum the does narrator led the the apostrophe way did was: out of our shelter 11. Which word (b) has learn the about same number the effects of of war.
(c) break
lace the under letter
(a) hear
u? the Peter’s vegetable moans. patch. syllables as (c) heralding? disagree with war.
That’s (a) led the way
(a) neighbours 8. Which word is the conjunction joining
(b) run back to Peter’s house.
11. It is two a fact, parts not of this an opinion, sentence? that:
let’s (b) (c) our run shelter home to deliver the news.
(b) wreckage
(a) After hot, I made sweet the tea tea, makes I ran you to where feel better. the
what’s (c) under the vegetable patch (c) exactly
guards were searching the wreckage.
6. A summary of Paragraph 8 is:
(b) Mum took Edith home for a mug of
ophones 4. A are preposition words that phrase sound can be used 12.
The boy:
to In Paragraph (a) 1, tea. the After words done for
same but describe have different nouns and spellings pronouns; e.g. mean: (c) (b) drinking where tea solves lots of problems.
d meanings. (a)
the Which heard
day without word his cousin’s from moan as
hope. The preposition (a) arrested
agraph 2 phrase is a he homophone watched the
in this sentence of guards slowly
(c) were
is:
12. In Paragraph 7, the pronoun it refers to:
od?
searching the debris.
(b) killed
To calm themselves, they drank strong
(a) the bomb
water (b) waited impatiently while the (c) burgled
tea with lots of sugar.
guards worked.
(b) Auntie Edith’s house
way (a) To calm themselves Something extra
(c) heard his cousin’s moan and
(c) the air raid
would (b) strong alerted tea the guards.
Find out more about air raids during World War II.
Create a cartoon strip to retell this story.
Bombing horror
1. In which word does the final letter e
not give the letter i its long sound?
(a) survive
(a) wonder, much
1. ‘That’s the all clear. Come on son, let’s go and see who’s been done for and what’s left of
our (b) street arrive ... not much, I shouldn’t wonder!’ (b) done, another
(c) explosive
(c) sure, stupid
2. Mum led the way out of our shelter under the vegetable patch. The sun was just rising,
2.
heralding In which another word do new the letters day without ear give hope. The acrid
8. Which smell of pair dust of words and explosives is written filled in my
throat a different and nostrils sound? and made my eyes water. How much alphabetical longer would order? this stupid war go
on?
(a) clear
(a) scream, scrambling
3. Our end of the street had survived the bombs but at the Turnham Lane end, where my
(b) searching
(b) throat, there
school was, it was a different story. I’d often dreamed of skipping school but this wasn’t
how (c) I wanted heard to do it. There was an eerie silence as (c) people wrapped, emerged wreckage from their shelters
and inspected what was left of their homes. Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream broke the
3.
silence.
Which word in Paragraph 5 is a
9. A prefix added to the front of a word
synonym for anxious?
can give it the opposite meaning.
4. ‘Peter!’ Just one word, but we all knew what it meant.
(a) distraught
Which word has a prefix?
5. People (b) comforting began running down to where my aunt was (a) scrambling dislodgeover the rubble that
was once her home. Members of the Home Guard had arrived and were struggling to
pull
(c)
the
sobbing
(b) different
distraught mother away from the wreckage. Mum reached out and wrapped
comforting arms around her sobbing sister.
(c) distraught
4. Solemn from Paragraph 6 is an
6. ‘Come antonym with for: me, Edith. We’ll have a mug of strong, 10. sweet In which tea. word They’ll does let us the know suffix ... mean
when (a) serious they find him.’ The women walked slowly up the with? street, watched by their solemn
neighbours standing motionless.
(b) silly
(a) motionless
7. I had been rooted to the spot since hearing Auntie Edith’s cry, but now I ran home to put
(c) sombre
(b) careful
the kettle on. My mind was racing. Why hadn’t Peter gone into the shelter with his mum
(c) breathless
5. when In which the air contracted raid siren word went? from Did she know for sure that he’d been in the house when it
was Paragraph hit? 1 does the apostrophe
11. Which word has the same number of
8. After
replace
making
the
the
letter
tea,
u?
I ran back to where the Guard
syllables
were still
as
searching
heralding?
the debris. It was
slow (a) work. That’s They had to be careful not to make any sudden (a) neighbours moves that would dislodge
anything,
(b) let’s
just in case he was still alive. Then I heard
(b)
it. It
wreckage
was only faint, but I
was sure. There it was again! A low moan.
(c) what’s
(c) exactly
9. ‘Here!’ I yelled. ‘Quickly! He’s here! He’s alive! I heard him! He’s alive! He’s alive!’
6. Homophones are words that sound
12. In Paragraph 1, the words done for
10. I sprinted back to my house. I was breathless and couldn’t
the same but have different spellings
mean:
speak, but I didn’t need to. The light in my eyes and my
and meanings. Which word from
wide grin told Mum and Auntie Edith exactly (a) arrested
Paragraph 2 is a homophone of
what they wanted
wood?
(b) killed
to hear.
(a) water
(c) burgled
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (7) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (7) Prim-Ed Publishing
(b) way
(c) would
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. Which pair of words doesn’t have the
u sound like sun and mother?

Medieval
vs
1. Living during medieval times, approximately the 5th to 15th centuries, would
be so much more interesting than life today!
2. Medieval times were an exciting period in history; filled with kings and queens,
castles, knights, battles and the race to discover the unknown world. Empires
like the Byzantines rose to power, while the Carolingians succumbed to foreign
invasion. What a time! Even better, there were all kinds of plots and intrigues
throughout the royal families—and plenty of murders too!
3. Food was healthier at that time because it was much simpler. You could have
a lamb shank and potatoes for dinner or a tasty roasted chicken and harvest
vegetables. Yum! It would have been finger licking good too because they
didn’t always have to eat with knives and forks! There was none of the modern
fast food like there is today. It’s really just junk and not good for your health.
4. People would have been much more connected to their environment. Animals
were very important and often families kept sheep, cows and chickens. Horses
and bulls were used for transportation and working on farms. In order to
survive you had to work with the land. You had to cut trees for homes and
firewood, grow your own food and cart fresh water from springs.
5. Living in modern times in the 21st century is much better because we are able to
learn from history and capitalise on all of that knowledge.
6. The modern age really boils down to one major factor ... convenience! Shopping
at the grocery store is a breeze because everything is prepackaged and ready to
take home. We can easily reheat a meal in the microwave, watch our favourite
television shows and learn about world events at the click of a button. Modern
lighting and electricity are pretty fantastic as well!
7. Living longer is a direct result of the modern age. Medicine,
hospitals and current health practices mean that we are sick
less often and live much longer than people in the past. Women
can have their babies in hospitals rather than at home, which is
generally safer, and if you break a bone it can be set properly. In
the past, a broken leg could mean death!
8. Transportation is much better in modern times. If you need to
go somewhere quickly you can hop in a car or on a train, bus or
plane! Being able to reach the other side of the world in less than
a day is really impressive and it sure beats travelling by horse and
wagon. We have even gone into outer space!
9. Weigh up the arguments. Which time period is better in your
opinion?
Saffron 3
Modern
1. In Paragraph 8, we refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
human beings
horses
spaceships
2. It is argued that we live longer in
modern times because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
we eat healthier food.
transportation is much faster.
we have access to better medicines
and medical facilities.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
medieval times were an exciting
period.
humans have travelled to outer
space.
shopping in the modern age is a
breeze.
4. Which argument is presented first?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Food was healthier in medieval
times.
People were much more connected
to their environment.
Medieval times were more
interesting.
5. The purpose of this text is to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
present information to help with
making a decision.
convince you that medieval times
were better.
persuade you to believe the modern
age is safer.
6. The paragraph that is mainly about
transportation is:
(a) Paragraph 4
(b) Paragraph 8
(c) Paragraph 6
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can conclude that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
life would have been challenging for
families during medieval times.
only people in modern times have
learned from history.
the modern age is boring.
8. Which word would you likely not see in
a summary about medieval times?
(a)
(b)
(c)
empires
interesting
convenient
9. To live in current modern times you
would be living in the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
21st century.
15th century.
5th century.
10. Medieval and modern times are similar
because they both:
(a)
(b)
(c)
had Byzantine and Carolingian
empires.
used electricity for light.
had modes of transportation.
11. In medieval times people were more
connected to their environment because
they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
used natural materials to provide
shelter and food.
ate with their hands.
used horses for transportation.
12. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
electricity and lighting are modern
inventions.
the modern age is much more
convenient.
the Byzantine empire rose to power
during medieval times.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (8) Prim-Ed Publishing

Saffron 3
Saffron 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. does Which In Paragraph not group share of 8, the words we same refers is a to: sentence 7. on its Which word 7. 6. pair You Which is can in group alphabetical
conclude of words that: is an adverbial
g e sound own? with these words?
order?
(a) human beings
(a)
describing
life would
where
have
something
been challenging
is done;
for
iod eat Modern times medieval are a better time to live because (a) interesting, e.g. intrigues have their babies in hospitals.
(b) horses
families during medieval times.
we are able to learn from history.
intrigue
(b) travelling,
We
transportation
can easily reheat a meal in the
(c) spaceships
(b) only people in modern times have
(a) we are able to learn from history
microwave.
tasty
(c) medieval, medicine learned from history.
2. (b) It is argued a better that time we to live longer in
(a) in the microwave
foreign
(c) the modern age is boring.
modern times because:
8. Which words are both antonyms for
(c) modern times are
(b) easily reheat
interesting 8. in Paragraph 1:
phrase weigh (a) up we the eat healthier arguments food. in
Which word would you likely not see in
(c) we can
agraph 2. 9 Which means word to: is a preposition linking words (a) engaging, a entertaining
summary about medieval times?
(b) transportation is much faster.
in this sentence; e.g. Living during medieval 7.
disregard one argument in favour of
(b) tedious, boring (a) An adjective empires phrase begins with an
times? (c) we have access to better medicines
adjective and describes a noun; e.g.
another
and medical facilities.
(c) interfering, (b) intruding interesting
Shopping at the grocery store is a breeze.
everything is prepackaged and ready.
consider all of the information
(c) What convenient is the adjective phrase in this
3. (a) It is a the fact, not an opinion, that: 9. The word succumbed in Paragraph 2
try and weigh the arguments on a
sentence?
means to: 9.
scale (b) (a) shopping medieval times were an exciting
To live in current modern times you
In order to survive you have get water,
period.
(a) conquer or would win be living in the:
(c) at
fresh from the spring.
ich words
(b)
are both
humans
synonyms
have travelled
for
to outer (b) be juicy and (a) delicious 21st century.
nected
3.
in A Paragraph preposition 4
(a) in order to survive
space. phrase begins with a
(c) yield or be (b) overtaken 15th century.
clogged, preposition; crowded e.g. in the castle, with modern (b) you have to get
(c) shopping in the modern age is a
(c) 5th century.
technology. A preposition phrase in
assumed, imagined
10. this
breeze.
In which word (c) pair do fresh both from words the spring have
sentence is:
the s sound 10. as Medieval in springs? and modern times are similar
joined, combined
4. Being Which able argument to reach is the presented other side first?
8.
of the world (a) concentrate, because Verb tense
shankthey can both: tell about what
ich pair has in less the same than a number day is impressive.
happened (past), what is happening
(a) Food was healthier of in medieval (b) fantastic, (a) electricity (present) had Byzantine or what and will happen Carolingian (future).
ables as impressive (a) being times. in able Paragraph to reach8?
(c) invasion, discover
In which empires. tense are the verbs in this
hospital, (b) fantastic in People less than were a day much more connected
(b) sentence? used electricity for light.
transportation,
to
opinion
their environment.
11.
(c) is impressive.
Which word does (c) Living not had longer have modes a is silent of a direct transportation. result of
consonant? advances in medicine.
argument,
(c)
environment
Medieval times were more
4. Which interesting. word is a modal verb that helps (a) survive
11. In medieval times people were more
(a) past (b) present (c) future
ich compound another word verb? has Example: a similar it might be better, connected to their environment because
5.
(b) castle
aning to the you The
words could purpose
that travel. of
make
this
it?
text is to:
they:
(c) knight
knowledge
People (a) present would information have been connected to help with to their
(a) used natural materials to provide
environment. making a decision.
Something shelter and food. extra
because
12. Which word from Paragraph 5
(a) (b) been convince you that medieval times does not have (b) a plural List ate five with form? additional their hands. reasons
firewood
(b) would
were better.
(a) history (c) why used medieval horses for times transportation. would
hich word pair are both words not
be/would not be a better
(c)
(c)
their
persuade you to believe the modern
(b) century
lt correctly? age is safer.
12. It is time an opinion, period. not a fact, that:
(c) knowledge
5.
capitulise,
The
favorate
adverb quickly in this sentence tells the (a) Write electricity about and three lighting other are modern
6. The paragraph
in which
that
something
is mainly about
happens.
inventions. (like electricity)
succumb, transportation electricity is:
If you need to go somewhere quickly you can (b) from the modern age times. is much more
invasion, hop
(a) convenience in
Paragraph
a car, train,
4
bus or plane!
convenient.
(a)
(b)
frequency
Paragraph 8
(c) the Byzantine empire rose to power
(b)
(c)
place
Paragraph 6
during medieval times.
(c)
manner
Medieval
1. Which word does not share the same
long e sound with these words?
period eat medieval
vs
1. Living during medieval times, approximately the 5th to 15th centuries, would
be so much more interesting than life today!
2. Medieval times were an exciting period in history; filled with kings and queens,
castles, knights, battles and the race to discover the unknown world. Empires
like the Byzantines rose to power, while the Carolingians succumbed to foreign
invasion. What a time! Even better, there were all kinds of plots and intrigues
throughout the royal families—and plenty of murders too!
3. Food was healthier at that time because it was much simpler. You could have
a lamb shank and potatoes for dinner or a tasty roasted chicken and harvest
vegetables. Yum! It would have been finger licking good too because they
didn’t always have to eat with knives and forks! There was none of the modern
fast food like there is today. It’s really just junk and not good for your health.
4. People would have been much more connected to their environment. Animals
were very important and often families kept sheep, cows and chickens. Horses
and bulls were used for transportation and working on farms. In order to
survive you had to work with the land. You had to cut trees for homes and
firewood, grow your own food and cart fresh water from springs.
(b) assumed, imagined
10. In which word pair do both words have
the s sound as in springs?
(c) joined, combined
(a) concentrate, shank
4. Which pair has the same number of
(b) fantastic, electricity
syllables as impressive in Paragraph 8?
5. Living in modern times in the 21st century is much better (c) because invasion, we are discover able to
learn (a) from hospital, history fantastic and capitalise on all of that knowledge.
(b) transportation, opinion
11. Which word does not have a silent
6. The modern age really boils down to one major factor ... convenience! consonant? Shopping
at the (c) grocery argument, store environment is a breeze because everything is prepackaged and ready to
take home. We can easily reheat a meal in the microwave,
(a)
watch
survive
our favourite
5.
television Which compound shows and learn word about has a world similar events at the click (b) of a castle button. Modern
lighting meaning and electricity to the words are that pretty make fantastic it? as well!
(c) knight
(a) knowledge
7. Living longer is a direct result of the modern age. Medicine,
hospitals (b) because
12. Which word from Paragraph 5
and current health practices mean that we are sick
does not have a plural form?
less (c) often firewood and live much longer than people in the past. Women
can have their babies in hospitals rather than at home, which (a) is history
6. generally In which safer, word and pair if you are break both words a bone not it can be set properly.
(b) century
In
the spelt past, correctly? a broken leg could mean death!
(c) knowledge
8. Transportation (a) capitulise, is much favorate better in modern times. If you need to
go (b) somewhere succumb, quickly electricity you can hop in a car or on a train, bus or
plane! Being able to reach the other side of the world in less than
a day
(c)
is
invasion,
really impressive
convenience
and it sure beats travelling by horse and
wagon. We have even gone into outer space!
9. Weigh up the arguments. Which time period is better in your
opinion?
Modern
order?
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (8) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (8) Prim-Ed Publishing
(a)
(b)
(c)
intrigue
tasty
foreign
2. The phrase weigh up the arguments in
Paragraph 9 means to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
disregard one argument in favour of
another
consider all of the information
try and weigh the arguments on a
scale
3. Which words are both synonyms for
connected in Paragraph 4
(a)
clogged, crowded
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. Which word pair is in alphabetical
(a)
(b)
(c)
interesting, intrigues
travelling, transportation
medieval, medicine
8. Which words are both antonyms for
interesting in Paragraph 1:
(a)
(b)
(c)
engaging, entertaining
tedious, boring
interfering, intruding
9. The word succumbed in Paragraph 2
means to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
conquer or win
be juicy and delicious
yield or be overtaken

How to fix a puncture
1. If you’re out on your bicycle and the ride suddenly becomes bumpy even though the
road is smooth … you’ve got a puncture! Without a repair kit and some simple tools, you’ll
have to walk home or wait for help.
2. Make sure you always carry a complete puncture repair kit stocked with a pen, chalk,
sandpaper, glue and patches, plus three tyre levers, a spanner and a pump. Then follow
these steps and you’ll be back in the saddle in no time.
3. Step 1: Use the quick release lever or a spanner to take the wheel off the bike.
4. Step 2: Slide the flat end of a tyre lever between the rim and the tyre. Hook the other
end of the lever on to a spoke. Repeat with a second tyre lever, 5 cm from the
first. Use a third lever to prise one side of the tyre off the rim.
5. Step 3: Push the inner tube valve back through the hole in the rim. Pull the tube out of
the tyre and off the wheel.
6. Step 4: Inflate the tube and find the hole by listening for the sound of escaping air.
7. Step 5: With the pen, draw a circle about the size of a man’s wristwatch, around the hole.
8. Step 6: Use the sandpaper from the repair kit to roughen the area within the circle.
9. Step 7: Spread glue thinly on to the roughened inner tube. Leave it to dry.
10. Step 8: Centre a patch on to the hole and press down firmly. Take care to smooth out
any air bubbles. Rub the chalk over any excess glue. Leave for 10 minutes.
11. Step 9: Check the tyre for any thorns or bits of glass that may be embedded
in it.
12. Step 10: Put one side of the tyre back on the wheel rim.
Saffron 4
13. Step 11: Inflate the tube slightly to smooth out any kinks. Push the valve
through the hole in the rim and put the tube back onto the
wheel rim.
14. Step 12: Taking care not to pinch the tube, use the tyre levers
to put the other side of the tyre back on to the rim.
Start at the valve and work first to the right and then
to the left until about 15 cm of tyre remains free.
15. Step 13: Use two tyre levers to keep the free ends of the tyre in
place. Use the third lever to lift the tyre wall back on to
the rim.
16. Step 14: Position the wheel back on the bike and secure.
17. Step 15: Use your pump to inflate the inner tube to a pressure
between the limits written on the sidewall of the tyre.
18. Getting a puncture is a nuisance but don’t let it spoil your bike ride.
Happy cycling!
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (9) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. In Paragraph 11, the word
embedded means:
(a) in bed
(b) a symbol
(c) firmly in place
2. To mend a puncture efficiently,
tyre levers are required.
(a) two
(b) three
(c) four
3. The main idea of Paragraph 2 is:
(a) Know how to fix a puncture.
(b) Always have what is needed to
fix a puncture.
(c) Don’t worry about getting a
puncture.
4. After putting the repaired inner tube
back on the wheel rim:
(a) put the second side of the tyre
back on to the rim.
(b) inflate the tube slightly.
(c) check the tyre for sharp objects.
5. Taking the tyre off the rim is similar
to putting it back on the rim
because:
(a) three tyre levers are required.
(b) you have to start at the valve.
(c) you must work the tyre levers first
to the right and then to the left.
6. If you do not check for sharp
objects embedded in the tyre, they
may
(a) scratch you.
(b) puncture the repaired inner
tube again.
(c) damage the tyre.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. The purpose of the text is to inform you
that getting a puncture is a nuisance:
(a) so it is better never to go for a bike ride.
(b) and could spoil a bike ride.
(c) but if you are prepared, it doesn’t have
to spoil a bike ride.
8. Care must be taken when putting the
second side of the tyre back on the rim to
make sure the inner tube:
(a) does not puncture again.
(b) does not stick to the tyre.
(c) is fully enclosed by the tyre
9. A puncture occurs because:
(a) something sharp has pierced the
inner tube.
(b) the bicycle has been ridden over
rough ground.
(c) people leave glass litter on the roads.
10. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) a puncture is a hole in the inner tube.
(b) repairing a puncture is simple.
(c) inner tubes are inflated with air.
11. A summary of Paragraph 1 would not
include the sentence:
(a) You can feel when you have a
puncture.
(b) The ride feels rough when you have a
puncture.
(c) Punctures occur frequently on rough
roads.
12. You can conclude from the text that the
more punctures you fix, the more:
(a) punctures you get.
(b) skilled you become at fixing them.
(c) fun you have.

Saffron 4
Saffron 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
hich 1. word 1. A In does sentence Paragraph the letter must 11, y include the not word a verb 7. and In Paragraph 7. 5. The Which purpose 10, the group word of of the excess words text is to an inform adverbial you
the long its embedded i sound subject. as The in means: dry? verb is the action. The refers to the that because glue getting that it a describes is: puncture where is a nuisance: something
cycle
subject performs the action; e.g. Anton
(a) under the
was
patch.
done? e.g. at the side of the road
(a) in bed
(a) so it is better never to go for a bike ride.
cycled everyday. Anton is the subject
tyre
(b) on the
Anton
inner tube
preferred
around
to fix
the
his punctured inner
and (b) cycled a symbol is the verb.
(b) and could spoil a bike ride.
your
patch.
tubes in his bike shed.
In (c) this firmly sentence, in place the subject of the verb (c) but if you are prepared, it doesn’t have
(c) still in the
(a)
rode is:
tube to
preferred
spoil of a glue. bike
to fix
ride.
hich word 2. To does mend the a ough puncture give efficiently, the
(b) his punctured inner tubes
e sound Anton as the stayed oa tyre in road? at levers home are while required. his sister 8. Which 8. word Care does must not be have taken the when oo putting the
rode her bicycle to Uncle Joe’s house.
through
sound as second in
(c)
you?
in his
side
bike
of the
shed
tyre back on the rim to
(a) two
(a) Anton
though
(a) hook
make
6. In this
sure
sentence,
the inner
the
tube:
conjunction joining
(b) three
(b) his sister
rough
(b) glue
(a) the does two smaller not puncture sentences again. is:
(c) four
(c) Uncle Joe
(c) through
(b) Push does the not valve stick through to the the tyre. hole in the
ch word 3. in The Paragraph main idea 4 is of a Paragraph 2 is:
(c)
rim,
is
then
fully
put
enclosed
the tube
by
back
the tyre
inside the
ophone 2. A of sentence a word that may means also include a an 9. object. Which contracted tyre. word is negative?
ard for winning The
(a)
object
Know how
something? receives
to fix
the
a puncture.
action of the 9.
(a) you’re
A (a) puncture through occurs (b) because: then (c) inside
verb; (b) Always e.g. Anton have rode what his bicycle. needed Rode to
prise
is the verb and his bicycle is the object. (b) you’ve
(a) something sharp has pierced the
fix a puncture.
7. A preposition
lever
inner tube.
phrase starts with a
In (c) this Don’t sentence, worry the about object getting of the a verb (c) don’t preposition; e.g. with a second tyre lever.
spoke
(b) the bicycle has been ridden over
fixed puncture. is:
The
10. Which word has rough
preposition
a silent ground.
phrase in this sentence is:
consonant?
ch word in
Leisha
Paragraph
fixed the
4 is
puncture
a
and then
4. After putting the repaired inner tube
(a) quick(c) Anton
people
likes
leave
to ride
glass
his bike
litter
to
on
school
the roads.
ograph of
cycled
back a word on
to Uncle
the that wheel means
Joe’s
rim:
house for lunch.
everyday except when it rains.
something? (a) the puncture
(b) listening 10. It (a) is an his opinion, bike (b) not to a school fact, that:
(a) put the second side of the tyre
(c) it rains
prise (b) Uncle back Joe’s on to house the rim.
(c) nuisance (a) a puncture is a hole in the inner tube.
8. Some compound nouns include a
lever (c) (b) lunch inflate the tube slightly. 11. Which word (b) word has repairing that the same might a puncture number confused is of simple. with an
spoke
syllables as adjective puncture? but which is part of the noun;
3. All
(c)
verbs
check
have
the
a
tyre
subject
for sharp
but in
objects. (c) inner tubes are inflated with air.
(a) escaping
e.g. tyre lever, inner tube.
ch word in
command
Paragraph
verbs,
4 means
it is not stated; e.g.
5. Taking the tyre off the rim is similar 11. A summary of Paragraph 1 would not
ething that
Check
will lift
the
an
tyre.
object
Inflate
at
the tube. (b) position
In this sentence, the only adjective is:
to putting it back on the rim
include the sentence:
end when Which because: pushed pronoun down is at the the subject of a (c) slightly
In a nasty accident, you may need a firstaid
kit as well as a repair kit.
(a) You can feel when you have a
r? command verb?
(a) three tyre levers are required.
puncture.
12. Which compound word does not
prise (a) I (b) you (c) it
(a) first-aid (b) repair (c) nasty
(b) you have to start at the valve. have the (b) same The meaning ride feels as rough the two when you have a
lever
4. Quantifying (c) you must determiners work the tyre tell levers how first words from which puncture. it is made?
spoke much to of the the right noun and there then is; to e.g. the many left. (a) sandpaper (c) Punctures occur frequently on rough
punctures, no repair kit.
roads.
ch group 6. of If you words do is not written check in for sharp (b) sidewall
abetical
The
objects order?
quantifying
embedded
determiner
in the tyre,
in this
they (c) without 12. You Something can conclude from extra
the text that the
sentence is:
spanner, spoil,
may
spoke, spread
more punctures you fix, the more:
Make a list of all the adjective/noun
Spread a little glue on to the roughened
puncture,
(a)
inner push,
scratch
tube pump,
you.
and pull
compound (a) punctures nouns you you get. can find and
leave it to dry.
place them in alphabetical order.
remain, repair,
(b) puncture
(a) a release, little repeat
the repaired inner
(b) skilled you become at fixing them.
tube again.
Write (c) fun all you the command have. verbs from
(b)
(c)
the
damage the tyre.
the text. Write as many words as you
(c) and
can using only the first letter of each
command verb.
How to fix a puncture
1. In which word does the letter y not
give the long i sound as in dry?
All about words
1. If you’re (a) cycle out on your bicycle and the ride suddenly becomes (a) under bumpy the patch. even though the
road is smooth … you’ve got a puncture! Without a repair kit and some simple tools, you’ll
(b) tyre
(b) on the inner tube around the
have to walk home or wait for help.
(c) your
patch.
2. Make sure you always carry a complete puncture repair (c) still kit stocked in the tube with of a glue. pen, chalk,
2. sandpaper, In which word glue and does patches, the ough plus give three the tyre levers, a spanner and a pump. Then follow
these same steps sound and as you’ll the be oa back in road? in the saddle in no 8. time. Which word does not have the oo
3. Step (a) 1: through
sound as in you?
Use the quick release lever or a spanner to take the wheel off the bike.
4. Step
(b)
2:
though
(a) hook
Slide the flat end of a tyre lever between the rim and the tyre. Hook the other
(c) rough end of the lever on to a spoke. Repeat with
(b)
a second
glue
tyre lever, 5 cm from the
first. Use a third lever to prise one side of the (c) tyre through off the rim.
3. Which word in Paragraph 4 is a
5. Step homophone 3: Push the of a inner word tube that valve means back a through 9. the Which hole in contracted the rim. Pull word the tube is negative? out of
reward the for tyre winning and off something? the wheel.
(a) you’re
6. Step (a) 4: prise Inflate the tube and find the hole by listening for the sound of escaping air.
(b) you’ve
7. Step (b) 5: lever With the pen, draw a circle about the size of (c) a man’s don’twristwatch, around the hole.
8. Step
(c)
6:
spoke
Use the sandpaper from the repair kit to roughen the area within the circle.
10. Which word has a silent consonant?
9. 4. Step Which 7: Spread word in glue Paragraph thinly on 4 is to a the roughened inner (a) tube. quick Leave it to dry.
homograph of a word that means
10. Step said 8: something?
Centre a patch on to the hole and press down (b) firmly. listening Take care to smooth out
any air bubbles. Rub the chalk over any excess glue. Leave for 10 minutes.
(a) prise
(c) nuisance
11. Step 9: Check the tyre for any thorns or bits of glass that may be embedded
(b) lever
11.
in it.
Which word has the same number of
(c) spoke
syllables as puncture?
12. Step 10: Put one side of the tyre back on the wheel rim.
(a) escaping
5. Which word in Paragraph 4 means
13. Step 11: Inflate the tube slightly to smooth out any kinks. Push the valve
something that will lift an object at
(b) position
through the hole in the rim and put the tube back onto the
one end when pushed down at the
wheel rim.
(c) slightly
other?
14. Step (a) 12: prise Taking care not to pinch the tube, use 12. the tyre Which levers compound word does not
to put the other side of the tyre back on to have the rim. the same meaning as the two
(b) lever
Start at the valve and work first to the right and words then from which it is made?
(c) spoke to the left until about 15 cm of tyre remains (a) free. sandpaper
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
15. 6. Step Which 13: Use group two of tyre words levers is written to keep in the free ends of (b) the tyre sidewall in
alphabetical place. Use order? the third lever to lift the tyre wall
(c)
back
without
on to
the rim.
(a) spanner, spoil, spoke, spread
16. Step 14: Position the wheel back on the bike and secure.
(b) puncture, push, pump, pull
17. Step (c) 15: remain, Use your repair, pump release, to inflate repeat the inner tube to a pressure
between the limits written on the sidewall of the tyre.
18. Getting a puncture is a nuisance but don’t let it spoil your bike ride.
Happy cycling!
7. In Paragraph 10, the word excess
refers to the glue that is:
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (9) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (9) Prim-Ed Publishing

Saffron 5
An outdoor challenge
1. ‘I have a new challenge for you!’ suggested Dad with great enthusiasm as I celebrated reaching
level 12 of Into the wilderness, my latest computer game. ‘It may not have all the thrills of your
virtual challenge, but it will take you the same time and require the use of your whole body, not just
your fingers and thumbs!’
2. Dad had ‘thrown down the gauntlet’. How could I not accept? I should have insisted on more
details, but I preferred to show that I could rise to any challenge. Early the next morning, however, I
wasn’t feeling quite so ‘gung-ho’.
3. ‘Rise and shine, Ethan! It’s a perfect day for it! Come on, downstairs in five! You’ll need your hiking
gear. I’ve already put your boots in the car.’
4. This was worse than I could have imagined. Dad was famous for his outdoor pursuits and I was
famous for avoiding them. I stumbled through my ‘getting ready’ routine and before I was fully
awake, we were speeding towards the mountains. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard ... 07.07.
5. By 08.30, we were in a car park at the foot of the mountains. I climbed out of the car and stretched
my legs while Dad poured two mugs of hot chocolate from the flask. We sat in companionable
silence with our drinks and crusty bread and cheese rolls. They seemed to taste so much better in
the cool morning air. I felt good.
6. There was no obvious path to the top of the mountain. We had to lift our legs high as we walked
through thick, prickly plants, many of them hiding large stones. This made keeping my balance a bit
tricky. The higher we climbed, the steeper it became. My thighs were screaming for mercy. I wasn’t
used to this. As we clambered up a huge slab of rock covered in scree, my feet kept slipping on the
tiny stones. I was in constant fear of sliding back down to the bottom.
7. Almost two hours later, when I thought I couldn’t go another step, I hauled myself, with great
difficulty, onto a ledge on all fours. I struggled to regain my breath. It must have been a full minute
before I raised my head, but when I did …
8. I was on top of the world with a 360-degree view! The sky was
crystal clear and I could see to the ends of the earth. Snowcapped
mountains, wide blue lakes ... no photograph or movie
could do justice to such beauty. Dad was smiling at me.
9. ‘You overcame a few challenges there, Ethan. How does it
compare with Into the wilderness?’
10. ‘No contest, Dad. Nothing could beat this.’
1. In Paragraph 2, the phrase thrown down
the gauntlet means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
thrown away his gloves
lost his gloves
offered a challenge
2. How long did it take Ethan and his dad to
reach the top of the mountain?
(a)
(b)
(c)
nearly two hours
two hours
more than two hours
3. The main idea of Paragraph 8 is that
Ethan was:
(a)
(b)
(c)
relieved he’d reached the summit.
amazed by what he saw.
happy with his dad.
4. Dad gave Ethan the challenge he
reached level 12 in his game.
(a)
(b)
(c)
before
during
after
5. Dad’s challenge for Ethan was similar to
his computer game because it:
(a)
(b)
(c)
only worked his fingers and thumbs.
could be done indoors.
took the same amount of time.
6. You can predict from the text that Ethan
would his dad on future outdoor
activities.
(a)
(b)
(c)
willingly join
refuse to join
reluctantly join
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can conclude from the text that
Ethan:
(a)
(b)
(c)
hated the experience in the
mountains.
had altered his opinion about the
great outdoors.
preferred virtual games to real-life
experiences.
8. A summary of Paragraph 6 would not
include the sentence:
(a)
(b)
(c)
The route was physically and mentally
challenging.
The terrain was very difficult.
It took almost two hours to reach the
summit.
9. The journey from home to the car park
took about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
an hour
an hour and a half
two hours
10. Ethan’s thighs were screaming for mercy
because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
he had fallen and was bruised.
the route was tough.
he was not used to such exercise.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that parts of
the route were:
(a)
(b)
(c)
tough.
interesting.
steep.
12. The author wrote the story to show that
parents:
(a)
(b)
(c)
are fitter than their children.
know the best ways to have fun.
can have ideas that their children may
enjoy.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (10) Prim-Ed Publishing

Saffron 5
Saffron 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
hich word 1. 1. A In does modal Paragraph the verb final 2, helps letter the another phrase e give thrown verb; e.g down 7. He In Paragraph 5. 7. In 1, You this the can sentence, word conclude virtual the from refers conjunction the to text that joining
letter i its might the long gauntlet sound? go. I would means: stay. Which word in something that the Ethan: is: two smaller sentences is:
justice
this (a) sentence thrown away is a modal his gloves verb? (a) realistic in As (a) every we hated clambered way the without experience up actually the rock, in the my feet kept
being real.
require
From (b) lost the summit, his gloves Ethan believed he could
slipping mountains. on the tiny stones.
see for kilometres in all directions. (b) imaginative and animated.
imagine (c) offered a challenge
(a) (b) As had altered his opinion about the
(a) believed
(c) totally realistic. great outdoors.
(b) my
ich word 2. has (b) How the could long same did vowel it take sound Ethan as and his dad to
(c) preferred virtual games to real-life
l? reach the top of the mountain? 8. In which pair (c) does on
experiences.
the letter c have a soft
(c) see
sound in both words; e.g. ice?
mountain(a)
nearly two hours
6. Prepositions can link nouns to verbs and
8.
(a) overcame, A perfect summary of Paragraph 6 would not
2.
routine
Verbs (b) two must hours be used in the correct tense.
nouns to other nouns; e.g. They sat in
include the sentence:
Which tense of the verb do you think fits (b) enthusiastically, the car glanced park and drank hot chocolate
thought in (c) this more sentence? than two hours
from (a) a The flask. route The was two physically prepositions and mentally in this
(c) justice, mercy
ich word is Ethan a synonym for raised the view in from the summit
sentence challenging. are:
3. The main idea of Paragraph 8 is that
agraph 7? was Ethan magnificent. was:
9. In Paragraph Ethan 3, (b) the The collapsed contracted terrain was word the very ground it’s difficult. beside his
is made from words:
hauled
thinks
father.
(a) relieved he’d reached the summit.
(c) It took almost two hours to reach the
(a) it is
struggled
thought
(a) on, summit. the
(b) amazed by what he saw.
(b) it was
clambered
will think
(b) on, beside
(c) happy with his dad.
9. The journey from home to the car park
(c) it us (c) took beside, about: his
antonym 3. 4. of Quantifying Dad companionable gave Ethan determiners the from challenge tell how much he of
(a) an hour
agraph 5 is: the reached noun level there 12 is; in e.g. his several game. games, 10. any The prefix 7. re- Pronouns means again. must Which agree in word gender and
challenge. The quantifying determiner in has this prefix? number (b) an with hour the and nouns a half they are replacing.
sociable (a) before
this sentence is:
Which pronoun belongs in this sentence?
(a) ready (c) two hours
amiable (b) during
I should have insisted on more details but I
Dad enjoyed the outdoor life, but I was not
(b) regain
hostile was (c) tired. after
10.
so Ethan’s keen on thighs were screaming . for mercy
(c) require because:
(a) have (b) more (c) tired
ich word does not belong in this
(a) him
5. Dad’s challenge for Ethan was similar to
(a) he had fallen and was bruised.
up? his computer game because it: 11. Which word has the same number of
4. Which group of words is an adverbial
(b) them
syllables as few? (b) the route was tough.
asked because (a) only it worked describes cried his fingers how something and thumbs. was
(c) it
done; e.g. with great difficulty? (a) tiny (c) he was not used to such exercise.
suggested (b) could be done indoors.
8. The ellipsis (…) is punctuation that
Dad made his suggestion with such (b) stretched
insisted (c) took the same amount of time.
11.
can It is be a fact, used not to an show opinion, missing that text, parts to of
enthusiasm that I had to go with him. (c) contest
stumbled
provide the route a pause were: or for dramatic effect. In
6. (a) You can made predict his suggestion from the text that Ethan
Paragraph (a) tough. 8, the ellipsis is used:
would his dad on future outdoor 12. In Paragraph 2, the expression gung-ho
ich pair of (b) words with is such written enthusiasm in
activities.
means: (a) (b) to interesting. show missing text.
habetical order?
(c)
(a)
go
willingly
with him
join
(a) reluctant(b)
(c) to steep. provide a pause.
through, thrills
(b) refuse to join
(b) eager (c) for dramatic effect.
climbed, clambered
12. The author wrote the story to show that
(c) reluctantly join
(c) unwilling parents:
stretched, struggled
(a) are fitter than their children.
Something extra
(b) know the best ways to have fun.
Make a list of advantages and disadvantages of outdoor
(c)
and indoor
can have
activities.
ideas that their children may
Write five reasons why you would prefer to either: play a computer enjoy. game or climb a mountain.
All about words
An outdoor challenge
1. In which word does the final letter e give
7. In Paragraph 1, the word virtual refers to
the letter i its long sound?
something that is:
1. ‘I have a new challenge for you!’ suggested Dad with great enthusiasm as I celebrated reaching
(a) justice
(a) realistic in every way without actually
level 12 of Into the wilderness, my latest computer game. ‘It may being not real. have all the thrills of your
virtual (b) challenge, require but it will take you the same time and require the use of your whole body, not just
your fingers and thumbs!’
(b) imaginative and animated.
(c) imagine
2. Dad had ‘thrown down the gauntlet’. How could I not accept? (c) I totally should realistic. have insisted on more
2.
details,
Which
but
word
I preferred
has the
to
same
show
vowel
that I
sound
could
as
rise to any challenge. Early the next morning, however, I
wasn’t
haul?
8. In which pair does the letter c have a soft
feeling quite so ‘gung-ho’.
sound in both words; e.g. ice?
3. ‘Rise
(a)
and
mountain
shine, Ethan! It’s a perfect day for it! Come on, downstairs in five! You’ll need your hiking
(a) overcame, perfect
gear. (b) I’ve routine already put your boots in the car.’
(b) enthusiastically, glanced
4. This (c) was thought worse than I could have imagined. Dad was famous for his outdoor pursuits and I was
famous for avoiding them. I stumbled through my ‘getting(c)
ready’ justice, routine mercy and before I was fully
3. awake, Which we word were is speeding a synonym towards for raised the mountains. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard ... 07.07.
Paragraph 7?
9. In Paragraph 3, the contracted word it’s
5. By 08.30, we were in a car park at the foot of the mountains. is made I climbed from out the of words: the car and stretched
my (a) legs hauled while Dad poured two mugs of hot chocolate from the flask. We sat in companionable
silence with our drinks and crusty bread and cheese rolls. (a) They it seemed is
(b) struggled
to taste so much better in
the cool morning air. I felt good.
(b) it was
(c) clambered
6. There was no obvious path to the top of the mountain. We (c) had it to uslift our legs high as we walked
4. through An antonym thick, prickly of companionable plants, many of from them hiding large stones. This made keeping my balance a bit
tricky. Paragraph The higher 5 is: we climbed, the steeper it became. 10. My The thighs prefix were re- screaming means again. for mercy. Which I wasn’t word
used to this. As we clambered up a huge slab of rock covered has this in scree, prefix? my feet kept slipping on the
(a) sociable
tiny stones. I was in constant fear of sliding back down to (a) the bottom. ready
(b) amiable
7. Almost two hours later, when I thought I couldn’t go another (b) step, regain I hauled myself, with great
difficulty, (c) hostile onto a ledge on all fours. I struggled to regain my breath. It must have been a full minute
before I raised my head, but when I did …
(c) require
5. Which word does not belong in this
group?
8. I was on top of the 11. world Which with word a 360-degree has the same view! number The sky was of
crystal clear and I could syllables see to the as ends few? of the earth. Snowcapped
mountains, wide blue lakes ... no photograph or movie
said asked cried
(a) tiny
(a) suggested
could do justice to such beauty. Dad was smiling at me.
(b) stretched
(b) insisted
9. ‘You overcame a few challenges there, Ethan. How does it
compare with Into the wilderness?’
(c) contest
(c) stumbled
10. ‘No contest, Dad. Nothing could beat this.’
12. In Paragraph 2, the expression gung-ho
6. Which pair of words is written in
means:
alphabetical order?
(a) reluctant
(a) through, thrills
(b) eager
(b) climbed, clambered
(c) unwilling
(c) stretched, struggled
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (10) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (10) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 1
Comprehension
Greenland: A strange
name for a land of ice
1. The name ‘Greenland’ fills your mind with images of a land covered with green grass, trees
and lush plants. If you have visited Greenland or seen photographs of it, you know this is
not true. This huge island, the largest in the world, is more than 80 per cent covered in ice.
So why is it called Greenland?
2. There are two main theories as to how it got its name. A Viking explorer named Eric the
Red is believed to have been the first European to live in Greenland, about 1000 years
ago. He discovered it after being sent away from his homeland in Iceland. It was said
he had murdered two people and was banished for three years as punishment. When
his exile ended, Erik the Red decided to settle on the island permanently. To do this
successfully, he needed more people. To make this freezing, icy place sound a more
pleasant place to live, he called it Greenland. The truth is, only the coastal areas aren’t
covered in ice all year round and have grass in summer.
3. The other reason has to do with a translation error. Old maps show Greenland was called
Gruntland. The word ‘grunt’ means ‘ground’. The ‘green’ in Greenland was possibly meant
to be ‘grunt’ (Groundland).
4. Looking at a world map gives you the
answer to Greenland’s icy environment.
Most of Greenland lies within the Arctic
Circle and the northernmost tip is only
700 km from the North Pole.
5. The greater part of Greenland is
uninhabitable. The majority of its
population live in coastal areas in the
southwest, where the capital city of Nuuk
is located. Here, the climate is less harsh.
6. While ice and steep cliffs make it hard to
get around Greenland (unless you travel
by boat or plane), the glaciers (rivers of
ice) and the icebergs that break off them
into the ocean are spectacular to see.
Large icebergs are taller than a 15-storey
building, while small ones are the size of
a hut. Of course, this is only one-eighth of
the iceberg; the rest is under the sea.
7. Even though Greenland generally does
not live up to its name, the people who
live there and tourists who visit enjoy this
beautiful white world.
Qaanaaq
(Thule)
Baffin Sea
ARCTIC OCEAN
Godthab
(Nuuk)
Greenland
1. The word uninhabitable in Paragraph
5 means a place that is:
(a) pleasant to live in
(b) unable to be lived in
(c) full of houses
2. Greenland is ice-covered because it:
(a) is a huge island.
(b) has icebergs in the sea.
(c) is located so far to the north.
3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is to
explain:
(a) where and why most people in
Greenland live.
(b) why most of Greenland is
uninhabitable.
(c) where the capital city is located.
4. Before Eric the Red was banished, he:
(a) decided to live permanently in
Greenland.
(b) encouraged people to come to
Greenland.
(c) committed murder.
5. How much of an iceberg cannot be
seen?
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Cape Farewell
Greenland
Sea
Arctic Circle 66’ 32”
Iceland
(a) one-eighth
(b) half
(c) seven-eighths
6. It is an opinion, not a fact, that
Greenland:
(a) is beautiful.
(b) has glaciers.
(c) is icy.
7. If Greenland was located further
south it would:
(a) still have the same climate.
(b) be warmer.
(c) be even colder.
8. A glacier and an iceberg are similar
because they both:
(a) are rivers of ice.
(b) float in the sea.
(c) are formed from ice.
9. Which type of vehicle would be the
most useful in Greenland?
(a) helicopter
(b) train
(c) car
10. The author would agree that
Greenland:
(a) is not worth visiting.
(b) has spectacular scenery.
(c) is easy to travel around.
11. You can conclude that:
(a) it is uncertain how Greenland got
its name.
(b) Greenland was named because
of its green coastal areas.
(c) Greenland was meant to be
called Groundland.
12. The main idea of Paragraph 2 is to
explain:
(a) Eric the Red’s part in Greenland’s
name.
(b) who Eric the Red was.
(c) how Greenland was settled.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (11) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 1
Turquoise 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
words 1. 1. in Viking, The exile word in European Paragraph uninhabitable and 2 Nuuk in Paragraph
have 7. Which words 5. 7. Which If both Greenland have comparative more was located adjectives further should
an: capital 5 means letters a place because that is: they are: syllables than complete south punishment? it would: this sentence?
living where (a) you common pleasant want to nouns
be. live in
(a) environment, Greenland (a) still population have is the
same climate. island in the
(b) (b) proper unable nouns
world and has icebergs surrounding it
staying in a holiday place. to be lived in
(b) northernmost, (b) be explorer warmer.
than a 15-storey building.
(c) collective nouns
being forced (c) full to live of houses away from
(c) uninhabitable, (a) (c) largest, be icebergs even tallest colder.
your
2.
home Which country. sentence is punctuated
2. Greenland is ice-covered because 8. it: In which 8. pair (b) A of glacier words larger, and is taller one an spelt iceberg are similar
correctly?
ich root word
(a)
in
is a
each
huge
pair
island.
stays
incorrectly? (c) because largest, they taller both:
same when (a) the Does suffix greenland -ed is lie within the
(b) arctic has icebergs circle only in the 700 sea. km from the
(a) permanently,
6. Determiners (a) are thoughts rivers of ice.
oved?
are words which make
(c)
north
is located
pole?
so far to the north.
(b) successfuly, information (b) beautiful float the more sea. precise for the
located, believed
(b) Does Greenland lie within the
reader; e.g. those icebergs. Which
(c) building, (c) discovered are formed from ice.
covered, 3. The murdered Arctic main idea Circle of only Paragraph 700 km from 5 is to the
word is the determiner in this
explain: North Pole.
9.
sentence?
banished, decided
9. Which pair of Which words type are in of vehicle would be the
(c) (a) Does where Greenland why most lie within people the in
alphabetical Tourists most order? useful who visit in Greenland?
will enjoy this beautiful
ich pair of words Arctic Greenland
do Circle not both
live. only have 700 km from the
white world.
(a) Nuuk, North (a) Pole helicopter
ng e sound like North green? Pole?
(a) will
(b) why most of Greenland is (b) Groundland, (b) train Greenland
freezing, people
3. Adverbs uninhabitable.
can tell how (manner), when
(b) this
(c) ice, iceberg (c) car
believed, (time)
(c)
sea
where
or where
the capital
(place)
city
something
(c) white
is located.
reason, pleasant
happens. The adverb successfully 10. in Which word 10. from The author Paragraph would 6 is agree the that
7.
4. this Before sentence Eric the tells:
Which word is the preposition linking
Red was banished, he: homophone Greenland:
of a word that means
a verb to a noun? Example: The rest is
ich word For would
(a)
Eric
decided
not the fit Red in
to
this to
live
do
permanently
this successfully,
in
the telling of
(a)
something
is not worth
that
visiting.
has
under the sea.
up? he needed
Greenland.
more people.
happened?
Erik (b) the has Red spectacular was banished scenery. from his
eland (a) how
(b)
southwest
encouraged
within
people to come to
(a) steep homeland.
(b) when
(c) is easy to travel around.
tourists Greenland.
(b) storey (a) was
(c) where
Iceland (c) committed murder.
(c) small 11. (b) You from can conclude that:
Greenland 4. The preposition phrase which starts
(c) (a) homeland it is uncertain how Greenland got
5. How much of an iceberg cannot 11. be Which word does
with a preposition and adds extra
its
not
name.
have a ‘sh’
word
seen?
8.
information is an about antonym
sound like ‘population’?
the verb is:
Which word is a modal verb that
(b) Greenland was named because
spectacular (a) in one-eighth Paragraph 6.
(a) translation helps another verb? Example: We
Erik the Red was banished for three
should
of its
visit,
green
he must
coastal
go.
areas.
ordinaryyears.
(b) half
(b) ocean
The (c) word Greenland ‘green’ was could meant have to been
amazing(a) (c) Erik seven-eighths
the Red
(c) glacier meant called to be Groundland.
‘grunt’.
beautiful (b) was banished
6. It is an opinion, not a fact, that
(a)
12. The main could
12. Which word does not have idea a of silent Paragraph 2 is to
(c) for three years
Greenland:
(b) explain: to
ich pair of words in Paragraph 2
consonant?
not both (a) synonyms? is beautiful.
(a) explorer(c) (a) been Eric the Red’s part in Greenland’s
banish, exile (b) has glaciers.
freezing, (c) icy is icy.
(b) scenery
(c) island
name.
(b) who Eric the Red was.
believed, pleasant
(c) how Greenland was settled.
Look in an atlas or world map and identify some of the countries near to Greenland.
What are some major similarities or differences among the countries?
Make a list of all the places and people mentioned in the text and write them in
alphabetical order.
Greenland: A strange
1. The words in exile in Paragraph 2
mean:
7. Which words both have more
syllables than punishment?
(a) living where you want to be.
(a) environment, population
name for a land of ice
(b) staying in a holiday place.
(b) northernmost, explorer
(c) being forced to live away from
(c) uninhabitable, icebergs
your home country.
1. The name ‘Greenland’ fills your mind with images of
8. In a land which covered pair of with words green is one grass, spelt trees
and
2. Which lush plants. root word If you in each have visited pair stays Greenland or seen incorrectly? photographs of it, you know this is
not the true. same This huge when island, the suffix the -ed largest is in the world, is more than 80 per cent covered in ice.
So removed? why is it called Greenland?
(a) permanently, thoughts
(b) successfuly, beautiful
2. There (a) are located, two main believed theories as to how it got its name. A Viking explorer named Eric the
Red is believed to have been the first European to live (c) in Greenland, building, discovered about 1000 years
(b) covered, murdered
ago. He discovered it after being sent away from his homeland in Iceland. It was said
he (c) had banished, murdered decided two people and was banished
9.
for Which three years pair of as words punishment. are in When
his exile ended, Erik the Red decided to settle on the alphabetical island permanently. order? To do this
3.
successfully, Which pair he of needed words do more not people. both have To make this freezing, (a) Nuuk, icy North place Pole sound a more
pleasant a long place e sound to live, like he green? called it Greenland. The truth is, only the coastal areas aren’t
(b) Groundland, Greenland
covered (a) freezing, ice all people year round and have grass in summer.
(c) ice, iceberg
3. The (b) other believed, reason sea has to do with a translation error. Old maps show Greenland was called
Gruntland. (c) reason, The pleasant word ‘grunt’ means ‘ground’. The ‘green’ 10. Which in Greenland word from was Paragraph possibly 6 meant is the
to be ‘grunt’ (Groundland).
homophone of a word that means
4. Which word would not fit in this
the telling of something that has
4. Looking at a world map gives you the
group?
happened?
ARCTIC OCEAN
answer to Greenland’s icy environment.
Most homeland of Greenland southwest lies within the within Arctic
(a) steep
Circle (a) and tourists the northernmost tip is only
(b) storey
700 km from the North Pole.
(b) Iceland
(c) small
5. The greater part of Greenland is
(c) Greenland
uninhabitable. The majority of its
11. Which word does not have a ‘sh’
5.
population The word live in coastal is areas an antonym in the
sound like ‘population’?
Qaanaaq
southwest, for spectacular where the in Paragraph capital city 6. of Nuuk
(Thule) (a) translation
is located. Here, the climate is less harsh.
Greenland
(a) ordinary
(b) ocean
6. While ice and steep cliffs make it hard to
(b) amazing
(c) glacier
get around Greenland (unless you travel
by (c) boat beautiful or plane), the glaciers (rivers of
12. Which word does not have a silent
ice) and the icebergs that break off them Baffin Sea
6. Which pair of words in Paragraph 2
consonant?
Greenland
into the ocean are spectacular to see.
Sea
Large
are
icebergs
not both
are
synonyms?
taller than a 15-storey
(a) explorer
building, (a) banish, while exile small ones are the size of
(b) scenery
a hut. Of course, this is only one-eighth of
(b) freezing, icy
(c) island
the iceberg; the rest is under the sea.
(c) believed, pleasant
7. Even though Greenland generally does
Godthab
not live up to its name, the people who
(Nuuk)
Iceland
live there and tourists who visit enjoy this
Cape Farewell
beautiful white world.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Arctic Circle 66’ 32”
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (11) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (11) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 2
Comprehension
Split ends
1. I’ll never forget the day that I got the nickname, ‘Backside Billy’. It was the most embarrassing
moment of my life, but now that it happened so long ago I’ve started to think it’s kind of amusing.
2. I was feeling great the day that it happened. It was a Monday and the first day back to school
after the holidays. I had a fresh new haircut, new backpack and an awesome new bike. My school
uniform T-shirt was new as well, but not my school shorts. They had been my brother’s and were a
little old. I didn’t care though because who even looks at boring black shorts?
3. Riding into the school on my bike I got a lot of attention. It was a new XTR mountain bike in
extreme green and lightning yellow. Every boy in my class wanted one. I rode in at blistering
speed, slammed on the brakes and swerved around, squealing my tyres. Mr Fanning, our teacher,
was not very impressed when he saw me, but I didn’t get into trouble.
4. We had assembly first thing that morning. At
the end we had aerobic fitness. Mr Fanning
would lead us through some ridiculouslooking
exercises like jumping jacks, squats
and jogging on the spot. The whole school
had to do it and he’d get one of the kids up
on stage and help demonstrate the exercises.
Mr Fanning started the music and scanned the
assembly crowd for an assistant. When his eyes
found me I tried to hide behind some of my
friends.
5. ‘Billy! Come up here and help me today. You
seemed to have lots of energy on your bike
this morning, so let’s show the school how to
get warmed up for the day!’ he shouted out
to me. I slowly made my way up to the stage
and stood beside him. Looking out I realised how
many children there were. I began to feel nervous.
6. Mr Fanning started with side stretches and then moved into
jogging on the spot. I copied everything he did. Why did he have to
choose me? This was so embarrassing. Slowly, Mr Fanning switched to doing
squat stretches. I started to do the same and just as I was feeling my shorts stretching a little too
much … riiiiiiiiiip!
7. The entire school was totally silent as the deafening ripping sound filled the air. You could have
heard a pin drop! I turned around to see what the noise was and that’s when it seemed that
everyone in the world started to laugh. Then I knew … the seat of my shorts had ripped wide
open and I was showing the school my underwear! My new bright red boxer shorts were clearly
visible through the big split. I ran to the classroom, horrified. How was I going to hide this?
1. What caused Billy to run to the
classroom?
(a)
(b)
(c)
He didn’t like his old shorts.
He thought doing aerobics was
embarrassing.
His shorts had ripped.
2. What happened first?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Billy rode to school on his new bike.
Billy was feeling great.
Mr Fanning scanned the crowd.
3. You can work out that the children were
laughing:
(a)
(b)
(c)
at Billy’s ripped shorts.
because Billy looked silly doing
aerobics.
at Mr Fanning.
4. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
ripping his shorts was the most
embarrassing moment of Billy’s life.
Mr Fanning was not impressed by
Billy’s bike riding style.
Billy ran to the classroom.
5. In Paragraph 2, they refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Billy’s shorts.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
the school holidays
new school things
6. You can predict that when Billy left the
classroom he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
asked Mr Fanning if he could assist
with aerobic fitness again.
rode around on his bike at blistering
speed so others would notice.
tried to hide the rip in his shorts.
7. You can conclude that Billy:
(a)
(b)
(c)
does not care what he looks like.
likes to show off to his friends.
is good friends with Mr Fanning.
8. What caused Billy’s shorts to split open?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Doing squats in aerobic fitness.
They were already torn and just
ripped further.
They were too small.
9. A summary of Paragraph 3 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Billy had the new mountain bike
that every boy in school wanted and
showed it off.
Mr Fanning was not impressed with
Billy or his bike.
Billy rode loudly into school on his
new bike and got the attention of
many people, including Mr Fanning.
10. The paragraph that is mainly about what
Billy wore is:
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 4
11. Billy thought that doing aerobic fitness
looked:
(a)
(b)
(c)
ridiculous
fun
tiring
12. Mr Fanning chose Billy to help because:
(a)
(b)
he wanted to embarrass Billy.
Billy had attracted his attention when
he rode into school.
(c) Billy needed exercise.
8. And that’s the day … and the way … I became Backside Billy.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (12) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 2
Turquoise 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. in Which What Paragraph sentence caused 7 Billy means has to the run to correct be to the 8. Say each 5. word 7. The You pair ellipsis can and conclude listen (…) is to punctuation that the Billy: first used at
loud you can’t punctuation?
classroom? hear anything else?
vowel sound. the (a)
Which end does
pair of not Paragraph has
care
the
what
same 6: he looks like.
horrified (a) He didn’t like his old shorts.
first vowel sound as scanned?
(a) I had a new haircut, backpack, bike,
(a) (b) to likes provide to show a pause. off to his friends.
deafening(b)
and He even thought a new doing school aerobics T-shirt. was
(a) assembly, stage
(b) (c) to is show good missing friends with text. Mr Fanning.
silent (b) I embarrassing.
had a new haircut, backpack, bike (b) backpack, happened
(c) for dramatic effect.
(c) and His even shorts a had new ripped. school T-shirt. (c) brakes, 8. attention What caused Billy’s shorts to split open?
hich word
(c)
pair
I had
are both
a new
words
haircut,
not
backpack, bike,
6. Verb (a) tense Doing can squats tell in about aerobic what fitness. has
lt correctly? 2. What happened first?
9.
and even a new, school T-shirt.
Which word is happened an antonym (past), for impressed what is happening
(b) They were already torn and just
demonstrait, (a) assisstant Billy rode to school on his new bike.
in Paragraph (present) 3? or what will happen (future). In
ripped further.
2. A command verb is used to order,
which tense is the verb in this sentence?
embarrass,
command
(b) momant Billy was feeling great.
(a) swayed
or instruct (e.g. Look at me!).
You
(c)
seemed
They were
to have
too small.
lots of energy on
showted, Which (c) fantastic Mr sentence Fanning uses scanned a command the crowd. verb?
(b) excited
your bike this morning.
9. A summary of Paragraph 3 is:
(a) I’ll never forget that day.
(c) unaffected
ich word 3. pair You could can work be synonyms out that the for children were
(a) present
(a) Billy had the new mountain bike
rved in Paragraph (b) laughing: The entire 3? school was totally silent. 10. The sentence
(b)
You
past
could
that every
have
boy
heard
in school
a pin
wanted and
skidded, (c) stopped (a) Billy, at Billy’s come ripped up here! shorts.
drop! in Paragraph
showed
7 means:
(c) future
it off.
veered, turned (b) because Billy looked silly doing
(a) There was
(b)
a lot
Mr
of
Fanning
noise and
was
laughter.
not impressed with
3. Adverbs can tell the manner, time or
place
aerobics.
7. Some
in which something happens.
Billy of the or his adjectives bike. used to describe
slammed, squealed
(b) It was completely silent and nobody
What (c) at does Mr Fanning. the adverb in this sentence
was speaking. a noun in this sentence are:
(c) Billy rode loudly into school on his
ich word comes tell about second the verb in switched? (c) The ripping Billy’s sound new bike made mountain and everyone got bike the was attention green and of
habetical 4. order? It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
Slowly, Mr Fanning switched to doing
deaf. yellow. many people, including Mr Fanning.
aerobic squat (a) ripping stretches. his shorts was the most
(a) yellow, new
11. 10.
embarrassing moment of Billy’s life.
In some words The the paragraph last consonant that is is mainly about what
assembly(a)
manner (how)
doubled before (b) Billy adding bike, wore new ed is: to keep the
amusing
(b) Mr Fanning was not impressed by
(b) time (when)
vowel short (e.g. (c)
Billy’s bike riding style.
(a)
scanned, yellow, Paragraph Billy slammed).
3
Which word below also follows this rule
ich word belongs (c) place (where)
(c) Billy in ran this to group the classroom. of
when adding 8. A (b) ed? determiner Paragraph can 2 give information
rds?
about (c) Paragraph a noun e.g. 4 a child, your school.
4. Adverbials can add extra information (a) impress
5. In Paragraph 2, they refers to:
Which two words are the determiners in
name about backpack a verb. awesome Which is the adverbial in (b) squeal 11. this
(a) Billy’s shorts.
Billy sentence? thought that doing aerobic fitness
boring this sentence?
(c) rip The
looked:
teacher was not happy that Billy rode
classroomMy (b) red the boxer school shorts holidays were clearly visible
his (a) bike ridiculous recklessly.
through (c) new the school split.
realise
things
12. Which word does not share the same
(a) (b) not, fun rode
(a) my red boxer shorts
sound with these words?
6.
ich word pair
You can predict that when Billy left the
(b) (c) the, tiringhis
(b)
has
classroom the
the
split
same number
amusing through
yllables as assistant?
he:
(c) was, recklessly
(c)
12.
(a) clearly
(a) mountain
asked Mr Fanning if he could assist
Mr Fanning chose Billy to help because:
loudly, horrified
with aerobic fitness again. (b) choose (a) he wanted to embarrass Billy.
embarrassing, moment
(b) rode around on his bike at blistering (c) music (b) Billy had attracted his attention when
assembly, exercise speed so others would notice.
he rode into school.
Something extra
contraction (c) he’d tried in Paragraph to hide Find the ten 4 rip is words in his in shorts. the text starting with (c) s and Billy write needed exercise.
de from the words: them in alphabetical order.
he and would What would you have done in Billy’s position? Write
he and could
your answer.
he and should
Split ends
1. Which word in Paragraph 7 means to be 8. Say each word pair and listen to the first
so loud you can’t hear anything else?
vowel sound. Which pair has the same
(a) horrified
first vowel sound as scanned?
(b) deafening
(a) assembly, stage
1. I’ll never forget the day that I got the nickname, ‘Backside Billy’. It was the most embarrassing
moment (c) silent of my life, but now that it happened so long ago (b) I’ve backpack, started to happened think it’s kind of amusing.
2. I was feeling great the day that it happened. It was a Monday
(c)
and
brakes,
the
attention
first day back to school
2. In which word pair are both words not
after the holidays. I had a fresh new haircut, new backpack and an awesome new bike. My school
spelt correctly?
9. Which word is an antonym for impressed
uniform T-shirt was new as well, but not my school shorts. They had been my brother’s and were a
(a) demonstrait, assisstant
in Paragraph 3?
little old. I didn’t care though because who even looks at boring black shorts?
(b) embarrass, momant
(a) swayed
3. Riding into the school on my bike I got a lot of attention. It was a new XTR mountain bike in
extreme (c) showted, green and fantastic lightning yellow. Every boy in my class
(b)
wanted
excited
one. I rode in at blistering
speed, slammed on the brakes and swerved around, squealing (c) unaffected my tyres. Mr Fanning, our teacher,
3. was Which not very word impressed pair could when be he synonyms saw me, for but I didn’t get into trouble.
swerved in Paragraph 3?
10. The sentence You could have heard a pin
4. We had assembly first thing that morning. At
(a) skidded, stopped
drop! in Paragraph 7 means:
the end we had aerobic fitness. Mr Fanning
would (b) lead veered, us through turnedsome ridiculous-
(a) There was a lot of noise and laughter.
looking
(c)
exercises
slammed,
like
squealed
jumping jacks, squats
(b) It was completely silent and nobody
and jogging on the spot. The whole school
was speaking.
4. had Which to do word it and comes he’d get second one of in the kids up
(c) The ripping sound made everyone
on stage alphabetical and help order? demonstrate the exercises.
deaf.
Mr Fanning started the music and scanned the
(a) aerobic
assembly crowd for an assistant. When his eyes 11. In some words the last consonant is
found (b) me assembly I tried to hide behind some of my
doubled before adding ed to keep the
friends.
(c) amusing
vowel short (e.g. scanned, slammed).
Which word below also follows this rule
5. ‘Billy! Come up here and help me today. You
5. Which word belongs in this group of
seemed to have lots of energy on your bike
when adding ed?
words?
this morning, so let’s show the school how to
(a) impress
get nickname warmed up for backpack the day!’ he awesome shouted out
(b) squeal
to me.
(a)
I
boring
slowly made my way up to the stage
and stood beside him. Looking out I realised how (c) rip
many (b) children classroom there were. I began to feel nervous.
12. Which word does not share the same
(c) realise
6. Mr Fanning started with side stretches and then moved into sound with these words?
jogging
6. Which on word the spot. pair has I copied the same everything number he did. Why did
amusing
he have to
through
choose of syllables me? This as was assistant? so embarrassing. Slowly, Mr Fanning switched to doing
squat stretches. I started to do the same and just as I was (a) feeling mountain my shorts stretching a little too
much (a) … loudly, riiiiiiiiiip! horrified
(b) choose
(b) embarrassing, moment
7. The entire school was totally silent as the deafening ripping (c) sound musicfilled the air. You could have
heard (c) a pin assembly, drop! I exercise turned around to see what the noise was and that’s when it seemed that
everyone in the world started to laugh. Then I knew … the seat of my shorts had ripped wide
7.
open The and contraction I was showing he’d the in Paragraph school my 4 underwear! is My new bright red boxer shorts were clearly
visible made through from the words: big split. I ran to the classroom, horrified. How was I going to hide this?
(a) he and would
8. And that’s the day … and the way … I became Backside Billy.
(b) he and could
(c)
he and should
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (12) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (12) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 3
Buy a poppy to remember them!
1. One day at the shopping centre, I noticed a table where two old men wearing smart blue
jackets and navy ties were seated. In front of them on the table were bunches of small,
red artificial flowers with black centres—poppies. There were containers of coins and
glossy, metal badges shaped like poppies.
2. Lo and behold, as I ventured into another section of the centre, there was another table
with flowers, coins and badges arrayed in the same manner. To satisfy my curiosity, I boldly
approached the table and spoke to one of the old men. ‘What are the poppies for? Are
you raising money for a charity?’ I queried.
3. ‘Surely you know the meaning of the red poppy?’ asked the old man. When I looked at
him with an embarrassed expression on my face, he knew the answer. ‘Let me explain’,
he continued. ‘During World War I, a Canadian soldier named John McCrae was working
in Belgium as a field surgeon. Lieutenant Colonel McCrae witnessed horrible deaths
daily. When a close comrade died, McRae felt moved to write a poem about the horrors
of war. In Flanders fields describes the first flowers to grow in the broken ground around
the graves of soldiers. Some people believe the flowers are red because of all the blood
that leaked into the soil when the soldiers died. Nowadays, the red poppy is a symbol
reminding us that many people sacrificed their lives in that war and in others. It shows we
still remember them and are thankful for what they did for their country.’
4. ‘But World War I was so long ago!’ I declared. ‘Most people who fought then have been
dead for a long time. War is a horrible thing!’
5. ‘Yes, war is horrible! So many lives are lost. But people must stand up for what they think
is right. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren remember and are proud
of them. Would you forget your grandfather if he died? Of course not! You’d want to
remember all the good things about him! Many families lost relatives, but grandfathers,
fathers, uncles and sons still go to war. That’s what happened in my family. We have
always been proud to serve our country. Even now, my daughter is serving in Afghanistan.
I am so proud of her, but I can’t wait for her to come home! These poppies remind me of
her!’
6. I was so moved by the old man’s words that it wasn’t until I had
started to walk away that I noticed he wasn’t sitting on a chair
at all. Instead, he was seated in a wheelchair. And the bottom
of his left leg from the knee down was missing. I carried away
a single red poppy in my hand and on my blouse I sported a
glossy metal badge.
7. I will never forget my conversation with that quiet old man at the
shopping centre. Every year, close to 11 November, I make sure that I
purchase a red poppy or a Remembrance badge. You may consider
buying a poppy too, to remember people like him and his daughter
who have fought or have given their lives and limbs for their country!
1. Which word in Paragraph 1 means
imitation, not genuine or real?
(a) artificial
(b) glossy
(c) embarrassed
2. Lieutenant Colonel McCrae’s home
was in:
(a) England
(b) Canada
(c) Australia
3. Which paragraph mainly tells how
poppies came to be recognised as
symbols of remembrance?
(a) Paragraph 5
(b) Paragraph 7
(c) Paragraph 3
4. After the old man had stopped
talking, the writer:
(a) noticed he had lost a leg.
(b) learnt his daughter was in
Afghanistan.
(c) didn’t know the meaning of the
red poppy .
5. The artificial red poppies and the
badges were similar because they
were both:
(a) made from metal
(b) for sale
(c) soft
6. You can predict that, when asked
about her poppy and badge, the
buyer would:
(a) not say anything.
(b) make up a story of her own.
(c) explain the meaning of the red
poppy.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You could infer that the buyer is a
female because:
(a) she pins the badge to her blouse.
(b) it tells you in the text.
(c) girls go to shopping centres a lot.
8. You can conclude that the old man:
(a) just wants to make money by
selling poppies and badges.
(b) really believes in remembering
those who died in wars.
(c) doesn’t know very much about
fighting during wartimes.
9. Which paragraph is summarised by
the following sentence?
When the writer noticed the old man’s
leg was missing, she realised he had
fought in a war and knew exactly what
he was talking about.
(a) Paragraph 6
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 7
10. What effect did the old man’s missing
leg and his words have on the writer?
(a) They had no effect.
(b) She was very moved.
(c) She became angry.
11. Which sentence is an opinion?
(a) Many lives are lost during wars.
(b) World War I was a long time ago.
(c) War is a horrible thing!
12. The pronoun me in Paragraph 3 refers
to:
(a) the old man speaking.
(b) the person speaking to the old
man.
(c) Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (13) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 3
Turquoise 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. 1. sacrificed Direct Which speech word in Paragraph in uses Paragraph quotation 3 1 means marks 7. An antonym 6. 7. Quantifying You for horrors could infer determiners Paragraph that the buyer 3 come is before a
ans: to imitation, enclose not the genuine words actually or real? spoken. is: a female noun and because: tell how much of that
gave upIn (a) which artificial sentence are quotation (a) pleasures noun (a) she without pins the necessarily badge to giving her blouse.
marks used correctly?
an exact number; e.g. half, a little,
enough (b) glossy
(b) terrors (b) it tells you in the text.
(a) ‘What are the poppies for? I
and, many, lots of. The quantifying
took away (c)
queried.’
embarrassed
(c) deaths determiners (c) girls go to in shopping this sentence centres are: a lot.
One day I saw some men sitting at a
bs ending 2. (b) Lieutenant in a ‘Surely silent you Colonel e drop know the McCrae’s the meaning home 8. of Which expression 8. You can was conclude used in the that the old man:
table.
efore adding was the -ing in: red ; e.g. poppy?’ serving. asked the old text to draw
(a)
people’s
just wants
attention
to make
to
money by
ich verb does man.
(a) England
NOT follow this rule?
something? (a) one, day
selling poppies and badges.
noticing (c) Let me explain, ‘he continued’.
(b) Canada
(a) ‘Surely you (b)
(b)
know saw, some
really
…’
believes in remembering
forgetting
(c) Australia
those who died in wars.
2. A noun group is a noun with its
(b) Lo and behold (c) one, … some
purchasing adjective(s) and often a determiner; (c) In front 7. of Adverbials (c) them doesn’t on are the know table words very … or much groups about of
3. e.g. Which a single paragraph red poppy. mainly The tells noun how
words fighting that can during add wartimes. information about
ich plural group poppies words in are this came spelt sentence to be recognised is:
9. as Which sentence has the correct
verbs; e.g. arrayed in the same manner
orrectly? symbols of remembrance? homophones? 9. Which paragraph is summarised by
John McCrae would have witnessed
(an adverbial of manner), sitting on
poppies, (a) Paragraph 5
the following sentence?
horrible badges deaths daily.
(a) Many great a chair men (an fort adverbial for there of place). The
charitys, (b) Paragraph 7
When the writer noticed the old man’s
(a) familys
country.
would have witnessed
adverbial in this sentence is:
As
leg
I ventured
was missing,
into
she
another
realised
section
he had
of
blouses, (b) (c) families Paragraph 3
(b) Many great men fought for their
horrible deaths
country. the
fought
centre,
in a
I
war
saw
and
another
knew
table.
exactly what
he was talking about.
ich three (c)
4. words After deaths the all old have daily man at least had stopped (c) Many grate (a) men into another fort for their section of the centre
e short i vowel talking, sound? the writer:
(a) Paragraph 6
3. The future tense of the verb to
country.
(b) As I ventured
boldly, like, query (a) artificial noticed is: he had lost a leg.
(b) Paragraph 2
10. Which word (c) has I more saw another syllables table than
symbol, (a) until, (b) am learnt curiosity querying his daughter was in the word grandfathers?
(c) Paragraph 7
Afghanistan.
8. Which conjunction would best join
witnessed, (b) satisfy, had been believes querying
(a) containers 10.
these
What
two
effect
sentences
did the old
to retain
man’s
the
missing
(c) didn’t know the meaning of the
(c) will be querying
leg and his words have on the writer?
ich word belongs red poppy in the group .
(b) Afghanistan meaning?
low?
(a) They had no effect.
4. A preposition phrase is a group of (c) expression Yes, war is horrible!
5.
ndfathers
The artificial red poppies and the
words fathers starting uncles with sons a preposition; by
(b) She So was many very lives moved. are lost.
badges were similar because they 11. Which word would not be a real word
aunties the old man’s words. The preposition
were both:
if the prefix un- (a) (c)
is although She
added?
became
e.g.
angry.
moved
phrase in this sentence is:
brothers (a) made from metal
– unmoved? (b)
11.
I noticed many bunches of small, red
Which because sentence is an opinion?
babies artificial (b) for flowers. sale
(a) noticed(c) (a) therefore Many lives are lost during wars.
(a) (c) of soft small, red artificial flowers
(b) continued
ynonym (word with a similar
(b) World War I was a long time ago.
aning) for (b) arrayed many in bunches Paragraph 2
(c) embarrassed
6. You can predict that, when asked
(c) War is a horrible thing!
(c) about red her flowers poppy and badge, the 12. The words sported
Copy 12.
arranged
a list The of pronoun
a glossy
expressive me
metal
or in emotive Paragraph phrases 3 refers
buyer would:
badge in Paragraph
which you to:
6 mean she:
5. The preposition phrase in this
feel are very persuasive about the
departed
sentence
(a) not say
is:
anything.
(a) topic wore of a the badge.
(a) text. the old man speaking.
shouted
He (b) was make working up a as story a field of her surgeon. own. (b) Look won up a sports images (b) the
badge. of person sepia speaking (brown pigment) to the old
(a) (c) was explain working the meaning of the red (c) photographs saw a badge. from man. World War I or old family
poppy.
photographs then, using crayons or pencils,
(b) working as
(c) Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.
draw an image relating to the text.
(c) as a field surgeon
All about words
Buy a poppy to remember them!
1. The word sacrificed in Paragraph 3
7. An antonym for horrors in Paragraph 3
means:
is:
(a) gave up
(a) pleasures
1. One day at the shopping centre, I noticed a table where two old men wearing smart blue
(b) enough
(b) terrors
jackets and navy ties were seated. In front of them on the table were bunches of small,
red (c) artificial took away flowers with black centres—poppies. There (c) were deaths containers of coins and
glossy, metal badges shaped like poppies.
2. Verbs ending in a silent e drop the
8. Which expression was used in the
2. Lo and e before behold, adding as I ventured -ing ; e.g. into serving. another section of text the centre, to draw there people’s was another attention table to
with Which flowers, verb coins does and NOT badges follow arrayed this rule? in the same manner. something? To satisfy my curiosity, I boldly
approached the table and spoke to one of the old men. ‘What are the poppies for? Are
(a) noticing
(a) ‘Surely you know …’
you raising money for a charity?’ I queried.
(b) forgetting
(b) Lo and behold …
3. ‘Surely you know the meaning of the red poppy?’ asked the old man. When I looked at
him (c) with purchasing an embarrassed expression on my face, he (c) knew In the front answer. of them ‘Let on me the explain’, table …
he continued. ‘During World War I, a Canadian soldier named John McCrae was working
3. Which plural words are spelt
9. Which sentence has the correct
in Belgium as a field surgeon. Lieutenant Colonel McCrae witnessed horrible deaths
incorrectly?
homophones?
daily. When a close comrade died, McRae felt moved to write a poem about the horrors
of war. (a) In poppies, Flanders badges fields describes the first flowers to grow (a) Many in the great broken men ground fort for around there
the (b) graves charitys, of soldiers. familysSome people believe the flowers are country. red because of all the blood
that leaked into the soil when the soldiers died. Nowadays,
(c) blouses, families
(b) Many the great red poppy men fought is a symbol for their
reminding that many people sacrificed their lives in that country. war and in others. It shows we
still remember them and are thankful for what they did for their country.’
4. Which three words all have at least
(c) Many grate men fort for their
4. ‘But one World short War i vowel I was sound? long ago!’ I declared. ‘Most people country. who fought then have been
dead (a) for boldly, a long like, time. artificial War is a horrible thing!’
10. Which word has more syllables than
5. ‘Yes, (b) war symbol, is horrible! until, So curiosity many lives are lost. But people the must word stand grandfathers?
up for what they think
is right. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren remember and are proud
(c) witnessed, satisfy, believes
of them. Would you forget your grandfather if he died? (a) Of containers course not! You’d want to
5.
remember Which word all the belongs good things the group about him! Many families (b) lost Afghanistan relatives, but grandfathers,
fathers, below? uncles and sons still go to war. That’s what happened in my family. We have
(c) expression
always been proud to serve our country. Even now, my daughter is serving in Afghanistan.
I am
grandfathers
so proud of her,
fathers
but I
uncles
can’t wait
sons
for her to come
11. Which home! word These would poppies not remind be a real me word of
her!’ (a) aunties
if the prefix un- is added? e.g. moved
6. I was (b) so brothers moved by the old man’s words that it wasn’t – until unmoved? I had
started (c) babies to walk away that I noticed he wasn’t sitting on (a) a noticed chair
at all. Instead, he was seated in a wheelchair. And the bottom
(b) continued
6. of his A synonym left leg from (word the with knee a down similar was missing. I carried away
a single meaning) red poppy for arrayed in my in hand Paragraph and on 2 my blouse I sported (c) embarrassed
a
glossy is: metal badge.
12. The words sported a glossy metal
7. I will (a) never arranged forget my conversation with that quiet old badge man at in the Paragraph 6 mean she:
shopping (b) departed centre. Every year, close to 11 November, I make sure that I
(a) wore a badge.
purchase a red poppy or a Remembrance badge. You may consider
buying
(c) shouted
a poppy too, to remember people like him and (b) his won daughter a sports badge.
who have fought or have given their lives and limbs (c) for their saw country! a badge.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (13) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (13) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 4
Box 2
spache 4.1
Comprehension
And the award goes to …
1. And the award goes to … Who? What? … Plants, of course! The plant kingdom is filled with
fascinating trees, flowering plants, bushes, shrubs, herbs and … even weeds! Discover the plants
that have achieved ‘awards’ in the categories below.
2. Smelliest flower
Can you imagine what rotting flesh smells like? That’s the disgusting odour the Titan arum gives
off. This giant lily is also known as the ‘corpse flower’ because it has the stench of a dead body.
The plant smells like this so it can attract the insects that eat dead animals. The insects get
covered in pollen as they investigate the smell. Some of the pollen falls off them when they go
to another flower. The lily takes six years to produce its first flower. Amazingly, the flower only
blooms for about 36 hours before it starts to wilt.
3. Tallest flowering plant
This award goes to the mountain ash. It grows as much as one metre per year with most of these
trees reaching a height of around 100 metres. Some grow as tall as 140 metres. If not cut down,
a mountain ash can live for 400 years. Note: The coast redwood is the tallest tree species in the
world. As it is a type of conifer and does not produce flowers, it can’t win the tallest flowering
plant award!
4. Smallest flowering plant
The watermeal plant is so small you could fit about 5000 in one heaped teaspoon! It is a type of
duckweed that floats along on top of still water in ponds and lakes. It also produces the world’s
smallest fruit, called a ‘utricle’.
5. Most painful plant
The stinging tree has tiny, glass-like hairs containing a toxin that can cause intense pain. Many
animals are not bothered by the sting but a human feels severe pain for hours or even days if hairs
pierce their skin and break off, releasing the toxin. The hairs are so small that the skin often closes
over them. The only sure way of getting rid of them is by using a hair-removal waxing strip!
6. Most well-known carnivorous plant
The Venus flytrap is probably the most wellknown
carnivorous plant. Did you know it
eats animals instead of getting its nutrients
from the soil? Its leaves are actually ‘traps’
which the plant holds open in the air, like a
clamshell. Insects are attracted to the plant
by the sweet nectar on the leaves. When an
insect lands on a leaf it snaps shut. Then the
plant digests the insect. All that remains is
leftover crunchy bits that the plant ejects
before its next meal.
1. The words starts to wilt in Paragraph 2
mean that the plant has begun to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
bloom
smell
die
2. The Titan arum’s flower has a disgusting
smell so:
(a)
(b)
(c)
insects will stay away.
its pollen will be spread by insects
attracted to it.
its flower will wilt.
3. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the Titan arum flower is amazing.
watermeal plants produce fruit.
stinging trees can hurt humans.
4. A coast redwood is different from a
mountain ash because it is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
very tall
a tree
a conifer
5. A term not used to refer to the Titan
arum in the text is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a giant lily
a dead body
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Venus flytrap
the corpse flower
6. What event occurs second? A Venus
flytrap:
(a)
(b)
(c)
ejects leftover insect remains.
opens its leaves.
digests a captured insect.
7. The world’s smelliest flower starts to wilt
after about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
one and a half days.
one and a half weeks.
36 days.
8. The writer would agree that the plant
kingdom:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is not worth learning about.
has a limited number of species in it.
is full of interesting facts.
9. Which type of animal would be most
attracted to a Venus flytrap?
(a)
(b)
(c)
mouse
bird
beetle
10. You can conclude that a stinging tree’s
sting:
(a)
(b)
(c)
can last a long time.
affects any animal that visits the tree.
is easy to treat.
11. A way to avoid a Titan arum’s stench
would be to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
inhale deeply.
wear a blindfold.
put a peg on your nose.
12. Which sentence would not be included in
a summary of the paragraph about the
watermeal plant?
(a)
(b)
Watermeal is used in aquariums.
Watermeal is a tiny floating plant
found in still water.
(c) Watermeal has a fruit called a utricle.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (14) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. 1. releasing The ellipsis words in Paragraph (…) starts is punctuation to 5 wilt could in Paragraph that can 7. 2 Which pair 5. 8. of Adverbs The words writer are can would not tell synonyms? how agree (manner), that the when plant
replaced with: be mean used: that 1. the to show plant text has is begun missing; to: 2. to
(a) smallest,
(time) kingdom:
smelliest
or where (place) something
discharging
provide
(a) bloom
a pause; 3. for dramatic effect.
happens.
(a) is not
The
worth
adverb
learning
amazingly
about.
in this
Each of the three ellipses in Paragraph (b) 1 odour, smell sentence is one of:
relaxing is (b) used smell for:
(c) tiny, small
(b) has a limited number of species in it.
Amazingly, the flower only blooms for 36
freezing (a) (c) missing die text
hours. (c) is full of interesting facts.
8. Which pair of words both have fewer
ich root 2. word (b) The does a Titan pause not arum’s stay flower the same has a disgusting syllables than 9. (a) Which the manner word type containing? of animal would be most
en the suffix (c) smell -ed dramatic so: is removed? effect
(a) crunchy, (b) carnivorous
attracted time to a Venus flytrap?
bothered(a)
insects will stay away.
(a) mouse
2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? (b) discover, (c) attracted place
achieved(b)
its pollen will be spread by insects
(b) bird
(a) Have
attracted
you ever
to it.
used a hair removal (c) stinging, 6. Which mountain word is a modal verb that helps
covered strip to take out glass like hairs from a
another (c) beetle verb? Example: It could sting,
(c) its flower will wilt.
9. Which pair of words is in alphabetical
stinging tree?
he might scream.
ich word does not fit in this group?
order? 10. You can conclude that a stinging tree’s
3. (b) It is Have an opinion, you ever not used a fact, a hair-removal that:
A sting: mountain ash can live for 400 years.
nts weeds bushes trees
(a) produce, pollen
strip to take out glass-like hairs from
(a) the Titan arum flower is amazing.
(a)
mountain
herbs
can last a long time.
a stinging tree?
(b) flowering, floats
(b) watermeal plants produce fruit.
(b)
can
shrubs
affects any animal that visits the tree.
(c) Have you ever used a hair-removal (c) digests, disgusting
(c) strip stinging to take trees out can glass-like hurt humans. hairs from
(c)
for
insects
is easy to treat.
a stinging tree.
10. In which pair of words is one spelt
4. A coast redwood is different from a
7. 11. Determiners A way to avoid are a words Titan arum’s which make
ich pair of words both have a long e
incorrectly?
stench
3. Which mountain adjectives ash because should it complete is: this
information would be to: more precise for the reader;
nd like leaves?
(a) fascinating, severe
sentence?
e.g. those plants. Which word is the
teaspoon,
(a)
dead
very tall
(b) height, catagories
(a) inhale deeply.
determiner in this sentence?
The
(b)
Titan tree
arum is the flower
metre, break
(b) wear a blindfold.
while a stinging tree is the . (c) metres, ejects This giant lily smells like rotting flesh.
heaped,
(c) a conifer
(c) put a peg on your nose.
(a) feelssmellier, painful
(a) This
11. Which word from Paragraph 5 does not
5. (b) A term smelliest, not used most to painful refer to the Titan
12.
ich compound word does not mean
mean to go into (b) Which sharply? smells sentence would not be included in
same as the
arum in the text is:
a summary of the paragraph about the
(c) two smelliest, words painfullest that make it?
(a) pierce (c) like
(a) a giant lily
watermeal plant?
flytrap
(b) sting
4. An
(b)
adjective
a dead
phrase
body
starts with an
8. Which (a) Watermeal word is the is used preposition in aquariums. linking a
leftover adjective and describes a noun or (c) pain verb to a noun? Example: floats along
(c) the corpse flower
(b) Watermeal is a tiny floating plant
intense a pronoun; e.g. most well-known
the pond.
12. Which word has two found silent in still consonants? water.
carnivorous plant. What is the adjective
6. What event occurs second? A Venus
It snaps shut when an insect lands on a
word phrase in this an sentence? antonym for
(a) hour (c) Watermeal has a fruit called a utricle.
flytrap:
leaf.
gusting in Paragraph 2.
The stinging tree has tiny, glass-like hairs. (b) human
(a) ejects leftover insect remains.
(a) It
revolting
(a) the stinging tree
(c) height
(b) opens its leaves.
(b) an
pleasing
(b) has tiny
(c) digests a captured insect.
(c) on
grasping
(c) tiny, glass-like
7. The world’s smelliest flower starts to wilt
Something extra
after about:
(a) one and a half days. Rate the plants that received ‘awards’ in the order you
most enjoyed reading about from 1 to 5, 1 being the best.
(b) one and a half weeks.
Research to find out more about the plant you rated
(c) 36 days.
number 1 on your list.
Turquoise 4
Box 2
All about words
spache 4.1
And the award goes to …
1. The word releasing in Paragraph 5 could 7. Which pair of words are not synonyms?
be replaced with:
(a) smallest, smelliest
(a) discharging
1. And the award goes to … Who? What? … Plants, of course! (b) The odour, plant smell kingdom is filled with
fascinating (b) relaxing trees, flowering plants, bushes, shrubs, herbs
(c)
and …
tiny,
even
small
weeds! Discover the plants
that
(c)
have
freezing
achieved ‘awards’ in the categories below.
8. Which pair of words both have fewer
2. Smelliest flower
2. Which root word does not stay the same
syllables than the word containing?
Can when you imagine the suffix what -ed rotting is removed? flesh smells like? That’s the
(a)
disgusting
crunchy,
odour
carnivorous
the Titan arum gives
off.
(a)
This
bothered
giant lily is also known as the ‘corpse flower’ because it has the stench of a dead body.
The plant smells like this so it can attract the insects that (b) eat dead discover, animals. attracted The insects get
covered (b) achieved in pollen as they investigate the smell. Some of the (c) pollen stinging, falls mountain off them when they go
to another (c) covered flower. The lily takes six years to produce its first flower. Amazingly, the flower only
blooms for about 36 hours before it starts to wilt. 9. Which pair of words is in alphabetical
3. Which word does not fit in this group?
order?
3. Tallest flowering plant
plants weeds bushes trees
(a) produce, pollen
This award goes to the mountain ash. It grows as much as one metre per year with most of these
(a) herbs
(b) flowering, floats
trees reaching a height of around 100 metres. Some grow as tall as 140 metres. If not cut down,
a mountain (b) shrubs ash can live for 400 years. Note: The coast redwood (c) digests, is the tallest disgusting tree species in the
world.
(c)
As
insects
it is a type of conifer and does not produce flowers, it can’t win the tallest flowering
plant award!
10. In which pair of words is one spelt
4. Which pair of words both have a long e
incorrectly?
4. Smallest flowering plant
sound like leaves?
(a) fascinating, severe
The
(a)
watermeal
teaspoon,
plant
dead
is so small you could fit about 5000 in
(b)
one
height,
heaped
catagories
teaspoon! It is a type of
duckweed that floats along on top of still water in ponds and lakes. It also produces the world’s
smallest (b) metre, fruit, called breaka ‘utricle’.
(c) metres, ejects
(c) heaped, feels
5. Most painful plant
11. Which word from Paragraph 5 does not
5. Which compound word does not mean
mean to go into sharply?
The stinging tree has tiny, glass-like hairs containing a toxin that can cause intense pain. Many
animals the same are not as bothered two words by the that sting make but a it? human feels severe (a) pierce pain for hours or even days if hairs
pierce (a) their flytrap skin and break off, releasing the toxin. The hairs (b) are sting so small that the skin often closes
over them. The only sure way of getting rid of them is by using a hair-removal waxing strip!
(b) leftover
(c) pain
6. Most
(c)
well-known
intense
carnivorous plant
12. Which word has two silent Venus consonants? flytrap
The Venus flytrap is probably the most wellknown
carnivorous plant. Did you know it
6. The word is an antonym for
(a) hour
disgusting in Paragraph 2.
eats animals instead of getting its nutrients
(b) human
from (a) the revolting soil? Its leaves are actually ‘traps’
(c) height
which (b) the pleasing plant holds open in the air, like a
clamshell. Insects are attracted to the plant
by the (c) sweet grasping nectar on the leaves. When an
insect lands on a leaf it snaps shut. Then the
plant digests the insect. All that remains is
leftover crunchy bits that the plant ejects
before its next meal.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (14) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (14) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 5
Comprehension
Cupid and Psyche
1. A myth is a traditional story often involving gods and goddesses with special powers. This
story of Cupid and Psyche is one of many from Ancient Roman mythology.
2. Psyche was the youngest and most beautiful of three daughters born to a king. Her
beauty was so exquisite that people travelled throughout the ancient world just to gaze
upon her perfect face. They would fall to their knees and bend their heads in respect as if
she was a goddess and not a mortal.
3. Venus, the goddess of love, was also a stunning beauty. People went to her many temples
to worship her. However, they gradually stopped visiting, preferring Psyche’s beauty to
hers. Venus became jealous and angry and called on her beloved son, Cupid, to help her
punish Psyche. Cupid had enchanted arrows that caused anyone struck by one to fall in
love with the first person he or she saw. She instructed him to use one of his arrows to prick
Psyche while she was sleeping. Venus would then find a vile, ugly man to be near her
when she woke.
4. Cupid set off eagerly to carry out his mother’s wishes. But when he took one look at
Psyche, he too was overwhelmed by her enchanting beauty. Cupid pricked himself with
his arrow, making himself fall in love with her.
5. After that, Cupid visited Psyche in the dark of the night. So she could not see him, he
told her never to try to look at his face in the light. Cupid wanted to test her trust. Psyche
was falling in love with him and agreed to his wish. But she was pestered so much by her
sisters to take a glimpse that one night she did so. Cupid was so angry and upset that he
left.
6. Psyche searched far and wide for Cupid to beg his forgiveness.
In desperation, she finally went to Venus. After much thought,
Venus agreed to find Cupid if Psyche performed a series
of tasks with each one harder than the other. The last task
she had to complete was to give the god Pluto a box she
was not to open. Of course, her curiosity got the better of
her. Hidden within was the spell of eternal sleep which had
been placed there by Venus. Cupid, who had forgiven
Psyche, found her, wakened her by wiping the eternal
sleep from her right eye and returning it to the box.
7. Cupid then went to Jupiter, the king of the gods, and
begged him to make Psyche immortal so she could
be safe from harm. Jupiter agreed and the god
and goddess were married. Eventually, Venus
accepted their marriage. With Psyche now spoken
for, people once again returned to worshipping
Venus again.
1. The word mortal in Paragraph 2
means a person who is:
(a) a god or goddess.
(b) human.
(c) mighty.
2. Before Cupid got angry with Psyche:
(a) Psyche did tasks for Venus.
(b) he pricked himself with his arrow.
(c) he woke her from eternal sleep.
3. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) Psyche was the most beautiful of
the sisters.
(b) myths are traditional stories.
(c) gods and goddesses form part of
myths.
4. The pronoun it in the last line of
Paragraph 6 refers to:
(a) her eye
(b) the box
(c) eternal sleep
5. Psyche and Venus were different
because only one of them:
(a) had been a goddess all her life.
(b) loved Cupid.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(c) was considered beautiful.
6. The main idea of Paragraph 2 is to
explain:
(a) the effect Psyche’s beauty had on
people.
(b) that Psyche had three sisters.
(c) that people travelled far and wide
to see Psyche.
7. Which of Psyche’s tasks did she find
the most difficult?
(a) first
(b) second
(c) third
8. Venus accepted Cupid and Psyche’s
marriage because:
(a) Psyche was more beautiful than
she was.
(b) Psyche was no longer a threat.
(c) Jupiter demanded it.
9. When Psyche asked Venus to find
Cupid, Venus:
(a) took her time before deciding.
(b) immediately helped her.
(c) would not help her.
10. You can conclude that Venus:
(a) secretly loved Psyche.
(b) didn’t plan anything.
(c) intended to make Psyche’s life
miserable.
11. If Psyche was given an early birthday
gift, she would most likely:
(a) wait until her birthday to open it.
(b) open it before her birthday.
(c) throw it out.
12. The writer would agree that Venus
was a:
(a) kind and beautiful goddess.
(b) stunning goddess capable of evil
ways.
(c) beautiful goddess who had to
make hard decisions.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (15) Prim-Ed Publishing

Turquoise 5
Turquoise 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
word 1. 1. vile The in Paragraph words mortal Pluto 3 and means in Paragraph Jupiter have 2 7. The word 5. 7. A Which possessive of is Psyche’s an antonym determiner tasks for did tells she who find or
eone who capital means is: letters a person because who is: they are: punish in Paragraph what the most the 3. noun difficult? belongs to; e.g. his
disgusting (a) gods a god or goddess.
(a) punch
arrows.
(a) first
The possessive determiner in
this sentence is:
good looking (b) proper human. nouns
(b) trick (b) second
People came to gaze upon her face.
fantastic(c) people mighty. in a myth
(c) reward (c) third
(a) came
ich root 2. 2. word Which Before does sentence Cupid not stay got is angry punctuated
the with Psyche: 8. The word 8. glimpse (b) Venus upon in accepted Paragraph Cupid 5 and Psyche’s
e when correctly? the
(a)
suffix
Psyche
-ed
did
is removed?
tasks for Venus.
could be replaced marriage with: because:
(c) her
performed (a)
(b)
Cupid
he pricked
Psyche
himself
and Venus
with his
are
arrow.
the (a) photograph (a) Psyche was more beautiful than
main characters in this Ancient
6.
pestered
she was.
(c) he woke her from eternal sleep.
(b) peek
Adverbs can tell how (manner), when
Roman myth.
(time)
(b) Psyche
or where
was
(place)
no longer
something
placed
(c) glare
a threat.
3. (b) It is Cupid, an opinion, Psyche not and a fact, Venus that: are the
happens. The adverb Eventually in this
(c) Jupiter demanded it.
main characters in this Ancient
sentence is one of:
ich word did
(a)
not
Psyche
need
was
to follow
the most
the 9.
beautiful of
Which pair of words are in
: ‘e’ goes away Roman 9.
the
when myth.
sisters.
‘ing’ comes
alphabetical Eventually, When order? Psyche Venus asked accepted Venus their to find
tay? (c) Cupid, Psyche and Venus are the
marriage. Cupid, Venus:
(b) myths are traditional stories.
(a) pestered, perfect
visiting main characters in this ancient
(a) manner. took her time before deciding.
(c) gods and goddesses form part of
(b) marriage, married
roman myth
making
(b)
myths.
time.
(c) beauty, beautiful
immediately helped her.
wiping 3. Which word is a modal verb that
(c) place. would not help her.
4. helps The pronoun another it verb? in the Example: last line of She 10. Which word does not have a sh
ich word pair might Paragraph both sleep. have 6 They refers more can to: travel. sound like 10. 7. wishes? Which You can word conclude is an adverb that Venus: in this
ables than
People (a)
the
her
word
would eye
forgiveness?
sentence?
fall to their knees. (a) worship (a) secretly loved Psyche.
enchanting,
(a) (b)
wakening
Cupid left eagerly to carry out Venus’s
would the box
(b) searched(b) didn’t plan anything.
wishes.
traditional,
(b) (c)
mythology
their eternal sleep
(c) special (c) intended to make Psyche’s life
(a) left
desperation, accepted
miserable.
(c)
5. Psyche
knees
and Venus were different 11. In which pair (b) of words eagerly is one spelt
nounce these because words only to work one of out them: incorrectly? 11. If Psyche was given an early birthday
4. Which two comparative adjectives
(c) wishes
ich one would
(a) had
also
been
fit in the
a goddess
group.
all her life.
gift, she would most likely:
should complete this sentence? (a) traveled, jealous
ht vile 8. Which
(b) loved
eyes
Cupid.
wide
(a) wait word until is her the birthday preposition to open linking it.
People thought that Psyche, the (b) special, eagerly
a verb to a noun phrase? Example:
myth
(c) was
of
considered
the king’s three
beautiful.
daughters,
(c) gradually,
(b) open it before her birthday.
found eventually in the city of Rome.
give
was than Venus.
(c) throw it out.
6. (a) The younger, main idea most of Paragraph beautiful 2 is to
People travelled throughout the
12. Which word is a synonym for
wiping
explain:
enchanted
ancient
12. in The Paragraph writer
world.
would 3? agree that Venus
(b) youngest, beautifuller
ich pair of (a) words the both effect have Psyche’s a long beauty had on (a) interesting
(a) was throughout
a:
ound like
(c)
safe?
youngest,
people.
more beautiful
(b) magic
(b) (a) the kind and beautiful goddess.
wakening, (b) gaze that Psyche had three sisters.
(c) haunted
(c) (b) ancient stunning goddess capable of evil
placed, many (c) that people travelled far and wide
ways.
ancient, tasks
to see Psyche.
(c) beautiful goddess who had to
make hard decisions.
Something extra
Choose six nouns from the text and write each in a sentence that shows its meaning.
Cupid, the god of love, is often pictured on Valentine’s Day cards. Research to find
out how Valentine’s Day began and why Cupid is connected.
Cupid and Psyche
1. The word vile in Paragraph 3 means
someone who is:
(a) disgusting
7. The word is an antonym for
punish in Paragraph 3.
(a) punch
(b) good looking
(b) trick
1. A myth is a traditional story often involving gods and goddesses with special powers. This
story (c) of fantastic Cupid and Psyche is one of many from Ancient (c) Roman rewardmythology.
2. 2. Psyche Which was root the word youngest does not and stay most the beautiful of three 8. The daughters word glimpse born to in a Paragraph king. Her 5
beauty same was when so exquisite the suffix that -ed is people removed? travelled throughout could the be ancient replaced world with: just to gaze
upon
(a)
her
performed
perfect face. They would fall to their knees
(a)
and
photograph
bend their heads in respect as if
she was a goddess and not a mortal.
(b) pestered
(b) peek
3. Venus, the goddess of love, was also a stunning beauty. People went to her many temples
to worship
(c) placed
her. However, they gradually stopped visiting,
(c)
preferring
glare
Psyche’s beauty to
hers.
3. Which
Venus
word
became
did not
jealous
need
and
to follow
angry
the
and called on
9. Which
her beloved
pair of words
son, Cupid,
are in
to help her
punish
rule:
Psyche.
‘e’ goes
Cupid
away
had
when
enchanted
‘ing’ comes
arrows that caused
alphabetical
anyone
order?
struck by one to fall in
love
to
with
stay?
the first person he or she saw. She instructed him to use one of his arrows to prick
Psyche while she was sleeping. Venus would then find (a) a vile, pestered, ugly man perfect to be near her
when (a) she visiting woke.
(b) marriage, married
(b) making
4. Cupid set off eagerly to carry out his mother’s wishes. (c) But beauty, when he beautiful took one look at
Psyche, (c) wiping he too was overwhelmed by her enchanting beauty. Cupid pricked himself with
his arrow, making himself fall in love with her. 10. Which word does not have a sh
4. Which word pair both have more
sound like wishes?
5. After syllables that, Cupid than visited the word Psyche forgiveness? in the dark of the night. So she could not see him, he
(a) worship
told her never to try to look at his face in the light. Cupid wanted to test her trust. Psyche
(a) enchanting, wakening
was falling in love with him and agreed to his wish. But (b) she searched was pestered so much by her
sisters (b) to traditional, take a glimpse mythology that one night she did so. Cupid
(c) special
was so angry and upset that he
left.
(c) desperation, accepted
11. In which pair of words is one spelt
6. Psyche searched far and wide for Cupid to beg his forgiveness.
5. Pronounce these words to work out
incorrectly?
In desperation, she finally went to Venus. After much thought,
which one would also fit in the group.
Venus agreed to find Cupid if Psyche performed a series (a) traveled, jealous
of tasks night with each vile one harder eyes than wide the other. The last
(b)
task
special, eagerly
she
(a)
had
myth
to complete was to give the god Pluto a box she
was not to open. Of course, her curiosity got the better (c) of gradually, eventually
her. (b) Hidden give within was the spell of eternal sleep which had
12. Which word is a synonym for
been (c) placed wipingthere by Venus. Cupid, who had forgiven
enchanted in Paragraph 3?
Psyche, found her, wakened her by wiping the eternal
6. sleep Which from pair her of right words eye both and have returning a long it to the box. (a) interesting
a sound like safe?
7. Cupid then went to Jupiter, the king of the gods, and (b) magic
begged (a) wakening, him to make gazePsyche immortal so she could (c) haunted
be (b) safe placed, from harm. many Jupiter agreed and the god
and goddess were married. Eventually, Venus
(c) ancient, tasks
accepted their marriage. With Psyche now spoken
for, people once again returned to worshipping
Venus again.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (15) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (15) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 1
Comprehension
K aassassuk
the orphan
1. A legend is a traditional story handed down from the past, thought by many to contain a mixture
of fact and fiction. This story of Kaassassuk the orphan is based on one of the many legends from
the Inuit people of Greenland.
2. After many years of losing their children immediately after birth, a couple finally had a healthy
boy who did not suffer the same fate. But tragedy once again fell on this household when both
parents became ill and died, leaving Kaassassuk an orphan.
3. Kaassassuk went to live in a home of an important man called Umerdlugtoq. One day, young
Kaassassuk was walking past a house where several children were making a commotion. He went
inside and told them that if they didn’t stop their noisy play the Great Fire would appear. The
children ignored his warning and the Great Fire soon arrived. They could not escape and all lost
their lives in the flames.
4. Kaassassuk, who had been sheltering in a safe place, was wrongly blamed by most of the villagers
for the children’s deaths. He was forced to live outside Umerdlugtoq’s house with the dogs in
their shelter and share their food of tough walrus hide. If he tried to come inside to warm himself,
Umerdlugtoq would scold him and lift him up by his nostrils, which grew bigger as time went on.
5. One spring, Kaassassuk decided to go hiking away from the village. He came upon a giant who
was cutting up the carcass of a deer he had caught. The giant threw Kaassassuk a piece of meat,
some of which he ate and the rest of which he hid under some rocks. When Kaassassuk went on
another hike and tried to find his meal, he couldn’t locate it. He cried out in dismay. The giant,
hearing his distress, came over to Kaassassuk. He explained that he had taken the meat, thinking
that Kaassassuk did not want it anymore. To make up for his action,
he gave Kaassassuk the gift of strength and said he would send
three polar bears down to the village so he would have food.
6. Sure enough, three bears were soon seen. The
villagers were astounded when Kaassassuk went
up to the bears and killed them one by one with
his bare hands. How could a child do that, they
wondered and what would Kaassassuk do with
his amazing strength. Umerdlugtoq in particular
became afraid. But he didn’t have to wait long
to find out. Kaassassuk took revenge on all the
villagers who had mistreated him. Then he shared
the bear carcasses with those who were left.
7. Later, so the story goes, Kaassassuk travelled
along the Greenland coast, showing others his
immense strength and fearing no-one.
1. The word revenge in Paragraph 6 means
to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
take pity on someone.
pay someone back in some way for ill
treatment.
make people starve.
2. A legend is a story based on:
(a)
(b)
(c)
truth
the imagination
(a) and (b)
3. In the legend, it is an opinion, not a fact,
that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Kaassassuk’s strength was amazing.
Kaassassuk was an orphan.
Kaassassuk met a giant.
4. The main idea of Paragraph 4 is to explain:
(a)
(b)
(c)
that Kaassassuk grew up in a dog
shelter.
that Umerdlugtoq mistreated
Kaassassuk.
what happened to Kaassassuk after he
was blamed for the deaths.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. The pronoun them in Paragraph 6 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Kaassassuk’s hands
the bears
the villagers
6. Before the giant talked to Kaassassuk he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
gave Kaassassuk some meat.
gave Kaassassuk the gift of strength.
sent three bears to the village.
7. When Kaassassuk took revenge on
certain villagers, it is likely that he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
killed them.
ate them.
respected them.
8. The giant helped Kaassassuk because
he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was very strong.
had eaten Kaassassuk’s meat.
was good at assisting others.
9. You can conclude that Umerdlugtoq
was particularly afraid because he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
didn’t like polar bears.
saw Kaassassuk was strong.
had mistreated Kaassassuk the most.
10. Umerdlugtoq and the giant were
different because only one of them:
(a)
(b)
(c)
knew Kaassassuk.
cared for Kaassassuk.
talked to Kaassassuk.
11. It is likely that when Kaassassuk
travelled in Greenland he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was again mistreated by someone
like Umerdlugtoq.
felt confident of his abilities.
took the giant with him.
12. Which statement would the writer not
agree with?
Kaassassuk:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was harshly but fairly treated.
didn’t deserve to be mistreated.
had a tragic early life.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (16) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Copper 1
All about words
1. Which group of words is not a preposition 5. A sentence may also include an object.
phrase (a phrase starting with a
The object receives the action of the
word orphan
preposition)?
in Paragraph 2
7. The word
verb;
is
e.g.
an
Kaassassuk
antonym for
killed the bears.
1. The word revenge in Paragraph 6 means
7. When Kaassassuk took revenge on
ans someone Kaassassuk to: who has was no: wrongly blamed by most immense of in Paragraph
Killed
certain
is
7.
the
villagers,
verb and
it is
bears
likely
is
that
the
he:
brothers
the
or sisters
villages for the children’s deaths.
object.
(a) take pity on someone. (a) enormous (a) killed them.
parents
(a) Kaassassuk was wrongly blamed
In this sentence, the object of the verb
(b) pay someone back in some way (b) for ill intense gave (b) is: ate them.
home
(b) by treatment. most of the villagers
(c) insignificant The (c) giant respected gave Kaassassuk them. some meat.
(c) for make the people children’s starve. deaths
ich words are both still complete
8. The word astounded 8. (a) The giant in Paragraph helped Kaassassuk 6 could because
rds after 2. 2. the Which A legend suffix sentence -ed is a is story removed? is punctuated based on: correctly? be replaced with (b) he: the Kaassassuk words:
explained, (a) wondered Was truthKaassassuk, who had been (a) very scared(c)
(a) meat was very strong.
ignored, (b) mistreated
sheltering,
the imagination
incorrectly blamed for
(b)
the
greatly surprised (b) had eaten Kaassassuk’s meat.
children’s deaths.
6. A quantifying determiner tells how much
blamed, arrived (c) (a) and (b)
(c) quite hungry
(b) Was Kaassassuk, who had been
of (c) a noun was there good is; at assisting e.g. many others. legends,
ich word does sheltering, not have the incorrectly letter c blamed 9. for Which the
some meat. The quantifying determiner
3. In the legend, it is an opinion, not a fact, pair of 9. words You does can conclude not have that a sh Umerdlugtoq
king a soft c sound children’s like place? deaths?
in this sentence is:
that:
sound? was particularly afraid because he:
piece (c) Was Kaassassuk, who had been
He walked past a house where several
(a) Kaassassuk’s strength was amazing. (a) traditional, fiction (a) didn’t like polar bears.
sheltering incorrectly, blamed for the
children lived.
decided (b) Kaassassuk was an orphan. (b) sure, commotion (b) saw Kaassassuk was strong.
children’s deaths?
(a) past (b) where (c) several
escape (c) Kaassassuk met a giant. (c) action, past (c) had mistreated Kaassassuk the most.
3. Which word is a modal verb that helps
7. A possessive determiner tells who or
ich word 4. pair another The both main verb? have idea Example: fewer of Paragraph he might 4 is 10. to escape, explain: Which word 10. does what Umerdlugtoq not the fit in noun with belongs and this the group? giant to; its were carcass,
ables than we (a)
the will word
that help. Kaassassuk
amazing?
grew up in a dog household his Greenland
different food. The because possessive himself
only one determiner of them: in
warning, He sheltering wondered shelter. what he would do with his
this
(a) another
(a) sentence knew Kaassassuk. is:
distress, amazing carcass (b) that strength. Umerdlugtoq mistreated
They all lost their lives in the fire.
(b) became
(b) cared for Kaassassuk.
legends, (a) villagers wondered Kaassassuk.
(a) all (b) their (c) the
(c) hearing
(c) talked to Kaassassuk.
(b) (c) would what happened to Kaassassuk after he
8.
nounce these words to work out
The adverb wrongly tells the
was blamed for the deaths.
11.
11. Which pair of words
It is
are
likely
both
that
spelt
when Kaassassuk
ich one would (c) not amazing fit in the group.
in which something happened.
correctly?
travelled Greenland he:
5.
ugh 4. A suffer
The pronoun
sentence afraid
them in Paragraph
must include gift
6 refers to:
a verb and
Kaassassuk was wrongly blamed by most
(a) tried, peice
(a) was again mistreated by someone
orphan its (a) subject. Kaassassuk’s The verb hands is the action. The
of the villagers. like Umerdlugtoq.
subject performs the action; e.g. He (b) ate immediatly, (a) thierfrequency (how often?)
tough
(b) the bears
(b) felt confident of his abilities.
walrus hide. He is the subject and ate (c) is thought, strength (b) purpose (why?)
strengththe (c) verb. the villagers
(c) took the giant with him.
12. Which word is a (c) synonym manner for (how?) dismay in
6. In this sentence, the subject of the verb
ich pair of
Before
words do
the
not
giant
both
talked
have
to Kaassassuk
Paragraph
he: 12.
5?
Which statement would the writer not
lived is:
sound like (a) generally? gave Kaassassuk some meat.
agree with?
(a) disappointment
Kaassassuk lived with the dogs in their
revenge, (b) wrongly gave Kaassassuk the gift of strength.
Kaassassuk:
shelter.
(b) disgust Something extra
legend, tragedy (c) sent three bears to the village.
(a) was harshly but fairly treated.
(a) Kaassassuk
(c) disgrace Choose a noun from five of the
villagers, giant
(b) didn’t deserve to be mistreated.
(b) dogs
paragraphs in the text and write each in
a sentence (c) had that a tragic shows early its life. meaning.
(c) shelter
Make a list of six ways Kaassassuk was
mistreated as a child.
K aassassuk
the orphan
1. The word orphan in Paragraph 2
means someone who has no:
(b) parents
(b) intense
1. A legend is a traditional story handed down from the past, thought by many to contain a mixture
of fact (c) and home fiction. This story of Kaassassuk the orphan (c) is based insignificant on one of the many legends from
the Inuit people of Greenland.
2. Which words are both still complete
8. The word astounded in Paragraph 6 could
2. After words many after years the of suffix losing -ed their is removed? children immediately after be replaced birth, a couple with the finally words: had a healthy
boy who did not suffer the same fate. But tragedy once again fell on this household when both
(a) explained, wondered
(a) very scared
parents became ill and died, leaving Kaassassuk an orphan.
(b) ignored, mistreated
(b) greatly surprised
3. Kaassassuk went to live in a home of an important man called Umerdlugtoq. One day, young
Kaassassuk (c) blamed, was walking arrived past a house where several children (c) quite were hungry making a commotion. He went
inside and told them that if they didn’t stop their noisy play the Great Fire would appear. The
3. Which word does not have the letter c 9. Which pair of words does not have a sh
children ignored his warning and the Great Fire soon arrived. They could not escape and all lost
making a soft c sound like place?
sound?
their lives in the flames.
(a) piece
(a) traditional, fiction
4. Kaassassuk, who had been sheltering in a safe place, was wrongly blamed by most of the villagers
for (b) the children’s decided deaths. He was forced to live outside (b) Umerdlugtoq’s sure, commotion house with the dogs in
their (c) shelter escape and share their food of tough walrus hide. (c) If he action, tried to past come inside to warm himself,
Umerdlugtoq would scold him and lift him up by his nostrils, which grew bigger as time went on.
4. Which word pair both have fewer
10. Which word does not fit in with this group?
5. One syllables spring, than Kaassassuk the word decided amazing? to go hiking away from the village. He came upon a giant who
was cutting up the carcass of a deer he had caught. The household giant threw Kaassassuk Greenland a piece himself of meat,
some (a) of warning, which he sheltering ate and the rest of which he hid under (a) some another rocks. When Kaassassuk went on
another (b) distress, hike and carcass tried to find his meal, he couldn’t locate it. He cried out in dismay. The giant,
(b) became
hearing his distress, came over to Kaassassuk. He explained that he had taken the meat, thinking
(c) legends, villagers
that Kaassassuk did not want it anymore. To make up for (c) his hearing action,
5.
he Pronounce gave Kaassassuk these the words gift to of work strength out and said he would send
11.
three polar bears down to the village so he would have Which food. pair of words are both spelt
which one would not fit in the group.
correctly?
6. Sure enough, three suffer bears were afraid soon seen. giftThe
(a) tried, peice
villagers were astounded when Kaassassuk went
(a) orphan
up to the bears and killed them one by one with (b) immediatly, thier
his (b) bare tough hands. How could a child do that, they (c) thought, strength
wondered (c) strength and what would Kaassassuk do with
his amazing strength. Umerdlugtoq in particular 12. Which word is a synonym for dismay in
6. became Which afraid. pair of But words he didn’t do not have both to wait have long Paragraph 5?
to find a j sound out. Kaassassuk like generally? took revenge on all the
(a) disappointment
villagers who had mistreated him. Then he shared
(a) revenge, wrongly
the bear carcasses with those who were left. (b) disgust
(b) legend, tragedy
7. Later, so the story goes, Kaassassuk travelled
(c) disgrace
along
(c)
the
villagers,
Greenland
giant
coast, showing others his
immense strength and fearing no-one.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (16) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (16) Prim-Ed Publishing
(a)
brothers or sisters
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. The word is an antonym for
immense in Paragraph 7.
(a)
enormous

1. To understand the term, ‘turnspit dog’, you first need to know what a turnspit is. People
today often enjoy food that has been cooked outdoors on a barbecue and, for special
occasions, they may even choose to have a spit roast.
2. A spit is used to roast a large joint of meat over an open fire. The spit is the long metal rod
that is passed through the length of the meat and which rests on two upright supports. It
is then turned slowly for several hours so that the meat cooks evenly and bastes itself in its
juice. Hence the term, turnspit.
3. Hundreds of years ago, it was the job of a young boy to turn the spit, using a handle at
one end. Then came the invention called the turnspit wheel, also known as the dogspit
wheel.
4. Like a wheel you may have seen in a small pet’s cage, the turnspit wheel moved as the
dog ran inside it. The wheel was connected to the spit by a leather band. As the wheel
moved, the band also moved, causing the spit to turn.
5. Running continuously for hours on
end was very hard work for the dog,
so kitchens usually had two dogs
working in shifts. It is said that the dog
in the wheel knew when its shift was
finished. If it was not relieved on time,
it would bark very loudly until it was
replaced by its partner.
6. What breed of dog would have
been employed for such a job? The
dog, which no longer exists, was
bred especially for this role. It was
an unattractive creature with a long
body, short legs and drooping ears.
Copper 2
The turnspit dog
7. On Sundays during winter, the turnspit
dog that was not on duty in the wheel
was often taken to church. Here it
enjoyed the less strenuous task of warming the cook’s feet. One story handed down from
this time describes how several turnspit dogs ran howling from a church when, during his
sermon, the minister uttered the word ‘wheel’.
8. In time, a more efficient method was found for turning the spit. The days of the turnspit dog
were numbered. It seems that the breed simply died out because no-one wanted to own
such an ugly animal if they didn’t need it.
9. It is hard to imagine that an animal would be used for such a job. It is equally hard to
believe that any animal would be too ugly for affection. After many years as a working
breed, it is a shame that the turnspit dog is now extinct.
10. The story of turnspit dogs working in shifts is the origin of a common phrase used today.
Each dog knew that it would be relieved by its partner and would be allowed to rest.
Today, the phrase ‘every dog has its day’ means that no matter how difficult life may seem,
everyone at some time will have good things happen.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (17) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. Before the invention of the turnspit
wheel, the spit was turned by:
(a) a dog
(b) a boy
(c) electricity
2. The word in Paragraph 2 that means
soaks is:
(a) roast
(b) rests
(c) bastes
3. A summary of the main points in
Paragraph 5 is:
Turnspit dogs:
(a) showed they knew when their
share of the work was over by
barking.
(b) had to work very hard because it
took a lot of energy to turn the spit.
(c) had to work in pairs so they could
take turns at turning the spit.
4. If turnspit dogs were attractive
animals, they would possibly:
(a) still exist today.
(b) still be extinct today.
(c) have won awards at dog shows.
5. If the turnspit dog stopped running in
the wheel, the meat would:
(a) fall off the spit.
(b) keep turning on the spit.
(c) stop turning on the spit.
6. From the text, you can believe that
the author:
(a) does not like animals.
(b) cares about animals.
(c) thinks animals should work hard.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. In Paragraph 7, the dogs ran from the
church because they:
(a) didn’t like singing.
(b) heard the word, ‘wheel’.
(c) wanted to get back to work.
8. It is a fact, not an opinion, that dogs:
(a) were used to turn spits.
(b) enjoyed turning spits.
(c) disliked turning spits.
9. After the meat was cooked, the:
(a) meat was basted.
(b) dog was put in the wheel.
(c) meat was carved and served.
10. The turnspit dog’s feet warming duty
was the same as its spit turning duty
because:
(a) it happened only on Sundays.
(b) it required no running.
(c) dogs were helping people.
11. The main idea of Paragraph 8 is
that the turnspit dog breed became
extinct because:
(a) it was ugly.
(b) people stopped using the turnspit
wheel.
(c) a better way to turn the spit was
found.
12. You can conclude from the text that
turnspit dog had a
life.
(a) happy
(b) healthy
(c) miserable

Copper 2
Copper 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
hich 1. 1. pair Some Before do both of the words invention adjectives have of the used the turnspit to 7. Homographs 5. 7. Which In are Paragraph words is the that 7, relative the have dogs pronoun ran from that the
rd g sounds describe wheel, as in the gate? nouns spit was in this turned sentence by: are: the same refers spelling church to a but because noun different mentioned they: earlier in
congregation, The (a) unattractive a imagine dog creature had a long
meanings. the Which
(a)
sentence?
didn’t
word
like
from
singing.
large, cage
body,
Paragraph 2 is the homograph of a
(b) a
short
boy
legs and drooping ears.
A spit
word that means (b)
is
heard
the long
the place the
rod
word,
that
where ‘wheel’.
is passed
ugly, ago
(a) unattractive, creature, had
through the length of the meat.
(c) electricity
two things meet? (c) wanted to get back to work.
(b) long, short, drooping
(a) that
(a) joint
hich 2. word The is the word sh in sound Paragraph made 2 in that a means
8.
erent way
(c)
from
body,
the
legs,
others?
ears
(b) It through is a fact, not an opinion, that dogs:
soaks is:
(b) length
(c)(a) of were used to turn spits.
efficient 2. Which (a) roast word is the preposition linking a (c) juice
(b) enjoyed turning spits.
invention
verb to a noun; e.g. swim in the pool. 6.
(b) rests
Possessive determiners tell who or what
8. Which pair of words written in
affection
On Sundays during winter, turnspit dogs
the (c) noun disliked belongs turning to; e.g. spits. your dog. The
(c) bastes
alphabetical order?
were often taken to church.
possessive determiner in this sentence is:
9. After the meat was cooked, the:
(a) cooked, congregation
ich word 3. (a) in A Paragraph summary On of 4 the could main be points in
It is said that the dog in the wheel knew
(a) meat was basted.
laced by Paragraph attached? 5 is:
(b) spit, special when its shift was finished.
(b) during
(b) dog was put in the wheel.
moved Turnspit dogs:
(c) shame, (a) shift It
(c) to
(c) meat was carved and served.
connected (a) showed they knew when their 9. Which word
(b)
has
in
the same number of
3
rotated
Preposition share of phrases the work start was with over a by syllables 10. (c) as The especially?
its turnspit dog’s feet warming duty
preposition. barking. They can also be used to
was the same as its spit turning duty
(a) strenuous
hich word describe does the nouns ie give and the pronouns; long e.g the 7.
(b) had to work very hard because it
Which because: words are both conjunctions
ound as in dog meat? with
took
long,
a lot of
drooping
energy to
ears.
turn the spit.
(b) continuous joining shorter sentences to make this
(a) it happened only on Sundays.
efficientThe preposition phrase in this sentence (c) barbecue
sentence?
(c) had to work in pairs so they could
(b) it required no running.
which gives information about the spit The turnspit breed died out because
died take turns at turning the spit.
is:
10. Which compound no-one (c) dogs wanted word were does to own helping not one people. if they didn’t
believe
have a similar meaning to the words
4. The If turnspit with dogs the large were attractive joint of meat on it
need it.
that make 11. it? The main idea of Paragraph 8 is
which phrase
is animals, turned
in Paragraph
by they the would dog. possibly:
7 is
(a)
that
because,
the turnspit
if
dog breed became
(a) turnspit
manding (a) the (a) opposite? The still spit exist today.
(b) extinct out, one because:
(b) outdoors
during the (b) (b) winter with still be the extinct large joint today. of meat on it
(c)(a) one, it was if ugly.
(c) understand
less strenuous (c) (c) is have turned won by awards the dogat dog shows.
(b) people stopped using the turnspit
8. Which word is a modal verb that helps
ran howling
11. The prefix un- gives wheel. a word the
4. 5. Which If the turnspit group of dog words stopped is a sentence running in on
another verb? e.g. We can see, I must go.
opposite meaning. Which word
ich word
its the
from
own? wheel, the meat would:
(c) a better way to turn the spit was
Paragraph 2 is a
means the
A turnspit
same as
dog
unattractive
would bark very loudly
found.
ophone As (a) of the threw fall wheel off because the turned, spit. it the sounds band moved, from Paragraph
until it was
6?
replaced with its partner.
same and causing (b) has keep a the different turning spit to spelling on turn. the spit.
12.
(a) plain
(a) You would can conclude from the text that
d meaning?
turnspit dog had a
life.
(a) (c) As stop the turning wheel on turned the spit. (b) beautiful
(b) very
through
(a) happy
(b) the band moved
(c) pleasant
(c) loudly
6.
then
From the text, you can believe that
(b) healthy
(c) the causing author: the spit to turn
that
12. Which word (c) does miserable not have the oo
(a) does not like animals.
sound as in choose?
Something extra
(b) cares about animals.
(a) juice
Find out when and where turnspit dogs were used.
(c) thinks animals should work hard. (b) through
Draw a picture of Whiskey, the turnspit dog displayed in Abergavenny Museum
(c) found
All about words
The turnspit dog
1. In which pair do both words have the
7. Homographs are words that have
1. To understand the term, ‘turnspit dog’, you first need to know what a turnspit is. People
hard g sounds as in gate?
the same spelling but different
today often enjoy food that has been cooked outdoors on a barbecue and, for special
occasions, (a) congregation, they may imagine
meanings. Which word from
even choose to have a spit roast.
Paragraph 2 is the homograph of a
2. A (b) spit large, is used cage to roast a large joint of meat over an open word fire. that The means spit is the long place metal where rod
that (c) is ugly, passed agothrough the length of the meat and which two things rests on meet? two upright supports. It
is then turned slowly for several hours so that the meat (a) cooks jointevenly and bastes itself in its
2. juice. In which Hence word the is term, the turnspit. sh sound made in a
different way from the others?
(b) length
3. Hundreds of years ago, it was the job of a young boy to turn the spit, using a handle at
one (a) end. efficient
(c) juice
Then came the invention called the turnspit wheel, also known as the dogspit
wheel. (b) invention
8. Which pair of words is written in
4.
3.
Like (c) a affection wheel you may have seen in a small pet’s cage, alphabetical the turnspit wheel order? moved as the
dog ran inside it. The wheel was connected to the spit (a) by a cooked, leather congregation
band. As the wheel
moved,
Which
the
word
band
in Paragraph
also moved,
4 could
causing
be
the spit to turn.
replaced by attached?
(b) spit, special
5. Running continuously for hours on
(a) moved
end was very hard work for the dog,
so (b) kitchens connected usually had two dogs
9.
(c) shame, shift
Which word has the same number of
working (c) rotated in shifts. It is said that the dog
syllables as especially?
in the wheel knew when its shift was
(a) strenuous
4. finished. In which If it word was does not relieved the give on time, the long
it e would sound bark as very in meat? loudly until it was
(b) continuous
replaced by its partner.
(a) efficient
(c) barbecue
6. What (b) breed died of dog would have
10. Which compound word does not
been employed for such a job? The
dog,
(c)
which
believe
have a similar meaning to the words
no longer exists, was
that make it?
bred especially for this role. It was
5. For which phrase in Paragraph 7 is
an unattractive creature with a long
(a) turnspit
demanding the opposite?
body, short legs and drooping ears.
(b) outdoors
(a) during the winter
7. On Sundays during winter, the turnspit
(c) understand
dog
(b)
that
less
was
strenuous
not on duty in the wheel
was (c) often ran howling taken to church. Here it
11. The prefix un- gives a word the
enjoyed the less strenuous task of warming the cook’s opposite feet. One meaning. story handed Which down word from
6. this Which time word describes from how Paragraph several 2 turnspit is a dogs ran howling means from the a same church as when, unattractive during his
sermon, homophone the minister of threw uttered because the word it sounds ‘wheel’. from Paragraph 6?
the same and has a different spelling
8. In time, a more efficient method was found for turning
(a)
the
plain
and meaning?
spit. The days of the turnspit dog
were numbered. It seems that the breed simply died out (b) because beautifulno-one wanted to own
such
(a)
an
through
ugly animal if they didn’t need it.
(c) pleasant
(b) then
9. It is hard to imagine that an animal would be used for such a job. It is equally hard to
believe (c) that
12.
that any animal would be too ugly for affection.
Which
After
word
many
does
years
not
as
have
a working
the oo
breed, it is a shame that the turnspit dog is now extinct.
sound as in choose?
10.
(a) juice
The story of turnspit dogs working in shifts is the origin of a common phrase used today.
Each dog knew that it would be relieved by its partner (b) and through would be allowed to rest.
Today, the phrase ‘every dog has its day’ means that (c) no matter foundhow difficult life may seem,
everyone at some time will have good things happen.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (17) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (17) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 3
Comprehension
CRE
2. In single snacks, CREs
are portable and cleverly
packaged so they are
easy to open. Grab a
quick bite of delight on
the run, when you need
a quick ‘pick-me-up’ up or
just to reward yourself for
a job well done!
6. Save money and
buy in bulk. It’s
cheaper and you’ll
never run out!
Chocolate
Ready to
Eat
3. Dried using our own
secret process, CREs
never melt, making
them easy to handle,
take anywhere and
long-lasting!
CHOCOLATE READY TO EAT
7. Spoil your friends and
relatives with a gift box of
their favourite individual
chocolate or variety pack.
They will love you for giving
them their daily ‘chocolate
fix’. Buy a gift box for a
birthday or special occasion!
1. The military have MRE (Meals
Ready to Eat); now you have
CRE—Chocolate Ready
to Eat! Now you can enjoy your
favourite sweet snack whenever
you desire!
4. Produced using our own
scientifically-proven
formula, CREs contain
all the goodness of real
chocolate. Made from the
purest cocoa beans, CREs
contain all the goodness
for a healthy heart, body
and mind.
5. Available in a variety of
popular chocolate types
and tempting flavours,
CREs allow you to choose
from dark, milk, white
chocolate and mixtures of
all three. Enjoy nuts and
soft and chewy centres. All
your favourites are here!
8. Easy-to-carry pouches
are available. Smart and
compact, they are easily
hidden! Never be without
your favourite chocolate
again! No-one will know
you’re carrying a CRE!
1. Which word in Box 7 means a particular
time or event?
(a)
(b)
(c)
occasion
individual
purest
2. Which box contains mainly information
about the chocolate types and flavours
of CREs?
(a) Box 3
(b) Box 4
(c) Box 5
3. How can CREs be bought?
(a)
(b)
(c)
individually or in bulk
in pouches
direct from the factory
4. How many CREs will each pouch carry?
(a) many CREs
(b) one CRE
(c) The text does not say.
5. After giving CREs as a gift, your friends
or relatives will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
be sick.
love you.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
be disappointed.
6. Individual CREs and bulk packs are
similar because they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
are both available in all varieties and
flavours.
cost the same.
are packaged the same.
7. You could conclude that CREs would
appeal to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
only people with heart problems.
anyone who likes chocolate.
only military people.
8. Which statement best summarises Box
4?
(a)
(b)
(c)
CREs are extremely tasty.
CREs are very cheap.
CREs are scientifically proven to be
good for you.
9. The pronoun They in Box 7 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
friends and relatives
the buyers of CREs
CREs
10. What effect do the advertisers claim
CREs will have on a person?
(a)
(b)
(c)
CREs will make people fat.
CREs will make buyers popular.
CREs will help people develop a
healthy heart, body and mind.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
MREs are dried meals used by the
military.
MREs taste great!
MREs look inviting.
12. The purpose of an advertisement is to:
(a)
(b)
give information
persuade the reader to buy a
particular product
(c) entertain
9. Remember the name—CRE ! Get some today! Visit your nearest sweet shop.
You’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (18) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Copper 3
All about words
ick-me-up 1. 1. Which is a: group word in of Box words 7 means does not a particular use 7. The suffix 7. 5. -ness You Command on could the end conclude or imperative of a word that CREs verbs would express
refreshing
commas time
drink,
or
meal
event? correctly?
or snack
means the state appeal commands of being to: or …. urgent The word requests. Which
weightlifter
(a) Dried, occasion using a secret process CREs
goodness means
(a)
of these only
state starts
people
of with being
with
an
heart
imperative
problems.
never melt making them easy, to handle.
good. Which word verb? does not follow this
taxicab
(b) individual
pattern? (b) anyone who likes chocolate.
(b) Made from the purest cocoa beans,
(a) Produced using our own formula.
(c) purest
(a) smoothness (c) only military people.
ich word has more CREs syllables contain all than the goodness for a
(b) Dried using a secret process.
kaged? 2. Which healthy box contains heart, body mainly and information
mind. (b) witness 8. Which (c) Visit statement your nearest best sweet summarises shop. Box
flavours (c) about Choose the chocolate from dark, types milk and or white flavours (c) weakness4?
of CREs? chocolate.
6.
cleverly
(a)
Superlative
CREs are
adjectives
extremely
compare
tasty.
three
8.
(a) Box 3
Which two words more both things. have a They long usually i end with
without 2. Which group of words is not a noun group sound like desire? (b) est or CREs use are the very words cheap. the most; e.g. the
with (b) a Box noun, 4 adjectives and a determiner;
(a) favourite, (c) sweetest,
mindCREs are the scientifically most popular. proven to be
ynonym (word e.g. (c) your with Box favourite 5a similar sweet snack?
aning) for desire is:
(b) dried, buy
Which good of these for you. adjectives doesn’t
(a) a variety of popular chocolate types
follow one of these patterns?
3.
dream
How can CREs be bought?
(c) relatives, 9. The livedpronoun They in Box 7 refers to:
(b) with a gift box
(a) pure
ambition
(a) individually or in bulk
(a) friends and relatives
(c) our own secret process
9. Which of these (b) has good a hyphen between
wish
(b) in pouches
the words because (b) the they buyers are said of CREs
3. A group which does not include a together so often
(c)
that
favourite
(c) direct from the factory
(c) CREsthey are
antonym (word compound with an adjective opposite like long-lasting is: becoming one word; e.g. pick-me-up?
7. Which sentence contains at least two
aning) 4. for nearest How many is: CREs will each pouch carry?
10. What effect do the advertisers claim
(a) scientifically-proven formula. (a) long-lasting conjunctions?
furthest (a) many CREs
CREs will have on a person?
(b) easy-to-carry pouches.
(b) no-one (a) CREs are portable and cleverly
closest (b) one CRE
(a) CREs will make people fat.
(c) no-one will know.
(c) scientifically-proven
packaged so they are easy to open.
nearby (c) The text does not say.
(b) CREs will make buyers popular.
(b) It’s cheaper and you’ll never run out!
4. Determiners give information about 10. the Which word has (c) an CREs ar sound will help like people in develop a
ich word does noun not that belong follows. in Possessive a list of determiners smart?
(c) Now you can enjoy your favourite
5. After giving CREs as a gift, your friends
healthy heart, body and mind.
redients of tell or CREs? relatives who or what will: it belongs to; e.g. his
sweet snack whenever you desire!
(a) reward
cocoa beans
chocolate. The articles a and an are also
11.
(a) be sick.
It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
8.
determiners.
(b) heart
Which word group has an adverb of
nuts (b) love you.
(a) time? MREs are dried meals used by the
How many determiners are there in this (c) carry military.
icing sugar
(a) are cleverly packaged
sentence? (c) be disappointed.
11. Which word in (b)
(b) Box MREs
are 7 is easily based taste great!
hidden on the
he sentence 6. Spoil Individual below, your what friends CREs does and with bulk the a gift packs box of are their Latin word faveo, (c) which MREs look means inviting. to be
rd mind mean? favourite similar because chocolates they: or give them a variety well disposed
(c)
or inclined
get some
toward?
today
pack.
12.
teenager next (a) door are both had available to mind my in all varieties and
The purpose of an advertisement is to:
(a) favourite
y brother (a) while 2flavours.
Mum took me to the
(a) give information
(b) smart
tist. (b) (b) 4cost the same.
Something (b) persuade the reader extra to buy a
(c) popular
brain (c) (c) 6are packaged the same.
particular product
Create a colourful advertising poster for a product
look after
12. In
you
which
know
word
well. (c) does
Use entertain the
images,
letter
colour
y have
and
the
persuasive
same sound as it does in healthy?
thoughts
text to convince readers to consider your product.
(a) types
Advertisers use exaggeration and expressive language
to (b) persuade enjoy consumers to buy their products. Copy
down (c) a variety list of words or phrases from the text which the
CHOCOLATE READY TO EAT
advertiser has used for this purpose.
1. A pick-me-up is a:
7. The suffix -ness on the end of a word
CRE
1. The military have MRE (Meals
(a) refreshing drink, meal or snack
means the state of being …. The word
Chocolate goodness Ready means to Eat); the now state you of have being
(b) weightlifter
good. Which CRE—Chocolate word does not Ready follow this
(c) taxicab
Ready to pattern? to Eat! Now you can enjoy your
(a) smoothness favourite sweet snack whenever
2. Which word has more syllables than Eat
you desire!
packaged?
(b) witness
(a) flavours
(c) weakness
2. In single snacks, CREs
3. Dried using our own 4. Produced using our own
(b) cleverly
are portable and cleverly
secret process,
8.
CREs Which two words scientifically-proven
both have a long i
(c) packaged without so they are
never melt, making sound like desire? formula, CREs contain
3.
easy to open. Grab a
them easy to handle, (a) favourite, all mind the goodness of real
A quick synonym bite of (word delight with on a similar take anywhere and
chocolate. Made from the
meaning) the run, when for desire you need is:
(b) dried, buy
long-lasting!
purest cocoa beans, CREs
(a) a quick dream ‘pick-me-up’ up or
(c) relatives, contain lived all the goodness
just to reward yourself for
for a healthy heart, body
(b) ambition
a job well done!
9. Which of these and has mind. a hyphen between
(c) wish
the words because they are said
together so often that they are
4. An antonym (word with an opposite
becoming one word; e.g. pick-me-up?
5.
meaning) for nearest is:
Available in a variety of
(a) long-lasting popular chocolate types
(a) furthest
(b) no-oneand tempting flavours,
(b) closest
CREs allow you to choose
(c) scientifically-proven
from dark, milk, white
(c) nearby
chocolate and mixtures of
CHOCOLATE READY 10. TO EAT Which word has an ar sound like in
5. Which word does not belong in a list of
smart? all three. Enjoy nuts and
ingredients of CREs?
soft and chewy centres. All
(a) reward your favourites are here!
(a) cocoa beans
(b) heart
(b) nuts
(c) carry
(c) icing sugar
11. Which word in Box 7 is based on the
6. In the sentence below, what does the
Latin word faveo, which means to be
word mind mean?
well disposed or inclined toward?
7. Spoil your friends and
The teenager next door had to 8. Easy-to-carry pouches
relatives mind my with a gift box of (a) favourite
baby brother while Mum took are available. Smart and
their me to favourite the individual (b) smart
dentist.
compact, they are easily
6. Save money and
chocolate or variety pack.
(c) popularhidden! Never be without
(a) buy brain
bulk. It’s
They will love you for giving
your favourite chocolate
cheaper and you’ll them their daily ‘chocolate
(b) look after
12. In which word again! does No-one the letter will know y have the
never run out!
fix’. Buy a gift box for a same sound
(c) thoughts
you’re as it does carrying healthy? a CRE!
birthday or special occasion!
(a) types
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(b) enjoy
9. Remember the name—CRE ! Get some today! Visit your nearest sweet shop.
(c) variety
You’ll wonder CHOCOLATE how READY TO you EAT ever lived without them!
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (18) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (18) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 4
Comprehension
1. Julie wore a pink ribbon around her neck every day.
Every single day! It didn’t matter if it was the dead
of winter or the middle of summer or whether it
matched her outfit, she always wore the pink ribbon.
People around town thought it was a strange but
harmless eccentricity.
2. Patrick was Julie’s neighbour and her best friend. They
had known each other since they were young children.
Ever since Patrick could remember, Julie had always worn
the pink ribbon. When he was younger he had hardly
noticed, but now that they were both in secondary school
it had started to annoy him. ‘Why do you always wear that
pink ribbon around your neck, Julie?’ he’d frequently ask.
But she wouldn’t tell him.
3. In spite of this annoyance, Patrick secretly loved Julie.
He would ask her out for lunch or to watch him in one
of his football matches. That spring he worked up the
nerve to ask her to the school dance. Julie said yes, as
she always did when he asked her out, and she wore
a pink dress to match the ribbon around her slender
neck.
4. It finally occurred to both Patrick and Julie that they were
dating. Patrick felt that since they were so close now he had
a right to know about the pink ribbon. So he asked Julie
about it yet again, but she refused to give him a reason.
‘Maybe someday I’ll tell you about it’, she’d coyly replied. The
answer annoyed Patrick even more, but he loved her so there
was little he could do.
5. Time flew by and Julie and Patrick became engaged to be married. On their wedding
day, Julie hinted that she might tell Patrick about the pink ribbon, but that evening when
he remembered to ask she replied tearfully, ‘We are so happy right now together, does it
really make a difference?’ Patrick decided she was right and let the matter drop.
6. Together Patrick and Julie had four children and a happy life. They grew old and frail and
at the age of 80 Julie became very ill and was soon on her deathbed. Patrick saw that his
last chance to ask about the ribbon was quickly slipping away. When he asked one last
time, Julie shook her head but conceded with a sad smile, ‘Patrick, you have been the
love of my life, so I suppose it’s all right now if you untie it’.
7. With trembling hands, Patrick slowly undid the knot and pulled away the ribbon.
8. Julie’s head fell from her neck and on to the floor.
1. Julie wore the ribbon because it:
(a) held her head on properly.
(b) matched her dress for the spring
dance.
(c) made her seem mysterious.
2. Which event happened first?
(a) It occurred to Patrick and Julie
that they were dating.
(b) Julie hinted that she would tell
Patrick about the ribbon.
(c) Patrick asked Julie to the school
dance.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Patrick and Julie had a happy life
together.
(b) Patrick and Julie had four
children.
(c) Patrick was the love of Julie’s life.
4. You could conclude from the text
that Patrick:
(a) was angry that he didn’t know the
truth about the ribbon.
(b) expected that Julie would tell him
about the ribbon one day.
(c) was not interested in knowing
what was under the ribbon.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. When Julie repeatedly refused to tell
Patrick about the ribbon, he felt:
(a) sad
(b) relieved
(c) annoyed
6. The pronoun it from Paragraph 5
refers to:
(a) being happy.
(b) knowing the secret.
(c) letting the matter drop.
7. You can predict that when Julie’s head
fell off, Patrick was likely:
(a) horrified
(b) prepared
(c) angered
8. The paragraph that is mainly about
how Patrick came to know Julie when
they were younger is:
(a) Paragraph 6
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 4
9. Which is the best summary of
Paragraph 5?
(a) Julie and Patrick got married and
were both really happy together.
(b) Patrick asked about the ribbon
again at their wedding because
Julie was going to tell him on that
special day.
(c) On their wedding day, Patrick
agreed he didn’t need to know
Julie’s secret because it wouldn’t
make any difference to their
happiness.
10. Julie was different from Patrick
because she:
(a) lived in the same town.
(b) had a secret.
(c) had a best friend who lived next
door.
11. How many times in the story did
Patrick ask Julie about the ribbon?
(a) more than six times
(b) one time
(c) fewer than five times
12. Patrick was willing to ignore Julie’s
neck ribbon because he:
(a) loved her.
(b) got tired of asking.
(c) wanted to work it out on his own.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (19) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Copper 4
All about words
ich compound 1. Adverbs Julie wore word can the does tell ribbon how not (manner), because it: when 7. Which word 7. 5. You pair Modal can could verbs predict be can antonyms that express when a Julie’s degree head
an the same (time)
(a)
as
held
or the where
her
two
head
words (place)
on
that
properly.
something for harmless fell of in off, probability Paragraph Patrick was 1? to the likely: verb they are
ke it? happens. The adverb in this sentence
(a)
is:
pleasant,
helping;
friendly
e.g. Patrick might ask Julie
(b) matched her dress for the spring
(a) horrified
someday With trembling hands, Patrick slowly
to marry him. Which is the modal
dance.
(b) dangerous, (b) risky
football
undid the knot.
verb
prepared
in this sentence?
(c) made her seem mysterious. (c) innocent, (c) safe angered
outfit
(a) slowly
Because Patrick loved Julie, he
2. Which event happened first?
8.
8. Say each word The decided
pair paragraph he would
and listen that ignore
to is the mainly the about pink
(b) undid
ribbon.
word eccentricity (a) It occurred in Paragraph to Patrick 1 and Julie first vowel sound. how Patrick Which came pair has to know the Julie when
ans something:
(c) with
that they were dating.
same first vowel they (a) were sound lovedyounger as in had? is:
normal 2. In (b) this Julie sentence hinted the that word she would secretly tell
(a)
is an (a) hardly, around (b) Paragraph decided 6
peculiar
adverb Patrick of: about the ribbon.
(b)
(b) matter, that (c)
Paragraph
would
2
stylish
In (c) spite Patrick of his asked annoyance, Julie to Patrick the school secretly (c) Paragraph 4
(c) annoyed, day
loved dance.
6.
Julie.
Which sentence has the correct
9. Which punctuation? is the best summary of
ich pair
3.
of (a) It words is a place fact, are not not an in opinion, that:
9. The phrase he Paragraph worked up 5? the nerve in
habetical order?
Paragraph 3 (a) means Patrick to: would always ask julie
(b) (a) time Patrick and Julie had a happy life
(a) Julie about and the Patrick ribbon, got around married her and
annual, annoy together.
(a) work hard at were a problem.
(c) manner
neck. both really happy together.
concede, (b) coyly Patrick and Julie had four (b) run away (b) nervously.
(b)
Patrick
Patrick
asked
would
about
always
the
ask
ribbon
Julie
3.
married,
Which
matter children. preposition shows the
(c) summon up again courage. about
at
the
their
ribbon
wedding
around
because
her
relationship
(c) Patrick was
between
the love
the
of
ribbon
Julie’s
and
life.
Julie
neck.
was going to tell him on that
ich pair of Julie’s words neck? both have
10. Which word pair special are synonyms day. for
same 4. number Julie You could wore of syllables a conclude pink ribbon as from around the text her neck conceded in
(c)
Paragraph
patrick, would
6?
always ask, Julie
(c) On their wedding day, Patrick
noyance? every that Patrick:
about the ribbon around her
day.
(a) admitted, accepted agreed he didn’t need to know
neck.
ribbon, remember (a) was angry that he didn’t know the
(a) around
Julie’s secret because it wouldn’t
truth about the ribbon.
(b) refused, disagreed
7.
secondary, (b) eighty
Which make verb any is difference in the present to their tense?
every
(b) expected that Julie would tell him (c) confused, muddled happiness.
annual, finally
(a) is annoying
(c) wore about the ribbon one day.
11. In some 10. words Julie (b) the was annoyed last different consonant from Patrick
prefix 4 un- A
(c) gives preposition
was a not word interested
phrase the starts
in knowing
with a is doubled before because adding she: ing to
posite meaning; preposition;
what e.g. was undid. e.g.
under
Julie’s Which the
head
ribbon.
fell keep the vowel
(c)
short
will annoy
(a) lived in (e.g. the slipping, same town.
rd can have from un- her as neck. a prefix? In this sentence, the dropping). Which word below also
5. When Julie repeatedly refused to tell
8. (b) Which had word a secret. is a conjunction
known preposition phrase is:
follows this rule when adding ing?
Patrick about the ribbon, he felt:
(c)
joining
had
two
a best
sentences
friend who
to make
lived next
this
annoy Patrick (a) sad asked Julie to meet him at the (a) help sentence?
door.
canteen.
strange (b) relieved
(b) ask If Patrick didn’t ask now he would
11. How
(a) Patrick asked Julie
(c) rip
never many get the times chance. in the story did
(c) annoyed
Patrick ask Julie about the ribbon?
hich word pair are both words not
(b) at the canteen
(a) he
lt correctly? 6. The pronoun it from Paragraph 512. The contraction (a) more she’d than in Paragraph six times 4
(c) to meet him
ocurred, diference
is made from
(b)
the
If
refers to:
(b) one words: time
trembling,
(a)
thought
being happy.
(a) she and (c)
(c)
would fewer
now
than five times
(b) knowing the secret.
replied, together Something
(b) she and could
12. Patrick extra was willing to ignore Julie’s
(c) letting the matter drop. (c) she and neck hadribbon because he:
Julie refused to tell Patrick about the ribbon for a long time. What do you think would
have happened if she had told him when they (a) were loved young? her. Write your answer.
(b) got tired of asking.
Find and list in alphabetical order ten words beginning with ‘d’.
(c) wanted to work it out on his own.
1. Which compound word does not
7. Which word pair could be antonyms
mean the same as the two words that
for harmless in Paragraph 1?
make it?
(a) pleasant, friendly
1.
(a) someday
(b) dangerous, risky
Julie wore a pink ribbon around her neck every day.
(b) football
Every single day! It didn’t matter if it was the dead (c) innocent, safe
of (c) winter outfit or the middle of summer or whether it
8.
matched her outfit, she always wore the pink ribbon.
Say each word pair and listen to the
2.
People
The word
around
eccentricity
town thought
in Paragraph
it was a strange
1
but
first vowel sound. Which pair has the
harmless
means
eccentricity.
something:
same first vowel sound as in had?
2.
(a) normal
(a) hardly, around
Patrick was Julie’s neighbour and her best friend. They
had (b) known peculiar each other since they were young children. (b) matter, that
Ever (c) since stylish Patrick could remember, Julie had always (c) worn annoyed, day
the pink ribbon. When he was younger he had hardly
3. noticed, Which but pair now of words that they are were not in both in secondary 9. school The phrase he worked up the nerve in
it had alphabetical started to order? annoy him. ‘Why do you always wear Paragraph that 3 means to:
pink
(a)
ribbon
annual,
around
annoy
your neck, Julie?’ he’d frequently
(a)
ask.
work hard at a problem.
But she wouldn’t tell him.
(b) concede, coyly
(b) run away nervously.
3. In spite of this annoyance, Patrick secretly loved Julie.
He
(c)
would
married,
ask her
matter
out for lunch or to watch him in one
(c) summon up courage.
of his football matches. That spring he worked up the
4. Which pair of words both have
10. Which word pair are synonyms for
nerve
the
to
same
ask
number
her to the
of
school
syllables
dance.
as
Julie said yes,
conceded
as
in Paragraph 6?
she
annoyance?
always did when he asked her out, and she wore
a pink dress to match the ribbon around her slender (a) admitted, accepted
neck. (a) ribbon, remember
(b) refused, disagreed
4. It finally
(b) secondary,
occurred to
eighty
both Patrick and Julie that they (c) were confused, muddled
dating. (c) annual, Patrick finally felt that since they were so close now he had
a right to know about the pink ribbon. So he asked 11. Julie In some words the last consonant
5. about The prefix it yet again, un- gives but a she word refused the to give him a reason. is doubled before adding ing to
‘Maybe opposite someday meaning; I’ll tell e.g. you undid. about Which it’, she’d coyly replied. keep The the vowel short (e.g. slipping,
answer word annoyed can have Patrick un- as even a prefix? more, but he loved her dropping). so there Which word below also
was (a) little known he could do.
follows this rule when adding ing?
5. Time (b) flew annoy
(a) help
by and Julie and Patrick became engaged to be married. On their wedding
day,
(c)
Julie
strange
hinted that she might tell Patrick about the (b) pink ask ribbon, but that evening when
he remembered to ask she replied tearfully, ‘We are so
(c)
happy
rip
right now together, does it
6. really In which make word a difference?’ pair are both Patrick words decided not she was right and let the matter drop.
6.
spelt correctly?
12. The contraction she’d in Paragraph 4
Together Patrick and Julie had four children and a happy life. They grew old and frail and
at (a) the age ocurred, of 80 diference
is made from the words:
Julie became very ill and was soon on her deathbed. Patrick saw that his
last
(b)
chance
trembling,
to ask
thought
about the ribbon was quickly slipping (a) she away. and When wouldhe asked one last
time, Julie shook her head but conceded with a sad smile, ‘Patrick, you have been the
love (c) of replied, my life, so together
(b) she and could
I suppose it’s all right now if you untie it’.
(c) she and had
7. With trembling hands, Patrick slowly undid the knot and pulled away the ribbon.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. Julie’s head fell from her neck and on to the floor.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (19) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (19) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 5
Factory in a garden
1. When you rip the wrapper from your favourite Cadbury’s chocolate bar, I don’t suppose you
ever think of the company that makes the chocolate and how it all began. But it does have an
interesting history. Read on ...
2. In 1824, John Cadbury opened a shop in Birmingham, a large city in the UK. Among the many
things he sold were tea, coffee, drinking chocolate and cocoa. After a few years, he began to
make chocolate bars. As his business grew, John needed help, so his brother Benjamin joined him.
Their chocolate became so popular that Queen Victoria gave the brothers a special award.
3. In Victorian times, most people who worked in factories lived in small, overcrowded houses with
no gardens. When people became unwell, their illnesses spread quickly. The conditions were
unhealthy and the people often unhappy.
4. The Cadburys strongly believed that everyone had the right to a happy and healthy life. Their
dream was for the workers in their factory to have their own houses with large gardens. In these
they could plant fruit trees, grow vegetables and have space to relax and play.
5. When John and Benjamin retired, John’s sons George and Richard carried on the family business.
In the countryside close to Birmingham, the brothers built a new factory and their dream village
for their workers. It was in a place called Bournville, which had a stream running through it. A
large park with a lake was created. Here families could gather and children could play freely in
the fresh air. The environment was so pleasant that Cadbury’s, Bournville became known as the
‘factory in a garden’.
6. The Cadburys’ strong belief in social justice did not stop there. As time went on, they funded
a hospital, schools and a holiday home for children from the city’s poor areas. To the people of
Birmingham, they donated the Lickey Hills, a large country park just beyond Bournville.
7. Even today, as the sprawling city of Birmingham has gobbled up the countryside
for kilometres round, Bournville still stands like an oasis in the middle of a red
brick desert. As you take a walk around the village with its neat gardens full of
flowers and trees, or stroll around the nearby park, you can smell the delicious
aroma of chocolate coming from the ‘factory in the garden’.
8. Maybe next time you rip the wrapper from your favourite Cadbury’s
chocolate bar, you will think of the family that showed how much it
cared about social justice by improving the lives of its workers.
1. It is a fact, not an opinion, that the
Cadbury company:
(a)
(b)
(c)
began in Birmingham.
makes the best chocolate.
was the best place to work.
2. The Cadburys created their dream
village to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
make themselves feel good.
show how good they were.
give their workers a chance for a
happy, healthy life.
3. The author wrote the text:
(a)
(b)
(c)
because he or she likes Cadbury’s
chocolate.
to show how caring the Cadbury
family was.
to make you buy Cadbury’s
chocolate.
4. If the Cadburys had not built the
village for their workers, the workers
may have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
become sick more often.
left their jobs.
been offered better jobs.
5. Which happened last?
(a)
(b)
(c)
John Cadbury opened a shop.
The Bournville factory and village
were built.
George and Richard Cadbury took
over the family business.
6. In Paragraph 4, the word these refers
to the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
workers
houses
gardens
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. In Paragraph 7, gobbled up means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
taken over
eaten quickly
destroyed
8. The main idea of Paragraph 6 is that the
Cadbury family:
(a)
(b)
(c)
funded hospitals and schools.
donated the Lickey Hills park.
continued to help the people of
Birmingham.
9. A summary of Paragraph 3 is:
In Victorian times:
(a)
(b)
(c)
factory workers lived in small houses
which didn’t have any gardens.
illness spread because factory workers
lived in crowded, unhealthy houses.
factory workers were unhealthy and
they were miserable.
10. You can conclude from the text that in
Victorian Britain, many people:
(a)
(b)
(c)
had a hard life.
had an easy life.
lived in luxury.
11. Bournville is different now from how
it was in Victorian times because it is
surrounded by:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the city of Birmingham.
fields and hills.
water.
12. George and Richard were happy to take
over the family business because they
wanted to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
be rich
be famous
help their workers
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (20) Prim-Ed Publishing

Copper 5
Copper 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. in Which It Paragraph is a fact, sentence not 5 could an is correctly opinion, not be that punctuated? the 7. The prefix 7. 5. un- In Which Paragraph gives word a word 7, is gobbled the relative up means: pronoun that
laced with
(a)
Cadbury designed?
Cadbury’s
company:
chocolate is popular
opposite meaning.
(a)
refers
taken
Which to
over
a noun word mentioned from earlier in
retired (a) worldwide. began in Birmingham.
Paragraph 3 means the sentence? miserable?
(b) eaten quickly
built
(b) The makes Cadbury’s the best were chocolate. a very caring
(a) unwell Cadbury’s was in Bournville, which had a
(c)
created
family.
(b) unhealthy
stream destroyed running through it.
(c) was the best place to work.
(c) The Cadbury’s belief in social justice (c) unhappy 8. The (a) main idea of Paragraph 6 is that the
ographs 2. are The words was Cadburys very that strong. created have the their same dream
Cadbury (b) which family:
lling but different village to: meanings. Which
8. In which word
(a)
is the sh sound made in a
rd from 2. Paragraph A group of 4 is words a homograph that starts of with a noun different way
(c) funded
from
it hospitals and schools.
(a) make themselves feel good.
the others?
word that is means called a story noun performed phrase; e.g. on houses with
(b) donated the Lickey Hills park.
(a) special 6.
age? no (b) gardens. show how In this good sentence, they were.
Which group of words could stand as a
the noun
(c)
(b) delicious
sentence continued its to own? help the people of
life
phrase (c) give is: their workers a chance for a
Birmingham.
(c) condition
dream
The Cadbury happy, healthy brothers life.
The people worked hard and also
donated a country
9. A enjoyed summary relaxing of Paragraph with their 3 is: families.
park to the people of Birmingham.
play 3. The author wrote the text:
9. Which word
In
has (a) Victorian
the The same people times:
number worked of hard
(a) Cadbury brothers
(a) because he or she likes Cadbury’s
syllables as relax?
ich compound (b) donated word does a country not mean parkthe
(a)(b)
factory also enjoyed workers relaxing lived small houses
chocolate.
(a) gather
e as the two words that make it?
(c) which with didn’t their families have any gardens.
(c) (b) people to show of how Birmingham caring the Cadbury (b) oasis
everyone
(b) illness spread because factory workers
family was.
7.
3. (c) hospital
In alliteration,
justice
Which word is a preposition linking a noun
lived in crowded,
the initial
unhealthy
sound
houses.
of each
and (c) a to noun make group you buy in this Cadbury’s
word is the same. Which group of
sentence?
countryside
10. Which two
(c)
words words factory
both shows workers
have alliteration? a sound
were unhealthy and
chocolate.
They wanted people to have their own made by ea that
they
(a) is factory different
were miserable.
in a from garden the
ich word 4. from houses If the Paragraph Cadburys with large 7 had gardens. is an not built the one in stream?
10. You
onym of compact?
(b) can rip conclude the wrapper from the text that in
(a) village to for their workers, the workers
(a) created, Victorian neat Britain, many people:
sprawling
may have:
(c) play freely
(b) their
(b) pleasant, (a) spread had a hard life.
neat
(a) become sick more often.
(c) with
8.
(c) healthy, (b) stream
Adverbs
had an
can
easy
describe
life.
how, when or
delicious
(b) left their jobs.
where something is done. Which group
4. A preposition phrase is a group of 11. Which pair
(c)
of of words words lived
is
in is not
luxury.
(c) been offered better jobs.
an in adverbial of time?
word oasis words in Paragraph starting with 7 means: a preposition. In this alphabetical order?
11. Bournville For many is years, different the Cadburys now from helped how the
5. sentence, the preposition phrase is:
a small village
Which
in
happened
the country
last?
(a) stroll, stream it people was in Victorian of Birmingham. times because it is
The factory in the park makes delicious
a big city
(a) John Cadbury opened a shop.
(b) social,
surrounded
special (a) For many by: years
chocolate.
a place surrounded
(b) The Bournville
by desert
factory
where
and village
(c) unhappy,
(a)(b)
unhealthy
the the city Cadburys of Birmingham. helped
(a) The factory in the park
there is water for
were
plants
built.
to grow
(b) (c) fields the people and hills. of Birmingham
(b) (c) makes George delicious and Richard chocolate Cadbury took 12. Which word does not follow the
ich word has an oo sound as in through? ‘change the
(c)
y to
water.
i and add es’ rule to
(c) in over the the parkfamily business.
improving
form its plural?
12. George and Richard were happy to take
6. In Paragraph 4, the word these refers
just
(a) family over the family business because they
to the:
favourite
(b) factory
wanted to:
(a) workers
Something
(c) play
(a) extra
be rich
(b) houses
Find out more about Cadbury’s. Browse through the (b) website be famous
(c) and enjoy gardens some of the activities.
(c) help their workers
Design a poster to advertise the ‘Factory in a garden’.
All about words
Factory in a garden
7. The prefix un- gives a word the
1. Which word in Paragraph 5 could not be
replaced with designed?
opposite meaning. Which word from
1. When (a) you retired
Paragraph 3 means miserable?
rip the wrapper from your favourite Cadbury’s chocolate bar, I don’t suppose you
ever (b) think built of the company that makes the chocolate and how (a) it unwell all began. But it does have an
interesting history. Read on ...
(c) created
(b) unhealthy
2. In 1824, John Cadbury opened a shop in Birmingham, a large (c) city unhappy in the UK. Among the many
2. things Homographs he sold were are tea, words coffee, that drinking have the chocolate same and cocoa. After a few years, he began to
make spelling chocolate but different bars. As his meanings. business Which grew, John needed 8. help, In which so his word brother is the Benjamin sh sound joined made him. in a
Their word chocolate from Paragraph became so 4 popular is a homograph that Queen of Victoria gave different the brothers way from a special the others? award.
the word that means a story performed on
(a) special
3. In Victorian a stage? times, most people who worked in factories lived in small, overcrowded houses with
no gardens. When people became unwell, their illnesses spread (b) delicious quickly. The conditions were
(a) life
unhealthy and the people often unhappy.
(c) condition
(b) dream
4. The Cadburys strongly believed that everyone had the right to a happy and healthy life. Their
dream (c) was play
9. Which word has the same number of
for the workers in their factory to have their own houses with large gardens. In these
syllables as relax?
they could plant fruit trees, grow vegetables and have space to relax and play.
3. Which compound word does not mean the
(a) gather
5. When same John as the and two Benjamin words retired, that make John’s it? sons George and Richard carried on the family business.
In the countryside close to Birmingham, the brothers built (b) a new oasis
(a) everyone
factory and their dream village
for their workers. It was in a place called Bournville, which (c) had a hospital stream running through it. A
large (b) park justice with a lake was created. Here families could gather and children could play freely in
the (c) fresh countryside air. The environment was so pleasant that Cadbury’s, 10. Which Bournville two words became both known have a as sound the
‘factory in a garden’.
made by ea that is different from the
4. Which word from Paragraph 7 is an
one in stream?
6. The
antonym
Cadburys’
of
strong
compact?
belief in social justice did not stop there. As time went on, they funded
a hospital, schools and a holiday home for children from the (a) city’s created, poor areas. neat To the people of
(a) Birmingham, sprawling they donated the Lickey Hills, a large country (b) pleasant, park just spread beyond Bournville.
(b) neat
7. Even today, as the sprawling city of Birmingham (c) healthy, has gobbled streamup the countryside
(c) deliciousfor kilometres round, Bournville still stands like an oasis in the middle of a red
brick desert. As you take a walk around
11.
the Which village pair with of its words neat is gardens not in full of
5. The word oasis flowers in Paragraph and trees, 7 or means: stroll around the nearby alphabetical park, you order? can smell the delicious
(a) a small village aroma in of the chocolate countrycoming from the ‘factory (a) in stroll, the garden’. stream
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(b) a big 8. cityMaybe next time you rip the wrapper from (b) your social, favourite special Cadbury’s
(c) a place surrounded chocolate bar, by desert you will where think of the family (c) that showed unhappy, how unhealthy much it
there is water cared for about plants social to grow justice by improving the lives of its workers.
12. Which word does not follow the
6. Which word has an oo sound as in through? ‘change the y to i and add es’ rule to
(a) improving
form its plural?
(b) just
(a) family
(c) favourite
(b) factory
(c) play
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (20) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (20) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 1
Comprehension
1. There once was an old man named Frederick
Who liked nothing better than limericks.
He would read them all day
To enjoy the wordplay.
But some were too rude to make public.
3. There was a blonde singer named Sandi
Whose voice was as sweet as rock candy.
She entered a song quest
And won without contest.
Now she’s a huge star with a CD.
TONIGHT
4. There once was a beast named Thomas
Whose hair was long, gold and luscious.
He shed everywhere
And he didn’t care.
He’s just a dog, not a menace!
2. Two young friends named Rhyce and Tim
Role-played when they had the whim.
They dressed in bright costumes
And duelled in pretend tombs.
The exercise kept them trim.
5. A dancer with very tiny feet
Refused to eat any kind of treat.
She never indulged
And this she divulged.
Indulging would not keep her petite.
1. Which word in Limerick 2 means ‘an
odd or fanciful notion’?
(a) whim
(b) duelled
(c) luscious
2. Frederick read limericks because he:
(a) liked the wordplay.
(b) wrote them.
(c) had a good sense of humour.
3. The main idea of Limerick 4 is that dogs:
(a) are a nuisance.
(b) are ugly beasts.
(c) can’t help shedding hair
everywhere.
4. After Rhyce and Tim dressed up in
costumes, they:
(a) duelled in pretend tombs.
(b) were friends.
(c) had a whim.
5. Limericks are similar because they all:
(a) follow the same rhyming pattern.
(b) are about the same topic.
(c) have the same number of syllables
in each line.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. You can predict that the dancer will
continue to:
(a) duel in tombs.
(b) dance beautifully.
(c) watch what she eats.
7 7. The main ideas of limerick 3 is:
(a) Sandi’s blonde hair
(b) Sandi’s sweet voice
(c) how Sandi became a star
8. Limericks can be summarised as:
(a) poems with lines the same length.
(b) funny poems with five lines.
(c) poems with all lines rhyming.
9. You can infer that dancers need to:
(a) keep their feet small.
(b) have long, gold luscious hair.
(c) stay slim.
10. What was the effect of Rhyce and Tim
role-playing? They:
(a) stayed trim.
(b) dressed up in great costumes.
(c) were able to duel.
11. The word some in Limerick 1 refers to:
(a) wordplays
(b) limericks
(c) treats
12. What is the writer’s point of view
about dogs in Limerick 4?
(a) The writer is very tolerant of dogs.
(b) The writer thinks dogs are a
menace.
(c) The writer is indifferent to dogs.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (21) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 1
Khaki 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
word 1. 1. luscious Which in limerick word Limerick in includes Limerick 4 means: 2 all means of the ‘an 7. Which word 5. 8. Which does Limericks NOT group can have of be words a summarised starting with as:
following odd or fanciful punctuation notion’? marks—capital
an adjective is an adjective phrase
luxurious; very attractive
homophone
(a)
(words
poems
that
with
sound
lines
the
the same length.
letters,
(a) whim
full stops, commas, exclamation same, are spelt telling differently about a and noun? have
chubby marks and apostrophes?
a different meaning)? (b) funny poems with five lines.
There was a beast named Thomas
tasty
(b) duelled
(a) Limerick 4
(a) make whose (c) poems hair was with long, all lines gold rhyming. and
(c) luscious
luscious.
ich word (b) is a synonym Limerick 3(word with
(b) won 9. You can infer that dancers need to:
imilar 2. meaning) (c) Frederick Limerick for read rude? limericks because he:
(a) long, gold and luscious
1
(c) would (a) keep their feet small.
polite (a) liked the wordplay.
(b) named Thomas
2. In a simple sentence the subject is 8. the The word refuse (b) is have a homograph long, gold luscious hair.
discourteous (b) wrote them.
(c) There was a beast
person or thing doing the action and (word that is (c) spelt stay one slim. way but
measurethe (c) predicate had a good is a sense comment of humour. about pronounced
6. The differently comparative depending and superlative
the subject and includes the verb. In on its use). 10. In forms
What which of
was sentence the
the
adjective
effect does of
trim
Rhyce it are
and Tim
ich word 3. is the The an sentence antonym main idea for below, of menace? Limerick which 4 word is that is the dogs: mean decline trimmer
role-playing? and not and rubbish? trimmest.
They:
What are the
threat
subject?
(a) are a nuisance.
(a) Dog hair comparative (a) may stayed be considered trim. and superlative forms
Two
(b)
young
are ugly
friends
beasts.
dressed in bright
of the adjective luscious?
pretend
refuse.
(b) dressed up in great costumes.
costumes.
(a) luscioser, lusciousest
aid (c) can’t help shedding hair
(b) A dancer
(c)
may
were
refuse
able
to
to
eat
duel.
(a) dressed
everywhere.
fattening (b) food. lusher, lushest
en adding (b) -ing Two to young a word friends with a
(c) Rhyce 11. and The word some in Limerick 1 refers to:
(c) Tim more threw luscious, their empty most luscious
rt vowel 4. followed After Rhyce by a and consonant, Tim dressed up in
(c) (a) wordplays
costumes,
costumes
water bottles in the refuse bin.
uble the last consonant they: before
7. In this sentence which is the past
ding -ing. Which (b) limericks
3. In (a) the duelled
word does
sentence in pretend
NOT
9.
in Q2 above, tombs. which part
In which word tense can verb the sound group? s as in
ow this rule?
of (c) treats
(b)
the
were
sentence
friends.
forms the predicate?
singer NOT be heard?
He didn’t care because he’s just a
dressing
(a)
(c)
Two
had
young
a whim.
friends
(a) dancer
12. dog (b)
What not menace
is a the menace. (c) shed
writer’s point of view
shedding
(b) in bright costumes
10. Which word (a) in about Limerick didn’t dogs care 2 in originates Limerick 4?
trimming 5. Limericks are similar because they all:
(c) dressed in bright costumes
from a Latin (b) word (a) he’s The meaning a writer dogis ‘a very tolerant of dogs.
(a) follow the same rhyming pattern. combat between two’?
ich sentence is spelt correctly?
(c) (b) not The a writer menace thinks dogs are a
4. A
(b)
noun
are
group
about
is
the
a noun
same
usually
topic.
with a (a) duelled menace.
He wuns determiner wrote a limerick and some with a adjectives; e.g.
8. Which apostrophe has been used
verry funny an (c) punch old have man. line. the Which same is number the noun of syllables group
(b)
in
pretend (c) The writer is indifferent to dogs.
correctly to show possession?
this sentence? in each line.
He once wrote a limerick with a
(c) exercise
(a) Fredericks’ always laughing at
very funny 6. A You dancer punch can predict with line. very that tiny the feet dancer refused will to eat.
11. In Limerick 5 the limericks. word from the
He once (a) continue rote A a dancer limerick to:
with a very
French language (b) Rhyce’s meaning costume small is: bright.
funny punch
(b) (a) line.
very duel tiny tombs. feet
(a) cheat (c) Heidi’s been very successful
word divulged (c) (b) refused dance in to beautifully. eat
(b) feet
erick 5 means: (c) watch what she eats.
(c) petite
not polite
7 7. The main ideas of limerick 3 is: 12. Which word starts with the same
told
(a) Sandi’s blonde hair
sound as Thomas?
dived Limerick 3 uses the simile ‘as sweet as rock candy’ to compare
(b) Sandi’s sweet voice
(a) trim
two things using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’. Find ten other wellknown
(c) similes how Sandi then became write a sentence a star using (b) each. this
(c) there
Draw your own images for each limerick.
1. The word luscious in Limerick 4 means:
(a) luxurious; very attractive
1. There
(b)
once
chubby
was an old man named Frederick
Who (c) liked tasty nothing better than limericks.
He would read them all day
2. Which word is a synonym (word with
To enjoy a similar the meaning) wordplay. for rude?
But (a) some polite were too rude to make public.
(b) discourteous
(c) measure
3. Which word is an antonym for menace?
(a) threat
(b) pretend
(c) aid
4. When adding -ing to a word with a
short vowel followed by a consonant,
double the last consonant before
3. There was a blonde singer named Sandi
adding -ing. Which word does NOT
Whose follow voice this was rule? as sweet as rock candy.
She (a) entered dressing a song quest
(b) shedding
And won without contest.
(c) trimming
Now she’s a huge star with a CD.
5. Which sentence is spelt correctly?
(a) He wuns wrote a limerick with a
verry funny punch line.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(b) He once wrote a limerick with a
very funny punch line.
TONIGHT
(c) He once rote a limerick with a very
funny punch line.
6. The word divulged in
4. There Limerick once 5 was means: a beast named Thomas
Whose (a) hair not polite was long, gold and luscious.
(b) told
He shed everywhere
(c) dived
And he didn’t care.
He’s just a dog, not a menace!
7. Which word does NOT have a
homophone (words that sound the
same, are spelt differently and have
a different meaning)?
(a) make
(b) won
(c) would
8. The word refuse is a homograph
(word that is spelt one way but
pronounced differently depending
on its use). In which sentence does it
mean decline and not rubbish?
(a) Dog hair may be considered
2. Two young
refuse.
friends named Rhyce and Tim
Role-played (b) A dancer when may they refuse had to the eat whim.
They dressed fattening bright food. costumes
And
(c)
duelled
Rhyce
in
and
pretend
Tim threw
tombs.
their empty
water bottles in the refuse bin.
The exercise kept them trim.
9. In which word can the sound s as in
singer NOT be heard?
(a) dancer
(b) menace (c) shed
10. Which word in Limerick 2 originates
from a Latin word meaning ‘a
combat between two’?
(a) duelled
(b) pretend
(c) exercise
11. In Limerick 5 the word from the
French language meaning small is:
(a) cheat
(b) feet
(c) petite
5. 12.
A Which dancer word with starts very tiny with feet the same
sound as Thomas?
Refused to eat any kind of treat.
(a) trim
She
(b)
never
this
indulged
And (c) this there she divulged.
Indulging would not keep her petite.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (21) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (21) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 2
Comprehension
Delphi
1. In ancient mythology the story goes that the Greek god Zeus
wanted to find the centre of the world. He sent two eagles up
into the sky to fly in opposite directions. Where the two eagles
met would be accepted as the centre of the earth ... and that
was Delphi.
2. Delphi is located approximately 180 kilometres from Athens and
is the second most popular place to visit in Greece, outside of
the Acropolis. The ancient site is built on many levels on the side
of Mount Parnassus and looks out over a beautiful, wide valley.
3. Delphi has been well preserved and restored, but its temples
and buildings didn’t always look as they do today. In medieval
times, villagers actually built a town (Kastri) on top of Delphi,
using the pillars and stones from its ancient temples to build
their homes! Archaeologists wanted to excavate the site,
but the villagers refused their requests until an earthquake
convinced them to leave and to settle elsewhere. In 1893, work
started on restoring the ancient buildings of Delphi.
4. While historically many gods were worshipped at Delphi, the
most famous one was Apollo, the son of Zeus.
5. Apollo was seen as the guardian of the oracle. It was believed
that the oracle was a person who could tell the future and,
while it is not absolutely known, the oracle was possibly an
older woman from a nearby village. She’d come to the temple,
the Sanctuary of Apollo, put on the oracle robes and sit in a chair over a deep crevasse, which is a
large crack in the earth. Greeks would travel long distances to ask the oracle questions. She would
breathe in the gas coming from the crevasse and give them answers. Priests would write down her
answers because sometimes the oracle was difficult to understand.
6. Delphi was also famous for the Pythian Games. These were like an early form of the Olympic Games
and athletes would come from all over Greece to compete. There were competitions for artists like
musicians and actors too. The games were held every four years and started in 776 BC. The site at
Delphi had a gymnasium, one of the best theatres in all of Greece and a stadium with seating for
over 5000 people.
1. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) Delphi is approximately 180
kilometres from Athens.
(b)
(c)
Delphi looks out over a beautiful
valley.
The Pythian Games were held at
Athens.
2. The word excavate in Paragraph 3
means to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
expose something by digging.
give an example.
be wonderful.
3. In Paragraph 3, them refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
archaeologists
villagers
gods
4. Delphi was chosen as the centre of the
earth by Zeus because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the Sanctuary of Apollo was there.
the spot was very beautiful.
two eagles met in that spot.
5. In which year were the Pythian Games
started?
(a)
(b)
(c)
180 BC
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
776 BC
5000 BC
6. You could predict that if the
earthquake at Kastri (Delphi) hadn’t
happened:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the villagers wouldn’t have moved.
Apollo would have asked the
villagers to move.
the villagers would have moved
anyway for the archaeologists.
7. The main idea in Paragraph 5 is that
Delphi:
(a)
(b)
(c)
had a famous temple called the
Sanctuary of Apollo.
was an important place of worship for
Apollo and those wanting to consult the
oracle.
was where the oracle would breathe in
gas from the crevasse in the earth and
provide answers.
8. This text was written to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
make you want to visit Greece.
make you believe in the oracle.
teach you about Delphi.
9. You can conclude that the ancient Greeks:
(a)
(b)
(c)
liked sporting events.
built buildings that didn’t last very long.
did not worship the gods.
10. Which statement would not be included
in a summary about the location and
geography of Delphi?
(a)
It is on the side of Mount Parnassus.
(b) It is located approximately 180
kilometres from Athens.
(c)
It was built on a large, flat area of land.
11. Which event came first in history?
(a)
(b)
(c)
excavation of Delphi
Pythian Games
Olympic Games
12. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a)
(b)
Delphi had the best theatre in Greece.
the Greek God Zeus picked Delphi as
the centre of the world.
(c) excavation on Delphi started in 1893.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (22) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 2
Khaki 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich two 1. 1. words Which It is an are sentence opinion, not is not punctuated a fact, that: correctly? 7. In which 7. word 6. The A does main verb the idea with ie in its not Paragraph auxiliary give the verbs 5 is that is a
habetical order? (a) (a) Delphi and is approximately The Acropolis 180 are popular long e sound Delphi: as verb in grief? group; e.g. Many gods were
oracle, over tourist kilometres attractions from Athens. in greece. (a) believe(a)
worshipped.
had a famous
The
temple
verb
called
group
the
in this
sentence looks out over a beautiful
Sanctuary
is:
chair, crevasse (b) Delphi and the Acropolis are popular (b) ancient
of Apollo.
tourist valley. attractions in Greece.
(b)
Zeus
was
wanted
an important
to find
place
the centre
of worship
of the
archaeologist, ancient
(c) medieval
for
world.
(c) (c) Delphi The Pythian and the Games acropolis were are held popular at
Apollo and those wanting to consult the
ich word in Paragraph Tourist Athens. Attractions 6 means to in Greece. 8. The contraction (a) oracle. she’d Zeus in wanted Paragraph 5 is
ticipate in a contest against others?
made from (c) the (b) words: was wanted where the to find oracle would breathe in
2. 2. The preposition word excavate showing Paragraph the relationship
athlete
3
(a) she and could gas from the crevasse in the earth and
between means to: the verb fly and the noun world
(c) centre of the world
provide answers.
competeis:
(b) she and should
(a) expose something by digging.
7. Qualifying determiners tell how
stadium
8.
He sent two eagles up into the sky to fly (c) she and This would text was written to:
(b) give an example.
much of a noun there is; e.g.
around the world.
(a) every make athlete, you want some to visit villagers. Greece. The
ich word belongs (c) be to wonderful. this group of
9. Which root word stays the same when
(a) around (b) to (c) the
(b)
quantifying
make you believe
determiner
in the
in
oracle.
this
rds?
the suffix -ed is removed?
sentence is:
3.
where
In Paragraph 3, them refers to:
(c) teach you about Delphi.
3. A earthquake preposition phrase kilometres starts with a (a) started
The ancient site of Delphi is built on
sometimes preposition. (a) archaeologists The preposition phrase in this (b) believed 9. You many can conclude levels. that the ancient Greeks:
sentence (b) villagers is:
famous
(c) refused(a)
(a) liked thesporting events.
Delphi (c) gods is one of the most popular places to
crevasse
visit.
(b) (b) built of
10. Which word does not buildings share the that same didn’t last very long.
4.
ich two words (a)
Delphi
Delphi have
was
the is
chosen
one same
as the centre of the vowel sound (c) with (c) did these many not worship words? the gods.
ber of syllables
earth by Zeus because:
(b) to
as
visit
Acropolis?
possible worship historic
10. 8.
(a) the Sanctuary of Apollo was there.
Which In this statement sentence, would which not word be included is
worshipped,
(c)
kilometres
of the most popular places
(a) villagein a the summary conjunction about that the joins location the and two
stadium, oracle
(b) the spot was very beautiful.
(b) pillars geography smaller sentences? of Delphi?
4. A (c) preposition two eagles phrase met in can that act spot. like an
gymnasium, (a) It is on the side of Mount Parnassus.
adjective,
absolutely
giving more information about
(c) while
The villagers had refused to leave the
site until an earthquake occurred.
5. a In noun; which e.g. year A were town the on top Pythian of Delphi. Games In (b) It is located approximately 180
ich word pair could be synonyms for
11. Which words are
this started? sentence, the preposition phrase is
(a) kilometres
both to antonyms
from Athens.
for
tored in Paragraph 3?
refused in Paragraph 3?
giving
(a) 180
information
BC
about:
(c) (b) It was until built on a large, flat area of land.
restrained, controlled
(a) accepted, agreed
The
(b)
oracle
776 BC
was an old woman from a nearby
(c) an
fixed, repaired
11.
village.
(b) declined, Which rejected event came first in history?
relaxed,
(c) 5000 BC
(a) balanced the oracle
(c) returned, (a) repaid excavation of Delphi
6. (b) You an could old predict woman that if the
(b) Pythian Games
each word pair and listen to the
12. Which word from Paragraph 3 is a
t vowel sound.
earthquake at Kastri (Delphi) hadn’t
(c)
(c) Olympic Games
happened:
the Which nearby pair village has the
homophone Something of sight with a different extra
e first vowel sound as oracle?
spelling and
12.
(a) the villagers wouldn’t have moved.
It
meaning?
is Draw a fact, a not picture an opinion, showing that: how you
5. The adverb used to tell how, when or
most, known
(a) settle think the oracle would have sat
where
(b) Apollo
something
would
happened
have asked
in
the
this
(a)
over
Delphi
the
had
crevasse.
the best theatre in Greece.
compete, sentence popular
villagers
is:
(b) site
to move.
(b) the Greek God Zeus picked Delphi as
sometimes, The world
(c)
villagers
the villagers
were
would
convinced
have
to
moved
leave and (c) to stone Greeks came to ask the oracle
the centre of the world.
settle
anyway
elsewhere.
important questions. Write five
for the archaeologists.
(c) questions excavation that on you Delphi think started could in 1893.
(a) convinced
have been asked.
(b)
(c)
elsewhere
villagers
1. Which two words are not in
alphabetical order?
(a)
oracle, over
1. In ancient (b) chair, mythology crevassethe story goes that the Greek god Zeus (b) ancient
wanted
(c)
to
archaeologist,
find the centre
ancient
of the world. He sent two eagles
(c)
up
medieval
into the sky to fly in opposite directions. Where the two eagles
2. met Which would word be accepted in Paragraph as the 6 centre means of to the earth ... and 8. that The contraction she’d in Paragraph 5 is
was participate Delphi. in a contest against others?
made from the words:
2. Delphi (a) is athlete located approximately 180 kilometres from Athens (a) and she and could
is the
(b)
second
compete
most popular place to visit in Greece, outside
(b)
of
she and should
the Acropolis. The ancient site is built on many levels on the side
of Mount (c) stadium Parnassus and looks out over a beautiful, wide valley. (c) she and would
3. 3. Delphi Which has word been belongs well preserved to this and group restored, of but its temples 9. Which root word stays the same when
and words? buildings didn’t always look as they do today. In medieval the suffix -ed is removed?
times,
elsewhere
villagers actually
earthquake
built a town
kilometres
(Kastri) on top of Delphi,
(a) started
using the pillars and stones from its ancient temples to build
their (a) homes! sometimes Archaeologists wanted to excavate the site, (b) believed
but (b) the villagers famous refused their requests until an earthquake (c) refused
convinced them to leave and to settle elsewhere. In 1893, work
(c) crevasse
started on restoring the ancient buildings of Delphi. 10. Which word does not share the same
4. Which two words have the same
vowel sound with these words?
4. While historically many gods were worshipped at Delphi, the
most number famous of one syllables was Apollo, as Acropolis? the son of Zeus.
possible worship historic
(a) worshipped, kilometres
(a) village
5. Apollo was seen as the guardian of the oracle. It was believed
that (b) the stadium, oracle was oracle a person who could tell the future and, (b) pillars
while
(c)
it is
gymnasium,
not absolutely
absolutely
known, the oracle was possibly an
(c) while
older woman from a nearby village. She’d come to the temple,
5. the Which Sanctuary word of pair Apollo, could put be on synonyms the oracle for robes and 11. sit in Which a chair words over a are deep both crevasse, antonyms which for is a
large restored crack in in the Paragraph earth. Greeks 3? would travel long distances refused to ask in the Paragraph oracle questions. 3? She would
breathe in the gas coming from the crevasse and give them answers. Priests would write down her
(a) restrained, controlled
(a) accepted, agreed
answers because sometimes the oracle was difficult to understand.
(b) fixed, repaired
(b) declined, rejected
6. Delphi was also famous for the Pythian Games. These were like an early form of the Olympic Games
and (c) athletes relaxed, would balanced come from all over Greece to compete. (c) There returned, were competitions repaid for artists like
musicians and actors too. The games were held every four years and started in 776 BC. The site at
6. Say each word pair and listen to the
12. Which word from Paragraph 3 is a
Delphi had a gymnasium, one of the best theatres in all of Greece and a stadium with seating for
first vowel sound. Which pair has the
homophone of sight with a different
over 5000 people.
same first vowel sound as oracle?
spelling and meaning?
(a)
(b)
(c)
most, known
compete, popular
sometimes, world
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Delphi
7. In which word does the ie not give the
long e sound as in grief?
(a) believe
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (22) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (22) Prim-Ed Publishing
(a)
(b)
(c)
settle
site
stone

Khaki 3
1. Dear Mr Hornbeam
2. Obviously, you truly think that children should do their own homework, because I
ordered the Workbot 3000 and it is a total piece of rubbish! I demand that you return
my money. Your machine does such a terrible job on my homework, I might as well just
do it myself!
3. As you are well aware, homework needs to be completed on time. I am a very busy
child. Hanging out with my friends, watching television and playing on the computer
are all extremely important to me. With all of these activities, there’s barely any time for
homework. I thought the Workbot 3000 would help get my homework done on time.
What a joke! It always spits out the homework late. I’m scrambling at the last minute
to get it done. If I had more time I could do the work properly myself.
4. Homework answers must be correct! When I program the Workbot 3000 to finish my
maths homework, all of the answers come out incorrect. I end up having to recheck
every question to make sure that it’s right, which is basically like doing the homework
anyway. Even my writing homework is full of ridiculous spelling and grammatical
errors. What is the purpose of a machine that doesn’t know the correct answers?
That’s just as bad as not doing the work at all!
5. Homework should not be copied. I have let some of my friends use the Workbot 3000
for their assignments and it just copies the answers from my work! Homework answers
need to be different. We can’t submit our homework to the teacher if it looks identical!
It takes a lot of time to go back and
change things so it’s not so obvious. Homework In
6. Homework needs to be neat and legible.
If the teachers can’t read the answers,
they can’t mark the work! The Workbot
3000 has such muddled writing that
sometimes I can barely read what it
writes. It looks like a 5-year-old did my
homework! My teacher knows my writing
is much better, so it looks a bit suspicious.
7. So there you have it. Four very good
reasons why the Workbot 3000 is
an unsatisfactory product and why
you should refund my money. Doing
homework is not nearly as bad as
fighting with this horrible piece of junk.
I will expect a cheque in the mail from
you as soon as possible!
8. Sincerely
9. Debbie Dolater
Workbot 3000
The
capital of
Italy is?
1. Which argument does Debbie present last?
Homework ...
(a) needs to be completed on time.
(b) should not be copied.
(c) answers must be correct.
2. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) the Workbot 3000 is a piece of rubbish.
(b) homework should always be neat and
legible.
(c) Debbie expects a cheque in the mail.
3. It is clear that Debbie believes she should:
(a) not have to do homework.
(b) get her money back.
(c) meet Mr Hornbeam.
4. In Paragraph 5, we refers to:
(a) Debbie and her friends.
(b) children at school.
(c) Debbie and her teacher.
5. The author wrote this text to:
(a) complain about the Workbot 3000.
(b) convince you to do your own homework.
(c) state that homework is bad.
6. You can predict that Debbie will:
(a) start to do her own homework.
(b) continue using the Workbot 3000.
(c) sell the Workbot 3000 to her friends.
7. The sentence that best summarises
Paragraph 6 is:
(a) It should not look like a 5-year-old has
completed your homework.
(b) Debbie can barely read what the
Workbot 3000 writes sometimes.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
mmm ...
Athens?
Homework Out
(c) The Workbot 3000 has muddled writing
and homework must be neat and legible
for the teacher to mark.
8. Debbie is demanding a refund
because:
(a) she dislikes doing homework.
(b) she wants to pay someone
else to do her homework.
(c) the Workbot 3000 does not
work properly.
9. What would cause Debbie’s
teacher to be suspicious of her
homework?
(a) If the writing did not look like
Debbie’s.
(b) If the writing was too neat
and easy to read.
(c) If there were too many
incorrect answers.
10. The paragraph that is mainly
about why homework should not
have errors is:
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 5
11. You can conclude that Debbie:
(a) does not manage her time
well.
(b) thinks doing homework is
better than hanging out with
friends.
(c) is a hardworking child.
12. You can work out that the
Workbot 3000:
(a) is a good machine to buy.
(b) needs some fine tuning to
become better.
(c) should be used by every child
who has homework.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (23) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 3
Khaki 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. belongs Possessive Which argument in this determiners group does of Debbie tell who present the 7. Which last? pair 5. of An 8. words adverbial Debbie is written is is demanding a group of a words refund
rds? noun Homework belongs ... to; e.g. his shoes. The alphabetical which order? because: can used to add extra
ause
possessive
(a) homework needs
determiner
to be incorrect completed
in this
on
sentence
time. (a) left, legible
information
(a) she
about
dislikes
a
doing
verb. Which
homework.
is
is:
the adverbial in this sentence?
minute (b) should not be copied.
(b) assignment, (b) answer she wants to pay someone
All of these activities are important parts
I’m scrambling
(c) answers must be correct.
else to
at
do
the
her
last
homework.
minute to
rubbish of my day.
(c) horrible, get homework it done.
important
(c) the Workbot 3000 does not
2. (a) It is a activities fact, not an opinion, that: 8. The prefix un (a) means I’m scrambling
something
work properly.
word legible (b) (a) are in the Paragraph Workbot 3000 6 is a piece of rubbish.
that is the opposite (b) at the of the last word minute it
9.
ans something:
precedes; e.g. unsatisfactory. What would cause Which Debbie’s
(c) (b) my homework should always be neat of and these words
(c)
can teacher
get
you
it done
add to be un suspicious to? of her
that can be read legible. easily.
homework?
2. Which word is the preposition linking (a) important 6. Verb tense can tell about what
that tastes two (c) delicious. words Debbie in expects this sentence; a cheque e.g. in put the it mail.
(a) If the writing did not look like
(b)
in
busy
has happened (past), what is
horrible and the machine.
Debbie’s.
3. It is clear
messy.
happening (present) or what will
that Debbie believes she should: (c) child
We’ll bring our homework to school.
happen
(b) If
(future).
the writing
Which
was
tense
too neat
are the
hich word (a) pair not are have both to words do homework.
verbs in this
and
sentence?
easy to read.
(a) bring
9.
lt correctly?
Which word does not share the same
(b) get her money back.
sound with these My teacher
(c) words? If there
knows
were
my
too
writing
many
is much
extremily, (b)
(c)
mashine to
meet Mr Hornbeam.
better.
properly job incorrect completed answers.
activities, (c) grammar school
(a) present (b) past (c) future
4. In Paragraph 5, we refers to: (a) copied 10. The paragraph that is mainly
ridiculus,
3. Which asignment word is a conjunction joining the
(a) Debbie and her friends. (b) program 7. Adjective about phrases why homework can be used should to not
shorter sentences?
ich word has
have errors is:
(b)
the
children
same
at
number
school.
of
describe nouns and pronouns; e.g.
(c) watching
ables as identical I demand in you Paragraph return my 5? money because it should
(a) Paragraph
not have messy,
3
muddled
this (c) machine Debbie and is horrible. her teacher.
writing. The adjective phrase in this
10.
television
Which words are
(b)
antonyms
Paragraph
for
4
5.
(a) The because
ridiculous in
sentence
Paragraph
is:
4?
possible author wrote this text to:
(c) Paragraph 5
(b) (a) demand
(a) reasonable,
Homework
believable
needs to be neat and
unsatisfactorycomplain about the Workbot 3000.
legible.
11. You can conclude that Debbie:
(c) (b) machine
(b) absurd, outrageous
convince you to do your own homework. (a) Homework needs
hich word is the sh sound made a
(c) rotten, awful (a) does not manage her time
erent 4. way Adverbs (c) from state the can others? that tell homework the manner, is bad. time or
(b) to be well. neat
place something happens. What 11. does
rubbish
In which pair
6. You can predict that Debbie will:
(c) do
(b)
both neat thinks
words and legible doing
have
homework
the
is
the adverb in this sentence tell us hard c sound as in completed?
should
better than hanging out with
about (a) start the to verb do her think? own homework.
8.
(a) suspicious,
Which
ridiculous
sentence
friends.
has the correct
machineYou (b) truly continue think that using children the Workbot should 3000. do
punctuation?
(b) computer, scrambling (c) is a hardworking child.
their own homework.
(c) sell the Workbot 3000 to her friends.
(a) My teacher doesn’t know I have
ich word pair could be synonyms
(c) identical, sincerely
(a) time (when)
12. You a Workbot can work 3000.
muddled in Paragraph 6?
out that the
7. The sentence that best summarises
Workbot 3000:
(b) place (where)
12. (b) My Teacher doesn’t know, I have
ordered, Paragraph clear
Which sentence is spelt correctly?
6 is:
(a) a workbot is a good 3000. machine to buy.
disordered, (c) manner (how)
(a) scrambled
(a) Some of my freinds have used the
It should not look like a 5-year-old has
Workbot (c) 3000 (b) My for teacher, needs there work some doesn’t to. fine know tuning i have to
dirty, muddiedcompleted your homework.
a workbot become 3000.
(b) If the teacher can’t read the
better.
(b) Debbie can barely read what the
anwsers than (c) they should can’t be mark used it. by every child
Workbot 3000 writes sometimes.
Something extra
who has homework.
Workbot 3000 will do
(c) There are good reasons why the
(c) The Workbot 3000 has muddled writing
your Design homework
and homework and draw your must own be neat homework and legible machine. Workbot 3000 What is will unsatisfactory.
it look like?
for
Write
for you!
an
the
argument
teacher to
against
mark.
children doing their own homework.
All about words
Workbot 3000
1. Which word belongs in this group of
7. Which pair of words is written in
words?
alphabetical order?
1. because Dear Mr Hornbeam homework incorrect
(a) left, legible
(a) minute
(b) assignment, answer
2. Obviously, you truly think that children should do their own homework, because I
(b) ordered rubbish the Workbot 3000 and it is a total piece of (c) rubbish! horrible, I demand homework that you return
(c) my important money. Your machine does such a terrible job on my homework, I might as well just
do it myself!
8. The prefix un means something
2. The word legible in Paragraph 6
that is the opposite of the word it
3. As you are well aware, homework needs to be completed
means something:
precedes; on e.g. time. unsatisfactory. I am a very busy Which
child. Hanging out with my friends, watching television of these and words playing can on you the add computer un to?
(a) are that all extremely can be read important easily. to me. With all of these activities, there’s barely any time for
(a) important
(b) homework. that tastes I thought delicious. the Workbot 3000 would help get my homework done on time.
What a joke! It always spits out the homework late. (b) I’m busy scrambling at the last minute
(c) to get horrible it done. and If messy. I had more time I could do the work (c) properly child myself.
3. 4. In Homework which word answers pair are must both be words correct! When I program the Workbot 3000 to finish my
9.
spelt correctly?
Which word does not share the same
maths homework, all of the answers come out incorrect. I end up having to recheck
sound with these words?
(a) every extremily, question mashine to make sure that it’s right, which is basically like doing the homework
anyway. Even my writing homework is full of ridiculous properly spelling and job grammatical completed
(b)
errors.
activities,
What is
grammar
the purpose of a machine that doesn’t (a) copied know the correct answers?
(c) That’s ridiculus, just as asignment bad not doing the work at all!
(b) program
4.
5. Which Homework word has should the not same be number copied. I of have let some of my friends use the Workbot 3000
(c) watching
syllables for their assignments identical in and Paragraph it just copies 5? the answers from my work! Homework answers
need to be different. We can’t submit our homework
10.
(a) television
Which to the words teacher are antonyms if it looks identical! for
It takes a lot of time to go back and
ridiculous in Paragraph 4?
(b) change possible things so it’s not so obvious. Homework In
(a) reasonable, believable
6. (c) Homework unsatisfactory needs to be neat and legible. The
(b) absurd, outrageous
If the teachers can’t read the answers, capital of
5. In
they
which
can’t
word
mark
is the
the
sh
work!
sound
The
made
Workbot
a
Italy (c) is? rotten, awful
different
3000 has
way
such
from
muddled
the others?
writing that
11.
(a) sometimes rubbish I can barely read what it
In which pair do both words have the
hard c sound as in completed?
(b)
writes.
should
It looks like a 5-year-old did my
homework! My teacher knows my writing (a) suspicious, ridiculous
(c) is much machine better, so it looks a bit suspicious.
(b) computer, scrambling
6. 7. Which So there word you pair have could it. Four be very synonyms good
for reasons muddled why in the Paragraph Workbot 3000 6? is
(c) identical, sincerely
12.
(a)
an
ordered,
unsatisfactory
clear
product and why
Which sentence is spelt correctly?
you should refund my money. Doing
(b) disordered, scrambled
(a) Some of my freinds have used the
homework not nearly as bad as
Workbot 3000 for there work to.
(c) fighting dirty, muddied with this horrible piece of junk.
mmm ...
I will expect a cheque in the mail from
(b) If the teacher can’t read the
Athens?
you as soon as possible!
anwsers than they can’t mark it.
8. Sincerely Workbot 3000 will do
(c) There are good reasons Homework why Out the
your homework
Workbot 3000 is unsatisfactory.
9. Debbie Dolater
for you!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (23) www.ricpublications.com.au
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (23) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 4
Dale-Chall: spache 4.1 6.5
Colour n
Grades 7-8
Comprehension
1. Most people have either been to a fireworks display or
seen one on television. They are organised for national and
international holidays and festivals, important sports events
such as the Olympic Games and also to celebrate events in
the local community. Such displays are amazing to watch but
have you ever wondered how fireworks actually work?
2. There are two parts to an aerial firework, which is the type
that explodes high in the sky. The first is the mortar tube
packed with gunpowder, which is the launcher that shoots it
up into the sky. The second, the shell, contains the stars that
produce the shower of coloured light which we see when it
explodes.
3. The mortar tube and the shell each has its own fuse, which is similar to
the wick of a candle. Lighting the mortar tube’s fuse starts the chain
reaction. When the mortar tube explodes, it lights the fuse of the shell.
4. When the tip of the first fuse is lit, the flame travels along the fuse to the the mortar tube.
The heat from the flames is enough to ignite the gunpowder in it and cause it to explode.
The heat from this explosion lights the shell’s fuse. The explosion also produces gases which
launch the shell into the night sky.
5. Because it takes time for the burning second fuse to reach it, the body of the shell can travel
high into the sky before the colourful explosion occurs.
6. The shell fuse is attached to a tube packed with gunpowder in the centre of the shell. This is
the bursting charge. When the flame from the burning fuse reaches it, the bursting charge
explodes. This explosion triggers the explosion of the stars.
7. Embedded in more gunpowder around the bursting charge are different types of ‘stars’. They
contain chemicals that give off coloured lights as they explode. When the firework shell is
assembled, the stars are arranged in patterns that will give a display of coloured lights.
8. The size of the shell determines how far
into the sky it can travel before exploding.
The bigger the shell, the higher it will go.
A bigger shell has a longer fuse which
takes longer to burn and reach the bursting
charge.
9. Pyrotechnicians are people who have
been trained to handle explosives safely.
Fireworks are not toys; they contain
explosives. So, for safety’s sake, let the
experts do the work while you just sit back
and enjoy the show.
Bursting charge
Black powder
Stars
A simple shell
1. In Paragraph 6, the word triggers means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
pulls a lever
sets off
moves slowly
2. The shell fuse is attached to the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
mortar tube fuse
stars
bursting charge
3. The main idea of Paragraph 2 is that a
firework:
(a)
(b)
(c)
has two main parts.
explodes in the sky.
contains explosives.
4. Before the shell is launched into the sky,
the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
bursting charge explodes.
shell’s fuse is lit by an explosion.
the stars explode.
5. The mortar tube is different from the shell
because it:
(a)
(b)
(c)
stays on the ground.
contains gunpowder.
has a fuse.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. If a mortar tube had a longer than normal
fuse, you could predict that you would
have to wait
time for the
shell to launch.
(a)
(b)
(c)
the same
a shorter
a longer
7. You can conclude from the text that a
firework works in:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a predictable way.
a random way.
an accidental way.
8. A summary of Paragraph 4 would not
include the sentence:
(a)
(b)
(c)
The gases which are produced launch
the shell.
The flame is a source of heat.
A spectacular effect is created.
9. The shell does not explode until it is in the
sky because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the fuse acts as a time delay.
the bursting charge is small.
stars belong in the sky.
10. A firework produces different coloured
lights because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the gunpowder contains different
chemicals.
the stars have different numbers of
points.
it has different stars that contain
different chemicals.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that firework
displays:
(a)
(b)
(c)
use explosives.
are spectacular.
are popular.
12. It is the author’s point of view that
experimenting with fireworks:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is suitable for young people.
should be left to the experts.
is a safe pastime.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (24) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Khaki 4
Dale-Chall: spache 4.1 6.5
Colour n
Grades 7-8
All about words
he suffix 1. 1. -al A In verb can Paragraph be group added contains 6, the to a word a verb triggers and its means: 7. From Paragraph 8. 4. A Which summary 7, in word which of Paragraph ending pair are in s, both 4 needs would an not
o make a auxiliary new (a) word; pulls
verbs;
a e.g. lever
e.g. region, am going, has been words spelt include correctly? apostrophe the sentence: to show possession?
egional. To launched. which word Which has group the suffix of words in this
(b) sets off
(a) assembed, (a) The arranged The shells gases size which determines are produced the height launch it
al been added? sentence is the verb group?
will the reach shell. before it explodes.
) national (c) moves slowly
(b) cemicals, coloured
People have been enjoying firework displays
(b)(a)
The shells flame is a source of heat.
) carnival for many years.
(c) patterns, different
2. The shell fuse is attached to the:
(c)(b)
A determines
spectacular effect is created.
) local (a) have been enjoying
8.
(a) mortar tube fuse
Which word has the same number of
(b) firework displays
syllables 9. as The explosives?
(c) explodes
shell does not explode until it is in the
hich word (b) follows starsa different rule
sky because:
hen adding (c) the for suffixes many years -ing and -ed? (a) arranged 5. The conjunction joining the two shorter
(c) bursting charge
(a) sentences the fuse is: acts as a time delay.
) pack,
2. The
packing,
adverb
packed
(b) assembled
of manner in this sentence is:
3. The main idea of Paragraph 2 is that a
(b) When the the bursting tip of charge the first is fuse small. is lit, the
) launch,
Pyrotechnicians
launching, launched
(c) mortar
firework: are trained to handle
flame travels towards the mortar tube.
(c) stars belong in the sky.
) travel, explosives travelling, safely. travelled
9.
(a) has two main parts.
Which word does (a) not When belong in this group?
(a) Pyrotechnicians
10. A firework produces different coloured
hich word (b) does explodes not have in the sky. or
mortar (b) shell of fuse
lights because:
ound as in (b) mortar? explosives
(c) contains explosives.
(a) gunpowder (c) towards
(a) the gunpowder contains different
) launch(c)
safely
(b) stars chemicals.
4. Before the shell is launched into the sky, 6. Prepositions can link nouns to other
) work
3. A the: noun group is a group of words (c) flame (b) nouns the stars and nouns have different to verbs; numbers e.g. The of
) before(determiner, adjectives, noun) that refer
heat points. from the explosion ... launched
(a) bursting charge explodes. 10.
to the noun; e.g. the burning second fuse.
Which word does
into
not
the night
contain
sky.
another
The two
word
prepositions
he word enough
(c) it has different stars that contain
The (b) noun shell’s in group Paragraph fuse is in lit this by 4 sentence could an explosion. is:
anywhere between
in this
its
sentence
first and
are:
last letters?
ot be replaced with:
e.g. trained different chemicals.
The (c) brightly the stars coloured explode. lights exploded from
The stars are arranged in patterns to give
) sufficient the shell, high into the sky.
(a) attached
11. It is a display a fact, not of different an opinion, coloured that lights. firework
5. The mortar tube is different from the shell
) almost
displays:
(a)
because
The brightly
it:
coloured lights
(b) launcher
(a) in, to
) plenty
(a) use explosives.
(b)
(a)
exploded
stays on the
from
ground.
the shell
(c) international
(b) in, of
(b) are spectacular.
hich group (c)
(b) of high words contains
into is the
gunpowder.
not sky in
11. Which word does (c) not to, of have the same root
lphabetical order?
as aerial? (c) are popular.
(c) has a fuse.
7. In this sentence, the phrase that begins
) experts, explosion, explosive
(a) aerosol
12. It is with the a author’s preposition point is: of view that
6. If a mortar tube had a longer than normal
) safe, safely, safety
(b) aeroplane experimenting with fireworks:
fuse, you could predict that you would
Firework displays are often organised for
) colourful,
(a) is suitable for young people.
have colour, to wait coloured time for the
(c) aeon holiday celebrations.
shell to launch.
(b)(a)
should Firework be left displays to the experts.
o wonder, Paragraph 1, means to:
12. A synonym for the word embedded in
(a) the same
Paragraph 7 (c) is: (b) is a are safe often pastime. organised
) be curious about something
(b) a shorter Find five interesting (a) implanted(c)
for holiday celebrations
) walk aimlessly
(c) a longer facts about the history of
(b) stuck
) be fantastic
fireworks.
8. Possessive determiners indicate
7. You can conclude from the text that a
(c) strappedthe owner; e.g. our fireworks. The
Research the story of Guy
firework works in:
possessive determiner in this sentence
Fawkes. Present an outline is:
(a) a predictable of way. the story, including all
A firework launches its shell when the
(b) a random way. characters and what became
gunpowder in the mortar tube explodes.
of them, on a chart.
(c) an accidental way.
(a) A (b) its (c) the
Something extra
1. The suffix -al can be added to a word 7. From Paragraph 7, in which pair are both
to make a new word; e.g. region,
words spelt correctly?
regional. To which word has the suffix
(a) assembed, arranged
-al been added?
1. Most people have either been to a fireworks display
(a) national
(b) or cemicals, coloured
seen one on television. They are organised for national and
(b) international carnival holidays and festivals, important sports
(c)
events
patterns, different
(c) such local as the Olympic Games and also to celebrate
8. Which
events
word
in
has the same number of
the local community. Such displays are amazing to
syllables
watch but
as explosives?
2. Which have you word ever follows wondered a different how fireworks rule actually work?
when adding the suffixes -ing and -ed? (a) arranged
2. There are two parts to an aerial firework, which is the type
(a) that pack, explodes packing, high packed in the sky. The first is the mortar
(b)
tube
assembled
(b) packed launch, with launching, gunpowder, launched which is the launcher that (c) shoots mortar it
up into the sky. The second, the shell, contains the stars that
(c)
produce
travel,
the
travelling,
shower of
travelled
coloured light which we 9. see Which when word it does not belong in this group?
explodes.
3. Which word does not have the or
mortar shell fuse
3. sound The mortar as in mortar? tube and the shell each has its own fuse, (a) which gunpowder is similar to
(a) the launch wick of a candle. Lighting the mortar tube’s fuse
(b)
starts
stars
the chain
reaction. When the mortar tube explodes, it lights the fuse of the shell.
(b) work
(c) flame
4. When the tip of the first fuse is lit, the flame travels along the fuse to the the mortar tube.
(c) before
The heat from the flames is enough to ignite 10. the gunpowder Which word in does it and not cause contain it to another explode. word
4. The The word heat enough from this in explosion Paragraph lights 4 could the shell’s fuse. anywhere The explosion between also its produces first and gases last which letters?
not launch be replaced the shell with: into the night sky.
e.g. trained
5. (a) Because sufficient it takes time for the burning second fuse (a) to reach attached it, the body of the shell can travel
(b)
high
almost
into the sky before the colourful explosion occurs. (b) launcher
6. (c) The plenty shell fuse is attached to a tube packed with gunpowder (c) international
the centre of the shell. This is
the bursting charge. When the flame from the burning fuse reaches it, the bursting charge
5. Which explodes. group This of explosion words is not triggers in the explosion 11. of Which the stars. word does not have the same root
alphabetical order?
as aerial?
7. Embedded in more gunpowder around the bursting charge are different types of ‘stars’. They
(a) experts, explosion, explosive
(a) aerosol
contain chemicals that give off coloured lights as they explode. When the firework shell is
(b) assembled, safe, safely, the safety stars are arranged in patterns that (b) will give aeroplane a display of coloured lights.
8. (c) The colourful, size of the colour, shell determines coloured how far (c) aeon
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
into the sky it can travel before exploding.
6. To The wonder, bigger Paragraph the shell, the 1, means higher it to: will go.
(a) A bigger be curious shell has about a longer something fuse which
takes longer to burn and reach the bursting
(b) walk aimlessly
charge.
(c) be fantastic
9. Pyrotechnicians are people who have
been trained to handle explosives safely.
Fireworks are not toys; they contain
explosives. So, for safety’s sake, let the
experts do the work while you just sit back
and enjoy the show.
12. A synonym A simple for shell the word embedded in
Paragraph 7 is:
(a) implanted
Bursting charge
(b) stuck
Black (c) strapped powder
Stars
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (24) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (24) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 5
Mystery of the missing
hover racers
1. Chief Inspector Dan rubbed his hairy chin thoughtfully as he inspected the crime scene.
‘This is the third hover racer robbery this month, Kit. Since people were banned from
owning hovercraft, thieves have a new target.’
2. ‘And because they’re illegal, some people want them even more!’ said Detective Kit,
nodding his head in agreement.
3. ‘The best hover racers are quieter, race on water and land, and can fly short distances’,
replied Chief Inspector Dan. ‘But there’s something about these three robberies that
bothers me.’
4. ‘What do you mean? What is that famous sixth sense telling you?’ asked Detective Kit.
5. ‘Look at the clues. None of the home owners heard anything and nothing else was taken.
Most hovercraft make some noise. So, before they were taken, the robbers had time to
attach a silent capacitor, which not many people have easy access to. The three people
who had them stolen belong to a very special group. They’re only allowed to keep their
hovercraft for display or for search and rescue operations. So selling them was probably
not the reason for the theft. These hover racers were stolen for a very special reason!’
stated Chief Inspector Dan.
6. ‘Someone is going to use them for a big heist—one where only a hover racer can be
used!’ finished Sergeant Kit. ‘But what sort of job needs three large, quiet hover racers?’
7. ‘I think we need a bit more information’, said the Chief Inspector.
8. ‘Have you got a contact in the racing community we can speak to?’ asked Sergeant Kit.
9. ‘No. But I do know someone who could be very helpful to our enquiries,’ declared Chief
Inspector Dan.
10. ‘Who’s that?’ queried Sergeant Kit.
11. ‘Ringwood Blaze’, replied Chief Inspector Dan. ‘He’s the only other person with a permit to
own a hover racer. And he’s the owner of Blaze Industries!’
12. ‘Didn’t they develop the silent capacitor for the air force?’ said Sergeant Kit in horror.
13. ‘Yes. But what is NOT common knowledge is that Blaze is obsessed with history—in
particular ancient lost treasures! Do you remember a small news item about a possible
sighting of a cargo plane in Antarctica? It was about six weeks ago. It’s believed to be the
Golden Dutchman, which disappeared carrying a load of priceless artefacts. Let’s go. We
have a suspect to question.’
1. Which word in Paragraph 5 means ‘a
way of getting to’?
(a) access
(b) display
(c) operations
2. A hovercraft is a:
(a) sport
(b) form of transport
(c) type of metal
3. Which paragraph spells out all the
clues?
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 5
4. How were the three victims of the
robberies similar?
(a) They all belonged to the group of
people with permission to own a
hovercraft.
(b) They were all rich.
(c) They all owned a company.
5. You can predict that Ringwood Blaze
will try to:
(a) invent a new silent capacitor.
(b) use the stolen hover racers to
get to and carry away the stolen
artefacts.
(c) race his hovercraft.
6. You can conclude that Detective
Inspector Dan has a skill for:
(a) hover racing.
(b) shooting his firearm.
(c) putting information together.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can infer that Detective Inspector
Dan has:
(a) used his contacts before.
(b) no patience explaining things to
others.
(c) not worked with Sergeant Kit before.
8. Which is the best summary of Detective
Dan’s reasons for suspecting Ringwood
Blaze was the culprit?
(a) He is a very greedy man.
(b) He owns a hover racer, has access to
silent capacitors and is obsessed with
lost ancient treasure.
(c) He has contacts who are robbers.
9. The pronoun they in Paragraph 12 refers
to:
(a) Ringwood Blaze
(b) Detective Inspector Dan and Sergeant
Kit
(c) Blaze Industries
10. It is a fact, not an opinion, that hovercraft:
(a) can be used for search and rescue
operations.
(b) are a great form of transport
(c) are easy to fly.
11. The main purpose of the text is to:
(a) persuade people to take a
hovercraft ride
(b) entertain
(c) give information about hovercraft
12. What caused hover racers to become
robbery targets?
(a) Individual ownership was banned.
(b) They were no longer made.
(c) They became too dangerous to use.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (25) Prim-Ed Publishing

Khaki 5
Khaki 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. 1. heist Quotation Which means: word marks in Paragraph enclose only 5 means the 7. ‘a Which 7. word 5. You Adverbials does can NOT infer belong that can Detective add in the information Inspector
a
a robbery
actual way of words getting spoken. to’? Which direct group below? Dan verb. has: Which phrase in this sentence is
speech uses quotation marks
(a) access
(a)
an
used
adverbial
his contacts
of time?
lift up with
before.
correctly? the hands
crime robbery thieves
(b) display
(b)
A
no
cargo
patience
plane
explaining
was sighted
things
in
very high
(a) illegal (b) racer (c) heist to
(a) ‘These three robberies bother me’,
Antarctica
others.
about six weeks ago.
(c) replied operations Chief Inspector Dan. 8.
prefix il- in illegal means not.
The words access
(c)
(a)
not
A and
worked
cargo excess planecan be
with Sergeant Kit before.
ich word 2. (b) does A hovercraft ‘The NOT job use needs’ is il- a: as three a large, quiet easily confused. Excess means more
(b) about six weeks ago
fix? hover racers, finished Sergeant Kit. than what
8. Which
is needed.
is the
Which
best summary
sentence
of Detective
(a) sport
uses excess
Dan’s
(c) and
reasons
in access Antarctica
for
correctly?
illogical(c) ‘Who’s that? queried’ Sergeant Kit.
suspecting Ringwood
(b) form of transport
(a) Ringwood Blaze was the culprit?
6. Which
Blaze
word
had
is
excess
the conjunction
to an
illustrate
in this
2. A (c) noun type group of metal has a noun usually with a access
(a)
number
sentence? He is a
of
very
silent
greedy
capacitors.
man.
illiteratedeterminer and some adjectives. Which
(b) Ringwood
3. is Which the noun paragraph group in spells this sentence? out all the
(b) Since He
Blaze
owns people
had
a hover
access
were racer, banned
to an
has from access to
excess number
clues?
owning silent capacitors
of
hovercraft,
silent capacitors.
ich word could be a synonym
and thieves is obsessed have a new with
He said he thought they would need a
rd with a similar meaning) for
(c) neither (a) target. lost nor ancient (b) treasure.
bit (a) more Paragraph information. 3
nt?
(c)(a) He from has contacts who are robbers.
(a) (b) he Paragraph thought 4
9. Which word has a s sound made in
talkative
a way that
(c) Paragraph 5
9. The
is (b) not
pronoun
thieves the same
they
as
in Paragraph
in any
(b) a bit more information
12 refers
noisy
other word?
to: (c) Since
(c) they would need
quiet4. How were the three victims of the racer
(a)
capacitor
Ringwood Blaze
scene
robberies similar?
7. Demonstrative determiners like this
3. Which words are an adjective group force
(b)
sense
and Detective those go Inspector before
inspected
ich word could be an antonym
Dan a noun and and Sergeant tell
describing (a) They all a noun? belonged to the group of
rd with an opposite meaning) for
(a) force which (b) Kit sense one it is. Which (c) scene group of words
What sort
people
of job
with
needs
permission
three large,
to own
quiet
a
cient?
hovercraft.
(c)
has
Blaze
a demonstrative
Industries
determiner?
hover racers?
10. Which word has fewer syllables than
young
(a)
(b)
sort
They
of
were
job
all rich.
capacitor?
(a) with a permit to own a large hover
10. It is a fact, racer not an opinion, that hovercraft:
decrepit
(b)
(c)
three
They
large,
all owned
quiet
a company. (a) famous
(a)(b) can that be famous used for sixth search sense and rescue
old
(b) information operations.
5. (c) You hover can predict racers that Ringwood Blaze
(c) a bit more information
ich word can will try NOT to: make another
c) operations (b) are a great form of transport
rd by 4. adding Which the verb suffix is NOT -ation; past e.g. tense?
8.
(a) invent a new silent capacitor.
(c)
Preposition
are easy to
phrases
fly.
are groups of
11.
rm–information?
Which word doesn’t
(a) are allowed to keep
words that make start its with plural a preposition.
by
(b) use the stolen hover racers to following
11. The
the Which rule;
main
‘change is purpose a preposition y
of
to
the
i and
text phrase?
community
is to:
(b) rubbed get to and carry away the stolen add es?’ e.g. robbery–robberies
(a) The persuade best hover people racers to are take quieter, a race
operate (c) were artefacts. stolen
(a) display on hovercraft water and ride land, and can fly.
communicate (c) race his hovercraft.
(b) history
(b)(a) entertain the best hover racers
rule when 6. You spelling can conclude words with that i Detective (c) enquiry
(c)(b) give on information water and about land hovercraft
d e together Inspector is: ‘i comes Dan before has a skill e for:
Something extra12. (c) and can fly
ept after c or when it sounds like
In which word
12. What
do
caused
the letters
hover
ci
racers
not
to become
(a) hover racing.
in words like weigh’. Which word
make the
robbery
same sound
targets?
as the ti in
pelt correctly? Select (b) three shooting examples his firearm. of direct speech from information?
the text and rewrite them as indirect speech.
(a) Individual ownership was banned.
beleive (c) putting information together. (a) ancient
(b) They were no longer made.
Write a list of interesting nouns from the text
deciet
(b) special
including both common nouns like chin and (c) They became too dangerous to use.
thief
(c) circle
proper nouns like Ringwood Blaze.
All about words
Mystery of the missing
1. The word heist means:
7. Which word does NOT belong in the
(a) a robbery
group below?
(b) lift up with the hands hover racers
crime robbery thieves
(c) very high
(a) illegal (b) racer (c) heist
1. Chief Inspector Dan rubbed his hairy chin thoughtfully as he inspected the crime scene.
8.
2. The prefix il- in illegal means not.
The words access and excess can be
‘This is the third hover racer robbery this month, Kit. Since people were banned from
Which word does NOT use il- as a
easily confused. Excess means more
owning hovercraft, thieves have a new target.’
prefix?
than what is needed. Which sentence
2. ‘And because they’re illegal, some people want them uses even excess more!’ and said access Detective correctly? Kit,
nodding (a) illogical his head in agreement.
(a) Ringwood Blaze had excess to an
(b) illustrate
3. ‘The best hover racers are quieter, race on water and land, access and number can fly of short silent distances’, capacitors.
replied (c) illiterate Chief Inspector Dan. ‘But there’s something (b) about Ringwood these three Blaze robberies had access that to an
bothers me.’
excess number of silent capacitors.
3. Which word could be a synonym
4. ‘What (word do with you a mean? similar What meaning) is that for famous sixth sense (c) telling neither you?’ (a) asked nor (b) Detective Kit.
5.
silent?
‘Look at the clues. None of the home owners heard 9. Which anything word and has nothing a s sound else made was taken. in
Most (a) hovercraft talkative make some noise. So, before they were a way taken, that the is not robbers the same had as time in any to
attach (b) noisy a silent capacitor, which not many people have other easy word? access to. The three people
who had them stolen belong to a very special group. They’re only allowed to keep their
(c) quiet
racer capacitor scene
hovercraft for display or for search and rescue operations. So selling them was probably
not the reason for the theft. These hover racers were force stolen for a sense very special reason!’ inspected
4. Which word could be an antonym
stated Chief Inspector Dan.
(word with an opposite meaning) for
(a) force (b) sense (c) scene
6. ‘Someone ancient? is going to use them for a big heist—one where only a hover racer can be
10. Which word has fewer syllables than
used!’ (a) young finished Sergeant Kit. ‘But what sort of job needs three large, quiet hover racers?’
capacitor?
7.
8.
‘I think (b) decrepit we need a bit more information’, said the Chief (a) famous Inspector.
‘Have (c) you old got a contact in the racing community we (b) can information speak to?’ asked Sergeant Kit.
9. 5. ‘No. Which But I word do know can someone NOT make who another could be very helpful c) operations
to our enquiries,’ declared Chief
Inspector word by Dan. adding the suffix -ation; e.g.
11.
inform–information?
Which word doesn’t make its plural by
10. ‘Who’s that?’ queried Sergeant Kit.
following the rule; ‘change y to i and
(a) community
add es?’ e.g. robbery–robberies
11. ‘Ringwood Blaze’, replied Chief Inspector Dan. ‘He’s the only other person with a permit to
own (b) a operate hover racer. And he’s the owner of Blaze Industries!’ (a) display
(c) communicate
12. ‘Didn’t they develop the silent capacitor for the air (b) force?’ history said Sergeant Kit in horror.
6. The rule when spelling words with i
(c) enquiry
13. ‘Yes. But what is NOT common knowledge is that Blaze is obsessed with history—in
particular and e together ancient is: lost ‘i comes treasures! before Do e you remember
12.
except after c or when it sounds like
In a which small word news do item the about letters a ci possible not
sighting of a cargo plane in Antarctica? It was about
ay in words like weigh’. Which word
make six weeks the same ago. sound It’s believed as the ti to in be the
Golden Dutchman, which disappeared carrying a
is spelt correctly?
information?
load of priceless artefacts. Let’s go. We
have a suspect to question.’
(a) beleive
(a) ancient
(b) deciet
(b) special
(c) thief
(c) circle
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (25) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (25) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 1
Comprehension
1. Clever Claire so tall and fair
Clearly had looks beyond compare.
All the boys claimed she’d win first prize
In any beauty contest they could devise.
2. Clever Claire so brave and true
Said the clods really didn’t have a clue.
Girls can do anything they desire.
Deeds, not looks, are the things to admire.
3. Clever Claire so tough and strong
Climbed a cliff though the journey was long,
Found a cave where a bear sat staring,
Touched his claw to the cloak she was wearing.
4. Clever Claire so clean and tidy
Cleared out the rivers polluted and slimy.
Gathered the animals into safe habitats
And clipped all the weeds and trimmed them down flat.
5. Clever Claire so curious and clever
Liked to explore in all kinds of weather.
When close black clouds began to clap thunder
She boldly clasped them and tore them asunder.
6. Clever Claire so fearless and bold
Clambered up the clock tower clothed in mould.
She clung to the bricks and clutched with her hands
Until she reached the highest grandstand.
7. Clever Claire so happy and bright
Clapped for the circus clown that night.
She did some cartwheels to prove that she could.
And the ringmaster nodded and said she was good.
8. Clever Claire so thoughtful and kind
Shaped a clay clam with a friend in mind.
A sweet little gift that would brighten her day.
A thoughtful act never does go astray.
12
11 1
10 2
9
3
8 4
7
6
5
1. The word habitats in Verse 4 means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
natural environments for different
kinds of life
patterns of behaviour
small parts
2. Clever Claire considered boys to be:
(a)
(b)
(c)
brave and bold
clods
tough and strong
3. Which sentence gives the main idea of
Verse 1?
Clever Claire was a:
(a)
(b)
(c)
determined person.
happy person.
a pretty girl.
4. After Clever Claire gathered up the
thunder clouds, she:
(a)
(b)
(c)
threw them apart.
heard thunder.
went out exploring in bad weather.
5. Clever Claire was different from the
boys because she thought:
(a)
(b)
(c)
how you look is important.
what you do is more important than
how you look.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
she would win any beauty contest.
6. You can predict that Clever Claire would
be most likely to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
take part in a beauty contest.
want lots of beautiful clothes.
worry about the environment.
7. You can conclude that Clever Claire is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
an individual with many different
talents.
a boring person.
unpopular with everyone.
8. A summary of Clever Claire’s good
points would state that she is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
tall, fair, untidy, fit, cheerful and
careless.
attractive, brave, tough, strong, tidy,
happy, curious, clever and thoughtful.
fearless, caring of people and
animals, and sad.
9. Clever Claire did cartwheels because
she:
(a)
(b)
(c)
wanted to find out if she could.
wanted the clowns to clap.
was feeling happy.
10. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
boys are clods.
some rivers are polluted.
bears have claws.
11. The pronoun they in Verse 2 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
girls
boys
bears
12. The purpose of this text is to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
entertain
persuade
give information
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (26) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Magenta 1
All about words
word 1. 1. asunder Commas The word in Verse can habitats separate 5 means: in Verse groups 4 means: of words 8. in Close is 5. a 7. homograph. What You can is one conclude It future is always that tense spelt Clever form of Claire the is:
into pieces;
sentences (a) apart natural such environments as in Deeds, for not different looks, are the same way past (a) but tense an it can individual verb be pronounced
clung? with many different
the things kinds to of admire. life Which sentence uses differently;
underneath
(a)
e.g. Close
had talents. been
the door
clinging
–
commas correctly?
sounds like those. It’s close to me –
(b) patterns of behaviour
all in a heap
sounds like (b) dose.
(b) will a boring cling person.
(a) Clever Claire, clean and tidy, cleared up
(c)
ich word is a synonym
the
small
river.
parts
(c) (c) is unpopular clinging with everyone.
(word with a
Which sound does the word close make
ilar meaning) 2. (b) Clever for Clever brave? Claire Claire, considered touched boys the bear, to be: in this sentence?
6. 8. Which A summary words of are Clever the conjunctions Claire’s good in
cowardly (a)
although
brave and
she
bold
was scared.
When close black these points clouds lines? would began state to that clap she is:
courageous (c)
thunder.
(b)
Even
clods
though, she was fearful Clever
She (a) clung tall, fair, to the untidy, bricks fit, and cheerful clutched and with
Claire, climbed the tower.
sensible
(a) a s sound her hands careless.
(c) tough and strong
2. A noun phrase starts with a noun followed (b) a z sound Until (b) she attractive, reached brave, the highest tough, grandstand. strong, tidy,
ich word 3. in Verse 3 is an antonym for
by Which words sentence that tell gives more the about main that idea noun; of
happy, curious, clever and thoughtful.
(c) a sh sound
t?
(a) and, with
e.g. Verse Clever 1? Claire so tall and fair. Which is
(c) fearless, caring of people and
strong
9. Words ending (b) in until, sh, ch, her
the Clever noun Claire phrase was in a: this sentence?
animals, and x and sad. z, add
tough
es to make (c) plurals. and, Which Until group of
Clever (a) determined Claire clambered person. up the clock tower
words all 9. need Clever to add Claire es to did make cartwheels the because
long clothed in mould.
(b) happy person.
plural? 7. Which she: phrase is a preposition phrase
(a) Clever Claire clambered
because it starts with a preposition?
words shaped (c) a pretty clay clam girl. in Verse 8
(a) box, brick, (a) clown wanted to find out if she could.
an she: (b) the clock tower clothed in mould
Clever
(b) circus, lunch, (b) wanted
Claire so
dish the
curious
clowns
and
to clap.
clever
4. After Clever Claire gathered up the
looked like (c) a clamshell. up the clock tower
(c) box, prize,
Liked
river
to explore in all kinds of weather.
thunder clouds, she:
(c) was feeling happy.
make a clamshell from clay.
(a) so curious and clever
3. Which (a) threw words them in the apart. sentence in Question
10. Which 2 two 10. words It is an have opinion, the same not a fact, that:
collected above clay from act as a clamshell. an adverbial of place, adding number of syllables? (b) liked to explore
(b) heard thunder.
meaning to a verb?
(a) boys are clods.
ich word does not belong the category (a) clambered, (c) clustered in all kinds of weather
(c) went out exploring in bad weather.
ow?
(a) up
(b) some rivers are polluted.
(b) clutched, 8. Which cartwheels group of words is not an adjective
5.
us (b) Clever
clown clambered Claire was
ringmaster
different from the
(c) bears have claws.
(c) asunder, group cliff describing a noun?
boys because she thought:
crowd (c) up the clock tower
11. (a) The polluted pronoun and they slimy in Verse (Verse 24)
refers to:
(a) how you look is important. 11. The words devise (verb) and device
habitat 4. Which group of words does not contain (noun) are often (b) (a) with confused. girlsa friend Which (Verse 8)
(b) what you do is more important than
ring adjectives with the noun?
sentence uses (c) the so word fearless device
how you look.
(b) boys and bold (Verse 6)
(a) clung to the bricks
correctly?
ich word does (c) not she belong would win a any group beauty of contest.
(c) bears
(a) Clever Claire decided to device a
se with a (b) short was e sound brave like and clever? true
6. You can predict that Clever Claire would beauty 12. contest The purpose for boys. of this text is to:
friend (c) When close black clouds
be most likely to:
(b) Clever Claire (a) entertain used a device to climb
weather
(a) take part in a beauty contest.
the cliff.
(b) persuade
reached Something
(b) want lots of
extra
beautiful clothes.
(c) What interesting
(c) give
plan
information
will Clever
Claire device next?
ich word Compile does (c) not worry a list have about of a all corresponding
the words environment.
the text
rd to make beginning it a homophone with ‘cl’ then (words add that some of your 12. own. Which words do not both have an ear
nd the same but are spelt differently and sound like bear and hair?
e a different
Draw
meaning)?
a collage of images for the text
including one for each verse.
(a) fair, staring
found
(b) wear, cleared
bear
(c) compare, Claire
fair
1. The word asunder in Verse 5 means:
8. Close is a homograph. It is always spelt
(a) into pieces; apart
the same way but it can be pronounced
1. Clever Claire so tall and fair
differently; e.g. Close the door –
(b) underneath
Clearly had looks beyond compare.
sounds like those. It’s close to me –
(c)
All the
all in
boys
a heap
claimed she’d win first prize
sounds like dose.
2. Which In any word beauty is a contest synonym they (word could with devise. a
Which sound does the word close make
similar meaning) for brave?
in this sentence?
2. Clever Claire so brave and true
(a) cowardly
When close black clouds began to clap
Said the clods really didn’t have a clue.
(b) courageous
thunder.
Girls can do anything they desire.
(c)
Deeds,
sensible
(a) a s sound
not looks, are the things to admire.
(b) a z sound
3. Which word in Verse 3 is an antonym for
3. Clever Claire so tough and strong
(c) a sh sound
soft?
Climbed a cliff though the journey was long,
(a) strong
9. Words ending in sh, ch, s, x and z, add
Found a cave where a bear sat staring,
(b) tough
es to make plurals. Which group of
Touched his claw to the cloak she was wearing. words all need to add es to make the
(c) long
plural?
4. Clever Claire so clean and tidy
4. The words shaped a clay clam in Verse 8
(a) box, brick, clown
Cleared out the rivers polluted and slimy.
mean she:
(b) circus, lunch, dish
Gathered the animals into safe habitats
(a) looked like a clamshell.
And clipped all the weeds and trimmed them down flat.
(c) box, prize, river
(b) make a clamshell from clay.
10. Which two words have the same
5. (c) Clever collected Claire so clay curious from a and clamshell. clever
number of syllables?
Liked to explore in all kinds of weather.
5. Which word does not belong in the category (a) clambered, clustered
When close black clouds began to clap thunder
below?
(b) clutched, cartwheels
She boldly clasped them and tore them asunder.
circus clown ringmaster
(c) asunder, cliff
6. (a) Clever crowd Claire so fearless and bold
11. The words devise (verb) and device
(b) Clambered habitat up the clock tower clothed in mould.
(noun) are often confused. Which
(c) She ring clung to the bricks and clutched with her hands sentence uses the word device
Until she reached the highest grandstand.
correctly?
6. Which word does not belong in a group of
(a) Clever Claire decided to device a
7. those Clever with Claire a short so happy e sound and like bright clever?
beauty contest for boys.
(a) Clapped friend for the circus clown that night.
(b) Clever Claire used a device to climb
(b) She weather did some cartwheels to prove that she could. the cliff.
(c) And reached the ringmaster nodded and said she was good.
(c)
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. 8. Which Clever word Claire does so thoughtful not have a and corresponding
kind
word Shaped to make a clay it clam a homophone with a friend (words in mind. that
sound
A sweet
the
little
same
gift
but
that
are
would
spelt
brighten
differently
her
and
day.
have a different meaning)?
A thoughtful act never does go astray.
(a) found
(b) bear
(c) fair
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (26) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (26) Prim-Ed Publishing
12
11 1
10 2
9
3
8 4
7
6
5
What interesting plan will Clever
Claire device next?
12. Which words do not both have an ear
sound like bear and hair?
(a) fair, staring
(b) wear, cleared
(c) compare, Claire

Magenta 2
T he Dakar Rally
1. Blinding speeds, rugged and terrifying landscapes and some of the harshest living
conditions on the planet ... sound interesting? All of these factors are part of one of the
most difficult land races, the Dakar Rally.
2. This popular off-road endurance race was started in 1978 after Thierry Sabine became
lost in the Libyan desert on his motorcycle and realised that it was a prime spot for an
annual vehicle rally.
3. Traditionally, the race ran from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal, but in 2008 it changed
locations and has been held in South America since 2009. For 2013 the organisers
decided that race would start in Lima, Peru and finish all the way down in Santiago,
Chile.
4. Typically, although it changes each year, the race is over 5000 – 6000 miles or 8000 –
9500 kilometres! It takes about two weeks to complete. Competitors drive or ride about
12 – 14 hours a day and usually only have time for one quick meal. Around 300 – 400
competitors enter the race each year but only two out of every five people finish. The
race is divided into stages and every driver or rider must complete each stage and
follow the route on a map. Everyone should end up at the finish line if they follow the
map, but many get lost.
5. Three different classes of vehicles may be used in the race. The moto class is for
motorcycles and four-wheeled quad bikes. The car class is mostly dominated by
sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Because the race is so demanding and in such a harsh
environment many car manufacturers use it as a testing ground for their products to see
how durable they are. Most of the winning cars are made by Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and
BMW. The last group is the truck class and many of these are support trucks which carry
supplies for the competitors.
6. The Dakar Rally is notorious for being a dangerous competition. Many people have
died over the course of the race’s history, including competitors, local villagers and even
spectators. Six people were killed in the 1988 race and five people in 2005. Overall to
date roughly 60 people, including 25 competitors, have died in the Dakar Rally. While
race organisers have tried to improve safety, there is still a great deal of risk due to the
speed and terrain.
7. As thrilling as the Dakar Rally is, it does have its critics. Biologists are concerned about
the impact on the local environments and animal habitats, as well as carbon monoxide
emissions from so many vehicles. Race organisers say that they try to minimise the
amount of damage and contribute to other environmental initiatives.
1. In which year was the Dakar Rally
moved to South America?
(a) 1978
(b) 2009
(c) 2008
2. It is likely that a car manufacturer
who wins the Dakar Rally would:
(a) sell more cars.
(b) think that the race was too easy.
(c) sell fewer cars.
3. You can conclude that competitors:
(a) would consider the race to be
easy as long as they have a
map.
(b) have probably never driven in a
race before.
(c) must train and prepare for many
months before the race.
4. The Dakar Rally was started
because:
(a) Libyans thought it was a prime
spot for a race.
(b) people thought there should be
a race that started in Paris.
(c) the race founder became lost in
the Libyan desert.
5. It is a fact, not an opinion, that the
Dakar Rally:
(a) is held annually.
(b) is notorious.
(c) is held in harsh environments.
6. The three classes of vehicles are
similar because they:
(a) all have four wheels.
(b) can all fit more than one person.
(c) must complete all stages of the
race.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. The best summary of Paragraph 2 is:
(a) The endurance race started in 1978
and is still being held every year in
South America.
(b) Thierry Sabine chose the Libyan desert
for this endurance race after being
lost there on his motorcycle in 1978.
(c) Thierry Sabine was a motorcycle rider
who became lost on a ride through
the Libyan desert in 1978.
8. You can predict that the Dakar Rally will
likely:
(a) be cancelled in the future due to
environmental concerns.
(b) not have any more accidental deaths.
(c) continue to be a popular event for
many years.
9. The paragraph that is mainly about the
danger and risk involved in the Dakar
Rally is:
(a) Paragraph 6
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 3
10. In Paragraph 5, they refers to:
(a) car manufacturers.
(b) their cars.
(c) competitors.
11. The writer would agree that the Dakar
Rally:
(a) is a difficult land race.
(b) is easier for trucks to complete.
(c) is a thrilling but safe event.
12. People likely get lost during the Dakar
Rally because they:
(a) can’t read a map.
(b) are not following roads.
(c) aren’t paying attention.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (27) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 2
Magenta 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich pair 1. 1. of Which In words which sentence is year in alphabetical
was is punctuated
the Dakar Rally 7. Which 7. word 5. The The pair best preposition could summary be antonyms showing of Paragraph the 2 is:
er? correctly? moved to South America?
for durable
(a)
relationship in
The
Paragraph
endurance
between 5?
race
the
started
race
in
and
1978
start, stage
(a) This 1978 offroad endurance race can (a) be fragile,
South
weak and
America
is still being
is:
held every year in
competitor, (b) complete
completed
2009
by fourwheeled quad
(b) sturdy,
Competitors
strong
South America. complete a thrilling
bikes.
endurance race around parts of South
finish, filled (c) 2008
(c) dirty,
(b)
unclean
Thierry Sabine chose the Libyan desert
(b) This off-road endurance race can
America.
for this endurance race after being
word 2. endurance It is be likely completed in that Paragraph a car by manufacturer
four-wheeled
2
8. Which word (a) has lost parts a there sh sound (b) on his around like: motorcycle (c) in complete 1978.
sed to mean who quad something:
wins bikes. the Dakar Rally would:
tradition (c)
6. Which
Thierry harsh word
Sabine
is emission a conjunction
was a motorcycle
joining
rider
difficult and (c) (a) lengthy. This sell off-road more cars. endurance-race can
(a) supplies two
who
sentences
became
to
lost
make
on a
this
ride
sentence?
through
be completed by four wheeledquad
bikes.
(b) location Since the race is two weeks long,
the Libyan desert in 1978.
short and (b) easy. think that the race was too easy.
boring and (c) slow. sell fewer cars.
8. You competitors can predict ensure that they Dakar have Rally a support will
(c) classes
2. Verb tense can tell about what has
likely: truck.
ich compound 3. happened You can word conclude (past), does not what that is competitors:
happening
9. Which word (a) (a) belongs since cancelled with (b) this in ensure the group future (c) due have to
an the same (present)
(a)
as
would
the or two
consider
what words will
the
that happen
race to
(future).
be of words? environmental concerns.
ke it? In which
easy
tense
as long
are
as
the
they
verbs
have
in
a
this
7. A noun phrase is a group of words
dangerous speed endurance
everyone
sentence?
(b)
which
not have
begin
any
with
more
a noun
accidental
or its
deaths.
map.
(a) planet
overall
As thrilling as the race is, it does have its (c) determiner; continue to e.g. be cars a popular in the event race. In for this
(b) have probably never driven in a
critics.
(b) animal
sentence, many years. which is the noun phrase?
amount
race before.
(a) future (b) past (c) present (c) race
Many people have died over the course
(c) must train and prepare for many 9. The paragraph that is mainly about the
ich two words have the same
of the race’s history.
months before the race.
danger and risk involved in the Dakar
3.
ber of syllables
A verb with
as complete?
all its auxiliary verbs 10. is a In which Rally word (a) is: does over the course letter y
verb group; e.g. The race has been held
4. represent a long i sound as it does in
competitor,
The
in South became
Dakar Rally was started
America. The verb group in this terrifying?
(a) (b) Paragraph have died6
because:
terrain, damage sentence is:
(a) motorcycle
(b) (c) Paragraph course of 4the race’s history
(a) Libyans thought it was a prime
winning, While different spot
organisers
for a race.
have tried to improve
(b) Libyan
(c)
8. An
Paragraph
adjective
3
phrase begins with
safety, it is still a dangerous race.
word impact (b) people in Paragraph thought 7 there should be (c) utility
an adjective; e.g. harshest living
10. In Paragraph 5, they refers to:
(a) while organisers
ld be replaced a race with: that started in Paris.
conditions. In this sentence, which is
(b) have tried to improve
11. Say each
(a)
word the car adjective pair.
manufacturers.
Which phrase? pair has
reward (c) the race founder became lost in
an oo sound as in include?
(c) a the dangerous Libyan desert.
(b)
race
Different their cars. classes of vehicles may be
surprise
(a) rugged, (c) used improve competitors. in the race.
effect 4. 5. Modal It is a fact, verbs not can express opinion, a that degree the of
(b) annual, (a) twodifferent classes
probability Dakar Rally: to the verb they are helping; 11. The writer would agree that the Dakar
words course e.g. Thierry and coarse Sabine are thought a race (c) route, due (b) may be used
(a) is held annually.
Rally:
n confused. could In be which held sentence in the desert. Which is
(c) in the race
these words the (b) modal used is notorious. correctly? verb in this sentence?
12. Which sentence
(a) is a
is
difficult
spelt correctly?
land race.
The course Everyone (c) gravel is held should made in harsh end driving environments.
up at the finish line (a) This offroad
(b) is easier
endurince
for trucks
test was
to complete.
difficult. if they follow the map.
traditionaly (c) is a started thrilling in but Paris, safe France. event.
Something extra
6. The three classes of vehicles are
The course (a) was should challenging.
(b) Car manufacturers use the race to
similar because they:
12. People likely get lost during the Dakar
test their vehicle’s durability.
Every competitor (b) (a) everyone all have must four complete wheels.
Rally because they:
Draw a picture of a vehicle that you
the coarse.
(c) Biologusts are conserned
(c) (b) follow can all fit more than one person.
(a) think can’t could read a win map. the Dakar Rally.
about the impact on the local
(c) must complete all stages of the enviroment. (b) Make are not a list following of five roads. adjectives used to
race.
(c) describe aren’t paying the race. attention.
T he Dakar Rally
1. Which pair of words is in alphabetical
order?
(a) start, stage
(b) competitor, complete
(c) finish, filled
All about words
7. Which word pair could be antonyms
for durable in Paragraph 5?
(a) fragile, weak
(b) sturdy, strong
(c) dirty, unclean
2. The word endurance in Paragraph 2
8. Which word has a sh sound like:
is used to mean something:
tradition harsh emission
(a) difficult and lengthy.
(a) supplies
1. Blinding (b) short speeds, and easy. rugged and terrifying landscapes and some of the harshest living
(b) location
conditions on the planet ... sound interesting? All of these factors are part of one of the
(c) boring and slow.
most difficult land races, the Dakar Rally.
(c) classes
2. 3.
This Which popular compound off-road word endurance does not race was started 9. in Which 1978 word after Thierry belongs Sabine with this became group
lost mean in the the Libyan same desert as the on two his words motorcycle that and realised of words? that it was a prime spot for an
annual make vehicle it? rally.
dangerous speed endurance
(a) everyone
3. Traditionally, the race ran from Paris, France to Dakar, (a) Senegal, planet but in 2008 it changed
locations (b) overall and has been held in South America since 2009. For 2013 the organisers
decided that race would start in Lima, Peru and finish (b) all animal
(c) amount
the way down in Santiago,
Chile.
(c) race
4. Which two words have the same
4. Typically, although it changes each year, the race is over 5000 – 6000 miles or 8000 –
number of syllables as complete?
10. In which word does the letter y
9500 kilometres! It takes about two weeks to complete. represent Competitors a long drive i sound or ride as it about does in
12 (a) – 14 competitor, hours a day became and usually only have time for one terrifying? quick meal. Around 300 – 400
competitors (b) terrain, enter damage the race each year but only two out of every five people finish. The
race is divided into stages and every driver or rider (a) must motorcycle complete each stage and
follow (c) winning, the route different on a map. Everyone should end up (b) at the Libyan finish line if they follow the
5.
map, but many get lost.
The word impact in Paragraph 7
(c) utility
5. Three could different be replaced classes with: of vehicles may be used in the race. The moto class is for
11.
motorcycles and four-wheeled quad bikes. The car Say class each is mostly word dominated pair. Which by pair has
(a) reward
sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Because the race is so demanding oo sound and as in in include? such a harsh
environment (b) surprisemany car manufacturers use it as a testing (a) rugged, ground improve for their products to see
how (c) durable effect they are. Most of the winning cars are made by Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and
(b) annual, two
BMW. The last group is the truck class and many of these are support trucks which carry
6. supplies The words for the course competitors. and coarse are
(c) route, due
often confused. In which sentence
6. The are Dakar these Rally words is notorious used correctly? for being a dangerous 12. Which competition. sentence Many is spelt people correctly? have
died over the course of the race’s history, including competitors, local villagers and even
spectators.
(a) The course
Six people
gravel
were
made
killed
driving
(a) This offroad endurince test was
in the 1988 race and five people in 2005. Overall to
date roughly
difficult.
traditionaly started in Paris, France.
60 people, including 25 competitors, have died in the Dakar Rally. While
race (b) organisers The course have was tried challenging. to improve safety, there is (b) still Car a great manufacturers deal of risk use due the to race the to
speed and terrain.
test their vehicle’s durability.
(c) Every competitor must complete
7. As thrilling the coarse. as the Dakar Rally is, it does have its critics.
(c)
Biologists
Biologusts
are
are
concerned
conserned
about
the impact on the local environments and animal habitats,
about
as
the
well
impact
as carbon
on the
monoxide
local
emissions from so many vehicles. Race organisers say that
enviroment.
they try to minimise the
amount of damage and contribute to other environmental initiatives.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (27) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (27) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 3
Comprehension
Vote for me for
1. Vote for me for king of the world! You will not be displeased!
I’m eminently qualified, as you will discover, to fill this position with ease.
All my credentials are valid. Doing this job would be a breeze!
So please continue reading and do not fret. All your worries will be appeased!
2. I am exceedingly handsome. You know a good appearance is a must!
Who wants a leader whose facial features look like a demented pie crust?
A leader must be personable and certainly not evoke disgust!
This handsome face is, undoubtedly, one that you can implicitly trust!
3. The king of the world must be able to communicate extremely well.
Good interaction is imperative. Luckily, it’s a skill at which I excel!
I converse well with friends, relatives and pets. I don’t need to whisper or yell!
I can speak to almost anyone! And, in addition, I can even spell!
4. I’m an amicable soul! Just ask any of my neighbours that you know!
This is a trait a leader must have. It’s not something you can forgo!
Just to prove my point, I’ll name millions of people to whom I’ve said ‘Hello!’
I’m friendly with people of every age and race. Just ask my Nan if that’s not so!
5. I’m knowledgeable about many different things. I know what’s happening!
I review television shows like National Geographic and Let’s go travelling!
I pay attention to the latest current events and read novels that are challenging.
And if that’s not sufficient—I listen to gossip! I find it highly enlightening!
6. So what do you think? Have I convinced you that I’ve passed the test?
As king of the world, you know I’m the candidate who is the best.
With all my good points and talents, there’s no doubt that I’ve been blessed.
So vote for me! Elect me king of the world! You know I’ll surpass all the rest!
1. Which word in Verse 1 means to have
eased or brought peace?
(a)
(b)
(c)
appeased
credentials
displeased
2. Which verse is mainly about the candidate’s
appearance?
(a) Verse 3
(b) Verse 2
(c) Verse 1
3. Who does the candidate give as examples
of those he communicates well with?
(a)
(b)
(c)
his Nan
National Geographic, Let’s go travelling!
friends, relatives and pets
4. Which of his qualities does the candidate
talk about last?
(a)
(b)
(c)
communication skills
knowledge
friendliness
5. Gossip is different from information gained
from shows like National Geographic
because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
it is a faster way to communicate.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
it only travels via digital means.
it is untrustworthy.
6. Which one best summarises all the
candidate’s qualities?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The candidate has a pleasing
appearance, is a good speaker, is
friendly and knowledgeable.
The candidate is a good speaker but
lacks enthusiasm.
The candidate is lacking in confidence
but his heart is in the right place.
7. You could conclude that the candidate is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
uncertain whether he is suitable for
the position.
very knowledgeable about what a
person in a position of power actually
does.
a very confident individual.
8. Which statement best summarises
Verse 3?
The candidate:
(a)
(b)
(c)
does not liking talking to people.
is a good communicator.
is friendly to everyone.
9. The pronoun you in Verse 6 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the candidate.
the king of the world.
the voter.
10. It is unlikely that this person will ever be:
(a)
(b)
(c)
elected king of the world.
liked by his Nan.
very handsome.
11. You can infer that the candidate thinks:
(a)
(b)
(c)
appearance does not matter.
appearance is important.
he looks like a demented pie crust.
12. The purpose of this text is to:
(a)
(b)
give information.
persuade the reader to vote for this
candidate.
(c) entertain.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (28) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 3
Magenta 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. 1. credentials Apostrophes Which word in Verse in are Verse placed 1 means: 1 means after the to have owner 7. The word 5. 7. race Which You is a could homograph. group conclude of words It that can does the not candidate contain is:
the right
or
or
eased owners
authority
or brought to
to
show
do
peace? possession; e.g. the mean different an
(a)
things. adjective
uncertain
In Verse or
whether
adjective 4 it
he
group?
is suitable for
something.
boys’
(a) appeased
bags, a girl’s shoe, the men’s work. means:
(a) I’m the knowledgeable position. about many
Which one is not correct?
cards to purchase (b) credentials goods without
(a) a group of
(b)
people different
very knowledgeable
of common things.
about what a
using cash.
(a) a candidate’s speech
descent
(c) displeased
(b) Have person I convinced a position you of that power I’ve actually
a personal
(b)
tax.
a pies’ crust
(b) a contest of speed passed does. the test?
2. (c) Which the verse world’s is mainly king about the candidate’s (c) a narrow (c) passageway I a pay very attention confident for animals to individual. the to latest current
ich word has appearance? the same number of
go along events and read novels that are
ables 2. as enlightening?
To find the subject of a verb you can ask
8.
(a) Verse 3
Which challenging. statement best summarises
8.
candidate
who or what in front of the verb; e.g. That The words eminently Verse 3? and imminently
teacher (b) Verse is driving 2 to school. (Ask: Who is could be 6. easily The confused. The word
demented
The
comparative
candidate:
and superlative of
driving (c) Verse to school? 1 So that teacher is the eminently in Verse adjectives 1 means: depend on the number of
implicitlysubject.).
(a) likely to occur
syllables. (a) does
soon
Which not liking are talking the correct to people. ones for
3. Who does the candidate give as examples
Which sentence uses the phrase all your
handsome?
(b) is a good communicator.
ich two words of those are synonyms he communicates (words well with? (b) highly
worries as the subject of its underlined
(a)
h a similar meaning)?
(c) handsomer, is friendly to handsomest
everyone.
verb (a) group? his Nan
(c) saintly
(b) more handsome, most handsome
facial, handsome
9.
(a) (b) I National will make Geographic, all your worries Let’s disappear. go travelling!
The pronoun you in Verse 6 refers to:
9. Which verse contains (c) handsomier, five contractions handsomiest
excel, knowledgeable
(b) (c) All friends, your relatives worries will and be pets appeased. like it’s? (a) the candidate.
amicable, friendly
7.
(c) Voting for me will end all your worries. (a) Verse 6
Preposition (b) the king phrases of the world. begin with a
4. Which of his qualities does the candidate preposition e.g. about many things.
ich two words talk are about antonyms last? (words
(b) Verse 4 (c) the voter.
3. Not all verbs have objects, but you can
(Verse 5) Another is:
h an opposite meaning)?
find (a) one communication by asking who skills or what after the (c) Verse 10. 5 (a) It is unlikely to whisper that or this yell! person (Verse 3) will ever be:
imperative, verb;
(b)
unnecessary
knowledge
e.g. The boy found a watch. (Ask:
10. The prefix en (b) (a) means of elected every to bring king age into. and of the race. world. (Verse 4)
disgust, loathing
found what? So a watch is the object)
(c) friendliness
Enlighten, for (c) (b) example, certainly liked by means his not Nan. evoke to bring disgust (Verse 2)
valid, true
Which sentence uses the phrase millions into light. Which word does not use this
5. of Gossip people is different as the object from of information the underlined gained
(c) very handsome.
meaning? 8. Similes compare two things using like
ich one does verb? from not shows belong like in National a list of Geographic
(a) enlist
such as in … whose facial features look
11. You can infer that the candidate thinks:
sonal qualities (a) because: Millions like honest, of people reliable, want me.
like a demented pie crust. Which one is
wledgeable or good communicator?
(b) enforce also (a) a appearance simile? does not matter.
(b) (a) Millions it is a faster of people way to would communicate. like to have a
open-minded
(c) ending
king.
(a) (b) I appearance am friendly is and important.
(b) it only travels via digital means.
handsome like a
wealthy
(c) golden he looks retriever. like a demented pie crust.
(c) (c) I it will is untrustworthy.
name millions of people. 11. Which word in Verse 4 comes from the
inspiring
Latin word amicus (b) I meaning like to read friend? challenging books.
12. The purpose of this text is to:
4. 6. Which verb one best is the summarises future tense all of the excel?
(a) neighbours (c) I review shows like National
hich word (a) candidate’s do excelled the letters qualities? ie have the
(a) give information.
Geographic and Let’s go travelling!
e sound as in pies?
(b) amicable
(b) (a) am The excelling candidate has a pleasing
(b) persuade the reader to vote for this
worries appearance, is a good speaker, is (c) trait candidate.
(c) will excel
qualified
friendly and knowledgeable.
(c) entertain.
12. The suffix -able means capable of being
review
(b) The candidate is a good speaker but or having, so the word knowledgeable
lacks enthusiasm.
means:
Something extra
(c) The candidate is lacking in confidence (a) having a ledge or porch
Make but a list his of heart words is in from the the right text place. which you may be unsure about, then use a dictionary to
(b) having knowledge or understanding
find their meaning. Write them, and their meanings, in your personal dictionary for later use.
(c) capable of being a ‘know-it-all’
Write bullet points to list your own good points. Give an example for each.
Vote for me for
(a)
1. The word credentials in Verse 1 means:
the right or authority to do
something.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (28) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (28) Prim-Ed Publishing
(b)
cards to purchase goods without
using cash.
All about words
7. The word race is a homograph. It can
mean different things. In Verse 4 it
means:
(c) a personal tax.
(c) a narrow passageway for animals to
2. Which word has the same number of
go along
syllables as enlightening?
8.
(a) 1. Vote candidate
The words eminently and imminently
for me for king of the world! You will not be could displeased! be easily confused. The word
(b) I’m demented eminently qualified, as you will discover, to fill eminently this position in Verse with ease. 1 means:
(c) All implicitly my credentials are valid. Doing this job would (a) be a likely breeze! to occur soon
3. Which So two please words continue are synonyms reading and (words do not fret. All your (b) worries highly will be appeased!
with a similar meaning)?
(c) saintly
(a) 2. I facial, am exceedingly handsome handsome. You know a good appearance is a must!
9. Which verse contains five contractions
(b) Who excel, wants knowledgeable a leader whose facial features look like
like
a demented
it’s?
pie crust?
(c) A amicable, leader must friendly be personable and certainly not evoke
(a)
disgust!
Verse 6
This handsome face is, undoubtedly, one that you can implicitly trust!
4. Which two words are antonyms (words
(b) Verse 4
with an opposite meaning)?
(c) Verse 5
3. The king of the world must be able to communicate extremely well.
(a) imperative, unnecessary
Good interaction is imperative. Luckily, it’s a
10.
skill The at which prefix I excel! en means to bring into.
(b) disgust, loathing
Enlighten, for example, means to bring
I converse well with friends, relatives and pets. I don’t need to whisper or yell!
(c) valid, true
into light. Which word does not use this
I can speak to almost anyone! And, in addition, I can meaning? even spell!
5. Which one does not belong in a list of
(a) enlist
personal qualities like honest, reliable,
4. I’m an amicable soul! Just ask any of my neighbours that you know!
knowledgeable or good communicator?
(b) enforce
This is a trait a leader must have. It’s not something you can forgo!
(a) open-minded
(c) ending
Just to prove my point, I’ll name millions of people to whom I’ve said ‘Hello!’
(b) wealthy
11. Which word in Verse 4 comes from the
I’m friendly with people of every age and race. Just ask my Nan if that’s not so!
(c) inspiring
Latin word amicus meaning friend?
(a) neighbours
6. In 5. which I’m knowledgeable word do the letters about ie many have different the things. I know what’s happening!
same sound as in pies?
(b) amicable
I review television shows like National Geographic and Let’s go travelling!
(a) worries
(c) trait
I pay attention to the latest current events and read novels that are challenging.
(b) qualified
And if that’s not sufficient—I listen to gossip! 12. I find The it highly suffix -able enlightening! means capable of being
(c) review
or having, so the word knowledgeable
means:
6. So what do you think? Have I convinced you that I’ve passed the test?
(a) having a ledge or porch
As king of the world, you know I’m the candidate who is the best.
(b) having knowledge or understanding
With all my good points and talents, there’s no doubt that I’ve been blessed.
(c) capable of being a ‘know-it-all’
So vote for me! Elect me king of the world! You know I’ll surpass all the rest!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a)
(b)
a group of people of common
descent
a contest of speed

Magenta 4
Comprehension
The quest of
Adrosis, the Adaro
1. Adrosis was an Adaro, half human, half fish, who lived in the sun under the rule of Lugh,
the sun god. Others thought he was odd because he was friendly to humans and other
creatures. Other Adaros were not! On his visits to earth by rainbow, he watched the
other kinds there to find out how they behaved and lived.
2. Gossip spread around the Sun. Seshat, the goddess of the books, had discovered an
old curse. The destruction of the sun was close, unless a magic mixture was sprinkled
on the holy altar. The mixture needed elements from different species on earth. Only a
special warrior would be able to complete this dangerous quest.
3. Lugh ordered Adrosis to come to him. ‘The others I’ve sent have all failed. You are the
only one now who can save us all. You must collect hair from the hellhound, the battle
helmet of the Wight, knowledge from the Lamia and sweat from the human.’ Adrosis
agreed to go.
4. At the end of the rainbow, Adrosis slid into the ocean. Waterspouts carried him
to the land of the hellhound. On the shore, a pack of hellhounds slept. Adrosis
swam very close to the water’s edge. He caught a flying fish and threw it
towards the pack. It struck the head of the nearest hellhound. Adrosis then
speared the fish and pulled it in. Strands of rusty red hair were caught
in its teeth. The hellhounds’ hot breath hit the waves behind him as he
sped away.
5. The remains of zombies and skeletons covered the battlefield. The hands of Wight,
the leader of the skeleton army, still seemed to be holding an overturned barrow
of equipment. The spell in the barrow was leaking away slowly, leaving its contents
unprotected. Adrosis waited in the shallow water then grabbed the battle helmet.
6. From the seashore, Adrosis heard swords clashing. A human and a Lamia fought fiercely.
Adrosis saw the lion-like body and human trunk of the Lamia. The face of the human
was fearful. Sweat ran down his body. Adrosis threw his spear and it struck the ground at
the Lamia’s feet. Its head turned toward him. Its mouth opened wide and Adrosis quickly
sucked out the knowledge. The human saw his chance. He thrust his sword into the
heart of the Lamia. ‘How can I ever thank you? You saved my life’, panted the human.
7. ‘Well …’ replied Adrosis, ‘there is one small thing!’
8. Adrosis had been able to collect all the elements for the mixture, so the Sun and all life
were saved.
1. The word curse in Paragraph 2
means:
(a) the cause or source of evil
(b) to make happen
(c) an implement for carrying money
2. How was Adrosis different from the
rest of his kind?
(a) He had a lion’s body instead of a
human body.
(b) He liked humans and other
creatures.
(c) He was not as intelligent as the
others.
3. What are hellhounds like?
(a) They have a human trunk and
lion’s body.
(b) They are skeletons that hold onto
a barrow of battle equipment.
(c) They have rusty red hair, travel in
packs and breathe out fire.
4. Which paragraph introduces Adrosis?
(a) Paragraph 1
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 3
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. Which element did Adrosis collect
immediately after the hellhound hair?
(a) sweat from the human
(b) the battle helmet from the Wight
(c) knowledge from the lamia
6. You can conclude that Adrosis was
successful in his quest because he:
(a) was stronger than the other
warriors.
(b) was more intelligent than all the
others.
(c) used his knowledge of others.
7. Which paragraph is best summarised
by the statement below?
Adrosis was successful in his quest.
(a) Paragraph 8
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 3
8. You can infer that the human:
(a) became good friends with Adrosis.
(b) gave Adrosis some of his sweat.
(c) returned home with Adrosis.
9. You can predict that, when Adrosis
returned with the elements, he was:
(a) ignored by everyone.
(b) crowned king of the Adaros.
(c) no longer considered so odd.
10. The purpose of this text is to:
(a) entertain.
(b) give information.
(c) persuade others to be kind to all
species.
11. The pronoun you in Paragraph 6
refers to:
(a) the human
(b) Adrosis
(c) the Lamia
12. What was the effect of Adrosis
distracting the Lamia?
(a) The human was able to kill him.
(b) Adrosis was able to kill the Lamia.
(c) The human was able to flee.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (29) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Magenta 4
All about words
ich word 1. 1. What in The Paragraph word does curse the 6 ellipsis means in Paragraph show special in 2
rmation Paragraph about means: something? 7?
7. 5. Which Apostrophes 7. word Which does are paragraph used not include to show is best a ownership. summarised
silent They are letter? by placed the statement immediately below? after the
thrust
(a) the end cause of a or sentence source of evil
(a)
owner(s);
elements Adrosis was successful in his quest.
e.g. a hound’s hair (one owner)
chance
(b) words to make left happen out
(b) knowledge
the (a) men’s Paragraph swords (two 8 owners)
knowledge
(c) a an pause implement for carrying money (c) sword the (b) hounds’ Paragraph teeth (more 4 than one owner).
Which apostrophe shows more than one
ich two 2. 2. words Most How adjectives from was Adrosis the text with different could only be one from or the 8. Which word
(c)
is
Paragraph
an antonym
3
owner?
(word
d as synonyms? two rest syllables of his kind? compare more than with an opposite meaning) for
(a) 8. the You skeletons’ can infer remains that the human:
kind, species
two
(a)
things
He had
by
a
adding
lion’s body
est;
instead
e.g. the
of a
nearest?
closest. Words with more than
(b) the (a) human’s became facegood friends with Adrosis.
ocean, waterspouts
human body.
(a) closest
two syllables use the word most; (c) the (b) water’s gave edge Adrosis some of his sweat.
zombies, e.g. (b)
skeletons most He liked frightening. humans Which and other is the (b) furthest
superlative creatures.
(c) returned home with Adrosis.
of friendly?
6. (c) Which nearer sentence does not have a plural
word close is a homograph. Its
(a) (c) friendliest He was not as intelligent as the verb?
9. You can predict that, when Adrosis
aning and pronunciation others. depend on
9. Which two words both have an
it is used. (b) In most which friendly
(a) Strands returned of rusty with red the hair elements, were caught he was: in its
sentence does it
or sound like sword?
teeth.
an near 3. and (c) What not friendlier are shut? hellhounds like?
(a) ignored by everyone.
(a) fought, ground
(b) Others have failed.
The hellhound (a) They did have not close a human his mouth. trunk and
(b) crowned king of the Adaros.
3. Like all pronouns, indefinite
(b) caught, barrow
The fighters pronouns had
lion’s
to
body.
(c) Adrosis
can close replace the gap
(c)
slid
no longer
into the
considered
ocean.
so odd.
a noun, but (c) waterspouts, towards
between they (b) them. do They not are refer skeletons any that particular hold onto 7. The article an is a determiner used before a
10. The purpose of this text is to:
The human person and
a barrow or the thing; Lamia
of e.g. battle
were He equipment.
took close some. 10. Which word beginning two words with have a the vowel same sound; e.g. an
to each Which other. pronoun is an indefinite
number Adaro. Which (a) of syllables? entertain.
(c) They have rusty red hair, travel in
word does not need an before
pronoun packs in this and sentence? breathe out fire. (a)
it?
replied, (b) sprinkled give information.
ich sentence uses the homophones
He saved them after others had
w and through correctly?
(b)
(a)
creatures,
one(c) persuade fought others to be kind to all
4. Which paragraph introduces Adrosis?
failed.
Adrosis threw the spear through the air.
(c)
(b)
hellhounds,
ocean species.
(a) Paragraph 1
waterspouts
(a) He
(c) 11. army The pronoun you in Paragraph 6
Adrosis through (b) Paragraph the spear 2 threw the air.
(b) them
11. The prefix
refers
dis- can
to:
make word
Adrosis threw (c) Paragraph the spear threw 3 the air.
8. Adverbs opposites can such tell as when, agree where, and how, why or
(c) others
disagree. how often (a) In a which the verb human happens. word does Which this group of
ich word 5. is Which the correct element spelling did Adrosis of collect not happen?
4. Collective nouns like a school of
words contains (b) Adrosis an adverb of manner telling
noun meaning immediately the air after inhaled the and hellhound hair?
fish name groups of things. Which (a)
how?
disapprove (c) the Lamia
aled in respiration?
word (a) sweat is not from a collective the human noun?
(b)
(a)
discovered
ordered Adrosis to him
breathe
12. What was the effect of Adrosis
(a) (b) creatures the battle helmet from the Wight
(c)
(b)
distrust
quickly sucked out the knowledge
distracting the Lamia?
breath
(b) (c) army knowledge from the lamia
(c) swam very close to the water’s edge
breeth
12. Which word (a) does The human not belong was able to kill him.
(c) pack
6. You can conclude that Adrosis was in the list (b) of compound Adrosis was words able to kill the Lamia.
hich word successful does th make in his the quest same because he: below?
(c) The human was able to flee.
nd as it does
(a) was
in the
stronger
words the group
battlefield hellhound rainbow
low? Something
than the other
extra
warriors.
(a) waterspout
ught earth mouth thank
The
(b)
lines
was
between
more intelligent
Paragraphs
than
4
all
and
the
5, and (b) 5 and mixture 6, are used to show time has
the
passed.
others.
Find out how words can be used to show the same thing. Compile a list of
(c) seashore
there these (c) used to his in knowledge your own writing. of others.
thing Select one scene from the text to illustrate.
1. Which word in Paragraph 6 means special
information about something?
(a) thrust
The quest of
Adrosis, the Adaro
(b) chance
(b) knowledge
(c) knowledge
7. Which word does not include a
silent letter?
(a) elements
(c) sword
2. Which two words from the text could be
8. Which word is an antonym (word
1. Adrosis used as was synonyms? an Adaro, half human, half fish, who lived in with the an sun opposite under the meaning) rule of Lugh, for
the (a) sun kind, god. species Others thought he was odd because he was nearest? friendly to humans and other
creatures. Other Adaros were not! On his visits to earth by rainbow, he watched the
(b) ocean, waterspouts
(a) closest
other kinds there to find out how they behaved and lived.
(c) zombies, skeletons
(b) furthest
2. Gossip spread around the Sun. Seshat, the goddess of (c) the books, nearerhad discovered an
3. old The curse. word The close destruction is a homograph. of the sun Its was close, unless a magic mixture was sprinkled
on meaning the holy and altar. pronunciation The mixture needed depend elements on from 9. different Which species two words on both earth. have Only an a
special how it is warrior used. In would which be sentence able to complete does it this dangerous or sound quest. like sword?
mean near and not shut?
3. Lugh ordered Adrosis to come to him. ‘The others I’ve sent (a) have fought, all failed. groundYou are the
only (a) one The hellhound now who can did not save close us all. his You mouth. must collect hair (b) from caught, the hellhound, barrow the battle
helmet (b) The of fighters the Wight, had knowledge to close the from gap the Lamia and sweat from the human.’ Adrosis
agreed to go.
(c) waterspouts, towards
between them.
4. At (c) the The end human of the and rainbow, the Lamia Adrosis were slid close into the ocean. 10. Waterspouts Which two words carried have him the same
to the to land each of other.
hellhound. On the shore, a pack of hellhounds number of slept. syllables? Adrosis
swam very close to the water’s edge. He caught a flying (a) fish replied, and threw sprinkled it
4. towards Which sentence the pack. uses It struck the homophones
the head of the nearest hellhound. Adrosis then
speared threw and the through fish and correctly? pulled it in. Strands of rusty red hair
(b)
were
creatures,
caught
fought
in (a) its Adrosis teeth. The threw hellhounds’ the spear hot through breath the hit air. the waves behind (c) hellhounds, him as waterspouts
sped away.
(b) Adrosis through the spear threw the air. 11. The prefix dis- can make word
(c) Adrosis threw the spear threw the air.
opposites such as agree and
disagree. In which word does this
5. The remains of zombies and skeletons covered the battlefield. The hands of Wight,
5. Which word is the correct spelling of
not happen?
the
the
leader
noun meaning
of the skeleton
the air
army,
inhaled
still
and
seemed to be holding an overturned barrow
of equipment. The spell in the barrow was leaking away (a) slowly, disapprove
exhaled in respiration?
leaving its contents
unprotected. Adrosis waited in the shallow water then grabbed (b) discovered the battle helmet.
(a) breathe
(c) distrust
(b) breath
6. From (c) breeth the seashore, Adrosis heard swords clashing. A
12.
human Which and word a Lamia does not fought belong fiercely.
Adrosis saw the lion-like body and human trunk of the Lamia. in the list The of face compound of the human words
6.
was In which fearful. word Sweat does ran th down make his the body. same Adrosis threw his spear below? and it struck the ground at
the sound Lamia’s as it feet. does Its in head the words turned in toward the group him. Its mouth opened battlefield wide hellhound and Adrosis rainbow quickly
sucked below? out the knowledge. The human saw his chance. He thrust his sword into the
(a) waterspout
heart thought of the Lamia. earth ‘How mouth can I ever thankyou? You saved my life’, panted the human.
(b) mixture
7. ‘Well (a) the …’ replied Adrosis, ‘there is one small thing!’
(c) seashore
8. Adrosis (b) there had been able to collect all the elements for the mixture, so the Sun and all life
were (c) thing saved.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (29) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (29) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 5
Comprehension
The old couple and the
cherry tree
1. Cherry trees have a popular
place in Japanese culture and
tradition. In full bloom they are a
magnificent sight, but their beauty
is short-lived, lasting for just two weeks
in early spring. Many Japanese folktales
are dedicated to the cherry tree.
2. Many years ago in Japan, there lived an old man and his wife who
had few pleasures in life but caring for their pet dog, Sakura, and tending an
ancient cherry tree that grew outside their home.
3. One day, while relaxing in the shade of the tree’s canopy, Sakura began to scratch
purposefully at the ground beside the tree. Ignoring all commands to stop digging,
she continued until there was a big hole beside it. Imagine the surprise the old man
and his wife felt when they saw a pile of gold coins inside the hole. Their days of
poverty were over!
4. A greedy neighbour who had witnessed this amazing event asked to borrow Sakura for
a while. When she refused to dig for him, the neighbour flew into a rage and killed her.
The distraught couple buried their beloved Sakura in the hole she had dug and hoped
that her spirit would inhabit the tree forever.
5. The couple were loathe to cut branches from the tree, but for its health it needed to
be pruned. From the cut wood, the old man carved a bowl in which his wife would
grind rice grains to make flour.
6. That year, there was a severe famine and there was little rice available. The first time
the old lady used the bowl to grind just a few grains of rice, it overflowed with flour.
The spirit of Sakura had provided them with a constant food supply.
7. The greedy neighbour heard about the magic bowl and demanded to borrow it. But
when he used it to grind his rice, the grains turned into an army of stinging insects. In
anger, the neighbour threw the bowl on to the fire.
8. The saddened old man collected the ashes from the bowl and scattered them over
Sakura’s grave. Although it was early winter, the tree immediately burst into bloom.
The sight of the blossoms at a time of sadness filled the old man with great joy.
9. For the rest of their lives, the old couple spread their joy among their neighbours by
sprinkling the magic ashes on all the cherry trees so they would always be in bloom.
1. In Paragraph 5, the word pruned means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
cut back
a dried fruit
fooled
2. When Sakura refused to dig for the
greedy neighbour, he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
sent her back to the old couple.
encouraged her with a treat.
flew into a rage and killed her.
3. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is that the
greedy neighbour:
(a)
(b)
(c)
became angry and threw the bowl into
the fire.
was punished for demanding to
borrow the bowl.
was invaded by stinging insects that
came from his rice grains.
4. Which happened first?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The old man made the bowl.
The neighbour killed Sakura.
The old couple scattered the bowl’s
ashes.
5. The old couple were different from the
greedy neighbour because they:
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a)
(b)
(c)
wanted gold coins.
needed food.
loved Sakura.
6. If the old couple had shared their
constant food supply with their greedy
neighbour,:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the old couple would still have had
their bowl.
the neighbour would have stolen the
bowl.
the supply would have soon run out.
7. You can conclude from the text that the
old couple were people.
(a)
(b)
(c)
angry
gentle
vindictive
8. A summary of Paragraph 6 would be:
(a)
(b)
(c)
When food was scarce, the bowl
produced great quantities of flour
from just a few grains of rice.
During a famine there was not
enough rice in the shops for people
to make flour.
The bowl was magic and could make
a lot of flour from just a few grains of
rice.
9. In Paragraph 8, it was strange that the
cherry tree burst into bloom because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the old man was sad.
the ashes were scattered on Sakura’s
grave.
it was the wrong season for
blossoms.
10. The greedy neighbour burned the old
couple’s bowl because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
he was jealous and wanted one
himself.
its magic did not work for him.
he did not like the old couple.
11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that cherry
blossom displays:
(a)
(b)
(c)
are a magnificent sight.
are short-lived.
occur each year.
12. The pronoun it in Paragraph 6 refers to:
(a)
(b)
flour
a few grains of rice
(c) the bowl
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (30) Prim-Ed Publishing

Magenta 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Magenta 5
All about words
ich word 1. 1. is Demonstrative In missing Paragraph from 5, this determiners the sentence? word pruned refer to means: a
5. 7. A You preposition can conclude can link from a noun the text to another that old lady
particular
(a) cut the back
thing;
grains
e.g.
and
those
then
days, these
noun old couple or to a were verb; e.g. the ashes people.
de some rice
trees.
bread.
The demonstrative determiner in this from the bowl, spread among their
sentence (b) a dried is: fruit
(a) angry
neighbours. Which word in this sentence
grind
That (c) year, fooled there was a severe famine and little
is (b) a preposition? gentle
grindingrice available for their meals.
Although (c) vindictive it needed pruning, the couple
2. When Sakura refused to dig for the
ground (a) That
were loathe to cut branches from the tree.
greedy neighbour, he:
8. A summary of Paragraph 6 would be:
ile Sakura (b) was a
(a) although
(a) digging sent her the back hole, to the old couple.
(a) When food was scarce, the bowl
agraph 3, (c) you their could say she was:
(b) to
(b) encouraged her with a treat.
produced great quantities of flour
aimless
(c)
from just a few grains of rice.
2. A (c) sentence flew into must a rage include and a killed verb her. and its
tenacious subject. The verb is the action. The subject 8. Which word 6. A
(b)
has preposition
During a
more syllables phrase
famine
than begins
there was
with
not
a
wanton
3. performs The main the idea action. of Paragraph In this sentence, 7 is that the
purposefully? preposition;
enough
e.g.
rice
in
in
the
the
shade.
shops for
Which
people
subject greedy of neighbour: the verb filled is:
group
to
of
make
words
flour.
is not a preposition
word or phrase that contains all the
(a) dedicated
The (a) sight became of the angry blossoms and threw filled the bowl old man into phrase? (c) The bowl was magic and could make
ers of the word ancient is:
(b) immediately
with great the fire. joy.
Sakura
a
began
lot of flour
to scratch
from
at
just
the
a few
ground
grains of
magnificent
(c) magnificent
(a) the sight
beside
rice.
(b) was punished for demanding to
the tree.
amazing eventborrow the bowl.
(b) the blossoms
9. Which word 9. (a) belongs In Paragraph began with to scratch this 8, it pair? was strange that the
magic ashes (c) was invaded by stinging insects that
(c) the sight of the blossoms
flour grains (b) cherry at the tree ground burst into bloom because:
came from his rice grains.
word that does not have the long o
(a) blossoms (c) (a) beside the old the man treewas sad.
3. A sentence may also include an object. The
nd is: 4.
object
Which
receives
happened
the
first?
action. In this sentence, (b) bowl
(b) the ashes were scattered on Sakura’s
7. Which conjunction would best join these
grave.
borrow the (a) object The old of man the verb made spread the bowl. is: (c) rice two sentences to retain the meaning?
(c) it was the wrong season for
loathe The (b) old The couple neighbour spread killed their Sakura. joy among their In Japan, cherry trees are very popular.
10. Which group of words blossoms. is in
poverty neighbours
(c) The old couple scattered the bowl’s alphabetical The order? blossom season is very short.
(a) the ashes. old couple
10.
word that does not have the short e
(a) magic, (a)
The
magnificent, because
greedy neighbour burned the old
many
nd is: (b) their joy
couple’s bowl because:
5. The old couple were different from the (b) commands, (b) constant, although collected
buried
(c) their neighbours
(a) he was jealous and wanted one
greedy because they:
(c) blossoms, (c) big, but himself. bloom
neighbours 4. Which (a) wanted group gold of words coins. is an adverbial
11. Which word
8. A is (b) noun spelt its phrase incorrectly magic begins did not because with work a for noun him. or its
pleasures because (b) needed it describes food. where something was
done? e.g. He threw the bowl on to the
it
fire
does not follow determiner.
(c)
the did spelling Which
not like rule, group
the old
of
couple.
words is a
‘for a short vowel noun phrase? sound, a vowel is
ynonym for
(c)
The the
loved
old word
Sakura.
man distraught collected the in ashes and followed 11. by a double consonant’?
agraph 4 is:
Before It is an his opinion, eyes, the not grains a fact, in the that bowl cherry
6. scattered If the old them couple over had Sakura’s shared grave. their
(a) cherry turned blossom into displays: stinging insects.
distressed (a) constant collected food the supply asheswith their greedy
(b) borrow(a)
(a) Before are a magnificent his eyes sight.
disappointed
neighbour,:
(b) scattered them over
(c) spirrit (b) (b) the are grains short-lived. in the bowl
displeased (a) the old couple would still have had
(c) over Sakura’s grave
their bowl.
(c) (c) turned occur into each stinging year. insects
12. The word constant in Paragraph 6
hich pair are
(b)
both
the neighbour
words spelt
would have stolen the could not 12. be The replaced pronoun with:
in Paragraph 6 refers to:
rectly? Something bowl. extra
(a) regular (a) flour
commands, (c)
Present suprise
the supply the story would in have comic soon strip run form. out.
(b) perpetual
continued, poverty
(b) a few grains of rice
Research the tradition of Hana-mi practised by many
(c) varying
ground, scrached
(c) the bowl
Japanese people during cherry blossom festivals.
1. Which word is missing from this sentence?
The old lady the grains and then
made some rice bread.
(a) grind
(b) grinding
(c) ground
The old couple and the
cherry tree
2. While Sakura was digging the hole,
Paragraph 3, you could say she was:
1. Cherry (a) aimless trees have a popular
place (b) in tenacious Japanese culture and
8.
tradition. In full bloom they are a
Which word has more syllables than
magnificent (c) wanton sight, but their beauty
purposefully?
is short-lived, lasting for just two weeks
3. The word or phrase that contains all the
(a) dedicated
in
letters
early spring.
of the
Many
word
Japanese
ancient is:
folktales
(b) immediately
are dedicated to the cherry tree.
(a) magnificent
(c) magnificent
2. Many years ago in Japan, there lived an old man and his wife who
(b) amazing event
had few pleasures in life but caring for their pet dog, 9. Sakura, Which and word tending belongs an with this pair?
ancient (c) magic cherry ashes tree that grew outside their home. flour grains
3. 4. One The day, word while that relaxing does not in the have shade the long of the o tree’s canopy, (a) Sakura blossoms began to scratch
purposefully sound is: at the ground beside the tree. Ignoring all commands
(b) bowl
to stop digging,
she continued until there was a big hole beside it. Imagine the surprise the old man
(a) borrow
and his wife felt when they saw a pile of gold coins inside (c) the rice hole. Their days of
poverty (b) loathe were over!
10. Which group of words is in
(c) poverty
4. A greedy neighbour who had witnessed this amazing event alphabetical asked to borrow order? Sakura for
5.
a The while. word When that she does refused not have to dig the for short him, the e neighbour (a) flew into magic, a rage magnificent, and killed many her.
The sound distraught is: couple buried their beloved Sakura in the hole she had dug and hoped
(b) commands, constant, collected
that her spirit would inhabit the tree forever.
(a) buried
(c) blossoms, big, bloom
5. The couple were loathe to cut branches from the tree, but for its health it needed to
(b) neighbours
be pruned. From the cut wood, the old man carved 11. a bowl Which in which word his wife spelt would incorrectly because
grind (c) rice pleasures grains to make flour.
it does not follow the spelling rule,
‘for a short vowel sound, a vowel is
6. 6. That A synonym year, there for was the a word severe distraught famine and in there was little rice available. The first time
followed by a double consonant’?
the Paragraph old lady used 4 is: the bowl to grind just a few grains of rice, it overflowed with flour.
The spirit of Sakura had provided them with a constant food (a) supply. cherry
(a) distressed
7. The greedy neighbour heard about the magic bowl and demanded
(b) borrow
(b) disappointed
to borrow it. But
when he used it to grind his rice, the grains turned into an (c) army spirrit
(c) displeased
of stinging insects. In
anger, the neighbour threw the bowl on to the fire.
12. The word constant in Paragraph 6
7. In which pair are both words spelt
8. The saddened old man collected the ashes from the bowl could and scattered not be replaced them over with:
correctly?
Sakura’s grave. Although it was early winter, the tree immediately burst into bloom.
(a) regular
The (a) sight commands, of the blossoms suprise at a time of sadness filled the old man with great joy.
(b) perpetual
9. For (b) the continued, rest of their poverty lives, the old couple spread their joy among their neighbours by
sprinkling (c) ground, the magic scrached ashes on all the cherry trees so they
(c)
would
varying
always be in bloom.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (30) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (30) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 1
Comprehension
1. There is an old Roman
legend that tells the story of
two brothers, Romulus and
Remus, and the founding of
Rome.
2. The tale begins with the
downfall of King Numitor. Numitor’s
brother, Amulius, drove him from the
throne of the city Alba Longa, murdered
his daughter and abducted her twin
baby sons. Amulius ordered that the
two babies be thrown into the Tiber
River, which flowed through the
city. However, the Tiber River had
recently overflowed its banks and
when the water level returned to
normal, the cradle with the two
babies was left behind on a shallow bank at the foot of the Palatine Hill.
3. A shepherd happened to be walking by this hill when he discovered the two baby
boys. Beside the cradle also stood a large wolf, who had been nursing the babies.
When the shepherd approached, the wolf ran off into the woods and the shepherd
took the boys home to his wife. They were named Romulus and Remus.
4. The boys grew up to be strong and brave shepherds, but one day discovered that
they were the long-lost grandsons of King Numitor. The twins raised an army which
drove away Amulius. They then brought their grandfather, Numitor, back to Alba Longa.
5. After their grandfather was back in control, Romulus and Remus decided to build a
new city for themselves by the Tiber River. There were seven low hills in the area and
while Remus wanted to build on one hill, Romulus wanted to build on another. Numitor
advised them that they should each stand on his chosen hill and whoever saw the
greatest number of vultures would win the right to build there. Remus saw six vultures,
but Romulus saw twelve on the Palatine Hill.
6. Romulus and Remus built the new city and Romulus was chosen as king. Together,
they worked to build the walls of the city, but Remus became angry and mocked the
low walls. Romulus killed his brother and declared, ‘So perish all who dare to climb
these ramparts!’
7. Romulus eventually named the city ‘Rome’ after himself; that is the legend of how two
brothers founded Rome, or the City of the Seven Hills.
1. Which statement is an opinion, not a
fact?
(a) Romulus killed his brother.
(b) The boys were brave and strong.
(c) Amulius ordered the babies to be
thrown into the Tiber River.
2. Remus and Romulus drove away
Amulius because he:
(a) had pushed their grandfather from
the throne of Alba Longa.
(b) was a poor king.
(c) prevented them from building a city
of their own.
3. In Paragraph 6, they refers to:
(a) hills
(b) city walls
(c) Romulus and Remus
4. The main idea in Paragraph 3 is that
the boys:
(a) were named Romulus and Remus.
(b) were nursed by a wolf.
(c) returned their grandfather to the
throne.
5. What happened just before Romulus
killed his brother?
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a) Romulus saw twelve vultures on the
Palatine Hill.
(b) Remus was mocking the city walls.
(c) Romulus made a declaration.
6. You could conclude from this story that:
(a) Romulus was an important figure in
the founding of Rome.
(b) Romulus was a jealous person.
(c) Remus was weak
7. Rome was named the City of the
Seven Hills because:
(a) Romulus named it after himself.
(b) it was built on the Palatine Hill.
(c) it was built around many hills.
8. Which sentence is a summary of
Paragraph 6?
(a) They built a new city but Romulus,
who became king, killed Remus
for mocking the walls.
(b) Romulus became king of the city
Remus and he had built together.
(c) Together the twin brothers built a
new city which had very low walls.
9. You can infer from the story that
Romulus:
(a) regretted killing his brother.
(b) was a modest person.
(c) would not tolerate challengers to
his city or throne.
10. Romulus and Remus were similar
because they:
(a) were found by a shepherd.
(b) thought the walls of the city were
a good height.
(c) wanted to build on the same hill.
11. The paragraph that is mainly about
the family of Romulus and Remus is:
(a) Paragraph 2
(b) Paragraph 5
(c) Paragraph 3
12. You can predict that Romulus would
have treated invaders of Rome:
(a) kindly.
(b) harshly.
(c) patiently.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (31) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 1
Tan 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
ich word 1. 1. Adverbs in Which Paragraph statement can tell 6 means the is manner, opinion, time not 7. or a Say each 6. 7. word Which Rome and sentence was listen named to the has the the City correct of the
de fun of place something?
fact? something happened. What does vowel sound. punctuation?
Seven Which Hills pair because: has the
killed
the
(a)
adverb
Romulus
in
killed
this sentence
his brother.
tell about same vowel
(a)
sound Romulus as mocked?
and named Remus it after are himself.
the verb named?
mocked (b) The boys were brave and strong.
(a) strong, lost
(b)
important
it was built
figures
on the
because
Palatine
they
Hill.
Romulus eventually named the city
founded Rome.
declared(c) Amulius ordered the babies to be
(b) boys, long
Rome after himself.
(c) it was built around many hills.
thrown into the Tiber River. (c) wolf, who
(b) romulus and remus are important
hich word (a) pair the are manner both words
8. Which figures sentence because is a they summary founded of
lt incorrectly?
2. (b) Remus the and time Romulus drove away 8. Which word pair Paragraph Rome. are antonyms 6? for
appraoched,
Amulius because he:
(c) the happened
approached
place
(c) (a)
in Paragraph Romulus They built and a
3?
new remus city are but Romulus,
(a) had pushed their grandfather from
Important who became Figures king, because killed Remus they
discovered, merdered
(a) applauded, clapped
2. In this the sentence, throne of the Alba word Longa. together is an
founded for mocking rome. the walls.
abduckted, adverb overfloed
(b) advanced, neared
(b) was
of:
a poor king.
(c) retreated, 7. A (b) determiner reversed
Romulus can became give king information of the city
ich word Together, pair (c) could prevented
they be worked synonyms them from
to build
building
the walls
a city about Remus a noun and by he identifying had built which together.
declared of in the Paragraph of
city.
their own. 6?
9. Which word one does (c) it Together not is; e.g. share his the the story. twin same Which brothers two built a
announced, (a) time proclaimed (b) place (c) manner ch sound with words these new are words? city the which determiners had very in low this walls.
3. In Paragraph 6, they refers to:
sentence?
avoided, 3. Verb refused
chosen watch approach
9.
(a)
tense
hills
can tell about what has
You can infer from the story that
The shepherd found Romulus and
attacked, happened harmed (past), what is happening (a) shepherdRomulus:
(b) city walls
Remus by this river.
(present) or what will happen (future). (b) vulture (a) regretted killing his brother.
ich word In comes (c) which Romulus last tense in and is the Remus verb in this
(a) found, and
habetical sentence? order?
(c) eventually (b) was a modest person.
(b) by, river
4.
left
The main idea in Paragraph 3 is that
Romulus and Remus built the new 10. city A shepherd (c) would not tolerate challengers to
the boys:
(c) is a person the, thiswho:
together.
his city or throne.
legend
(a) builds new cities.
(a) were named Romulus and Remus. 8.
(a) past (b) present (c) future
The preposition in this sentence
level
(b) adopts 10. small Romulus and Remus were similar
(b) were nursed by a wolf.
linking children. the verb were thrown to the
because they:
4. Which verb is in the present tense?
noun river is:
ich word does (c) returned not belong their in grandfather this
(c) looks after sheep.
to the
(a) were found by a shepherd.
up of words? (a) will throne. order
The two boys were thrown into the
11. Which sentence is spelt correctly?
Tiber (b) thought River. the walls of the city were
ind (b) downfall had ordered another
5. What happened just before Romulus (a) There is a Roman a good legend height. that tells
(a) boys. (b) into (c) the
rampart(c) killed is ordering his brother?
the storie of two bruthers and the
(c) wanted to build on the same hill.
overflow
founding of Rome.
5. Adjectives (a) Romulus are saw words twelve that vultures describe on the
11.
Palatine Hill.
The paragraph is mainly about
vulture
(b) There is a Roman legend that tells
nouns or pronouns. Which two
the story the of two family brothers of Romulus and the and Remus is:
adjectives (b) Remus are was used mocking this the sentence city walls. to
ich two words describe have the the brothers? same
founding Something (a) of Rome. Paragraph 2 extra
ber of syllables (c) Romulus as discovered? made a declaration.
(c) There is a
Romulus and Remus grew up to be
(b) Roman Paragraph legend 5that tells
babies,
Identify five verbs from story and
6. grandfather
strong You could brave conclude shepherds. from this story that:
the story of two brothers and the
fownding write (c)
of each Roam.
Paragraph in a sentence. 3
decided, (a) another grew, Romulus up was an important figure in
12.
the founding of Rome.
Romulus You can and predict Remus that were Romulus twins with would
eventually, (b) himself
12. The expression drove him from the
strong, brave
similar have names. treated Write invaders some of other Rome: similar
(b) Romulus was a jealous person.
throne in Paragraph 2 means to:
(c) to, be
names
(a) kindly.
for twins.
(c) Remus was weak
(a) forcefully remove from the throne
(b) share power
(b)
between
harshly.
two people
(c) get in a car
(c)
and
patiently.
drive away
1. Which word in Paragraph 6 means
7. Say each word and listen to the
made fun of something?
vowel sound. Which pair has the
(a) killed
same vowel sound as mocked?
1. There is an old Roman
(b) legend mocked that tells the story of
(a) strong, lost
two brothers, Romulus and
(c) declared
(b) boys, long
Remus, and the founding of
(c) wolf, who
2. In Rome. which word pair are both words
2. spelt The tale incorrectly? begins with the
8. Which word pair are antonyms for
(a) downfall appraoched, of King Numitor. happened Numitor’s
approached in Paragraph 3?
brother, Amulius, drove him from the
(b) discovered, merdered
(a) applauded, clapped
throne of the city Alba Longa, murdered
(c) abduckted, overfloed
(b) advanced, neared
his daughter and abducted her twin
baby sons. Amulius ordered that the
(c) retreated, reversed
3. Which two babies word be pair thrown could into be synonyms the Tiber
for River, declared which flowed in Paragraph through 6? the
9. Which word does not share the same
(a) city. announced, However, the proclaimed
Tiber River had
ch sound with these words?
recently overflowed its banks and
(b) avoided, refused
chosen watch approach
when the water level returned to
(c) attacked, harmed
(a) shepherd
normal, the cradle with the two
babies was left behind on a shallow bank at the foot (b) of vulture the Palatine Hill.
4. Which word comes last in
3. alphabetical A shepherd happened order? to be walking by this hill when (c) he eventually discovered the two baby
boys. Beside the cradle also stood a large wolf, who had been nursing the babies.
(a) left
10. A shepherd is a person who:
When the shepherd approached, the wolf ran off into the woods and the shepherd
(b) took legend the boys home to his wife. They were named Romulus (a) builds and new Remus. cities.
4. (c)
The
level
boys grew up to be strong and brave shepherds,
(b)
but
adopts
one day
small
discovered
children.
that
they were the long-lost grandsons of King Numitor.
5. Which word does not belong in this
(c) The looks twins after raised sheep. an army which
drove away Amulius. They then brought their grandfather, Numitor, back to Alba Longa.
group of words?
11. Which sentence is spelt correctly?
5. behind After their grandfather downfall was another back in control, Romulus and Remus decided to build a
new city for themselves by the Tiber River. There were
(a)
seven
There
low
is a
hills
Roman
in the
legend
area and
that tells
(a)
while
rampart
Remus wanted to build on one hill, Romulus wanted
the storie
to build
of two
on another.
bruthers
Numitor
and the
(b) advised overflow them that they should each stand on his chosen
founding
hill and
of
whoever
Rome.
saw the
greatest number of vultures would win the right to
(c) vulture
(b) build There there. is Remus a Roman saw legend six vultures, that tells
but Romulus saw twelve on the Palatine Hill.
the story of two brothers and the
6. Which two words have the same
founding of Rome.
6. Romulus and Remus built the new city and Romulus was chosen as king. Together,
number
they worked
of syllables
to build
as
the
discovered?
walls of the city, but Remus (c) became There is angry a Roman and legend mocked that the tells
(a) low babies, walls. Romulus grandfather killed his brother and declared, ‘So perish the story all of who two dare brothers to climb and the
fownding of Roam.
(b)
these
decided,
ramparts!’
another
7. (c) Romulus eventually, eventually himself named the city ‘Rome’ after 12. himself; The expression that is the drove legend him of from how the two
brothers founded Rome, or the City of the Seven Hills. throne in Paragraph 2 means to:
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a) forcefully remove from the throne
(b) share power between two people
(c) get in a car and drive away
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (31) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (31) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 2
Comprehension
The outlaw in
iron armour
1. What do the words ‘outlaws’ and ‘bushrangers’ mean
to you? You probably have images in your mind of men
about 100 to 200 years ago with rifles or pistols holding up
banks and stagecoaches to rob people of their money and
jewellery.
2. In Australia, these people who lived outside the law were
called ‘bushrangers’. As the name suggests, they used
the Australian bush to hide from authorities. Australia’s
most famous bushranger is, without doubt, Ned Kelly. He
was the leader of the notorious ‘Kelly Gang’ and is also
remembered for wearing a suit of armour, made from parts
of a plough.
3. Ned (Edward) Kelly was born in Australia to Irish parents, in 1855, near Melbourne. After his
father died when he was 11, Ned and his family moved to the Glenrowan district of Victoria,
near relatives, where they lived in difficult conditions.
4. Although Ned and his younger brothers earned money for mustering cattle, tree-felling
and breaking horses, they were forced into some illegal activities such as cattle stealing, to
allow the family to survive. Ned was arrested, convicted and sent to jail more than once for
a variety of offences, some of which he did not commit. Many believed poor settlers like him
had no hope of justice.
5. In 1878, a drunken police officer was injured at the Kelly homestead while attempting to
arrest Dan Kelly without a warrant. His version of events led to arrests and warrants issued
for Ned (who was not even there at the time) and Dan. While they were on the run with their
friends, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart, they shot and killed three police officers searching for the
Kelly boys. Ned later said it was in self-defence. From then on, the four were known as the
‘Kelly Gang’ and were wanted dead or alive.
6. With help from many people who felt sympathy for them, the gang stayed on the run for
about two years, occasionally robbing banks for money. During this time, their four sets of
armour were made. Ned was finally captured after what became known as the Glenrowan
Siege. Knowing that a train load of police were heading their way, Ned and the gang took
about 70 hostages at the Glenrowan Inn. When the police raided the inn, Ned came out in
his suit of armour. His lower body was unprotected and he was shot many times in the legs.
He survived to stand trial and was sentenced to death by hanging soon after. The other gang
members had died in the siege.
7. Whether some people agree or not, Ned Kelly has become an Australian folk hero. After his
death, many changes occurred in the police force in an attempt to improve the justice system
for rich and poor.
1. The word notorious in Paragraph 2 means
well-known for something:
(a)
(b)
(c)
negative
amusing
useless
2. How old was Ned when he was hanged?
(a) 23
(b) 25
(c) 70
3. The main idea of Paragraph 1 is to explain
what:
(a)
(b)
(c)
life was like 200 years ago.
banks and stagecoaches are.
outlaws and bushrangers do.
4. Which event happened after the
Glenrowan Siege?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Ned’s armour was made.
Three police officers were shot and
killed.
Ned was sentenced to death.
5. The pronoun they in Paragraph 2 refers to
the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
bushrangers
people
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
authorities
6. The Kelly Gang were wanted dead or alive
because they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
made armour from a plough.
stole cattle.
shot some police officers.
7. It is an opinion, not a fact that Ned Kelly
was:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Australia’s most famous bushranger.
born near Melbourne.
helped his family survive.
8. Ned was different from Dan because
he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was in the Kelly Gang.
was hanged.
mustered cattle.
9. In which year did the Kelly family
move to Glenrowan?
(a) 1855
(b) 1878
(c) 1866
10. This text was written to inform us
about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Ned Kelly’s life.
a bushranger’s life.
Ned Kelly’s family.
11. You can conclude that, during
that time, people like Ned Kelly
the authorities:
(a)
(b)
(c)
believed
got on well with
had little confidence in
12. Which sentence best summarises
Paragraph 6?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The end of the Kelly Gang
happened at the Glenrowan Siege.
Many people helped the Kelly
Gang before the Glenrowan Siege.
The Glenrowan Siege was a battle
between the Kelly Gang and
police.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (32) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 2
Tan 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. would Which The word also sentence notorious fit in with is punctuated this in Paragraph correctly? 27. means Which word 5. pair Verb has tense the can same tell number about what has
up of words? well-known for something:
of syllables 8. as happened convicted? Ned was (past), different what from is happening Dan because
(a) Ned and dan kelly, joe byrne and steve
(present) he: and what will happen (future).
hranger (a) hart negative outlaw made up the Kelly Gang. (a) sympathy, attempting
In (a) which was tense in the is this Kelly sentence Gang. written?
estead
(b)
Ned amusing
outside
and Dan Kelly Joe Byrne and (b) armour, money
Ned (b) survived was hanged. to stand trial and was
stagecoaches
(c)
Steve
useless
Hart made up the Kelly Gang. (c) Australian, sentenced unprotected to death.
police (c) Ned and Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne and
(c) mustered cattle.
2. How Steve old was Hart Ned made when up the Kelly was hanged? Gang.
8. Which sentence (a) has past been (b) spelt present (c) future
money
correctly? 9. In which year did the Kelly family
(a) 23
6. A possessive move to Glenrowan? determiner tells who or
2.
words illegal
Adverbs
(b)
activities
can tell
25
in Paragraph
how (manner), when (a) Many beleived what the poor noun setlers belongs like Ned to; e.g. their
eans those
(time)
activities
or where
that
(place)
are:
something
Kelly had parents. no (a) hope 1855
The of justice. possessive determiner in
happens. (c) 70 The adverb in this sentence tells:
unable to be read
(b) Many beleived this (b) sentence poor 1878settlers is: like
Ned was finally captured at the Glenrowan
3. The main idea of Paragraph 1 is to explain Ned Kelly Ned had (c) came no 1866 hope out in of his justise.
safe
suit of armour.
Siege.
what:
(c) Many believed (a)
10. This
in poor settlers
text was
(b) like
not allowed (a) by how law
written
his
to inform
(c)
us
of
(b) when (c) where
(a) life was like 200 years ago.
Ned Kelly had no hope of justice.
about:
ich root 3. word Which (b)
stays
banks phrase the
and
same is stagecoaches an adverbial when
7. Which word is the preposition linking
in are. this
9. In which pair a do verb (a) both to Ned words a noun? Kelly’s have Example: life. a soft
suffix -ed sentence, is removed?
died in the
telling when something
(c) outlaws and bushrangers do. c sound like force? siege.
arrested happened?
(b) a bushranger’s life.
(a) justice, called A drunken
4. While Which the event Kelly happened Gang was after on the the run, three
(c) Ned
police
Kelly’s
officer
family.
was injured at
believed
police Glenrowan officers Siege? were shot and killed. (b) defence, the sentenced homestead.
survived
11. You can conclude that, during
(a) (a) While Ned’s the armour Kelly was Gang made. was on the run(c)
conditions, (a) offences drunken (b) the (c) at
that time, people like Ned Kelly
word unprotected
(b) (b) three Three
in
police Paragraph
officers
6
were shot 10. and In which words 8. A preposition does the letter phrase the g authorities: make starts with a
ld be replaced
killed.
with:
preposition.
(c) shot and killed
a soft j sound as (a) in changes? believed
The preposition phrase in
unwanted
this sentence is:
(c) Ned was sentenced to death. (a) siege, injured (b) got on well with
uncovered 4. The adjectives used to describe nouns in
A drunken police officer was injured at
5. this The sentence pronoun are: they in Paragraph 2 refers (b) to images, guns
the (c) Kelly had homestead. little confidence in
uncomfortable
the:
Ned Kelly is Australia’s most famous (c) jail, gang
12. (a) Which A drunken sentence police best officer summarises
word bushranger (a) bushrangers is and antonym leader of the notorious Kelly
11. Which word does (b) Paragraph was not have injured 6? a sh sound
survived in Gang.
(b)
Paragraph
people
6.
like bushrangers?
(c)(a)
at The the Kelly end of homestead the Kelly Gang
lived (a)
(c)
bushranger,
authorities
leader
(a) conditions happened at the Glenrowan Siege.
saved (b) most famous, notorious
(b) Many people helped the Kelly
6. The Kelly Gang were wanted dead or alive (b) issued
died (c)
Gang before the Glenrowan Siege.
because
Australia’s,
they:
and
(c) searching
(c) The Glenrowan Siege was a battle
ich pair of (a) words made is in armour alphabetical from a plough.
12. Which word does not between have a the silent Kelly Gang and
er?
(b) stole cattle.
consonant? police.
family, famous
(c) shot some police officers. (a) doubt
cattle, captured
Something extra
7. It is an opinion, not a fact that Ned Kelly (b) folk
siege, sentenced
was:
(c) wanted
(a)
(b)
(c)
Australia’s most famous bushranger.
born near
Melbourne.
Use the internet to find out more about Ned Kelly’s life as a bushranger.
helped his family survive.
View an illustration of the armour Ned Kelly wore and write a description of it.
All about words
The outlaw in
1. Which word would also fit in with this
group of words?
7. Which word pair has the same number
of syllables as convicted?
bushranger outlaw
(a) sympathy, attempting
iron
homestead
armour
outside
(b) armour, money
(a) stagecoaches
(c) Australian, unprotected
1.
(b) police
8.
What
(c)
do
money
the words ‘outlaws’ and ‘bushrangers’ mean
Which sentence has been spelt
to you? You probably have images in your mind of men
correctly?
2. about The 100 words to 200 illegal years activities ago with in rifles Paragraph or pistols holding up (a) Many beleived poor setlers like Ned
banks 4 means and stagecoaches those activities to rob that people are: of their money and Kelly had no hope of justice.
jewellery.
(a) unable to be read
(b) Many beleived poor settlers like
2. In Australia, (b) safe these people who lived outside the law were Ned Kelly had no hope of justise.
called ‘bushrangers’. As the name suggests, they used (c) Many believed poor settlers like
the (c) Australian not allowed bush to by hide law from authorities. Australia’s Ned Kelly had no hope of justice.
most famous bushranger is, without doubt, Ned Kelly. He
3. Which root word stays the same when
was the leader of the notorious ‘Kelly Gang’ and is also 9. In which pair do both words have a soft
the suffix -ed is removed?
remembered for wearing a suit of armour, made from parts c sound like force?
of a (a) plough. arrested
(a) justice, called
3. Ned (b)(Edward) believed Kelly was born in Australia to Irish parents, (b) in 1855, defence, near Melbourne. sentenced After his
father (c) died survived when he was 11, Ned and his family moved to the Glenrowan district of Victoria,
near relatives, where they lived in difficult conditions.
(c) conditions, offences
4. The word unprotected in Paragraph 6
4. Although 10. In which words does the letter g make
could be Ned replaced and his with: younger brothers earned money for mustering cattle, tree-felling
and breaking horses, they were forced into some illegal activities a soft j sound such as as cattle in changes? stealing, to
allow (a) the unwanted family to survive. Ned was arrested, convicted and (a) sent siege, to jail injured more than once for
a variety (b) uncovered of offences, some of which he did not commit. Many believed poor settlers like him
had no hope of justice.
(b) images, guns
(c) uncomfortable
(c) jail, gang
5. In 1878, a drunken police officer was injured at the Kelly homestead while attempting to
5.
arrest The Dan word Kelly without a is warrant. an antonym His version of events 11. led Which to arrests word does and warrants not have issued a sh sound
for for Ned survived (who was in not Paragraph even there 6. at the time) and Dan. While like they bushrangers? were on the run with their
friends, (a) lived Joe Byrne and Steve Hart, they shot and killed three police officers searching for the
Kelly boys. Ned later said it was in self-defence. From then
(a)
on,
conditions
the four were known as the
(b) saved
‘Kelly Gang’ and were wanted dead or alive.
(b) issued
(c) died
6. With help from many people who felt sympathy for them, (c) the gang searching stayed on the run for
6. about Which two pair years, of words occasionally is in alphabetical
robbing banks for money. During this time, their four sets of
12.
armour
Which word does not have a silent
order? were made. Ned was finally captured after what became known as the Glenrowan
Siege. Knowing that a train load of police were heading their
consonant?
way, Ned and the gang took
(a) family, famous
about 70 hostages at the Glenrowan Inn. When the police (a) raided doubt the inn, Ned came out in
his (b) suit of cattle, armour. captured His lower body was unprotected and he
(b)
was
folk
shot many times in the legs.
He (c) survived siege, to sentenced stand trial and was sentenced to death by hanging soon after. The other gang
members had died in the siege.
(c) wanted
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. Whether some people agree or not, Ned Kelly has become an Australian folk hero. After his
death, many changes occurred in the police force in an attempt to improve the justice system
for rich and poor.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (32) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (32) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 3
Comprehension
The best author of the 21st century!
1. I really believe that Stephenie Meyer is the best author of the 21st
century! What else would you call someone who had never
written a novel before in her life, but sold over 100 million copies
of her first one? And to top that the idea for her series of
books came from a dream! I wish I could have dreams like
that!
2. It’s unbelievable, but true! Stephenie Meyer was a mum looking
after three boys when, one night in 2003, she had a dream which
she could not forget. It featured a human girl and a vampire who
fell in love with her. The idea was so compelling that, in three short
months, she had completed her first novel. Encouraged by her sister,
she sent her manuscript to some publishers. Of course, many weren’t
interested, but finally it caught the eye of one. The rest, as they say, is
history!
3. Within weeks of its publication in 2005, Twilight was number five on
the New York Times bestseller list and then, very soon number one. It
was named one of the top ten books for young adults, Best Book of
the Decade by Amazon and voted Publishers Weekly Best Book of the
Year. Following Twilight, came New moon, Eclipse and Breaking dawn,
all based around the same characters. Over 1.3 million copies of the
fourth book were sold on the first day! Her series of books had become a
worldwide wonder!
4. In 2008, the first book came out as a film. It was number one at the box office and
made $70 million. New moon came out in 2009, Eclipse in 2010, Breaking dawn
Part 1 in 2011 and Part 2 in 2012. What an amazing feat for a writer who simply
penned words for her own pleasure!
5. Of course, not everyone has the ability, creativity or background to write best-selling
novels! Stephenie Meyer graduated from university with a Bachelor’s Degree in English.
She was an avid reader of classic works such as Jane Eyre, Pride and prejudice, Anne
of Green Gables and Romeo and Juliet. She says these books inspired her Twilight
series. If she is not reading a book, she is writing one! With such a rich background, it
is not surprising that she was able to write her masterpieces!
6. Not the kind of person to do nothing, Stephenie Meyer started her own film production
company in 2011 with a friend. To date, she has produced three films. She has
published other works for adults and has many ideas for other stories.
7. Stephenie Meyer has been called ‘an imaginative story writer, a prolific author and a
powerful figure in the publishing market’. There is no doubt in my mind that she is the
best author of the 21st century!
1. The word prolific in Paragraph 7 means:
(a) very productive; producing many
works
(b) amiable
(c) stubborn
2. Which paragraph tells mainly about
Stephenie Meyer’s literary background?
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 5
(c) Paragraph 4
3. What is a book or piece of writing
called before it is published?
(a) doodles
(b) penmanship
(c) a manuscript
4. Which book was released after New
moon and before Breaking dawn?
(a) Eclipse
(b) Twilight
(c) Jane Eyre
5. How is the film based on Breaking
dawn different to those based on the
other books?
(a) It had different characters.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(b) It was released in two parts.
(c) It did not make much money at the
box office.
6. Which sentence best summarises
Paragraph 6?
(a) Stephenie Meyer produces films now
as well as continuing writing.
(b) Stephenie Meyer is a very successful
writer.
(c) Stephenie Meyer has given up
writing to pursue film production.
7. You can predict that if Stephenie
Meyer had not sent her manuscript to
a number of publishers:
(a) it would not have been published.
(b) it would have still been successful.
(c) a film would have been made
about it instead.
8. You can predict that some publishers
would have been:
(a) glad they did not publish
Stephenie Meyer’s first book.
(b) very sorry they turned down
Stephenie Meyer’s first book.
(c) indifferent to the success of
Stephenie Meyer’s first book.
9. You can infer that the titles of the
books were chosen because they all:
(a) relate to events in the sky.
(b) relate to vampires.
(c) are catchy, memorable words.
10. The books were made into films
because they were:
(a) good subjects for animation.
(b) so popular with young adults.
(c) quick and easy to produce.
11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) Stephenie Meyer is brilliant!
(b) Stephenie Meyer is an author.
(c) Stephenie Meyer is a female.
12. The writer believes that Stephenie
Meyer is:
(a) an amazing author.
(b) a good film producer.
(c) extremely lucky.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (33) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 3
Tan 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
word 1. 1. compelling Commas The word in separate prolific Paragraph in phrases Paragraph 2 and 7 means: 8. The homophones 7. 5. You Which can there, words predict their are that prepositions and if Stephenie linking
ans: clauses
(a) very
to
productive;
break a sentence
producing
into
many
they’re can Meyer words be confused. had in this not sentence? Which
her manuscript to
a number of publishers:
powerful
sensible,
works
easy-to-read units that aid sentence uses
The
them
idea for
correctly?
her series of books came
understanding. Which sentence uses
(a) it would not have been published.
creative (b) amiable
(a) I left they’re from laptop a dream. right their
commas correctly?
and there (b)
(c) stubborn
(a)
going it for, would books,
to have be
a
annoyed still been successful.
ridiculous (a) The Twilight books, having become if I’ve lost it.
a worldwide wonder, were quickly
(c) (b) a for, film of, would from have been made
ich word 2. is Which NOT plural paragraph like publishers tells mainly about (b) I left their laptop about right it instead. there and
made into enormously successful
d stories? Stephenie Meyer’s literary background? they’re (c) going her, to of, be dream annoyed if
films.
I’ve 8. lost You it. can predict that some publishers
works (b) (a) Bachelor’s Paragraph (c) 3 copies
6. A preposition phase is a group of
(b) The Twilight books having become
(c) I left there would have been:
(b) Paragraph 5
words laptop starting right with they’re a preposition.
ich word could
a worldwide,
be a synonym
wonder
(word
were quickly
and their (a) Which going glad is they to be preposition did annoyed not publish if phrase in
h a similar (c) meaning)
made
Paragraph
into
for
enormously
feat 4 in
successful
I’ve lost this it. Stephenie sentence? Meyer’s first book.
agraph 4?
films.
3. What is a book or piece of writing
(b) very sorry they turned down
(c) The Twilight books having, become 9. Which one is In NOT three a short contraction? months she had
limbs (b)
called
conquer
before it
(c)
is published?
action
completed Stephenie her Meyer’s first novel. first book.
a worldwide wonder were quickly (a) Bachelor’s (b) it’s (c) weren’t
ich word could (a) made doodles be an into antonym enormously (word successful
(c) (a) indifferent In three short to the months success of
h an opposite films.
Stephenie Meyer’s first book.
(b) penmanship
meaning) for avid in
10. In Paragraph
(b)
4,
she
the expression
had completed
agraph 5?
simply penned words means she:
2. Determiners (c) a manuscript are written before a noun 9. You (c) can her infer first novel that the titles of the
indifferent
(a) just wrote
to make it more specific, e.g. this book, books were chosen because they all:
4. my Which book, book a book, was released the book. after Which New
7.
eager
(b) wrote with The
(a) a idiom
relate pen caught the eye is a
to events in the sky.
words moon are and determiners before Breaking this dawn? sentence? common phrase meaning to
keen
(c) used simple (b) gain relate the
words
attention to vampires. of someone or
The (a) idea Eclipse for her books came from a
dream
(c) something. are catchy, Which memorable idiom means words. it is
ich word or
(b)
word
Twilight she group had. does NOT
11. In the text, the word novel is used
so well known that it does not need
long in the following list?
as a noun and means a work of
(a) (c) The, Jane for, Eyre her
10.
fiction with The to
a plot,
be books told?
characters were made and into films
vie producer film
(b) her, a, she
events. What because (a) does The it rest they mean ... were: is in history! the
box office 5. How is the film based on Breaking sentence below
(c)
(a) good subjects for animation.
dawn The, different her, a to those based on the
(b) ...
when
unbelievable
it is used
but
as
true!
novel
an adjective?
other books?
(b) (c) so powerful popular figure with young adults.
3. Most comparative adjectives are made
released
Stephenie Meyer came up with a
by (a) adding It had either different characters.
or est or the words
(c) quick and easy to produce.
novel idea 8. for Alliteration a series of is books. the repetition of the first
ich word more belongs (b) It or was most; in released the e.g. group warm, in of two warmer, parts. more
(a) a 11. very It short consonant is novel opinion, sound not in a a fact, series that: of words
rds below successful, most successful. Which
word (c)
which
It doesn’t did
all
not
have
do make
a long
this? much
i
money at the
like worldwide wonder. Which group
(a) Stephenie Meyer is brilliant!
nd?
(b) new or
box office.
of
different
words does NOT use alliteration?
(a) rich
(b) Stephenie Meyer is an author.
Twilight surprising
(c) shiny or
(a)
luminous
marvellous masterpieces by
ter 6.
(b) Which finally good sentence inspired best summarises
(c) Stephenie Meyer Meyer is a female.
12.
Paragraph 6?
Which two words both have one
first (b)(c) creativity creative (c) finally
more syllable
12. The (b) than writer graduated finally? believes from that university Stephenie
(a) Stephenie Meyer produces films now
Meyer is:
ich sentence 4. Relative uses as well pronouns the as correct continuing like which writing.
(a) everyone, (c) manuscript penned precious papers
and that
ophones? add (a) an amazing author.
(b) information Stephenie Meyer about is the a very words successful
(b) published, publication
What an they amazing follow. writer. feet Which to write relative books pronoun is
(c) believable, (b) interested a good film producer.
that one missing from this sentence?
(c)
so many
Stephenie
awards.
Meyer has given up Visit (c) Stephenie extremely Meyer’s lucky. website to find
What an Meyer amazing writing was feat a to woman pursue to write film books production. achieved
out the latest news about the author.
that won great so many success. awards.
(a) who (b) that (c) which
Create a fictitious title and cover for a
What an amazing feat to right books
new Stephenie Meyer novel.
that wone so many awards.
1. The word compelling in Paragraph 2
8. The homophones there, their and
means:
they’re can be confused. Which
(a) powerful
sentence uses them correctly?
(b) creative
(a) I left they’re laptop right their
and there going to be annoyed
(c) The ridiculous best author of the 21st century!
if I’ve lost it.
1. I really believe that Stephenie Meyer is the best author
2. Which word is NOT plural like publishers
(b) I
of
left
the
their
21st
laptop right there and
century! What else would you call someone who had never
and stories?
they’re going to be annoyed if
written a novel before in her life, but sold over 100 million
I’ve
copies
lost it.
(a) of her works first (b) one? Bachelor’s And to top (c) that copies the idea for her series of
books came from a dream! I wish I could have dreams (c) I left like there laptop right they’re
3. Which that! word could be a synonym (word
and their going to be annoyed if
with a similar meaning) for feat in
I’ve lost it.
2. Paragraph It’s unbelievable, 4? but true! Stephenie Meyer was a mum looking
after three boys when, one night in 2003, she had 9. a Which dream one which is NOT a contraction?
(a) limbs (b) conquer (c) action
she could not forget. It featured a human girl and (a) a vampire Bachelor’s who (b) it’s (c) weren’t
4. Which fell in word love with could her. be The an idea antonym was so (word compelling that, in three short
with months, an opposite she had meaning) completed for her avid first in novel. Encouraged 10. In Paragraph by her sister, 4, the expression
Paragraph she sent her 5? manuscript to some publishers. Of course, simply many penned weren’t words means she:
interested, but finally it caught the eye of one. The rest, as they say, is
(a) indifferent
(a) just wrote
history!
(b) eager
(b) wrote with a pen
3. Within weeks of its publication in 2005, Twilight was number five on
(c) the keen New York Times bestseller list and then, very soon (c) number used simple one. It words
was named one of the top ten books for young adults, Best Book of
5. Which word or word group does NOT
11. In the text, the word novel is used
the Decade by Amazon and voted Publishers Weekly Best Book of the
belong the following list?
as a noun and means a work of
Year. Following Twilight, came New moon, Eclipse and Breaking dawn,
fiction with a plot, characters and
movie all based around producer the same characters. film Over 1.3 million copies of the
events. What does it mean in the
fourth book were sold on the first day! Her series of books had become a
(a) box office
sentence below when it is used as
worldwide wonder!
(b) novel
an adjective?
4. In 2008, the first book came out as a film. It was number
(c) released
Stephenie one Meyer at the came box office up with and a
made $70 million. New moon came out in 2009, Eclipse novel in idea 2010, for Breaking a series of dawn books.
Part 1 in 2011 and Part 2 in 2012. What an amazing feat for a writer who simply
6. Which word belongs in the group of
penned words for her own pleasure!
(a) a very short novel
words below which all have a long i
sound?
(b) new or different
5. Of course, not everyone has the ability, creativity or background to write best-selling
eye novels! Stephenie Twilight Meyer graduated surprising from university (c) with shiny a Bachelor’s luminous Degree in English.
writer She was an avid finally reader of inspired classic works such as Jane Eyre, Pride and prejudice, Anne
12.
of Green Gables and Romeo and Juliet. She says these Which books two words inspired both her have Twilight one
(a)
series.
first
If she
(b)
is
creativity
not reading
(c)
a book,
finally
she is writing one! more With syllable such a than rich finally? background, it
is not surprising that she was able to write her masterpieces!
7. Which sentence uses the correct
(a) everyone, manuscript
6. homophones?
Not the kind of person to do nothing, Stephenie Meyer (b) published, started her publication own film production
(a) company What an in amazing 2011 with feet a friend. to write To books date, she has produced (c) believable, three films. interested She has
published that one other so many works awards. for adults and has many ideas for other stories.
7. (b) Stephenie What an Meyer amazing has feat been to called write books ‘an imaginative story writer, a prolific author and a
powerful that won figure so many in the awards. publishing market’. There is no doubt in my mind that she is the
best author of the 21st century!
(c) What an amazing feat to right books
that wone so many awards.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (33) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (33) Prim-Ed Publishing

Tan 4
1. If you know the brand name Apple, you would have heard
of Steve Jobs. This amazing man changed the world of
technology. The time line gives many key events in the life of
the Apple man.
2.
3. Late
1950s
4. 1960s
– 1970
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
1955 Born San Francisco, California, USA on February 24.
1971
Steve Jobs. Photo courtesy of Matt Yohe
Moved to Santa Clara County, California, to live. As a boy, took apart and put
together electronics in the garage.
Did not do well in a strict school. When tested, proved very bright so moved on to
middle school.
Enrolled Homestead High School where he met Steve Wozniak who was also very
good at electronics.
1972 Enrolled Reed College, Portland, Oregon, but only attended classes he enjoyed.
1974 Worked for Atari as a video game designer. Made computers in his free time.
1976 With Wozniak, built computers in the garage. Fifty Apple I computers sold.
1977
1984
1985
Apple II computer goes on sale. Apple company formed. Owning a personal
computer becomes the normal thing to do.
Macintosh computer goes on sale. Apple becomes a multimillion dollar company.
Macintosh sales are poor. Jobs is disappointed.
Jobs quits as CEO of Apple due to fights about what the company should do. Buys
an animation company called Pixar.
12. 1986
– 1993 Attempts to make and sell NeXT computer fail. Pixar fights to stay open.
13.
14.
15.
16.
1994 Toy story opens and is a big hit. Microscoft doing well while Apple is failing.
1997
– 1998
1999
– 2006
The Apple man
Apple buys NeXT and Steve Jobs returns as boss. PowerMac and PowerBook go on
sale. Apple starts to take over the market.
iMac, iBook, iMovie, Mac OS X (making use of the NeXT idea), iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto
and iPod go on sale. iTunes Music Store created.
2007
– 2010 iPhone and iPad go on sale.
1. The word technology in Paragraph 1
means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the use of science in industry.
a person who loves Star Trek.
something that changes.
2. At Atari, Steve Jobs designed:
(a)
(b)
(c)
computers
video games
mobile phones
3. The main idea of the text is that Steve
Jobs:
(a)
(b)
(c)
had a different and interesting life.
was a wonderful man.
kept working hard to achieve success.
4. Which Apple product was released before
the Macintosh computer?
(a) Apple II (b) Power Mac (c) iMac
5. Apple and Microsoft are similar because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Steve Jobs worked for them.
they are successful computer
companies.
they developed iPhones.
6. It is likely that, if he had lived, Steve Jobs
would have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
continued to change technology.
stopped making digital products.
become a rock star.
7. You could conclude that, as well as being
very creative, Steve Jobs was also:
(a)
(b)
(c)
poor at managing his money.
a clever businessman.
good with people.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. Which statement best summarises Steve
Jobs’s life from 1997 to 2010? He:
(a)
(b)
(c)
failed to help Apple even though it
was struggling to survive.
realised he was finished in the
technology industry.
completely turned around the
fortunes of Apple.
9. Which company caused Apple to lose its
lead in the technology market early in
the 1990s?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Microsoft
Pixar
Atari
10. The writer probably calls Steve Jobs the
‘Apple man’ because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
he created a company which he
named Apple.
he likes apples.
that is his name.
11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Apple makes many digital products.
iTunes is a large seller of music.
the iPad is a wonderful invention.
12. This biography in a time line is a text
that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
gives information.
tries to persuade the reader.
entertains.
17.
2011 Died on 5 October, aged 56, from cancer. Apple company worth over $500 billion.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (34) Prim-Ed Publishing
Imac. Photo courtesy of Gustav Agren

Tan 4
Tan 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. 1. electronics Proper The word nouns in technology Paragraph name special 3 in Paragraph people, places 6. 1 Which sentence 8. 6. Which uses statement verb the is correct in best the present summarises tense? Steve
ans: and means: things and have a capital letter. homophones? Jobs’s
(a) Macintosh
life from 1997
sales
to
are
2010?
poor.
He:
Which groups of words, all with capital
technology (a) relating the use to of the science design in of industry. (a) He left when (a) failed to help Apple even though it
letters, are proper nouns?
(b)
he
He
herd
did not
sales
do
were
well in a strict school.
circuits with
(b)
microchips
a person who
and other
loves Star Trek.
pour. was struggling to survive.
components. (a) California, Pixar, Apple
(c) He worked for Atari .
(c) something that changes.
(b) He left when (b) realised he heard he sails was were finished in the
anything (b) powered Worked, by electricity. Attempts, Mac OS X
poor. 7. Which technology word is a industry. possessive determiner
the process 2. (c) At Atari, of Portland, choosing Steve NeXT, a Jobs person Died designed: to
(c) He left when (c) identifying completely he heard who sales turned something were around belongs the to?
run a government. (a) computers
poor. He made fortunes computers of Apple. in his free time.
2. Which sentence does NOT contain at least
ny verbs, like one (b) animate, adjective video games drop describing the a noun? 7. The prefix 9. dis- Which (a) means his company not (b) or caused opposite he Apple of (c) to free lose its
nd add -ion
(a) (c) to
MacIntosh
make mobile a phones noun,
sales
like
are poor.
in words like lead discomfort in the technology and disappear. market early in
8. Which sentence uses commas to
mation. Which word was made by
Which word the does 1990s? NOT follow this
3. (b) The As main a boy, idea he of took the text apart is and that put Steve
separate words in a list instead of to
owing this rule?
pattern?
(a) Microsoft
Jobs: together electronics.
clarify meaning?
auction
(a) disappointed
(c)
(b) Pixar
(a) Toy had story a different opens and interesting becomes a life. big hit. (a) iMac, iBook, iMovie, MacOS X,
imitation
(b) disagree
(c) Atari iTunes, iPhoto and iPod go on sale.
3. Adverbials (b) was a can wonderful give more man.
subtraction
details about (c) discomfort (b) Moved to San Francisco, California,
a (c) verb, kept by working telling how, hard when to achieve or where success. 10. The writer
USA.
probably calls Steve Jobs the
ynonym (word something with a happens. similar The adverbial in 8. the The word video ‘Apple is a man’ Latin because: word meaning
aning) 4. for sentence Which strict in Apple Paragraph is: product 4 is: was released before I see. Which
(a)
word (c) Died
he
comes on
created
from 5 October,
a company
an Old aged 56, from
which he
iPhone
the Macintosh
and iPad
computer?
cancer.
easy-going
go on sale with great
English word gamen
named
meaning
Apple.
joy, fun?
success. (a) Apple II (b) Power Mac (c) iMac
crooked
(a) computer
(b)
(b)
he likes
game
apples.
(c) school
(a)
5. Apple
iPhone
and Microsoft
and iPad
controlled
are similar because: 9. Which base word (c) that are is personal, his name.
(b)
(a)
go
Steve
on sale
Jobs worked for them.
personally and personality built on?
Iphone. Photo courtesy of Zach Vega
antonym (word with an opposite
11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(c)
(b)
with
they
great
are successful
success
aning) for fights in Paragraph 12 is: computer
(a) person (b) son (c) people
(a) Apple makes many digital products.
companies.
surrenders 4. Conjunctions (b) fails can (c) link creates ideas in a sentence. 10. Which word
(b)
is the
iTunes
plural
is
of
a large
company?
seller of music.
Which (c) they word developed performs iPhones. that function by
ich two words linking have two the smaller same
(a) companies
sentences to make a
(c) the iPad is a wonderful invention.
ber of 6. syllables? longer It is likely one? that, if he had lived, Steve Jobs (b) companys
would have:
12. This biography in a time line is a text
multimillion, Microsoft personal is doing well while Apple is failing. (c) companiez
that:
(a) continued to change technology.
electronics, (a) animation while (b) is failing (c) doing 11. well Which group (a) of words gives information.
all have a long e
(b) stopped making digital products.
computer, technology
vowel sound
5. Which (b)
like
tries
Steve
to
and
persuade
created?
the reader.
(c) become
group of
a rock
words
star.
is a preposition Something extra
phrase beginning with a preposition? (a) heard, homestead,
(c) entertains.
electronics
7. As You a boy, could he conclude took apart that, and as put well together as being
Write a time line of your own
(b) disagree, he, key
electronics very creative, in the Steve garage. Jobs was also:
life like Steve Jobs’s. Include all
(c) technology, important becomes, events. tested
(a) (a) and poor put at together managing his money.
12. Becoming the Create norm means a survey it to is graph the most
(b) (b) in a the clever garage businessman.
something that: popular Apple product used by your
(c) (c) took good apart with people.
(a) normal people
classmates.
do.
(b)
(c)
is popular.
is typical and expected.
1. The word electronics in Paragraph 3
means:
All about words
6. Which sentence uses the correct
homophones?
(a) technology relating to the design of
(a) He left when he herd sales were
1. If you know the brand name Apple, you would have heard
of Steve
circuits
Jobs.
with
This
microchips
amazing man
and other
changed the world of
pour.
technology.
components.
The time line gives many key events in the (b) life of He left when he heard sails were
(b) the Apple anything man. powered by electricity.
poor.
2.
(c) the process of choosing a person to
(c) He left when he heard sales were
1955 run a Born government. San Francisco, California, USA on February 24. poor.
2. Many verbs, like animate, drop the
7. The prefix dis- means not or opposite of
3. Late Moved to Santa Clara County, California, to live. As a boy, took apart and put
e 1950s and add together -ion make electronics a noun, in like the garage. in words like discomfort and disappear.
animation. Which word was made by
Which word does NOT follow this
4. following 1960s Did this not rule? do well in a strict school. When tested, pattern? proved very bright so moved on to
– 1970
(a) auction middle school.
(a) disappointed
5. (b) imitation Enrolled Homestead High School where he met (b) Steve disagree Wozniak who was also very
1971
good at electronics.
(c) subtraction
(c) discomfort
6.
1972 Enrolled Reed College, Portland, Oregon, but only attended classes he enjoyed.
3. A synonym (word with a similar
8. The word video is a Latin word meaning
7. meaning) for strict in Paragraph 4 is:
I see. Which word comes from an Old
1974 Worked for Atari as a video game designer. Made computers in his free time.
(a) easy-going
English word gamen meaning joy, fun?
8.
(b) 1976 crooked With Wozniak, built computers in the garage. (a) Fifty computer Apple I computers (b) game sold. (c) school
9. (c) controlled Apple II computer goes on sale. Apple company 9. Which formed. base word Owning are a personal,
1977
computer becomes the normal thing to do. personally and personality built on?
4. An antonym (word with an opposite
10.
Macintosh computer goes on sale. Apple becomes
meaning) for fights in Paragraph 12 is:
(a) person a multimillion (b) son dollar company. (c) people
1984
Macintosh sales are poor. Jobs is disappointed.
(a) surrenders (b) fails (c) creates
10. Which word is the plural of company?
11.
Jobs quits as CEO of Apple due to fights about what the company should do. Buys
1985
an animation company called Pixar.
5. Which two words have the same
(a) companies
12. number 1986 of syllables?
(b) companys
– 1993 Attempts to make and sell NeXT computer fail. Pixar fights to stay open.
(a) multimillion, personal
(c) companiez
13.
14.
(b) electronics, animation
1994 Toy story opens and is a big hit. Microscoft 11. doing Which well group while of Apple words is all failing. have a long e
(c) computer, technology
vowel sound like Steve and created?
1997 Apple buys NeXT and Steve Jobs returns as (a) boss. heard, PowerMac homestead, and PowerBook electronics go on
– 1998 sale. Apple starts to take over the market.
(b) disagree, he, key
15.
16.
17.
1999
– 2006
The Apple man
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(c) technology, becomes, tested
iMac, iBook, iMovie, Mac OS X (making use of the NeXT idea), iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto
and iPod go on sale. iTunes Music Store 12. created. Becoming the norm means it is
something that:
2007
– 2010 iPhone and iPad go on sale.
(a)
(b)
normal people do.
is popular.
Steve Jobs. Photo courtesy of Matt Yohe
(c) is typical and expected.
2011 Died on 5 October, aged 56, from cancer. Apple company worth over $500 billion.
Ipad. Photo courtesy of Pixiden.com
Ipad. Photo courtesy of Pixiden.com
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (34) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (34) Prim-Ed Publishing
Imac. Photo courtesy of Gustav Agren

Tan 5
The terror
of Paris
1 The city of Paris in France is one of the most visited
capitals in the world. Its most famous landmark is
the Eiffel Tower, which reaches 320 m into the sky.
There are also many other magnificent buildings
and parks for a tourist to visit.
2. One open space, calm and peaceful now, holds
the secret to a violent chapter in France’s history.
The Place de la Concorde is the largest square in
Paris. Today, an ancient Egyptian obelisk stands tall
in the centre of the square, but about 200 years
ago, something less beautiful stood in its place.
3. The guillotine was invented by Dr Joseph Guillotin. He had hoped that his invention would
be used to bring a swift end to the lives of criminals who had been given the death
sentence. But this was a time of great change in France and the French people had other,
menacing, plans for the guillotine.
4. France was ruled by a monarchy; very rich and powerful kings and queens. Most of the
French people were poor farmers who owned nothing yet still had to pay high rents and
taxes. The only way the people could change this was to destroy the monarchy and run
the country themselves as a republic.
5. The French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted for three years. But even when a republic
was declared, peace did not follow. In the ‘Reign of Terror’, many thousands of people who
supported the monarchy were arrested and publicly executed. King Louis XVI and his wife,
Marie Antoinette, were the most famous victims of the guillotine.
6. Each day, people came to the square to jeer as the condemned were pulled to their
place of execution in small carts called tumbrils. Women were among the keenest
spectators. Between executions, as the blade was lifted back to the top of the frame, the
women sat knitting until it was time to witness the death of the next enemy of the republic.
7. Walking through the Place de la Concorde today, there is no evidence of such violence.
Instead, people admire the beauty of the obelisk and the fountains that stand beside it.
They gaze up the Champs-Elysées, the most beautiful avenue in the world, to the Arc de
Triomphe, a memorial to those who have fought and died for France.
8. To many people in the world, this part of Paris reminds them of the final day of the Tour de
France cycle race ... a much nicer memory, don’t you think?
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (35) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Paris is
one of the most:
(a) beautiful cities in the world.
(b) interesting cities in the world.
(c) visited cities in the world.
2. The word in Paragraph 7 that means
tall stone pillar is:
(a) obelisk
(b) avenue
(c) memorial
3. You can conclude from the text that
Paris has:
(a) always been violent.
(b) had some violence in its history.
(c) never been a violent place.
4. Visitors to Place de la Concorde today
are different from those during the
revolution because they want to:
(a) admire the beauty of its setting.
(b) see an execution.
(c) do their knitting.
5. The French Revolution occurred
because the poor people wanted to:
(a) stop being farmers.
(b) see how the guillotine worked.
(c) run the country as a republic.
6. In Paragraph 1, the pronoun which
refers to:
(a) Paris
(b) France
(c) the Eiffel Tower
7. The Reign of Terror occurred
the revolution.
(a) before
(b) during
(c) after
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. Prisoners were pulled to the square in
open tumbrils so:
(a) they didn’t have to walk.
(b) the people could see them and
laugh.
(c) they could get there quicker.
9. If the guillotine had not been invented,
the revolution would most probably:
(a) still have occurred.
(b) not have occurred.
(c) be occurring now.
10. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is:
(a) there are many beautiful buildings
and streets in Paris.
(b) Paris today is peaceful compared
with the time of the revolution.
(c) the people of France remember
those who have died for their
country.
11. A summary of Paragraph 3 is:
The guillotine was:
(a) invented to end the lives of
criminals quickly but it was used for
other purposes.
(b) invented by Dr Joseph Guillotin
who wanted to help the French
Revolution.
(c) used in the French Revolution when
the people of France wanted their
country to be a republic.
12. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) a monarchy
has kings and queens.
(b) a republic is ruled by
the people.
(c) a republic is better
than a monarchy.

Tan 5
Tan 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
spelling 1. 1. Which of It is which a fact, word word not is the must an preposition opinion, be that that Paris 7. links is Homographs 5. 8. Which Prisoners are words were that is the pulled have relative the to the pronoun square in
nged before two one nouns? adding of the most: the suffix -ful?
same spelling that open but refers tumbrils different to a so: meanings.
noun mentioned earlier
peace The (a) French beautiful farmers, cities who in the owned world. nothing,
Which word
(a)
in from the
they
Paragraph sentence?
didn’t have
8 is a
to walk.
still
(b)
had
interesting
to pay rent
cities
for
in
their
the world.
land.
homograph
The
of the
(b)
most
word
the people
famous
that means
beauty
could
landmark
see them
in Paris
and
is
people of the
(a)
(c)
who
visited cities
(b)
in the
to
world.
(c) for
the
same
Eiffel
origin?
laugh.
Tower, which reaches high into
power
(a) world the sky.
(c) they could get there quicker.
2.
hich 2. word
Which
The do word the
group
letters in Paragraph
of words
ou not
is
7
a
that
preposition
means (b) race (a) in (b) which (c) into
e the same
phrase
tall sound stone
starting
as pillar in about?
with
is:
a preposition and
9. If the guillotine had not been invented,
adding information about the verb
(c) memory
6. Which
(a) obelisk
the revolution
adjective
would
compares
most probably:
Louis and
thousand lasted?
Marie Antoinette with other victims?
8. Which word from
(b) avenue
(a) still
Paragraph
have occurred.
5 is an
fountainThe revolution, which lasted for three antonym (opposite) Handsome for King violence? Louis and pretty Marie
tourist years, (c) memorial was a violent time in France’s
(b) not have occurred.
(a) republic
Antoinette were the most famous
history.
(c) victims be of occurring the guillotine. now.
ophones 3. You sound can the conclude same but from the text that (b) peace
(a) The revolution
(a) handsome
ve different Paris spellings has: and meanings.
(c) monarchy 10. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is:
ich word (b) is
(a)
not for
always
a three homophone years
been violent.
of
(b) pretty
(a) there are many beautiful buildings
n from Paragraph (c) a violent 5? time
9. Which word (c) has the most
(b) had some violence in its history.
and
same
streets famous number
in Paris.
of
rain
syllables as execution?
3. Which (c) never word been is a possessive a violent place. determiner 7. Which (b) Paris two today words is could peaceful be compared
used as
ray
(a) magnificent
identifying who something belongs to;
both with adjectives the time and of the nouns? revolution.
rein 4. e.g. Visitors his execution?
to Place de la Concorde today (b) monarchy
(a) (c) Louis, the people Franceof France remember
are different from those during the
People were executed by the guillotine, (c) republic those who have died for their
ich word is revolution spelt correctly? because they want to:
(b) Guillotin,
including the king and his queen.
country.
Paris
10.
Egyptian(a) admire the beauty of its setting.
Which word (c) is not Egyptian, a synonym French of
(a) his
menacing 11. from A summary Paragraph of Paragraph 3? 3 is:
Egyption(b) see an execution.
(b) by
8.
(a) humorous
Which
The guillotine
group of
was:
words could stand as
Egypcien(c) do their knitting.
a sentence on their own?
(c) king
(b) terrorising (a) invented to end the lives of
If you
5. The French Revolution occurred
criminals
get the chance,
quickly but
visit
it
the
was
Eiffel
ich word in Paragraph 6 could be
used for
4. In which sentence is the word as not a (c) threatening Tower
because the poor people wanted to:
other
before
purposes.
leaving Paris.
laced with most enthusiastic?
conjunction joining two sentences?
11. (a)
(a) stop being farmers.
(b)
If
invented
you get
by
the
Dr
chance
condemned
Which word from Paragraph 7 does Joseph Guillotin
(a) People came to jeer as prisoners not have a plural (b) visit who form? the wanted Eiffel Tower to help the French
keenest (b) were see how pulled the in guillotine tumbrils. worked.
(a) violence(c) before
Revolution.
leaving Paris
next (b) (c) The run year the country of violence as a was republic. known as
(b) obelisk (c) used in the French Revolution when
the ‘Reign of Terror’.
ich word 6. is In not Paragraph related in 1, meaning the pronoun which
the people of France wanted their
(c) avenue
emind from
(c)
refers Paragraph
As
to:
the blade
8?
was lifted, women sat
country to be a republic.
knitting.
12.
menacing (a) Paris
Which word has only two syllables?
12. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
memorial (b) France
(a) avenue
(a) a monarchy
Something extra
memory(c) the Eiffel Tower
(b) themselves has kings and queens.
(c) republic(b) a republic is ruled by
7. The Reign
Research
of Terror occurred
the history of Bastille Day and discover the people.
why
the
it
revolution.
is important to the French people. (c) a republic is better
(a) before
Use the internet to find some interesting facts than a monarchy.
(b) duringabout the Eiffel Tower. Compare the same
(c) after information from different sites.
1. The spelling of which word must be
changed before adding the suffix -ful?
(a) peace
(b) beauty
(c) power
All about words
7. Homographs are words that have the
same spelling but different meanings.
Which word from Paragraph 8 is a
homograph of the word that means
people of the same origin?
The terror
of Paris
(a) world
2. In which word do the letters ou not
(b) race
give the same sound as in about?
(c) memory
(a) thousand
1 The city of 8. Paris Which in France word from is one Paragraph of the most 5 visited an
(b) fountain
capitals in the antonym world. Its (opposite) most famous for violence? landmark is
(c) tourist
the Eiffel Tower, (a) which republic reaches 320 m into the sky.
There are also many other magnificent buildings
3. Homophones sound the same but and parks for (b) a tourist peace to visit.
have different spellings and meanings.
(c) monarchy
Which word is not a homophone of
2. One open space, calm and peaceful now, holds
reign from Paragraph 5?
the secret
9.
to a Which violent word chapter has the in France’s same number history. of
The Place de
(a) rain
syllables la Concorde as execution? is the largest square in
Paris. Today, an ancient Egyptian obelisk stands tall
(b) ray
in the centre (a) of the magnificent square, but about 200 years
ago, something
(c) rein
(b) less monarchy beautiful stood in its place.
(c) republic
3. 4. The Which guillotine word was is spelt invented correctly? by Dr Joseph Guillotin. He had hoped that his invention would
be 10.
(a) used Egyptian to bring a swift end to the lives of criminals who Which had word been is not given a synonym the death of
sentence. But this was a time of great change in France menacing and the from French Paragraph people had 3? other,
(b) Egyption
menacing, plans for the guillotine.
(a) humorous
(c) Egypcien
4. France was ruled by a monarchy; very rich and powerful (b) kings terrorising and queens. Most of the
5. French Which people word in were Paragraph poor farmers 6 could who be owned nothing
(c)
yet
threatening
still had to pay high rents and
taxes. replaced The only with way most the enthusiastic?
people could change this was to destroy the monarchy and run
the country themselves as a republic.
11.
(a) condemned
Which word from Paragraph 7 does
not have a plural form?
5. The
(b)
French
keenest
Revolution began in 1789 and lasted for three years. But even when a republic
was declared, peace did not follow. In the ‘Reign of Terror’, (a) violence many thousands of people who
supported (c) nextthe monarchy were arrested and publicly
(b)
executed.
obelisk
King Louis XVI and his wife,
Marie Antoinette, were the most famous victims of the guillotine.
6. Which word is not related in meaning
(c) avenue
6. Each to remind day, people from Paragraph came to the 8? square to jeer as the condemned were pulled to their
place 12.
(a) of menacing execution in small carts called tumbrils. Women Which were word among has only the two keenest syllables?
spectators. Between executions, as the blade was lifted
(b) memorial
(a) back avenue to the top of the frame, the
women sat knitting until it was time to witness the death of the next enemy of the republic.
(c) memory
(b) themselves
7. Walking through the Place de la Concorde today, there is no evidence of such violence.
(c) republic
Instead, people admire the beauty of the obelisk and the fountains that stand beside it.
They gaze up the Champs-Elysées, the most beautiful avenue in the world, to the Arc de
Triomphe, a memorial to those who have fought and died for France.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. To many people in the world, this part of Paris reminds them of the final day of the Tour de
France cycle race ... a much nicer memory, don’t you think?
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (35) www.ricpublications.com.au
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (35) Prim-Ed Publishing

Aquamarine 1
Comprehension
Love
1. Glenn adored computers and technology. He was
constantly disassembling things and trying to put
them back together again. When he’d finally earned
enough money to buy all of the components for
triangle
his dream ‘super computer’, he spent days
assembling and arranging until finally it was
complete. It was a masterpiece and the
computer was placed in a prominent
in cyberspace
position in his bedroom. Glenn decided
to name it Janice, like a real person, as
a bit of a joke to himself.
2. Countless days were spent on the computer playing games, surfing the internet, listening
to music and just generally hanging out. Glenn would talk aloud to Janice, but of course she
wouldn’t respond. His parents and friends said that it wasn’t healthy to be spending so much time
on the computer in his room, but he disregarded their worried comments. What did they know
about computers anyway?
3. One fateful day, Glenn’s world spun upside down when he met Kelly at school. He knew the
moment he laid eyes on her that she would be someone special and before the month was
out they were spending all of their spare time together. The computer, Janice, was now totally
forgotten as Glenn and Kelly went to parties, the park and visited mutual friends. Glenn’s parents
were overjoyed, but not everyone was pleased with these latest changes. Falling into bed one
night after spending the day with Kelly, Glenn noticed his computer had been turned on. He
approached the computer and was groping around in the darkness for the power switch, when a
message box popped up on the screen.
4. ‘Hello, Glenn. I’ve been waiting for you. Why have you been ignoring me?’
5. Startled, Glenn took a couple steps backwards, wondering what had happened. ‘Janice?’ he said
aloud, wondering how that could be possible. He squinted at the screen as a second message
appeared.
6. ‘Yes, Glenn. We used to be good friends. You would spend all of your time with me. Now you
barely turn me on and my components are dusty. Where do you spend your time now? Have I
done something wrong?’
7. Glenn accepted that the impossible was indeed happening and replied, ‘No! Janice you haven’t
done anything wrong at all! It’s just that I’ve met a girl. Her name is Kelly and I really like her. Now
that I’m spending so much time with her, I just don’t have time for you’. There was a long pause,
but finally the green writing appeared again.
8. ‘Kelly ... I do not like this person. She has made you stay away from me. We are friends. Friends
must be together. You should tell Kelly that you already have a friend.’
9. It was becoming apparent that Janice had a great deal more intelligence than Glenn had originally
thought and it was beginning to frighten him. He slowly moved towards the power switch on the
wall to shut her down, not entirely sure if Janice could monitor his actions. An angry message
immediately came onto the screen.
10. ‘DO NOT do that Glenn! You are NOT a good friend. You chose another over me. I am going to
show you what happens to people who are NOT GOOD FRIENDS! Serious consequences will
occur if you attempt to shut me down.’
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (36) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. The word disregarded in Paragraph 2
means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
paid attention to
agreed with
took no notice of
2. The main idea of Paragraph 1 is to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
inform the reader that Glenn liked
computers.
explain how and why Glenn
assembled Janice.
explain that Janice was a
masterpiece.
3. The pronoun they in Paragraph 2 refers
to Glenn’s:
(a)
(b)
(c)
parents
friends
parents and friends
4. Glenn’s parents were very pleased he
met Kelly because it meant that Glenn:
(a)
(b)
(c)
wasn’t on the computer all the time.
could go to the park.
visited friends.
5. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Glenn’s computer was a
masterpiece.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Glenn named his computer Janice.
Janice began messaging Glenn.
6. What happened before Janice told
Glenn she did not like Kelly?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Glenn moved towards the power
switch.
Janice complained about her dusty
components.
Janice threatened Glenn in an angry
message.
7. You can conclude that Janice:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is understanding about Kelly.
is jealous of Kelly.
wants to meet Kelly.
8. Glenn’s computer was most probably
turned on by:
(a)
(b)
(c)
his parents.
his friends.
Janice.
9. Janice and Kelly are similar because
they both:
(a)
(b)
(c)
are involved with computers.
like Glenn.
are young girls.
10. How long did it take Glenn to build
Janice?
(a)
(b)
(c)
one day
a few days
a month
11. Which sentence best summarises
Paragraph 9?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Glenn began to worry about Janice’s
behaviour and made a move to
switch her off without her noticing.
Glenn became aware that Janice had
more intelligence than first thought.
Janice saw what Glenn was doing
and sent an angry message.
12. In the future, it is likely that Janice will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
allow Glenn to switch her off.
make friends with Kelly.
zap Glenn if he touches her power
switch.

Aquamarine 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
Aquamarine 1
words 1. 1. fateful In The Paragraph word day in disregarded Paragraph 8, the ellipsis 3 in mean Paragraph ( ... ) is used 7. 2 to: Which sentence 7. 6. You Demonstrative has can more conclude than determiners that two Janice: can tell
ay that was
(a)
means: to:
provide a pause.
spelling errors?
(a)
which
is understanding
person or thing
about
you mean
Kelly.
have important
(b)
(a)
show
paid consequences.
that
attention
part of
to
(a) Due to his
and
love
whether
of technollogy,
the noun is near or far
a quotation has been
(b)
Glenn was
from is
always
the jealous
asembling
speaker/writer; of Kelly.
and
e.g. that
be unimportant. (b) omitted. agreed with
disasembling (c) computer,
things. wants to those meet messages. Kelly. Which
be very hectic.
(c) show took indecision. no notice of
word is a demonstrative determiner in
(b) Glenn 8. created Glenn’s this sentence? a computer was most probably
ich word 2. 2. is Which The an synonym main sentence idea for of uses apparent Paragraph quote in marks 1 is to: for masterpeice turned that on was by: placed in a
agraph 9?
prominant
Not
position
everyone
in his
was
bedroom.
pleased with these
direct
(a) inform
speech
the
correctly?
reader that Glenn liked
(a) latest his changes. parents.
possible(a)
‘Hello, computers. Glenn. Why have you been (c) Janice told Glenn her componants
(b)
were dusty
(a) his
and
was friends.
that he had been
accurate (b)
ignoring
explain how
me?’
and
demanded
why Glenn
Janice.
ignoring (c) her. (b) Janice. with
(b) ‘Hello, assembled Glenn. Janice. Why have you been
obvious
ignoring me? demanded Janice.’ 8. The word
(c)
could
these
(c) explain that Janice was a
9. Janice and Kelly replace are similar because
ich words (c) both ‘Hello, masterpiece.
have more Glenn’. syllables ‘Why have than you been immediately in they Paragraph both: 9.
7. A preposition phrase begins with a
word happening? ignoring me?’ demanded Janice. (a) angrily (a) preposition; are involved e.g. with on the computers. screen. Which
3. The pronoun they in Paragraph 2 refers
consequences, listening
3. The adverb finally in this sentence is one (b) eventually
group of words is not a preposition
to Glenn’s:
(b) like Glenn.
immediately, of: disregarded
phrase?
(a) parents
(c) promptly(c)
are young girls.
forgotten, There beginning
He groped around in the darkness for
(b) friends
was a long pause, but finally the
9.
green writing appeared.
Which words 10. How do the not power long both did switch, have take when a long Glenn a i message to build
ich two words (c) both parents follow and the friends rule:
sound like time? Janice? appeared.
en adding (a) a suffix frequency beginning (how with often) a
(a) entirely, upside (a) (a) one in the day darkness
el to most 4. (b) Glenn’s words time parents ending (when) with were e, very the pleased e he
ropped before met Kelly adding because the suffix‘? it meant that Glenn: (b) frighten, (b) friends
a for few the days power switch
(c) purpose (why)
decided, (a) adored wasn’t on the computer all the time. (c) replied, trying (c) (c) a month message appeared
4. Which words are adverbs in this sentence?
appeared, (b) disregarded could go to the park.
10. Which group 11. 8. Which of words sentence conjunction is not in best would summarises join these
You barely turn me on, my components are
squinted, (c) approached visited friends.
alphabetical order? Paragraph two sentences 9? best to retain the
dusty and you constantly ignore me.
meaning?
(a) accepted, (a) approached, Glenn began arranging to worry about Janice’s
ich word 5. does (a) It is an barely, not opinion, fit dusty
with not this a fact, word that:
Glenn behaviour talked to and Janice. made Of a course, move to his
egory?
(b) components, computer, countless
(b) (a) dusty, Glenn’s constantly computer was a
computer switch wouldn’t her off without respond. her noticing.
puters components masterpiece. power (c) indeed, internet, intelligence
(c) barely, constantly
(b) (a) Glenn however became aware that Janice had
en (b) monitor Glenn named his computer Janice. 11. Which word pair’s (b) more root but words intelligence change than first thought.
5. Adverbials are words or groups of words
technology (c) Janice began messaging Glenn. when the suffix (c) ing is added?
that can give more information about a
(c) Janice because saw what Glenn was doing
internet verb; e.g. falling into bed (adverbial of
(a) hanging, listening and sent an angry message.
6. What happened before Janice told
school place). Glenn The she did adverbial not like in Kelly? this sentence is: (b) happening, 12. In Something the wondering future, it is likely extra that Janice will:
He (a) moved Glenn towards moved the towards power the switch power to turn (c) beginning, Make (a) becoming a allow list of Glenn 10 words to switch in the her text off.
prefix dis
the
in the
computer
words
off.
disappear,
switch.
that are connected with computers
regard and disassemble means?
12. Which word fits (b) in make with this friends group? with Kelly.
(a) towards the power switch
or technology and write each one in a
(b) Janice complained about her dusty
two
wouldn’t meaningful (c) haven’t zap Glenn sentence. wasn’t if he touches her power
(b) to components. turn
switch.
not
(a) I’ve Imagine Janice has a face.
(c) (c) the Janice computer threatened off Glenn in an angry
opposite message.
(b) it’s Sketch what you think she
looks like on the outline
(c) don’t of a computer screen.
Love
1. 1. Glenn The adored words fateful computers day and in Paragraph technology. 3 mean He was 7. Which sentence has more than two
constantly a day that disassembling was to: things and trying to put spelling errors?
them back together again. When he’d finally earned
(a) have important consequences.
(a) Due to his love of technollogy,
enough money to buy all of the components for
triangle
Glenn was always asembling and
his (b) dream be ‘super unimportant. computer’, he spent days
disasembling things.
assembling (c) be very and hectic. arranging until finally it was
complete. It was a masterpiece and the
(b) Glenn created a computer
2. computer Which word was placed is an synonym in a prominent for apparent in
cyberspace
masterpeice that was placed in a
position Paragraph in his 9? bedroom. Glenn decided
prominant position in his bedroom.
to name
(a) possible
it Janice, like a real person, as
(c) Janice told Glenn her componants
a bit of a joke to himself.
were dusty and that he had been
(b) accurate
2. Countless days were spent on the computer playing games, surfing ignoring the her. internet, listening
to music (c) obvious and just generally hanging out. Glenn would talk aloud to Janice, but of course she
8.
wouldn’t respond. His parents and friends said that it wasn’t
The
healthy
word
to be spending
could replace
so much time
3.
on Which the computer words both in his have room, more but he syllables disregarded than their worried
immediately
comments.
in Paragraph
What did they
9.
know
about the computers word happening? anyway?
(a) angrily
(a) consequences, listening
3. One fateful day, Glenn’s world spun upside down when he (b) met eventually Kelly at school. He knew the
moment (b) immediately, he laid eyes disregarded
on her that she would be someone special (c) promptly and before the month was
out (c) they forgotten, were spending beginning all of their spare time together. The computer, Janice, was now totally
forgotten as Glenn and Kelly went to parties, the park 9. and Which visited words mutual do friends. not both Glenn’s have parents a long i
4. were Which overjoyed, two words but not both everyone follow the was rule: pleased with these sound latest changes. like time? Falling into bed one
night ‘when after adding spending a suffix the day beginning with Kelly, with Glenn a noticed his computer had been turned on. He
(a) entirely, upside
approached vowel to the most computer words ending and was with groping e, the around e in the darkness for the power switch, when a
message is dropped box popped before up adding on the the screen. suffix‘?
(b) frighten, friends
4. ‘Hello, (a) Glenn. decided, I’ve adored been waiting for you. Why have you been
(c)
ignoring
replied,
me?’
trying
5. Startled,
(b) appeared,
Glenn took
disregarded
a couple steps backwards, wondering 10. Which what had group happened. of words ‘Janice?’ is not in he said
aloud, (c) wondering squinted, approached
how that could be possible. He squinted alphabetical at the screen order? as a second message
appeared.
(a) accepted, approached, arranging
5. Which word does not fit in with this word
6. ‘Yes, category? Glenn. We used to be good friends. You would spend (b) all of components, your time with computer, me. Now countless you
barely turn me on and my components are dusty. Where do you spend your time now? Have I
done
computers
something wrong?’
components power (c) indeed, internet, intelligence
screen monitor
11.
7. Glenn accepted that the impossible was indeed happening
Which
and replied,
word pair’s
‘No!
root
Janice
words
you haven’t
change
done (a) anything technology wrong at all! It’s just that I’ve met a girl. Her
when
name
the
is Kelly
suffix
and
ing
I
is
really
added?
like her. Now
that (b) I’m internet spending so much time with her, I just don’t have (a) time hanging, for you’. There listening was a long pause,
but finally the green writing appeared again.
(c) school
(b) happening, wondering
8. ‘Kelly ... I do not like this person. She has made you stay away (c) from beginning, me. We becoming are friends. Friends
6. must The be prefix together. dis in You the should words tell disappear, Kelly that you already have a friend.’
disregard and disassemble means?
12. Which word fits in with this group?
9. It was becoming apparent that Janice had a great deal more intelligence than Glenn had originally
thought
(a) two
and it was beginning to frighten him. He slowly moved wouldn’t towards haven’t the power switch wasn’t on the
wall (b) to shut not her down, not entirely sure if Janice could monitor (a) I’ve his actions. An angry message
immediately
(c) opposite
came onto the screen.
(b) it’s
10. ‘DO NOT do that Glenn! You are NOT a good friend. You
(c)
chose
don’t
another over me. I am going to
show you what happens to people who are NOT GOOD FRIENDS! Serious consequences will
occur if you attempt to shut me down.’
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (36) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (36) Prim-Ed Publishing

Aquamarine 2
Worst case scenario
1. ‘Mum, you cannot be serious! We’re moving AGAIN? Why do you insist on making my life so
difficult?’ I yelled down the hallway, then stomped off to my room before I slammed the door. I
just couldn’t believe it and the frustration was making my head feel like it was about to explode.
This was the third time we would be moving in one year and it felt like I was constantly trying to
stand on quicksand, never really getting my bearings at any one school before we had to pick
up and move again. I suppose it wasn’t my mother’s fault, since her job required her to travel all
over the country, but that didn’t stop me from seething with anger at this latest revelation.
2. Sometime later, when my mother thought it was safe to enter the dragon’s den, I heard a soft
knock on my bedroom door. She tentatively opened the door, poked her head in, then came
over to sit on the side of my bed. I was still sulking and glared at her angrily. She rested her
hand on my arm.
3. ‘Amelia, you know that if I could stop the constant relocating I would. I completely understand
this is really difficult for you. What can I do to make it easier?’
4. I huffed in indignation and crossed my arms. ‘What in the world would magically make this
situation better? We’ve been in this continual state of change and it’s like you want me to be
the most unpopular kid at school!’
5. My mother grimaced at my harsh words and I felt a tiny twinge of remorse. ‘I know and I really
do apologise. The only way I can think of to make this situation better is to make it a whole lot
worse’, she said with a smile. I knew that meant we were going to play ‘worst case scenario’,
which was a game we’d come up with together. Instead of feeling worried about moving and
going to a new school, we would brainstorm the worst possible scenario as a way of being
both ridiculous and making ourselves feel better. My mother started off first.
6. ‘Your new school is going to be so awful that all of the teachers will have horrible coffee breath,
disgusting rotten teeth and putrid yellow sweat stains under their arms!’ she predicted gleefully.
7. ‘Gross! I’ll probably be seated next to the stinkiest, gassiest person in the classroom. Plus the
school will assign me a ‘buddy’ for the first week and that person will be horribly smelly and
really unpopular, so I won’t make any friends.’ I shuddered at my description.
8. ‘Your assigned locker will be full of mouldy meat sandwiches left by a previous
child and you will forget your sports clothes on the first day and be forced
to wear clothes from the lost property bin!’ My mother held her sides
in fits of laughter and tears rolled down her cheeks.
9. I was laughing so hard I could barely get a word out.
‘OK, OK! Mercy! I can’t take anymore! It cannot
possibly be that bad!’ I pleaded, gasping for
air. We lay on the bed for a few minutes,
completely spent from our laughing.
Eventually, my mother propped her head up
on an elbow and looked at me.
10. ‘It can only get better than that!
Feeling better?’ she said with a smile.
11. As incredibly ridiculous as it was, I
thought I actually did feel better.
REMOVALS
1. Amelia felt angry towards her
mother because she:
(a) didn’t like attending school.
(b) thought that her new school
would be terrible.
(c) was frustrated at having to
move so frequently.
2. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Amelia’s mother had a job that
required her to travel often.
(b) changing schools is very
difficult.
(c) Amelia’s new teacher will have
horribly stinky breath.
3. You can predict that Amelia will:
(a) refuse to move to another
school.
(b) accept that she will need to
move again with her mother.
(c) never forgive her mother.
4. The paragraph that describes
Amelia’s strategy for feeling better
in bad situations is:
(a) Paragraph 1
(b) Paragraph 9
(c) Paragraph 5
5. Which is the best summary of
Paragraph 1?
(a) Amelia angrily stomped down
the hallway to her room when
she heard from her mother
that they would be moving
again.
(b) Amelia felt as though her
head would explode from
anger as she learned she
would be moving.
(c) When Amelia’s mother told her
they would be moving again
she felt like she was standing
on quicksand.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. You can tell from the text that Amelia’s mother:
(a) feels remorse at having to make their family
move again.
(b) dislikes her job.
(c) thinks Amelia’s new school and teachers will
be horrible.
7. What does the pronoun this in Paragraph 3 refer
to?
(a) talking about it
(b) sitting on the bed
(c) the constant relocating
8. Amelia and her mother pretended that her new
school would be awful because it would:
(a) make moving to a new school easier.
(b) prepare Amelia for having horrible teachers.
(c) make Amelia excited about moving again.
9. You can conclude that Amelia:
(a) thinks her mother likes to move to new
places.
(b) finds it hard to start at a new school.
(c) doesn’t think that imagining a worst case
scenario is very funny.
10. How many times has Amelia already had to
change schools in the past year?
(a) more than five (b) fewer than four (c) zero
11. Amelia felt better after:
(a) she played the worst case scenario game
with her mother.
(b) her mother told her they would be moving
again.
(c) imagining that her new teachers would have
rotten teeth.
12. It is likely that after this move Amelia:
(a) will think changing schools is easy.
(b) won’t attend school any longer.
(c) will have to continue to change schools due
to her mother’s job.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (37) Prim-Ed Publishing

Aquamarine 2
Aquamarine 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich words 1. 1. Which Amelia are not sentence felt in alphabetical angry uses towards quote order? her marks for 8. 6. Which You 6. can word A tell preposition shares from the text phrase same that begins Amelia’s with mother: a
barely, brainstorm,
direct mother speech because
breath
correctly? she:
consonant
(a) feels
preposition;
remorse
sound with
at
e.g.
having
these on my words?
to make
bedroom
their
door.
family
situation, (a)
since,
‘That’s didn’t
sides
not like fair!’ attending ‘Why do school. we have to apologise move
Which
again. just
group of words
change
is a preposition
move again?’ I exclaimed loudly.
phrase?
constantly,
(b)
continual,
thought
country
that her new school
(a) (b) grimaced dislikes her job.
(b) ‘That’s would not be terrible. fair! Why do we have to
‘You will be forced to wear clothes from
(b) (c) laughter thinks
word indignation move in again? Paragraph I exclaimed 4 means: loudly.’
the Amelia’s lost property new bin.’ school and teachers will
(c) was frustrated at having to
(c) magically
be horrible.
to dig with (c) enthusiasm ‘That’s move not so frequently. fair! Why do we have to
(a) You will be forced
move again?’ I exclaimed loudly. 7.
9.
strong displeasure at something seen as
The
What
prefix
does (b) un
the
gives to wear pronoun
a word clothes this
the
in Paragraph 3 refer
2. It a fact, not an opinion, that:
unfair
opposite
to?
meaning; e.g. unpopular.
2. A modal verb is a type of auxiliary or
(c) from the lost property bin
(a) Amelia’s mother had a job that Which (a) talking word cannot about it have un as a
a group helping of like-minded required
verb. Example:
her people to travel
You
often.
will forget
prefix? 7.
your sports clothes. Which verb is the (b) sitting
Quantifying
on the bed
determiners introduce
ich words modal (b) both changing have verb the this same schools sentence? number is very of
(a) possibly
a noun and indicate the quantity
(c) the (amount) constant relocating
ables as frustration? difficult.
of it without giving the exact
It was the third time we would be moving (b) assigned number; e.g. some teachers, many
apologise, in (c) one disgusting Amelia’s year. new teacher will have 8. Amelia
(c) believable friends.
and her
Which
mother
word
pretended
is a quantifying
that her new
horribly stinky breath.
school would
possibly, (a) completely was (b) would (c) moving
determiner
be awful
in this
because
sentence?
it would:
10. Which (a) make word
That
does moving
person
not to
will
have a new
be
a
really
school short
unpopular
o easier.
unpopular, 3. You revelation can predict that Amelia will:
and
3. A verb group is all the words that form sound
(b) prepare
like
I won’t
rolled?
Amelia make for any having friends. horrible teachers.
the (a) verb. refuse Example: to move You to another cannot be
ich word belongs with this group of
(a) mouldy
serious! school. The verb group in this sentence
(c) make (a) Amelia that excited about moving again.
rds?
is:
(b) horrible
(b) accept that she will need to
(b) and
9.
instorm quicksand classroom
You can conclude that Amelia:
We were move going again to play with ‘worst her mother. case
(c) moving
(c) any
better
(a) thinks her mother likes to move to new
scenario’. (c) never forgive her mother.
11. The contraction places. we’d in Paragraph 5
8. Which conjunction would join these
description (a) We were
is made from the words:
4. The paragraph that describes
(b) finds two it hard sentences to start best at a to new retain school. the
understand (b) Amelia’s were going strategy to for play feeling better (a) we had meaning?
(c) doesn’t think that imagining a worst case
word tentatively (c) in bad worst situations
in case Paragraph scenario is:
2 could
(b) we scenario did My mother is very grimaced funny. at my harsh words.
replaced with: (a) Paragraph 1
I felt a tiny twinge of remorse.
(c) we could
4. Which auxiliary verbs fit in this sentence 10. How many times has Amelia already had to
cautiously to (b) put Paragraph it in the past 9 tense?
(a) because
12. Which
change
sentence
schools
is
in
spelt
the
correctly?
past year?
quietly As (c) ridiculous Paragraph as it 5 , I never felt
(b) while
(a)
(a)
We’d
more
been
than
in
five
a continuel
(b) fewer
stait
than
of
four (c) zero
confidently better.
(c) since
5. Which is the best summary of
change for years because of her
11. Amelia felt better after:
(a) Paragraph was, had1?
job.
hich word pair are both words spelt
(a) she played the worst case scenario game
rectly? (b) (a) is, Amelia am angrily stomped down (b) We
with
would
her mother.
brainstorm terrible
scenarios as a way of feeling
revalation, (c) disgusting is, the had hallway to her room when
she heard from her mother
(b) better. her mother told her they would be moving
uniform, 5. A completly noun that group they is would group be of moving words with
again.
(c) The teachers would have rotton
pleaded, a ridiculous noun, again. adjective(s) and usually a
(c) teeth imagining and pewtrid that her yellow new sweat teachers would have
determiner; e.g. my harsh words. The
Something extra
(b) Amelia felt as though her
stains. rotten teeth.
ich word is noun an antonym head
group
would
in this
explode
sentence
from
is:
Imagine a difficult situation like starting
putrid in Paragraph I’ll probably anger 6?
12. It is likely that after this move Amelia:
be as she seated learned next to she the stinkiest, at a new school or joining a sports team.
unsightlygassiest would person be moving.
the classroom.
(a) Write will think a short changing story on schools the worst is easy. case
scenario.
perfumed (a) (c) probably When Amelia’s be seated mother told her (b) won’t attend school any longer.
foul (b) in
they
the
would
classroom
be moving again
(c) Draw will have an illustration to continue of to the change teachers schools due
she felt like she was standing
described to her mother’s in the job. story.
(c) the on stinkiest, quicksand. gassiest person
Worst case scenario
1. Which words are not in alphabetical order?
8. Which word shares the same
(a) barely, brainstorm, breath
consonant sound with these words?
1. ‘Mum, you cannot be serious! We’re moving AGAIN? Why do you insist on making my life so
difficult?’ (b) situation, I yelled since, down sides
apologise just change
the hallway, then stomped off to my room before I slammed the door. I
just (c) couldn’t constantly, believe continual, it and the country frustration was making my head (a) feel grimaced like it was about to explode.
This was the third time we would be moving in one year and (b) it felt laughter like I was constantly trying to
2. stand The on word quicksand, indignation never in really Paragraph getting 4 means: my bearings at any one school before we had to pick
up and move again. I suppose it wasn’t my mother’s fault, since
(c)
her
magically
job required her to travel all
(a) to dig with enthusiasm
over the country, but that didn’t stop me from seething with anger at this latest revelation.
9.
(b) strong displeasure at something seen as
The prefix un gives a word the
2. Sometime unfair later, when my mother thought it was safe to enter opposite the dragon’s meaning; den, e.g. I heard unpopular. a soft
knock on my bedroom door. She tentatively opened the door, Which poked word her cannot head in, have then un came as a
over
(c)
to sit
a group
on the
of
side
like-minded
of my bed.
people
I was still sulking and glared prefix? at her angrily. She rested her
hand on my arm.
3 Which words both have the same number of
(a) possibly
3. ‘Amelia, syllables you as know frustration? that if I could stop the constant relocating (b) I would. assigned I completely understand
this (a) is really apologise, difficult disgusting for you. What can I do to make it easier?’
(c) believable
4. I huffed (b) possibly, in indignation completely and crossed my arms. ‘What in the world would magically make this
10.
situation better? We’ve been in this continual state of change
Which
and
word
it’s like
does
you
not
want
have
me
a
to
short
be
o
(c) unpopular, revelation
the most unpopular kid at school!’
sound like rolled?
5. 4.
My Which mother word grimaced belongs at with my harsh this group words of
(a) mouldy
and I felt a tiny twinge of remorse. ‘I know and I really
do words? apologise. The only way I can think of to make this situation (b) better horrible is to make it a whole lot
worse’, brainstorm she said with quicksand a smile. I knew that classroom meant we were going (c) to moving play ‘worst case scenario’,
which was a game we’d come up with together. Instead of feeling worried about moving and
(a) better
going to a new school, we would brainstorm the worst possible 11. The scenario contraction as a we’d way in of Paragraph being 5
both (b) ridiculous description and making ourselves feel better. My mother is started made off from first. the words:
6. ‘Your (c) new understand school is going to be so awful that all of the teachers (a) will we had have horrible coffee breath,
disgusting rotten teeth and putrid yellow sweat stains under their arms!’ she predicted gleefully.
5. The word tentatively in Paragraph 2 could
(b) we did
7. ‘Gross! be replaced I’ll probably with: be seated next to the stinkiest, gassiest person (c) we in could the classroom. Plus the
school (a) will cautiously assign me a ‘buddy’ for the first week and that person will be horribly smelly and
really unpopular, so I won’t make any friends.’ I shuddered 12. at Which my description.
sentence is spelt correctly?
(b) quietly
8. ‘Your assigned locker will be full of mouldy meat sandwiches (a) left We’d by a been previous in a continuel stait of
(c) confidently
child and you will forget your sports clothes on the first day and change be forced for years because of her
to wear clothes from the lost property bin!’ My mother held her sides job.
6. In which word pair are both words spelt
in fits
correctly?
of laughter and tears rolled down her cheeks. (b) We would brainstorm terrible
scenarios as a way of feeling
9. I was (a) laughing revalation, so disgusting hard I could barely get a word out.
better.
‘OK, OK! Mercy! I can’t take anymore! It cannot
(b) uniform, completly
possibly be that bad!’ I pleaded, gasping for
(c) The teachers would have rotton
air. (c) We lay pleaded, on the ridiculous bed for a few minutes,
teeth and pewtrid yellow sweat
completely spent from our laughing.
stains.
7. Eventually, Which word my mother is an antonym propped her head up
on for an putrid elbow in and Paragraph looked at 6? me.
10. ‘It can
(a)
only
unsightly
get better than that!
Feeling (b) perfumed better?’ she said with a smile.
11. As (c) incredibly foul ridiculous as it was, I
thought I actually did feel better.
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
REMOVALS
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (37) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (37) Prim-Ed Publishing

1. The first day of school is the most
wonderful time of the year! It’s one of my
favourite days and I eagerly anticipate the
end of the boring school holidays. What
else do I love about the first day of school?
2. I get to flaunt all my new school clothes!
The feeling of crisp new fabric that still
carries the lingering scent of washing
machine detergent always makes me think
of the first day of school. My trousers are
jet black and not faded from a year’s worth
of washing and my patent leather shoes
have been buffed to a mirror-like finish. My
collar is stiff and stands at attention. I can’t
stand the fact that by the end of the school
year everything is old, worn and ratty—
which is why I feel like a million dollars on
the first day!
3. Meeting with friends and acquaintances I
haven’t seen during the holidays is always
fun. The first day of school means catching
up with everyone and finding out what
they’ve been up to over the break. We
exchange holiday stories and the school
air is filled with a feeling of excitement and
optimism. Each new class is a little nerveracking
while we wait to see if we will be
sitting with our friends.
4. The beginning of the school year is also a
time to expand our minds with knowledge.
Learning about new things is one of my
favourite pastimes and I intently wait for
teachers to distribute the new textbooks.
The smell of brand new books is divine
and I love the sound of the cracking and
creaking spines as they are opened for the
first time. The pages are smooth and silky
to the touch.
Aquamarine 3
First day of school:
Best or worst?
Author 1 Author 2
5. It is absolutely unimaginable that there is
anything worse than the first day of a new
school year. That day heralds so many horrible
things that I can barely drag myself to the front
gates!
6. Perhaps the most dreadful part of starting
school again is that I can’t sleep in anymore!
After a wonderful leisurely holiday full of late
wake ups, delicious brunches and late nights,
it is so painful to hear the BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
of the alarm clock. That first day I feel like a
zombie, the walking dead, as I try to stumble
through my schedule. I can identify the same
bleak look in many children’s eyes as we wander
around in a daze.
7. The new clothes and shoes we are forced to
wear are so uncomfortable. My school shoes
at the beginning of the year feel like they’ve
been made from thick sandpaper. I’m convinced
that my shoes don’t get softer over the course
of the year, my feet are just forced to adapt to
and endure the pain. By the end of the first day
I have countless blisters. My clothes aren’t an
improvement either. The fabric is starchy and
scratches my skin and I long for my old school
clothes that had been laundered until they were
as soft as rabbit fur.
8. Homework! That frightful word fills everyone
with fear and the first day of school is no
exception. When I was younger, teachers would
give us a ‘pass’ on homework that first day, but
now that I’m older they pile it on ruthlessly.
My diary becomes a slurry of words and due
dates. All of the free time I once enjoyed during
the holidays is now filled with writing reports,
spelling practice and projects. Parents and
teachers alike start hounding me to complete
work on time and all I can think about is ... how
much longer until school holidays start again?
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (38) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
New clothes are starchy and
scratch the skin on the first day at
school.
Being forced to wear new clothes
and shoes on the first day of
school is uncomfortable.
Wearing new shoes on the first
day of school results in painful
blisters.
2. You can tell that Author 1, who likes
the first day of school:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is likely to be a good learner.
cares more about seeing friends
than academics.
receives poor marks.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
starting school again makes you
feel tired.
brand new books smell divine.
children go back to school after
the holiday break.
4. In Paragraph 8, the pronoun they
refers to the:
(a) teachers (b) parents (c) children
5. It is argued that the beginning of the
school year is exciting because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the pages of the new textbooks
are smooth and silky.
schoolchildren exchange holiday
stories and meet up with friends.
teachers start assigning
homework.
6. The purpose of this text is to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
present two sides of an argument.
convince you to enjoy going back
to school.
make you think that holidays are
better than school.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. Which argument is presented first?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The start of a new school year means
catching up with friends.
You get to show off your new school clothes
at the beginning of the year.
The new school year means that teachers
start to assign homework.
8. You can conclude that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
children who dislike starting school will
receive poor marks.
most children dislike the end of school
holidays.
some children struggle with adjusting to the
new school routine after holidays.
9. Which sentence best summarises Paragraph 6?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The worst part of starting school again is
waking up to the sound of the horrible alarm
and feeling like a zombie walking around the
school.
Starting school again is horrible because having
to wake up early means hearing the alarm.
Feeling like a zombie is caused by waking
up early at the start of the school year.
10. The two arguments in the text are similar
because they both:
(a)
(b)
(c)
think homework is a frightful word.
discuss new clothes and shoes.
like the social aspect of meeting up with
friends at school.
11. New shoes can be considered a disadvantage
because they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
get softer with time.
can be shined to a mirror-like finish.
can be uncomfortable and cause blisters.
12. At the beginning of the next holiday break,
Author 2 will most probably:
(a)
(b)
(c)
set his or her alarm clock.
sleep in.
wash his or her school clothes.

Aquamarine 3
Aquamarine 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich is the 1. 1. correct In The Paragraph main definition idea 2 a of dash for Paragraph anticipate ( — ) is used 7 is: to: 8. 5. In 7. Paragraph A Which noun group argument 2, to is flaunt a group is presented my new of words first? with a
aragraph 1?
(a) separate New clothes groups are of starchy wordsand
clothes noun,
(a)
means adjective(s)
The start
to:
of a
and
new
usually
school
a
year
determiner;
means
to fear
(b) introduce
scratch the
a list
skin on the first day at (a)
e.g.
wear
most
catching
wonderful
up with
time,
friends.
a mirror-like finish.
to look forward
school.
Which group of words is a noun phrase in this
(c) show
to
missing text
(b) sentence? display (b) You boldly get to show off your new school clothes
to get angry
(b)
about
Being forced to wear new clothes
(c) show
at
people
the beginning of the year.
2. In Paragraph and shoes 8 the on the ellipsis first ( day ... ) of
That day heralds in so many horrible things that I
is
can’t (c) drag The myself new school to school. year means that teachers
ich words used do not to: school both is have uncomfortable. a long a
9. Which sentence start to does assign not homework. have a
nd like faded?
(a) (c) provide Wearing a new pause shoes on the first spelling (a) error? that day
anticipate, sandpaper day of school results in painful
8.
(a) (b) The
You many first
can
day
conclude horrible of school things that:
(b) show that part of a quotation has
is
blisters.
daze, favouritebeen omitted
(c) absolutley (a) to children school horrible. who dislike starting school will
holiday, alarm (c) show indecision
(b) I enjoy
receive
delicious
poor
brunches
marks.
2. You can tell that Author 1, who likes
and
6. Similes
leisurely
are
sleeping
groups
in.
of words that compare two
the first day of school:
(b) most children dislike the end of school
things
hich pair 3. Which of compound sentence words has been does one
(c) I eagerly
holidays.
using like or as. The simile as soft as
(a) is likely to be a good learner.
rabbit fur anticipate in Paragraph the begining 7 is used to describe:
mean the punctuated same as the correctly? two words that
of (c) the some school children year. struggle with adjusting to the
ke it? (b) cares more about seeing friends (a) my
(a) Do you enjoy sleeping in,
new
skin
school routine after holidays.
than academics.
10.
knowledge, sandpaper delicious brunches, late nights,
In which (b) rabbit words fur do the root words
(c)
change when a suffix is added?
textbooks, homework
and receives no homework? poor marks.
9. Which sentence best summarises Paragraph 6?
(c) old school clothes
(a) dreadful, excitement
everything,
(b)
myself
Do you enjoy sleeping in,
(a) The worst part of starting school again is
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
7.
delicious brunches, late nights (b)
The
countless,
phrase waking
wonderful
beginning up to the with sound a preposition of the horrible is: alarm
(a)
word countless and
starting
in no Paragraph homework!
school again makes you
7 can be
(c)
I
beginning,
can identify
and feeling
unimaginable
the same
like a
bleak
zombie
look
walking
on children’s
around the
feel tired.
laced with: (c) Do you enjoy sleeping in,
faces.
school.
(b)
11.
several delicious
brand new
brunches,
books smell
late nights
divine. Which (a)
(b) group can
Starting
identify of words school is again not in is horrible because having
(c) and children no homework? go back to school after alphabetical to wake order? up early means hearing the alarm.
many
(b) the same bleak look
the holiday break.
(a) exception, (c) Feeling exchange, like a zombie excitement is caused by waking
severe 4. An adjective phrase begins with an
(c) on up children’s early at the faces start of the school year.
4. adjective; In Paragraph e.g. 8, My the trousers pronoun are they jet (b) every, everyone, everything
ich words black both refers have and to the: not fewer faded. syllables Which than group
8.
(c) 10. The
enjoy, The adverb two endure, arguments ruthlessly
end in in the this text sentence are similar tells the
icipate? of words is an adjective phrase in
in which something happens.
(a) teachers (b) parents (c) children
because they both:
12.
leisurely,
this
unimaginable
sentence?
Which Now word that fits I’m in older, with they this pile group?
(a) think homework is a frightful homework word. on
5.
absolutely,
By It is
acquaintances
the argued end of that the school the beginning year of the can’t ruthlessly. don’t haven’t
everything school year is is old, exciting worn and because:
(b) discuss new clothes and shoes.
ratty.
lingering, improvement
(a) (a) they’ve frequency (how often)
(a) (a) old, the worn pages and of the ratty new textbooks
(c) like the social aspect of meeting up with
(b) (b) aren’t purpose (why)
ynonym for (b) hounding
are smooth and silky.
friends at school.
the end of the school year
aragraph 8 is:
(c) (c) it’s manner (how)
(b) schoolchildren exchange holiday 11. New shoes can be considered a disadvantage
(c) everything is
pestering
stories and meet up with friends.
because they:
humouring
(c) teachers start assigning
(a) get softer with time.
homework.
poking
(b) can be shined to a mirror-like finish.
Something extra
6. The purpose of this text is to:
(c) can be uncomfortable and cause blisters.
ich pair of words both Write have a paragraph a hard c explaining what you think about the first day back at the
nd like fabric?
(a) present
start
two
of the
sides
school
of an
year.
argument.
12. At the beginning of the next holiday break,
cracking,
(b)
starchy
convince you to enjoy going back Author 2 will most probably:
to school.
Sketch each article of your school uniform, then write a short description about
machine, crisp each, including your feelings about wearing (a) it set at the his start or her of alarm the school clock. year.
(c) make you think that holidays are
school, walking
(b) sleep in.
better than school.
(c) wash his or her school clothes.
First day of school:
1. Which is the correct definition for anticipate
in Paragraph 1?
Best or worst?
(a) wear
Author 1 Author 2
2. Which words do not both have a long a
9. Which sentence does not have a
1. The first day of school is the most
5.
sound like faded?
It is absolutely
spelling
unimaginable
error?
that there is
wonderful time of the year! It’s one of my anything worse than the first day of a new
favourite (a) anticipate, days and sandpaper I eagerly anticipate the school year. (a) That The day first heralds day of school so many is horrible
end (b) of the daze, boring favourite school holidays. What
things that I can absolutley barely drag horrible. myself to the front
else do I love about the first day of school? gates!
(c) holiday, alarm
(b) I enjoy delicious brunches and
leisurely sleeping in.
2. I get to flaunt all my new school clothes! 6. Perhaps the most dreadful part of starting
3.
The In feeling which of pair crisp of compound new fabric that words still does one school again (c) is I eagerly that I can’t anticipate sleep in the anymore! begining
carries not mean the lingering the same scent as the of washing two words that After a wonderful of the leisurely school holiday year. full of late
machine make detergent it? always makes me think wake ups, delicious brunches and late nights,
of the first day of school. My trousers are it is
10.
(a) knowledge, sandpaper
so painful In which to hear words the do BEEP! the root BEEP! words BEEP!
jet black and not faded from a year’s worth of the alarm change clock. when That a first suffix day is I added? feel like a
(b) textbooks, homework
of washing and my patent leather shoes
zombie, the (a) walking dreadful, dead, excitement as I try to stumble
have (c) been everything, buffed to myself a mirror-like finish. My through my schedule. I can identify the same
(b) countless, wonderful
collar is stiff and stands at attention. I can’t bleak look in many children’s eyes as we wander
4.
stand The the word fact countless that by the in end Paragraph of the school 7 can be around in (c) a daze. beginning, unimaginable
year replaced everything with: is old, worn and ratty—
7.
which is why I feel like a million dollars on
The 11. new clothes and shoes we are forced to
(a) several
Which group of words is not in
the first day!
wear are alphabetical so uncomfortable. order? My school shoes
(b) many
at the beginning of the year feel like they’ve
(a) exception, exchange, excitement
3. Meeting (c) severe with friends and acquaintances I been made from thick sandpaper. I’m convinced
haven’t seen during the holidays is always that my shoes (b) every, don’t everyone, get softer everything over the course
5. fun. Which The first words day both of school have means fewer catching syllables than of the year, (c) my enjoy, feet are endure, just forced end to adapt to
up anticipate?
with everyone and finding out what
and endure the pain. By the end of the first day
they’ve been up to over the break. We
I have 12. countless blisters. My clothes aren’t an
(a) leisurely, unimaginable
Which word fits in with this group?
exchange holiday stories and the school
improvement either. The fabric is starchy and
air (b) is filled absolutely, with a feeling acquaintances
can’t don’t haven’t
of excitement and scratches my skin and I long for my old school
optimism. (c) lingering, Each new improvement class is a little nerveracking
while we wait to see if we will be as soft as (b) rabbit aren’t fur.
clothes that (a) had they’ve been laundered until they were
6. sitting A synonym with our for friends. hounding
8. Homework! That frightful word fills everyone
in Paragraph 8 is:
(c) it’s
4. The beginning of the school year is also a with fear and the first day of school is no
time (a) to expand pestering our minds with knowledge. exception. When I was younger, teachers would
Learning (b) humouring about new things is one of my
give us a ‘pass’ on homework that first day, but
favourite pastimes and I intently wait for
now that I’m older they pile it on ruthlessly.
teachers
(c) poking
to distribute the new textbooks. My diary becomes a slurry of words and due
The smell of brand new books is divine
dates. All of the free time I once enjoyed during
7. Which pair of words both have a hard c
and
sound
I love
like
the
fabric?
sound of the cracking and
the holidays is now filled with writing reports,
creaking spines as they are opened for the spelling practice and projects. Parents and
first (a) time. cracking, The pages starchy are smooth and silky teachers alike start hounding me to complete
to the (b) touch. machine, crisp
work on time and all I can think about is ... how
much longer until school holidays start again?
(c) school, walking
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (38) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (38) Prim-Ed Publishing
(a)
(b)
(c)
to fear
to look forward to
to get angry about
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. In Paragraph 2, to flaunt my new
clothes means to:
(b)
(c)
display boldly
show people

The great outdoorsman
1. There was a time when I used to like my parents
coming on school excursions. Now I’m in Year 7
I find having my parents around is completely
... embarrassing! I’ve just returned from school
camp and my Dad came along as a parent
helper ... or should I say a parent horror!
He thinks it was a fantastic time and a ‘really
educational experience.’ I have no idea how to
ask him to stay home next time, but I’ll find a way.
Aquamarine 4
2. We departed for camp on a Friday afternoon.
It was meant to be a weekend of outdoor
adventure activities and camping. In the past
the most I’d ever seen my Dad do as far as
camping was to light a barbeque, but he’d been
reading a lot of camping books and watching
adventure television shows. So he thought he was
a real adventurer and spent the entire week
before, packing and unpacking, mulling over what
to take. I knew I was in trouble when I saw him trying to secretly pack a tube of camouflage paint.
3. It was an uneventful but lengthy bus ride to the camp and Dad mostly kept his nose stuck in
a magazine called ‘Extreme Outdoorsman.’ I’m not sure he understood that we were going to
a fairly modern camp with flushing toilets, not the middle of some remote jungle! The trouble
commenced when we got to camp and it was time to set up the tents. Dad jumped in and
announced he would help my group set up our tent. He promptly threw away the instructions
saying they were for ‘beginners’ and started whipping tent poles together. The rest of the group
and I just stood back in amazement as my Dad turned a perfectly normal, functional tent
into something that resembled a bed sheet draped over a porcupine’s back! Tent poles were
poking out in every direction and when he declared the tent to be finished I could feel my face
turning red and my friends politely trying not to snicker. I could have almost died.
4. Just when I thought the tent episode was enough to make me want to crawl into the nearest
animal burrow, we had the adventure hike. I thought that maybe my Dad had decided to opt
out because I couldn’t find him anywhere. The children and trail guide were just stepping onto
the hiking path when someone jumped out from behind a tree and my heart just about seized.
This time the blood didn’t flood to my face, it completely drained down all the way to my feet!
Standing in front of me was my Dad in the most ridiculous outfit I’ve ever seen. He had a shirt
made from green and brown plastic leaves, trousers the colour of mud and worst of all,
camouflage paint covering his entire face. The whites of his eyes stood out like ping pong balls.
5. ‘I scared you! This camouflage is excellent and it will really help us to spot all of those rare
and exotic animals in the forest,’ he shouted with glee. He was scaring us all right, I thought
to myself. What rare animals was he talking about exactly? A squirrel?
6. The hike was a total disaster as my Dad kept thinking that every rock or fallen log was some
amazing creature like a bear. Worse, that night by the campfire he told ‘Dad jokes’ all night.
They were awful! I went to bed early and was struggling to get comfortable in our misshapen
tent when my friend Janice came in and exclaimed, ‘Your dad is hilarious! I love how involved
he gets with everything you do. My dad just comes home from work and sits in front of the
television. You are so lucky!’
7. Hmm, I thought. Maybe he’s not so terrible after all ...
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (39) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Tent instructions are for beginners.
(b) The hike was a total disaster.
(c) The camp was located in a forest.
2. You can tell that the dad in this text:
(a) likes to purposely embarrass their
child.
(b) is enthusiastic about learning new
things.
(c) knows a lot about assembling tents.
3. The dad in the text put camouflage
paint all over his face because:
(a) he wanted to find rare and exotic
animals in the forest.
(b) it was required for the school camp.
(c) it made his eyes stand out like ping
pong balls.
4. This text is likely titled The great
outdoorsman because:
(a) the school excursion was about
the being outdoors.
(b) it is a humorous interpretation of
the dad’s outdoor skills.
(c) the dad is an excellent
outdoorsman.
5. In Paragraph 5, the word us refers to:
(a) animals.
(b) Dad, the children and the trail guide.
(c) the author’s friends.
6. The best summary of Paragraph 1
would be:
(a) The author used to like having
parents on school excursions but
now think they are embarrassing
and wants to stop Dad from
coming again.
(b) The author thinks that parents are
embarrassing and wishes their
father would stay home next time.
(c) The author’s father came on a
school excursion as a parents
helper and was really embarrassing.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. The author of this text would likely agree
that:
(a) All parents should attend every school
excursion.
(b) Parents should only attend school
excursions when their children are young.
(c) Parents should be banned from
attending all school excursions.
8. You can conclude that the dad in this story:
(a) likes to come home after work and only
watch television.
(b) is a talented and knowledgeable
outdoorsman.
(c) likes to be involved with school activities.
9. The paragraph that is mainly about setting
up the tent is:
(a) Paragraph 2
(b) Paragraph 3
(c) Paragraph 4
10. Which event happened last in the story?
(a) The children went on an adventure hike.
(b) The dad packed and repacked for the
trip.
(c) The tent was set up.
11. The author in this text is in Year:
(a) 5 (b) 6 (c) 7
12. You can predict that the author will:
(a) ask Dad to be a parent helper on the
next school excursion.
(b) speak to Dad and ask him not to attend
any more school excursions.
(c) be too afraid to tell Dad to stay home.

Aquamarine 4
Aquamarine 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
h word 1. 1. in A It Paragraph sentence is a fact, not must 2 could an include opinion, be a that: verb and 8. its In which 7. 6. word The A author pair preposition are of this both text phrase words would begins likely with agree
aced with subject.
(a)
pondering?
Tent
The
instructions
verb is the
are
action.
for beginners.
The subject spelt correctly? that: a preposition; e.g. on to the hiking
performs the action; e.g. Dad assembled
path. The preposition phrase in this
mulling
(a) politely, educasional
the (b) tent. The Dad hike is was the a subject total disaster.
(a) All parents should attend every school
and
sentence excursion. is:
watchingassembled (c) The camp is the was verb. located In this in sentence, a forest. (b) magasine, adventure
trying the subject of the verb stared is:
(b) Dad Parents did should not notice only the attend long school journey as
(c) disaster, terrible he kept his head buried in his magazine.
2. You can tell that the dad in this text:
excursions when their children are young.
Dad read his magazine while I stared out
hich word is the sh sound made
9.
the
(a)
bus
likes
window
to purposely
with my
embarrass
friends.
their The contraction (c) (a) Parents he’d did in should not Paragraph notice be banned 2 from
different way from child. the others?
is made from (b) attending the words: as he kept all school his head excursions.
(a) Dad (b) I (c) friends
excursion(b) is enthusiastic about learning new (a) he 8. and You would (c) can in conclude his magazine that the dad in this story:
television 2. All verbs things. have a subject but in command (b) he and (a) had likes to come home after work and only
verbs, (c) knows it is not a lot stated; about e.g. assembling Lift the tent. tents.
7. A preposition phrase can behave like
functional
Board the bus. Which pronoun is the
(c) he and should watch television.
an adjective, modifying a noun;
3. subject The dad of in a the command text put camouflage
verb?
(b) e.g. is a a talented weekend and of knowledgeable
adventure activities.
hich word paint Paragraph all over his 5 face is common because:
10. In which word
The outdoorsman.
does
preposition
the ie not
phrase
make
modifying the
opposite? (a) you (b) I (c) it the long e sound as in activities?
(a) he wanted to find rare and exotic
(c) noun likes to adventurer be involved is: with school activities.
exotic
(a) friends
3. Quantifying animals determiners the forest. tell how much
My dad was an amateur adventurer
9. The paragraph that is mainly about setting
rare of (b) the it noun was required there is; for e.g. the numerous school camp. (b) believe with masses of enthusiasm.
up the tent is:
children. The quantifying determiner
camouflage (c) it made his eyes stand out like ping (c) field
in this sentence is:
(a)
(a)
Paragraph
my dad
2
pong balls.
(b) an amateur adventurer
h two words He had have been the reading same number a lot of camping 11. The prefix (b) un gives Paragraph a word 3 the opposite
llables 4. as books This hilarious? text and is likely magazines. titled The great meaning. (c) Which (c) Paragraph word with masses means 4 the of enthusiasm
same
outdoorsman because:
instruction, exotic
as uneventful from Paragraph 3?
(a) had been
10. 8. Some compound nouns include a word
(a) the school excursion was about
Which event happened last the story?
camouflage, adventure
(a) enjoyable
(b) and
that may be confused with an adjective
the being outdoors.
(a) The children went on an adventure hike.
experience, comfortable
(b) surprisingbut which is part of the noun; e.g. tent
(c) (b) a it lot is a of humorous interpretation of
(b) pole. The dad In this packed sentence and the repacked adjective for is: the
the dad’s outdoor skills.
(c) ordinary trip.
h compound 4. Which word group does of words not have is an a adverbial
At the adventure camp, we slept in
lar meaning because (c) to the the dad it words describes is an that excellent make where it? something 12. Which word (c) from sleeping The Paragraph tent bags was set on 3 up. the hard ground.
afternoonwas done? outdoorsman. e.g. in the forest.
is a homophone of through?
11. The (a) author adventure in this text is in Year:
outfit 5. It In gave Paragraph us all a 5, fright the when word us someone refers to: (a) trouble
(a) (b) 5 sleeping (b) 6 (c) 7
jumped out from behind a tree.
weekend
(a) animals.
(b) threw
12. (c) hard
(a) (b) gave Dad, the us all children a fright
You can predict that the author will:
and the trail guide. (c) together
word resembled (b) jumped in Paragraph out 3 means
(a) ask Dad to be a parent helper on the
(c) the author’s friends.
e:
next school excursion.
(c) from behind a tree
like or 6. similar The to best something. summary of Paragraph 1
(b) speak to Dad and ask him not to attend
amazing
5. In would
or this astounding. sentence, be: the conjunction joining
any more school excursions.
the (a) two The smaller author sentences used to like is: having
(c) be too afraid to tell Dad to stay home.
put together incorrectly. parents on school excursions but
This camouflage is excellent and it will help
now think they are embarrassing
h words are us spot not a in lot alphabetical of animals. order?
and wants to stop Dad from
instruction, (a) into, is coming involved (b) again. and (c) spot
poles, program, (b) The promptly author thinks that parents are
embarrassing
seized, Something
secretly, scared
and
Write
wishes
about
their
a time when someone else’s actions embarrassed you.
father would stay home next time.
Draw a picture of what you think the tent looked like after the
extra (c) The author’s father author’s came dad on a put it up.
school excursion as a parents
helper and was really embarrassing.
All about words
The great outdoorsman
1. Which word in Paragraph 2 could be
8. In which word pair are both words
replaced with pondering?
spelt correctly?
1. There was a time when I used to like my parents
coming (a) mulling on school excursions. Now I’m in Year 7 (a) politely, educasional
I find (b) having watching my parents around is completely (b) magasine, adventure
... embarrassing! I’ve just returned from school
camp (c) and trying my Dad came along as a parent
(c) disaster, terrible
helper ... or should I say a parent horror!
2. In which word is the sh sound made
9. The contraction he’d in Paragraph 2
He thinks it was a fantastic time and a ‘really
in a different way from the others?
is made from the words:
educational experience.’ I have no idea how to
ask (a) him excursion to stay home next time, but I’ll find a way. (a) he and would
2. We (b) departed television for camp on a Friday afternoon. (b) he and had
It was
(c)
meant
functional
to be a weekend of outdoor
(c) he and should
adventure activities and camping. In the past
3. the For most which I’d ever word seen in Paragraph my Dad do 5 as is common far as
10. In which word does the ie not make
camping the opposite? was to light a barbeque, but he’d been the long e sound as in activities?
reading a lot of camping books and watching
adventure
(a) exotic
television shows. So he thought he was
(a) friends
a real (b) adventurer rare and spent the entire week
(b) believe
before, packing and unpacking, mulling over what
(c) camouflage
(c) field
to take. I knew I was in trouble when I saw him trying to secretly pack a tube of camouflage paint.
3. 4. It was Which an two uneventful words have but lengthy the same bus number ride to the camp 11. and The Dad prefix mostly un gives kept a his word nose the stuck opposite in
a magazine of syllables called as hilarious? ‘Extreme Outdoorsman.’ I’m not sure meaning. he understood Which that word we means were going the same to
a fairly (a) modern instruction, camp exotic with flushing toilets, not the middle as of uneventful some remote from jungle! Paragraph The trouble 3?
commenced when we got to camp and it was time to set up the tents. Dad jumped in and
announced (b) camouflage, he would adventure
(a) enjoyable
help my group set up our tent. He promptly threw away the instructions
saying (c) they experience, were for comfortable
‘beginners’ and started whipping tent (b) poles surprising together. The rest of the group
and I just stood back in amazement as my Dad turned (c) a perfectly ordinary normal, functional tent
5. into Which something compound that resembled word does a not bed have sheet a draped over a porcupine’s back! Tent poles were
poking similar out meaning every direction to the words and that when make he declared it? 12. the Which tent to word be finished from Paragraph I could feel 3 my face
turning
(a) afternoon
red and my friends politely trying not to snicker. I is could a homophone have almost of through? died.
4. Just when I thought the tent episode was enough to make me want to crawl into the nearest
(b) outfit
(a) trouble
animal burrow, we had the adventure hike. I thought that maybe my Dad had decided to opt
out (c) because weekend
(b) threw
I couldn’t find him anywhere. The children and trail guide were just stepping onto
the hiking path when someone jumped out from behind (c) a tree together and my heart just about seized.
6.
This
The
time
word
the
resembled
blood didn’t
in
flood
Paragraph
to my face,
3 means
it completely drained down all the way to my feet!
Standing
to be:
in front of me was my Dad in the most ridiculous outfit I’ve ever seen. He had a shirt
made (a) from like or green similar and to brown something. plastic leaves, trousers the colour of mud and worst of all,
camouflage paint covering his entire face. The whites of his eyes stood out like ping pong balls.
(b) amazing or astounding.
5. ‘I scared you! This camouflage is excellent and it will really help us to spot all of those rare
(c) put together incorrectly.
and exotic animals in the forest,’ he shouted with glee. He was scaring us all right, I thought
to myself. What rare animals was he talking about exactly? A squirrel?
7. Which words are not in alphabetical order?
6. The
(a)
hike
instruction,
was a total
into,
disaster
involved
as my Dad kept thinking that every rock or fallen log was some
amazing creature like a bear. Worse, that night by the campfire he told ‘Dad jokes’ all night.
They (b) were poles, awful! program, I went promptly to bed early and was struggling to get comfortable in our misshapen
tent (c) when seized, my friend secretly, Janice scared came in and exclaimed, ‘Your dad is hilarious! I love how involved
he gets with everything you do. My dad just comes home from work and sits in front of the
television. You are so lucky!’
7. Hmm, I thought. Maybe he’s not so terrible after all ...
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (39) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (39) Prim-Ed Publishing

Aquamarine 5
Comprehension
1000 paper cranes
1. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on 6 August 1945, it
changed the lives of many people. Sadako Sasaki was only a two-year-old child
when it happened, but it had a significant impact upon her life.
2. Sadako was in her home in Hiroshima, roughly two kilometres from ‘ground
zero’, when the bomb exploded. She was thrown out of a window in her house
by the force of the blast. Her mother ran outside to find her, fearing that her
daughter had been killed. However, she found Sadako without any obvious
serious injuries. Sadako would go on to grow up normally and was a strong and
athletic child.
3. In November 1954, at the age of eleven, Sadako began to have dizzy spells
and developed swollen spots behind her ears and on her neck. In January 1955,
purple spots started forming on her legs. Sadako was taken to the hospital
where doctors diagnosed that radiation from the atom bomb had caused
leukaemia (a type of cancer) to develop in Sadako’s body. Sadako’s mother
would later call this the ‘atom bomb disease’. Sadako was permanently admitted
into the hospital in February 1955 and doctors told her family she had, at the
very most, one year to live.
4. In August 1955, Sadako’s best friend, Chizuko Hamamoto, visited her in the
hospital. She brought some origami (folding) paper with her and told Sadako
about the Japanese legend of the paper crane. The ancient tale promised that
anyone able to fold 1000 paper cranes would be granted a single wish by the
gods. Sadako began to fold paper cranes every day, often using whatever paper
she could find, from medicine wrapping to the paper get-well presents had been
wrapped in. Chizuko would also bring her paper from school when she visited.
5. During her time in the hospital, Sadako’s condition worsened. In October 1955
her left leg turned purple and became painfully swollen. She was soon too weak
to continue to fold cranes and on the morning of 25 October 1955, Sadako
passed away.
6. The historical record is unclear as to whether Sadako reached her goal of 1000
paper cranes, but most information suggests that she had only reached 644
before she died. Her family and friends helped to finish her dream by folding
the rest of the cranes, which were buried with Sadako. Her schoolmates were so
affected by Sadako’s courageous struggle that they, with schoolchildren from all
over Japan, continued to raise money to build a statue in Sadako’s honour.
7. While Sadako Sasaki’s story is a tragedy, she is now seen as an important
symbol of world peace. In 1958, a statue of Sadako holding a giant golden crane
was unveiled in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan. At the base of
the statue is a memorial plaque that reads: ‘This is our cry. This is our prayer.
Peace in the world’. Every year on Obon Day, a holiday in Japan dedicated
to remembering the departed spirits of ancestors, thousands of people leave
paper cranes by the statue.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (40) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
an atomic bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima, Japan.
Sadako Sasaki is an important symbol of
world peace.
it was diagnosed that radiation from
the atomic bomb had caused Sadako’s
leukaemia.
2. In Paragraph 6, they refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
schoolmates
paper cranes
Sadako’s family
3. The writer would agree that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Sadako struggled courageously.
paper cranes have healing effects.
the atomic bomb was harmless.
4. In which year was Sadako diagnosed with
leukaemia?
(a) 1954 (b) 1945 (c) 1955
5. The paragraph that is mainly about the
effect Sadako has had on history is:
(a) Paragraph 7
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 3
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. People probably leave paper cranes at the
statue of Sadako to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
remember the atomic bomb.
help her reach 1000 paper cranes.
show remembrance and respect.
7. Sadako’s mother called leukaemia the atom
bomb disease because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the bomb force threw Sadako from her
home.
radiation from it had caused Sadako to
become sick.
the atom bomb was dropped at the
same time Sadako was diagnosed.
8. You can conclude that Sadako:
(a)
(b)
(c)
did not think that making 1000 paper
cranes would work.
was dedicated to getting better.
liked arts and crafts.
9. The best summary of Paragraph 6 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Friends and family helped to
finish the remaining cranes and
schoolmates collected money for a
statue.
Schoolmates collected money for a
statue and helped make the rest of
the cranes.
Sadako may or may not have reached
her goal of 1000 paper cranes but a
statue was built anyway.
10. You could predict that if the atom bomb
had not been dropped on Hiroshima:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Sadako would not have been sick.
the statue of Sadako would still have
been built.
Sadako would have still tried to make
1000 paper cranes.
11. Sadako probably used wrapping paper
and medicine wrappings for the paper
cranes because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
she was too tired to find proper
origami paper.
they were more colourful.
it was difficult to find paper for that
many cranes.
12. By the end of 1972, how many Obon
Days had passed since the building of
Sadako’s statue?
(a)
(b)
12 days
14 days
(c) 16 days

Aquamarine 5
Aquamarine 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich two 1. 1. words Verb It is an tense are opinion, can alphabetical tell not about a fact, order? what that: has 8. Which word 5. 8. The is You an preposition can antonym conclude for showing obvious that Sadako: the in relationship
exploded,
happened
(a) every an atomic
(past),
bomb
what
was
is happening
dropped on
Paragraph 2? between
(a) did
being
not think
thrown
that making
and the
1000
atomic
paper
(present)
spirits, spots
Hiroshima,
or what
Japan.
will happen (future). In
(a) clear
bomb’s
cranes
force
would
is:
work.
which tense are the verbs in this sentence?
continue,
(b)
condition
Sadako Sasaki is an important symbol (b) of critical
Sadako
(b) was
was
dedicated
thrown out
to
of
getting
the window
better.
by the
Sadako
world
was
peace.
taken to the hospital where
strong force of the atomic bomb.
doctors diagnosed her with leukaemia. (c) hidden (c) liked arts and crafts.
word significant (c) it was in Paragraph diagnosed 1 that means: radiation from
(a) out (b) of (c) by
(a) past
9.
important the atomic bomb had caused Sadako’s Say each 9. word The pair. best Which summary pair has of Paragraph the 6 is:
6.
same vowel
Which
sound
word
as crane?
is a conjunction joining two
(b) present leukaemia.
interesting
sentences (a) Friends to make and family this sentence? helped to
(c) future
(a) raise, statue finish the remaining cranes and
interrupted 2. In Paragraph 6, they refers to:
Sadako
(b) ancient, unveil
schoolmates
tried to make
collected
1000 paper
money
cranes,
for a
but
2. Modal (a) schoolmates verbs are a type of auxiliary verb
information
statue.
indicates she only reached 644.
ich three words have the same number
that (c) they, happen
yllables as (b)
help
family? paper
the
cranes
main verb e.g. Sadako
(a)
(b)
information
Schoolmates collected money for a
thought she could finish the 1000 paper
10.
hospital, disease, origami
Which sentence is spelt correctly?
cranes. (c) Sadako’s Which family
(b) but statue and helped make the rest of
is the modal verb in this
medicine,
sentence?
departed, continue
(a) The ancient (c) tale only
the cranes.
promised the
3. The writer would agree that:
granting (c) of a single Sadako wish may by or the may gods. not have reached
symbol, ancestor,
Sadako would
important
have lived longer if the
7.
(a) Sadako struggled courageously.
A noun her phrase goal of is a 1000 group paper of words cranes which but a
atomic bomb hadn’t been dropped. (b) A statew can of include Sadako holding a giant
statue a was noun, built its anyway. determiner and
ich words do (b) not paper both cranes have an have or healing sound effects. crane was unvailed in 1958.
(a) lived
adjectives; e.g. Sadako had swollen spots
normally? (c) the atomic bomb was harmless. (c) During 10. behind her You time could her in the ears. predict hospitel, In this that sentence, if the atom which bomb is
(b) would
daughter, caused
Sadako’s the had condition noun not phrase? been worsed. dropped on Hiroshima:
4. (c) In which atomic year bomb was Sadako diagnosed with
brought, August
When (a) the Sadako atomic would bomb not was have dropped been sick. on
leukaemia?
11. The words effect (usually a noun) and
3.
ground,
Which
morning
group of words is an adverbial
Japan
affect (usually(b)
a verb) the
it changed
statue are often the
Sadako
lives of
confused. would
many
still
people.
have
(a) 1954 (b) 1945 (c) 1955
because it describes where something In which sentence (a) when been are these built. atomic words bomb used
word diagnosed was done? in Paragraph e.g. She was 3 could thrown out of a
5. The paragraph that is mainly about the correctly? (b) (c) was Sadako dropped would on have Japan still tried to make
replaced with: window.
effect Sadako has had on history is: (a) The affect (c) of the the 1000
lives radiation paper
of many
cranes. from people
demanded In
(a)
January
Paragraph
1955,
7
purple spots started the bomb was leukaemia for many
forming on Sadako’s legs.
11.
determined
children. 8. An
Sadako
adjective
probably
phrase
used
begins
wrapping
with an
paper
(b) Paragraph 4
(a) In January 1955
dedicated
(b) Sadako’s
adjective;
and medicine
story will
e.g.
effect
It
wrappings
those
is an important
for the
who
symbol
paper
of
(c) Paragraph 3
(b) purple spots started forming
read it.
world
cranes
peace.
because:
In this sentence, which is the
adjective (a) she phrase? was too tired to find proper
hich word 6. pair are both words spelt
(c) People on her probably legs leave paper cranes at the (c) The effect of the atomic bomb was
rectly?
felt for many
Sadako’s
origami
years.
mother
paper.
statue of Sadako to:
found her outside without
injeries, 4. Which medicine sentence is punctuated correctly?
any (b) obvious they were serious more injuries. colourful.
(a) remember the atomic bomb.
12. In which word is it not necessary to
permanent, (a) anchient In November 1954, Sadako felt ill and
(a) (c) Sadako’s it was difficult motherto find paper for that
(b) help her reach 1000 paper cranes. double the final consonant before adding
by February 1955 was permanently
courageous, unveil
the suffixes
(b)
-ing or
outside
many cranes.
-ed?
without
e.g. drop,
any
(c) admitted show remembrance to the hospital. and respect.
dropping, 12. dropped. (c) By the obvious end of serious 1972, injuries how many Obon
ich word 7. shares (b) Sadako’s In the November, mother same consonant called 1954, Sadako leukaemia felt the ill and atom (a) admit
Days had passed since the building of
nd with these bomb by words? disease February, because: 1955, was permanently
Sadako’s statue?
(b) develop
rageous suggest admitted to the tragedy hospital. Something extra
(a) the bomb force threw Sadako from her
(a) 12 days
(c) wrap
legend (c) In home. November 1954, Sadako felt
Write (b) an 14 explanation days about why you think
ill, and by February 1955, was
Sadako Sasaki is a symbol of world peace.
struggle (b) radiation from it had caused Sadako to
permanently admitted to the hospital.
(c) 16 days
become sick.
strong
Find and list in alphabetical order 10 words
(c) the atom bomb was dropped at the
starting with ‘r’ from the text.
same time Sadako was diagnosed.
All about words
1000 paper cranes
1. Which two words are in alphabetical order?
8. Which word is an antonym for obvious in
(a) exploded, every
Paragraph 2?
(b) spirits, spots
(a) clear
1. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on 6 August 1945, it
changed (c) continue, the lives condition
(b) critical
of many people. Sadako Sasaki was only a two-year-old child
when it happened, but it had a significant impact upon her (c) life. hidden
2. The word significant in Paragraph 1 means:
2. Sadako was in her home in Hiroshima, roughly two kilometres 9. from ‘ground
(a) important
Say each word pair. Which pair has the
zero’, when the bomb exploded. She was thrown out of a same window vowel in her sound house as crane?
by (b) the force interesting of the blast. Her mother ran outside to find her, fearing that her
(a) raise, statue
daughter
(c) interrupted
had been killed. However, she found Sadako without any obvious
serious injuries. Sadako would go on to grow up normally (b) and was ancient, a strong unveil and
3. athletic Which child. three words have the same number
(c) they, happen
of syllables as family?
3. In November 1954, at the age of eleven, Sadako began to have dizzy spells
10.
and (a) developed hospital, swollen disease, spots origami
Which sentence is spelt correctly?
behind her ears and on her neck. In January 1955,
purple
(b)
spots
medicine,
started
departed,
forming
continue
on her legs. Sadako was taken (a) to The the hospital ancient tale promised the
where doctors diagnosed that radiation from the atom bomb had granting caused of a single wish by the gods.
leukaemia (c) symbol, (a type ancestor, of cancer) important to develop in Sadako’s body.
(b)
Sadako’s
A statew
mother
of Sadako holding a giant
would later call this the ‘atom bomb disease’. Sadako was permanently admitted
4. Which words do not both have an or sound
crane was unvailed in 1958.
into the hospital in February 1955 and doctors told her family she had, at the
like normally?
very most, one year to live.
(c) During her time in the hospitel,
(a) daughter, caused
Sadako’s condition worsed.
4. In August 1955, Sadako’s best friend, Chizuko Hamamoto, visited her in the
hospital. (b) brought, She brought August some origami (folding) paper with 11. her The and words told effect Sadako (usually a noun) and
about (c) the ground, Japanese morning legend of the paper crane. The ancient affect tale promised (usually a that verb) are often confused.
anyone able to fold 1000 paper cranes would be granted a In single which wish sentence by the are these words used
5. gods. The Sadako word diagnosed began to fold in Paragraph paper cranes 3 could every day, often correctly? using whatever paper
she be could replaced find, from with: medicine wrapping to the paper get-well (a) presents The affect had of been the radiation from
wrapped (a) demanded in. Chizuko would also bring her paper from school when the bomb she visited. was leukaemia for many
5. During (b) her determined time the hospital, Sadako’s condition worsened. In children. October 1955
her left leg turned purple and became painfully swollen. She was soon too weak
(c) dedicated
(b) Sadako’s story will effect those who
to continue to fold cranes and on the morning of 25 October 1955, read Sadako it.
6.
passed In which away. word pair are both words spelt
(c) The effect of the atomic bomb was
6. The correctly? historical record is unclear as to whether Sadako reached her felt goal for many of 1000 years.
paper (a) cranes, injeries, but medicine most information suggests that she had only reached 644
before she died. Her family and friends helped to finish
12.
her In dream which by word folding is it not necessary to
(b) permanent, anchient
the rest of the cranes, which were buried with Sadako. Her double schoolmates the final were consonant before adding
affected (c) courageous, by Sadako’s unveil courageous struggle that they, with schoolchildren the suffixes -ing from or all -ed? e.g. drop,
over Japan, continued to raise money to build a statue in Sadako’s dropping, honour. dropped.
7. Which word shares the same consonant
(a) admit
7. While sound Sadako with Sasaki’s these words? story is a tragedy, she is now seen as an important
symbol of world peace. In 1958, a statue of Sadako holding (b) a giant develop golden crane
courageous suggest tragedy
was unveiled in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan. (c) At wrap the base of
the (a) statue legend is a memorial plaque that reads: ‘This is our cry. This is our prayer.
Peace (b) in struggle the world’. Every year on Obon Day, a holiday in Japan dedicated
to remembering the departed spirits of ancestors, thousands of people leave
paper
(c)
cranes
strong
by the statue.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (40) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (40) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 1
Operation Bamboozle
1. I wasn’t always a bamboozling prodigy, but desperate times called for desperate measures. It all
started when I received my end-of-year school report. We were instructed by the teacher to take it
straight home to our parents and not open the envelope, but I don’t think a single person in
the class intended to follow those instructions! We all hustled out of the room while secretly
opening our envelopes away from the teacher’s prying eyes.
2. My heart sank into my stomach when I saw my marks. I had known that my science and
maths test marks had been less than exemplary this year, but I hadn’t realised that they
had been this terrible! Two bright red D marks stared accusingly from the page, mocking
me. I glanced around nervously to make sure nobody else could read the offending marks.
Seeing that I was not being watched, I carefully placed the report card between the pages
of a thick textbook and stuffed it in my bag. Time to get the bamboozling started!
3. I selected the remotest study booth in the library, away from any teachers or children.
Taking the textbook from my bag, I found the report card and carefully smoothed it out
onto the desk. Sure enough, the horrid red marks were still scrawled on the page and
hadn’t just been a figment of my imagination. I dug two other pieces of paper from my bag
and took them to the library photocopier. That way if a teacher came and asked what I was
copying I could show my English homework. I quickly made two colour copies of the report
card as backup, just in case I made a mistake with my alterations. I shoved them under the
English homework and hurried back to my study carrel.
4. I delicately placed the original report card on the desk and found my correction pen in my
backpack. With a steady hand I began to cover all of the marks with the white correction
fluid. Understandably, you would think that I would only cover the bad marks, but it was a
matter of consistency and professionalism that I did them all. This step alone separates the
amateurs from the pros! If I’d only covered the bad marks, the writing would be different when
I wrote them back in. Now, the writing would be similar for all of them, but I’d only change the
bad ones. Once finished with the correction pen, I made another copy of the report card on
the photocopier and now I had a nice, smooth version of the report ready to be filled in.
5. Colour matching was an important factor to consider as well. I just so happened to have the
same brand of red pen that Mr Smythe used. It was critical to be as close to the original report
as possible. I did a few practice letters on a scrap piece of paper and then filled everything
in on the report. The art of bamboozling is about being believable, so I gave myself two B
marks for maths and science. No need to be too extravagant and draw attention to myself!
Sitting back and looking the report card over I was pretty pleased with my work. I gently blew on
the ink to dry it and slowly folded it into thirds and put it back between the pages of my textbook
to take home.
6. Once I got home, I placed the report in a fresh envelope and neatly wrote my name on the front.
I sealed the back and left it on the table ready for my parents to read when they got home from
work. I thought I’d done an excellent job and that my parents would be none the wiser. But I
couldn’t help wondering: would it satisfy them or would they would spot the change …
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (41) Prim-Ed Publishing
B
1. What does the author do last in the story?
(a) Uses a correction pen to cover the
bad marks.
(b) Opens the envelope containing the
report card.
(c) Places the report card on the table.
2. The author made copies of the original
report card because:
(a) the report would be given to multiple
people.
(b) he wanted a backup in case he
made mistakes.
(c) he would give it to his parents later.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) using the same colour of pen to make
changes to reports is important.
(b) the report marks were mocking the
author.
(c) the author received a D in two
subjects.
4. The author would agree that:
(a) it’s wrong to open the report card
envelope.
(b) making changes to report cards is
okay as long as you do it well.
(c) it’s better to be honest with parents
about bad marks.
5. In Paragraph 6, they refers to:
(a) schoolchildren
(b) parents
(c) report cards
6. You can tell from the text that:
(a) this is not the first time the author has
changed his report card.
(b) the teacher will find out the author
changed his report card.
(c) the author doesn’t think his parents
will care about bad marks.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can predict from the text that:
(a) the author will try harder to get better
marks.
(b) the author is likely to change future
report cards.
(c) this will be the last report card that is
changed.
8. Paragraph 2 is mainly about:
(a) making sure nobody else saw the
bad marks.
(b) how the author altered his report
card.
(c) the author seeing his marks and
deciding to change them.
9. Which two subjects did the author
change?
(a) maths and science
(b) English and history
(c) maths and geography
10. The best summary of Paragraph 6 is:
(a) I placed the report card on the
table and waited expectantly for my
parents to return home.
(b) The report card was placed on the
table and although I thought I did a
good job, I wondered if my parents
would notice.
(c) My parents would never notice the
changes I’d made to the report card.
11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) the author did an excellent job.
(b) the report card was placed in a new
envelope.
(c) Mr Smythe told the children not to
open the envelopes.
12. The author gave himself B marks
because he:
(a) knew his parents would be pleased.
(b) didn’t want to draw attention to
himself by having top marks.
(c) felt he deserved those marks.

Ruby 1
Ruby 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich words 1. 1. Abstract could What be does nouns antonyms the are author ones for do you last cannot in the 7. story? The word 5. 7. amateurs A You noun can phrase in Paragraph predict is a from group 4 could the of text words that: which
ady in Paragraph detect using 4? any of your senses; e.g. be replaced begin with: with a noun or its determiner; e.g.
(a) Uses a correction pen to cover the
(a) the author will try harder to get better
professionalism, imagination.The abstract
children in the class. In this sentence,
ready, poised bad marks.
(a) beginners marks.
noun in this sentence is:
which is the noun phrase?
wobbly, shaky (b) Opens the envelope containing the (b) experts (b) the author is likely to change future
I did not want to draw attention to myself
The bright red marks stared back at me
report card.
report cards.
sturdy, stable and the bamboozled report card. (c) schoolchildren from the page.
(c) Places the report card on the table.
(c) this will be the last report card that is
ich sentence (a) is attention spelt correctly?
8. Which word (a) belongs the bright
changed. with this red marks
2. (b) The myself author made copies of the original group of words?
The horrid red marks had not been a
(b) stared back at me
report card because:
8. Paragraph 2 is mainly about:
figment of (c) my report imagination. card
red paper (c) from the mark page
(a) the report would be given to multiple
(a) making sure nobody else saw the
I delicatly plased the report card on
(a) library
2. Possessive people. determiners tell who or what the 6. Preposition bad marks. phrases begin with a
the desk and found my correcsion
noun belongs to; e.g. my alterations. The (b) envelope preposition; e.g. under the English report.
pen. (b) he wanted a backup in case he
(b) how the author altered his report
possessive determiner in this sentence is:
made mistakes.
(c) bamboozle In this sentence, which is not a preposition
card.
The art of bamboozleing is all about
phrase?
I placed the report card in a fresh envelope
being believeable. (c) he would give it to his parents later.
(c) the author seeing his marks and
and wrote my name on the front. 9. Which two words I made have another copy of the report card on
same number deciding to change them.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
the of photocopier.
syllables as
hich word (a) does the the letter (b) y represent my (c) a extravagant?
ng i sound as it does in prying?
9. Which two subjects did the author
(a) using the same colour of pen to make (a) another copy
3. Which words are both conjunctions, (a) important, change? envelope
quickly changes to reports is important.
(b) of the report card
joining shorter sentences to make this (b) exemplary, (a) offending maths and science
everything sentence? (b) the report marks were mocking the
(c) on the photocopier
author.
(c) consistency, (b) believable English and history
satisfy The report was changed because I would
7. Preposition phrases can act as adverbs
be (c) scolded the author if my received parents saw a D the in two bad 10. The phrase would (c) maths and geography
modifying be none a verb; the
ich word from marks. Paragraph subjects. 3 means a
e.g. My heart sank into
wiser is used
10. my to
The stomach mean someone
e of controller?
best summary (an adverbial of Paragraph of place). 6 is: The
4. (a) The the, author was
would:
would agree that:
adverbial of manner in this sentence is:
alterations
(a) I placed the report card on the
(b) (a) because, it’s wrong if
(a) be fooled
to open the report card
I found without
table the ever report and waited card and expectantly with great for care, my
remote
suspecting.
(c) my, envelope.
smoothed
the
parents it out to on return the desk. home.
figment
(b) be suspicious.
(b) making changes to report cards is
(a) (b) I found The report the report card was cardplaced on the
4. Which word is a modal verb that helps
okay as long as you do it well. (c) demonstrate (b) with their table great wisdom.
hich words and although I thought I did a
another was it verb; unnecessary e.g. We must to
care
go, I can try?
ly the spelling good job, I wondered if my parents
(c) rule: it’s better ‘When to adding be honest a with parents
(c) on the desk
Would they notice the change to my 11. report Say each word pair. would Which notice. words both
x starting with a about vowel, bad the marks. final e is
card?
have an e sound as in receive?
pped’?
8. Preposition (c) My parents phrases would can never act as notice adjectives the
5. (a) In Paragraph would 6, they refers to: (a) science, modifying secretly
scrawled, stuffed
changes a noun; I’d made e.g. not to a the single report person card.
(b) (a) the schoolchildren
(b) teacher, in nobody the class. Which preposition phrase is
hustled, writing
11. acting It is an as opinion, an adjective not a fact, in this that: sentence?
(c) (b) my parents
(c) pieces, red
wiser, stared
I stared (a) the in disbelief author did at the an excellent report card job. with
(c) report cards
12. In which pair bright do (b) both red the words marks. report have card was the
word prodigy Paragraph 1 means:
placed in a new
hard g sound as in
6. You can tell from the text that:
(a) in envelope. grade?
disbelief
a poor learner Something extra(a) extravagant,
(a) this is not the first time the author has
(b) (c) figment
at Mr the Smythe report told cardthe children not to
a person The who author doesn’t
changed
changed tell the truth
his report
his
card.
or her marks. Write (b) prodigy, change open the envelopes.
why you think this is right/wrong.
(c) with bright red marks
someone with extraordinary gifts
(b) the teacher will find out the author (c) English, 12. original The author gave himself B marks
List ten changed different his adjectives report card. from the text in because he:
alphabetical order.
(c) the author doesn’t think his parents
(a) knew his parents would be pleased.
will care about bad marks.
(b) didn’t want to draw attention to
himself by having top marks.
(c) felt he deserved those marks.
1. Which words could be antonyms for
steady in Paragraph 4?
All about words
Operation Bamboozle
7. The word amateurs in Paragraph 4 could
be replaced with:
1. I wasn’t (a) always ready, poised a bamboozling prodigy, but desperate times (a) called beginners for desperate measures. It all
started (b) when wobbly, I received shaky my end-of-year school report. We (b) were experts instructed by the teacher to take it
straight home to our parents and not open the envelope, but I don’t think a single person in
(c) sturdy, stable
(c) schoolchildren
the class intended to follow those instructions! We all hustled out of the room while secretly
2. opening Which our sentence envelopes is spelt away correctly? from the teacher’s prying 8. eyes. Which word belongs with this
group of words?
2. My (a) heart The sank horrid into red my marks stomach had when not been I saw a my marks. I had known that my science and
figment of my imagination.
red paper mark
maths test marks had been less than exemplary this year, but I hadn’t realised that they
had (b) been I delicatly this terrible! plased Two the bright report red card D marks on stared accusingly (a) library from the page, mocking
me. I glanced the desk around and found nervously my correcsion to make sure nobody else (b) could envelope read the offending marks.
Seeing that
pen.
I was not being watched, I carefully placed the report card between the pages
(c) bamboozle
of a (c) thick The textbook art of bamboozleing and stuffed it in is all my about bag. Time to get the bamboozling started!
being believeable.
9. Which two words have the
3. I selected the remotest study booth in the library, away from
same
any
number
teachers
of
or
syllables
children.
as
3. Taking In which the textbook word does from the my letter bag, y I represent found the report card and extravagant? carefully smoothed it out
onto a the long desk. i sound Sure as enough, it does the in prying? horrid red marks were still scrawled on the page and
(a) important, envelope
hadn’t (a) just quickly been a figment of my imagination. I dug two other pieces of paper from my bag
and (b) exemplary, offending
(b) took everything them to the library photocopier. That way if a teacher came and asked what I was
copying I could show my English homework. I quickly made (c) two consistency, colour copies believable of the report
(c) satisfy
card as backup, just in case I made a mistake with my alterations. I shoved them under the
10. The phrase would be none the
4. English Which homework word from and Paragraph hurried back 3 means to my a study carrel.
wiser is used to mean someone
type of controller?
4. I delicately placed the original report card on the desk and would: found my correction pen in my
backpack.
(a) alterations
With a steady hand I began to cover all of the (a) marks be with fooled the without white correction ever
fluid. (b) Understandably, remote you would think that I would only cover the suspecting. bad marks, but it was a
matter (c) of figment consistency and professionalism that I did them (b) all. This be suspicious.
step alone separates the
amateurs from the pros! If I’d only covered the bad marks, the writing would be different when
(c) demonstrate their wisdom.
5. I wrote In which them words back in. was Now, it unnecessary the writing would to be similar for all of them, but I’d only change the
bad apply ones. the Once spelling finished rule: with ‘When the correction adding a pen, I made 11. another Say each copy word of pair. the report Which card words on both
suffix starting with a vowel, the final e is
the photocopier and now I had a nice, smooth version of have the report an e ready sound to as be in filled receive? in.
dropped’?
5. Colour
(a) science, secretly
(a) matching scrawled, was stuffed an important factor to consider as well. I just so happened to have the
same brand of red pen that Mr Smythe used. It was critical (b) to be teacher, as close nobody to the original report
(b) hustled, writing
as possible. I did a few practice letters on a scrap piece of (c) paper pieces, and red then filled everything
in on
(c)
the
wiser,
report.
stared
The art of bamboozling is about being believable, so I gave myself two B
marks 12. In which pair do both words have the
6. The
for
word
maths
prodigy
and science.
in Paragraph
No need
1 means:
to be too extravagant and draw attention to myself!
Sitting back and looking the report card over I was pretty hard pleased g sound with my as in work. grade? I gently blew on
(a) a poor learner
the ink to dry it and slowly folded it into thirds and put it back (a) between extravagant, the figment pages of my textbook
to take (b) home. a person who doesn’t tell the truth
(b) prodigy, change
(c) someone with extraordinary gifts
6. Once I got home, I placed the report in a fresh envelope and (c) neatly English, wrote original my name on the front.
I sealed the back and left it on the table ready for my parents to read when they got home from
work. I thought I’d done an excellent job and that my parents would be none the wiser. But I
couldn’t help wondering: would it satisfy them or would they would spot the change …
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (41) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (41) Prim-Ed Publishing
B

Ruby 2
Sapphire Island
1. I don’t really remember the accident. Everything about that night is like a fuzzy haze in my brain.
The last clear memory that I have is of the ferocious storm that tossed our small yacht around on
the ocean like a cork in a washing machine. I had been part of a small group learning how to sail
at an overnight camp on the Pacific Ocean. We never saw the storm coming and by the time we
did, it was too late. I must have been thrown from the boat during the chaos because I can recall
the icy sting of the cold water and the rising sense of panic. The next thing I knew I was washed
up on a rocky beach.
2. Opening my eyes and realising that I was alive was an overwhelming feeling. My first thought
once I had checked myself over and realised I was unharmed, was to look for the others. After
hours of endless searching I gave up. It was as though everyone on the yacht, and even the yacht
itself, had vanished without a trace. Not a single scrap of wreckage could be found. It was then
that I knew how truly alone I was.
3. My survival instinct kicked in and I started to explore the island. I located a freshwater spring and
drank until I was almost bursting. There were coconut and banana trees in abundance and I had
seen many fish and crabs in the shallow waters surrounding the island. The island itself wasn’t
very large and it took me roughly two hours to walk around its perimeter. I found a deep cave
with a small opening which could serve as shelter and for the first few days I mostly slept and
watched for potential rescuers.
4. Those first days were the hardest, but as each day passed and nobody came for me I knew that
I would need to start building a life, even a temporary one, in the place I now called Sapphire
Island. I began to weave reeds into small nets for catching fish and crabs and used coconut shells
for cups and bowls to hold water. Fire was the hardest thing to make, but I had plenty of time to
practise and I finally got the hang of it. It was in those initial days that I also figured out I wasn’t
alone.
5. The short yips and barks of the island’s wild dogs had caught my attention that first night. I hadn’t
seen them during the day, but they must have been watching me. After hearing them from my
cave that night, I made a point of looking for them the following day and, sure enough, I could
see their yellow eyes peering at me through the dense forest leaves. They were smaller dogs,
similar to foxes and when I tentatively approached they scattered nervously. With each passing
day, they crept closer and watched me curiously or followed me around as I caught fish, fetched
water or watched for signs of rescue. They especially liked it when I fished, as I would clean out
the fish guts and throw them the scraps, which they jealously fought over like children. Initially,
the dogs disappeared at night, but gradually they started sleeping nearby and within a month
were sleeping in the cave with me. I have counted seven dogs in total, though one will probably
have puppies soon.
6. By my best estimate, I have been here on Sapphire Island for 120 days. I make a mark on the cave
wall for each day. It was lonely and frightening at first, but I’m kept company by my dogs and I
have plenty of food and water. The hardest part of my day is the endless waiting for rescue. I have
to remain hopeful. Perhaps they will come for me tomorrow ...
1. You can conclude that the author:
(a)
(b)
(c)
has the skills to survive on the island.
would rather not be rescued.
does not like pets.
2. In Paragraph 1, we refers to the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
author and his/her family.
yacht crew.
author and island dogs.
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
first days on the island were the
hardest.
storm was ferocious.
author befriended the island dogs.
4. Which event occurred first in the story?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The author discovered a deep cave.
The author looked for others from the
yacht.
The dogs on the island barked the first
night.
5. Paragraph 5 is mainly about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the wild dogs
fishing
watching for signs of rescue
6. The author explored the island because of:
(a)
(b)
(c)
curiosity
the need to survive
wild dog noises
7. The author would agree that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
yachting on the Pacific Ocean is always
safe.
wild dogs are dangerous.
living alone on an island can be lonely.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. It is clear from the text that the author:
(a)
(b)
(c)
has given up hope.
jumped from the yacht during the
storm.
will work to survive until being rescued.
9. The author is different from the wild dogs
because he or she:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is hoping to be rescued.
lives on Sapphire Island.
eats fish.
10. You can predict that the wild dogs will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
eat the author.
continue to live on the island if the
author is rescued.
go home with the author when he/she
is rescued.
11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the island wasn’t very large.
a storm caused the accident.
the dogs had yellow eyes.
12. How many months has the author been on
the island?
(a)
(b)
6 months
2 months
(c) 4 months
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (42) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 2
Ruby 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich words 1. 1. A are You preposition not can in conclude alphabetical phrase, that which the author: begins with 8. a Which 5. words Verb 8. could It tense is clear be can antonyms from tell about the text for what that has the happened author:
er? preposition, (a) has the can skills act to as survive an adverb; on the e.g. island. He unharmed? (past), (a) what has is given happening up hope. (present) or what will
barks, brain, fell from
(b)
brought the yacht. In this sentence, the
would rather not be rescued.
(a) hurt, happen damaged (future). In which tense are the verbs
preposition phrase acting as an adverb of in this (b) sentence? jumped from the yacht during the
overwhelming, place (c) is: does
opening,
not like
overnight
pets.
(b) safe, intact storm.
The island itself wasn’t very large and I walked
temporary, The tentatively, dogs initially thought disappeared at night but (c) surprised, around (c) shocked it in will two work hours. to survive until being rescued.
2. In Paragraph 1, we refers to the:
soon were sleeping in the cave.
ich pair of words
(a) author
has the
and
most
9.
his/her family.
Which sentence (a) 9. past The is author spelt (b) correctly? is different present from (c) the future wild dogs
bined number (a) initially of syllables? disappeared at night
because he or she:
(b) yacht crew.
(a)
6.
When Determiners I tentativly introduce approached nouns. the dogs Some are
machine, (b) accident but soon were
they possessive. scattered (a) is nervousley. They hoping tell to who be rescued. owns the noun; e.g.
(c) author and island dogs.
circumference, (c) in fresh the cave
(b) The my ferocous brain. (b) storm Some lives on tossed are Sapphire quantitative. our yacht Island. They tell
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that the:
how much of the noun; e.g. many fish. Others
memory,
2. Modal attention
like a cork
(c)
in a
eats
washing
fish.
mashine.
verbs are a type of auxiliary verb are demonstrative. They tell which noun; e.g.
that (a) can first help days another on island verb; were e.g. I the might (c) Not a single scrap of wreckage could
ich word in Paragraph 10.
hardest.
3 means to be in
Those
You
days.
can
The
predict
highlighted
that the
determiners
wild dogs will:
in
be rescued. Which is the modal verb in be found of the yacht.
at supply?
this sentence are both:
this
(b)
sentence?
storm was ferocious.
(a) eat the author.
10.
survival
Homographs Each are day words as I search that for have more the food I keep a look
We
(c)
should
author
have
befriended
seen the
the
storm
island
coming.
dogs. same spelling out for (b) but any different continue other survivors. meanings. to live on the island if the
abundance
author is rescued.
(a) should
Which sentence uses the word spring in a
(a) demonstrative (which one)
perimeter 4. Which event occurred first in the story? different way? (c) go home with the author when he/she
(b) have
(b) possessive
(a) The author discovered a deep cave.
is rescued.
(where)
(a) The spring provided fresh clear water
ich word belongs (c) thein this group of
which (c) quenched quantitative my thirst. (how much)
rds? (b) The author looked for others from the 11. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
3. Adverbs yacht. of degree tell us the strength (b)
7.
The A wild clause dogs
(a)
must would
the island
include spring
wasn’t
a after verb any
rnight endless nobody
very
and
large.
its subject;
or
(c)
intensity
The dogs
of the
on
action;
the island
almost
barked
full, fish
the first e.g. scraps We I left never behind. saw the storm. A sentence can
island extremely
night.
late. Which word in the (c) I was have able
(b) more to locate
a than storm
a one spring
caused clause. on
the
the In accident. this sentence,
hardest
sentence is an adverb of degree?
island which and (c) phrase fill my the coconut is dogs a clause? had shell yellow bowl. eyes.
5. It Paragraph took me approximately 5 is mainly about:
initial
two hours to walk With each passing day, they crept closer and
around 12.
(a) the the wild island.
11. Which word has
dogs
watched
How an
me
many er sound
curiously.
months as in has word? the author been on
ich words
the island?
(a) are
(b)
synonyms took fishing
for peering in
(a) during
(a) with each passing day
agraph 5?
(a) 6 months
(b) (c) approximately
(b) first
watching for signs of rescue
(b) they crept closer
disregarding, ignoring
(b) 2 months
(c) around
(c) wreckage
(c) and watched me curiously
gazing, 6. peeping The author explored the island because of:
(c) 4 months
4. A (a) noun curiosity group can begin with a noun
12.
or its Which word does not keep the y when it
glaring, sneering
8. A conjunction, used to join clauses to make a
determiner and include some adjectives; is made a plural?
longer sentence, can make one clause unable
e.g.
(b)
My
the
survival
need to
instinct
survive
phrase got the hang of it kicked in. In this (a) dayto stand on its own; e.g. I did my best to
agraph 4 means sentence, (c) wild to: which dog noises
not a noun group?
(b) fly
survive, although I was very lonely. The word
I could see their yellow eyes peering at me that makes one clause dependent is:
build 7. tools The for author hunting. would agree that:
(c) play
through the dense forest leaves.
Because I fed them scraps of fish, the wild dogs
hang from (a) a tree. yachting on the Pacific Ocean is always
(a) their yellow eyes
became my friends.
have learnt to do safe. something.
(b) peering at me
(a) Because (b) they (c) became
(b) wild dogs are dangerous.
ich word shares
(c) the
the
dense
same
forest
sound with
se words? (c) living alone on an island can be lonely.
leaves
Something extra
r rocky kicked
ocean
Imagine you are in the author’s place. What things will you do first
when you realise you are alone?
chaos
Continue writing the next stage of the story.
yacht
1. Which words are not in alphabetical
order?
1. (a) I don’t barks, really brain, remember brought the accident. Everything about (a) that night hurt, damaged is like a fuzzy haze in my brain.
(b) The overwhelming, last clear memory opening, that I have overnight is of the ferocious storm (b) that safe, tossed intactour small yacht around on
the ocean like a cork in a washing machine. I had been part of a small group learning how to sail
(c) temporary, tentatively, thought
(c) surprised, shocked
at an overnight camp on the Pacific Ocean. We never saw the storm coming and by the time we
2. Which
did, it
pair
was
of
too
words
late. I
has
must
the
have
most
been thrown from the boat
9. Which
during
sentence
the chaos
is spelt
because
correctly?
I can recall
combined
the icy sting
number
of the
of
cold
syllables?
water and the rising sense of panic. The next thing I knew I was washed
up on a rocky beach.
(a) When I tentativly approached the dogs
(a) machine, accident
they scattered nervousley.
2. Opening my eyes and realising that I was alive was an overwhelming feeling. My first thought
(b) circumference, fresh
(b) The ferocous storm tossed our yacht
once I had checked myself over and realised I was unharmed, was to look for the others. After
(c) memory, attention
like a cork in a washing mashine.
hours of endless searching I gave up. It was as though everyone on the yacht, and even the yacht
itself, had vanished without a trace. Not a single scrap of (c) wreckage Not a single could scrap be found. of wreckage It was then could
3. Which that I knew word how in Paragraph truly alone 3 means I was. to be in
be found of the yacht.
great supply?
3. My survival instinct kicked in and I started to explore 10. the
(a) survival
Homographs island. I located are words a freshwater that have spring the and
drank until I was almost bursting. There were coconut and same banana spelling trees but in different abundance meanings. and I had
(b) seen abundance many fish and crabs in the shallow waters surrounding Which the sentence island. The uses island the word itself spring wasn’t in a
very large and it took me roughly two hours to walk around
(c) perimeter
different its perimeter. way? I found a deep cave
with a small opening which could serve as shelter and for the first few days I mostly slept and
(a) The spring provided fresh clear water
4. Which watched word for belongs potential in rescuers. this group of
which quenched my thirst.
4.
words?
Those first days were the hardest, but as each day passed
(b)
and
The
nobody
wild dogs
came
would
for me
spring
I knew
after
that
any
overnight I would need to endless start building nobody a life, even a temporary one, in
fish
the
scraps
place
I
I
left
now
behind.
called Sapphire
Island. I began to weave reeds into small nets for catching fish and crabs and used coconut shells
(a) island
for cups and bowls to hold water. Fire was the hardest thing (c) I to was make, able but to locate I had plenty a spring of on time the to
(b) practise hardest and I finally got the hang of it. It was in those initial days island that and I fill also my figured coconut out shell I wasn’t bowl.
(c) alone. initial
11. Which word has an er sound as in word?
5. The short yips and barks of the island’s wild dogs had caught my attention that first night. I hadn’t
5. Which words are synonyms for peering in
(a) during
seen them during the day, but they must have been watching me. After hearing them from my
Paragraph 5?
cave that night, I made a point of looking for them the following (b) first day and, sure enough, I could
(a) see their disregarding, yellow eyes ignoring peering at me through the dense forest (c) wreckage leaves. They were smaller dogs,
(b) similar gazing, to foxes peeping and when I tentatively approached they scattered nervously. With each passing
day, they crept closer and watched me curiously or 12. followed Which me word around does as not I caught keep fish, the y fetched when it
(c) water glaring, or watched sneering for signs of rescue. They especially liked is made it when a plural? I fished, as I would clean out
the fish guts and throw them the scraps, which they jealously fought over like children. Initially,
6. The phrase got the hang of it in
(a) day
the dogs disappeared at night, but gradually they started sleeping nearby and within a month
Paragraph 4 means to:
were sleeping in the cave with me. I have counted seven (b) dogs flyin total, though one will probably
(a) have build puppies tools soon. for hunting.
(c) play
6. (b) By my hang best from estimate, a tree. I have been here on Sapphire Island for 120 days. I make a mark on the cave
(c) wall have for each learnt day. to It do was something. lonely and frightening at first, but I’m kept company by my dogs and I
have plenty of food and water. The hardest part of my day is the endless waiting for rescue. I have
7. Which to remain word hopeful. shares Perhaps the same they sound will with come for me tomorrow ...
these words?
clear rocky kicked
(a)
(b)
(c)
ocean
chaos
yacht
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Sapphire Island
8. Which words could be antonyms for
unharmed?
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (42) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (42) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 3
1. To: Mr Smith
2. From: Daniel Glover
3. Date: 8 October 2013
4. Subject: School trip
5. Dear Mr Smith
6. I’m writing to you today with a proposal for the end-of-year school excursion. Although I know
you have received many suggestions from others, in my opinion the best place to go would be
the Heritage Pioneer Village. I visited it a couple of years ago with my family and it was one of
the best outings I’ve ever had. It has so many activities to choose from that everyone will find
something they enjoy—and it’s also educational because you learn about the past. I think you’ll
agree that learning about history is an important part of the school curriculum.
7. Probably one of the best ways for children to truly experience what life was like during pioneering
times is to dress in period costumes! There are numerous different costume styles at the village,
including outfits for cowboys and cowgirls, farmers, gold miners, blacksmiths, fancy dresses and
hats for ladies and gentlemen’s suits. Wearing the costumes really makes you feel you’re truly
in that historical time and ‘sets the scene’ for some of the other activities. It’s great fun to have
your picture taken as a lord or lady, or a gold miner and there are plenty of props to add to your
costume. You can even purchase your photo which comes in black and white and looks really
old, just like the real thing!
8. Once we are dressed up they can participate in a wide range of activities. There’s a stream that
runs through the village where you can pan for gold just like in the olden days and a working
miniature railway that we can ride and operate! For those interested in cooking there is traditional
bread baking and butter churning and children can even eat their hard work afterwards. Yum!
If children are interested in history they can visit the different buildings like the jail, blacksmith
(where they can try making a horseshoe), police station and cells, town hall, corner
shop and hospital! Every building was constructed in the original style of the era and
is filled with furniture and equipment from that time as well.
9. Animal lovers will think they are in heaven when they go to the Heritage Pioneer
Village! Not only do children have the opportunity to shear a real sheep, but can also
try their hand at milking a cow and riding a horse pulling a carriage! There’s also a
petting zoo with lots of adorable baby animals like chicks, calves, foals, lambs and
fawns. How can anyone resist baby animals? When I visited the village with my
family, I was even able to feed a baby lamb from a milk bottle!
10. Undoubtedly, Mr Smith, you will concur that the Heritage Pioneer Village
would make for an excellent excursion. It offers an educational
experience in a historic replica village with activities that will appeal to
everyone. I look forward to reading your decision in a reply email.
11. Kind regards
12. Daniel
A pioneering proposal
1. Which statement is true? The writer of this
email:
(a) is Daniel Smith.
(b) attends Landsdale School.
(c) is Mr Smith.
2. The word concur in Paragraph 10 means
to:
(a) refuse
(b) agree
(c) consider
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) animal lovers are in heaven at the
village.
(b) it’s great fun having your picture
taken in period costume.
(c) the village experience is based on a
historical theme.
4. The main idea in Paragraph 7 is to:
(a) describe some period costumes
available at the village.
(b) explain how dressing in period
costume is the best way to
experience pioneer life.
(c) explain that old fashioned
photographs are available.
5. A period costume is one that is:
(a) recently fashionable.
(b) from a past era.
(c) fashionable today.
6. After Daniel described the cooking
activities, he discussed the:
(a) buildings you can visit.
(b) miniature railway.
(c) period costumes.
7. It is most likely that Daniel will:
(a) be checking his emails for a reply.
(b) not be expecting a return email.
(c) send another email to Mr Smith.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. Mr Smith and Daniel are similar because
they both:
(a) have decided to go to the Pioneer
Village.
(b) are interested in period costumes.
(c) would know that history is part of the
school curriculum.
9. The pronoun they in Paragraph 9 is used
twice. It refers to the:
(a) adorable baby animals.
(b) animal lovers.
(c) children.
10. Photos are taken in black and white so
they:
(a) look more authentic.
(b) are cheaper.
(c) look like you’re wearing a costume.
11. Which sentence best summarises why
Daniel thinks the village is the best venue
for the excursion?
(a) His family enjoyed it so the other
children should too.
(b) It is an educational experience with a
variety of appealing activities.
(c) Getting dressed up in period costume
for the day would be so much fun.
12. You can conclude that Daniel liked
of the activities at the village.
(a) all
(b) most
(c) some
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (43) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 3
Ruby 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. replica 1. A Which dash in Paragraph (—) statement is used 10 is in true? could Paragraph The writer 6 to: 8. of this Which word 6. 8. An follows Mr indefinite Smith the and rule pronoun Daniel of ‘double is are used similar instead because of a
replaced with: email:
the consonant noun. they to keep It both: does the not preceding refer to a specific person
(a) to separate groups of words in a
vowel sound or short thing. when Example: adding no-one, a suffix somebody.
fake (a) sentence. is Daniel Smith.
(a) have decided to go to the Pioneer
beginning with Which a vowel’? word is the indefinite pronoun in
Village.
model (b) to attends introduce Landsdale a list. School.
this sentence?
(a) pulling
(b) are interested in period costumes.
wooden(c) to is show Mr Smith. missing text.
I don’t know how anyone can resist a baby
(b) dresses
animal. (c) would know that history is part of the
word 2. miniature 2. Which The word in sentence Paragraph concur has in 8 Paragraph been punctuated 10 means (c) petting school curriculum.
ans: correctly? to:
(a) I
9. Which words 9. The pronoun they in Paragraph 9 is used
(a) Are refuse you going to email mr smith about (b) do not anyone both have a ch
tiny
sound like cheer? twice. It refers to the:
the end-of-year school excursion.
gigantic (b) agree
(c) baby
(a) purchase, (a) furniture adorable baby animals.
(b) Are you going to email Mr Smith about
electric (c) consider
7. Quantifying determiners introduce a noun
the end of year school excursion? (b) miniature, (b) choose animal lovers.
and indicate the quantity of it without
ich words 3. (c) both It is a Are have fact, you fewer not going an syllables opinion, to email that: Mr Smith about (c) chicks, school giving (c) children. the exact number; e.g. most
n the word participate?
(a) the animal end-of-year lovers are school in heaven excursion? at the
children, less time, a lot of activities. Which
10. In which pair 10. Photos are taken in black and white so
village.
word of words is a quantifying did their root
suggestions, undoubtedly
determiner in this
3. A modal verb helps another verb. words not both sentence? they: stay the same when
equipment, Example: (b) replica it’s great The village fun having would your be picture good to adding the suffix ing?
(a) look more authentic.
visit; visitors taken in can period dress costume. up. Which word is
I’m sure some children will want to feed one
educational, historical
(a) churning,
the (b) are cheaper.
(c) modal the village verb in experience this sentence?
of learning the three baby lambs.
is based on a
ich word does Animal not historical lovers follow will theme.
think plural
(b) pioneering,
they are in heaven.
(a) including
(c) some look like you’re wearing a costume.
:‘change y to i and add es’?
(c) wearing,
4. (a) The will
(b) milking one
main idea in Paragraph 7 is to:
11. Which sentence best summarises why
costumes
(b) Daniel thinks the village is the best venue
(a) think
11. Which contraction (c) three has an apostrophe
describe some period costumes
activities
to indicate the for letters the excursion? ha have been
(c) are available at the village.
8. Demonstrative determiners can tell which
ladies
omitted?
(a) His family enjoyed it so the other
(b) explain how dressing in period
person or thing you mean and whether
4. A verb group is all the words that form the (a) it’s
children should too.
costume is the best way to
the noun is near or far from the speaker/
hich word verb. pair Example: does one Daniel word not will be going. The
experience pioneer life.
writer; (b) It e.g. is an that educational costume, these experience horseshoes.
e a silent with a
verb consonant?
(b) I’ve
group in this sentence is:
Which variety word is of a appealing demonstrative activities. determiner
undoubtedly, (c) explain that old fashioned
The children building
(c) I’m
can try making a horseshoe at in this sentence?
photographs are available.
(c) Getting dressed up in period costume
calves, lambs the blacksmith’s shop.
12. Which sentence For those has for no children the spelling day would interested errors? be so in much cooking, fun.
writing, 5. scene (a) A period children costume can tryis one that is:
there is a traditional bread baking activity.
(a) I know you’ve recieved other
12. You can conclude that Daniel liked
(b) (a) can recently try making fashionable.
sugestions, (a) but those my opinion is the best.
ich group of compound words is not
of the activities at the village.
lphabetical (c) (b) order? at from the a blacksmith’s past era. shop
(b) One of (b) the activities in is to ride and
(a) all
operate a miniature railway.
cowgirls, (c) fashionable today.
(c) there
5. Which cowboys, auxiliary something verbs fit in this sentence to
(b) most
(c) At the village, children have the
blacksmith, 6. put After horseshoe, it in Daniel the past described outfits tense? the cooking oportunity (c) to visit some the peting zoo.
forward, gentleman, The activities, Pioneer he railway Heritage discussed Village the: one of
the (a) best buildings outings you our can family visit. been on.
word
is an synonym for
(a) (b) is, miniature has
rable in Paragraph 9. railway.
(b) (c) is, period have
awful
costumes.
Something extra
(c) was, has
appealing 7. It is most likely that Daniel will: Sketch what you think you would look like in
athletic (a) be checking his emails for a reply. one of the period costumes.
(b) not be expecting a return email.
(c) send another email to Mr Smith.
Blacksmiths were sought after in the past.
Research to write a description about how
they made horseshoes.
All about words
A pioneering proposal
1. The word replica in Paragraph 10 could
8. Which word follows the rule of ‘double
1.
2.
be replaced with:
(a) fake
(b) model
To: Mr Smith
(c) wooden
From: Daniel Glover
the consonant to keep the preceding
vowel sound short when adding a suffix
beginning with a vowel’?
(a) pulling
(b) dresses
2. The word miniature in Paragraph 8
3. Date: 8 October 2013
means:
(c) petting
4. Subject: (a) tinySchool trip
9. Which words do not both have a ch
sound like cheer?
5.
(b) gigantic
Dear (c) Mr electric Smith
(a) purchase, furniture
(b) miniature, choose
6. 3. I’m Which writing words to you both today have with fewer a proposal syllables for the end-of-year (c) school chicks, excursion. school Although I know
you than have the received word participate?
many suggestions from others, in my opinion the best place to go would be
the Heritage Pioneer Village. I visited it a couple of years 10. ago In which with pair my family of words and did it was their one root of
the
(a)
best
suggestions,
outings I’ve ever
undoubtedly
had. It has so many activities to words choose not from both that stay everyone the same will when find
something (b) equipment, they enjoy—and replica it’s also educational because adding you learn the about suffix ing? the past. I think you’ll
agree that learning about history is an important part of the school curriculum.
(c) educational, historical
(a) churning, learning
7. Probably one of the best ways for children to truly experience
4. Which word does not follow the plural
(b)
what
pioneering,
life was
including
like during pioneering
times is to dress in period costumes! There are numerous different costume styles at the village,
including rule: ‘change outfits for y to cowboys i and add and es’? cowgirls, farmers, gold miners, (c) wearing, blacksmiths, milkingfancy dresses and
hats (a) for costumes ladies and gentlemen’s suits. Wearing the costumes really makes you feel you’re truly
in that historical time and ‘sets the scene’ for some of 11. the Which other activities. contraction It’s great has an fun apostrophe to have
(b) activities
your picture taken as a lord or lady, or a gold miner and there to indicate are plenty the letters of props ha to have add been to your
costume. (c) ladies You can even purchase your photo which comes omitted? in black and white and looks really
old, just like the real thing!
(a) it’s
5. In which word pair does one word not
8. Once have we a are silent dressed consonant? up they can participate in a wide range (b) I’ve of activities. There’s a stream that
runs through the village where you can pan for gold just
(a) undoubtedly, building
(c) like in I’mthe olden days and a working
miniature railway that we can ride and operate! For those interested in cooking there is traditional
bread (b) baking calves, and lambs butter churning and children can 12. even Which eat their sentence hard work has afterwards. no spelling Yum! errors?
If children are interested in history they can visit the different buildings like the jail, blacksmith
(c) writing, scene
(where they can try making a horseshoe), police station and
(a)
cells,
I know
town
you’ve
hall,
recieved
corner
other
sugestions, but my opinion is the best.
6.
shop
Which
and
group
hospital!
of compound
Every building
words
was
is
constructed
not
in the original style of the era and
is filled
in alphabetical
with furniture
order?
and equipment from that time as well. (b) One of the activities is to ride and
operate a miniature railway.
9. Animal (a) lovers cowgirls, will cowboys, think they something are heaven when they go to the Heritage Pioneer
Village! Not only do children have the opportunity to shear (c) a real At the sheep, village, but children can also have the
(b) blacksmith, horseshoe, outfits
try their hand at milking a cow and riding a horse pulling a carriage! oportunity There’s to visit also the a peting zoo.
petting (c) zoo forward, with gentleman, lots of adorable railway baby animals like chicks, calves, foals, lambs and
fawns. How can anyone resist baby animals? When I visited the village with my
7. family, The I word was even able to is feed an synonym a baby lamb for from a milk bottle!
adorable in Paragraph 9.
10. Undoubtedly, Mr Smith, you will concur that the Heritage Pioneer Village
would
(a)
make
awful
for an excellent excursion. It offers an educational
experience (b) appealing
a historic replica village with activities that will appeal to
everyone. I look forward to reading your decision in a reply email.
(c) athletic
11. Kind regards
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
12. Daniel
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (43) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (43) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 4
Box 2
Buyer’s remorse
spache 4.1
1. Mr Peabody was an avid collector of statues. Not just any statues, but rare antiques, which cost
him almost all of his savings each year. It drove his wife absolutely crazy to watch him painstakingly
research each statue’s origins, age and value and note them in a little black book that he always kept
in his pocket. Mr Peabody would visit all of the local antique shops every weekend and even planned
their holidays around visiting shops anywhere in the world that specialised in rare statues.
2. It was actually on a holiday that Mr Peabody discovered the statue of his dreams! He had travelled to
a neighbouring town with his wife for a long weekend break. True to form, Mr Peabody ensured that
they visited all of his favourite antique shops and it was at one particular shop that he spotted her, the
magnificent weeping woman! Of course, the woman was in fact a famously rare Italian statue of which
only three had reportedly ever been made.
3. ‘Don’t you already have a statue that’s very similar to this one?’ Mr Peabody’s wife asked in
exasperation. ‘I’ve seen it sitting in your statue case!’
4. Confusingly, it was indeed almost an exact copy of the weeping woman statue Mr Peabody already
possessed, but after close examination he was convinced it was the genuine article and, after all,
wouldn’t owning two rare statues be better than one? If he purchased it, he would own two-thirds of
the rare weeping woman statues! Excitedly, Mr Peabody paid for his coveted purchase while his wife
shook her head in disbelief at the large sum of money. He had to have the statue regardless of the
price!
5. That evening, Mr Peabody did nothing but stare lovingly at the statue. His wife tried to convince him
to go out for dinner, but he refused to let the statue out of his sight for even a moment! The following
day they drove home at the slowest speed possible as if the statue, which sat in the back seat, was a
newborn baby. Mr Peabody didn’t want to take any chances. When they arrived home, Mr Peabody
gingerly took the statue from the car and went to his library where he kept his collection.
6. Suddenly, Mrs Peabody heard an agonising wail of despair! She raced to the library to see what had
happened and found Mr Peabody on the floor pulling his hair in dismay and rolling in agony. She
immediately called an ambulance and while she waited for them to arrive she tried to get Mr Peabody
to tell her what had happened, but his mumbling words were difficult to understand, though she could
pick out bits and pieces.
7. ‘Statue … authentic … gone … so much money!’
8. Mr Peabody was whisked off to the hospital where the doctor told his wife that
he had suffered an acute panic attack and would be kept overnight to monitor
his condition. With little to do but wait for his recovery, Mrs Peabody returned
home puzzled as to what could have triggered her husband’s sudden reaction.
She went into the library and saw the innocent-looking statue sitting on Mr
Peabody’s desk. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary until she looked
into the glass statue case at his collection. Her mouth dropped open in shock
as the realisation of what had happened hit her like a ton of bricks.
9. There, right before her eyes, was a perfect outline in the dust on the shelf from
where a statue had been stolen! The original weeping woman her husband had
cherished for so many years was gone, yet she hadn’t got very far, for she sat on
Mr Peabody’s desk ready to be placed back in the statue cabinet!
1. The word remorse in the title means
something you:
(a)
(b)
(c)
remember
regret
forget
2. What event occurred second?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Mr Peabody bought a second weeping
woman statue.
Mrs Peabody asked her husband to go
out for dinner.
The Peabodys travelled to a
neighbouring town for the weekend.
3. Paragraph 4’s main idea is to explain:
(a)
(b)
(c)
why Mr Peabody decided to buy a
second weeping woman statue.
that Mr Peabody was excited about
buying the statue.
that Mr Peabody carefully examined
the statue before buying it.
4. Mr Peabody had an acute panic attack
because he realised:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Mrs Peabody was exasperated he had
bought a second statue.
he had paid too much money for the
statue.
he had bought his own statue.
5. Mr and Mrs Peabody are similar because
they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
collect rare statues.
go on holidays together.
like spending money on antiques.
6. Mr Peabody was well informed about rare
statues because he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
often went on holiday.
visited antique shops.
made comprehensive research notes in
a little black book.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. Mrs Peabody felt when her
husband paid for another weeping woman
statue.
(a)
(b)
(c)
disbelief
puzzled
shocked
8. The writer would agree that Mr Peabody
was
interested in antique
statues.
(a)
(b)
(c)
extremely
quite
not
9. After Mr Peabody recovers, it is likely he
will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
never visit an antique shop again.
sell his remaining statues.
continue to buy antique statues.
10. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the weeping woman statue is
magnificent.
Mr Peabody kept his collection in a
glass case.
Mrs Peabody called an ambulance.
11. You can conclude that Mrs Peabody
her husband’s purchases.
(a)
(b)
(c)
was overjoyed
went along with
was very angry about
12. Mr Peabody gingerly carried the statue
inside because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
it was heavy.
it smelt like ginger.
he didn’t want to drop it.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (44) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. avid 1. Which The in Paragraph word sentence remorse 1 uses could in quote the be title marks means for 7. Which sentence 5. 7. A Mrs preposition has Peabody more than phrase felt two begins when with a her
laced with: direct something speech you: correctly?
spelling errors? preposition; husband paid e.g. for for another a long weeping weekend woman
automatic (a) (a) ‘You remember already have a statue like that!’ (a) Exitedly,
break.
he
statue.
paid
Which
for the
group
statue,
of
while
words is not a
(b)
Mrs
regret
Peabody exclaimed. ‘I’ve seen it in
preposition
(a) disbelief
phrase?
occasional
his wife shook her head in disbeleif.
your statue case!’
There
(c) forget
(b) puzzled
was an outline in the dust on the shelf
keen
(b) His wife immediatley called an
(b) ‘You already have a statue like that! ambulence
of where
(c)
when
shocked
she
the
saw
statue
him
had
rolling
been.
in
ich word 2. is What an antonym Mrs event Peabody occurred for confusingly exclaimed. second? I’ve seen it in agany. (a) in the dust
aragraph 4? your statue case!’
8.
(a) Mr Peabody bought a second weeping (c) She went (b) The into writer on the the libary would shelf to see agree what that Mr Peabody
bewilderingly (c) ‘You woman already statue. have a statue like that’! had trigered was
interested in antique
(c)
this
statues.
the
sudden
statue had
reaction.
been
Mrs Peabody exclaimed. ‘I’ve seen it in
considerably (b)
your
Mrs
statue
Peabody
case’!
asked her husband 8. to go Which word is
6.
out for dinner.
Which (a)
a synonym
extremely conjunction
for cherished
would join
in
these two
clearly
Paragraph 9?
sentences
(c) The Peabodys travelled to a
(b) quite
best to retain the meaning?
2. In Paragraph 7, the ellipsis (…) is used to:
(a) treasured
ich words
(a)
both
provide
have neighbouring fewer
a pause.
syllables town for the weekend.
He
(c)
paid
not
for his coveted purchase. Mrs
n the word magnificent?
(b) cheered Peabody stared in disbelief.
3. (b) Paragraph show that 4’s part main of idea a quotation is to explain: has been
9.
antiques, reportedly
(c) neglected (a) After although Mr Peabody recovers, it is likely he
omitted.
(a) why Mr Peabody decided to buy a
will:
reaction,
(c)
disbelief
(b) while
show second incompleteness weeping woman of thought. 9.
statue.
Which group are
(a)
in
never
alphabetical
visit an antique
order?
shop again.
painstakingly, agonising
3. The (b) context that Mr of Peabody a sentence was determines
excited about
(a) panic, painstakingly,
(c) since
(b) sell his
particular,
remaining
paid
statues.
ich group of which words buying part all of changed the speech statue. a root word is; e.g. It cost (b) pulling, 7. puzzled, A
(c)
possessive
continue
purchased, determiner
to buy
purchase
antique
is placed
statues.
before
rd when adding (verb) (c) that the him suffix Mr a lot Peabody of ed? money. carefully He didn’t examined care (c) pocket, possess,
a noun to
possessed,
say who the
possible
noun belongs to;
about the the statue cost (noun). before In buying this sentence, it.
10. e.g. It is our an opinion, holiday, not their a house. fact, that: Which word
convinced, refused, ensured
the word purchase is a:
10. The word coveted is not
(a)
in a
the
Paragraph possessive
weeping woman
4 determiner means: in this
appeared,
statue is
4.
Mr
Mr triggered,
Peabody
Peabody waited
paid
had
for
an
his
acute
coveted
panic
purchase
attack
sentence?
(a) covered up magnificent.
cherished, while
because suffered, his wife
he visited realised:
shook her head.
His wife shook her head as he paid for the
(b) expensive(b)
Mr Peabody kept his collection in a
(a)
(a)
verb
Mrs Peabody was exasperated he had
statue.
ich word does not glass case.
bought
follow
a
the
second
rule:
statue.
(c) much wanted
(a) his
nge y to i (b) and noun add es to make the
(c) Mrs Peabody called an ambulance.
ral’? (b) he had paid too much money for 11. the Which group has (b) one herword with a soft not
(c) adjective statue.
11.
holiday
a hard c sound;
(c)
You e.g. can
the
excited? conclude that Mrs Peabody
(c) he had bought his own statue.
her husband’s purchases.
4. Adverbials are words or groups of words
library
(a) antique, panic, whisked
that can give more information about a
8. Quantifying (a) was overjoyed determiners indicate the
copy 5.
verb;
Mr and
e.g.
Mrs
raced
Peabody
to the
are
library
similar
(adverbial
because (b) authentic,
quantity
collection,
of a
pocket
noun without giving the
they:
(b) went along with
of place). The adverbial of purpose in this (c) attack, innocent, exact number; pick e.g. some, many. Which
hich group sentence (a)
do both
collect is: compound
rare statues.
words
word (c) was is a quantifying very angry about determiner in this
an the same as the two words that
12. Which group has sentence? one word with a long u
ke them? He (b) had go travelled on holidays to a together. neighbouring town sound in its 12. third Mr Peabody syllable? gingerly carried the statue
with his wife for a long weekend break.
Mr Peabody would visit all the antique
understand, (c) outline like spending money on antiques. (a) statue, genuine
inside because:
shops on weekends.
(a) to a neighbouring town
overnight,
(a) it was heavy.
6. Mr newborn Peabody was well informed about rare (b) absolutely, (a) acute all
(b) for a long weekend break
around, weekend statues because he:
(c) ambulance,
(b) it smelt like ginger.
(b) actually the
(c) with his wife
(a) often went on holiday.
(c) he didn’t want to drop it.
(c) on
(b) visited antique shops.
Something extra
(c) made comprehensive research notes in
a Make little a black list of book. 10 verbs from the text and write each in a meaningful sentence.
A person who collects antiques is called an antiquarian. Find out the names for
the collectors of 10 other things, such as coins, butterflies and stamps.
Ruby 4
Box 2
1. The word avid in Paragraph 1 could be
replaced with:
All about words
Buyer’s remorse
spache 4.1
7. Which sentence has more than two
spelling errors?
1. Mr (a) Peabody automatic was an avid collector of statues. Not just any statues, (a) Exitedly, but rare he antiques, paid for which the statue, cost while
him (b) almost occasional all of his savings each year. It drove his wife absolutely his crazy wife to shook watch her him head painstakingly
disbeleif.
research each statue’s origins, age and value and note them
(c) keen
(b) in a little His wife black immediatley book that called he always an kept
in his pocket. Mr Peabody would visit all of the local antique shops ambulence every weekend when she and saw even him planned rolling in
their
2. Which
holidays
word
around
is an antonym
visiting shops
for confusingly
anywhere in the world that specialised agany. in rare statues.
2. It was in Paragraph actually on 4? a holiday that Mr Peabody discovered the (c) statue She of went his dreams! into the He libary had to travelled see what to
a neighbouring (a) bewilderingly town with his wife for a long weekend break. True had to form, trigered Mr this Peabody sudden ensured reaction. that
they visited all of his favourite antique shops and it was at one particular shop that he spotted her, the
(b) considerably
magnificent weeping woman! Of course, the woman was 8. in Which fact a famously word is a rare synonym Italian for statue cherished of which in
only (c) three clearly had reportedly ever been made.
Paragraph 9?
(a) treasured
3. 3. ‘Don’t Which you words already both have have a statue fewer that’s syllables very similar to this one?’ Mr Peabody’s wife asked in
exasperation. than the word ‘I’ve magnificent?
seen it sitting in your statue case!’ (b) cheered
4. Confusingly, (a) antiques, it was reportedly indeed almost an exact copy of the weeping (c) woman neglected statue Mr Peabody already
possessed,
(b) reaction,
but after
disbelief
close examination he was convinced it was the genuine article and, after all,
9. Which group are in alphabetical order?
wouldn’t owning two rare statues be better than one? If he purchased it, he would own two-thirds of
the (c) rare weeping painstakingly, woman agonising statues! Excitedly, Mr Peabody paid (a) for panic, his coveted painstakingly, purchase particular, while his paid wife
shook her head in disbelief at the large sum of money. He had
4. Which group of words all changed a root
(b)
to
pulling,
have the
puzzled,
statue regardless
purchased,
of
purchase
the
price!
word when adding the suffix ed?
(c) pocket, possess, possessed, possible
5. That evening, Mr Peabody did nothing but stare lovingly at the statue. His wife tried to convince him
(a) convinced, refused, ensured
to go out for dinner, but he refused to let the statue out 10. of The his sight word for coveted even a in moment! Paragraph The 4 following means:
day (b) they appeared, drove home triggered, at the slowest waitedspeed possible as if the statue, which sat in the back seat, was a
(a) covered up
newborn (c) cherished, baby. Mr Peabody suffered, didn’t visitedwant to take any chances. When they arrived home, Mr Peabody
gingerly took the statue from the car and went to his library (b) where expensive he kept his collection.
5. Which word does not follow the rule:
6. Suddenly, Mrs Peabody heard an agonising wail of despair!
(c)
She raced
much
to
wanted
the library to see what had
‘change y to i and add es to make the
happened and found Mr Peabody on the floor pulling his hair in dismay and rolling in agony. She
plural’?
11. Which group has one word with a soft not
immediately called an ambulance and while she waited for them to arrive she tried to get Mr Peabody
(a) holiday
a hard c sound; e.g. excited?
to tell her what had happened, but his mumbling words were difficult to understand, though she could
pick (b) out library bits and pieces.
(a) antique, panic, whisked
7. ‘Statue (c) … copy authentic … gone … so much money!’
(b) authentic, collection, pocket
(c) attack, innocent, pick
8.
6.
Mr In Peabody which group was whisked do both off compound to the hospital words where the doctor told his wife that
he had mean suffered the same an acute as the panic two words attack and that would be kept
12.
overnight Which group to monitor has one word with a long u
his make condition. them? With little to do but wait for his recovery, Mrs sound Peabody in its returned third syllable?
home puzzled as to what could have triggered her husband’s sudden reaction.
She (a) went understand, into the library outline and saw the innocent-looking statue (a) sitting statue, on genuine Mr
Peabody’s (b) overnight, desk. Nothing newborn appeared to be out of the ordinary (b) until absolutely, she looked acute
into the glass statue case at his collection. Her mouth dropped open in shock
(c) around, weekend
(c) ambulance, actually
as the realisation of what had happened hit her like a ton of bricks.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
9. There, right before her eyes, was a perfect outline in the dust on the shelf from
where a statue had been stolen! The original weeping woman her husband had
cherished for so many years was gone, yet she hadn’t got very far, for she sat on
Mr Peabody’s desk ready to be placed back in the statue cabinet!
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (44) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (44) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 5
Comprehension
Gross body facts
1. Our body does many gross things that smell, sound or look awful—or sometimes all
three! We sneeze drops or blobs of mucus (snot), pass wind, excrete faeces (poo),
have diarrhoea, pass urine, burp, belch, cough, vomit and sweat. Why do we have to
endure all these things day after day?
2. It’s really all about allowing our body to work properly so we remain healthy. All
these gross things are ways of getting rid of waste our body doesn’t need. Just like
we collect rubbish from around the house to dispose of, our body needs to do that
too. Unless it’s a dirty tissue from blowing our nose, our waste doesn’t go in a bin like
rubbish around the house does; it mostly gets flushed down the toilet where it travels
through the sewerage system.
3. Mucus plays an important part in our body’s defence. One of the places this thick,
slimy liquid is found is in our nose. Along with tiny nose hairs called ‘cilia’, mucus helps
trap dirt and germs in the air we breathe and stops them reaching our lungs. Mucus
builds up and turns yellow or green when we have an infection in our airways. We
can produce as much as one cup each day when we have a severe cold or flu. This
colour change occurs if our body is fighting a bacterial infection. Snot remains clear
if we just have a straightforward cold.
4. The food we eat and liquids we drink go through our digestive system—first into the
mouth and then through the oesophagus and into the stomach. From there they
travel through the small intestine and into the large intestine. Nutrients are absorbed
into the blood and waste products are excreted through the anus as faeces or the
bladder as urine.
5. Urine is usually pale yellow or straw-coloured. If we are dehydrated from not having
enough water in our body, the urine becomes a dark yellow to orange-brown colour.
Normal urine has a slight smell from a chemical called ammonia. Concentrated
urine smells much stronger.
6. When we pass wind, the smell can be quite offensive! Bacteria in the intestines can
produce foul-smelling chemicals as they break down the food we have eaten. Foods
like cauliflower, meat and eggs make the bacteria produce smellier gases that
escape from the intestine.
7. Diarrhoea is caused by an irritation in the intestines. This makes everything move too
quickly through them. Water and fibre we cannot absorb, dead bacteria, proteins, fats
and salts are expelled from our body as diarrhoea. Vomiting is caused by an irritation
in the stomach. Undigested food and liquid comes up the oesophagus and out the
mouth.
1. The word excrete in Paragraph 1 means
to
out of the body.
(a) pass
(b) explode
(c) leak
2. The main idea of Paragraph 4 is to
explain:
(a) how nutrients are absorbed.
(b) the names of organs in the digestive
system.
(c) how the digestive system works.
3. What colours was urine described as
being?
(a) green, yellow
(b) straw, yellow, orange-brown
(c) orange-brown, straw, green
4. The pronoun they in Paragraph 6 refers to
the:
(a) bacteria
(b) chemicals
(c) intestines
5. Food passes through the
immediately before the large intestine.
(a) anus
(b) small intestine
(c) stomach
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) some body facts are gross.
(b) concentrated urine smells stronger
than normal urine.
(c) passing wind is offensive.
7. Faeces and urine are similar because
they are both:
(a) excreted
(b) liquids
(c) eaten
8. Gases that escape from the intestine may
be smellier if someone has eaten:
(a) cheese
(b) steak
(c) cereal
9. You can conclude that the body facts
discussed in the text are:
(a) necessary
(b) unnecessary
(c) useless
10. The writer would agree that the smell
from passing wind can be:
(a) humorous
(b) painful
(c) disgusting
11. If you noticed green mucus in a tissue
after blowing your nose, you would most
probably:
(a) sniff and not blow your nose.
(b) visit a doctor as you have an
infection.
(c) try not to sneeze.
12. Being dehydrated can result in:
(a) passing more urine.
(b) having straw-coloured urine.
(c) having darker-coloured urine.
8. Many people think that sweat stinks. Sweat is produced by glands in our skin. As it
evaporates into the air, we feel cool. The smell is from the bacteria on the skin that
mixes with the sweat. Some people have a stronger body odour than others.
9. So next time you experience one of the gross things explained in this text, you’ll know
it’s all about making our body work properly to keep us healthy.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (45) Prim-Ed Publishing

Ruby 5
Ruby 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
word 1. endure 1. In The Paragraphs in word excrete 1 and 1 in means Paragraph 4, dashes (—) 1 means are 7. Which word 5. 7. A is Faeces sentence an synonym and must urine for include are similar a verb because and its
ut up with used to something: to: out of the body.
straightforward subject. they in Paragraph are The both: verb 3? is the action. The subject
performs the action. Example: Diarrhoea
for a long (a) time. separate pass groups of words in a (a) simple (a) excreted
is caused by an irritation. Diarrhoea is the
sentence.
now and (b) then. explode
(b) severe subject (b) liquids and is caused is the verb. What is
(b) introduce a list.
weekly. (c) leak
(c) strangethe (c) subject eatenof this sentence?
(c) show missing text.
Bacteria produce foul-smelling chemicals.
ich word 2. is The an antonym main idea for of Paragraph 4 is to 8. The word 8. gross Gases in the that title escape could be from the intestine may
centrated 2. Which explain:
Paragraph sentence 5? has been punctuated replaced with: (a) be bacteria smellier if someone has eaten:
correctly?
rich (a) how nutrients are absorbed. (a) gritty (b) (a) produce cheese
(a) Why do we burp, sneeze, vomit, sweat,
weak (b) the names of organs in the digestive (b) glamorous (c) (b) foul-smelling
steak
and produce foul smelling diarrhoea?
system.
confident
(c) revolting 6. A (c) sentence cereal may also include an object.
(b) Why do we burp sneeze, vomit, sweat
(c) how the digestive system works.
The object receives the action of the verb.
ich words both and have produce fewer syllables foul-smelling diarrhoea. 9. Which pair 9. of Example: You words can do We conclude not pass both urine. that have Pass the a body is the facts verb
n the word 3. (c) What excreted? Why colours do we was burp, urine sneeze, described vomit, sweat as long e sound and discussed like urine breathe? is in the the object. text are: What is the object
being?
mucus, urine and produce foul-smelling diarrhoea? (a) usually, of sneeze (a) this necessary sentence?
(a) green, yellow
liquids, 3. chemicals Quantifying determiners indicate the (b) nutrients, Mucus (b) experience unnecessary
helps trap dirt and germs in the air.
quantity (b) straw, of a yellow, noun orange-brown
odour, intestine
without giving the (c) protein, (a) sweat (c) mucus useless
exact (c) orange-brown, number; e.g. any, straw, a lot, green few. Which
(b) in the air
ich words word both follow is a quantifying the rule ‘when determiner in 10. this Which word’s 10. root The writer word changed would agree when that the smell
ing a 4. suffix sentence? The beginning pronoun with they a in vowel Paragraph 6 refers adding to the suffix (c) from dirt ing? passing and germs wind can be:
ords ending Our the: with body e, does the e many is dropped gross things that (a) reaching(a) humorous
ore adding smell, the suffix’?
7. A preposition phrase begins with a
(a) bacteria sound or look awful.
(b) vomitingpreposition; (b) painful e.g. in the intestines. Which
changed, (a) absorbed
(b) our chemicals
group of words is not a preposition
(c) having (c) disgusting
concentrated, (b) (c) many dehydrated
phrase?
intestines
flushed, coloured
11. Which group 11. Undigested of If you words noticed is food in alphabetical
green and liquid mucus comes in a tissue up the
(c) that
5. Food passes through the
order? oesophagus after blowing and your out nose, of the you mouth. would most
ich word 4. does Demonstrative immediately not fit in with before determiners this the word large can intestine. tell which
probably:
(a) bladder, (a) blob, food blood and liquid
egory? person (a) anus or thing you mean and whether
(a) sniff and not blow your nose.
(b) bacteria, (b) burp, up builds the oesophagus
ophagus the noun stomach is near or intestine far from the speaker;
(b) small intestine
(b) visit a doctor as you have an
e.g. that rubbish, these tissues. Which (c) belch, break, (c) out body of the mouth
dder skin
infection.
word (c) is stomach a demonstrative determiner in this
nose sentence?
12. Which words 8. Which both (c) have try conjunction not a to short sneeze. would i sound join these two
6. It is a fact, not an opinion, that: like insect? sentences best to retain the meaning?
lungs This thick, slimy liquid is found in our nose.
12. Being dehydrated can result in:
(a) some body facts are gross. (a) nutrients, We cauliflower pass wind. The smell can be quite
sweat (a) this
offensive. (a) passing more urine.
(b) concentrated urine smells stronger (b) bacteria, digest
(b) slimy
ich sentence has than no spelling normal urine. errors?
(a) (b) unless having straw-coloured urine.
(c) system, builds
(c) our
Diarrhoea (c) is caused passing by wind an iritation is offensive. in
(b) (c) although having darker-coloured urine.
the intestines.
(c) when
Yellow or green snot Something means you have extra
a bacterial infection.
Find a diagram of the digestive system on the internet or
A chemical called amonia makes our
in a reference book and identify the digestive organs.
urine smell.
List all the letters in the alphabet on a sheet of paper, one line for
each letter. Write all the words dealing with our body parts or the
gross things they produce next to its initial letter. Think of other
theme words for letters that are blank.
1. The word
Gross
endure in Paragraph 1 means
body
7. Which
facts
word is an synonym for
to put up with something:
straightforward in Paragraph 3?
(a) for a long time.
(a) simple
(b) now and then.
(b) severe
(c) 1. weekly. Our body does many gross things that smell, sound (c) or strange look awful—or sometimes all
three! We sneeze drops or blobs of mucus (snot), pass wind, excrete faeces (poo),
2. Which have word diarrhoea, is an antonym pass urine, for burp, belch, cough, 8. vomit The word and sweat. gross in Why the do title we could have be to
concentrated endure all in these Paragraph things 5? day after day?
replaced with:
(a) rich
(a) gritty
2. It’s really all about allowing our body to work properly so we remain healthy. All
(b) weak these gross things are ways of getting rid of waste (b) our glamorous body doesn’t need. Just like
(c) confident we collect rubbish from around the house to dispose (c) of, revolting our body needs to do that
too. Unless it’s a dirty tissue from blowing our nose, our waste doesn’t go in a bin like
3. Which rubbish words around both have the fewer house syllables does; it mostly gets 9. flushed Which down pair of the words toilet do where not it both travels have a
than through the word the excreted? sewerage system.
long e sound like breathe?
(a) 3. mucus, Mucus plays urine an important part in our body’s defence. (a) usually, One of sneeze the places this thick,
(b) liquids,
slimy liquid
chemicals
is found is in our nose. Along with tiny
(b)
nose
nutrients,
hairs called
experience
‘cilia’, mucus helps
trap dirt and germs in the air we breathe and stops them reaching our lungs. Mucus
(c) odour, builds intestine up and turns yellow or green when we have (c) an protein, infection sweat in our airways. We
can produce as much as one cup each day when we have a severe cold or flu. This
4. Which colour words change both follow occurs the if rule our ‘when body is fighting 10. a bacterial Which word’s infection. root Snot word remains changed clear when
adding if we a suffix just have beginning a straightforward with a vowel cold.
adding the suffix ing?
to words ending with e, the e is dropped
(a) reaching
before 4. The adding food we the eat suffix’? and liquids we drink go through our digestive system—first into the
mouth and then through the oesophagus and into (b) the vomiting stomach. From there they
(a) changed, absorbed
travel through the small intestine and into the large (c) intestine. having Nutrients are absorbed
(b) concentrated, into the blood dehydrated
and waste products are excreted through the anus as faeces or the
(c) flushed, bladder coloured as urine.
11. Which group of words is in alphabetical
order?
5. Urine is usually pale yellow or straw-coloured. If we are dehydrated from not having
5. Which word does not fit in with this word
enough water in our body, the urine becomes a dark (a) yellow bladder, to blob, orange-brown blood colour.
category?
Normal urine has a slight smell from a chemical called
(b) bacteria,
ammonia.
burp,
Concentrated
builds
oesophagus urine smells much stomach stronger. intestine
(c) belch, break, body
bladder 6. When we pass skinwind, the smell can be quite offensive! Bacteria in the intestines can
(a) nose produce foul-smelling chemicals as they break 12. down Which the words food both we have eaten. a short Foods i sound
like cauliflower, meat and eggs make the bacteria like produce insect? smellier gases that
(b) lungs
escape from the intestine.
(a) nutrients, cauliflower
(c) sweat
7. Diarrhoea is caused by an irritation in the intestines. (b) This bacteria, makes digest everything move too
6. Which quickly sentence through has no them. spelling Water errors? and fibre we cannot absorb, dead bacteria, proteins, fats
and salts are expelled from our body as diarrhoea. (c) Vomiting system, is builds caused by an irritation
(a) Diarrhoea in the stomach. is caused Undigested by an iritation food and in liquid comes up the oesophagus and out the
the mouth. intestines.
(b) Yellow or green snot means you have
8. Many people think that sweat stinks. Sweat is produced by glands in our skin. As it
a bacterial infection.
evaporates into the air, we feel cool. The smell is from the bacteria on the skin that
(c) A mixes chemical with the called sweat. amonia Some makes people our have a stronger body odour than others.
urine smell.
9. So next time you experience one of the gross things explained in this text, you’ll know
it’s all about making our body work properly to keep us healthy.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (45) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (45) Prim-Ed Publishing

The four dragons
1. It was thought there were no rivers and
lakes on Earth in the beginning, only the
Eastern Sea, where four dragons lived: the
Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon, the Long
Dragon and the Pearl Dragon. The four
dragons would often play in the sea and
sky and hide among the clouds.
2. One day, the Pearl Dragon spotted some
commotion on Earth and called the other
dragons over to take a look. They observed
numerous people putting out food and
burning incense sticks. Many were kneeling
and murmuring towards the sky and the
dragons quickly realised they were praying
for rain. There had been a long drought
and their crops had withered and died
under the hot scorching sun.
Charcoal 1
3. We must visit the Jade Emperor and ask for rain, the dragons thought in unison.
4. Leaping into the clouds, the dragons flew towards the Heavenly Palace. The Jade Emperor was
a powerful and busy person who oversaw all the affairs in heaven, on Earth and in the sea. As
dragons had a reputation for being mischievous, the Jade Emperor was not overly impressed to
see them flying through his palace at blinding speed. He immediately questioned why they were
not in the Eastern Sea where they belonged.
5. ‘The crops on Earth have died from the blistering sun, Your Majesty. We beg you to send rain
immediately or the people will continue to suffer!’ the Long Dragon pleaded. The Jade Emperor,
knowing full well he would never honour the agreement, agreed to this request, saying he would
only bring on the rain after the dragons had departed.
6. Ten long, dry days passed without a single drop of rain from the sky. The people suffered and were
forced to eat bark, grass roots and eventually white clay in a desperate effort to survive. The four
dragons saw this suffering and felt sympathy for those left to die by the Jade Emperor. They knew
he cared only for his own pleasure and not the health and happiness of the people on Earth.
Together, they formulated a plan to save the crops. Even though they knew the danger in defying
the Jade Emperor, they went ahead and scooped up water from the Eastern Sea and sprayed it
towards the sky where it fell like raindrops onto the people, who rejoiced at this miracle.
7. Soon, plants were standing taller and growing new leaves and shoots. Unfortunately, the god of
the sea discovered what the four dragons had done and immediately informed the Jade Emperor.
His fury was such that he ordered four mountains to be laid upon the dragons so they could never
escape. The mountain god, who lived in an enormous mountain, used his magic powers to create
these mountains and pressed them onto the four dragons,so they would be trapped there forever.
8. Although imprisoned, the dragons never regretted their decision. Knowing they could never
escape as dragons and wanting to serve the people, they transformed themselves into four rivers
which would flow through the mountain valleys to the sea. This is the legend of how China’s four
great rivers were formed: the Zhujiang (Pearl River) in the very far south, the Heilonjian (Black
River) in the north, the Huanghe (Yellow River) in central China and the Changjiang or Yangtze
(Long River) in the south.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (46) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) the dragons were mischievous.
(b) people were suffering due to the
lack of rain.
(c) the Jade Emperor was mean and
had no intention of honouring the
agreement.
2. In Paragraph 7, them refers to:
(a) the mountains
(b) the dragons
(c) his magic powers
3. The paragraph that is mainly about
how the dragons became aware of the
problem on earth is:
(a) Paragraph 1
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 3
4. The four dragons helped the people
because they:
(a) wanted to anger the Jade Emperor.
(b) enjoyed playing mischievous pranks
on others.
(c) felt sorry for the people’s suffering.
5. You can conclude from the text that the
Jade Emperor was a:
(a) fickle and cruel master.
(b) fair and considerate ruler.
(c) good friend to the people.
6. The four dragons understood that:
(a) they should have brought their
request to the emperor again.
(b) they would later regret their
decision.
(c) helping the people would be
dangerous.
7. When the Jade Emperor heard what the
dragons had done he felt:
(a) furious
(b) joyous
(c) disappointed
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. What happened after the people rejoiced?
(a) The people prayed for rain.
(b) The dragons collected sea water.
(c) The dragons were punished.
9. Which is the best summary of Paragraphs 2
and 3?
(a) The dragons observed that people were
praying for rain and decided to ask the
Jade Emperor for help.
(b) The long drought had caused the crops
to die and people were desperate for
water.
(c) Numerous people burned incense sticks
and prayed for rain, but the drought
continued.
10. The mountain god and the Jade Emperor
are similar because they:
(a) have magic powers that can create
mountains.
(b) both live in palaces.
(c) participated in the punishment of the
four dragons.
11. The story of the four dragons was created to
explain:
(a) that living during a drought was very
difficult for the people.
(b) how China’s four great rivers were
formed.
(c) that the Jade Emperor did not care
about the people’s suffering.
12. The effect of the Jade Emperor’s refusal to
help the people was:
(a) China was given four great rivers as a
result of the dragons’ sacrifice.
(b) The mountain god felt he had unjustly
punished the dragons.
(c) The dragons were forever trapped under
four mountains.

Charcoal 1
Charcoal 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ch word 1. 1. pair Colons It is could a fact, (:) be are not synonyms used an opinion, Paragraphs for that: 1 and 9. Which 8 8. compound What 5. A happened noun word group has after a is similar a the noun people with its rejoiced?
motion in to Paragraph introduce: 2?
meaning to the adjectives words that and make often it? a determiner; e.g.
(a) the dragons were mischievous.
(a) The people prayed for rain.
Crops had died under the scorching
communication, (a) (b) an people explanation
discussion were suffering due to the (a) without (b) The
sun.
dragons
The noun
collected
group in
sea
this
water.
sentence is:
clamour, (b) uproara lack list of items rain.
(b) informed (c) The dragons were punished.
He used his magic powers to create
silence, peace
(c) an the offset Jade list Emperor was mean and (c) forever
9. Which mountains is the best to summary be laid over of Paragraphs the dragons. 2
had no intention of honouring the
word 2. mischievous Which sentence in Paragraph uses quote 4 means marks for 10. Which word and shares
(a)
3? the same soft c
agreement.
his magic powers
e: direct speech correctly?
sound as in incense?
(a) (b) The dragons to create observed mountains that people were
playfully 2. (a) annoying In Paragraph ‘The crops 7, on them Earth refers have to: died. We beg (a) clouds
(c)
praying
over
for
the
rain
dragons
and decided to ask the
deadly (a) you the to mountains send rain!’ pleaded the dragons. (b) forced Jade Emperor for help.
serious and (b) stern ‘The the dragons crops Earth have died’. ‘We beg (c) scooped (b) 6. Which The long word drought is a modal had caused verb that the helps crops
you to send rain!’ pleaded the dragons.
another verb? Example: The dragons
(c) his magic powers
to die and people were desperate for
ch words are not in alphabetical order? 11.
(c) ‘The crops on Earth have died. We beg
The expression water. would flying play through in the his sea. palace
at blinding speed in Paragraph 4
regretted, 3. The reputation, paragraph you to send request that rain’! is pleaded mainly about the dragons. (c) We Numerous must visit people the Jade burned Emperor incense and sticks ask
how the dragons became aware of the means flying:
overly, oversaw, own
and for rain, prayed they for thought. rain, but the drought
3. A problem preposition on earth phrase is: begins with a
(a) so quickly continued. it is difficult to see.
towards, together, preposition; through e.g. among the clouds. Which
(a) must
(a) Paragraph 1
group of words is not a preposition phrase?
(b) very slowly.
10. The mountain (b) visit god and the Jade Emperor
each word (b) pair Paragraph and listen 2to the last
(c) from are side similar to side to confuse el sound. Leaping Which words into the both clouds, have the dragons flew
(c) and because they:
(c) Paragraph 3
watcher.
e last vowel towards sound the as Heavenly request? Palace.
(a) have magic powers that can create
7. A possessive determiner is placed
12. Homographs are words that have the
escape, 4. legend (a) The four into the dragons clouds helped the people
mountains.
before a noun to say who the noun
because they:
same spelling (b) both but different meanings.
incense, (b) happiness the dragons flew
belongs live to; in palaces. e.g. his pleasure, our
Which sentence
suffering.
uses the
Which
word
word
crop in
a possessive
often, emperor (c) (a) towards wanted the to anger Heavenly the Jade Palace Emperor.
(c) participated in the punishment of the
different way from
determiner
the text?
(b) enjoyed playing mischievous pranks
four dragons. in this sentence?
ch pair 4. of Adverbials words on has others. are words most combined or groups of words (a) She rode her
There
horse
had
swiftly
been
and
a long
never
11. The story of the four dragons drought was created and to
ber of syllables? that can give more information about a had to use
their
the
crops
crop.
(c) felt sorry for the people’s suffering.
explain: had withered and died.
verb; e.g. The mountains were laid upon
incense, mountain
(b) The crop was planted in the spring,
the dragons (adverbial of place). The
(a) there
5. You can conclude from the text that the but did (a) not that do living well. during a drought was very
blistering, adverbial pleasure
Jade Emperor of place was in a: this sentence is:
(b) difficult their for the people.
(c) It’s best to give any new crop plenty
enormous, miracle
The (a) rain fickle fell and onto cruel the people, master. who rejoiced at of water. (b) (c) how China’s had four great rivers were
ch word belongs the
(b)
miracle.
fair in and this considerate group of words?
formed.
ruler.
8. An abstract noun names something
(c) that the Jade Emperor did not care
mischievous (a) (c) onto good the friend flying people to the people.
that cannot be detected using any of
about the people’s suffering.
dragon
(b) who rejoiced
our five senses; e.g. fury.
6. The four dragons understood that:
emperor
(c) at the miracle
12. The effect of the Jade Emperor’s refusal to
(a) they should have brought their
help
How
the people
many abstract
was:
nouns are in this
palace request to the emperor again.
sentence?
(a) China was given four great rivers as a
hich word (b) pair they are both would words later spelt regret their
The
result
Jade
of the
Emperor
dragons’
cared
sacrifice.
only for his own
rectly? decision.
pleasure and not for the health and
(b) The mountain god felt he had unjustly
happiness of his people.
transformed,
(c)
knealing
helping the people would be
punished the dragons.
dangerous.
(a) 2
meracle, withered
(c) The dragons were forever trapped under
(b) 3
forever, 7. enormous When the Jade Emperor heard what the
four mountains.
dragons had done he felt:
(c) 4
ch word pair could be antonyms for
pathy in Paragraph
(a) furious
6?
(b) joyous
compassion, empathy
(c) disappointed
Something extra
disdain, indifference
Draw an illustration of the four dragons.
sadness, sorrow
Come up with three reasons why the Jade Emperor would refuse to assist the people.
All about words
The four dragons
1. Which word pair could be synonyms for
9. Which compound word has a similar
commotion in Paragraph 2?
meaning to the words that make it?
(a) communication, discussion
(a) without
1. It was (b) thought clamour, there uproar were no rivers and
(b) informed
lakes on Earth in the beginning, only the
(c) silence, peace
(c) forever
Eastern Sea, where four dragons lived: the
2. Yellow The Dragon, word mischievous the Black Dragon, in Paragraph the Long 4 means 10. Which word shares the same soft c
Dragon to be: and the Pearl Dragon. The four
sound as in incense?
dragons would often play in the sea and
(a) playfully annoying
(a) clouds
sky and hide among the clouds.
(b) deadly
(b) forced
2. One (c) day, serious the Pearl and Dragon stern spotted some
(c) scooped
commotion on Earth and called the other
3. dragons Which over words to are take not a look. in alphabetical They observed order? 11. The expression flying through his palace
numerous people putting out food and
at blinding speed in Paragraph 4
(a) regretted, reputation, request
burning incense sticks. Many were kneeling
means flying:
(b) overly, oversaw, own
and murmuring towards the sky and the
(a) so quickly it is difficult to see.
dragons (c) towards, quickly together, realised they through were praying
(b) very slowly.
for rain. There had been a long drought
4. Say each word pair and listen to the last
and their crops had withered and died
(c) from side to side to confuse the
vowel sound. Which words both have the
under the hot scorching sun.
watcher.
same last vowel sound as request?
3. We must visit the Jade Emperor and ask for rain, the dragons 12. Homographs thought in are unison. words that have the
(a) escape, legend
same spelling but different meanings.
4. Leaping (b) incense, into the happiness clouds, the dragons flew towards the Heavenly Which Palace. sentence The uses Jade the Emperor word crop was in a
a powerful (c) often, and emperor busy person who oversaw all the affairs in different heaven, on way Earth from and the in text? the sea. As
dragons had a reputation for being mischievous, the Jade Emperor was not overly impressed to
5.
see
Which
them
pair
flying
of
through
words has
his palace
the most
at
combined (a) She rode her horse swiftly and never
blinding speed. He immediately questioned why they were
not
number
in the Eastern
of syllables?
had to use the crop.
Sea where they belonged.
(a) incense, mountain
(b) The crop was planted in the spring,
5. ‘The crops on Earth have died from the blistering sun, Your Majesty. but did We not beg do you well. to send rain
immediately
(b) blistering,
or the
pleasure
people will continue to suffer!’ the Long
(c)
Dragon
It’s best
pleaded.
to give
The
any
Jade
new
Emperor,
crop plenty
knowing (c) enormous, full well he miracle would never honour the agreement, agreed
of
to
water.
this request, saying he would
only bring on the rain after the dragons had departed.
6. Which word belongs in this group of words?
6. Ten sea long, dry mischievous days passed without flying a single drop of rain from the sky. The people suffered and were
forced to eat bark, grass roots and eventually white clay in a desperate effort to survive. The four
dragons (a) dragon saw this suffering and felt sympathy for those left to die by the Jade Emperor. They knew
he (b) cared emperor only for his own pleasure and not the health and happiness of the people on Earth.
Together, (c) palace they formulated a plan to save the crops. Even though they knew the danger in defying
the Jade Emperor, they went ahead and scooped up water from the Eastern Sea and sprayed it
7. towards In which the word sky where pair are it fell both like words raindrops spelt onto the people, who rejoiced at this miracle.
correctly?
7. Soon, plants were standing taller and growing new leaves and shoots. Unfortunately, the god of
(a) transformed, knealing
the sea discovered what the four dragons had done and immediately informed the Jade Emperor.
His (b) fury was meracle, such withered that ordered four mountains to be laid upon the dragons so they could never
escape. (c) forever, The mountain enormous god, who lived in an enormous mountain, used his magic powers to create
these mountains and pressed them onto the four dragons,so they would be trapped there forever.
8. Which word pair could be antonyms for
8. Although sympathy imprisoned, in Paragraph the dragons 6? never regretted their decision. Knowing they could never
escape as dragons and wanting to serve the people, they transformed themselves into four rivers
(a) compassion, empathy
which would flow through the mountain valleys to the sea. This is the legend of how China’s four
great
(b)
rivers
disdain,
were
indifference
formed: the Zhujiang (Pearl River) in the very far south, the Heilonjian (Black
River) (c) in sadness, the north, sorrow the Huanghe (Yellow River) in central China and the Changjiang or Yangtze
(Long River) in the south.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (46) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (46) Prim-Ed Publishing

Charcoal 2
Secret identity
1. There are numerous stereotypes of vampires, but not all of them are true. Sure, a smooth, warm glass
of freshly brewed blood is my favourite late night treat, but it’s not like I walk around with red eyes
and a long black cape! It’s actually really difficult to be a vampire in this modern age. We need to have
jobs and behave just like ordinary people, which is why I, Vanessa, am considered one of the best
hairdressers in the city. Not that any of my clients know I’m a vampire, of course. It’s a tough secret to
keep, but I must if I’m going to survive another hundred years. What makes it such a dilemma? Let me
tell you.
2. Vampires detest mirrors of any type, size or shape. Can you imagine a more perplexing conundrum for
a vampire who’s a hairdresser? Clients expect to come into my salon and sit down in front of a mirror,
but my true identity would be instantly given away if I had that. Vampires have no reflection in mirrors,
so it would look quite odd to not see your hairstylist cutting your hair! Instead, the only mirror clients
can use at my salon is the hand mirror I give them once they are finished. They find it exhilarating to
have their hair cut and not see the final masterpiece until completion. In a recent newspaper article my
mirror-less technique was called ‘revolutionary’ and I found that quite amusing.
3. Timing is also a serious concern. As you may know, vampires are night creatures. No, I won’t burst into
a ball of flames if I step into the sun, but it feels absolutely terrible on my skin, much like an instant
sunburn. Ugh, the thought of it just makes me wince! My solution is to open my salon from 7.00 pm to
6.00 am. It’s a lengthy night for me, but vampires do not require much sleep. My clients adore that I’m
available before and after work and ironically I have a three-month waiting list for an appointment. Of
course, my clients are oblivious to the fact that I sleep under the salon floor during the day!
4. You’re thinking to yourself, but surely clients must notice your fangs? Wrong! This is one
stereotype I can safely put to rest. Vampires don’t have fangs! Hollywood films
have made it appear we are all stalking around in the shadows with blood
dripping off our sharp teeth. The truth is much more mundane. I have teeth
that look just like yours and I take great pride in caring for them. They
are sparkling white and if you saw them you would think they were
immaculate, considering my age!
5. The final obstacle I’ve faced as a hairdresser is silver scissors.
A hairdresser’s trademark is her scissors or shears and some
clients have expressed surprise at the fact that I don’t use silver
ones. The issue with silver for vampires is more a question
of discomfort than pain. If we touch silver we will not start to
sizzle like eggs frying in a pan. Instead, it feels more like a slight
electric shock and, while not painful, it certainly doesn’t feel
very good either. In my view it’s best to avoid that sort of
unpleasantness. I use plastic scissors instead and they perform
just as well. I receive many compliments on my scissors
actually as I have a pair in every colour to match the
outfit I’m wearing that day!
6. So, the next time you see your hairdressers, auto
mechanics or the people who deliver your letters,
just remember that they might be more than they
seem. But stereotypes aren’t everything. I mean,
I’m a harmless vampire and wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Although, if you’re a difficult client you never
know … I might be tempted to take a little bit
more than just hair from you!
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (47) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. Vanessa probably doesn’t tell her clients
that she is a vampire because:
(a) they would believe the stereotypes
about vampires.
(b) they would want to feed her their blood.
(c) she would be embarrassed.
2. Which paragraph is mainly about Vanessa’s
mirror-less technique?
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 5
3. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Vanessa is a hairdresser.
(b) it’s best to avoid touching silver.
(c) being a vampire is a tough secret to
keep.
4. In fifty years how old will Vanessa be?
(a) One hundred
(b) One hundred and fifty
(c) Two hundred
5. In Paragraph 2, ‘them’ refers to:
(a) hairdressers.
(b) vampires.
(c) clients.
6. Vanessa would probably agree that:
(a) all stereotypes about vampires have
some truth to them.
(b) clients should be afraid of her.
(c) vampires are misunderstood.
7. Vampires are similar to humans because
they:
(a) can be seen in mirror reflections.
(b) have similar looking teeth.
(c) enjoy being in the sun.
8. You can predict that Vanessa will:
(a) start including mirrors in her salon.
(b) tell clients that she is a vampire.
(c) continue to keep her secret.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
9. Which sentence best summarises Paragraph
4?
(a) The false stereotype of vampires having
fangs comes from films. They have teeth
similar to humans.
(b) Hollywood and films made it seem like
vampires had fangs which they do not.
(c) It is important for a vampire to keep
their teeth in good condition despite the
stereotype that they have fangs.
10. You can conclude from the text that
vampires:
(a) are accepted by society.
(b) are not viewed positively by humans.
(c) enjoy preying on hairdresser’s clients.
11. Vanessa is proud of her teeth because:
(a) it is important to have good dental
hygiene.
(b) they are very clean.
(c) they look very good considering her age.
12. Which vampire stereotype does Vanessa
address first?
(a) silver scissors
(b) fangs
(c) daylight

Charcoal 2
Charcoal 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
h trio 1. 1. of Vanessa words The ellipsis is probably not in (…) alphabetical is doesn’t punctuation tell her that clients can be
9. 6. Which A preposition sentence best phrase summarises can function Paragraph as an
r? that used: she 1. is to a vampire show text because: is missing, 2. to provide
4? adverb of time; e.g. it is difficult in this
a pause or 3. for dramatic effect. In Paragraph
modern age. The preposition phrase
conundrum, (a) concern, they would considered believe the stereotypes
(a) The false stereotype of vampires having
6 the ellipsis is not used:
functioning as an adverb of manner is:
electric, exhilirating, about vampires. expect
fangs comes from films. They have teeth
appointment, (b) (a) they to show
available, would missing
avoid want to text feed her their blood.
My similar clients to come humans. into my salon with great
(b) to provide a pause
enthusiasm to sit beside a blank wall.
(c) she would be embarrassed.
(b) Hollywood and films made it seem like
word mundane
(c) for
in
dramatic
Paragraph
effect
4 means:
(a) vampires into my had salon fangs which they do not.
2. Which paragraph is mainly about Vanessa’s
boring or ordinary
(c)(b) It is with important great enthusiasm for a vampire to keep
2. mirror-less Modal verbs technique? are a type of auxiliary verb that
muddled
their teeth in good condition despite the
helps another verb; e.g. Vanessa might be
(c) beside a blank wall
(a) Paragraph 3
stereotype that they have fangs.
something extraordinary
tempted to bite a client. Which is the modal
(b)
verb
Paragraph
in this sentence?
2
7. Adverbials are words or groups of words
10. You can conclude from the text that
h word could be used to replace
that can add information about verbs; e.g.
(c) Paragraph 5
vampires:
ndrum in Paragraph It would look 2? strange to not see your
you may be thinking to yourself (adverbial
3. It hairdresser’s is a fact, not reflection! an opinion, that:
(a) of are manner). accepted The by adverbial society. of time in this
situation
sentence is:
problem (a) (a) Vanessa would is a hairdresser.
(b) are not viewed positively by humans.
opportunity (b) (b) it’s strange best to avoid touching silver.
(c) Surviving enjoy preying as a vampire on hairdresser’s for this long clients. has been
quite easy.
(c) (c) being not a vampire is a tough secret to
11. Vanessa is proud of her teeth because:
h words both have the same number of
9. Which word does not follow the ‘change
keep.
(a) as a vampire
bles as 3. dilemma? Which word is the conjunction joining two the y to i and (a) add it es’ is important rule to form to have its good dental
(b) for this long
4. In sentences fifty years to how make old this will sentence? Vanessa be? plural?
hygiene.
electric, discomfort
(c) quite easy
mundane, (a) hairdresser If we One touch hundred silver, we will not start to sizzle. (a) city (b) they are very clean.
mechanic, (b) secret (a) One will hundred and fifty
(b) identity8. (c) A they noun look group very is good a noun, considering often with her its age.
determiner and adjective(s); e.g. It is my
(c) (b) Two If hundred
(c) day 12. Which
h word does not belong in this group of
favourite
vampire
late-night
stereotype
treat.
does
The
Vanessa
noun group
s? (c) to
address
10. Which pair of words in this
first?
5. In Paragraph 2, ‘them’ refers to:
are sentence both spelt is:
correctly? (a)
ve trademark 4. Prepositions sunburn can show the relationship
They
silver
find
scissors
(a) hairdressers.
it exhilarating to have their hair
between nouns or nouns and verbs. The (a) reflection, (b) creature cut fangs and not see the final masterpiece until
masterpiece (b) vampires.
preposition showing the relationship between (b) obsticle, scissors (c) the daylight end.
stereotype(c) clients.
the verb sleeps and the floor is:
(c) numerous, absolutly (a) they find it exhilarating
compliment 6. Vanessa Clients would are oblivious probably to the agree fact that:
Vanessa
(b) the final masterpiece
11. The prefix dis- gives a word the opposite
h word in (a) Paragraph sleeps all stereotypes under 3 means the salon about to floor. shrink vampires or have
meaning as in discomfort. (c) until the Which end word
h as though (a) in some pain? fact truth to them.
below can form its opposite by adding dis?
ironically (b) (b) clients that should be afraid of her.
(a) instant
wince (c) (c) vampires under are misunderstood.
(b) modern
oblivious 7.
5. Vampires A preposition are similar phrase to begins humans with because a (c) agree
they:
h word pair preposition, are antonyms e.g. for Vanessa immaculate had scissors in all Something extra
12. In which two words does ea represent a
ragraph (a) 4? different can be colours. seen in mirror In this reflections. sentence, which part
is the preposition phrase?
different sound from What that are in some creature? other stereotypes
ancient, old (b) have similar looking teeth.
(a) really, clean
that you can think of about vampires?
clean, impeccable (c) In a enjoy recent being newspaper in the sun. article, my mirror-less
technique was called revolutionary. (b) instead, unpleasant Make a list of 10 adjectives from the
filthy, 8. tainted You can predict that Vanessa will:
(a) In a recent newspaper article
(c) mean, treat text and put them in alphabetical
h word in (a) Paragraph start including 3 is a homograph
mirrors in her salon.
order.
(b) my mirror-less technique
h can mean (b) being tell clients in a dissolved that she is state a vampire. and
answer to a
(c)
problem?
was called revolutionary
(c) continue to keep her secret.
solution
oblivious
serious
All about words
Secret identity
1. Which trio of words is not in alphabetical
(a) conundrum, concern, considered
1.
(b) There electric, are numerous exhilirating, stereotypes expect of vampires, but not all of them are true. Sure, a smooth, warm glass
of freshly brewed blood is my favourite late night treat, but it’s not like I walk around with red eyes
(c) appointment, available, avoid
and a long black cape! It’s actually really difficult to be a vampire in this modern age. We need to have
2. The jobs word and mundane behave just in Paragraph like ordinary 4 people, means: which is why I, Vanessa, am considered one of the best
hairdressers in the city. Not that any of my clients know I’m a vampire, of course. It’s a tough secret to
(a)
keep,
boring
but
or
I must
ordinary
if I’m going to survive another hundred years. What makes it such a dilemma? Let me
(b) tell muddled you.
(c) something extraordinary
2. Vampires detest mirrors of any type, size or shape. Can you imagine a more perplexing conundrum for
3. Which a vampire word who’s could a be hairdresser? used to replace Clients expect to come into my salon and sit down in front of a mirror,
conundrum but my true in identity Paragraph would 2? be instantly given away if I had that. Vampires have no reflection in mirrors,
so it would look quite odd to not see your hairstylist cutting your hair! Instead, the only mirror clients
(a) situation
can use at my salon is the hand mirror I give them once they are finished. They find it exhilarating to
(b) have problem their hair cut and not see the final masterpiece until completion. In a recent newspaper article my
(c) mirror-less opportunity technique was called ‘revolutionary’ and I found that quite amusing.
4. 3. Which Timing words is also both a serious have the concern. same As number you may of know, vampires 9. Which are night word creatures. does not No, follow I won’t the ‘change burst into
syllables a ball of as flames dilemma? if I step into the sun, but it feels absolutely the terrible y to on i and my add skin, es’ much rule like to form an instant its
sunburn. Ugh, the thought of it just makes me wince! My solution plural? is to open my salon from 7.00 pm to
(a) electric, discomfort
6.00 am. It’s a lengthy night for me, but vampires do not require much sleep. My clients adore that I’m
(b) available mundane, before hairdresser
(a) city
and after work and ironically I have a three-month waiting list for an appointment. Of
(c) course, mechanic, my clients secretare oblivious to the fact that I sleep under
(b)
the
identity
salon floor during the day!
(c) day
5. 4. Which You’re word thinking does to not yourself, belong but in this surely group clients of must notice your fangs? Wrong! This is one
words? stereotype I can safely put to rest. Vampires don’t have 10. fangs! Which Hollywood pair of words films are both spelt
have made it appear we are all stalking around in the shadows correctly? with blood
behave trademark sunburn
dripping off our sharp teeth. The truth is much more mundane.
(a) reflection,
I have teeth
creature
(a) that masterpiece look just like yours and I take great pride in caring for them. They
are sparkling white and if you saw them you would think they
(b)
were
obsticle, scissors
(b) stereotype
immaculate, considering my age!
(c) numerous, absolutly
(c) compliment
5. The final obstacle I’ve faced as a hairdresser is silver scissors. 11. The prefix dis- gives a word the opposite
6. Which word in Paragraph 3 means to shrink or
A hairdresser’s trademark is her scissors or shears and some meaning as in discomfort. Which word
flinch as though in pain?
clients have expressed surprise at the fact that I don’t use below silver can form its opposite by adding dis?
(a) ones. ironically The issue with silver for vampires is more a question (a) instant
(b) of wince discomfort than pain. If we touch silver we will not start to
(b) modern
(c) sizzle oblivious like eggs frying in a pan. Instead, it feels more like a slight
electric shock and, while not painful, it certainly doesn’t feel (c) agree
7. Which very word good pair either. are In antonyms my view it’s for best immaculate to avoid that sort of
12. In which two words does ea represent a
in unpleasantness. Paragraph 4? I use plastic scissors instead and they perform
different sound from that in creature?
(a) just ancient, as well. old I receive many compliments on my scissors
actually as I have a pair in every colour to match the (a) really, clean
(b) clean, impeccable
outfit I’m wearing that day!
(b) instead, unpleasant
(c) filthy, tainted
6. So, the next time you see your hairdressers, auto (c) mean, treat
8. Which mechanics word in or Paragraph the people 3 who is a deliver homograph your letters,
which just remember can mean being that they in a might dissolved be more state than and they
the seem. answer But to stereotypes a problem? aren’t everything. I mean,
(a) I’m solution a harmless vampire and wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Although, if you’re a difficult client you never
(b) oblivious
know … I might be tempted to take a little bit
(c) more serious than just hair from you!
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (47) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (47) Prim-Ed Publishing
order?
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy

Charcoal 3
Comprehension
An attitude of
gratitude
1. I believe that ‘thank you’ just isn’t good enough.
2. So you’ve been taught it’s polite to say ‘thank you’ when
someone helps you or gives something to you. You say
‘thank you’, people are satisfied and that’s it. The action
is forgotten and life goes on. That’s just not good enough!
A parrot can be taught to say ‘Thank you’. If the words don’t
really mean anything, why bother saying them?
3. I believe for the kind words, thoughts and actions bestowed
on us, we need to express our gratitude more fully. This does
not mean we have to make a big deal about things and
embarrass people. Gratitude can be shown in the simplest
of ways.
4. If someone holds a door open for you, instead of quickly
saying ‘thank you’ and walking on your way, make eye
contact with the person and smile as you speak. This extra
effort on your part demonstrates an attitude of gratitude. By
making eye contact, you are acknowledging the person is not
just a random individual but someone who has taken the time and
effort to do something just for you. By smiling, you are showing you really
appreciate it.
5. If someone makes a positive comment about you or something you have achieved, don’t
ignore it or be embarrassed by it. Make eye contact and say something like, ‘That’s really nice of
you to say so. Thank you’. By responding in this way, you are showing your appreciation for what
has been said and letting the person know it makes you feel good about yourself.
6. You may think you have nothing to be thankful for, but these examples are of mundane things
that happen to people all the time. I believe if you thought about all the exchanges you have with
different people during any day, you would recall at least half a dozen examples in which you
could have shown an attitude of gratitude.
7. I am convinced that responding with an attitude of gratitude can make you feel happier about
yourself and the world around you. In this frame of mind, you are more likely to be positive towards
others and this will awaken an attitude of gratitude in them.
8. I believe when we make a deliberate effort to communicate in this way, we show respect for each
other. We come into contact with lots of people each day, many of them strangers. How much
better our lives would be if we all demonstrated an attitude of gratitude.
1. In Paragraph 3, the words bestowed on
mean:
(a) thrown at
(b) given to
(c) taken from
2. To show that someone is not a random
individual, the text says that you should:
(a) say ‘Thank you’
(b) smile
(c) make eye contact
3. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is that
having an attitude of gratitude makes:
(a) you feel happy.
(b) others feel happy.
(c) the world a better place to live.
4. A summary of Paragraph 2 is:
(a) When spoken automatically, without
feeling, ‘Thank you’ has no meaning.
(b) It is polite to say ‘Thank you’ when a
person says something nice or does
something for you.
(c) Saying ‘Thank you’ is not important,
because it’s forgotten as soon as it’s
said.
5. Showing an attitude of gratitude makes
people think that helping others is:
(a) important
(b) worthwhile
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(c) a waste of time
6. If a person shows an attitude of gratitude to
someone, the receiver would probably feel:
(a) insulted
(b) ashamed
(c) uplifted
7. It is a fact, not an opinion, that we:
(a) know how to smile.
(b) should avoid some people.
(c) need the company of other people.
8. It is the writer’s point of view that an attitude
of gratitude:
(a) is only worth doing between friends.
(b) takes a little effort but has a lasting effect.
(c) makes people think that you must be a
nice person.
9. In Paragraph 3, the word this refers to:
(a) making a big deal about things.
(b) kind words, thoughts and actions
bestowed on us.
(c) expressing our gratitude more fully.
10. If a stranger helped you in some way, you
should show your appreciation:
(a) before he or she helped you.
(b) while he or she was helping you.
(c) a few days after he or she had helped
you.
11. You could predict that once you start
making an effort to show an attitude of
gratitude, it will soon:
(a) become too much bother.
(b) be forgotten.
(c) happen quite naturally.
12. You can conclude from the text that when
we show respect for and appreciation of
others:
(a) they are more likely to respect us
(b) we get nothing out of it.
(c) all the world’s problems will disappear.
9. So next time someone says or does something to which your normal response would be a hurried
‘Thank you’, stop and think. How can you show you really appreciate it? And afterwards, think
about how the exchange made you feel. How might it have made the other person feel? Now,
isn’t that much better than an easily forgotten, superficial ‘Thank you’?
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (48) Prim-Ed Publishing

Charcoal 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Charcoal 3
All about words
word 1. 1. mundane A In verb Paragraph group in Paragraph is 3, all the the words 6 words could bestowed that form on 9. the Which 6. definition 6. If a The person conjunction of the shows word an linking attitude the is of two gratitude smaller to
t be replaced verb; mean: with: e.g. He does not want to go. The verb incorrect? someone, sentences the within receiver this would sentence probably is: feel:
routine group (a) thrown in this at sentence is:
(a) a measure (a) Although insulted of vertical showing distance
attitude of gratitude
ordinaryMany (b) given people to these days do not show an
unusualattitude (c) taken of gratitude. from
(b) a way (b) is of important, ashamed holding your it is body not always easy.
(c) the (c) way (a) you uplifted Although think or behave
(a) Many people these days
ich word does not have the sh sound as 10. Which word
(b)
building
of
2. To show that someone is not a random 7. It is a fact, not pair an is opinion, different that we:
shown? (b) individual, do not the showtext says that you should: from the other (c) two? always
(a) know how to smile.
(c) an attitude of gratitude
achieved(a) say ‘Thank you’
(a) appreciate, 7. (b) Demonstrative should appreciatively avoid determiners some people. identify the
appreciate 2. Which (b) smile auxiliary verb fits in this sentence to (b) deliberate, (c)
specific
need deliberately the
noun
company
being referred
of other
to
people.
and
action put (c) it make in the eye present contact tense?
(c) demonstrate,
whether
demonstratively
it is near or far from the speaker;
8. It is e.g. the this writer’s plate, point those of strangers. view that an attitude
I
sure that when we respect others,
word 3. superficial The main idea Paragraph of Paragraph 9 could 7 is that 11. Which word of gratitude: pair has the most combined
we feel happier about ourselves.
The demonstrative determiner in this
replaced with: having an attitude of gratitude makes: number of syllables?
(a) sentence is only worth is: doing between friends.
(a) am
deep (a) you feel happy.
(a) response, (b) character
(b) was
Respond takes a in little this effort way but to change has a lasting the ways effect. of
lightweight (b) others feel happy.
(b) respond, (c) those makes communicate
who people don’t seem think that to care. you must be a
(c) will be
thorough (c) the world a better place to live. (c) responsively, nice appreciate
person.
(a) this
3. An abstract noun is one that you cannot
word 4. exchange A summary in Paragraph of Paragraph 9 means: 2 is: 12. The word 9. In that Paragraph (b) does the not 3, have the word a short this e refers to:
touch, taste, hear, see or smell; e.g. beauty,
sound like effort is:
a conversation nature, (a) When intelligence. spoken automatically, without (a)(c) making thosea big deal about things.
a replacement feeling, ‘Thank you’ has no meaning. (a) instead
Which of the words in bold is an abstract
8. (b) A relative kind words, pronoun thoughts goes and before actions the
to swapnoun?
(b) It is polite to say ‘Thank you’ when a (b) many clause bestowed that describe on us. the noun it refers to:
person says something nice or does (c) people (c) e.g. expressing this plate, our those gratitude strangers. more fully.
ich group The of words boy something showed is alphabetical
a for positive you. attitude towards
er? his peers.
10. In this sentence, the relative pronoun who
(c) Saying ‘Thank you’ is not important,
If a stranger helped you in some way, you
refers to:
believe, (a) bestow, boy because bother it’s forgotten as soon as it’s
should show your appreciation:
acknowledge, (b) attitude said.
In the class of 30 children, there are two
achieve, action
(a) before he or she helped you.
boys who always show an attitude of
exchange, 5. (c) Showing express, peersan example attitude of gratitude makes
(b) while he or she was helping you.
gratitude.
ich is 4. the Adjectives
people think
correct spelling? ending
that helping
in -er are
others
used
is:
(c) a few days after he or she had helped
to
(a) you. the class
compare (a) important two things; e.g brighter. Adjectives
emmbarass
(b) 30 students
ending (b) worthwhile in -est are used to compare more 11. You could predict that once you start
embbarrass than two things; e.g brightest.
(c) two boys
(c) a waste of time
making an effort to show an attitude of
embarrass
The sentence using the correct form of
gratitude, it will soon:
ich word does adjective not have is: an or sound like
(a) become too much bother.
ored? (a) Of all the class, she is the faster.
(b) be forgotten.
taught (b) She is the fastest runner in the class.
(c) happen quite naturally.
Something extra
thought(c) She is fast than me.
12. You can conclude from the text that when
enough
Write a list of five possible exchanges
5. A preposition makes a link between two we show respect for and appreciation of
in which you could show an attitude of
ich word would ideas, not e.g. belong a big deal in a about group things. In this others:
gratitude to someone you don’t know.
h gratitude? sentence, the phrase beginning with a
(a) they are more likely to respect us
preposition is:
On a T-chart, write two lists of words or
grating
(b) we get nothing out of it.
He wanted to show a respectful attitude for
phrases that describe how you feel
gratify
(c) all the world’s problems will disappear.
the rest of his life.
when people do show an attitude
grateful
of gratitude towards you, and when
(a) He wanted to show
they don’t.
(b) a respectful attitude
(c) for the rest of his life
An attitude of
gratitude
1. The word mundane in Paragraph 6 could
not be replaced with:
(a) routine
(b) ordinary
(c) unusual
2. Which word does not have the sh sound as
in shown?
9. Which definition of the word attitude is
incorrect?
(a) a measure of vertical distance
(b) a way of holding your body
(c) the way you think or behave
10. Which word building pair is different
from the other two?
(a) achieved
(a) appreciate, appreciatively
1. I believe that ‘thank you’ just isn’t good enough.
(b) appreciate
(b) deliberate, deliberately
2. So (c) you’ve action been taught it’s polite to say ‘thank you’ when (c) demonstrate, demonstratively
someone helps you or gives something to you. You say
3. ‘thank The you’, word people superficial are satisfied in Paragraph and that’s 9 could it. The action 11. Which word pair has the most combined
is forgotten be replaced and with: life goes on. That’s just not good enough! number of syllables?
A parrot (a) deep can be taught to say ‘Thank you’. If the words don’t (a) response, character
really (b) mean lightweight anything, why bother saying them? (b) respond, communicate
3. I believe (c) thorough for the kind words, thoughts and actions bestowed (c) responsively, appreciate
on us, we need to express our gratitude more fully. This does
4. The word exchange in Paragraph 9 means: 12. The word that does not have a short e
not mean we have to make a big deal about things and
sound like effort is:
embarrass (a) a conversation
people. Gratitude can be shown in the simplest
of ways. (b) a replacement
(a) instead
4. If someone (c) to swap
(b) many
holds a door open for you, instead of quickly
saying ‘thank you’ and walking on your way, make eye (c) people
5. Which group of words is in alphabetical
contact
order?
with the person and smile as you speak. This extra
effort on your part demonstrates an attitude of gratitude. By
making (a) believe, eye contact, bestow, you bother are acknowledging the person is not
just (b) a random acknowledge, individual achieve, but someone action who has taken the time and
effort (c) to exchange, do something express, just for example you. By smiling, you are showing you really
appreciate it.
6. Which is the correct spelling?
5. If someone makes a positive comment about you or something you have achieved, don’t
ignore (a) it emmbarass
or be embarrassed by it. Make eye contact and say something like, ‘That’s really nice of
you (b) to say embbarrass so. Thank you’. By responding in this way, you are showing your appreciation for what
has (c) been embarrass said and letting the person know it makes you feel good about yourself.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. 7. You Which may think word you does have not nothing have an to or be sound thankful like for, but these examples are of mundane things
that ignored? happen to people all the time. I believe if you thought about all the exchanges you have with
different people during any day, you would recall at least half a dozen examples in which you
(a) taught
could have shown an attitude of gratitude.
(b) thought
7. I am (c) convinced enough that responding with an attitude of gratitude can make you feel happier about
yourself and the world around you. In this frame of mind, you are more likely to be positive towards
8. others Which and word this will would awaken not belong an attitude in a group of gratitude in them.
with gratitude?
8. I believe when we make a deliberate effort to communicate in this way, we show respect for each
other. (a) We grating come into contact with lots of people each day, many of them strangers. How much
better (b) our gratify lives would be if we all demonstrated an attitude of gratitude.
(c) grateful
9. So next time someone says or does something to which your normal response would be a hurried
‘Thank you’, stop and think. How can you show you really appreciate it? And afterwards, think
about how the exchange made you feel. How might it have made the other person feel? Now,
isn’t that much better than an easily forgotten, superficial ‘Thank you’?
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (48) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (48) Prim-Ed Publishing

Charcoal 4
Comprehension
Someone’s got to do it!
1. It will be an arduous journey to get
up to the Megatron Processing
Plant, but I have a twelve-month
contract to fulfil and I’m eager to
get started. It’s a rare opportunity
to be hired as an interspace rubbish
collector and I jumped at the chance
when I heard about the lucrative salary.
Spending one year collecting space
rubbish will earn me enough money to
live for the next year on my home planet of
Photonia!
2. The trouble started a few light years back when
everyone started migrating from Earth. It was just
too crowded and dirty, so those of us with some
savings decided to migrate to one of the recently
colonised planets. Choosing to move to Photonia over any
of the alternative planets was an easy choice because of its
zero gravity! The problem with moving to any of these planets
was rubbish collection. Most of the planets were too small to have
rubbish dumps, so local governments had been collecting the rubbish
and ejecting it into space. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’, some might say!
3. That’s where I come in! All of that rubbish floating around in space is rather unsightly,
so I’ll be paid to collect the rubbish, compact it into tiny cubes and store it here on Megatron.
Large nets are used to capture the floating rubbish and if you really stretch your imagination, you can think
of it as a bit like fishing! It’s quite an easy job so only one person is needed to do it.
4. During my twelve months on Megatron I will be living in a modular habitable unit, otherwise known as an
MHU (or ‘moo’ as we like to call them). These units are like a series of boxes put together to make rooms.
I’ve been told that my MHU will comprise ten boxes, which is really very spacious. I’ll have my own theatre
room, gymnasium, gourmet kitchen, a pool and even a vegetable garden! It even comes complete with an
automated molecular transformer, which will make any food I choose at the touch of a keypad. I’m pretty
excited about using all of this modern technology that I wouldn’t normally have a chance to use at home on
Photonia!
5. My biggest obstacle will probably be loneliness. As an interspace rubbish collector you have to spend most
of your time alone as no other people live on Megatron. I will still be able to speak with my family and friends
through the video communication transponder, but teleportation (instantaneous travel) is so expensive
these days that it’s unlikely anyone will be able to afford the journey. That’s okay because it’s only for twelve
months. In anticipation I’ve joined a book club so I’ll be doing plenty of reading and I’ve even heard there
is an intergalactic football league that plays games on Tuesday nights. I’ll just need to fire up the space pod
and bring along my football boots!
6. When you think about it, being a rubbish collector really isn’t so bad. I’ll be paid a lot of money to collect
floating rubbish and I’ll be cleaning up space while I’m at it. Imagine being at home and looking into the
night sky and just seeing rubbish? Yuck! Sure, it will be lonely at times, but I’ll just keep myself busy by
reading, tending my garden and flying around in the space pod. How fantastic does that sound? I know most
people probably wouldn’t want to do it, but someone’s got to!
1. The author mainly took the job because it:
(a) had a lucrative salary.
(b) provided the chance to use modern
technology.
(c) would involve cleaning up space.
2. In Paragraph 5, anyone refers to:
(a) other rubbish collectors
(b) family and friends
(c) book club members
3. Living on Megatron will be similar to
Photonia because they both:
(a) have rubbish dumps.
(b) have automated molecular transformers.
(c) are planets in space.
4. You can conclude that the author:
(a) thinks that rubbish collection will be
difficult.
(b) has considered many aspects of living
alone.
(c) will probably want to stay on Megatron
longer than a year.
5. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) rubbish floating through space is
unsightly.
(b) Photonia has zero gravity.
(c) an intergalactic football league plays on
Tuesdays.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. You can predict that:
(a) people will start enjoying the floating
rubbish.
(b) people will stop producing garbage.
(c) Megatron will eventually be full of
rubbish cubes.
7. Which event is likely to happen first?
(a) The author will play in the intergalactic
football league.
(b) The author will travel to Megatron.
(c) The author will complete the contract.
8. The paragraph that is mainly about the
living conditions on Megatron is:
(a) Paragraph 4
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 6
9. The author of the text would probably
agree that:
(a) he will need help from others to
complete the rubbish collection job.
(b) the journey to Megatron will be easy.
(c) preparing meals on Megatron will be
simpler than at home on Photonia.
10. You can tell that the author:
(a) doesn’t like his family or friends.
(b) is a risk-taker and willing to do a job that
others won’t.
(c) would rather stay on Photonia and make
less money with another job.
11. The author is unlikely to have visitors on
Megatron because:
(a) teleportation is very expensive.
(b) they are unpopular.
(c) the job is easy enough for one person.
12. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) moving to Photonia was an easy choice.
(b) collecting rubbish is like fishing.
(c) Megatron processes rubbish for all of the
planets.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (49) Prim-Ed Publishing

Charcoal 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Charcoal 4
All about words
h word 1. 1. pair In The have this author sentence, the most mainly the combined took conjunction the job because joining 9. the it: Which word 6. 6. shares The You present can the same predict tense consonant that: of a verb can be
ber of syllables? two smaller sentences is:
sound with these formed words? by using an auxiliary verb with the
(a) had a lucrative salary.
(a) people will start enjoying the floating
participle; e.g. I am moving. Which verb
transformer, The (b) inhabit trouble provided began the chance when everyone to use modern started enough Photonia rubbish. float
uses an auxiliary in the sentence?
compact, collection migrating technology. from earth.
(a) together (b) people will stop producing garbage.
To keep myself busy, I read and play games
imagination, (a) (c) rubbish everyone would involve cleaning up space. (b) through (c) Megatron will eventually be full of
when I am not working.
(b) when
rubbish cubes.
word arduous 2. In Paragraph in 5, anyone 1 means refers to: (c) afford
(a) read
ething: (c) from
7. Which event is likely to happen first?
(a) other rubbish collectors
10. In which sentence (b) play is the homophone for
difficult 2. Correlative (b) family and conjunctions friends are pairs of sight used correctly?
(c)
(a)
working
The author will play in the intergalactic
common conjunctions that work together; e.g. It is so
football league.
(c) book club members
(a) We lost site of them when they rounded
expensive that they won’t be able to afford 7. A
expedient
the corner. (b) verb’s The participle author will can travel act to as Megatron. an adjective;
3. it. Living The two on Megatron correlative will conjunctions be similar to in this
e.g. floating rubbish. Which participle is
(b) The archaeological (c) The site author was will littered complete with the contract.
h word belongs sentence Photonia with are: because this group they of both: words?
acting as an adjective in the sentence?
ruins.
8.
pact cube Either we collect unsightly the space rubbish or we get
As
The
I am
paragraph
flying my
that
space
is
pod,
mainly
I am
about
practising
the
(a) have rubbish dumps.
(c) Glasses can give someone the gift of
used to it floating around.
my
living
thinking
conditions
skills.
on Megatron is:
floating (b) have automated molecular transformers. site.
technology(a) either, or
(a)
(a)
flying
Paragraph 4
(c) are planets in space.
11. Which words are not in alphabetical order?
obstacle (b) we, it
(b)
(b)
practising
Paragraph 2
4. You can conclude that the author:
(c) the, to
(a) spacious,
(c)
space (c)
thinking
Paragraph 6
word capture (a) in thinks Paragraph that rubbish 3 could collection be will be (b) alternative, anticipation
9.
aced with: 3. Some compound nouns include a word that
8. The
The
participle
author of
of
the
a verb
text
can
would
function
probably
difficult.
as
(c) league, learn
may be confused with adjective but which
a
agree
noun; e.g.
that:
move (b) has considered many aspects of living
reading is relaxing. In this
is part alone. of the noun; e.g. space pod, rubbish 12. Which word does sentence, (a) not he have will the need a participle ew help sound from functioning as others to as a
capable collector. In this sentence, the only adjective in few? noun is: complete the rubbish collection job.
(c) will probably want to stay on Megatron
seize is:
longer than a year.
(a) arduous Before (b) the swimming, journey to I had Megatron been speaking will be easy. with
expression When out of I’m sight, not collecting out of mind space in rubbish I’ll be (b) opportunity my (c) family preparing and tending meals on my Megatron garden. will be
5.
graph 2 means: able It is to an enjoy opinion, the not cool a swimming fact, that: pool.
(c) rubbish (a) swimming
simpler than at home on Photonia.
things that (a) (a)
can’t collecting rubbish floating through space is
be seen are forgotten about
10. (b) You speaking can tell that the author:
unsightly.
if it can be (b) seen, space it’s still there
(c) tending
(b) Photonia has zero gravity.
(a) doesn’t like his family or friends.
if it can’t be (c) remembered cool then we can’t see it
(c) an intergalactic football league plays on
(b) is a risk-taker and willing to do a job that
h compound 4. Quantifying word Tuesdays. does determiners not have tell how much of
others won’t.
ilar meaning the to noun the there words is; e.g. several months. The
(c) would rather stay on Photonia and make
make it? quantifying determiner in this sentence is:
less money with another job.
anyone Most of the planets are small and don’t have
11. The author is unlikely to have visitors on
otherwise
rubbish dumps.
Megatron because:
keypad (a) Most
(a) teleportation is very expensive.
(b) rubbish
hich word pair are both words spelt
(b) they are unpopular.
ectly?
(c) don’t
(c) the job is easy enough for one person.
anticipation, 5. Which gourmet group of words is an adverbial because 12. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
lucritive, vegetable
it describes where something was done? e.g.
Everyone started migrating from earth.
(a) moving to Photonia was an easy choice.
gymnasium, goverment
(b) collecting rubbish is like fishing.
I will collect the rubbish, compact it and store it Something extra
h word is an in a antonym large container. for collect in
(c) Megatron processes rubbish for all of the
graph 6?
Draw a floor planets.
or illustration of the modular
(a) collect the rubbish
habitable units.
disperse
(b) compact it
assemble
Write a list of activities that you would do if you
(c) in a large container
collide
had a twelve-month contract on an isolated planet.
Someone’s
1. Which word pair have the most combined
got to do it!
number of syllables?
9. Which word shares the same consonant
sound with these words?
(a) transformer, inhabit
enough Photonia float
1. It will (b) be compact, an arduous collection journey to get
(a) together
up (c) to the imagination, Megatron rubbish Processing
(b) through
Plant, but I have a twelve-month
2. contract The word to fulfil arduous and in I’m Paragraph eager to 1 means
(c) afford
get something: started. It’s a rare opportunity
10. In which sentence is the homophone for
to be
(a)
hired
difficult
as an interspace rubbish
sight used correctly?
collector and I jumped at the chance
(b) common
when I heard about the lucrative salary.
(a) We lost site of them when they rounded
Spending (c) expedient one year collecting space
the corner.
rubbish will earn me enough money to
(b) The archaeological site was littered with
3. Which word belongs with this group of words?
live for the next year on my home planet of
ruins.
Photonia! compact cube unsightly
(c) Glasses can give someone the gift of
2. The
(a)
trouble
floating
site.
started a few light years back when
everyone (b) technology started migrating from Earth. It was just 11. Which words are not in alphabetical order?
too (c) crowded obstacle and dirty, so those of us with some
savings decided to migrate to one of the recently
(a) spacious, space
4. colonised The word planets. capture Choosing Paragraph to move 3 to could Photonia be over any (b) alternative, anticipation
of the replaced alternative with: planets was an easy choice because of its (c) league, learn
zero (a) gravity! move The problem with moving to any of these planets
was rubbish collection. Most of the planets were too small 12. to have Which word does not have a ew sound as
(b) capable
rubbish dumps, so local governments had been collecting the in rubbish few?
(c) seize
and ejecting it into space. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’, some might (a) say! arduous
5. The expression out of sight, out of mind in
3. That’s where I come in! All of that rubbish floating around in space (b) is opportunity rather unsightly,
Paragraph 2 means:
so I’ll be paid to collect the rubbish, compact it into tiny cubes and (c) store rubbish it here on Megatron.
Large (a) nets things are that used can’t to capture be seen the are floating forgotten rubbish aboutand if you really stretch your imagination, you can think
of it (b) as a if bit can like be fishing! seen, It’s it’s still quite there an easy job so only one person is needed to do it.
4. During (c) if my it can’t twelve be months remembered on Megatron then we I can’t will be see living it in a modular habitable unit, otherwise known as an
MHU (or ‘moo’ as we like to call them). These units are like a series of boxes put together to make rooms.
6. Which compound word does not have
I’ve
a
been
similar
told
meaning
that my
to
MHU
the
will
words
comprise ten boxes, which is really very spacious. I’ll have my own theatre
room,
that
gymnasium,
make it?
gourmet kitchen, a pool and even a vegetable garden! It even comes complete with an
automated molecular transformer, which will make any food I choose at the touch of a keypad. I’m pretty
excited (a) anyone about using all of this modern technology that I wouldn’t normally have a chance to use at home on
Photonia! (b) otherwise
5. My
(c)
biggest
keypad
obstacle will probably be loneliness. As an interspace rubbish collector you have to spend most
7. of your In which time word alone pair as no are other both people words live spelt on Megatron. I will still be able to speak with my family and friends
through correctly? the video communication transponder, but teleportation (instantaneous travel) is so expensive
these days that it’s unlikely anyone will be able to afford the journey. That’s okay because it’s only for twelve
months. (a) anticipation, In anticipation gourmet I’ve joined a book club so I’ll be doing plenty of reading and I’ve even heard there
is an (b) intergalactic lucritive, vegetable football league that plays games on Tuesday nights. I’ll just need to fire up the space pod
and (c) bring gymnasium, along my goverment football boots!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. 8. When Which you word think is about an antonym it, being for a rubbish collect in collector really isn’t so bad. I’ll be paid a lot of money to collect
floating Paragraph rubbish 6? and I’ll be cleaning up space while I’m at it. Imagine being at home and looking into the
night sky and just seeing rubbish? Yuck! Sure, it will be lonely at times, but I’ll just keep myself busy by
(a) disperse
reading, tending my garden and flying around in the space pod. How fantastic does that sound? I know most
people (b) assemble probably wouldn’t want to do it, but someone’s got to!
(c) collide
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (49) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (49) Prim-Ed Publishing

Charcoal 5
LEST WE FORGET
1. It has been well over 60 years since the end of World War II. Some people believe that because
nations who were enemies during the war are now allies, the war and its atrocities should be
forgotten. It is important to focus on creating a better world for today and the future without feeling
the burden of past events, but should we forget the ultimate sacrifice made by so many people of
all nations during the war?
2. Memorials to honour fallen comrades are perpetual reminders of lives that were lost so that we
may be free. One such memorial lies in the heart of rural France, in the village of Oradour-sur-Glane.
On 10 June 1944, it was destroyed by Adolf Hitler’s feared SS soldiers, who may have believed the
French Resistance had a base there.
3. In the early morning of this fateful day, a Saturday, an SS unit thundered into the village. People were
rounded up at gunpoint and assembled in the village square. Soldiers scoured buildings to ensure
that no-one was hiding or trying to escape.
4. The women and children were separated from the men and herded into the small church and
locked inside. The men were divided into six groups and marched into different barns and work
sheds. The soldiers took this opportunity to raid all shops and homes to steal anything of value and
to eat and drink whatever they could find.
5. At 4 pm, the church was set on fire. With no way to escape, there was no hope of survival, but,
miraculously, one woman did escape. She struggled through a broken window and dropped the
three metres to the ground. She managed to crawl to the church garden where she hid under
bushes until she was rescued the following morning.
6. The flames from the church were a signal for the rest of the village to be torched. This included the
buildings where the men were being held. In spite of the heavy SS presence, five men were able to
find a way out of the inferno.
7. The village was completely destroyed. From a population of almost 700, only a few survived; those
who had escaped and those who had been away for the weekend. The heart and soul had been
stripped from Oradour-sur-Glane. Like a martyr, the village had given its life to the war.
8. The survivors could not go back and attempt to rebuild their lives there. It could not be razed and a
new village built in its place. Who would live there, knowing its sad history? It was decided that the
village should be left untouched … a stark reminder of the innocent lives lost and the evil nature of
war.
9. Every year, Oradour-sur-Glane is visited by people from all over the world. Like any war memorial,
it evokes feelings of great sadness. Many visitors have said they come because they need to pay
their respects to the men, women and children of the village. They were random targets … innocent
victims of a terrible war.
10. Some people believe the past should be forgotten, but in remembering, there is hope, hope that
such things will never be repeated.
1. In Paragraph 2, the word perpetual
could not be replaced with:
(a) constant
(b) lasting
(c) persistent
2. Oradour-sur-Glane is situated:
(a) on the coast.
(b) in the countryside.
(c) in the mountains.
3. The main idea of Paragraph 8 is that:
(a) normal life could never return to the
village.
(b) the site could be razed and rebuilt.
(c) people would not want to live in the
village.
4. The soldiers raided shops and homes:
(a) before the people were rounded up.
(b) after locking up the women but
before locking up the men.
(c) after the men were locked up.
5. The fate of the men was different from
that of the women because they:
(a) were locked up.
(b) were divided into groups.
(c) died in fires.
6. You can predict that when villagers
who had been away that weekend
returned home, they would have been
at what they found.
(a) horrified
(b) frightened
(c) worried
7. Because the villagers were locked
up, most of them had
of
surviving the fires.
(a) a reasonable chance
(b) a poor chance
(c) no chance
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. It is an opinion, not a fact, that Oradoursur-Glane:
(a) is a village in rural France.
(b) is a memorial to the villagers who
died on 10 June 1944.
(c) should be a memorial to the villagers
who died on 10 June 1944.
9. The woman who escaped from the
church remained hidden in the garden
for:
(a) less than 12 hours.
(b) between 12 and 24 hours.
(c) over 24 hours.
10. You can conclude from the text that the
SS soldiers acted in a way that was:
(a) against the rules of war.
(b) acceptable between enemies of war.
(c) justified even though it was against
the rules of war.
11. A summary of Paragraph 4 is:
(a) When the villagers had been
separated and locked up, the
soldiers ransacked the village.
(b) The women and children were
locked in one building and the men
were locked in several buildings.
(c) The soldiers ransacked the village,
stealing valuables and eating and
drinking while they had the chance.
12. It is the author’s point of view that:
(a) past wrongs should be forgotten.
(b) people of today should be blamed
for past wrongs.
(c) sacrifices made by others for our
benefit should be remembered.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (50) Prim-Ed Publishing

Charcoal 5
Charcoal 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
hich word 1. 1. In do In this Paragraph the sentence, letters ou 2, the not word conjunction give perpetual the joining 9. An antonym 8. 6. of It An is the an abstract word opinion, razed noun not in is a one fact, we that cannot Oradoursur-Glane:
is: detect using our senses; e.g. value.
ound as in the could how? two not parts be of replaced the sentence with: is: Paragraph 8
rounded Until (a) she constant was rescued, the lone survivor hid (a) in built (a) The abstract is a village noun in rural in this France. sentence is:
scoured the (b) church lastinggarden.
(b) demolished (b) The soldiers is a memorial took the to opportunity the villagers to who loot
through (a) (c) Until persistent
(c) dismantled the village. died on 10 June 1944.
(b) rescued
(c) should be a memorial to the villagers
hich word 2. does Oradour-sur-Glane the letter c have is situated: a hard 10. Which word does (a) not soldiers
who
have
died
an
on
or
10 June 1944.
d; e.g. comrades? (c) hid
sound like war? (b) opportunity
(a) on the coast.
9. The
escape 2. A preposition phrase begins with a (a) crawl (c) woman village who escaped from the
(b) in the countryside.
church remained hidden in the garden
atrocities preposition; e.g. It was destroyed by Hitler’s
(c) in the mountains.
(b) world7. for: Which noun has a quantitative
soldiers. The phrase beginning with a
innocent
(c) torched determiner in front of it, indicating how
3. preposition The main idea is: of Paragraph 8 is that:
(a) less than 12 hours.
much of it there is?
word miraculously in Paragraph 5
11.
The flames from the church rose high into the
The word with the most syllables is:
(a) normal life could never return to the
(b) between 12 and 24 hours.
es from the
sky.
word:
A few men were able to escape from the
village.
(a) opportunity (c) over 24 hours.
inferno and the SS soldiers.
miracle
(a) (b) The the flames site could be razed and rebuilt. (b) population
10. You (a) can menconclude from the text that the
mirage
(b) (c) from people the would churchnot want to live in the (c) perpetual SS soldiers acted in a way that was:
(b) inferno
mire
(c) high village. into the sky
12. The group of (a) words (c) against soldiers
alphabetical the rules of war.
word scoured in Paragraph 3 means:
order is:
3.
4. In The this soldiers sentence, raided the shops adverbial and that homes: tells
(b) acceptable between enemies of war.
8. In a passive verb, the subject receives
cleaned when (a) before something the people happened were is: rounded up. (a) perpetual, (c)
the
people, justified
action
population even though it was against
of the verb; e.g They were
searchedThe (b) soldiers after locking arrived up in the village women in but the early (b) remembering, the
rounded repeated, rules of
up gunpoint. rural war.
The subject
stripped morning. before locking up the men. (c) scoured, 11. A is sacrifice, summary They and separated of the Paragraph passive verb 4 is: were
rounded up.
correct spelling (a) (c) The after
is: soldiers the men arrived were locked up.
(a) When the villagers had been
(b) in the village
The passive verb in this sentence is:
5.
sacrafice
The fate of the men was different from
separated and locked up, the
(c) that in of the early women morning because they:
Because soldiers the ransacked soldiers burned the village. everything
sacrefice
in the village, it was destroyed.
sacrifice 4. The (a) relative were locked pronoun up.
(b) The women and children were
which in this sentence
locked in one building and the men
refers (b) were to: divided into groups.
(a) burned
word in Paragraph 3 that means an
were locked in several buildings.
(b) was
nised group Nations (c) died
of soldiers which in fires. were is: enemies during the war
(c) The soldiers ransacked the village,
are now allies.
(c) was destroyed
6.
unit
You can predict that when villagers
stealing valuables and eating and
(a) who Nations had been away that weekend
drinking while they had the chance.
assembled
(b) returned enemies home, they would have been
12.
soldiers
It is the author’s point of view that:
at what they found.
(c) allies
(a) past wrongs should be forgotten.
h synonym (a) of the horrified word raid in
graph 5. 4 would A noun not group fit in is the a text? group of words
(b) people of today should be blamed
(b) frightened
(determiner, adjectives, noun) that refer
for past wrongs.
loot to (c) the worried noun; e.g. They made the ultimate
(c) sacrifices made by others for our
attack sacrifice.
7. Because the villagers were locked
benefit should be remembered.
ransack The up, noun most group of them in had this sentence is: of
surviving the fires.
pair of words The that untouched are not village connected is a stark in reminder of
ning is: innocent (a) a reasonable lives lost. chance
Something extra
inferno, torched (a) (b) The a poor untouched chancevillage
Research the attack on Oradour-sur-Glane to
rebuild, separated (b) (c) is no a stark chance reminder
discover what may have been the reason for it.
steal, raid(c) of innocent lives lost
Research to create a time line of some major
events in the war in June 1944.
All about words
LEST WE FORGET
1. In which word do the letters ou not give the
ow sound as in how?
(a) rounded
(b) scoured
(c) through
2. In which word does the letter c have a hard
sound; e.g. comrades?
9. An antonym of the word razed in
Paragraph 8 is:
(a) built
(b) demolished
(c) dismantled
10. Which word does not have an or
sound like war?
(a) escape
(a) crawl
1. It has (b) been atrocities well over 60 years since the end of World War (b) II. Some worldpeople believe that because
nations
(c) innocent
who were enemies during the war are now allies,
(c)
the
torched
war and its atrocities should be
forgotten. It is important to focus on creating a better world for today and the future without feeling
3. the The burden word of miraculously past events, in but Paragraph should we 5 forget the ultimate 11. The sacrifice word with made the by most so many syllables people is: of
all nations comes from during the the word: war?
(a) opportunity
2. Memorials (a) miracle to honour fallen comrades are perpetual reminders (b) population of lives that were lost so that we
may (b) be mirage free. One such memorial lies in the heart of rural France, (c) in perpetual the village of Oradour-sur-Glane.
On (c) 10 June mire 1944, it was destroyed by Adolf Hitler’s feared SS soldiers, who may have believed the
French Resistance had a base there.
12. The group of words in alphabetical
4. The word scoured in Paragraph 3 means:
order is:
3. In the early morning of this fateful day, a Saturday, an SS unit thundered into the village. People were
rounded
(a) cleaned
up at gunpoint and assembled in the village square.
(a)
Soldiers
perpetual,
scoured
people,
buildings
population
to ensure
that (b) no-one searched was hiding or trying to escape.
(b) remembering, repeated, rural
(c) stripped
(c) scoured, sacrifice, separated
4. The women and children were separated from the men and herded into the small church and
5. locked The correct inside. The spelling men is: were divided into six groups and marched into different barns and work
sheds. The soldiers took this opportunity to raid all shops and homes to steal anything of value and
(a) sacrafice
to eat and drink whatever they could find.
(b) sacrefice
5. At (c) 4 pm, sacrifice the church was set on fire. With no way to escape, there was no hope of survival, but,
miraculously, one woman did escape. She struggled through a broken window and dropped the
6. three The metres word in to Paragraph the ground. 3 that She means managed to crawl to the church garden where she hid under
bushes organised until she group was of rescued soldiers the is: following morning.
6. The (a) flames unitfrom the church were a signal for the rest of the village to be torched. This included the
buildings (b) assembled where the men were being held. In spite of the heavy SS presence, five men were able to
find (c) a way soldiers out of the inferno.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. 7. The Which village synonym was completely of the word destroyed. raid in From a population of almost 700, only a few survived; those
who Paragraph had escaped 4 would and not those fit in who the had text? been away for the weekend. The heart and soul had been
stripped from Oradour-sur-Glane. Like a martyr, the village had given its life to the war.
(a) loot
8. The (b) survivors attackcould not go back and attempt to rebuild their lives there. It could not be razed and a
new
(c)
village
ransack
built in its place. Who would live there, knowing its sad history? It was decided that the
village should be left untouched … a stark reminder of the innocent lives lost and the evil nature of
8. war. The pair of words that are not connected in
meaning is:
9. Every year, Oradour-sur-Glane is visited by people from all over the world. Like any war memorial,
it evokes (a) inferno, feelings torched of great sadness. Many visitors have said they come because they need to pay
their (b) respects rebuild, to separated the men, women and children of the village. They were random targets … innocent
victims (c) of steal, a terrible raid war.
10. Some people believe the past should be forgotten, but in remembering, there is hope, hope that
such things will never be repeated.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (50) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (50) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 1
Escape from Valera
1. A wet, trickling sensation ran down the left side of my face. I tried to raise my arm to brush away
what felt like water, but it was immobilised, pinned down. Opening my eyes slowly, I blinked twice
and squinted at the blinding light pouring through the viewing window of my capsule. As my eyes
adjusted to the light, I took in my surroundings with hyper-sensitivity as my extensive training had
instructed me to do. I could determine that my capsule appeared to have crash-landed as it was
surrounded by rocks and sandy dirt. The capsule shell covering my upper body was compacted,
probably due to the impact, which also accounted for my lack of arm mobility. However, my legs
were free so I forcefully kicked the shell and it creaked open and fell away with a mournful sound.
I flexed my arms and pushed myself out of the capsule, still feeling weak from the long journey.
2. Pressing my hand to my face, I realised that the trickling sensation was blood. Exploring further
with my fingers I felt a significant gash near my hairline. I bent over, fished around in the capsule
and found a couple of medi-tabs. I put one in my uniform pocket and crushed the other between
my teeth. The taste could only be described as a mixture of grass and mud, but I could instantly
feel the wound on my head begin to pull together and heal. Lucky they survived the trip, I thought
grimly to myself.
3. Standing up and surveying the desolate landscape, I could make out what appeared to be
similar capsules dotting the rocky ground. No trees or plant life grew in this area and the howling
wind was bitterly cold. Just seeing this inhospitable scene made me wish we hadn’t had to flee
our own beautiful planet, but we were better off living free on another planet than being killed,
or worse, being forced into slavery, by the invading Chromagrons. A soldier like me would have
probably been used as slave labour in the mines and that was a sure way to a slow and painful
death. The Chromagrons were merciless and had wasted no time in killing thousands of soldiers
like me when they came to our world. After realising that we could not defeat them with our
inferior technology, our last hope was to board the capsules and fire ourselves towards a planet
we had identified as habitable for Valerans like myself. I’m not sure how many of us made it out
in time, but judging by the capsules I saw before me there were at least a few thousand. A small
number to start a new civilisation, but it was better than nothing.
4. Turning back to my capsule I grabbed my gear, which consisted of winter clothing, basic
weapons and enough food to keep me alive for approximately three days. I slung the pack onto
my back and set off towards the nearest capsule, which looked to be about 700 metres away. I
was tasked with checking each capsule and releasing the occupant if the shell had compacted
upon impact as mine had. As I neared the capsule I could see that it had indeed been partially
crushed and the occupant was banging on the release lever from the inside. When I reached it, I
looked through the viewing window to reassure the passenger that I had come to help, but it was
fogged up from the inside and completely obscured.
I grasped the exterior release latch and pulled
hard, grunting from the effort. It slid backwards
and the capsule shell parted. I assisted with
lifting the lid, but as I raised it completely
open and looked at the passenger my
mouth suddenly went dry.
5. Through hateful black eyes the colour
of a moonless night, a Chromagron
stared back at me and then a
chilling, cruel smile spread across its
thin, green lips revealing four rows of
rotten, sharpened fangs ...
1. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Chromagrons invaded Valera.
(b) The Chromagron had hateful black
eyes.
(c) Chromagrons were merciless.
2. How many medi-tabs did the soldier find in
the capsule?
(a) more than four
(b) one
(c) fewer than three
3. Which event happened first?
(a) The Valerans boarded the capsules.
(b) Chromagrons attacked Valera and
killed thousands.
(c) The soldier discovered a Chromagron
in a capsule.
4. You can predict that the Chromagron in
the capsule:
(a) accidentally boarded a capsule.
(b) wants to befriend the solider.
(c) has come to the new planet to kill
Valerans.
5. The Valerans fled their planet because:
(a) they had inferior technology and were
defeated.
(b) they were looking for a new habitable
planet.
(c) Chromagrons killed many.
6. You can conclude that the Valerans:
(a) are a more advanced race than the
Chromagrons.
(b) will be able to return to Valera.
(c) want to start a civilisation on the new
planet.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. The soldier’s mouth probably went dry
due to being:
(a) pleased
(b) shocked
(c) exhausted
8. The paragraph mainly about the
capsule’s medical supplies is:
(a) Paragraph 2
(b) Paragraph 1
(c) Paragraph 4
9. The soldier would agree that:
(a) the new planet is equally as beautiful
as Valera.
(b) medi-tabs are not a valuable
medical supply.
(c) Chromagrons are a brutal and
merciless race.
10. In Paragraph 2, they refers to:
(a) Valerans
(b) medi-tabs
(c) wounds
11. The gash on the soldier’s head was most
likely caused by:
(a) the capsule crash-landing.
(b) a Chromagron before the solider
escaped from Valera.
(c) another Valeran.
12. In a summary about a Chromagron’s
appearance, which attribute are you
likely not to include?
(a) hateful black eyes
(b) thick green lips
(c) four rows of fangs
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (51) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 1
Coral 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. pair A It noun is could a fact, group be not synonyms is an a group opinion, for of that: words 6. with Which word belongs 5. 7. Which The in soldier’s this word group is mouth a modal of words? probably verb that went helps dry
el in Paragraph a noun 5? and adjective(s) and often a
another due to being: verb? e.g. We must have gone.
(a) Chromagrons invaded Valera. cruel fangs sharpened
determiner; e.g. the long journey. The noun
chilling, horrifying
Many (a) pleased soldiers would have been killed by
group (b) The in this Chromagron sentence had is: hateful black (a) soldier
the Chromagrons.
brutal, vicious eyes.
(b) shocked
I grasped the exterior release latch and (b) rotten
(a) many
coarse, vulgar pulled (c) Chromagrons hard. were merciless.
(c) exhausted
(c) inferior
(b) would
word immobilised 2. (a) How I many grasped in Paragraph medi-tabs did 1 the soldier find in 8. The paragraph mainly about the
7. In which word pair (c) are byboth words spelt
ans: (b) the the capsule? exterior release latch
capsule’s medical supplies is:
correctly?
able to move (c) (a) and freely more pulled than hard four
6. In (a) this Paragraph sentence, 2the conjunction joining
(a) uniform, exteriur
the two smaller sentences is:
likely to occur (b) at one any moment
(b) Paragraph 1
2. Which word group is not a noun group? (b) habitible, extensive
Since the Valerans escaped their home
motionless (c) or immovable
fewer than three
(c) Paragraph 4
Slave labour was a sure way to a slow and (c) passenger, civilisation planet, they have a chance of survival.
ich words 3. painful are Which not death. event in alphabetical happened first?
9. The soldier would agree that:
8. Which word pair (a) could Since be antonyms for
er? (a) (a) Slave The Valerans labour was boarded the capsules. forcefully in Paragraph (b) (a) their
1? new planet is equally as beautiful
training, (b) trickling, as Valera.
(b) a Chromagrons sure triedway
attacked Valera and (a) powerfully, mightily (c) have
scene, sensitivity, (c) a killed slow sensation thousands.
painful death
(b) medi-tabs are not a valuable
(b) softly, gently
7. A preposition medical supply. phrase is a group of words
described, (c) desolate, The soldier determine discovered a Chromagron
3. Which groups of words is an adverbial (c) loudly, nosilystarting with a preposition; e.g. towards
in a capsule.
(c) Chromagrons are a brutal and
hich two words describing does where the first something letter was done?
a planet. Which is the preposition
merciless race.
4. e.g. You I can stood predict at that side the of the Chromagron capsule. 9. Which word does
in
phrase not have in this a similar
ave the same sound as the o in
sentence?
meaning to the two words that make it?
ket? A the wet, capsule: trickling sensation ran down the left
10. The In Paragraph shell creaked 2, they open refers and to: fell away
side (a) of accidentally my face.
(a) nothing
compacted, inhospitable boarded a capsule.
with (a) a Valerans mournful sound.
dotting, mobility (a) (b) wet, wants trickling to befriend sensation the solider.
(b) around (a) (b) The medi-tabs shell creaked
(b) (c) ran has down
(c) determine
Chromagrons, another come to the new planet to kill
(b) (c) fell wounds away
(c) down Valerans. the left side of my face10. In which word does (c) the with letter a mournful c have the sound
ich pair of words have the greatest
11. The gash on the soldier’s head was most
same soft c sound as in civilisation?
bined 4. 5. number Quantifying The Valerans of syllables? determiners fled their planet tell how because: much
8. A likely verb caused group is by: a verb by itself or with
of (a) the they noun had there inferior is; e.g. technology many cruel (a) capsule
determine, technology
and were
auxiliaries, (a) the capsule modals crash-landing.
and sometimes the
Chromagrons. defeated. The quantifying determiner (b) merciless negative; e.g. I wished we hadn’t had to
occupant, in mixture this sentence is:
flee (b) our a Chromagron own beautiful before planet. the Which solider is
(b) they were looking for a new habitable (c) landscape
the verb escaped group from in this Valera.
landscape, sentence?
Most weapons Valerans planet. were able to escape by firing
capsules into space.
11. The expression fished A (c) soldier another around like me in Valeran. Paragraph would have been used
(c) Chromagrons killed many. 2 means to have as : slave labour in the mines.
(a) Most
12. In a summary about a Chromagron’s
6. (b) You escape can conclude that the Valerans: (a) looked for something. (a) appearance, A soldier like which meattribute are you
likely not to include?
(c) (a) into are a more advanced race than (b) the attempted to (b) catch would fish. have been used
Chromagrons.
(c) bent down. (c) (a) in hateful the mines black eyes
(b) will be able to return to Valera.
(b) thick green lips
12. In some words the last consonant is
(c) want to start a civilisation on the doubled new before adding (c) four rows of fangs
planet.
Something to keep the
extra
vowel short (e.g. slipping). Which word
below also follows this Draw rule when an illustration adding of what you think
ing?
a Chromagron looks like.
(a) drop Write a short story about finding a
(b) open
medi-tab and what you use it for.
(c) appear
All about words
Escape from Valera
1. Which word pair could be synonyms for 6. Which word belongs in this group of words?
1. A wet,
cruel
trickling
in Paragraph
sensation
5?
ran down the left side of my face. cruel I tried to fangs raise my sharpened
arm to brush away
what (a) felt chilling, like water, horrifying but it was immobilised, pinned down. Opening my eyes slowly, I blinked twice
(a) soldier
and squinted at the blinding light pouring through the viewing window of my capsule. As my eyes
(b) brutal, vicious
adjusted to the light, I took in my surroundings with hyper-sensitivity (b) rotten as my extensive training had
instructed (c) coarse, me to vulgar do. I could determine that my capsule
(c)
appeared
inferior
to have crash-landed as it was
surrounded by rocks and sandy dirt. The capsule shell covering my upper body was compacted,
2. probably The word due immobilised to the impact, in Paragraph which also 1 accounted 7. for In my which lack of word arm pair mobility. are both However, words my spelt legs
were means: free so I forcefully kicked the shell and it creaked correctly? open and fell away with a mournful sound.
I flexed (a) my able arms to move and pushed freely myself out of the capsule, still feeling weak from the long journey.
(a) uniform, exteriur
2. Pressing (b) likely my hand to occur to my at face, any moment I realised that the trickling sensation was blood. Exploring further
(b) habitible, extensive
with my fingers I felt a significant gash near my hairline. I bent over, fished around in the capsule
(c) motionless or immovable
and found a couple of medi-tabs. I put one in my uniform (c) pocket passenger, and crushed civilisation the other between
3. my Which teeth. The words taste are could not in only alphabetical
described as a mixture of grass and mud, but I could instantly
feel 8. Which word pair could be antonyms for
order? the wound on my head begin to pull together and heal. Lucky they survived the trip, I thought
grimly to myself.
forcefully in Paragraph 1?
(a) training, trickling, tried
(a) powerfully, mightily
3. Standing up and surveying the desolate landscape, I could make out what appeared to be
(b) scene, sensitivity, sensation
similar capsules dotting the rocky ground. No trees or plant (b) softly, life grew gently in this area and the howling
wind (c) was described, bitterly cold. desolate, Just seeing determine this inhospitable scene
(c)
made
loudly,
me
nosily
wish we hadn’t had to flee
our own beautiful planet, but we were better off living free on another planet than being killed,
4. or worse, In which being two forced words into does slavery, the first by letter the invading 9. Chromagrons. Which word A does soldier not like have me a would similar have
probably o have been the same used sound as slave as labour the o in the mines and that meaning was a to sure the way two to words a slow that and make painful it?
death. pocket? The Chromagrons were merciless and had wasted no time in killing thousands of soldiers
like
(a) nothing
(a) me when compacted, they came inhospitable to our world. After realising that we could not defeat them with our
inferior technology, our last hope was to board the capsules (b) around and fire ourselves towards a planet
we
(b)
had
dotting,
identified
mobility
as habitable for Valerans like myself. I’m not sure how many of us made it out
(c) determine
in time, (c) but Chromagrons, judging by another
capsules I saw before me there were at least a few thousand. A small
number to start a new civilisation, but it was better than
10. In
nothing.
which word does the letter c have the
5. Which pair of words have the greatest
4. Turning same soft c sound as civilisation?
combined back to number my capsule of syllables? I grabbed my gear, which consisted of winter clothing, basic
weapons and enough food to keep me alive for approximately (a) capsule three days. I slung the pack onto
my (a) back determine, and set off technology towards the nearest capsule, which looked to be about 700 metres away. I
(b) merciless
was (b) tasked occupant, with checking mixture each capsule and releasing the occupant if the shell had compacted
upon impact as mine had. As I neared the capsule I could (c) see landscape that it had indeed been partially
(c) landscape, weapons
crushed and the occupant was banging on the release lever from the inside. When I reached it, I
looked through the viewing window to reassure the 11. passenger The expression that I had fished come around to help, in Paragraph
but it was
fogged up from the inside and completely obscured. 2 means to have :
I grasped the exterior release latch and pulled (a) looked for something.
hard, grunting from the effort. It slid backwards
and the capsule shell parted. I assisted with
(b) attempted to catch fish.
lifting the lid, but as I raised it completely
(c) bent down.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
open and looked at the passenger my
mouth suddenly went dry.
5. Through hateful black eyes the colour
of a moonless night, a Chromagron
stared back at me and then a
chilling, cruel smile spread across its
thin, green lips revealing four rows of
rotten, sharpened fangs ...
12. In some words the last consonant is
doubled before adding ing to keep the
vowel short (e.g. slipping). Which word
below also follows this rule when adding
ing?
(a) drop
(b) open
(c) appear
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (51) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (51) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 2
Go! Go! Go-kart!
1.
2. Materials and equipment required:
wood approximately 1.9 cm thick and 10 to 15 cm wide, saw, one
large bolt, four U-bolts (or a number of bent nails), nuts, washers,
two sets of wheels and axles recycled from an old pram or similar,
nails, hammer, screws, hacksaw, large drill (used with parental
assistance if necessary), two spanners, strong rope, sandpaper
3. Steps:
1. Cut dual lengths of wood approximately the size of the axles for initial
section of go-kart frame.
Hole to attach
steering rope
2. Cut groove to enclose one axle along one length of wood adjacent to an
edge rather than in centre. (Refer to Diagram 1.) Drill hole through wood
spacious enough for pivoting bolt.
3. Attach axle to wood using U-bolt. Drill two holes, insert U-bolt and secure
with washer and nut. (Refer to Diagram 2.) This section will support the
front wheels.
Hole for pivot bolt
Groove for axle
Holes for ‘U’ bolts
Diagram 1 – front wheels
4. Cut groove along centre of second piece of wood. It is not necessary to drill a hole this time! This
will function to support the back wheels. Attach U-bolts in a manner similar to front wheels.
Diagram 2
5. Cut third length of wood approximately 1 1 ⁄2 times the length of your legs for main board, which
is central to the go-kart. Mark centre line of main board, then position front wheels, allowing the
board to protrude slightly in front. Mark central drilling hole in middle of one short end, then drill
hole for pivoting bolt.
6. Connect front wheels and front board using pivoting bolt, two washers and nut.
Tighten nuts and bolts against each other using two spanners for strength,
ensuring wheels are still able to move freely.
(Refer to Diagram 3 for placement order.)
7. Attach back wheels to main board towards rear, then
fasten securely using four or more screws or nails.
8. Drill two holes in front wheel section for steering
rope, then slide ends of rope through holes and
knot underneath to secure. (Refer to Diagram 3
for positioning details.)
9. Remove any patches of roughened wood using
sandpaper and inspect for any sharp pieces
that may be protruding.
4. Test:
Haul your go-kart to any inclined area for trial.
For safety, your attire should include a bicycle
helmet and knee pads. Adjust go-kart and
decorate as desired. Have fun! Go go-kart!
Front wheel
assembly
Follow the instructions to make a simple
wooden-framed go-kart at home. This
project will challenge you, provide lots of
exercise and hours of fun!
ULTRA - GT
Main board
1. Which word in Step 5 means project or thrust
forward?
(a)
(b)
(c)
protrude
position
central
2. This project is described as:
(a)
(b)
(c)
easy
challenging
only suitable for adults
3. Step 5 is mainly about how:
(a)
(b)
(c)
long to cut the main board.
to drill the bolts into the main board.
to measure and attach the main board.
4. What has to happen before commencing the
steps to make the go-kart?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The materials and equipment must be
collected.
The go-kart must be tested.
The wood must be cut into lengths.
5. The front and back wheel sections are
different because only one of them:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is made of wood.
has a steering rope.
has bolts or screws.
6. Using an inclined area to test the go-kart will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
demonstrate whether it can move in a
straight line or not.
show how manoeuvrable it is.
enable the go-kart to gather speed to
move.
7. You can conclude that a go-kart is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a small, light vehicle, without bodywork or
an engine.
a vehicle for transporting babies or young
children.
a vehicle constructed only from recycled
materials.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
Diagram 3 – Assembly
ULTRA - GT
Rear wheel
assembly
8. You could predict a go-kart like this
would:
(a)
(b)
(c)
be very quick and easy to make.
go down steep hills very fast.
be extremely safe to take on the road.
9. You can infer that sanding down and
inspecting the go-kart, will ensure it:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is easy to paint or stain.
looks finished.
is safe to use.
10. What effect does the pivoting bolt have?
(a)
(b)
(c)
It keeps the front wheels straight.
It secures the front wheels to the
framework and allows them to turn.
It ties the steering rope to the
framework.
11. In Step 4, the pronoun This in; This will
function … refers to the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
groove
second piece of wood
back wheels
12. This text aims to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
provide entertainment.
persuade the reader to a certain point
of view.
give information.
Main board
Diagram 3 – Assembly
ULTRA - GT
Rear wheel
assembly
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (52) Prim-Ed Publishing
RA - GT

Coral 2
Coral 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. pivot 1. Words Which means: like word go-kart in Step use 5 a means hyphen project to 7. express or Homophones thrust 6. 8. sound The You sentence the could same, predict below are a spelt go-kart uses two like conjunctions this
one forward? idea. Which answer is an example of differently this? and have to would: join a different three smaller meaning;
a person who flies a plane
sentences. What are
e.g. one/won. Which
(a)
front protrude wheels
the
(a)
three sentence
be very
sentences? uses
a shrub with white flowers
quick and easy to make.
homophones correctly?
(b)
main position board
Drill
(b)
two
go
holes
down
in
steep
front
hills
wheel
very
section
fast.
for
to turn on; rotate
(a) The whole project steering will rope, not then fall in slide a hole. ends of rope
(c) (c) U central bolts
through (c) be holes extremely and knot safe underneath to take on the to road.
ich word is a synonym for support in
(b) The hole project will knot fall in a whole.
secure.
p 3? 2. 2. Demonstrative This project is described determiners as: can tell which (c) The whole 9. project You can will infer not that fall in sanding a whole. down and
person
(a) easy
or thing and whether the noun
(a) inspecting Drill two the holes go-kart, in front will wheel ensure section.
hold
it:
is near or far from the writer or singular 8. In which sentence does For project steering have rope a slide ends of rope
strength (b) challenging
(a) is easy to paint or stain.
or plural; e.g. that piece of wood. Which similar meaning to the through one in holes. the text
word (c) is only demonstrative suitable for adults determiner in this
(b) Knot looks underneath finished. to secure.
frame
(Paragraph 1)?
sentence?
(a) Project this (b) procedure (c) Drill is safe two onto holes use. a large in front wheel section
ich word 3. is
This
Step an antonym
section
5 is mainly
will
for
support
adjacent about how:
the
in
front wheels. screen. for steering rope.
p 2?
10.
(a) long to cut the main board.
What Slide effect ends does of rope. the pivoting bolt have?
(a) the (b) This (c) front (b) Researching for a project is timeconsuming
but very interesting.
far
(b) to drill the bolts into the main board.
(a) Through It keeps holes the front knot wheels underneath straight. to
secure.
central 3. Which words are adjectives in this sentence?
(c) to measure and attach the main board. (c) A ventriloquist (b) can It secures project his the voice front in wheels a to the
(c) Drill framework two holes and in allows front wheel them to section
near Follow the instructions to make a simple, very clever way.
turn.
for steering rope.
4. wooden-framed What has to happen go-kart before at home. commencing the (c) Slide It ties ends the steering of rope through rope to the holes.
ich sentence
(a)
steps has
at
no to
home
make spelling the errors? go-kart? 9. In which group are the framework. words arranged in
order of syllables: 4,
Knot
3, 2?
underneath to secure.
The hole
(b)
should (a)
wooden-framed
The be materials spacious and enough equipment must be
11.
for the bolt. collected.
(a) approximately, 7. What In Step exercise, the 4, the subject project pronoun (person This or in; thing This will doing
(c) simple, wooden-framed
the function action) … in refers the sentence to the: below?
It is not necesary (b) The to go-kart drill too must holes. be tested. (b) centimetres, assistance, axle
(a) groove
4. Command (c) The wood verbs must used be in cut procedures into lengths. give
For safety, your attire should include a
Mark the driling hole in the midle of
(c) necessary, similar, parental
orders, commands or instructions. Which
bicycle (b) second helmet piece and knee of wood pads.
the board.
5. pronoun The front is and unstated back wheel but implied sections in 10. command are The Latin word centum (a) (c) your back means attire wheels hundred. A
ich one belongs verbs different in like the because Attach category and only Tighten? one of them: word derived from this word is:
(b) a bicycle helmet and knee pads
ow?
12.
(a) (a) You is made of (b) wood. They (c) I (a) centimetre This text aims to:
(c) For safety
ts screws
(b) has
nuts
a steering
washers
rope.
(b) egocentric (a) provide entertainment.
5. The adverbial of place in this sentence is:
wood
8. In
(c) has bolts or screws.
(c) centre (b) the persuade sentence the Drill reader hole through to a certain wood point
When connecting the wheels, use two spanners spacious of view. enough for pivoting hole, the
nails
to tighten the nuts and bolts against each
6. Using an inclined area to test the 11. go-kart In which will: word are words through wood are:
rope other.
(c) the give letters information. al used as a
suffix meaning having
(a) demonstrate whether it can move in a
(a) a the noun nature phraseof; e.g.
(a) when connecting the wheels functional?
ich word does NOT straight belong line in or a not. group
(b) a preposition phrase
hose with (b) the to tighten the nuts bolts
(b)
sound
show
sh
how
like
manoeuvrable
short and
(a) dual
it is.
(c) an adjective phrase
tion?
(c) against each other
(b) central
(c) enable the go-kart to gather speed to
washer
move.
(c) initial
secure
Something
7. You can conclude that a go-kart extra
is: 12. In which group of words is the long e sound
function
represented by the same letter(s)?
(a) a small, light vehicle, without bodywork or
an engine.
(a) detailed, each, area
Devise (b)
a vehicle simple plan for transporting for your own babies go-kart or (b) young using pieces, materials recycled, you have enough
Main board
at home. children. You may like to investigate some ideas on the internet.
(c) freely, slightly, safety
Convert (c) a the vehicle steps constructed in the procedure only from to visuals recycled with labels to explain
the entire materials. project.
Diagram 3 – Assembly
RA - GT
ULTRA - GT
ULTRA - GT
Rear wheel
assembly
ULTRA - GT
Go!
1. The word
Go!
pivot means:
Go-kart!
(a) a person who flies a plane
(b) a shrub with white flowers
All about words
Go! Go! Go-kart!
7.
1.
Homophones Follow the instructions sound the to same, make are a simple spelt
differently wooden-framed and have go-kart a different at home. meaning; This
e.g. project one/won. will challenge Which sentence you, provide uses lots of
homophones exercise and correctly? hours of fun!
Front wheel
assembly
Hole to attach
(c) to turn on; rotate
(a) The whole steering project rope will not fall in a hole.
Hole for pivot bolt
2. Materials and equipment required:
2. Which word is a synonym for support in
(b) The hole project will knot fall Groove in a for whole. axle
wood approximately 1.9 cm thick and 10 to 15 cm wide, saw, one
large Step bolt, 3? four U-bolts (or a number of bent nails), nuts, washers, (c) The whole project will not fall in a whole.
two
(a)
sets
hold
of wheels and axles recycled from an old pram or similar,
nails, hammer, screws, hacksaw, large drill (used with 8. parental In which sentence does project have a
assistance (b) strength if necessary), two spanners, strong rope, sandpaper similar meaning to the one in the text
Holes for ‘U’ bolts
(c) frame
(Paragraph 1)? Diagram 1 – front wheels
3. Steps:
1. Cut dual lengths of wood approximately the size of the (a) axles Project for initial this procedure onto a large
3. Which word is an antonym for adjacent in
section of go-kart frame.
screen.
Step 2?
(b) Researching for a project is timeconsuming
but very interesting.
2. (a) Cut far groove to enclose one axle along one length of wood adjacent to an
edge rather than in centre. (Refer to Diagram 1.) Drill hole through wood
(b)
spacious
central
enough for pivoting bolt.
(c) A ventriloquist can project his voice in a
(c) near
very clever way.
3. Attach axle to wood using U-bolt. Drill two holes, insert U-bolt and secure
4. Which with washer sentence and has nut. no (Refer spelling to Diagram errors? 2.) This section 9. In which will support group the are the words arranged in
front wheels.
order of syllables: 4, 3, 2?
(a) The hole should be spacious enough
4. Cut for groove the bolt. along centre of second piece of wood. It (a) is not approximately, necessary to drill exercise, a hole project this time! This
will function to support the back wheels. Attach U-bolts
(b) It is not necesary to drill too holes.
(b) in centimetres, a manner similar assistance, to front
Diagram axle wheels.
2
5. (c) Cut Mark third the length driling of wood hole in approximately the midle of 1 1 ⁄2 times the (c) length necessary, of your similar, legs for parental main board, which
is central the board. to the go-kart. Mark centre line of main board, then position front wheels, allowing the
board to protrude slightly in front. Mark central 10. drilling The hole Latin word middle centum of one means short end, hundred. then drill A
5. Which hole for one pivoting belongs bolt. in the category
word derived from this word is:
below?
6. Connect front wheels and front board using pivoting (a) bolt, centimetre two washers and nut.
bolts Tighten nuts screws and bolts nuts against washers each other using two (b) spanners egocentric for strength,
(a) ensuring woodwheels are still able to move freely.
(c) centre
(Refer to Diagram 3 for placement order.)
(b) nails
7. Attach back wheels to main board towards rear, 11. then In which word are the letters al used as a
(c) rope
fasten securely using four or more screws or nails. suffix meaning having the nature of; e.g.
functional?
6.
8. Which Drill two word holes does in NOT front belong wheel section in a group for steering
of those with the sound sh like short and
(a) dual
rope, then slide ends of rope through holes and
section? knot underneath to secure. (Refer to Diagram 3 (b) central
(a) for positioning washer details.)
(c) initial
9. (b) Remove secure any patches of roughened wood using
Main board
12. In which group of words is the long e sound
(c) sandpaper functionand inspect for any sharp pieces
that may be protruding.
represented by the same letter(s)?
(a) detailed, each, area Diagram 3 – Assembly
4. Test:
Haul your go-kart to any inclined area for trial. (b) pieces, recycled, enough
For safety, your attire should include a bicycle (c) freely, slightly, safety
helmet and knee pads. Adjust go-kart and
decorate as desired. Have fun! Go go-kart!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (52) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (52) Prim-Ed Publishing
ULTRA - GT
ULTRA - GT
Rear wheel
assembly

Coral 3
Impressions
Dance Studio
1. Want to impress your friends with amazing dance moves?
2. Wish you could join in with people having fun on the dance floor?
3. Want to learn a range of dances that are sure to get your heart pumping?
4. Look no further! Impressions Dance Studio
is your gateway to enjoying the dances
you want to learn and ensuring you look
like a professional on the dance floor! You
are guaranteed to impress your friends,
family and anyone else who witnesses your
amazing dance skills!
5. Want to get an excellent cardio workout
while having the best time of your life? Bop
on down to Impressions Dance Studio where
you can learn highly aerobic dances like the
Lindy hop, jitterbug and jive! You can boogie
woogie your cares away as you move to the
rhythm of the big band swing music.
6. Worried that the dances are too
complicated? No way! Our instructors know
just how to break down every dance into
simple, easy-to-learn steps that will leave
you wondering why you waited so long to
start dancing!
7. Think dance lessons are only for older
people slowly shuffling around a dance
floor? Think again! Impressions Dance Studio
offers the latest in modern dance, including
hip-hop, krumping and breakdance. Learn
the dance steps demonstrated in all of your
favourite music videos and break it down
like the stars!
8. Here are just a few testimonials from some
of our satisfied customers:
9. ‘Before I went to Impressions I was practically a
ghost at school. Nobody ever noticed me. Now I
can breakdance like a pro and everybody wants
to be my friend!’
10. ‘I lost some weight and developed great muscle
tone just by learning how to swing dance! Now
I can fit into all my old party clothes and dance
with all the guys in my class!’
11. ‘Impressions Dance Studio has taught me how
to dance like a professional, meet new friends
and impress everyone! Now all the eyes are on
me at family weddings!’
12. ‘Since joining Impressions Dance Studio, I’ve
learned that the best way to cheer myself up if
I’m feeling down is to put on some music and
dance!’
13. Dancing offers a fantastic way to get fit,
meet new people and have heaps of fun. So,
cha-cha off that couch, salsa away from the
shopping centre, rumba out of the restaurant
and get yourself down to Impressions Dance
Studio for the ball of your life!
14. Call us now. Impressions Dance Studio 555-555-5555.
Let us help you to make all of your dancing dreams come true!
1. The two words from Paragraph 4 with
similar meanings are:
(a) ensuring, guaranteed
(b) professional, impress
(c) witnesses, amazing
2. Impressions Dance Studio offers classes:
(a) only for those who have a dancing
background.
(b) only for those of a certain age.
(c) for anyone who wants to learn to
dance.
3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is:
(a) Impressions Dance Studio teaches
different dance styles.
(b) dancing is fun and gives the body a
good physical workout.
(c) you can spend all evening dancing
with your partner.
4. The satisfied customer from the testimonial
in Paragraph 9 is more popular now
because he or she:
(a) was practically a ghost at school.
(b) has learned a skill that impresses
people.
(c) took classes at Impressions Dance
Studio.
5. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Impressions
Dance Studio:
(a) teaches a range of dancing styles.
(b) makes dreams come true.
(c) is the best dance studio around.
6. The text has been written to
Impressions Dance Studio.
(a) advertise the range of classes at
(b) praise
(c) encourage people to enrol in classes at
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can conclude from the text that
dance classes at Impressions Studio:
(a) can provide a fun, sociable way to get
fit.
(b) are for women only.
(c) are limited to traditional styles of
dance.
8. You could predict that Impressions
Dance Studio would receive
response to this advertisement.
(a) no
(b) a limited
(c) a substantial
9. The difference between the testimonials
in Paragraphs 9 and 11 is that only
Paragraph 9 refers to:
(a) the skills they have learned.
(b) making new friends.
(c) improving self-esteem.
10. To help students learn more complicated
dance moves, teachers at Impressions
Dance Studio:
(a) teach the whole dance all at once.
(b) build on simple, easy-to-learn steps.
(c) teach simple versions of each dance.
11. A summary of Paragraph 4 is that at
Impressions Dance Studio, you will:
(a) learn how to impress people and
stand out from the crowd.
(b) impress people with the results of
the professional instruction you will
receive in the dances of your choice.
(c) receive professional tuition in a
number of dancing styles.
12. Testimonials from satisfied customers
were included in the
of the
advertisement.
(a) introduction
(b) main part
(c) conclusion
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (53) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 3
Coral 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
group 1. 1. with A The main the two correct clause words spellings contains from Paragraph for a verb all and 4 with its 8. The pair 5. of 7. words A You preposition with can conclude no common phrase from can vowel the act text as an that
nouns that subject similar the adjectives and meanings it is amazing, are: independent sentence; sound in their adjective; dance syllables classes e.g. is: the at best Impressions instructors Studio: in the
ellent and e.g. complicated If you go to come the dance from, studio is: you can
profession. In this sentence the preposition
(a) ensuring, guaranteed
(a) instructors, (a) demonstrated
can provide a fun, sociable way to get
learn to dance. In this sentence, the main
phrase acting as an adjective is:
amazment, excellents, complication
fit.
clause (b) professional, is: impress
(b) professional, excellent
Dance your cares away as you move to the
amazement, excellence, complication
(b) are for women only.
I (c) can fit witnesses, into all my amazing clothes and dance with (c) all developed, rhythm impressions of the big band swing music.
amazement, the guys excellents, in my class. complicasion
(c) are limited to traditional styles of
2. Impressions Dance Studio offers classes: 9. The term boogie (a) woogie as you move
dance. in Paragraph 5
word cardio (a) in I can Paragraph fit into all 5 my refers clothes to:
means:
(a) only for those who have a dancing
(b) to the rhythm
8. You could predict that Impressions
the heart (b) and background. dance with all the guys (a) dance (c) of the big band swing music
Dance Studio would receive
breathing(c) (b) in only my for class those of a certain age. (b) sing response to this advertisement.
6. Adverbials can tell how something is
muscles 2. A (c) dependent for anyone clause who has wants a verb to learn and to its (c) play done; (a) no e.g. Break it down like the stars. In
subject dance. but it also has a conjunction
this sentence, the adverbial describing
group containing (b) a limited
which makes words it an that incomplete do not all sentence; 10. Which words when both something have the same is done long is:
e the same 3. e.g. The long Nobody main vowel idea noticed sound of Paragraph is: me before 5 I is: went to vowel sound? (c) a substantial
Come to the studio as soon as you can
highly, satisfied, Impressions. (a) Impressions jive In this Dance sentence, Studio the teaches dependent (a) amazing,
9. and cares
The enrol difference in one between of our great the classes.
clause testimonials
different is: dance styles.
waited, favourite, weight
(b) weight, (a) break in Paragraphs come to the 9 studio and 11 is that only
Since (b) joining dancing Impressions, is fun and my gives life the has body become a
break, heaps, dreams
(c) heaps, great Paragraph 9 refers to:
such fun good and physical I am so workout. much happier.
(b) as soon as you can
(a) the skills they have learned.
list of words (a) (c) in Since reverse you can joining alphabetical
spend Impressions all evening dancing 11. The word testimonial (c) and from enrol Paragraph in one of our 8 great classes
er is:
(b) making new friends.
(b) my with life your has partner.
could be replaced with:
become such fun
7. A modal verb is an auxiliary verb that
complicated, cha-cha, couch, could
(a) recollection (c) improving self-esteem.
4. (c) The I satisfied am so much customer happier from the testimonial helps the main verb; e.g. Cinderella may
dancing, developed, in Paragraph demonstrated,
9 is more popular now (b) recondition 10. go To to help the students ball. In this learn sentence, more complicated
the modal
dresses 3. In because this sentence, he or the she: conjunction making a
verb dance is:
(c) recommendationmoves, teachers at Impressions
clause dependent is:
swing, slowly, Dance Studio:
(a) skills, was shuffling practically a ghost at school.
At Impressions Dance Studio, you can learn
Whenever I feel sad or bored, I love to dance 12. The pair in which energetic (a) both teach dances words the whole contain like the dance jitterbug all at and once. the
correct spelling and (b) sing has is: at learned Impressions. a skill that impresses three three-letter jive! words is:
people.
(Letters are in (b) order build and on may simple, be shared.) easy-to-learn steps.
gauranteed (a) Whenever
(a) you can
(c) took classes at Impressions Dance (a) gateway, (c) learning teach simple versions of each dance.
guaranteed (b) or Studio.
(b) can learn
(b) fantastic,
(c) and
11. A handsome
garanteed
(c) summary can of Paragraph 4 is that at
5. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Impressions (c) guaranteed, Impressions practically Dance Studio, you will:
hich 4. group A Dance preposition are all Studio: root phrase words changed is a group of words
8. The (a) questions learn how in to the impress text use people main verbs and
en the suffix starting (a) -ing teaches is with added? a a preposition; range of dancing e.g. Now styles. I can
without stand their out subjects from the and crowd. auxiliary verbs;
fit into my old party clothes. The preposition
e.g. Want to learn a range of dances? (Do
ensuring,
phrase (b) shuffling, makes including
in this dreams sentence come is: true.
you (b) want impress …) In people this sentence, with the results the missing of
amazing, the professional instruction you will
Our (c) dancing,
instructors is the learning best break dance down studio each around.
subject and auxiliary verb is:
dance into
receive in the dances of your choice.
pumping, simple, having, easy-to-learn wonderingsteps
Worried that the dances are too
6. The text has been written to
complicated?
(c) receive professional tuition in a
antonym for (a) Impressions the our word instructors complicated Dance Studio. in
number of dancing styles.
agraph 6 (a) Would you
(b) is: (a) break advertise down the each range dance of classes at
12. (b) Testimonials Are you from satisfied customers
intricate (c) (b) into praise simple, easy-to-learn steps
were included in the
of the
straightforward
(c)
(c) encourage people to enrol in classes at advertisement.
Have you
sophisticated
(a) introduction
Write an alphabetical list of as many (b) different main part dance styles as you can.
Something
extra
Research the life of a famous dancer. (c) Record conclusion the answers to 10 questions
you would ask him or her in an interview.
Impressions
1. The group with the correct spellings for all 8. The pair of words with no common vowel
the nouns that the adjectives amazing,
sound in their syllables is:
excellent and complicated come from, is:
(a) instructors, demonstrated
(a) amazment, excellents, complication
(b) professional, excellent
Dance Studio
(b) amazement, excellence, complication
(c) developed, impressions
(c) amazement, excellents, complicasion
9. The term boogie woogie in Paragraph 5
2. The word cardio in Paragraph 5 refers to:
means:
1. Want to impress your friends with amazing dance moves?
(a) the heart
(a) dance
2. (b) Wish breathing you could join in with people having fun on the (b) dance sing floor?
3. (c) Want muscles to learn a range of dances that are sure to get (c) your play heart pumping?
3. The group containing words that do not all
4. have Look the no further! same Impressions long vowel Dance sound Studio is:
(a) is your highly, gateway satisfied, to enjoying jive the dances
you want to learn and ensuring you look
(b) waited, favourite, weight
like a professional on the dance floor! You
(c) are guaranteed break, heaps, to impress dreams your friends,
family and anyone else who witnesses your
4. The amazing list of dance words skills! in reverse alphabetical
order is:
5. (a) Want complicated, to get an excellent cha-cha, cardio couch, workout could
while having the best time of your life? Bop
(b) dancing, developed, demonstrated,
on down to Impressions Dance Studio where
dresses
you can learn highly aerobic dances like the
(c) Lindy swing, hop, jitterbug slowly, skills, and jive! shuffling You can boogie
woogie your cares away as you move to the
5. The rhythm correct of the spelling big band is: swing music.
(a) gauranteed
6. Worried that the dances are too
(b) guaranteed
complicated? No way! Our instructors know
(c) just garanteed how to break down every dance into
simple, easy-to-learn steps that will leave
6. In you which wondering group why are you all waited root words so long changed to
when start dancing! the suffix -ing is added?
(a) ensuring, shuffling, including
7. Think dance lessons are only for older
(b)
people
amazing,
slowly shuffling
dancing,
around
learning
a dance
(c) floor? pumping, Think again! having, Impressions wondering Dance Studio
offers the latest in modern dance, including
7. An hip-hop, antonym krumping for the and word breakdance. complicated Learn in
Paragraph the dance steps 6 is: demonstrated in all of your
(a) favourite intricate music videos and break it down
like the stars!
(b) straightforward
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(c) sophisticated
10. Which words both have the same long
8. Here are vowel just a sound? few testimonials from some
of our satisfied (a) amazing, customers: cares
9. ‘Before(b) I went weight, to Impressions breakI was practically a
ghost at (c) school. heaps, Nobody great ever noticed me. Now I
can breakdance like a pro and everybody wants
to 11. be my The friend!’ word testimonial from Paragraph 8
could be replaced with:
10. ‘I lost some
(a)
weight
recollection
and developed great muscle
tone just by learning how to swing dance! Now
I can fit (b) into all recondition my old party clothes and dance
with all (c) the guys recommendation
in my class!’
11. ‘Impressions 12. The pair Dance in Studio which has both taught words me how contain
to dance three like a three-letter professional, meet words new is: friends
and impress (Letters everyone! are in Now order all the and eyes may are be on shared.)
me at family
(a)
weddings!’
gateway, learning
12. ‘Since joining (b) fantastic, Impressions handsome Dance Studio, I’ve
learned (c) that the guaranteed, best way to cheer practically myself up if
I’m feeling down is to put on some music and
dance!’
13. Dancing offers a fantastic way to get fit,
meet new people and have heaps of fun. So,
cha-cha off that couch, salsa away from the
shopping centre, rumba out of the restaurant
and get yourself down to Impressions Dance
Studio for the ball of your life!
14. Call us now. Impressions Dance Studio 555-555-5555.
Let us help you to make all of your dancing dreams come true!
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (53) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (53) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 4
Box 2
Race
to
the
top
1. You have probably heard the phrase, ‘Take the stairs, not the lift!’ as a way of encouraging people to
add some exercise to their sedentary lives. Some people have listened to that phrase and taken it not
one, but thousands of steps further.
2. Stair climbing has become an international sport with fierce competition among some of the world’s
greatest athletes from sports such as cycling, rowing and running. Even respected athletes at the
height of glory in their chosen sport, admit that stair climbing is the hardest thing they have ever
done.
3. The effort of lifting one’s body weight two steps at a time for several hundred steps puts huge
pressure on the heart, lungs and legs. The build-up of lactic acid in the leg muscles makes the uphill
journey extremely painful and a psychological battle can break out. The body wants to surrender, but
the mind is determined to carry on to victory.
4. The dusty, narrow evacuation stairwells of outwardly glamorous buildings are the dingy venues for this
rapidly growing, gruelling sport. Think of the tallest building in any major city and it is possibly on the
calendar of events for a stair climbing competition.
5. The most famous and longstanding venue for this sport is the Empire State Building in New York City.
With 86 floors and 1576 stairs, it is a wild animal waiting to be tamed. The ‘run-up’ has been held
annually since 1978. In 2012, it was held at night for the first time. As competitors reached the finish
line on the observation deck, they were treated to the wondrous city skyline, enhanced by the gently
falling snow.
6. Champion stair climbers take between 10 and 15 minutes to reach the top of their towering race
tracks. Although these elite athletes aim to break course records in their determined efforts to win
races, for most participants, the goals are simpler. Many just want to reach the finish line and say, ‘I
did it!’, while others may try again next year and aim to improve their times.
7. To satisfy the competitive edge of elite athletes, the Tower Running World Cup was established in
2009. Athletes earn points for places achieved in international events listed in the World Cup series.
The more races they do, the greater the number of points they accumulate. At the end of the year,
athletes are ranked based on their points total.
8. A number of stair climbing events are organised to raise money for medical research and participants
are encouraged to gain sponsorship for their efforts. They are also motivated to attack the stairs to
improve their own health. Stair climbing is a sport that requires endurance and strength, a perfect
combination for all-round fitness.
9. You may not be inspired to charge up the stairwell of the tallest building in your area, but if you
decide to always take the stairs, instead of the lift, or even walk or cycle instead of being driven ...
that’s one small step for you, one giant leap for your future health!
1. In Paragraph 4, the word gruelling means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
very difficult
scary
like soup
2. The first Empire State Building run-up was
held in:
(a) 1576
(b) 1978
(c) 2012
3. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
There is a world cup series in which elite
athletes can compete.
Many international events are part of the
world cup series.
Athletes accumulate points at each event
they attend.
4. The difference between the front of the tall
buildings and the stairwells where the races
take place is that the stairwells are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
glamorous
regularly cleaned
rarely used
5. When athletes reach the finish line, it is most
likely that they return to ground level by:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the stairs
the lift
abseiling down the outside of the building
6. You can conclude from the text that people
who are keen on fitness activities will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
always stick to their own sport.
often try something new.
never try something new.
7. To take part in a stair climbing event you need:
(a)
(b)
(c)
just basic fitness.
to have done a little training.
to have done a lot of training.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. A summary of Paragraph 6 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
While elite athletes chase course
records, most participants are
happy to just finish and hopefully
beat a previous time.
Elite athletes don’t want to just
win races but they want to break
records to show that they are the
best.
Most participants hope to just get
to the finish line so they can tell
people they’ve done it.
9. Lactic acid builds up in the leg muscles
because the effort of lifting one’s body
weight up so many flights of stairs is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
painful
so great
fantastic
10. It is a fact, not an opinion, that the
Empire State Building run-up is the
stair climbing event.
(a)
(b)
(c)
best
most attractive
oldest
11. It is the writer’s point of view that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
to improve personal health and
fitness, everyone should take part
in organised sports.
even if you don’t want to take
part in a stair climbing event, you
should always find time for some
exercise.
people who take part in stair
climbing events are crazy.
12. In Paragraph 3, the psychological
battle takes place in a participant’s:
(a)
(b)
(c)
heart and lungs
legs
mind
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (54) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 4
Coral 4
Box 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. that 1. The In does Paragraph subject not follow of 4, a verb the word same is the gruelling person or means: 8. thing The phrase, 5. at 8. Some the A height summary conjunctions of glory of Paragraph used in their to join 6 is: clauses
to add the that
(a)
suffix performs
very
-tion
difficult
is: the action; e.g. Mel was still chosen sport from to make
(a)
Paragraph
While
a longer
elite
2 means sentence
athletes chase
can make
course
one
inspire, inspiration
climbing when Tom finished his race. The they are people clause who: unable
(b) scary
records,
to
most
stand
participants
on its own;
are
e.g.
subject of the verb like is:
He won
happy
the race
to
although
just finish and
he was
hopefully
unwell.
motivate,
(c)
motivation
(a) have won a stair climbing race
like soup
The conjunction
beat a previous
that makes
time.
one clause
Many athletes like training with their friends and
determine, eating determination
(b) are at the dependent most successful is: point in
lots of bananas.
2. The first Empire State Building run-up was their careers(b)
Elite athletes don’t want to just
When we
held in:
win
go
races
to New
but
York,
they
we
want
will
to
visit
group in which (a) Many all words athletes do not
(c) have won
break
Central an Olympic Park medal
records
or the
to show
Empire
that
State
they
Building.
tain the same are the
(b) (a)
long their 1576
vowel friendssounds is:
9. (a) when best. (b) or (c) and
receiving, (c) (b)
achieved, lots 1978 of fierce
Which word is the odd one out?
bananas
(c) Most participants hope to just get
height, cycling,
(c) 2012
psychological
(a) heart6. Preposition phrases begin with a
2. A subject can be a phrase; e.g. Running with preposition;
to the
e.g.
finish
It adds
line so
exercise
they can
to
tell
their
weight, height, an injury rowing
(b) lungs
can cause lasting damage. The
sedentary
people
lives.
they’ve
The preposition
done it.
phrase
3. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is:
subject of the verb takes is:
(c) legs
in this
9. Lactic
sentence
acid builds
is:
group listed up in the leg muscles
(a)
in reverse
There is
alphabetical
a world cup series in which elite
er is: Training for a race takes great commitment. 10. because the effort of lifting one’s body
athletes can compete.
Which word in Stair Paragraph climbing 1 comes events are from often organised to
(a) Training
raise weight money up for so medical many flights research. of stairs is:
gruelling,
(b)
growing,
Many
glamorous
the Latin word sedere meaning to sit?
international events are part of the
(b) race
(a) (a) often painful organised
probably, participant, world cup people series.
(a) sedentary
instead, inspired, (c) (c) Training Athletes international for accumulate a race points at each event
(b) stairs (b) (b) to raise so great money
they attend.
(c) steps (c) (c) for fantastic medical research
word 3. with A four clause syllables is a phrase is: within a sentence that
4. must The difference include a verb between and its the subject. front of There 11. the tall can 7. 10. Possessive It is a fact, determiners not an opinion, come that before the a
international
An antonym for the word ranked be buildings more than and one the clause stairwells in a where sentence; the races e.g. Paragraph 7 is? noun Empire and indicate State Building the owner; run-up e.g. is their
psychological She take wins place races, is that unless the stairwells she has an are: injury. Which points. The possessive stair climbing determiner event. in this
(a) rated
participants
phrase is not a clause?
sentence
(a) glamorous
(a) best
is:
(b) graded
As she finished the race, she raised her arms and Lifting
(b) regularly cleaned
(b)
one’s
most
body
attractive
weight two steps at a
word without cheered a silent at the consonant crowd. is:
(c) scatteredtime puts huge pressure on the body.
psychological (c) rarely used
(c) oldest
(a) As she finished the race
12. A homophone (a) of the one’s word stair, (b) meaning a (c) the
muscles 5. (b) When she athletes raised her reach arms the finish line, it is most to hold a gaze 11. is: It is the writer’s point of view that:
8. A metaphor makes an unusual
cycle likely that they return to ground level by:
(c) and cheered at the crowd
(a) star comparison (a) to improve by saying personal one thing health is and
(a) the stairs
another. fitness, everyone should take part
word 4. dingy Clauses in Paragraph that can 4 stand has a
(b) stare
on their own as
in organised sports.
ilar meaning (b) the lift
complete to: sentences are independent; e.g. (c) stark In Paragraph 5, the metaphor for the
(b) even if you don’t want to take
When (c) abseiling she saw the down last the flight outside of steps, of the she building knew
Empire State Building Run-up is a:
bright
part in a stair climbing event, you
she could win. The independent clause is:
(a) famous
6. You can conclude from the text that people
should
and
always
longstanding
find time
venue
immaculate
for some
If who you are wished, keen you on could fitness travel activities the world will: and
(b) wild exercise. animal waiting to be tamed
murky
enter many races.
(a) always stick to their own sport.
(c) (c) wondrous people city who skyline take part in stair
hich pair are (a) both If you words wished spelt
climbing events are crazy.
rectly? (b) often try something new.
(b) you could travel the world Something
(c) never try something new.
12. In Paragraph 3, the extra
psychological
receiving, achieved
(c) and enter many races
battle takes place in a participant’s:
calender,
Research the number of men and women who have won
7. To gruelling take part in a stair climbing event you need:
the Empire State Building (a) heart Run-Up and lungs since 1978. Present your
encourage, (a) sedentery just basic fitness.
results graphically. (b) legs
(b) to have done a little training. Research one champion (c) mind stair climber and write a brief
(c) to have done a lot of training. biography of him or her.
Race
1. The word that does not follow the same
rule to add the suffix -tion is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
to
inspire, inspiration
motivate, motivation
determine, determination
All about words
the
top
8. The phrase, at the height of glory in their
chosen sport from Paragraph 2 means
they are people who:
2. The group in which all words do not
(c) have won an Olympic medal
contain the same long vowel sounds is:
9.
(a) receiving, achieved, fierce
Which word is the odd one out?
(b) height, cycling, psychological
(a) heart
1. You have probably heard the phrase, ‘Take the stairs, not the lift!’ as a way of encouraging people to
add (c) some weight, exercise height, to their rowing sedentary lives. Some people have (b) listened lungs to that phrase and taken it not
one, but thousands of steps further.
(c) legs
3. The group listed in reverse alphabetical
2. Stair
order
climbing
is:
has become an international sport with fierce
10. Which
competition
word in
among
Paragraph
some
1
of
comes
the world’s
from
greatest athletes from sports such as cycling, rowing and running.
(a) gruelling, growing, glamorous
the Latin
Even
word
respected
sedere meaning
athletes at
to
the
sit?
height of glory their chosen sport, admit that stair climbing is the hardest thing they have ever
done. (b) probably, participant, people
(a) sedentary
(c) instead, inspired, international
(b) stairs
3. The effort of lifting one’s body weight two steps at a time for several hundred steps puts huge
pressure on the heart, lungs and legs. The build-up of lactic (c) acid steps in the leg muscles makes the uphill
4. journey The word extremely with four painful syllables and a psychological is:
battle can break out. The body wants to surrender, but
the 11.
(a) mind international is determined to carry on to victory.
An antonym for the word ranked in
Paragraph 7 is?
4. The (b) dusty, psychological narrow evacuation stairwells of outwardly glamorous buildings are the dingy venues for this
rapidly growing, gruelling sport. Think of the tallest building
(a)
in any
rated
major city and it is possibly on the
(c) participants
calendar of events for a stair climbing competition. (b) graded
5.
5.
The The most word famous without and a longstanding silent consonant venue is: for this sport is the (c) Empire scattered State Building in New York City.
With (a) 86 psychological
floors and 1576 stairs, it is a wild animal waiting to be tamed. The ‘run-up’ has been held
12.
annually since 1978. In 2012, it was held at night for the first A time. homophone As competitors of the word reached stair, the meaning finish
(b) muscles
line on the observation deck, they were treated to the wondrous to hold city a gaze skyline, is: enhanced by the gently
falling (c) snow. cycle
(a) star
6. 6. Champion The word stair dingy climbers in Paragraph take between 4 has a 10 and 15 minutes to (b) reach stare the top of their towering race
tracks. similar Although meaning these to: elite athletes aim to break course records (c) stark in their determined efforts to win
races, for most participants, the goals are simpler. Many just want to reach the finish line and say, ‘I
(a) bright
did it!’, while others may try again next year and aim to improve their times.
(b) immaculate
7. To satisfy the competitive edge of elite athletes, the Tower Running World Cup was established in
2009. (c) Athletes murky earn points for places achieved in international events listed in the World Cup series.
The more races they do, the greater the number of points they accumulate. At the end of the year,
7. In which pair are both words spelt
athletes are ranked based on their points total.
correctly?
8. A number
(a) receiving,
of stair
achieved
climbing events are organised to raise money for medical research and participants
are encouraged to gain sponsorship for their efforts. They are also motivated to attack the stairs to
improve (b) calender, their own gruelling health. Stair climbing is a sport that requires endurance and strength, a perfect
combination (c) encourage, for all-round sedentery fitness.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a)
(b)
have won a stair climbing race
are at the most successful point in
their careers
9. You may not be inspired to charge up the stairwell of the tallest building in your area, but if you
decide to always take the stairs, instead of the lift, or even walk or cycle instead of being driven ...
that’s one small step for you, one giant leap for your future health!
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (54) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (54) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 5
Comprehension
The Death Railway
1. The Thai-Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway, was constructed by the Empire of
Japan during World War II. This strategic structure was made famous by the unfortunate use of
forced labour where it is estimated that as many as 330 000 labourers were used. Roughly onethird
died due to the horrendous conditions.
2. When Japanese forces invaded Burma (now Myanmar) in 1942, seizing control of the colony
from the British, they were required to bring in troops and supplies by sea. It became clear that to
do so left any Japanese vessel vulnerable to attack by Allied forces. The Japanese decided that
they would build a railway as an alternative. The idea of a railway between Burma and Thailand
had been previously considered by the British, but the route was determined to be too difficult
to complete. The Japanese forces started building on 22 June 1942 in Thailand and in Burma at
around the same time.
3. The Death Railway was roughly 415 kilometres (258 miles) long and extended from Bangkok,
Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now known as Yangon, Myanmar). The track was mostly made from
materials that had been taken from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. The labourers
were required to build in very difficult locations and a number of bridges were needed to cross
large waterways. One particularly challenging part of the railway became known as Hellfire Pass.
This site was a section of solid rock and workers were expected to chip through the stone with
inferior tools. It took six weeks to blast and cut through the rock. Many labourers died from disease,
starvation, beatings and exhaustion.
4. Labourers came from a number of areas. Asians from numerous neighbouring countries were
used and notably prisoners of war (POWs) from captured Allied forces were also put to work on
the railway. Living conditions for all labourers were horrific. Starvation and physical exhaustion
were common causes of death as labourers were fed extremely small amounts of food. This
poor health, the conditions and exposure to the elements meant that illnesses such as cholera,
dysentery and malaria killed many. Despite all their troubles, the labourers attempted to keep their
spirits up by playing music, telling jokes, singing together or putting on plays.
5. The Death Railway was completed in October 1943 and the prisoners of war were eventually
liberated in 1945 with the victory over Japan by the Allied forces. Most prisoners returned home to
their native countries, but some stayed behind to help locate the bodies of their fallen friends who
had been buried where they died. These remains were moved to official war cemeteries. Today,
there are a number of cemeteries for the POWs of the Death Railway, including two in Thailand
(Kanchanaburi is the largest with 6982 graves) and one at Thanbyuzayat, Myanmar. One of the
largest museums dedicated to remembering all of those who died in the building of the railway is
located at Hellfire Pass in Thailand.
1. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) construction of the railway started in
1942.
(b) many labourers died from cholera,
dysentery and malaria.
(c) Hellfire Pass was a challenging
section to complete.
2. The Japanese decided to build a
railway between Thailand and Burma
because:
(a) they wanted to put the prisoners of
war to work.
(b) they wanted easier access for travel.
(c) their supply ships were being
attacked by Allied forces.
3. The paragraph that is mainly about
how the Death Railway labourers are
remembered today is:
(a) Paragraph 5
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 3
4. How many years did railway labourers
have to wait to be liberated after the
completion of the railway?
(a) 1 year
(b) 2 years
(c) 3 years
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. You could predict that if Japan had not
invaded Burma:
(a) the British would have built the
railway.
(b) the Japanese would have still taken
the railway materials from Malaysia
and Indonesia.
(c) the Death Railway would not have
been built.
6. In Paragraph 4, the word many refers to:
(a) labourers
(b) Japanese
(c) Asians
7. The writer of the text would agree that:
(a) the Death Railway was the cause of a
horrific loss of life.
(b) the railway labourers were paid a fair wage
and well fed.
(c) working on the railway was an easy and
safe job.
8. The best summary of Paragraph 2 is:
(a) The Japanese decided to build a railway
to transport supplies safely from Thailand to
Burma after their ships had been attacked.
(b) The Japanese decided to build a railway
to transport cargo even though the British
had thought it was too difficult to build.
(c) A railway was built from Thailand to Burma
and construction started on 22 June 1942.
9. Which event took place last in history?
(a) The Death Railway was completed.
(b) Japan seized control of Burma from the
British.
(c) The prisoners of war were liberated.
10. The allies would have attacked the Japanese
vessels to:
(a) steal the Japanese troops and supplies.
(b) prevent the Japanese from strengthening
their hold on Burma.
(c) ensure that only the British could build the
railway.
11. You can conclude that the Death Railway was
built:
(a) in areas that were easy to work.
(b) using labour that was fairly employed.
(c) at the great expense of many human lives.
12. Some prisoners probably stayed behind after
the war to help find the remains of their friends
because they:
(a) felt they should be buried in a proper
cemetery.
(b) didn’t want to go home.
(c) wanted to mark the graves where they
were buried.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (55) Prim-Ed Publishing

Coral 5
Coral 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
ich group 1. 1. Quantifying of It is words opinion, is not determiners not alphabetical
a fact, tell that: how much 8. Which 7. The word 5. writer is A an verb of antonym the group text for contains would agree the verb, that:
er? of the noun there is; e.g. many labourers, vulnerable in its Paragraph auxiliaries 2? and sometimes the
(a) construction of the railway started in (a) the Death Railway was the cause of a
numerous countries. The quantifying
negative; e.g. I had not previously
starvation, started, 1942. strategic
(a) defenceless horrific loss of life.
determiner in this sentence is:
been considered. The verb group in this
conditions, (b) considered, many labourers constructed died from cholera, (b) protected (b) the sentence railway labourers is: were paid a fair wage
Most prisoners returned home to their native
dysentery and malaria.
and well fed.
remains, countries. remembering, return
(c) cautiousThe materials for the track had been
(c) Hellfire Pass was a challenging
(c) working taken on from the other railway countries. was an easy and
word alternative (a) Most
section in Paragraph to complete. 2 means: 9. Which word safe shares job. the same two
(b) returned
consonant sounds (a) for with the these trackwords?
a well thought-out plan
2. The Japanese decided to build a
8. The best summary of Paragraph 2 is:
(c) their
roughly (b) difficult had been taken physical
a kind of building railway between Thailand and Burma
(a) The Japanese decided to build a railway
because:
(a) material (c) had been
another 2. Which option group or choice of words is an adverbial
to transport supplies safely from Thailand to
describing (a) they wanted where something to put the prisoners was done; of (b) forced 6. Burma The past after tense their ships of a verb had been can be attacked.
ich word pair e.g. has they war the needed to same work. to number bring supplies of by sea? (c) official formed using an auxiliary verb and
ables as horrendous?
(b) The Japanese decided to build a railway
the past participle; e.g. The labourers
Prisoners (b) they of wanted war from easier captured access Allied for travel. forces
to transport cargo even though the British
cemetery, were official put to work on the railway. 10. The prefix un- had
had gives suffered.
thought a word The
it was the past tense of which
too difficult to build.
(c) their supply ships were being opposite meaning; verb used e.g. unfortunate.
in this sentence includes an
number, (a) museum prisoners attacked of by war Allied forces.
Which (c) word A can railway auxiliary have was un- verb? built as a from prefix? Thailand to Burma
determined, and construction started on 22 June 1942.
(b) starvation were put to work
3. The paragraph that is mainly about (a) clear The railway, which extended for over 400
(c) how on the the Death railway Railway labourers are 9. Which event kilometres, took was place built last by in labourers history? who
ich word needs to change before the suffix (b) control
remembered today is:
suffered great hardships.
s added?
(a) The Death Railway was completed.
3. In this sentence, the conjunction joining (c) complete
(a) Paragraph 5
(a) to extend
notable the two smaller sentences is:
(b) Japan seized control of Burma from the
(b) Paragraph 4
11. Which word British. with (b) ou to has builda similar sound
eventualJapanese vessels were attacked by sea, so to these words?
they (c) decided Paragraph to build 3 a railway.
(c) The (c) prisoners to suffer
extreme
of war were liberated.
troubles roughly touch
(a) by
4. How many years did railway labourers 10. The 7. allies Some would auxiliary have attacked verbs (modals) the Japanese can
word victory in Paragraph 5 could be
(a) route
(b) have soto wait to be liberated after the
vessels only to: act with a participle and not
laced with:
completion of the railway?
(b) through on their own; e.g. They might attack
outlook (c) they
(a) steal Japanese the Japanese vessels. troops The modal and supplies. verb in
(a) 1 year
(c) countries
triumph
(b) prevent this sentence the Japanese is: from strengthening
4. A noun group can have a noun, its
(b) 2 years
their hold on Burma.
determiner and some adjectives; e.g. 12. One The statement The locate Japanese the bodies decided of
defeat
they would build
particularly (c) 3 yearschallenging part was Hellfire their fallen (c) friends ensure a railway that in Paragraph as only an the alternative. British 5 could build the
hich word Pass. pair A are noun both group words in spelt this sentence is: means to find: railway. (a) decided
rectly? 5. You could predict that if Japan had not
Asians from numerous neighbouring (a) the bodies of the labourers who
invaded Burma:
11. You can (b) conclude would that the Death Railway was
neighboring, countries numurous were put to work on the railway. had died.
built:
(a) the British would have built the
(c) build
exhaustion, (a) inferior numerous neighbouring countries (b) those labourers who were injured
railway.
and (a) needed in areas medical that were help. easy to work.
diseaze, (b) starvetion put to work
8. A preposition phrase, beginning with a
(b) the Japanese would have still taken (c) the (b) locations using preposition, labour of the that official can was behave war fairly employed. like an adverb
(c) on the the railway materials from Malaysia
word vessel can have two meanings. In
cemeteries. (c) at of the time; great e.g. expense It was constructed of many human during lives.
and Indonesia.
ich sentence is the word used differently
World War II. Which preposition phrase
how it is used (c) the in Paragraph Death Railway 2? would not have 12. Some prisoners behaving probably like an stayed adverb behind of time? after
been built.
the war to help find the remains of their friends
The vessel held a litre of fresh cool milk.
Many surviving labourers on the Death
Something extra because they:
Railway returned to their native countries
He took 6. the In Paragraph vessel around 4, the word world many on refers to:
(a) felt at they should end of be the buried war. in a proper
the stormy Make seas. a list of 10 adjectives that you can find
(a) labourers
cemetery.
in the text.
(a) on the Death Railway
The vessel was in a poor state and could
(b) Japanese
(b) didn’t want to go home.
hardly be Why sailed. do you think it is important to remember
(b) to their native countries
these (c) historical Asians events? Write a short response. (c) wanted to mark the graves where they
(c) at the end of the war
were buried.
1. Which group of words is not in alphabetical
order?
(a) starvation, started, strategic
(b) conditions, considered, constructed
(c) remains, remembering, return
8. Which word is an antonym for
vulnerable in Paragraph 2?
(a) defenceless
(b) protected
(c) cautious
2. The word alternative in Paragraph 2 means:
(a) a well thought-out plan
9. Which word shares the same two
consonant sounds with these words?
roughly difficult physical
(b) a kind of building
The Death Railway
(a) material
(c) another option or choice
(b) forced
3. Which word pair has the same number of
(c) official
syllables as horrendous?
1. The (a) Thai-Burma cemetery, Railway, official also known as the Death Railway, 10. was The prefix constructed un- gives by a the word Empire the of
Japan during World War II. This strategic structure was made opposite famous meaning; by the unfortunate e.g. unfortunate. use of
(b) number, museum
forced labour where it is estimated that as many as 330 000 Which labourers word were can have used. un- Roughly as a prefix? onethird
(c) died determined, due to the starvation horrendous conditions.
(a) clear
2. 4. When Which Japanese word needs forces to invaded change Burma before (now the suffix Myanmar) in (b) 1942, control seizing control of the colony
from -ly the is added? British, they were required to bring in troops and supplies by sea. It became clear that to
do so left any Japanese vessel vulnerable to attack by Allied (c) forces. complete The Japanese decided that
they
(a)
would
notable
build a railway as an alternative. The idea of a railway between Burma and Thailand
11.
had
Which word with ou has a similar sound
(b) been eventual previously considered by the British, but the route was determined to be too difficult
to complete. The Japanese forces started building on 22 June
to these
1942
words?
in Thailand and in Burma at
(c) extreme
around the same time.
troubles roughly touch
3.
5. The The Death word Railway victory was in Paragraph roughly 415 5 could kilometres be (258 miles) (a) long route and extended from Bangkok,
Thailand replaced to Rangoon, with: Burma (now known as Yangon, Myanmar). (b) through The track was mostly made from
materials (a) outlook that had been taken from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. The labourers
were required to build in very difficult locations and a number (c) of countries bridges were needed to cross
(b) triumph
large waterways. One particularly challenging part of the railway became known as Hellfire Pass.
12. The statement locate the bodies of
This (c) site defeat was a section of solid rock and workers were expected to chip through the stone with
their fallen friends in Paragraph 5
inferior tools. It took six weeks to blast and cut through the rock. Many labourers died from disease,
6. In which word pair are both words spelt
means to find:
starvation, beatings and exhaustion.
correctly?
(a) the bodies of the labourers who
4. Labourers came from a number of areas. Asians from numerous
(a) neighboring, numurous
had neighbouring died. countries were
used and notably prisoners of war (POWs) from captured Allied forces were also put to work on
the (b) railway. exhaustion, Living conditions inferior for all labourers were horrific. (b) Starvation those and labourers physical who exhaustion were injured
were common causes of death as labourers were fed extremely and small needed amounts medical of food. help. This
(c) diseaze, starvetion
poor health, the conditions and exposure to the elements (c) meant the that locations illnesses of such the official as cholera, war
7.
dysentery
The word
and
vessel
malaria
can
killed
have
many.
two meanings.
Despite all
In
their troubles, the cemeteries. labourers attempted to keep their
spirits
which
up
sentence
by playing
is
music,
the word
telling
used
jokes,
differently
singing together or putting on plays.
5. The from Death how Railway it is used was in completed Paragraph in 2? October 1943 and the prisoners of war were eventually
liberated (a) The in vessel 1945 with held the a litre victory of fresh over cool Japan milk. by the Allied forces. Most prisoners returned home to
their native countries, but some stayed behind to help locate the bodies of their fallen friends who
(b) He took the vessel around the world on
had been buried where they died. These remains were moved to official war cemeteries. Today,
the stormy seas.
there are a number of cemeteries for the POWs of the Death Railway, including two in Thailand
(Kanchanaburi (c) The vessel is was the largest in a poor with state 6982 and graves) could and one at Thanbyuzayat, Myanmar. One of the
largest museums hardly be sailed. dedicated to remembering all of those who died in the building of the railway is
located at Hellfire Pass in Thailand.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (55) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (55) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 1
Jessica Watson An epic journey
1.
1. Her epic sailing journey captivated people’s attention from around the world … and when Jessica Watson
sailed into Sydney Harbour, Australia, on 15 May 2010 she unofficially became the youngest person to sail
solo around the world.
2. Jessica was born on 18 May 1993 and took up sailing lessons at a young age—she actually lived on a
16-metre cabin cruiser with her family for five years. When Jessica was twelve she formed the idea of
sailing around the world, but her journey would not be officially announced until May 2009 when she was
sixteen years old. It was anticipated her journey would take roughly eight months to complete and she
would cover a distance of 23 000 nautical miles (over 42 000 kilometres). Jessica started the trip on 18
October 2009 from Sydney Harbour and returned there three days before her 17th birthday.
3. The around-the-globe route through the Southern Hemisphere Jessica had planned was one traditionally
used by sailors. She travelled from Australia towards Fiji and Samoa, then on to South America and Africa
and across the Southern Ocean back to Australia. When Jessica sailed around Cape Horn off southern
Chile in South America, she had completed 87 days of the journey and her parents flew over her in a
small plane to witness her achievement. Jessica kept detailed records and a web blog about the trip,
listing the crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Ocean around Australia as the two most
challenging aspects due to the screaming winds and 15-metre waves!
4. One of the most important factors in Jessica’s successful journey was her vessel. Named Ella’s Pink Lady,
her boat was a Sparkman & Stephens 34, a design commonly used by other experienced around-the-world
sailors. Although it was outfitted before the event with modern conveniences, Jessica had to repeatedly
make repairs during her travels. As she was travelling solo and had planned an unassisted crossing,
regulations stated that Jessica could not receive anything from another person or moor her boat, although
radio communication and advice was allowed. This made it possible for Jessica to receive verbal assistance
with some of her repairs. Ella’s Pink Lady was purchased after the crossing for $300 000 Australian dollars
by state and federal governments and is now a permanent exhibit at the Queensland Maritime Museum in
Brisbane.
5. While a significant achievement, Jessica’s voyage has been criticised by a number of sailing authorities.
Numerous critics had felt, even before she began the trip, that she was too inexperienced and young to
understand the severity and significance of the risks involved. After its completion, Jessica’s records were
scrutinised and it was determined that although she had completed a circuit around the world, she had not
met the distance criteria of 21 600 nautical miles set by the World Sailing Speed Record Council and could
therefore not officially claim world record status. Jessica dismissed this criticism, claiming the organisations
that do not accept sailing records by sailors under the age of eighteen could not change the fact: she did
sail around the world!
6. With all of the publicity and fame Jessica received following her epic journey, one would think that she
would have taken a long relaxing break. However, since that time, she has continued to race in sailing
competitions, has written a book entitled True spirit and released a DVD that details her solo voyage
around the world!
It is an opinion, not a fact, that Jessica’s
journey was:
(a)
(b)
(c)
epic
expected to take about eight months
criticised
2. The word scrutinised in Paragraph 5
means something has been looked at:
(a)
(b)
(c)
briefly
thoroughly
secretly
3. The main idea of Paragraph 6 is to
explain that since her journey Jessica
has:
(a)
(b)
(c)
participated in sailing competitions.
been busy doing a number of
different things.
released a book and DVD.
4. Which sentence ending is false? Jessica’s
journey:
(a)
was unassisted.
(b) began in May 2009.
(c)
left from Sydney Harbour.
5. The pronoun one in the first sentence of
Paragraph 3 refers to the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
route
Southern Hemisphere
globe
6. After Jessica’s parents flew over Pink
Lady, Jessica sailed:
(a)
(b)
(c)
towards Fiji.
to South America.
across the Southern Ocean.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. An important factor in Jessica’s success
was her:
(a)
(b)
(c)
age
boat
route
8. How old was Jessica when she completed
her trip?
(a) 16
(b) 17
(c) 18
9. The author would agree that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Jessica’s trip was a remarkable
achievement.
Jessica should have kept better
records.
Jessica should have been 18 when she
made the trip.
10. You can conclude that Jessica:
(a)
(b)
(c)
did not enjoy her trip.
was not fazed by criticism of or
publicity about her trip.
wished she’d been 18 when she made
her trip.
11. Which sentence describes something that
helped Jessica complete her journey?
(a)
(b)
(c)
She received $300 000 Australian
dollars for her boat.
Her parents flew over her boat.
She was able to receive radio advice
for repairs.
12. The 16-metre cabin cruiser Jessica’s
family lived in and Pink Lady were
different because only one of them:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was lived on.
was a boat.
went around the world.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (56) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 1
Maroon 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. unassisted 1. Which It an sentence in opinion, Paragraph has not the 4 a fact, could hyphens that be Jessica’s and 7. The word 5. 7. A An sentence important is must synonym factor include for Jessica’s a verb and success its
aced with: apostrophes journey was: for possession in the correct dismissed in Paragraph subject. was her: The 5. subject performs the action;
places?
e.g. Jessica travelled across the ocean.
uncomfortable (a) epic
(a) destroyed(a)
age
Jessica is the subject and travelled is the
(a)
unaided (b)
Jessicas
expected
family
to take
lived
about
in a 16
eight
metre-cabin
months(b)
disregarded verb. (b) In boat this sentence, the subject of the
cruiser for five years.
unusual (c) criticised
(c) disobeyed
verb (c) was route outfitted is:
(b) The most challenging parts of Jessica’s
Ella’s Pink Lady was outfitted with modern
ch word 2. is The an antonym word journey scrutinised were for criticised the screaming Paragraph winds 5 8.
and Which word 8. does How not old have was a Jessica prefix when and a she completed
conveniences.
graph 5? means 15-metre something waves. has been looked at: suffix added to her its trip? base word?
(a) Ella’s Pink Lady
commended (c) (a) Jessicas briefly boat’, Ella’s Pink Lady, was a (a) unofficially(a) 16
commonly used design for other aroundthe
(b) with
condemned (b) thoroughly
(b) inexperienced (b) 17
world-sailors.
(c) modern conveniences
created (c) secretly
(c) traditionally (c) 18
2. In Paragraph 2, a dash ( — ) is used to:
6. A sentence may also include an object.
ch words 3. both (a)
The have main
introduce fewer idea
a
of
list. syllables Paragraph than 6 is to 9. Which words 9. both The author changed would a base agree word that:
The object receives the action of the verb;
word repeatedly? explain that since her journey Jessica when adding Jessica the (a) suffix Jessica’s kept -ing? detailed trip was records. a remarkable Kept is the
(b) has: show missing text.
outfitted, experienced
(a) sailing, relaxing verb and achievement. detailed records is the object.
(c) (a) separate participated groups in sailing of words competitions. in a sentence.
In
commonly, authorities
(b) challenging, (b)
this
recognising Jessica
sentence,
should
the object
have kept
of the
better
verb
captivated is:
achievement,
3. A (b) noun been
announced group busy is doing a group a number of words of with a
records.
(c) screaming, crossing
noun, different adjective(s) things. and usually a determiner;
Jessica’s
(c) Jessica
epic sailing
should
journey
have been
captivated
18 when she
ch words both e.g. her follow epic the journey, rule ‘When the youngest person.
people’s attention.
(c) released a book and DVD. 10. Which group of words made is not the in trip.
ing a suffix Which beginning group with of words a vowel is a to noun group in alphabetical (a) order? epic sailing journey
ds ending 4. this with Which sentence? e, the e is dropped ending is before false? Jessica’s
10. You can conclude that Jessica:
(a) announced, (b) anticipated, Jessica’s anything
ing the suffix’? Jessica
journey:
recently released a DVD about her solo
(a) did not enjoy her trip.
(b) continued, (c) completed, people’s attention conveniences
experienced, voyage. (a) detailed was unassisted.
(b) was not fazed by criticism of or
(c) unassisted, understand, unofficially
anticipated, (a) (b) completed recently began in released May 2009.
7. Which conjunction publicity about would her trip. join these two
sentences best to retain the meaning?
listed, purchased (b) (c) a left DVD from about Sydney Harbour. 11. Which group of (c) words wished has one she’d without been 18 a when she made
long a sound Jessica like change? her sailed trip. around Cape Horn. She had
(c) her solo voyage
hich pair 5. of The words pronoun does one in not the have first a sentence of
completed 87 days of her journey.
(a) Australia, anticipated, detailed
ound like
4.
she? A
Paragraph
preposition
3 refers
phrase
to
begins
the:
11. Which sentence describes something that
with a
(a) when (b) although (c) because
(b) sailor, lady, helped eighteen Jessica complete her journey?
attention, preposition; (a) officially route e.g. she sailed around the
world. Which group of words is not a (c) fame, 8. stated, Which (a) parents auxiliary She received verbs $300 fit in 000 this Australian sentence to
regulations, (b) completion Southern Hemisphere
preposition phrase?
put it into dollars the for past her tense? boat.
traditionally, (c) received globe
12. The word best describes the
Jessica’s boat was purchased after the crossing It (b) Her parents calculated flew that over she her boat.
word epic in the title.
ch sentence for has $300 no 000 spelling Australian errors? dollars.
sailed 21 600 nautical miles.
6. After Jessica’s parents flew over Pink
(c) She was able to receive radio advice
(a) impressive
Jessica’s boat (a) Lady,
was Jessica’s outfitted boat sailed:
with was modern purchased
(a) is, for will repairs.
(b) interesting
conveniences (b) (a) for after towards her the eight-month crossing Fiji. journey.
(b) was, will
12. The 16-metre cabin cruiser Jessica’s
(c) easy
Jessica was (c) (b) allowed for to $300 South to recieve 000 America. Australian advise by dollars
(c) family was, lived hadin and Pink Lady were
radio comunication.
(c) across the Southern Ocean.
different because only one of them:
Critics thought Jessica was too young and
Something
(a)
extra
was lived on.
inexperinced to complete a circiut around
(b) was a boat.
the world.
(c) went around the world.
Find photographs of Ella’s Pink Lady on an internet site and write a
description based on the images.
Write a list of eight of Jessica’s achievements described in the text.
Jessica Watson
1. The word unassisted in Paragraph 4 could be
replaced with:
An epic journey
7. The word is an synonym for
1. Her (a) epic uncomfortable
sailing journey captivated people’s attention from around (a) the destroyed world … and when Jessica Watson
sailed into Sydney Harbour, Australia, on 15 May 2010 she unofficially became the youngest person to sail
solo
(b)
around
unaided
the world.
(b) disregarded
(c) unusual
(c) disobeyed
2. Jessica was born on 18 May 1993 and took up sailing lessons at a young age—she actually lived on a
16-metre cabin cruiser with her family for five years. When Jessica was twelve she formed the idea of
2. Which word is an antonym for criticised in
8. Which word does not have a prefix and a
sailing
Paragraph
around the
5?
world, but her journey would not be officially announced until May 2009 when she was
suffix added to its base word?
sixteen years old. It was anticipated her journey would take roughly eight months to complete and she
would (a) cover commended a distance of 23 000 nautical miles (over 42 000 kilometres). (a) unofficially Jessica started the trip on 18
October
(b) condemned
2009 from Sydney Harbour and returned there three days
(b)
before
inexperienced
her 17th birthday.
3. The (c) around-the-globe created route through the Southern Hemisphere (c) Jessica traditionally had planned was one traditionally
used by sailors. She travelled from Australia towards Fiji and Samoa, then on to South America and Africa
3. and Which across words the Southern both have Ocean fewer back syllables to Australia. than When Jessica 9. Which sailed around words both Cape changed Horn off southern a base word
Chile the in word South repeatedly?
America, she had completed 87 days of the journey when and adding her parents the suffix flew over -ing? her in a
small plane to witness her achievement. Jessica kept detailed records and a web blog about the trip,
listing
(a)
the
outfitted,
crossing
experienced
of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Southern (a) Ocean sailing, around relaxing Australia as the two most
challenging (b) commonly, aspects due authorities to the screaming winds and 15-metre waves! (b) challenging, recognising
4. One (c) of the achievement, most important announced factors in Jessica’s successful journey (c) was screaming, her vessel. crossing Named Ella’s Pink Lady,
her boat was a Sparkman & Stephens 34, a design commonly used by other experienced around-the-world
4. sailors. Which Although words it both was follow outfitted the before rule ‘When the event with modern 10. Which conveniences, group of Jessica words had is not to repeatedly in
make adding repairs a during suffix beginning her travels. with As she a vowel was travelling to solo and had alphabetical planned an order? unassisted crossing,
regulations words ending stated that with Jessica e, the could e is dropped not receive before anything from
(a)
another
announced,
person or
anticipated,
moor her boat,
anything
although
radio adding communication the suffix’? and advice was allowed. This made it possible for Jessica to receive verbal assistance
with some of her repairs. Ella’s Pink Lady was purchased after the (b) crossing continued, for $300 completed, 000 Australian conveniences dollars
(a) experienced, detailed
by state and federal governments and is now a permanent exhibit (c) at unassisted, the Queensland understand, Maritime unofficially Museum in
Brisbane. (b) anticipated, completed
5. While (c) a significant listed, purchased
11.
achievement, Jessica’s voyage has been criticised
Which
by
group
a number
of words
of sailing
has
authorities.
one without a
Numerous critics had felt, even before she began the trip, that she
long
was
a sound
too inexperienced
like change?
and young to
5.
understand
In which
the
pair
severity
of words
and
does
significance
one not
of
have
the risks
a
involved. After (a) its Australia, completion, anticipated, Jessica’s detailed records were
scrutinised sh sound and like it was she? determined that although she had completed a circuit around the world, she had not
met the distance criteria 21 600 nautical miles set by the World
(b)
Sailing
sailor,
Speed
lady,
Record
eighteen
(a) attention, officially
Council and could
therefore not officially claim world record status. Jessica dismissed (c) this fame, criticism, stated, claiming parentsthe organisations
that
(b)
do not
regulations,
accept sailing
completion
records by sailors under the age of eighteen could not change the fact: she did
sail (c) around traditionally, the world! received
12. The word best describes the
word epic in the title.
6. With all of the publicity and fame Jessica received following her epic journey, one would think that she
6. Which sentence has no spelling errors?
would have taken a long relaxing break. However, since that time, (a) she impressive has continued to race in sailing
competitions, (a) Jessica’s has boat written was a book outfitted entitled with True modern spirit and released (b) a DVD interesting that details her solo voyage
around the conveniences world! for her eight-month journey.
(c) easy
(b) Jessica was allowed to recieve advise by
radio comunication.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (56) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (56) Prim-Ed Publishing
(c)
Critics thought Jessica was too young and
inexperinced to complete a circiut around
the world.
All about words
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
dismissed in Paragraph 5.

Maroon 2
Comprehension
1. Three soldiers, weary of their sovereign’s meagre wages, decided to desert. They took refuge in a
massive cornfield as their troop expected to be withdrawn the following day.
2. However, after two days, the troops remained and the trio were close to starvation. They were
about to emerge and suffer their punishment when a fiery dragon appeared. He offered to convey
them to safety if they agreed to serve him. With little choice, the soldiers agreed. After reaching
safety, they discovered that the dragon was, in fact, the devil. He presented the soldiers with a
diminutive whip which, when cracked, would provide an immeasurable supply of gold. In seven
years, he said, he would return to claim them. If, at that time, they could answer three riddles
correctly, they would be released from their pledge and could retain the whip forever.
3. For almost seven years, the trio lived in wealth and comfort. They travelled in opulent carriages,
wore exquisitely tailored clothes and lived in richly decorated homes. Poverty was no longer an
obstacle to their happiness. As the deadline approached, two
of the soldiers became anxious, while the third, who was a
lighthearted fellow, urged them to cease worrying because
he would determine solutions to the riddles. As they were
discussing their situation, an elderly woman passed by.
Seeing their mournful expressions, she enquired the reason.
After realising their dilemma, she directed them to the
desert, where, in a house resembling a rock on a cliff, help
would be found.
4. Feeling hopeful, the third soldier ventured into the desert and
discovered the rocky abode. Upon entering, he encountered
an ancient woman—the devil’s grandmother. After hearing
his tale, she sympathised with his predicament and offered
her assistance. Concealing the soldier in the stone cellar, she
urged him to remain there silently, listening carefully.
5. At midnight, the devil, in the form of the dragon, arrived for
sustenance. While he consumed his meal, his grandmother
surreptitiously questioned him about the three soldiers and riddles.
He replied that the riddle had three components. ‘A dead dogfish
lying in the great North Sea will serve as roast meat. A whale’s rib
would make a silver spoon and a hollow horse’s hoof would
function as a wineglass.’ When the devil retired, the woman
released the soldier who promised to repay her kindness
before returning to his joyful comrades.
6. At the appointed time, the devil confronted the trio. He reminded them that unless they replied
correctly, they would be eternally enslaved in hell. He asked the first soldier what sort of roast meat
he thought he would consume for his initial meal in hell. ‘Dead dogfish from the great North Sea’,
replied the first soldier. The correct solution made the devil exceedingly angry.
7. ‘What will you use for a spoon?’ he enquired of the second soldier. The soldier replied that a
whale’s rib would be adequate. The devil became angrier, seeing his slaves slipping through his
fingers.
8. After his interrogation, the third soldier replied that a hollow horse’s hoof would make a tolerable
wineglass. The devil vaporised in a shower of rage, his power over the soldiers obliterated.
1. Which word in Paragraph 1 means paltry,
miserable or stingy?
(a) massive
(b) meagre
(c) weary
2. The soldiers agreed to become enslaved to
the dragon/devil because:
(a) he promised to rescue them from
punishment.
(b) he was a kindly creature.
(c) they were very greedy.
3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is to explain:
(a) that the devil ate dinner at his
grandmothers.’
(b) that the riddle had three parts.
(c) how the soldier found out the answers
to the riddle.
4. After the third soldier overhead the devil’s
conversation, he:
(a) returned to the other soldiers.
(b) found the grandmother’s dwelling.
(c) hid in the cellar.
5. The elderly woman who helped them and
the grandmother were different because
only one:
(a) sympathised with the soldiers.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(b) was related to the devil.
(c) asked questions.
6. After the third soldier returned from the
grandmother’s house, the other two were:
(a) still extremely anxious.
(b) uninterested.
(c) greatly relieved.
7. You can conclude that the dragon
assumed the soldiers would:
(a) not guess the answers to the riddles.
(b) easily guess the answers.
(c) find out the answers from his
grandmother.
8. Which statement best summarises
Paragraph 2?
(a) During the seven years using the
whip, the soldiers enjoyed a luxurious
life.
(b) The dragon rescued the soldiers but
expected a heavy price to be paid
for his efforts.
(c) Answering three riddles correctly
would save the soldiers’ lives.
9. You can infer that the third riddle was:
(a) ‘What would make me extremely
angry?’
(b) ‘What sort of roast meat would you
eat for you first meal in hell?’
(c) ‘What would you use as a wineglass?’
10. The devil flew into a dreadful rage
and had his power over the soldiers
destroyed because they:
(a) answered the riddles correctly.
(b) defeated him with the whip.
(c) weren’t afraid of him anymore.
11. The pronoun who in Paragraph 3 refers to
which soldier?
(a) first
(b) third
(c) second
12. The writer wrote the text to:
(a) provide entertainment.
(b) persuade the reader to a certain
point of view.
(c) give information.
9. The trio retained possession of the whip and lived long, prosperous and happy lives.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (57) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Maroon 2
All about words
word dilemma 1. 1. Commas Which in Paragraph word are in used Paragraph 3 to means give structure 1 a means 8. paltry, The words 5. 7. Some desert You comparative and can dessert conclude adjectives are that often the like dragon
tion which and miserable is: meaning or stingy? to a sentence. Which confused. elder In which assumed and sentence eldest the from soldiers is one the would: word of old
sentence does NOT use commas
difficult and (a) worrying massive
these words are pronounced irregular. What differently are the irregular
(a) not guess the answers to the riddles.
correctly?
from in the comparative other two sentences? forms of the word well ?
dangerous(b) meagre
(b) easily guess the answers.
(a) The third soldier, despite being (a) The soldiers (a) weller, wanted wellest to desert their
interesting(c) carefree, weary was serious about finding troop. (c) find out the answers from his
(b) better, best
the solutions to the riddles.
grandmother.
h word 2. is a The synonym soldiers for agreed surreptitiously to become enslaved (b) to They
(c)
ate fruit
more
for
well,
dessert.
most well
(b)
ragraph 5? the dragon/devil
This story, a fairly
because:
unknown tale,
(c) The ancient 8. Which woman statement lived in best the summarises
includes a trio of soldiers and
boldly (b) sneakily (c) silently
desert. 6.
(a) riddles. he promised to rescue them from
Possessive Paragraph determiners 2? tell who the
punishment.
noun belongs to. Which word is not a
(a) During the seven years using the
9.
h word is
(c)
an antonym
The dragon
for enslaved
who was actually
in
the The suffix possessive -ation can convert determiner? verbs to
(b)
graph 6?
devil, he was only a sought kindly creature.
whip, the soldiers enjoyed a luxurious
to rescue, the nouns; e.g.
After
expect/expectation.
using
Which
life. the whip for many years, the
(c) three they were soldiers very in greedy. order, to exact a verb cannot be converted to a noun
captured
soldiers knew they must turn their thoughts
punishment.
using -ation? (b) The dragon rescued the soldiers but
to its true master.
thrown3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is to explain:
expected a heavy price to be paid
(a) confront
2. Which phrase is the subject of the
(a) many for his efforts.
liberated verb
(a)
could
that the
be
devil
used?
ate dinner at his
(b) determine
grandmothers.’
(b) (c) theirAnswering three riddles correctly
h sentence The has second been soldier spelt correctly? replied that the rib (c) appear
(c) its
would save the soldiers’ lives.
of
(b)
a whale
that the
could
riddle
be
had
used
three
for a
parts.
spoon.
The soldiers decided to dessert because 10. Which word would not need to be
of the meagre (a)
(c)
the
how
wages. second
the soldier
soldier
found out the answers 9.
7. Apostrophes
You can infer
for possession
that the third
are
riddle
placed
was:
to the riddle.
changed
after
before adding the suffix ‘ed’?
(a) the ‘What owner would or owners; make e.g. me a extremely
Unless the (b) soldiers the rib replied of a whale correctly, they
(a) approach sovereign’s angry?’ wage, three sovereigns’
would 4. be (c) enslaved After
for
the
a
third in spoon hell. soldier overhead the devil’s wages. In which phrase is the apostrophe
conversation, he:
(b) reply (b) ‘What sort of roast meat would you
The soldiers retained posession of the
placed correctly?
eat for you first meal in hell?’
whip
3.
and
Expressive
lived (a) returned prosperous
verbs to such the lives. other as vaporised soldiers. (c) travel
(a) the devils’ grandmother
and obliterated in Paragraph 8
(c) ‘What would you use as a wineglass?’
11.
ake plurals add
(b)
of words interest
found the
ending to a
grandmother’s
text. in f Which or fe phrase
dwelling. Which words (b) all 40 have wine more glasses syllables made from 10 horses’
hoof, change including (c) the hid f or in an fe the expressive to cellar. v before verb could than resembling?
10. The hooves devil flew into a dreadful rage
ing -es to get be substituted hooves. Which for made word the does devil
and had his power over the soldiers
(a) diminutive, (c) hundreds vaporised, of tolerable whale’s ribs
follow 5. this exceedingly The rule? elderly woman angry in who Paragraph helped them 6? and
destroyed because they:
the grandmother were different because (b) predicament, immeasurable,
thief (a)(b) created cliff an angry (c) devil
8.
life
Plural (a) verbs answered are used the with riddles two correctly.
more
only one:
components
subjects. Which sentence is correct?
(b) upset the devil
(b) defeated him with the whip.
prefix re- means (a) sympathised again or back. with Which the soldiers. (c) interrogation, obliterated, prosperity
(a) Neither the first nor the second soldier
f words contains (c) infuriated only words the devil
(b) was related to with the devil. this
(c) weren’t afraid of him anymore.
12. The word diminutive
is happy
in Paragraph
about the situation.
2
x?
4. Which (c) asked words questions. in the sentence do not could be 11. (b) replaced The pronoun elderly with: woman who in and Paragraph the devil’s 3 refers to
refuge, resembling, describe a reason noun?
which
(a) miniature
grandmother soldier? is sympathetic.
reminded, 6. After
The replied, the
soldiers remain third soldier returned from the
travelled in opulent (b) dangerous
(c) (a) A rib first and a hoof makes suitable
grandmother’s house, the other two were:
return, remark, carriages, rewindwore exquisitely tailored
(b)
dining
third
implements.
clothes (a) still and extremely lived in anxious. richly decorated (c) leather
h words are homes.
(b) not uninterested.
alphabetical order?
(c) second
encountered, (a)
(c) enquired, The
greatly
soldiers
relieved. enslaved
12. The writer wrote the text to:
confronted, (b) convey, exquisitely consume tailored
(a) provide entertainment.
exceedingly, (c) expression, richly decorated exquisite
Something (b) persuade the reader extra to a certain
point of view.
Draw images for a short graphic novel
depicting (c) the give story information. of the three riddles.
Copy a list of interesting words from the text
into your personal diary for use when writing.
1. The word dilemma in Paragraph 3 means a 8. The words desert and dessert are often
situation which is:
confused. In which sentence is one of
1. Three soldiers, weary of their sovereign’s meagre wages, decided these words to desert. pronounced They took differently refuge in a
(a) difficult and worrying
massive cornfield as their troop expected to be withdrawn from the following the other day. two sentences?
(b) dangerous
2. However, after two days, the troops remained and the trio (a) were The close soldiers to starvation. wanted They to desert were their
about (c) to interesting emerge and suffer their punishment when a fiery dragon troop. appeared. He offered to convey
them to safety if they agreed to serve him. With little choice, the soldiers agreed. After reaching
2. Which word is a synonym for surreptitiously
(b) They ate fruit for dessert.
safety, they discovered that the dragon was, in fact, the devil. He presented the soldiers with a
in Paragraph 5?
diminutive whip which, when cracked, would provide an immeasurable
(c) The ancient
supply
woman
of gold.
lived
In
in
seven
the
years, (a) he boldly said, he (b) would sneakily return to claim (c) silently them. If, at that time, they
desert.
could answer three riddles
correctly, they would be released from their pledge and could retain the whip forever.
9.
3. Which word is an antonym for enslaved in
The suffix -ation can convert verbs to
3. For Paragraph almost seven 6? years, the trio lived in wealth and comfort. nouns; They travelled e.g. expect/expectation. in opulent carriages, Which
wore exquisitely tailored clothes and lived in richly decorated verb homes. cannot Poverty be converted was no to longer a noun an
obstacle (a) captured to their happiness. As the deadline approached, using two -ation?
of (b) the soldiers thrown became anxious, while the third, who was a
(a) confront
lighthearted fellow, urged them to cease worrying because
(c) liberated
he would determine solutions to the riddles. As they were (b) determine
discussing their situation, an elderly woman passed by.
4. Which sentence has been spelt correctly?
(c) appear
Seeing their mournful expressions, she enquired the reason.
After (a) realising The soldiers their dilemma, decided to she dessert directed because them to the 10. Which word would not need to be
desert, where, of the meagre in a house wages. resembling a rock on a cliff, help changed before adding the suffix ‘ed’?
would (b) be Unless found. the soldiers replied correctly, they
(a) approach
4. Feeling would hopeful, be the enslaved third soldier in hell. ventured into the desert and (b) reply
discovered (c) The soldiers the rocky retained abode. posession Upon entering, of the he encountered
an ancient whip woman—the and lived prosperous devil’s grandmother. lives. After hearing (c) travel
his tale, she sympathised with his predicament and offered
11.
5. her To assistance. make plurals Concealing of words the ending soldier in f in or the fe stone cellar,
Which
she
words all have more syllables
urged like him hoof, to change remain there f or silently, fe to v listening before carefully.
than resembling?
adding -es to get hooves. Which word does
(a) diminutive, vaporised, tolerable
5. At
NOT
midnight,
follow
the
this
devil,
rule?
in the form of the dragon, arrived for
sustenance. While he consumed his meal, his grandmother (b) predicament, immeasurable,
surreptitiously (a) thief questioned (b) cliff him about (c) the three life soldiers and riddles. components
He replied that the riddle had three components. ‘A dead dogfish
6.
lying
The
in
prefix
the great
re- means
North
again
Sea will
or
serve
back.
as
Which
(c) interrogation, obliterated, prosperity
roast meat. A whale’s rib
would
list of
make
words
a silver
contains
spoon
only
and
words
a hollow
with this
horse’s hoof 12. would The word diminutive in Paragraph 2
function
prefix?
as a wineglass.’ When the devil retired, the woman could be replaced with:
released (a) refuge, the soldier resembling, who promised reason to repay her kindness
(a) miniature
before returning to his joyful comrades.
(b) reminded, replied, remain
(b) dangerous
6. At (c) the appointed return, remark, time, rewind the devil confronted the trio. He reminded them that unless they replied
correctly, they would be eternally enslaved in hell. He asked (c) the leather first soldier what sort of roast meat
7. he Which thought words he would are not consume in alphabetical for his initial order? meal in hell. ‘Dead dogfish from the great North Sea’,
replied the first soldier. The correct solution made the devil exceedingly angry.
(a) encountered, enquired, enslaved
7. ‘What will you use for a spoon?’ he enquired of the second soldier. The soldier replied that a
(b) confronted, convey, consume
whale’s rib would be adequate. The devil became angrier, seeing his slaves slipping through his
fingers. (c) exceedingly, expression, exquisite
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. After his interrogation, the third soldier replied that a hollow horse’s hoof would make a tolerable
wineglass. The devil vaporised in a shower of rage, his power over the soldiers obliterated.
9. The trio retained possession of the whip and lived long, prosperous and happy lives.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (57) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (57) Prim-Ed Publishing

Box 3
Maroon 3
Comprehension
1. ‘Getting inked’ is a modern expression used to describe the process of
getting a tattoo—an ink design permanently printed into the skin with
needles. Body decorations such as tattoos go back to ancient times in
many cultures around the world. Today, the art of tattooing is becoming
increasingly popular among both males and females. What are the pros
and cons of this body art? To anyone who is considering getting a tattoo,
it is best to ‘think before you ink’!
2. Until recently, tattoos were, fairly or unfairly, often associated with people
such as sailors, prison inmates and ‘bikie gang’ members, who much of
society considered outside the mainstream. Tattoos have now become a
lot more acceptable, although they can be still frowned upon, especially
if someone has multiple tattoos like a whole ‘sleeve’ on one or both arms.
Some employers will not hire anyone with obvious tattoos, or will insist on
the employee wearing clothing to cover his or her tattoos. Tattoos in the
workplace can lead to problems for the person tattooed.
3. Today, people choose to get tattoos for various reasons. There are those
who explain it as a means of being able to express their creative ideas in
their own way. They use their body as a canvas to reflect on memories and
moments in their life. Their tattoos have a meaning and tell something
about them; e.g. the name of a loved one (living or dead), band lyrics that
have personal meaning, words that express how they feel or what they
have done, favourite objects or pictures of things they like to do. They
consider their tattoos are a permanent dedication to these things. But will
they still be happy with them in years to come?
4. Other people get inked (dedicated tattoo enthusiasts do not like this term) because they think it is
‘cool’. They use ‘artwork’ (another taboo word) as a fashion statement. The dedicated enthusiasts say
this attitude belittles their commitment in the eyes of the general public. Later, many of these ‘trendy’
tattoo people change their mind about their tattoo(s) and want to have it or them removed. This is
even more expensive than getting tattooed in the first place. A lot of money has been wasted.
5. Besides being expensive, tattooing causes light bleeding and slight to significant pain, depending on
the area being tattooed and the pain threshold of the patient. It is described as like having a sharp
needle scratching on severe sunburn. Is the expense and pain worth it?
6. Tattooing also poses health risks. As tattoos breach the skin, infections and other complications such
as a bloodborne disease like hepatitis are possible. Allergic reactions to the dyes used can occur,
even years after the tattoo. Consideration must be given to the
tattoo parlour used. How can someone be sure it follows the correct
sterilisation procedures?
7. In conclusion, tattoos have become popular among many sections of
society and are more acceptable than before. Getting a tattoo can be
quite a straightforward procedure. However, careful thought must be
given about this permanent form of body art and whether tattooing is
the right decision for the individual. Think before you ink!
1. The words outside the mainstream in
Paragraph 2 mean people who are
of accepted society.
(a)
(b)
(c)
members
on the edge
in the middle
2. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
tattoos are more acceptable than
before.
some people get tattoos to be
trendy.
tattoos are a type of body
decoration.
3. The pronoun it in the second line of
Paragraph 5: It is described … refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the area
tattooing
the pain
4. The main idea of Paragraph 6 is to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
explain some health risks associated
with tattooing.
suggest that tattoo parlours follow
correct sterilisation procedures.
explain that infections are possible
because tattooing breaches the skin.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. A dedicated tattoo enthusiast would use
the term:
(a)
(b)
(c)
‘getting inked’.
‘getting a tattoo’.
‘getting artwork’.
6. Which statement is not part of the text?
Tattooing is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
performed by tattoo artists.
expensive.
a way of expressing creative ideas.
7. A dedicated tattoo enthusiast is different
from a trendy tattoo person because he
or she:
(a)
(b)
(c)
gets tattoos to be fashionable.
has multiple tattoos.
considers tattoos to be permanent.
8. Infection can occur after tattooing as a
result of:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the skin being broken.
reaction to coloured dyes.
the sharp needles used.
9. The writer would agree that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
everyone should get a tattoo.
everyone should approve of tattoos.
careful consideration is required
before getting a tattoo.
10. Someone who gets a tattoo just to be
cool will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
eventually have a whole ‘sleeve’ of
tattoos.
probably have it removed.
most likely work in a tattoo parlour.
11. Dedicated tattoo enthusiasts get tattoos
because they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
wish to use their body as a canvas for
expression.
don’t mind the expense or the pain
involved.
want to make a fashion statement.
12. You can conclude that getting tattooed:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is an easy decision.
should involve a lot of thought.
should only be available to those
outside mainstream society.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (58) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Box 3
Maroon 3
All about words
word belittles 1. 1. A The dash in words Paragraph (—) is outside used 4 in could the Paragraph mainstream be 1 to: in 7. Which words 5. 7. would Which A dedicated not auxiliary fit in tattoo with verbs this enthusiast fit in this sentence is different
aced with: Paragraph 2 mean people who are group? to from put a it trendy in the present tattoo person tense? because he
(a) show missing text
of accepted society.
increases
outside straightforward Tattoos
or she:
workplace become more acceptable,
(b) introduce a list
(a) members
benefits
(a) someone,
though (a)
inmates
gets they tattoos to still be be fashionable. frowned upon.
(c) separate groups of words in a sentence
(b) on the edge
diminishes
(b) acceptable,
(a) (b)
mainstream
has, is multiple tattoos.
2. Quote (c) in marks the middle are used with words like bikie
(c) careful, process
(b) (c) have, considers is tattoos to be permanent.
h word is gang antonym and getting for dedicated inked to indicate:
graph 4?
(c) have, may
2. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
8.
8. Which words both
Infection
have a
can
sh
occur
sound
after
like
tattooing as a
(a) it is an informal term
uncommitted (a) tattoos are more acceptable than infection? 6. A
result
preposition
of:
phrase begins with a
(b) direct speech
before.
devoted
(a) ancient, section
preposition; (a) the skin e.g. being the broken. first place. Which
(c) it is a quote from someone else
(b) some people get tattoos to be
group
serious
(b) patient, society
(b) reaction
of words
to
is
coloured
not a preposition
dyes.
3. Which trendy.
phrase?
sentence has been punctuated
(c) culture, decision
(c) the sharp needles used.
h words both correctly? (c) have tattoos fewer are syllables a type of than body
Allergic reactions to the dyes can occur,
word permanently?
(a) Tattoo decoration.
9. years
designs printed into someones 9. Which words do
The
not
writer after the
both
would tattoo.
have a
agree
long e
that:
acceptable, memories skin could include the name of a loved sound like needles? (a) (a) to everyone the dyesshould get a tattoo.
3. The pronoun it in the second line of
attitude, tattooing
one, band lyrics favourite objects or
Paragraph 5: It is described … refers to: (a) society, breach (b) (b) can everyone occur should approve of tattoos.
words that express what the person feels.
permanent, (a) complications the area
(b) severe, health (c) (c) after careful the consideration tattoo is required
(b) Tattoo designs printed into someone’s
(c) money, association
before getting a tattoo.
h group has (b) a word skin tattooing could with include both a prefix the name of a loved
7. Quantifying determiners indicate the
a suffix added (c) to one, the its pain band base lyrics, word? favourite objects or
10. quantity
10. Which words’ root
Someone of
words
who a noun
both
gets without
stay
a
the
tattoo giving just to the be
words that express what the person feels. exact
acceptable, tattooing
same when adding
cool
the
will: number; e.g. any, few, some. Which
suffix -ed?
4.
(c) The main word is a quantifying determiner in this
Tattoo idea designs of Paragraph printed into 6 is someones’ to:
belittle, infection
(a) printed, tattooed sentence?
(a) eventually have a whole ‘sleeve’ of
(a) skin explain could some include health the risks name associated of a loved
tattoos.
careful, unfairlyone, with band tattooing. lyrics, favourite objects or (b) described, Tattoos frowned go back to ancient times in many
words that express what the person feels. cultures.
(b) probably have it removed.
(c) dedicated, associated
word (b) suggest is a synonym that tattoo for parlours follow
(a)
(c)
back
most likely
(b)
work
times
in a tattoo
(c)
parlour.
many
ificant 4. in Paragraph A verb correct group 5. sterilisation contains all procedures. the words that
11. Which sentence has more than two
serious
form (c) the explain verb. that Example: infections He are is considering
possible
11.
spelling errors? 8. Demonstrative
Dedicated tattoo
determiners
enthusiasts
can
get
tell
tattoos
getting because a tattoo. tattooing The verb breaches group the in this skin.
which
because
person
they:
or thing you mean and
simple sentence is:
(a) Dedicated tatoo enthusaists don’t like
whether the noun is near or far from the
the term ‘inked’.
(a) wish to use their body as a canvas for
silent
5. A dedicated tattoo enthusiast would use
Some employers will not hire anyone with
speaker/writer, expression. or singular or plural; e.g.
the term:
obvious tattoos.
(b) A tatoo is this an ink dish, disign these permenently needles. Which word
h group of (a) words ‘getting is alphabetical
inked’.
printed into
(b)
is a the
don’t
demonstrative skin.
mind the expense or the pain
determiner in this
r? (a) some employers
involved.
(c) Hepatitis sentence?
(b) ‘getting a tattoo’.
and alergic reactions can be
tattooing, (b) tattooed, will not tattoos
a complication
(c)
There after
want
are those being
to make
who tatooed.
a fashion statement.
get tattooed as a
(c) ‘getting artwork’.
conclusion, (c) considered, will not hire considering
12.
means of expressing their creative ideas.
12. In which group
You
do both
can conclude
words have
that
a
getting tattooed:
express,
6.
expression, Which statement expensive is not part of the text?
long e sound in (a) (a) the those is third an easy syllable? decision. (b) who (c) their
Tattooing is:
(a) significant, (b) increasing should involve a lot of thought.
(a) performed by tattoo artists.
(b) recently, becoming (c) should only be available to those
(b) expensive.
(c) memories, enthusiasts
outside mainstream society.
(c) a way of expressing creative ideas.
Something extra
Make a list of all the words that have single quote marks
in the text and write an explanation for each.
Write the lyrics to a favourite song.
1. The word belittles in Paragraph 4 could be
7. Which words would not fit in with this
replaced with:
group?
1. ‘Getting inked’ is a modern expression used to describe the process of
(a) increases
outside straightforward workplace
getting a tattoo—an ink design permanently printed into the skin with
needles. (b) benefits Body decorations such as tattoos go back to ancient (a) times someone, in inmates
many (c) cultures diminishes around the world. Today, the art of tattooing is (b) becoming acceptable, mainstream
increasingly popular among both males and females. What are the pros
and cons of this body art? To anyone who is considering getting
(c)
a
careful,
tattoo,
process
2. Which word is an antonym for dedicated in
it is Paragraph best to ‘think 4? before you ink’!
8. Which words both have a sh sound like
2. Until (a) recently, uncommitted tattoos were, fairly or unfairly, often associated infection? with people
such (b) as sailors, devotedprison inmates and ‘bikie gang’ members, who (a) much ancient, of section
society considered outside the mainstream. Tattoos have now become a
lot (c) more serious acceptable, although they can be still frowned upon,
(b)
especially
patient, society
if someone has multiple tattoos like a whole ‘sleeve’ on one or (c) both culture, arms. decision
3. Which words both have fewer syllables than
Some employers will not hire anyone with obvious tattoos, or will insist on
the word permanently?
the employee wearing clothing to cover his or her tattoos. 9. Tattoos Which in words the do not both have a long e
workplace (a) acceptable, can lead to memories problems for the person tattooed. sound like needles?
3. Today, (b) people attitude, choose tattooing to get tattoos for various reasons. There
(a)
are
society,
those
breach
who (c) explain permanent, it as a means complications of being able to express their creative (b) ideas severe, in health
their own way. They use their body as a canvas to reflect on memories and
(c) money, association
4. moments Which in group their has life. a Their word tattoos with both have a a prefix meaning and tell something
about and them; a suffix e.g. added the name to its of base a loved word? one (living or dead),
10.
band Which lyrics words’ that root words both stay the
have
(a)
personal
acceptable,
meaning,
tattooing
words that express how they feel or same what they when adding the suffix -ed?
have done, favourite objects or pictures of things they like to do. They
consider (b) belittle, their tattoos infection are a permanent dedication to these things. (a) printed, But will tattooed
they (c) still careful, be happy unfairly with them in years to come?
(b) described, frowned
4. Other people get inked (dedicated tattoo enthusiasts do not (c) like this dedicated, term) because associated they think it is
5. The word is a synonym for
‘cool’. They use ‘artwork’ (another taboo word) as a fashion statement. The dedicated enthusiasts say
significant in Paragraph 5.
this attitude belittles their commitment in the eyes of the 11. general Which public. sentence Later, has many more of than these two ‘trendy’
tattoo (a) people seriouschange their mind about their tattoo(s) and want spelling to have errors? it them removed. This is
even (b) more simple expensive than getting tattooed in the first place. (a) A lot Dedicated of money tatoo has been enthusaists wasted. don’t like
5. Besides being expensive, tattooing causes light bleeding and slight
the
to
term
significant
‘inked’.
(c) silent
pain, depending on
the area being tattooed and the pain threshold of the patient. (b) It is A described tatoo is an as ink like disign having permenently a sharp
6. needle Which scratching group of on words severe is sunburn. in alphabetical Is the expense and pain worth printed it? into the skin.
6.
order?
Tattooing also poses health risks. As tattoos breach the skin, (c) infections Hepatitis and and other alergic complications reactions can such be
as a (a) bloodborne tattooing, disease tattooed, like tattoos hepatitis are possible. Allergic reactions a complication to the dyes after used being can occur, tatooed.
even (b) years conclusion, after the considered, tattoo. Consideration consideringmust be given to the
12.
tattoo parlour used. How can someone be sure it follows the
In
correct
which group do both words have a
(c) express, expression, expensive
sterilisation procedures?
long e sound in the third syllable?
(a) significant, increasing
7. In conclusion, tattoos have become popular among many sections of
society and are more acceptable than before. Getting a tattoo (b) can recently, be becoming
quite a straightforward procedure. However, careful thought (c) must memories, be enthusiasts
given about this permanent form of body art and whether tattooing is
the right decision for the individual. Think before you ink!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (58) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (58) Prim-Ed Publishing

1. Today, females are lucky enough to find employment in
almost any field they wish, but this was not always the case.
Before the twentieth century, women were expected to
marry, have children and look after the home. Sometimes
they worked as secretaries, nurses, governesses or
teachers. One woman who tried to change this was
Nellie Bly.
2. Elizabeth Jane Cochrane was born on 5 May 1864 in
Pennsylvania, USA. There were a large number of children
in the family so money was scarce. As a result, Elizabeth
only received a rudimentary education. However, she
had a strong desire to become a writer.
Maroon 4
Nellie Bly: Investigative reporter
3. At the age of sixteen, Elizabeth moved to Pittsburgh to
seek work. This proved difficult as jobs for women were
scarce and poorly paid. After reading an article stating
that women were best suited to housework and taking
care of children, Elizabeth wrote a letter of protest to
the editor. The result was that Elizabeth finally found herself employed
as a writer for the Pittsburgh Dispatch newspaper. She was only eighteen. At the time, it
was considered improper for women to write journalistic articles, so Elizabeth Cochrane took
the pseudonym ‘Nellie Bly’.
4. Nellie’s first article about divorce and marriage reform impressed her editor. As a full-time
reporter, she posed as a sweatshop worker to investigate child labour, low wages and unsafe
working conditions. However, her articles displeased advertisers, so Nellie was forced to write
articles about fashion. Unhappy, Nellie moved to Mexico, where she wrote about poverty and
political corruption. This resulted in her expulsion from the country. She was 21.
5. On her return to the USA, Nellie was employed by the New York World. She wrote about poverty,
housing and labour conditions. In one memorable incident, Nellie pretended insanity and
was committed to a mental asylum where she remained for ten days. Here she uncovered
the abusive and barbarous conditions to which the patients were subjected. When her article
was published, an investigation took place and many reforms were instigated. Nellie Bly had
become famous.
6. In 1889, the newspaper executives thought of sending a man to beat the record of Phileas
Fogg in the book Around the world in 80 days. Nellie, of course, felt this was unfair and
threatened to complete the journey in much less time for another newspaper unless she
was allowed to go. She completed the journey via steamboat, train and rickshaw in just over
76 days. Details of her journey were published periodically. She was hailed a heroine by the
public. She continued to expose social issues for women until, in 1895, she married Robert
Seaman. After his death, she ran his steel manufacturing company.
7. In 1914, she travelled to England and reported on World War I. In 1919, she returned to work
at the New York Evening Journal. She reported on women’s rights and the need to support
charities and orphanages.
8. Nellie Bly, the first female investigative reporter, died in 1922 from pneumonia. Every New York
newspaper printed a detailed obituary. Because of Nellie, and women like her, females now
have opportunities that may not have ever been available.
1. Which word in Paragraph 2 means
basic or simple?
(a) rudimentary
(b) scarce
(c) improper
2. It was difficult for women to get work
because:
(a) they were untrained.
(b) there were not many jobs for women
and wages were poor.
(c) they didn’t want to work.
3. Which paragraph tells mainly how
Nellie Bly started her career as an
investigative reporter?
(a) Paragraph 1
(b) Paragraph 5
(c) Paragraph 3
4. Before Nellie Bly reported on conditions
in a mental asylum, she:
(a) accepted employment at New York
World.
(b) reported on World War 1.
(c) lived in Mexico.
5. One difference between working
women today compared with those in
Nellie Bly’s time is that women today:
(a) mostly look after the home.
(b) can work in most occupations.
(c) are mainly nurses or teachers.
6. You can infer that Mexico:
(a) was a pleasant holiday destination.
(b) had no journalists.
(c) had poverty and political
corruption.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can conclude that Nellie Bly wanted
her articles to:
(a) improve social conditions.
(b) entertain people.
(c) terrify readers.
8. Which statement best summarises the
impact of Nellie Bly’s life?
(a) Nellie Bly showed that women can be
writers.
(b) Nellie Bly ‘opened the door’ for
women to work in any field.
(c) Nellie Bly showed that poor people
can obtain good jobs.
9. You can infer that the companies that
advertised in the newspapers were
displeased by Nellie Bly’s articles about
child labour, low wages and unsafe
working conditions because they:
(a) had unprofitable businesses.
(b) had no connection to anyone
working under these conditions.
(c) owned workplaces that had these
kinds of conditions.
10. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) Nellie Bly was an amazing woman!
(b) Nellie Bly was a reporter.
(c) Nellie Bly was a woman.
11. The word this in Paragraph 6 refers to:
(a) Phileas Fogg’s record.
(b) sending a man to beat the record.
(c) the book Around the world in 80 days.
12. This text was written to:
(a) entertain
(b) persuade
(c) inform
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (59) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 4
Maroon 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
1. Which group of words is the verb group in
5. Which adjective in Paragraph 5 is used
this sentence? e.g. She continued to expose
to express disgust at the conditions in
word pseudonym 1. social Which issues. word means: in Paragraph 2 means 7. The prefixes 7. You the im- can mental and conclude in- asylum? can that Nellie Bly wanted
basic or simple?
assumed name
mean not her or the articles opposite to: of; e.g.
She threatened to complete the journey in less (a) insane
incomplete. In which word is im or in
false pretences
time (a) for rudimentary another newspaper.
(a) improve social conditions.
a prefix? (b) barbarous
newspaper
(a) (b)
article
threatened scarce to complete
(b) entertain people.
(a) improper (c) unsafe
(b) (c) in improper less time
(c) terrify readers.
ch word is a synonym for memorable?
(b) impressed 6. Which words in the sentence below
2. (c) It was for difficult another for newspaper women to get work
forgettable
(c) investigate
8. Which start with statement a preposition best summarises and act as the a
because:
impact
2.
unforgettable
Which words are adjectives describing a
preposition of Nellie phrase? Bly’s life? e.g. a letter to the
8. Which trio of words all have five
noun (a) they in this were sentence? untrained.
(a) editor. Nellie Bly showed that women can be
surprising
syllables?
Here she uncovered the abusive and
Nellie’s writers.
(b) there were not many jobs for women
first article about divorce and
(a) investigative, charities, fashion
ch word is barbarous an antonym and wages conditions for poverty? were to poor. which patients were
(b) marriage Nellie Bly reform ‘opened impressed the door’ her editor. for
subjected.
(b) opportunities, (a) women impressed manufacturing,
to work her editor any field.
unwell (c) they didn’t want to work.
obituaries
(a) patients, subjected
(c) (b) Nellie Nellie’s Bly first showed articlethat poor people
unfortunate 3. Which paragraph tells mainly how (c) corruption, can secretaries, obtain good jobs.
(b) abusive, barbarous
wealth Nellie Bly started her career as an
(c) about divorce and marriage reform
orphanages
(c) investigative she uncovered reporter?
9. You can infer that the companies that
7. Relative pronouns refer to the nouns
ch sentence has two spelling errors?
9. Which word advertised does NOT in have the newspapers a silent p were
(a) Paragraph 1
3. Adverbials can give information about a
or pronouns they follow; e.g. a mental
After the investigashun, many reforms
like raspberry? displeased by Nellie Bly’s articles about
verb; (b) Paragraph e.g. She was 5 born on 5 May 1864. Which
asylum where she remained.
child labour, low wages and unsafe
were instagated.
(a) pneumonia
is (c) an adverbial Paragraph in 3 this sentence?
working One woman conditions who tried because to change they: this
In the past, woman worked mainly
(b) pseudonym
At the time, it was considered improper for
was Nellie Bly.
(a) had unprofitable businesses.
as secretries, 4. nurses, govenesses and
women Before Nellie to write Bly journalistic reported on articles. conditions (c) public (a) who (b) this (c) One
teachers. in a mental asylum, she:
(b) had no connection to anyone
(a) it was considered
Nellie Bly was comitted to a mental
10. Which words 8. In are which
working
in alphabetical
sentence
under these
is daily
conditions.
(a) accepted employment at New York
used as an
asylum for (b) ten journalistic World. days. articles
order? (c) adverb owned and workplaces not an adjective? that had these
(c) At the time
(a) journal, (a) journalistic,
kinds
Nellie
of
Bly
conditions.
journey wrote for a daily
ch word also (b) belongs reported in on the World category War 1.
ow?
(b) expulsion, expected,
newspaper.
expose
4. Which (c) lived conjunction in Mexico.
10.
would best join these
It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
erty abuse two sentences low wages and still retain the correct (c) instigated,
(b)
instigative,
Nellie Bly reported
instigation
daily while she
(a) Nellie Bly was an amazing woman!
5. meaning? One difference between working
was travelling.
rickshaw women today compared with those in 11. The word corruption
(b) Nellie
in
Bly
Paragraph
was a reporter.
4
Elizabeth Cochrane had a very basic
(c) Nellie Bly found daily life in the
discrimination Nellie Bly’s time is that women today: could be replaced (c) Nellie with:
education. She became a famous writer.
mental Bly asylum was a woman. horrendous.
heroine (a) mostly look after the home.
(a) honesty
(a) although
11. The word this in Paragraph 6 refers to:
(b) can work in most occupations. (b) dishonesty
ch word does (b) NOT because have a f sound; e.g.
(a) Phileas Fogg’s record.
ily? (c) are mainly nurses or teachers. (c) courtesy
(c) until
(b) Something sending a man to beat extra the record.
Phileas 6. You can infer that Mexico:
12. The suffix -tion (c) Read means the the book story the Around act Around of; the e.g. the world world in 80 in days.
orphanages (a) was a pleasant holiday destination.
education. Which eighty word days does by Jules NOT Verne.
make 12. a sensible This text word was when written -tion to: is
of (b) had no journalists.
added? Make a list of social issues you would
(a)
like
entertain
to investigate and write about.
(c) had poverty and political
(a) investigate (b) Choose persuade one then plan how you will
corruption.
(b) employobtain information for a newspaper
(c)
report
inform
to expose these social issues.
(c) instigate
All about words
Nellie Bly: Investigative reporter
1. Today, females are lucky enough to find employment in
1. The
almost
word
any
pseudonym
field they
means:
7.
wish, but this was not always the case.
The prefixes im- and in- can
(a) Before assumed the twentieth name century, women were expected to mean not or the opposite of; e.g.
marry, have children and look after the home. Sometimes incomplete. In which word is im or in
(b) false pretences
they worked as secretaries, nurses, governesses or a prefix?
(c) teachers. newspaper One woman article who tried to change this was (a) improper
Nellie Bly.
2. Which word is a synonym for memorable?
(b) impressed
2. Elizabeth Jane Cochrane was born on 5 May 1864 in
(a) Pennsylvania, forgettableUSA. There were a large number of children
(c) investigate
(b) in the unforgettable
family so money was scarce. As a result, Elizabeth
8. Which trio of words all have five
only received a rudimentary education. However, she
(c) had surprising a strong desire to become a writer.
syllables?
(a) investigative, charities, fashion
3. 3. Which At the word age is of an sixteen, antonym Elizabeth for poverty? moved to Pittsburgh to
seek work. This proved difficult as jobs for women were (b) opportunities, manufacturing,
(a) unwell
scarce and poorly paid. After reading an article stating obituaries
(b) that unfortunate
women were best suited to housework and taking
(c) corruption, secretaries,
care of children, Elizabeth wrote a letter of protest to
(c) wealth
orphanages
the editor. The result was that Elizabeth finally found herself employed
as a writer for the Pittsburgh Dispatch newspaper. She was only eighteen. At the time, it
4. Which sentence has two spelling errors?
9. Which word does NOT have a silent p
was considered improper for women to write journalistic articles, so Elizabeth Cochrane took
(a) the After pseudonym the investigashun, ‘Nellie Bly’. many reforms
like raspberry?
were instagated.
(a) pneumonia
4. Nellie’s first article about divorce and marriage reform impressed her editor. As a full-time
(b) reporter, In the she past, posed woman as a worked sweatshop mainly worker to investigate (b) child pseudonym
labour, low wages and unsafe
working as secretries, conditions. nurses, However, govenesses her articles and displeased advertisers,
(c) public
so Nellie was forced to write
articles teachers. about fashion. Unhappy, Nellie moved to Mexico, where she wrote about poverty and
political corruption. This resulted in her expulsion from the country. She was 21.
(c) Nellie Bly was comitted to a mental
10. Which words are in alphabetical
5. On asylum her return for to ten the days. USA, Nellie was employed by the New order? York World. She wrote about poverty,
housing and labour conditions. In one memorable incident, (a) Nellie journal, pretended journalistic, insanity journey and
5. Which was committed word also belongs to a mental in the asylum category where she remained for ten days. Here she uncovered
below? the abusive and barbarous conditions to which the patients (b) were expulsion, subjected. expected, When expose her article
poverty
was published,
abuse
an investigation
low wages
took place and many reforms (c) instigated, were instigated. instigative, Nellie instigation Bly had
become famous.
(a) rickshaw
11. The word corruption in Paragraph 4
6. In 1889, the newspaper executives thought of sending a man to beat the record of Phileas
(b) Fogg discrimination
could be replaced with:
in the book Around the world in 80 days. Nellie, of course, felt this was unfair and
(c) threatened heroine to complete the journey in much less time for (a) another honesty newspaper unless she
was allowed to go. She completed the journey via steamboat, train and rickshaw in just over
(b) dishonesty
6. Which 76 days. word Details does of NOT her have journey a f sound; were published e.g. periodically. She was hailed a heroine by the
family? public. She continued to expose social issues for women (c) until, courtesy in 1895, she married Robert
Seaman. After his death, she ran his steel manufacturing company.
(a) Phileas
12. The suffix -tion means the act of; e.g.
7. In 1914, she travelled to England and reported on World War I. In 1919, she returned to work
(b) orphanages
education. Which word does NOT
at the New York Evening Journal. She reported on women’s
make
rights
a sensible
and the need
word when
to support
-tion is
(c) charities of and orphanages.
added?
8. Nellie Bly, the first female investigative reporter, died in 1922 (a) from investigate pneumonia. Every New York
newspaper printed a detailed obituary. Because of Nellie, and women like her, females now
have opportunities that may not have ever been available. (b) employ
(c) instigate
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (59) www.ricpublications.com.au
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (59) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 5
Comprehension
1. In a time long past, a traveller dressed in woman’s clothing appeared
at the door of a coaching inn. The night was as black as pitch and
rain pelted on the roof and windows like sharp knives. Although the
innkeeper, his wife and Bella the maid had settled down for the night
and were not expecting any more customers, they hoisted the bar
securing the door allowing the aging woman access.
2. The dripping and shivering traveller was offered a room for the night.
However, insisting that she had to embark on her journey extremely
early the following morning, the traveller accepted a chair by the
warm fire. The traveller would then be able to continue her journey
without disturbing the family. Accustomed to catering for the needs
of their guests, the hosts would only accept this arrangement on the
condition that Bella remain downstairs in case the traveller required
anything during the night. So Bella reclined on the long wooden
bench near the fire, and the innkeeper and his wife retired upstairs.
3. Before long, Bella began to feel drowsy. As her eyelids drooped, she noticed a pair of men’s
trousers below the hem of the woman’s gown. She realised something was amiss, so she
feigned sleep and waited to see what would eventuate. A short time later, the traveller
stood, walked to the table and withdrew a brown, withered hand from beneath his gown.
He placed it carefully in a candlestick holder and, using a match, lit each finger in turn. Then,
grasping the candlestick holder, he moved stealthily towards the slumbering servant.
4. ‘All those who rest, more deeply sleep. All those awake, their vigils keep’, chanted the
traveller as he waved the blazing hand above Bella’s face. Bella squeezed her eyelids tightly
shut until the traveller’s footsteps receded. The hand was positioned in the centre of the
table again and a new chant was initiated.
5. ‘Hand of Glory spread your light; Lead us to our plunder this night.’ The traveller swept
aside the curtains screening the windows and chanted again. ‘Light the way, skeletal hand,
Guide the footsteps of my faithful band.’ The hand’s light speared through the window as
the traveller lifted the bar from the inn door. Sensing her opportunity, Bella sprang from the
bench and shoved the traveller with all her strength, sending him sprawling down the steps
and out into the damp darkness.
6. Bella swiftly fastened the inn door and raced upstairs to rouse the innkeeper and his wife.
Despite her efforts, they continued to slumber as if in a trance. Bella returned downstairs
as fierce banging shook the wooden door. A band of men was attempting to enter the inn.
Finally, an idea started to form. She desperately seized a jug of milk and thrust it towards
the flaming hand, immediately dousing the flames.
7. Footsteps on the stairs heralded the arrival of the sleepy innkeeper, clutching his
blunderbuss, and his terrified wife. ‘Return the Hand of Glory!’ shouted the traveller
insistently from outside the inn. In reply, the innkeeper discharged his weapon through the
window and the band and its leader surrendered. They were sentenced and hanged not
long after.
1. The word dousing in Paragraph 6 means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
plunging into water or the like:
drenching
bringing out of a state of sleep or
drowsiness; awakening
giving light to; illuminating
2. A description of the inn door would
include the fact that it was:
(a)
(b)
(c)
long and squat.
made of wood and secured with a
heavy bar.
metal with a security screen.
3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the light from the hand spread
outside to guide the men to the inn
to describe what Bella did after the
traveller opened the door
to explain how the traveller fell down
the stairs
4. What happened after Bella feigned
sleep?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The traveller took out the withered
hand.
She saw the traveller’s trousers.
She lay on a long wooden bench.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. Bella and the innkeeper were similar
because they both:
(a)
(b)
(c)
did things to thwart the robbers.
were innkeepers.
fell deeply asleep on this night.
6. A blunderbuss is a type of:
(a)
(b)
(c)
bad decision
baseball bat
gun
7. You can conclude that Bella was a:
(a)
(b)
(c)
clever, quick-thinking person.
lazy, uncooperative worker.
cheerful, happy-go-lucky person.
8. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the rain sounded like sharp knives
hitting the roof
Bella doused the flames.
the band and its leader surrendered.
9. You can infer that the innkeeper and his
wife awoke because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
they had slept enough hours that
night.
they realised there was danger
downstairs and came to help.
the sleeping spell of the Hand of
Glory was broken.
10. What caused Bella to be suspicious of
the traveller?
(a)
(b)
(c)
She observed a pair of men’s trousers
beneath the woman’s gown.
She thought his voice was rough and
unladylike.
He acted suspiciously by not taking a
room upstairs.
11. The purpose for writing the text was to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
give information about candles.
persuade readers to avoid lighting
candles.
entertain readers with a legend.
12. Bella was not affected by the Hand of
Glory’s spell because she:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was a servant.
wasn’t really asleep.
was sound asleep
8. The location of the Hand of Glory, however, remains a mystery.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (60) Prim-Ed Publishing

Maroon 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Maroon 5
All about words
ich word 1. is A The defined verb word group by dousing the is all in the Paragraph words that 6 means: make 7. Which words 5. 7. are Which You not can group in conclude alphabetical of words that is Bella NOT was a simile a:
ning below? the verb and sometimes the negative; order? (comparison between two things using
(a) plunging into water or the like:
(a) clever, quick-thinking person.
of proper
e.g.
course
Despite
or order,
her efforts, they continued to
(a) sleepy, slumber,
like or as)?
drenching
slumbering
ngly’
slumber. Which is the verb group in this
(b) lazy, uncooperative worker.
(b) innkeeper,
(a)
infiltrate,
Bella did
insisting
not like the traveller.
sentence? (b) bringing out of a state of sleep or
(c) cheerful, happy-go-lucky person.
amiss drowsiness; awakening
(c) receded,
(b)
reclined,
The raindrops
retired
were like sharp knives
A band of men was attempting to enter
access (c) the inn. giving light to; illuminating
8. (c) It is an The opinion, night was not as a black fact, as that: pitch.
8. The word lead has more than one
accustomed (a) A band of men
(a) the rain sounded like sharp knives
2. A description of the inn door would meaning. 6. Which A noun pair are group correct? has a noun with
hitting the roof
ich word is (b) include
a synonym was the attempting for
fact that to it enter was:
(a) heavy/a person
adjective(s)
who leads
and often a determiner; e.g.
ned in Paragraph 3?
the (b) slumbering Bella doused servant. the flames. Which is the
(c) (a) to long enter and the squat. inn
(b) to guide/a noun blue-grey metal
(c)
group
the band
in this
and
sentence?
its leader surrendered.
swooned(b)
made of wood and secured with a
2. Which two words in the sentence below are (c) strong/to Bella assistreclined on the long wooden bench
pretended
heavy bar.
adjectives?
9. near You the can fire infer and that the the innkeeper innkeeper went and his
9. The words access (meaning entry)
ignored
(c) metal with a security screen.
Footsteps on the stairs heralded the arrival
upstairs. wife awoke because:
and excess (meaning extra) are easily
of the sleepy innkeeper clutching his
ich word is an antonym for
confused. Which (a) (a)
sentence near they the had
uses fire slept enough hours that
3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is:
both
blunderbuss, and his terrified wife.
night.
iated in Paragraph 4?
words correctly?
(a) the light from the hand spread
(b) the long wooden bench
(a) Footsteps, stairs
(b) they realised there was danger
originated
outside to guide the men to the inn (a) There was (c) an access went of fans wanting
downstairs
upstairs
and came to help.
(b) sleepy, terrified
excess to the venue.
finished
(b) to describe what Bella did after the
7.
(c) heralded, clutching
(b) The excess
Determiners (c) the sleeping
to the inn was
introduce spell
barred
nouns. of the Hand
by
Possessive of
traveller opened the door
sacred
an access
determiners Glory was
of wooden bars.
tell broken. who or what the noun
(c) to explain how the traveller fell down
3. An adverbial can give more information
belongs to; e.g. spread your light. Which
ich sentence has the three stairs spelling
(c) We stored 10. the excess candles in the
about the verb; e.g. They retired upstairs.
word What is caused a possessive Bella to determiner be suspicious in this of
rs?
cupboard as soon as we had access
Which is the adverbial in this sentence?
sentence? the traveller?
4. What happened after Bella feigned
to it.
Bella shut
The
her
hand
eyelids
was
until
positioned
the
in the centre of the
Bella (a) squeezed She observed her eyelids a pair of shut men’s tightly trousers
sleep?
until
traveler’s
table
feetsteps
again.
receeded.
10. Which words all she have heard beneath
fewer the traveller’s the woman’s
syllables footsteps gown. recede.
(a) The traveller took out the withered
Bella fiegned sleep and waited
than situation?
(a) was positioned
(a) (b) her She thought (b) she his voice (c) was rough the and
hand.
to see what eventuatid.
unladylike.
(a) traveller, terrified, sentenced
(b) in She the saw centre the traveller’s of the table trousers.
8. Which two words in the sentence
Bella desperatly siezed a jug of
(c) He acted suspiciously by not taking a
(b) stealthily, eventuated, continued
milk.
(c) The She hand lay on was a long wooden bench.
below
room
are conjunctions
upstairs.
joining smaller
(c) opportunity, sentences? insistently, discharge
ich word 4. 5.
does A Bella preposition NOT
and
belong
the innkeeper phrase in the is a were group similar of words
11. She The realised purpose something for writing was the amiss, text so was she to:
11.
gory below? starting because with they a both: preposition; e.g. He lifted Which trio of words
feigned
does
sleep
NOT
and
contain
waited to
all
(a) give information about see candles. what
the bar from the door. Which is not a compound words?
would eventuate.
ined slumbering
(a) did things
preposition
sleep
to thwart the robbers.
phrase in this sentence?
(b) persuade readers to avoid lighting
(a) innkeeper,
(a)
downstairs,
Instantly,
eyelids
something
chant
(b) were innkeepers.
candles.
Bella sprang from the bench and shoved the (b) outside, darkness, infiltrate
rouse
(c) traveller fell with deeply all her asleep strength. on this night.
(b) (c) so, entertain and readers with a legend.
(c) candlestick, footsteps, upstairs
sleepy (a) Bella sprang
(c) and waited
6. A blunderbuss is a type of:
12. Bella was not affected by the Hand of
12.
(b) from the bench
Which words both changed their root
ich words both
(a)
belong
bad decision
Glory’s spell because she:
in the
word when adding the suffix -ing?
up of words (c) (b) below with baseball because all her bat strength they
(a) was a servant.
e the same vowel sound?
(a) flaming, shivering
(c) gun
(b) wasn’t really asleep.
se dousing downstairs gown
(b) dousing, insisting
(c) was sound asleep
hoisted, brown
(c) securing, dripping
Something extra
1. Which word is defined by the
7. Which words are not in alphabetical
meaning below?
order?
1. In ‘out a time of proper long past, course a or traveller order, dressed in woman’s clothing (a) appeared sleepy, slumber, slumbering
at wrongly’ the door of a coaching inn. The night was as black as pitch and
rain pelted on the roof and windows like sharp knives. Although (b) innkeeper, the infiltrate, insisting
innkeeper, (a) amiss his wife and Bella the maid had settled down (c) for the receded, night reclined, retired
and (b) were access not expecting any more customers, they hoisted the bar
securing the door allowing the aging woman access. 8. The word lead has more than one
(c) accustomed
meaning. Which pair are correct?
2. The dripping and shivering traveller was offered a room for the night.
2. Which word is a synonym for
(a) heavy/a person who leads
However, insisting that she had to embark on her journey extremely
feigned in Paragraph 3?
early the following morning, the traveller accepted a chair (b) by to the guide/a blue-grey metal
warm (a) swooned fire. The traveller would then be able to continue
(c)
her journey
strong/to assist
without
(b) pretended
disturbing the family. Accustomed to catering for the needs
of their guests, the hosts would only accept this arrangement 9. The words on the access (meaning entry)
condition (c) ignored that Bella remain downstairs in case the traveller and required excess (meaning extra) are easily
anything during the night. So Bella reclined on the long wooden
3. Which word is an antonym for
confused. Which sentence uses both
bench near the fire, and the innkeeper and his wife retired upstairs.
initiated in Paragraph 4?
words correctly?
3. Before (a) originated long, Bella began to feel drowsy. As her eyelids drooped, (a) There she was noticed an access a pair of fans of men’s wanting
trousers below the hem of the woman’s gown. She realised something excess to the was venue. amiss, so she
(b) finished
feigned sleep and waited to see what would eventuate. (b) A short The time excess later, to the inn traveller was barred by
stood, (c) sacred walked to the table and withdrew a brown, withered hand access from of beneath wooden his bars. gown.
He placed it carefully in a candlestick holder and, using a match, lit each finger in turn. Then,
4. grasping Which sentence the candlestick has three holder, spelling
(c) We stored the excess candles in the
he moved stealthily towards the slumbering servant.
errors?
cupboard as soon as we had access
4. ‘All those who rest, more deeply sleep. All those awake, their to vigils it.
(a) Bella shut her eyelids until the
keep’, chanted the
traveller
traveler’s
as he
feetsteps
waved the
receeded.
blazing hand above Bella’s face. Bella squeezed her eyelids tightly
10. Which words all have fewer syllables
shut until the traveller’s footsteps receded. The hand was positioned in the centre of the
table (b) Bella again fiegned and a new sleep chant and waited
than situation?
was initiated.
to see what eventuatid.
(a) traveller, terrified, sentenced
5. ‘Hand
(c) Bella
of Glory
desperatly
spread
siezed
your light;
a jug of
Lead us to our plunder this night.’ The traveller swept
(b) stealthily, eventuated, continued
aside
milk.
the curtains screening the windows and chanted again. ‘Light the way, skeletal hand,
Guide the footsteps of my faithful band.’ The hand’s light (c) speared opportunity, through insistently, the window discharge as
5. the Which traveller word lifted does NOT the bar belong from in the the inn door. Sensing her opportunity, Bella sprang from the
bench and shoved the traveller with all her strength, 11.
category below?
sending Which him trio sprawling of words down does NOT the steps contain all
and out into the damp darkness.
compound words?
reclined slumbering sleep
(a) innkeeper, downstairs, eyelids
6. Bella (a) swiftly chant fastened the inn door and raced upstairs to rouse the innkeeper and his wife.
Despite her efforts, they continued to slumber as if in a (b) trance. outside, Bella returned darkness, downstairs infiltrate
as
(b)
fierce
rouse
banging shook the wooden door. A band of men (c) was candlestick, attempting footsteps, to enter upstairs the inn.
Finally, (c) sleepy an idea started to form. She desperately seized a jug of milk and thrust it towards
the flaming hand, immediately dousing the flames. 12. Which words both changed their root
6. Which words both belong in the
word when adding the suffix -ing?
7. Footsteps group of words on the below stairs heralded because they
arrival of the sleepy innkeeper, clutching his
blunderbuss, have the same and vowel his terrified sound? wife. ‘Return the Hand of
(a)
Glory!’
flaming,
shouted
shivering
the traveller
insistently from outside the inn. In reply, the innkeeper discharged his weapon through the
arouse dousing downstairs gown
(b) dousing, insisting
window and the band and its leader surrendered. They were sentenced and hanged not
long (a) after. hoisted, brown
(c) securing, dripping
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
coaching, window Research the Hand of Glory to find out its origins.
(b) coaching, window
8. The location of the Hand of Glory, however, remains a mystery.
shouted, outside
(c) shouted, outside
Select a scene from the legend to illustrate in any form you wish.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (60) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (60) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 1
Comprehension
1. Since the end of 2009, when they made
their first visit to the Kenyan village of
Bombo, just north of Mombasa on the
African east coast, two women from Western
Australia have transformed the lives of
local children. Jenny and Maureen, who
have enjoyed the modern advantages
of the Western world, were moved to
develop a plan that would help to educate,
empower and support the local community.
2. There were a number of projects they wanted
to set up, but as there were so many, they
needed to prioritise their list. Their primary
goal was to build a school for the children,
particularly orphans and those of single
parents. They were also very keen to establish
regular health education workshops and
to create sustainable income-producing
projects for the women of the village.
3. With the help of Beth, a local woman, Jenny
and Maureen put their plans into action. To
finance the project, they relied on fundraising
and child sponsorship. Friends, family and
their local community back home were
only too happy to offer assistance so that
their dream for Bombo could be realised.
4. On their second visit to the village in
November 2010, land was purchased and
three classrooms of stone and cement
with thatch roofs were built. In January
2011, the Southern Cross Kenya Infant
and Primary School opened for business.
5. In the first term, the school had 60 children,
ranging in age from four to 15 years.
Numbers increased to 75 in the second
term. By the third term, a lunch scheme
had been introduced, giving each child
a cooked midday meal. With funds
from the sponsorship scheme, they
all had a school uniform and shoes.
The Daily Mail
A school in Kenya
7 July
6. As the number of children has continued
to rise, more teachers have been
employed. Beth has also been able to
arrange for volunteers to work in the
school. The 2012 school year began with
90 children and three full-time teachers.
7. For the wider community, a charcoal
oven for baking and three treadle sewing
machines have been purchased. With
these, groups of women can work to
provide an income for their families
rather than rely on donations from charity.
8. At home in Perth, Jenny and Maureen
continue to work tirelessly, organising
fundraising activities and promoting the
child sponsorship scheme. On their annual
trips to Bombo, they witness the fruits of their
labour. What began as a seed of an idea
has flourished into a blossom of reality. Their
original list keeps changing as projects
are completed and new ones are added.
9. Many people have been touched by
Jenny and Maureen’s enthusiasm for the
community of Bombo. They are proud to
support a project that began with two women
who realised it was only by the luck of the
draw that they were born into a life of plenty.
1. The word in Paragraph 1 that means
inspired is:
(a) transformed
(b) enjoyed
(c) moved
2. Kenya is a country in the of
Africa:
(a) north (b) east (c) west
3. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is Jenny
and Maureen have:
(a) bought an oven and some sewing
machines.
(b) helped local women set themselves
up in business.
(c) donated money to local families.
4. Jenny and Maureen decided to do
something to help the people of Bombo:
(a) before their first visit.
(b) during their first visit.
(c) during their second visit.
5. Jenny and Maureen’s first visit was
different from their other visits
because they:
(a) did not carry out any projects.
(b) had a great time.
(c) wanted to help the people of Bombo.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. If Jenny and Maureen had not
established the school in Bombo, it is
probable that the children would have:
(a) gone to school somewhere else.
(b) not gone to school at all.
(c) taught themselves.
7. You can conclude from the text that
Jenny and Maureen want:
(a) to help people who are less fortunate
than themselves.
(b) people to say how fantastic they are.
(c) to have a holiday in Kenya every year.
8. A summary of Paragraph 4 is:
(a) Within two months of buying some
land, some simple classrooms were
built and the school was opened.
(b) On their second visit, some land was
bought so they could build a school.
(c)
The village school in Bombo was built
and opened for classes in January
2011.
9. It took just over from Jenny
and Maureen’s first visit to the opening of
the school:
(a) three years
(b) two years
(c) one year
10. Jenny and Maureen decided to help
the people of Bombo because they
wanted to:
(a) say thank you for their great holiday.
(b) show gratitude for having been born
in a wealthy country.
(c) see if they could actually put their
plans into actions.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Jenny and
Maureen have:
(a) worked very hard.
(b) visited Bombo several times.
(c) been affected by their experiences.
12. The author’s reason for writing the text
is to:
(a) persuade people to sponsor a child.
(b) inform people about the work of
Jenny and Maureen in Bombo.
(c) tell a story about the village of Bombo.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (61) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 1
Denim 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
word 1. with 1. When The two word fewer two in named syllables Paragraph people than 1 that share means the 8. same In which 4. group 8. An A of summary abstract words are noun of Paragraph all is spelt one we 4 cannot is:
husiasm is: thing, inspired the is: possessive apostrophe is added correctly? detect using our senses; e.g. enthusiasm,
(a) Within two months of buying some
to the second named person only; e.g.
happiness. The abstract noun in this
assistance(a) transformed
(a) asisstance, business, land, some wittness simple classrooms were
Jenny and Maureen’s shared dream. If
sentence is:
built and the school was opened.
education each (b) enjoyed has its own thing, then both names (b) assistance, bussines, wittnes
The two women offered assistance to the
(b) On their second visit, some land was
prioritise have (c) moved an apostrophe; e.g. Jenny’s and (c) assistance, village. business, witness
Maureen’s lives were changed forever.
bought so they could build a school.
expression 2. The Kenya the sentence luck is a of country the with draw the in the correct in number 9. of of In which word (a)
(c) is there women
The not village a soft school g sound in Bombo was built
agraph 9 means: possessive Africa: apostrophes is:
as in giant? (b) assistance and opened for classes in January
how good (a) north (b) east (c) west
2011.
(a) you Jenny’s are at and drawing Maureen’s lives have been (a) original (c) village
good luck changed, too.
(b) organise
3. The main idea of Paragraph 7 is Jenny
9. It took just over from Jenny
5. There are two clauses in this sentence
being good (b) and Jenny’s Maureen and have: Maureen’s shared goal (c) project and Maureen’s first visit to the opening of
and one depends on the other. The main
was to build a school for the village.
the school:
(a) bought an oven and some sewing
(independent) clause is:
suffix -ship can be added to a word
10. In Paragraph 8,
machines.
(a) the three expression years flourished
(c) Jenny’s and Maureen’s first visit
ive the meaning of a state of being.
into a blossom As the of reality number mean of children that it has:
continued to
together changed many lives.
(b) helped local women set themselves
rise, (b) more two teachers years have been employed.
(a) flowered
word in which ship up in is business. not a suffix is:
2. The context of the sentence determines
(a) (c) As one the year number of children.
(b) become real
sponsorship which (c) donated part of speech money to a word local is; families. e.g. The
(b) has risen
list has changed (noun). List the tasks in (c) done 10. well Jenny and Maureen decided to help
worship
4. order Jenny (verb). and Maureen In the sentence, decided the to do word
(c) the more people teachers of Bombo have because been employed. they
hardshipbaking something is: to help the people of Bombo: 11. The word treadle wanted in Paragraph to: 7 comes
from which 6. word The conjunction
With (a) an before oven, their first women visit. could do some
(a) meaning say thank by joining
you foot? the main and
for their great holiday.
ich word could not used in place
subordinate (dependent) clause in
baking and could earn money. (a) tread
stablish in (b) Paragraph during 2? their first visit.
Question (b) show 5 gratitude is: for having been born
(a) an adjective
(b) treat in a wealthy country.
fix (c) during their second visit.
(a) As
(b) a verb
(c) treasure (c) see if they could actually put their
introduce
(b) of
5. Jenny and Maureen’s first visit was
plans into actions.
create (c) a noun
different from their other visits 12. The word which (c) does to not contain another
because they:
word within 11. its It first is a and fact, last not letters an opinion, is: that Jenny and
ich group 3. A of noun words group is not is in a group of words
7. In Maureen this sentence, have: the phrase that begins
(determiner, (a) did not adjectives, carry out any noun) projects. that refer (a) sustainable
habetical order?
with a preposition is:
to the noun; e.g. the local community. The
(a) worked very hard.
(b) had a great time.
(b) education
advantages, In the first term, the school had 60 children
noun arrange, group in assistance this sentence is:
(b) visited Bombo several times.
(c) wanted to help the people of Bombo. (c) would and two full-time teachers.
sponsor, Their sustainable, original support list keeps changing as projects
(c) been affected by their experiences.
(a) In the first term
producing, 6. are If Jenny projects, completed. and proud Maureen had not
established the school in Bombo, it is
12. (b) The the author’s school reason had 60 for children writing the text
(a) Their original list
word in Paragraph probable 2 that that the means children would have:
is to:
(c) and two full-time teachers
ut in order (b) of importance keeps changing is:
(a) gone to school somewhere else.
(a) persuade people to sponsor a child.
create (c) as projects are completed
8. Possessive determiners indicate the owner;
(b) not gone to school at all.
(b) inform people about the work of
e.g. its future. Which noun in this sentence
establish
Jenny and Maureen in Bombo.
(c) taught themselves.
has a possessive determiner?
prioritise Something extra
(c) tell a story about the village of Bombo.
On their second visit to the village, they
7. You can conclude from the text that
Using
bought a plot of land.
word which Jenny does additional and not Maureen follow information the want: from the website
e rule , (a) create to help a people time line who detailing are less the fortunate
continue, continuation than themselves.
(b) village
development of Southern Cross Kenya
realise, Infant realisation (b) and people Primary to say School. how fantastic they are.
(c) plot of land
create, Design creation (c) a to poster have a to holiday illustrate in the Kenya things every you year.
appreciate about being able to go to school
and your school in particular.
1. The word with two fewer syllables than
enthusiasm is:
(a) assistance
(b) education
(c) prioritise
2.
1. Since The expression the end the of 2009, luck of when the draw they in made
their Paragraph first visit 9 means: to the Kenyan village of
Bombo, just north of Mombasa on the
African (a) how east good coast, you two are women at drawing from Western
Australia (b) good have luck transformed the lives of
local children. Jenny and Maureen, who
(c) being good
have enjoyed the modern advantages
of
3. The
the
suffix
Western
-ship can
world,
be added
were
to
moved
a word
to
develop
to give the
a plan
meaning
that would
of a state
help
of
to
being.
educate,
empower and support the local community.
2. There
The word
were
in
a
which
number
ship
of projects
is not a suffix
they wanted
is:
to (a) set sponsorship up, but as there were so many, they
needed to prioritise their list. Their primary
(b) worship
goal was to build a school for the children,
particularly (c) hardshiporphans and those of single
parents. They were also very keen to establish
4. regular Which word health could education not be used workshops in place and
to of establish create sustainable Paragraph income-producing
2?
projects (a) fix for the women of the village.
3. With (b) the introduce help of Beth, a local woman, Jenny
and Maureen put their plans into action. To
(c) create
finance the project, they relied on fundraising
5. and Which child group sponsorship. of words is Friends, not in family and
their alphabetical local community order? back home were
only too happy to offer assistance so that
their (a) advantages, dream for Bombo arrange, could assistance be realised.
(b) sponsor, sustainable, support
4. On their second visit to the village in
November (c) producing, 2010, projects, land was proud purchased and
three classrooms of stone and cement
6. with The word thatch in Paragraph roofs were 2 that built. means In January
2011, to put in the order Southern of importance Cross is: Kenya Infant
and (a) create Primary School opened for business.
5. In (b) the establish first term, the school had 60 children,
ranging in age from four to 15 years.
(c) prioritise
Numbers increased to 75 in the second
7. term. The word By the which third does term, not follow a lunch the scheme
had same been rule to introduced, add -ation is: giving each child
a cooked midday meal. With funds
from (a) continue, the sponsorship continuation scheme, they
all (b) had realise, a realisation school uniform and shoes.
(c) create, creation
The Daily Mail
A school in Kenya
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. In which group of words are all spelt
7 July
correctly?
(a) asisstance, business, wittness
(b) assistance, bussines, wittnes
(c) assistance, business, witness
9. In which word is there not a soft g sound
as in giant?
(a) original
(b) organise
(c) project
10. In Paragraph 8, the expression flourished
into a blossom of reality mean that it has:
(a) flowered
(b) become real
(c) done well
6. As the number of children has continued
11. to The rise, word more treadle teachers in Paragraph have 7 comes been
employed. from which Beth word has meaning also been by foot? able to
arrange
(a) tread
for volunteers to work in the
school. The 2012 school year began with
90 (b) children treat and three full-time teachers.
(c) treasure
7. For the wider community, a charcoal
oven for baking and three treadle sewing
12. The word which does not contain another
machines have been purchased. With
word within its first and last letters is:
these, groups of women can work to
provide (a) sustainable an income for their families
rather (b) than education rely on donations from charity.
8. At (c) home would in Perth, Jenny and Maureen
continue to work tirelessly, organising
fundraising activities and promoting the
child sponsorship scheme. On their annual
trips to Bombo, they witness the fruits of their
labour. What began as a seed of an idea
has flourished into a blossom of reality. Their
original list keeps changing as projects
are completed and new ones are added.
9. Many people have been touched by
Jenny and Maureen’s enthusiasm for the
community of Bombo. They are proud to
support a project that began with two women
who realised it was only by the luck of the
draw that they were born into a life of plenty.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (61) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (61) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 2
Comprehension
Sizzling
solar
flares
1. On 1 September 1859, an amateur astronomer, Richard Carrington, was using his telescope to project
images of the sun onto a piece of paper in order to trace observable sunspots. Suddenly, Carrington
saw two patches of bright white light. He had just witnessed an enormous solar flare which would
cause a solar superstorm! This invisible storm, a giant surge of electromagnetic energy, hurtled
towards Earth, knocking out power stations. Telegraphers in the United States even found that they
could turn the batteries in their telegraphs off, but still continue to transmit messages! In different
places around the world, people observed brilliant displays of red, green and purple lights, called
auroras, in the sky. The superstorm of 1859 would eventually be called the Carrington Event.
2. The sun is a throbbing and pulsing star in our sky which has many cycles and rhythms—from an 11-
year sunspot cycle (rises and falls in the sun’s activity) to rhythms that are centuries in length. Made up
of plasma, which is not a solid, liquid or gas, the sun is a blistering 15 million degrees Celsius and is a
densely packed ball of magnetic particles. As you might guess, this burning furnace is extremely noisy!
This noise generates ripples across the sun’s surface, which scientists study.
3. The unpredictable nature of the sun means that solar flares can happen at any time. At times, solar
flares happen multiple times a day and these large releases of particle energy result in sudden
brightening in spots on the sun. Alternatively, if the sun is in a ‘quiet’ period, solar flares can occur less
than once a week. The Carrington Event is a good example of an extremely rare solar flare, which is
thought to happen only once in several centuries. However, many more recent smaller flares have still
caused significant damage.
4. Despite modern technology, it remains a challenge to predict solar flares and their resulting storms.
Scientists may only know about a potential flare a couple of days in advance, or not at all. This makes
the preparation for a solar storm very difficult and one industry particularly affected is air travel. Pilots
who fly over the northern polar region rely upon shortwave radio signals to communicate. When
a solar flare causes a storm, it can interrupt these signals, which forces them to change the course
of their aircraft. This can cost the company up to $100 000 a flight! GPS signals from satellites can
also be altered by solar storms which results in problems for shipping and other industries that rely
on accurate directions. Solar flares can even disrupt objects orbiting in the atmosphere, such as the
International Space Station. Scientists believe that when the sun is extremely active and has consistent
flares, the space station descends more than 300 metres a day! Solar storms can also cause surges at
power stations which overload the power grids and knock out the power. On 13 March 1989, a storm
one-third the size of the Carrington Event hit Quebec, Canada causing a blackout (power failure) for
more than six million people.
5. Although technology is progressively improving, there remains a great deal for scientists to learn
about these important and mysterious solar flares. However, one thing is certain—solar flares have
such enormous power that we need to continue keeping our eyes on the sky!
1. It is an opinion, not a fact, that solar
flares:
(a)
(b)
(c)
are surges of electromagnetic energy.
are mysterious.
can occur at any time.
2. Telegraphers were able to continue
transmitting messages during the
Carrington Event because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
of the surge of electromagnetic energy.
there were brilliant displays of colour in
the sky.
power stations were knocked out.
3. Which statement is true?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Plasma is an extremely hot substance.
Solar flares cause few issues for
satellites and air travel.
Solar flares are very predictable.
4. You could predict that if the Carrington
Event had not happened:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Richard Carrington would still be a
famous person in astrological science.
there would be no knowledge of solar
flares.
scientists would know less about the
impressive effects possible from solar
flares.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
5. The paragraph that is mainly about the
frequency of solar flares is:
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 5
6. In Paragraph 4, line 2, the word This refers
to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
preparation for flares
modern technology
not knowing when flares will happen
7. The best summary of Paragraph 2 is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
With an 11-year sunspot cycle, the sun
is a pulsing star which is a blistering 15
million degrees Celsius.
The sun is a pulsing star made of
plasma which follows an 11-year cycle
and is extremely hot and noisy.
The sun is a throbbing and pulsing
star made of plasma and magnetic
particles.
8. It is unlikely that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Richard Carrington predicted a
superstorm would be given his name.
solar flares will continue to happen.
air travel will be affected by solar flares
in the future.
9. Brilliant colours seen in the sky as a result
of solar activity are called:
(a)
(b)
(c)
rainbows
solar flares
auroras
10. In which century did the Carrington Event
occur?
(a)
(b)
(c)
19th century
20th century
21st century
11. You can conclude that solar flares:
(a)
(b)
(c)
cause few complications with modern
technology.
only affect the immediate area around
the sun.
must continue to be researched
in order for scientists to better
understand them.
12. The sun has ripples on it because:
(a)
(b)
it is extremely hot.
the noise from the burning surface is
loud enough to cause ripples.
(c) solar wind causes the plasma to ripple.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (62) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 2
Denim 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
ich group 1. 1. is A It in dash is alphabetical an (—) opinion, is used not order? in a Paragraph fact, that solar 2 to: 8. Which sentence 5. 7. A The sentence has best more summary may than also two of include Paragraph an object. 2 is:
solar, superstorm, (a)
flares:
show scientist missing text.
spelling errors? The
(a)
object
With an
receives
11-year
the
sunspot
action
cycle,
of the
the
verb;
sun
(a) are surges of electromagnetic energy.
Solar flares
is a pulsing
can affect
star which
air travel.
is a blistering
Can affect
preparation, (b) particle, separate purple groups of words in a
(a) Despite modern technology, it is still a
15
(b) sentence. are mysterious.
chalenge
is
for
the
sceintists million
verb and
degrees to
air
predict
travel
Celsius. when
is the object. In
enormous, eventually, extremely
solar flares
this
(c) can occur at any time.
(b)
will
sentence,
The
occur.
the object of the verb can
(c) introduce a list.
produce is: sun is a pulsing star made of
ich words both have fewer syllables
(b) A solurstorm is plasma an invisable which surge follows of an 11-year cycle
The sun
2. Telegraphers were able to continue
and
can
is
produce
extremely
solar
hot
flares
and noisy.
that can
n the word 2. Which invisible? word is a modal verb that helps electromagnetic energy that results
another transmitting verb? messages Example: during Solar flares the can from a solar
cause
(c)
flare.
solar superstorms.
noisy, significant
The sun is a throbbing and pulsing
happen Carrington any time. Event because:
(c) The sun is
(a)
made
the
star from
sun
made plasma of plasma and is and a magnetic
challenge, consistent
There (a) of is a the great surge deal of scientists electromagnetic must learn energy. blisstering (b) 15 million solar particles. flares degries Celcius,
international, about transmit
(b) there
solar flares.
which results
were brilliant displays of colour in
(c)
in
8. It is
solar
a great
unlikely
superstorms
deal of noise.
that:
ich word in (a) Paragraph isthe sky. 3 means to be
9. Homographs
6. A
are
(a) relative
words
Richard pronoun
that
Carrington
have
always
the
predicted follows the a
eliable or (b) unable (c) must power to foresee? stations were knocked out. same spelling
noun
but different
it superstorm refers to;
meanings.
would e.g. Pilots be given who his fly name.
Which sentence
(c)
3. Which
learn
over
uses
statement is true?
(b)
the
the
solar
northern
word project
unpredictable
flares will
polar
continue
regions
to happen.
… . The
differently from
relative
the text?
pronoun that belongs in this
rare
3. A (a) noun Plasma group is is an a extremely noun with hot its substance. (a) We can project sentence (c) air an travel image is: will using be affected a by solar flares
alternatively adjective(s) in the future.
(b) Solar flares
and often
cause
a
few
determiner; telescope.
issues for
The sun is made up of plasma, is
e.g. a
satellites
densely-packed
and air travel.
ball. Which group
ich word belongs 9.
of words
in
is
this
not
group
a noun
of
(b) I’m doing not
group in this
Brilliant a project a solid, colours on a liquid solar seen flares or a in gas. for the sky as a result
rds?
science class.
sentence? (c) Solar flares are very predictable.
(a) of solar which activity (b) are who called: (c) that
spot (a) rainbows
4. He
shortwave
You had could just predict witnessed
overload
(c) You must speak loudly in order to
that an if enormous the Carrington solar
project 7. your A possessive voice. determiner is placed
preparation flare Event which had would not happened: cause a solar superstorm.
before (b) solar a noun flares to say who or what the
technology (a) (a) He Richard had just Carrington witnessed
10. Which word does noun
would still be a
(c) not belongs auroras have an to; er e.g. sound their as aircraft, his
in purple? discovery. Which word is a possessive
aircraft (b) an famous enormous person solar in astrological flare science.
10.
(a) observable
determiner In which century in this did sentence? the Carrington Event
(c) (b) a there solar would superstorm be no knowledge of solar
occur?
ich pair of words
flares.
are synonyms for
(b) storm
We had best continue to keep our eyes on
erates in Paragraph the (a) sky. 19th century
4. A
(c)
sentence
2?
scientists
must
would
include
know
a verb
less about
and
the (c) surface
creates, makes its subject.
impressive
The verb
effects
is the
possible
action.
from
The
(a)
solar
(b) we 20th century (b) on (c) our
subject
flares.
performs the action; e.g. Solar
steams, burns
11. Which word’s root (c) word 21st century did not change
flares can disrupt orbiting objects. Solar
8.
when adding
Adverbials
the suffix ing?
are words or groups of words
moves, passes
5. flares The paragraph is the subject that and is mainly can disrupt about is the the
that can give more information about a
11. You can conclude that solar flares:
verb. frequency In this of sentence, solar flares the is: subject of the
(a) pulsing verb; e.g. Solar flares can occur less than
ich word shares verb hit the is: same sound with
(b) improvingonce (a) a cause week few (an complications adverbial of frequency).
with modern
se words? (a) Paragraph 3
The adverbial technology. in this sentence is:
A huge solar storm hit Quebec, causing a (c) blistering
cking widespread
(b) technology Paragraph
blackout.
4 spot
A (b) solar only flare, affect like the Carrington immediate event, area around is
(c) Paragraph 5
thought the to sun.
order
12. Which word does not follow only the happen plural once in several
(a) A huge solar storm
rule ‘change the centuries. (c) y to must i and continue add es’? to be researched
astronomer
6. (b) In Paragraph Quebec 4, line 2, the word This refers
(a) display (a) a in solar order flare for scientists to better
superstorm (c)
to:
a widespread blackout
understand them.
(b) activity (b) to only happen
(a) preparation for flares
ich word pair could be antonyms for
(c) industry 12. (c) The once sun has in several ripples centuries on it because:
cends in Paragraph (b) modern Something 4? technology extra
(a) it is extremely hot.
reduces, Write constrains (c) not a list knowing alphabetical when flares order will of happen ten adjectives
found in the text.
(b) the noise from the burning surface is
ascends, rises
loud enough to cause ripples.
Write a journal entry of a pilot who experiences a
tumbles, plunges
solar storm while flying.
(c) solar wind causes the plasma to ripple.
1. Which group is in alphabetical order?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(c)
solar, superstorm, scientist
preparation, particle, purple
enormous, eventually, extremely
tumbles, plunges
8. Which sentence has more than two
spelling errors?
(a)
Sizzling
Despite modern technology, it is still a
chalenge for sceintists to predict when
solar flares will occur.
solar
2. Which words both have fewer syllables
(b) A solurstorm is an invisable surge of
than the word invisible?
electromagnetic
flares
energy that results
from a solar flare.
(a) noisy, significant
(c) The sun is made from plasma and is a
(b) challenge, consistent
blisstering 15 million degries Celcius,
1. On (c) 1 September international, 1859, transmit
amateur astronomer, Richard Carrington, which was results using in his a telescope great deal to of project noise.
images of the sun onto a piece of paper in order to trace observable sunspots. Suddenly, Carrington
3. saw Which two patches word in of Paragraph bright white 3 means light. He to had be just witnessed 9. Homographs an enormous are solar words flare that which have would the
cause unreliable a solar superstorm! unable to This foresee? invisible storm, a giant surge same of electromagnetic spelling but different energy, hurtled meanings.
towards Earth, knocking out power stations. Telegraphers in Which the United sentence States uses even the found word that project they
(a) unpredictable
could turn the batteries in their telegraphs off, but still continue differently to transmit from messages! the text? In different
places (b) around rare the world, people observed brilliant displays of red, green and purple lights, called
(a) We can project an image using a
auroras,
(c) alternatively
in the sky. The superstorm of 1859 would eventually be called the Carrington Event.
telescope.
2. The sun is a throbbing and pulsing star in our sky which has
4. Which word belongs in this group of
(b) many I’m cycles doing and a project rhythms—from on solar an flares 11-for
year sunspot cycle (rises and falls in the sun’s activity) to rhythms
words?
science that are class. centuries in length. Made up
of plasma, which is not a solid, liquid or gas, the sun is a blistering 15 million degrees Celsius and is a
densely sunspot packed ball shortwave of magnetic particles. overloadAs you might guess, (c) this You burning must speak furnace loudly is extremely in order to noisy!
This project your voice.
(a)
noise
preparation
generates ripples across the sun’s surface, which scientists study.
3. The (b) unpredictable technologynature of the sun means that solar flares 10. Which can happen word at does any not time. have At times, an er sound solar as
flares happen multiple times a day and these large releases in of purple? particle energy result in sudden
brightening
(c) aircraft
in spots on the sun. Alternatively, if the sun is in (a) a ‘quiet’ observable period, solar flares can occur less
than
5. Which
once
pair
a week.
of words
The Carrington
are synonyms
Event
for
is a good example of an extremely rare solar flare, which is
thought (b) storm
generates
to happen
in Paragraph
only once
2?
in several centuries. However, many more recent smaller flares have still
caused significant damage.
(c) surface
(a) creates, makes
4. Despite modern technology, it remains a challenge to predict
(b) steams, burns
11. Which solar word’s flares and root their word resulting did not storms. change
Scientists may only know about a potential flare a couple of when days in adding advance, the or suffix not ing? at all. This makes
the (c) preparation moves, passes for a solar storm very difficult and one industry particularly affected is air travel. Pilots
who fly over the northern polar region rely upon shortwave (a) radio pulsing signals to communicate. When
6. a solar Which flare word causes shares a storm, the same it can sound interrupt with these signals, which (b) forces improving them to change the course
of their these aircraft. words? This can cost the company up to $100 000 a flight! GPS signals from satellites can
(c) blistering
also knocking be altered by solar technology storms which results spot in problems for shipping and other industries that rely
on accurate directions. Solar flares can even disrupt objects
(a) order
12. Which
orbiting
word
in the
does
atmosphere,
not follow
such
the
as
plural
the
International Space Station. Scientists believe that when the
rule
sun
‘change
is extremely
the y
active
to i and
and
add
has
es’?
consistent
flares, (b) the astronomer space station descends more than 300 metres a day! Solar storms can also cause surges at
power stations which overload the power grids and knock out (a) the display power. On 13 March 1989, a storm
(c) superstorm
one-third the size of the Carrington Event hit Quebec, Canada (b) causing activitya blackout (power failure) for
7.
more Which than word six million pair could people. be antonyms for
(c) industry
5. Although descends technology in Paragraph is progressively 4? improving, there remains a great deal for scientists to learn
about (a) these reduces, important constrains and mysterious solar flares. However, one thing is certain—solar flares have
such enormous power that we need to continue keeping our eyes on the sky!
(b) ascends, rises
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (62) www.ricpublications.com.au
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (62) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 3
An Advent letter to the editor
1. To the Editor of the Kapel Daily newspaper
2. I felt compelled to compose this letter after noticing a
couple of very interesting aspects of your newspaper.
Considering their impact on me, I felt obligated to
share my conclusions with you and your readers.
By doing this, I hope the same decision will
be reached by others, and some positive
outcome will ensue.
I felt
obligated to
share my conclusions with you
and your readers. By doing this,
I hope the same decision would be reached by
others, and some positive outcome would ensue
3. At this time of the year, your newspaper,
like every other, contains numerous pages
of advertisements for gifts to give and receive.
Some, to me, seem extraordinarily expensive and
extravagant, and, in many cases, totally futile. Does anyone
really need a chocolate fountain, an ice-cream maker or a pair of Christmas socks? I’d
never condone abolishing gift-giving altogether! There is nothing more satisfying than observing
the unadulterated joy on the face of a young child as that much-longed for Christmas gift is
exposed!
4. So many of us complain about the weight we’ve gained over Christmas due to the enormous
quantity of fattening food eaten. The obesity epidemic is a global concern, yet we persist in
‘stuffing’ ourselves with copious amounts of food. There is often excess food so the majority of
families eat leftovers for a week afterwards. Newspaper advertisements for Christmas fare abound,
and sharing this with family and friends is a pleasure, but is it necessary to be so extravagant?
5. This brings me to the advertisement which, in comparison to the others, had such an impact. In
the lower corner of one page, an image of a young child with solemn, mournful eyes stared at me.
Clad in inexpensive clothes, he carried a white plastic grocery bag, obviously in lieu of a suitable
school bag. The accompanying words urged readers to contribute to a charity that would provide
the child with the basic necessities for school—a proper school uniform, bag and books. There
might also be enough to allow him to attend excursions or get assistance with homework. All
this disadvantaged child needed was a little support and his life could be changed for a long
time. What a gift that would be! Of course, this advertisement was only one of many in the same
vein. Others urged readers to donate tinned food or contribute to charities which provide clean
drinking water for a whole family in a third-world country. Imagine changing the lives of not just a
solitary child, but a whole family, with an endowment that amounts to considerably less than the
cost of a chocolate fountain or ice-cream maker!
6. Surely the joy of Christmas is in giving rather than receiving. So, with the picture of a pair of
sad eyes firmly embedded in my thoughts, I was determined to help. This year, I’ve restricted
my expenditure on presents and food and sent donations to a number of different charities. I
can certainly afford it and so can many of your readers! This is my Christmas gift to myself—the
knowledge that I’ve helped someone or given joy to a small child for a short duration!
7. As I write, an advertisement plays on the radio beside me. A young child asks his mother how
Santa will deliver their presents when they only have a car door for entry. When he asks how Santa
will know where they’ve parked the car, she fails to answer! No child, or family, should suffer such
indignity! Instead of being extravagant, let’s be benevolent! Instead of excess, let’s provide access
(to a new beginning for someone)!
8. From a concerned reader
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (63) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. Which word in Paragraph 2 means final
decisions?
(a) conclusions
(b) outcome
(c) aspects
2. Which two advertised products does the
writer believe are not extravagant?
(a) chocolate fountains and ice-cream
makers
(b) gifts and Christmas food
(c) school bags and uniforms
3. Paragraph 6 is mainly about how to:
(a) restrict your expenditure at Christmas.
(b) donate to charities at Christmas.
(c) give, rather than receive at Christmas.
4. If the charity advertisement has a
profound effect on the letter writer, you
can predict that she will most likely:
(a) continue donating to charity.
(b) be more extravagant next year.
(c) stop donating to charity next year.
5. How are the school child and the third
world family similar?
(a) They both live in poor countries.
(b) Their lives could change as a result of
a charity donation.
(c) They both eat large Christmas meals.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. The image of the sad child caused the
letter writer to:
(a) dismiss the situation as hopeless.
(b) refuse to offer any assistance.
(c) do something to help and convince
others to help.
7. You can conclude that the letter writer
wants the letter to be:
(a) published
(b) disregarded
(c) rewritten and edited
8. Which sentence summarises
Paragraph 4?
(a) Because obesity is a global concern,
advertisements shouldn’t encourage
people to overeat at Christmas.
(b) Many people eat too much food at
Christmas time and this makes them
gain weight.
(c) Having lots of food and sharing it with
friends and family is a pleasure.
9. You can infer that the letter
writer enjoyed:
(a) receiving extravagant gifts.
(b) writing letters.
(c) giving gifts to young children.
10. Which sentence is an opinion rather than
a fact?
(a) Many presents are futile.
(b) Presents are given at Christmas.
(c) People receive presents at Christmas.
11. The purpose for writing the text was to:
(a) give information about types of
advertisements.
(b) persuade readers to donate to
charity.
(c) entertain readers.
12. Which pronoun in Paragraph 7 refers to
the young child?
(a) I (b) she (c) he

Denim 3
Denim 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
meaning 1. 1. Which of the three word copious words in Paragraph in is: the sentence 2 means below 7. final Which sentence 5. 6. Determiners The has image more introduce of than the sad two nouns. child caused Which word the
are decisions? adjectives describing nouns? spelling mistakes? in letter this sentence writer to: is a determiner of quantity,
abundant; a large quantity.
telling how much of the noun there is?
Does (a) anyone conclusions really need a chocolate (a) The advertisment (a) dismiss had the a big situation impact as hopeless.
dealing effectively with a difficult
fountain, an ice-cream maker or a pair of on my understanding.
No child or family should suffer such
situation. (b) outcome
(b) refuse to offer any assistance.
Christmas socks?
indignity.
(b) The words urged readers to contribut
small quantity; (c) aspects very little.
(c) do something to help and convince
(a) anyone, pair, socks
to a chairity (a) so or children could have
others to help.
ich word 2. in (b) Which Paragraph chocolate, two advertised 6 could ice-cream, be products does the school supplies.
Christmas
(b) No
d as a synonym writer for believe endowment(s) are not extravagant?
in
(c) I’ve restrikted 7. You my can expenditure conclude that so I the letter writer
(c) a chocolate fountain
(c) such
agraph 5?
wants letter to be:
(a) chocolate fountains and ice-cream have monie for the importent things.
expenditure 2. A noun makers group can consist of a noun, a
6. In (a) which published phrase is the apostrophe for
8. Which group of words has one with two
determiner and some adjectives. Which
possession placed correctly?
donation(s) (b) gifts and Christmas food
long e sounds; (b) e.g. disregarded
needy?
group of words is not a noun group in this
(a) the child and the family’s water
necessities sentence? (c) school bags and uniforms (a) quantity, ice-cream (c) rewritten and edited
(b) the childs’ and the familys’ water
ich word 3. in It’s Paragraph satisfying 6 to 5 is is observe mainly an the about unadulterated
how to: (b) totally, 8. obesity Which sentence summarises
joy on a child’s face when a much-longed
(c) the child’s and the family’s water
onym for sociable?
Paragraph 4?
(a) restrict your expenditure at Christmas. (c) reader, necessities
for Christmas gift is exposed.
solemn
7. In (a) the sentence Because obesity below, which is a global group concern, of
(a) (b) the donate unadulterated to charities joy at Christmas. 9. The prefix in- in the words inexpensive
words advertisements the subordinate shouldn’t or dependent encourage
impact
(b) (c) a give, much-longed rather than for receive Christmas at Christmas. and indignity means:
gift
clause people with a to verb overeat and its at subject, Christmas. which
solitary
(a) oppositecannot stand alone?
4. (c) If the It’s charity satisfying advertisement to observe has a
(b) Many people eat too much food at
ich groups profound words is effect in reverse on the letter writer, you (b) to Considering Christmas their time impact and on this me, makes I felt them
habetical 3. What order? can predict part of speech that she is will for most a long likely: time in
obligated gain to weight. share my conclusions with you
(c) not
the sentence below?
and your readers.
epidemic, (a) extraordinary, continue donating expose to charity.
(c) Having lots of food and sharing it with
All this disadvantaged child needed 10. was The a word (a) Considering friends could and replace their family impact futile is a pleasure. on me
considerably, little (b) support comparison, be more and extravagant his condone life could next be year. changed in Paragraph 3.
(b) I felt obligated to share my conclusions
grocery, global, for (c) a long stop gifttime.
donating to charity next year.
9. You can infer that the letter
(a) useless with you
writer enjoyed:
(a) adjective phrase
ich word 5. belongs How are in the school category child and the third (b) important (c) and your readers
(a) receiving extravagant gifts.
ow? (b) world noun family phrase similar?
(c) annoying
8. Which (b) writing group of letters. words of French origin
pelled (c) (a) obligated adverbial They both live urged in poor countries.
11. Which groups means instead of?
(c) of root giving words gifts did to not young children.
parked 4. Which (b) Their word lives in the could sentence change below as a result is a change of when (a) a suffix where was they’ve added? parked the car
conjunction a charity (word donation.
determined
linking words, clauses 10. Which sentence is an opinion rather than
(a) receiving, (b) compelled in lieu of
or (c) phrases)? They both eat large Christmas meals.
a fact?
provide
(b) beginning, (c) considerably
in a third-world
The obesity epidemic is a global concern, yet
(a) Many presents are futile.
country
ich word does we persist not have in ‘stuffing’ a prefix ourselves and a with copious
(c) satisfying, restricted
(b) Presents are given at Christmas.
x added to amounts its base of word? food.
12. The correct syllabification (c) People receive of the word presents at Christmas.
disadvantaged (a) yet
expenditure is:
indignity
11. The purpose for writing the text was to:
(b) with
(a) ex/pen/di/ture
unadulterated
(a) give information about types of
(c) concern
(b) exp/end/i/ture
advertisements.
(c) ex/pend/i/ture
(b) persuade readers to donate to
Something extra
charity.
Consider some ways you and your family, your class or (c) school entertain readers.
could change the life of a child or family by donating to a
charity in some way. Develop a plan and put it into 12. action. Which pronoun in Paragraph 7 refers to
the young child?
Browse the internet for images of sad children to use as
inspiration for a poem or story.
(a) I (b) she (c) he
All about words
An Advent letter to the editor
1. The meaning of the word copious is:
7. Which sentence has more than two
spelling mistakes?
(a) abundant; a large quantity.
(a) The advertisment had a big impact
(b) dealing effectively with a difficult
1. To the Editor situation. of the Kapel Daily newspaper
on my understanding.
(b) The words urged readers to contribut
2. I felt (c) compelled small quantity; to compose very little. this letter after noticing a
to a chairity so children could have
couple of very interesting aspects of your newspaper.
2. Which word in Paragraph 6 could be
school supplies.
Considering their impact on me, I felt obligated to
share used my as conclusions a synonym with for endowment(s) you and your readers. in
(c) I’ve restrikted my expenditure so I
By doing Paragraph this, I 5? hope the same decision will
have monie for the importent things.
be (a) reached expenditure by others, and some positive
outcome will ensue.
8. Which group of words has one with two
(b) donation(s)
long e sounds; e.g. needy?
3. At this time of the year, your newspaper,
(c) necessities
(a) quantity, ice-cream
like every other, contains numerous pages
3. of advertisements Which word in Paragraph for gifts to give 5 is an and receive.
(b) totally, obesity
Some, antonym me, for seem sociable? extraordinarily expensive and
(c) reader, necessities
extravagant, and, in many cases, totally futile. Does anyone
really (a) need solemn a chocolate fountain, an ice-cream maker 9. or The a pair prefix of Christmas in- in the words socks? inexpensive
I’d
never (b) condone impact abolishing gift-giving altogether! There is nothing and indignity more satisfying means: than observing
the unadulterated joy on the face of a young child as that much-longed for Christmas gift is
exposed!
(c) solitary
(a) opposite
4. Which groups of words is in reverse
(b) to
4. So many of us complain about the weight we’ve gained over Christmas due to the enormous
quantity alphabetical of fattening order? food eaten. The obesity epidemic is a (c) global not concern, yet we persist in
‘stuffing’ (a) epidemic, ourselves extraordinary, with copious amounts expose of food. There is often excess food so the majority of
families eat leftovers for a week afterwards. Newspaper 10. advertisements The word for Christmas could replace fare abound, futile
and
(b)
sharing
considerably,
this with family
comparison,
and friends
condone
is a pleasure, but in is Paragraph it necessary 3. to be so extravagant?
(c) grocery, global, gift
(a) useless
5. This brings me to the advertisement which, in comparison to the others, had such an impact. In
5. the Which lower corner word belongs of one page, in the an category image of a young child (b) with important solemn, mournful eyes stared at me.
Clad below? in inexpensive clothes, he carried a white plastic grocery bag, obviously in lieu of a suitable
(c) annoying
school bag. The accompanying words urged readers to contribute to a charity that would provide
the compelled child with the basic obligated necessities urged for school—a proper 11. school Which uniform, groups of bag root and words books. did There not
might (a) also parked be enough to allow him to attend excursions or change get assistance when a suffix with homework. was added? All
this disadvantaged child needed was a little support and his life could be changed for a long
time.
(b)
What
determined
a gift that would be! Of course, this advertisement (a) was receiving, only one compelled of many in the same
vein. (c) Others provide urged readers to donate tinned food or contribute (b) beginning, to charities considerably
which provide clean
drinking water for a whole family in a third-world country. Imagine changing the lives of not just a
6. solitary Which child, word but does a whole not have family, a prefix with an and endowment a that
(c)
amounts
satisfying,
to considerably
restricted
less than the
cost suffix of a added chocolate to its fountain base word?
ice-cream maker!
12. The correct syllabification of the word
6. Surely (a) the disadvantaged
joy of Christmas is in giving rather than receiving. expenditure So, with the is: picture of a pair of
sad (b) eyes indignity firmly embedded in my thoughts, I was determined (a) to ex/pen/di/ture
help. This year, I’ve restricted
my expenditure on presents and food and sent donations to a number of different charities. I
(c) unadulterated
can certainly afford it and so can many of your readers! This (b) is exp/end/i/ture
my Christmas gift to myself—the
knowledge that I’ve helped someone or given joy to a small (c) child ex/pend/i/ture
for a short duration!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
I felt
obligated to
share my conclusions with you
and your readers. By doing this,
I hope the same decision would be reached by
others, and some positive outcome would ensue
7. As I write, an advertisement plays on the radio beside me. A young child asks his mother how
Santa will deliver their presents when they only have a car door for entry. When he asks how Santa
will know where they’ve parked the car, she fails to answer! No child, or family, should suffer such
indignity! Instead of being extravagant, let’s be benevolent! Instead of excess, let’s provide access
(to a new beginning for someone)!
8. From a concerned reader
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (63) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (63) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 4
Box 2
spache 4.1
The power of the white snake
1. A wise king was accustomed to receiving a covered dish following his nightly meal. Noone
knew what the cover concealed because the king ate privately. One night, the dutiful
servant who delivered the dish was finally overcome with curiosity. He went off to his
room to investigate the contents in solitude. When he raised the cover, a coiled, white
snake was revealed on the platter. Eager to experience this delicacy, he swiftly cut a
portion and savoured it. His tongue prickled and he instantly was able to understand the
conversation of the sparrows outside the window.
2. The following day, the queen misplaced her most opulent ring. Suspicion immediately fell
on this servant. When questioned by the king, he was given one day to reveal the culprit
or face execution. In the palace grounds, the servant encountered ducks chatting. One
complained of a tender stomach. The servant seized the duck and quickly conveyed it to
the kitchen where its stomach revealed the queen’s ring. As a reward, the king supplied
the servant with money and a horse as requested.
3. One day, the servant noticed three fish tangled in reeds, gasping for breath. After
releasing them, they promised to remember and repay him. Later, as he traversed a sandy
region, he perceived voices complaining about being trampled mercilessly by clumsy
beasts. Examining the ground, he detected a horde of ants and their sovereign. The
considerate servant selected an alternative route and the ants promised a reward. While
navigating a passage through the woods, he noticed ravens callously thrusting fledglings
from the nest. The servant rescued the immature trio, feeding them until they recovered
enough to fend for themselves. They assured him they would never forget him.
4. Eventually, the servant reached a sizeable city where the king was offering his daughter’s
hand in marriage to the man who could fulfil the arduous task of recovering a gold ring
from beneath the sea. The servant, overwhelmed by the princess’s beauty, presented
himself as a prospective suitor.
5. As he stood on the seashore, three fish appeared—one was carrying in his mouth a
mussel containing the gold ring. Despite the servant completing the task successfully, the
pompous princess refused to marry ‘beneath her station’.
6. The scorned suitor was then assigned the insurmountable task of retrieving grain from ten
sacks, strewn about the grass, before sunrise or face certain death. The servant waited
mournfully for sunrise. Aroused from troubled slumber, he spied ten bulging sacks of grain
and a vast colony of ants leaving the vicinity. However, the princess still refused to marry
him unless she received an apple from the tree of life.
7. So the servant embarked on an arduous, uncertain journey. Finally, exhausted, he reclined
beneath a tree in the woods to recover. Above his head, the branches swayed in response
to a light breeze and soon a golden apple dropped with a thud on to the ground beside
him. Three fully grown ravens, the rescued fledglings, offered the gift in return for his
previous aid.
8. When the servant shared the apple with the princess on his return, her heart overflowed
with love for him and they lived in blissful contentment for the remainder of their lives.
1. The word arduous in Paragraph 4
means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
difficult
long
easy
2. Why did the servant taste the white
snake?
(a)
(b)
(c)
He was extremely hungry.
It was a delicacy he had not
experienced previously.
He enjoyed eating white meat.
3. Paragraph 4 is mainly about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
why the princess refused to marry
the servant.
explaining the servant’s task.
how the servant recovered the gold
ring.
4. Before the servant released the tangled
fish, he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
saved the raven fledglings.
selected a different route for the ants.
found the queen’s ring.
5. The raven fledglings and the fish are
similar because they:
(a)
(b)
(c)
were saved from being tangled.
repaid the servant.
gave the servant a golden apple.
6. You could predict that the servant:
(a)
(b)
(c)
took great care of the habitats of the
animals that had helped him.
forgot about the help the animals
had given.
destroyed the natural environment.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. You can conclude that the servant was a:
(a)
(b)
(c)
kind-hearted animal lover.
greedy person who wanted
things he didn’t deserve.
good-looking young man.
8. Which would be a suitable summary
of the moral of this tale?
(a)
(b)
(c)
People who are motivated to work
hard to achieve their goals will
be successful.
People who wisely use gifts they
receive will reap the benefits.
Everyone should learn to speak to
animals.
9. The servant discovered where the
queen’s ring was because he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
overheard a duck complain about a
sore stomach.
saw ducks chatting.
made a wild guess.
10. What effect did eating the apple have
on the princess? She:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was filled with love for the servant.
became violently ill.
became more tolerant of others.
11. The pronoun it in Paragraph 1 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the platter
a portion of the snake
his tongue
12. It is a fact, and not an opinion, that the
servant:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was overwhelmed by the princess’s
beauty.
lived in blissful contentment with the
princess.
tasted a portion of the white snake.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (64) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
. The 1. 1. words A The noun in word solitude group arduous is in a Paragraph noun in Paragraph with its 1 4 7. Which 5. 7. In group this You sentence, can of words conclude which is in that reverse is not the servant adverbial was a:
mean: adjective(s) means: and often a determiner; e.g. alphabetical telling
(a)
where, order?
kind-hearted
when or
animal
how
lover.
something
(a) in
his
sadness (a)
nightly
difficult
meal. The noun group in this
(a)
happened?
concealed,
sentence is:
(b) greedy
contents,
person
conversation
who wanted
(b) in
The
a (b) group
dutiful
long
The servant
servant who delivered the dish,
(b) revealed, things requested,
seized
he didn’t
the
reclined
duck
deserve.
and quickly
conveyed it to the kitchen where its
(c) alone was (c) finally easyovercome with curiosity.
(c) stomach pricked, (c) good-looking princess, revealed privately the queen’s young man. ring.
(a) The dutiful servant
. Which 2. word Why in did Paragraph the servant 1 is taste a the white 8. In Paragraph 8. (a) Which quickly 3 would the word be a alternative suitable summary
synonym (b) snake? for who hid? delivered the dish
means (b) different. of to the the moral kitchen This of word this is tale? often
(a) savoured (c)(a)
was He finally was extremely overcomehungry.
confused
(a)
with
People
alternate
who
which
are motivated
means
to work
every
(c)
second
the queen’s
(b) It was a delicacy he had not
hard
one
to
or
ring
achieve
to use in
their
turn.
goals
In
(b) concealed
will
2. A preposition phrase begins with a which
6.
experienced previously.
A
sentence
relative be pronoun
are
successful.
these
refers
words
to
used
the noun or the
(c) experienced preposition; e.g. by the princess’s beauty. correctly?
pronoun
(c) He enjoyed eating white meat.
(b) People
that comes
who wisely
before
use
it;
gifts
e.g.
they
the king
Which group of words this sentence is (a) who After was she
receive
lost offering her
will
ring, his
reap
daughter’s the
the
queen
benefits.
hand in
. Which not word a preposition is an antonym phrase? for arduous
marriage. had to wear In an this alternate sentence, one. the pronoun that
in Paragraph 3.
He
Paragraph
reclined
7?
beneath
4 is mainly
a tree
about:
in the woods to
(c) Everyone should learn to speak to
(b)
refers
The servant
to:
(a) why the princess refused to marry
animals.
travelled along an
(a) tough recover.
As
alternate
the chef
path.
cut open the duck’s stomach, the
(a) he
the
reclined
servant.
ring that had been lost was revealed.
(b) serious
(c) 9. The The servant servant was discovered given an alternative where the
(b)
(b)
beneath
explaining
a tree
the servant’s task.
(a) queen’s the chef
(c) easy
task. ring was because he:
(c)
(c)
in
how
the woods
the servant recovered the gold (b) (a) the duck’s overheard stomach a duck complain about a
. Which sentence ring. has three spelling
9. In which word
sore
does
stomach.
the prefix re- mean
(c) the ring
errors?
3. The verb in this sentence that does not
back; e.g. return?
4. Before the servant released the tangled
(b) saw ducks chatting.
(a) The have servant a subject completed is: all his tasks
(a) 7. Which remainder word is a conjunction that can be used
sucessfully.
fish, he:
(c) made a wild guess.
Examining the ground, he detected a horde (b)
to
repay
join the two sentences?
(b) The of
(a)
ants king
saved
that was were acustomed
the
complaining
raven fledglings.
to strongly.
(c) 10. The
reward What princess effect refused did eating to marry the the apple servant. have
recieving
(a)
(b)
examining
selected a cuvered a different dish following route for the ants. She on received the princess? an apple She: from the tree of life.
his
(b)
(c)
nightly
detected
found
meal.
the queen’s ring.
10. In which
(a) (a)
group
unless was
do
filled
all words
with love
have
for
the
the servant.
(c) The servant suplied the ants with an
long e sound?
5. (c) The were raven complaining fledglings and the fish are
(b) (b) however
alternitive route.
became violently ill.
(a) seized, perceived, sovereign
similar because they:
(c) (c) still became more tolerant of others.
. Which 4. A word possessive determiner is placed before
a
(a)
belongs
noun
were
to say
saved the
who
from
category
(b) retrieving, experience, spied
or what
being
the
tangled.
below?
noun
(c) 8. 11. An beneath, The idiom pronoun eager, is an expression releasing it Paragraph that has 1 refers a meaning to:
belongs (b) repaid to; e.g. the her servant. opulent ring. The
other than its literal one. Which group of
dutiful
possessive
pompous
determiner
determined
in this sentence is:
(a) the platter
(c) gave the servant a golden apple. 11. Which words in pair this has sentence a word is with an idiom? both
(a) sandy They lived in blissful contentment for the a prefix (b)
portion of the snake
Although
and a suffix?
he completed the task, the
(b) 6. considerate remainder You could of predict their lives. that the servant:
(a) pompous successfully, (c) his princess tongue overflowed refused to marry ‘beneath
(c) region (a) (a) they took great care of the habitats of the her station’.
(b) 12. consideration,
animals that had helped him.
It is a fact, and contentment not an opinion, that the
(b) the
(a) servant: completed the task
. Which word
(c)(b)
does
their forgot
not
about
have
the
the
help
same
(c) discharge, offering
the animals
sound as this (b)
had
group
given.
of words?
(a) the pompous was overwhelmed princess by the princess’s
12. Which pair of
horde (c) marry beauty.
words do not share a
‘beneath her station’
(c) destroyed
shore
the natural
before
environment. common vowel sound?
(a) route
(b) lived in blissful contentment with the
(a) investigate,
princess.
requested
(b) exhausted
(b) alternative,
Something extra (c) tasted
arduous
a portion of the white snake.
(c) scorned
(c) vicinity, retrieving
Write an imaginative text about another character that has the ability to speak to animals.
Find another version of this tale online to read. Compare the two and say which you prefer and why.
Denim 4
Box 2
All about words
spache 4.1
The power of the white snake
1. words in solitude in Paragraph 1
7. Which group of words is in reverse
mean:
alphabetical order?
(a) in sadness
(a) concealed, contents, conversation
1. (b) A wise in a king groupwas accustomed to receiving a covered (b) dish revealed, following requested, his nightly meal. reclined Noone
knew what the cover concealed because the king ate privately. One night, the dutiful
(c) alone
(c) pricked, princess, privately
servant who delivered the dish was finally overcome with curiosity. He went off to his
2. Which room word to investigate Paragraph the contents 1 is a in solitude. When
8. In he Paragraph raised the 3 cover, the word a coiled, alternative white
synonym snake was for revealed hid? on the platter. Eager to experience means this different. delicacy, This he swiftly word cut is often a
portion and savoured it. His tongue prickled and he
(a) savoured
confused instantly was with able alternate to understand which means the
conversation of the sparrows outside the window. every second one or to use in turn. In
(b) concealed
2. The following day, the queen misplaced her most opulent which sentence ring. Suspicion are these immediately words used fell
(c) on this experienced servant. When questioned by the king, he was correctly? given one day to reveal the culprit
or face execution. In the palace grounds, the servant (a) encountered After she lost ducks her chatting. ring, the One queen
3. Which complained word is of an a antonym tender stomach. for arduous The servant seized the had duck to and wear quickly an alternate conveyed one. it to
in the Paragraph kitchen where 7? its stomach revealed the queen’s ring. As a reward, the king supplied
(b) The servant travelled along an
(a) the tough servant with money and a horse as requested.
alternate path.
3. (b) One serious day, the servant noticed three fish tangled in reeds, (c) The gasping servant for was breath. given After an alternative
(c)
releasing
easy
them, they promised to remember and repay him. task. Later, as he traversed a sandy
region, he perceived voices complaining about being trampled mercilessly by clumsy
4. Which beasts. sentence Examining has the three ground, spelling he detected a horde 9. In of which ants and word their does sovereign. the prefix The re- mean
errors? considerate servant selected an alternative route and back; the e.g. ants return? promised a reward. While
navigating a passage through the woods, he noticed ravens callously thrusting fledglings
(a) The servant completed all his tasks
(a) remainder
from the nest. The servant rescued the immature trio, feeding them until they recovered
sucessfully.
enough to fend for themselves. They assured him they (b) would repaynever forget him.
(b) The king was acustomed to
4. Eventually, (c) reward
recieving
the
a cuvered
servant
dish
reached
following
a sizeable city where the king was offering his daughter’s
hand
his
in
nightly
marriage
meal.
to the man who could fulfil the arduous task of recovering a gold ring
10. In which group do all words have the
from beneath the sea. The servant, overwhelmed by the princess’s beauty, presented
(c) The servant suplied the ants with an
long e sound?
himself as a prospective suitor.
alternitive route.
(a) seized, perceived, sovereign
5. As he stood on the seashore, three fish appeared—one was carrying in his mouth a
5. Which mussel word containing belongs the in the gold category ring. Despite the servant (b) completing retrieving, the experience, task successfully, spied the
below? pompous princess refused to marry ‘beneath her station’. (c) beneath, eager, releasing
6. dutiful The scorned pompous suitor was determined
then assigned the insurmountable
11. Which word
task of
pair
retrieving
has a word
grain
with
from
both
ten
(a) sacks, sandy strewn about the grass, before sunrise or face
a prefix
certain
and
death.
a suffix?
The servant waited
mournfully for sunrise. Aroused from troubled slumber, he spied ten bulging sacks of grain
(b)
and
considerate
a vast colony of ants leaving the vicinity. However, (a) the successfully, princess still overflowed refused to marry
(c) him region unless she received an apple from the tree of life. (b) consideration, contentment
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. 7. Which So the word servant does embarked not have on the an same arduous, uncertain (c) journey. discharge, Finally, exhausted, offering he reclined
sound beneath as this a tree group in the of woods words? to recover. Above his head, the branches swayed in response
to a light breeze and soon a golden apple dropped 12. Which with a pair thud of on words to the do ground not share beside a
horde
him. Three fully
shore
grown ravens,
before
the rescued fledglings, common offered vowel the gift sound? in return for his
(a) previous route aid.
(a) investigate, requested
8. (b) When exhausted the servant shared the apple with the princess (b) on his alternative, return, her arduous heart overflowed
(c) with scorned love for him and they lived in blissful contentment for the remainder of their lives.
(c) vicinity, retrieving
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (64) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (64) Prim-Ed Publishing

Denim 5
Space elevators?
1. Elevators in space? What on Earth are they?
(Pardon the pun!) Well, space elevators are a type
of transportation system proposed for space. To date,
none has been constructed; however, there are grand
plans to build one, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.
2. The idea for a space elevator has been around for
more than 100 years. Russian scientist, Konstantin
Tsiolkovsky, was so impressed with the Eiffel Tower when
it was erected in Paris in 1889, that in 1895 he thought
a cable could be connected to it that could reach all
the way into space. He described what he called
a ‘celestial castle’ at the top of the cable, that would
keep the cable taut as it orbited with Earth.
3. Until fairly recently, steel was the only material to consider
for such a construction. But steel is too heavy and not strong
enough. Now, the technology required to build a space
elevator is coming closer to reality. The discovery
of carbon nanotubes has paved the way for
a space elevator to be built.
4. Nanotubes are carbon atoms linked together
in hexagonal shapes and arranged in long, thin
tubes. A piece of this material is microscopic,
lightweight, yet, remarkably, 100 times stronger than
steel and extremely elastic. One nanotube thread, about
half the diameter of a pen, can support the weight of 20 cars!
That’s approximately 40 000 kilograms! Scientists working on space
elevator projects are continuing to develop nanotube technology
and ways it can be used to make the cable required for the elevator.
5. How would a space elevator work? The idea is to anchor a ribbon-like
‘tether’ (the term now used for the cable) to a huge platform or docking
station on Earth, either in the ocean or on land. It would need to be
situated in an area where the likelihood of storms and lightning is low. The other
end of the tether would be connected to a space station, about 35 000 kilometres above. Because
nanotubes are magnetic, vehicles transporting astronauts, equipment and other cargo would be
electromagnetically levitated up the elevator, a bit like the trams used at modern airports to transport
passengers between terminals. These trams are propelled by magnets and use no moving parts.
6. What are some benefits of using a space elevator instead of large rockets to launch spacecraft into
space? Once built, a space elevator would provide a much cheaper alternative to get from Earth
to space. Spacecraft are extremely expensive—consider the cost of construction, maintenance and
rocket fuel—and risky to launch. A space elevator could carry much more cargo than spacecraft
and there would be no rocket engines that might explode. Other benefits would include cheaper
global telephone and television systems as they would be easier to set up, better global monitoring
of Earth and its environment, and an effective way to clean up human-made space debris, which is
causing an increasing problem for orbiting satellites. Tourists would also be able to holiday in orbit!
7. Besides the name ‘space elevator’, this science fiction-like construction has been called a space
ladder, a space lift, a skyhook, an orbital tower and even a beanstalk! Whatever the name, space
elevators will become reality and not science fiction.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (65) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. The word propelled in Paragraph 5 means:
(a) driven forward
(b) moved with propellers
(c) pushed
2. Which statement is true? Space elevators:
(a) have already been built.
(b) are in the planning stage.
(c) are attached to the Eiffel Tower.
3. Steel is not a suitable material to use in
space elevator construction because it:
(a) has too much elasticity.
(b) is strong enough but too heavy.
(c) is too heavy and too weak.
4. The pronoun none in Paragraph 1 refers
to:
(a) transportation systems
(b) grand plans
(c) space elevators
5. The main idea of Paragraph 6 is to explain
the advantages of using:
(a) space elevators
(b) rockets
(c) space elevators and rockets
6. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) space elevators are science fiction.
(b) there are grand plans to build space
elevators.
(c) space elevators are being planned.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. A rocket and a space elevator are different
because only one of them is designed to:
(a) be propelled in some way.
(b) have cargo.
(c) use magnets.
8. In the future, it is likely that space elevators:
(a) will never be built.
(b) will be built.
(c) might be built.
9. Which event happened second?
(a) The Eiffel Tower was constructed.
(b) Nanotubes were invented.
(c) An idea for a space elevator was first
thought of.
10. You can conclude that nanotube
technology:
(a) is important for space elevator
construction.
(b) has been around for 100 years.
(c) is not necessary for space elevators.
11. A space elevator would need to be
built in an area where stormy weather is
unlikely because:
(a) storms would be too noisy.
(b) lightning could affect the workings of
the elevator.
(c) stormy weather is dark.
12. The writer would agree that space
elevators would be
than using
rockets to reach space.
(a) more beneficial
(b) less beneficial
(c) more expensive

Denim 5
Denim 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. taut 1. The in Paragraph pun word used propelled in 2 the means: first in Paragraph sentence 5 of means: 6. 7. Which A rocket word and is a modal space elevator verb that are helps different
Paragraph 1 is a figure of speech in which:
another because verb? only Example: one of them is cargo designed would
stretched (a) tight
to:
driven forward
be levitated, space elevators will become
(a) a wise saying is used.
loosely tied
(a) be propelled in some way.
(b) moved with propellers
reality.
(b) the double meaning of words provides
straight
(b) have cargo.
(c) pushed
He thought it could reach all the way into
humour.
space. (c) use magnets.
ich word 2. is (c) Which an antonym one statement thing for is compared is true? Space with another. elevators:
roscopic in Paragraph 4?
8. (a) In the thought future, it is (b) likely could that space (c) elevators: reach
(a) have already been built.
2. In Paragraph 6 dashes (— —) are used:
tiny
(b) are in the planning stage.
7. Which (a) will sentence never be has built. the hyphen, semicolon
(a) instead of brackets.
gigantic
and (b) commas will be built. in the correct places?
(c) are attached to the Eiffel Tower.
(b) to introduce a list.
big
(a) (c) Space might elevators be built. have other science
3. (c) Steel to is show not a missing suitable text. material to use in
fiction like names such as skyhooks
ich words both space have elevator more construction syllables because it:
9. Which space event ladders happened and space second? lifts however;
n the 3. word Single
(a)
passengers?
has
quote
too
marks
much
are
elasticity.
used with the words
my favourite is beanstalks.
(a) The Eiffel Tower was constructed.
celestial castle in Paragraph 2 to indicate:
electromagnetically,
(b) is strong
nanotubes
(b) Space elevators have other science
enough but too heavy.
(b) Nanotubes were invented.
(a) it is a quote from someone else.
fiction-like names such as skyhooks,
technology,
(c)
transporting
is too heavy and too weak.
(c) space An idea ladders for a and space space elevator lifts; was first
(b) direct speech.
approximately, environment
8. The word approximately however, thought in my of. Paragraph favourite is 4 beanstalks.
4. (c) The it pronoun is an informal none saying. Paragraph 1 refers could be replaced with:
to:
(c)
10. You
Space
can conclude
elevators
that
have
nanotube
other science
ich words both follow the rule ‘when
(a) exactly
4. Adverbials technology:
fiction-like names such as skyhooks,
ing a suffix
(a)
beginning
transportation
are with words a
systems
vowel or groups of words
space ladders and space lifts,
word ending that can with add e, the information e is dropped about verbs; (b) about
(a) is important for space elevator
e.g. (b) could grand reach plans
however, my favourite is beanstalks.
ore adding the suffix’? all the way (adverbial (c) always construction.
of (c) place), space arranged elevators in long, thin tubes
called, described
8. An
(adverbial of manner). Which is the
(b)
abstract
has been
noun
around
is one you
for 100
cannot
years.
detect
9. Which words
using
both
your
have
senses;
a long
e.g.
a sound;
hope, opinion. The
required, 5. adverbial levitated The main in idea this of sentence? Paragraph 6 is to explain e.g. paved?
abstract (c) is not noun necessary in this sentence for space is: elevators.
arranged, Nanotubes
the connected advantages
are microscopic
of using:
and (a) elevators,
11. The
asking
lightweight,
A space idea is elevator anchor would a need to be
(a) space yet elevators remarkably are 100 times
ich word does stronger not than fit in with steel. this
(b) spacecraft, tether built atoms
in a an huge area platform where stormy weather is
up? (b) rockets
or unlikely docking because: station.
(c) human-made, holiday
(a) microscopic and lightweight
tweight (c) space together elevators and rockets
(a) (a) platform storms would be too noisy.
(b) 100 times stronger
10. Which word pair’s root word did not
spacecraft
(b)
6. It is a fact, not hopefully an opinion, that:
(b) idea
change when adding lightning the suffix could -ing? affect the workings of
(c) remarkably
(c) station the elevator.
whatever (a) space elevators are science fiction. (a) becoming, increasing
5. Which is the adverbial of place in this
(c) stormy weather is dark.
beanstalk(b) there are grand plans to build space (b) asking, transporting
sentence?
lightning elevators.
(c) continuing, 12. The moving writer would agree that space
Vehicles
(c) space
transporting
elevators
cargo
are being
would
planned.
be
elevators would be
than using
hich word electromagnetically does the letter c not levitated have up the elevator. 11. Which group of rockets words to is reach not in space.
same sound (a) as electromagnetically
it has in space?
alphabetical (a) order? more beneficial
science (b) vehicles
(a) cable, cargo, (b) castle less beneficial
describe(c) up the elevator
(b) connected, (c) constructed, more expensive continuing
scientist
(c) cost, consider, construction
Something is an synonym for extra
word
12. Which word does not have two long e
rnative in Paragraph 6.
sounds?
List five to 10 new facts you learnt from reading this text.
choice
(a) discovery
Choose two verbs from each paragraph then put the list you made
allowance
into alphabetical order.
(b) extremely
bargain
(c) reality
All about words
Space elevators?
1. The word taut in Paragraph 2 means:
(a) stretched tight
1. Elevators in space? What on Earth are they?
(Pardon
(b) loosely
the pun!)
tied
Well, space elevators are a type
of transportation (c) straight system proposed for space. To date,
none has been constructed; however, there are grand
2. plans Which to build word one, is an hopefully antonym in for the not-too-distant future.
microscopic in Paragraph 4?
2. The idea for a space elevator has been around for
more
(a)
than
tiny
100 years. Russian scientist, Konstantin
Tsiolkovsky, (b) gigantic was so impressed with the Eiffel Tower when
it was erected in Paris in 1889, that in 1895 he thought
(c) big
a cable could be connected to it that could reach all
the
3. Which
way into
words
space.
both
He
have
described
more syllables
what he called
a ‘celestial
than the
castle’
word passengers?
at the top of the cable, that would
keep the cable taut as it orbited with Earth.
(a) electromagnetically, nanotubes
3. Until fairly recently, steel was the only material to consider
for such
(b) technology,
a construction.
transporting
But steel is too heavy and not strong
enough. (c) approximately, Now, the technology environment required to build a space 8. The word approximately in Paragraph 4
elevator is coming closer to reality. The discovery could be replaced with:
4. of carbon Which words nanotubes both has follow paved the rule the ‘when way for
(a) exactly
a space adding elevator a suffix to beginning built. with a vowel
to a word ending with e, the e is dropped
(b) about
4. Nanotubes before adding are carbon the suffix’? atoms linked together
(c) always
in hexagonal shapes and arranged in long, thin
tubes. (a) A called, piece described of this material is microscopic, 9. Which words both have a long a sound;
lightweight, (b) required, yet, remarkably, levitated 100 times stronger than e.g. paved?
steel and extremely elastic. One nanotube thread, about
(c) arranged, connected
half the diameter of a pen, can support the weight of 20 (a) cars! elevators, asking
That’s
5. Which
approximately
word does
40
not
000
fit in
kilograms!
with this
Scientists working (b) on spacecraft, atoms
elevator
group?
projects are continuing to develop nanotube technology
(c) human-made, holiday
and ways it can be used to make the cable required for the elevator.
lightweight together
5. How would a space elevator work? The idea is to anchor 10. Which a ribbon-like word pair’s root word did not
‘tether’ (the
spacecraft
term now used for the
hopefully
cable) to a huge platform change or docking when adding the suffix -ing?
station (a) on whatever Earth, either in the ocean or on land. It would need (a) to becoming, increasing
situated in an area where the likelihood of storms and lightning is low. The other
(b) beanstalk
end of the tether would be connected to a space station, about
(b) asking,
35 000
transporting
kilometres above. Because
nanotubes (c) lightning are magnetic, vehicles transporting astronauts, (c) equipment continuing, and other moving cargo would be
electromagnetically levitated up the elevator, a bit like the trams used at modern airports to transport
6. passengers In which between word does terminals. the letter These c not trams have are propelled 11. by Which magnets group and of use words no is moving not parts.
the same sound as it has in space?
alphabetical order?
6. What are some benefits of using a space elevator instead of large rockets to launch spacecraft into
(a) science
space? Once built, a space elevator would provide a much (a) cheaper cable, alternative cargo, castle to get from Earth
to space. (b) describe Spacecraft are extremely expensive—consider the (b) cost connected, of construction, constructed, maintenance continuing and
rocket
(c)
fuel—and
scientist
risky to launch. A space elevator could carry much more cargo than spacecraft
(c) cost, consider, construction
and there would be no rocket engines that might explode. Other benefits would include cheaper
7. global The telephone word and television an synonym systems for as they would be
12. Which
easier to
word
set
does
up, better
not have
global
two
monitoring
long e
of Earth alternative and its in environment, Paragraph and 6. an effective way to clean
sounds?
up human-made space debris, which is
causing an increasing problem for orbiting satellites. Tourists would also be able to holiday in orbit!
(a) choice
(a) discovery
7. Besides the name ‘space elevator’, this science fiction-like construction has been called a space
(b) allowance
ladder, a space lift, a skyhook, an orbital tower and even a
(b)
beanstalk!
extremely
Whatever the name, space
elevators (c) bargain will become reality and not science fiction. (c) reality
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (65) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (65) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 1
Satisfying sushi!
1. Did you know that sushi did not actually originate in Japan? This fresh and
tasty snack has its origins in Southeast Asia.
2. The early form of sushi, called ‘nare-zushi’, was actually a combination of
salted fish and rice. To preserve it, the fish was kept in dry rice and left for
months at a time. The fish was then eaten while the rice was thrown away.
Over time, it spread throughout China and on to Japan by the 8th century
AD. Instead of using the rice for preservation, the Japanese would eat the
fish partly raw with rice and so the modern idea of sushi was born!
3. The original form of sushi stank horribly! A Japanese story from the 12th
century described nare-zushi as having a smell that resembled blue cheese,
fish and rice vinegar. Yuck! It’s probably due to this awful stench that
the Japanese eventually shortened the fish preservation process. Stores
would continue to sell partly-preserved sushi for centuries and would hang
signs letting customers know when the sushi would be ready. Eventually,
with the development of the refrigerator, this process was eliminated
altogether.
4. The idea of sushi as a quick takeaway meal didn’t start until the early
19th century. At that time, Tokyo was still known as ‘Edo’ and mobile
food stalls on the street were increasing in popularity. ‘Nigiri-zushi’
was started in this way, with small rectangles of rice served with pieces
of fish draped on top. Towards the end of the century Japan’s most
famous fast food had taken off as many in Tokyo found it easy to eat
the small parcels of food with fingers or chopsticks. This dish was eaten
when people were in a rush or before the theatre.
5. Present-day sushi can take many forms and contain numerous ingredients.
While most people think that sushi means ‘raw fish’, it can be made with
tofu, vegetables or other meats like cooked chicken. ‘Sashimi’ is actually
the Japanese word for raw fish and is frequently eaten with soy sauce
and green wasabi paste (similar to a spicy horseradish). Wasabi was
traditionally thought to kill any bacteria that may have been present in raw
fish, but we know today that its function is solely for taste. Interestingly,
the wasabi plant is difficult and expensive to grow outside Japan, so most
wasabi served in Western countries has very little, or none at all, of the
plant in it.
6. Many western countries have eagerly adopted this healthy and filling food.
Sushi eventually made its way to Western countries and became popular
in the 1970s, although some people found it difficult to enjoy eating raw
fish. This was particularly true in the United States, but a Japanese chef
in Los Angeles created the popular ‘California Roll’, which used avocado
instead of raw tuna and which has since become the most widely eaten
sushi variety in the Western world. It is important to note, however, that
what many Western countries refer to today as sushi (raw fish and rice
wrapped in seaweed) is actually called ‘maki-sushi’. Now sushi comes in
many different forms, including ‘burrito sushi’ (made with jalapeno peppers),
with cheese instead of raw fish and ‘poochie sushi’, which is for dogs!
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (66) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the original form of sushi had an awful
stench.
the California roll is the most widely
eaten form of sushi.
sushi originated in Southeast Asia.
2. Raw fish was originally kept with rice
because it aided in:
(a)
(b)
(c)
taste
preservation
appearance
3. The paragraph that is mainly about
different types of present-day sushi is:
(a) Paragraph 3
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 6
4. In which century did sushi gain popularity
as a takeaway meal?
(a)
(b)
(c)
8th century AD
12th century AD
19th century AD
5. You could predict that if the wasabi plant
was easier to grow:
(a)
(b)
(c)
wasabi paste would be less expensive.
sushi would be a more popular food.
raw fish would still be preserved with
rice.
6. In Paragraph 4, the word many refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
shop owners
varieties of sushi
people
7. The writer of the text would agree that:
(a)
(b)
(c)
there are few varieties of sushi today.
sushi is a tasty snack.
all sushi smells terrible.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. The best summary of Paragraph 4 would
be:
(a)
(b)
(c)
The idea of sushi caught on when
mobile food stalls began selling
oblong rectangles of rice with fish
draped on top.
In the 19th century people began
eating sushi with fingers and
chopsticks in a rush before the theatre.
Sushi became known as a takeaway
meal in the 19th century when mobile
food stalls sold small pieces which
people found easy to eat.
9. Which event took place last in history?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The early form of sushi spread from
China to Japan.
A Japanese chef created the popular
California Roll.
Mobile sushi stalls began selling
takeaway sushi.
10. Wasabi was traditionally used with sushi
because it:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was thought to kill any bacteria on the
raw fish.
improved the taste.
was an expensive delicacy.
11. You can conclude that sushi:
(a)
(b)
(c)
and sashimi are the same thing.
must always be made with raw fish.
continues to be a popular fast food.
12. People probably enjoy eating sushi today
because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
it is a healthy alternative to other fast
food.
raw fish smells delicious.
it’s easy to eat before a theatre show.

Fuchsia 1
Fuchsia 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
h three 1. 1. words Quote It is an are marks opinion, reverse are not used a fact, with that: words like 7. ‘narezushi’,
Which word 5. 8. shares A The preposition best the same summary phrase consonant of begins Paragraph with 4 a would
abetical order?
(a) the
‘sashimi’
original
and
form
‘poochie
of sushi
sushi’
had an
to:
awful
sound with these preposition; be: words? e.g. throughout China and
described, (a) development, introduce stench. the different name of something.
Japan.
tradition (a) sushi The
Which
idea
group
of shortened sushi
of
caught
words
on
is not
when
a
preposition phrase?
expensive, (b) eventually, indicate the California eliminated direct roll speech. is the most widely
mobile food stalls began selling
(a) Asia
preservation, (c) present, indicate
eaten form
preserve it is
of
an
sushi.
This process oblong was rectangles eliminated of rice altogether with fish with
informal saying. (b) increasingthe development draped on top. of the refrigerator.
(c) sushi originated in Southeast Asia.
word resembled in Paragraph 3
(c) seaweed
2. A sentence must include a verb and its
(a) (b) this In the process 19th was century eliminated people began
ns to: 2. subject. Raw fish The was verb originally is the kept action. with The rice subject
8. Which word is (b) an antonym with
eating
the
sushi
for development
with fingers and
eagerly in
performs because it the aided action; in: e.g. Wasabi grows in
chopsticks in a rush before the theatre.
accept a decision you don’t like.
Paragraph 6?
Japan: Wasabi is the subject and grows is the
(c) of the refrigerator
(a) taste
(c) Sushi became known as a takeaway
smell terrible. verb. In this sentence, the subject of the (a) verb grudgingly
6. Which meal conjunction in the 19th would century best when join these mobile
be like or was (b)
similar thrown preservation
to something. is:
(b) readily two sentences food stalls to sold retain small the pieces meaning? which
The (c) fish appearance was then eaten while the rice was
people found easy to eat.
h two words have the same number
(c) boldly Wasabi is difficult to grow outside of Japan.
thrown away in a bin.
llables 3. as burrito? The paragraph that is mainly about
9. Most Which wasabi event served took place in Western last in countries history? has
9.
(a) The fish
Say each word pair. Which pair has the
different types of present-day sushi is:
little in it.
combination, mobile
same vowel sound (a) as The raw? early form of sushi spread from
(b) (a) the Paragraph rice 3
(a) however China to Japan.
expensive, popularity
(a) popular, before
(c) (b) a Paragraph bin 4
(b) (b) although A Japanese chef created the popular
numerous, takeaway
(b) preservation, awful
3. A sentence may also include an object. The
(c) because California Roll.
(c) Paragraph 6
h word belongs with this group of
(c) sauce, important
object receives the action of the verb; e.g.
(c) Mobile sushi stalls began selling
ds? 4.
The
In which
Japanese
century
would
did
eat
sushi
the
gain
fish
popularity 7. A verb
raw. 10. Would Which sentence is spelled takeaway
group includes
correctly? sushi.
the verb, any
away throughout eat
as a
is
takeaway
the verb and
meal?
auxiliary verbs and a negative term if
chopstick the fish is the object. In
(a) Present-day 10. present; sushi can take many
this sentence, the object of the verb was
Wasabi was e.g. traditionally Nare-zushi did used not with smell sushi
(a) 8th century AD
continue
forms and nice. have A numerous verb group diferent in this sentence is:
thought to kill is:
because it:
(b) 12th century AD
outside
ingredeints.
Stores would continue to sell partly
Wasabi was traditionally thought to kill bacteria
(a) was thought to kill any bacteria on the
(c) 19th century AD
popular
(b) The early preserved form of sushi sushi was for a centuries.
in the raw fish.
raw fish.
combinition
(a)
of
Stores
salted
would
fish and rice
5.
word eliminated (a) You could wasabi predict that if the wasabi plant
(b) improved the taste.
in Paragraph 3 could
which origonated in Southeast Asia.
was easier to grow:
(b) would continue to sell
eplaced with: (b) bacteria
(c) was an expensive delicacy.
(c) Wasabi was traditionally thought to kill
(a) wasabi paste would be less expensive.
discontinued (c) fish
bacteria on (c) raw for fish centuries but has since been
11. You can conclude that sushi:
(b) sushi would be a more popular food. found to be solely for taste.
elevated
8. Demonstrative determiners tell which
4. A noun group is a noun with its adjective(s)
(a) and sashimi are the same thing.
(c) raw fish would still be preserved
evaded
11. with
and usually a determiner; e.g. a spicy
Which compound person word or has thing a similar you mean and whether
rice.
horseradish sauce, that raw fish. Which group
meaning to the the
(b)
words noun
must
that is
always
near make or
be
it? far
made
from
with
the
raw
speaker/
fish.
hich word of pair words are both is a noun words group spelt
writer; (c) continues e.g. this to dish, be these a popular Western fast food.
6. In Paragraph 4, the word in many this refers sentence? to: (a) chopstick
ectly?
countries. Which word is a demonstrative
The (a) idea shop of owners sushi as a quick takeaway meal (b) takeaway 12. determiner People probably in this enjoy sentence? eating sushi today
rectangle, didn’t ingredeint start until the 19th century.
because:
(b) varieties of sushi
(c) importantThey would hang signs to inform those
traditionally, (a) customer a quick takeaway meal
customers (a) it is a when healthy the alternative sushi was ready. to other fast
(c) people
bacteiria, frequently
12. From Paragraph 3, which food. words have
(b) the idea of sushi
(a) the
related meanings?
7.
(c) The writer until the of 19th the text century would agree that:
(b) raw fish smells delicious.
(b) when
(a) stank, stench
(a) there are few varieties of sushi today.
(c) it’s easy to eat before a theatre show.
(c) those
Something extra
(b) form, process
(b) sushi is a tasty snack.
(c) described, resembled
Practise (c) using all sushi chopsticks smells terrible. by using two pencils or pens and picking up small objects.
Illustrate and write a description of a piece of sushi that you would enjoy eating. Be
sure to give it a unique name.
Satisfying sushi!
1. Which three words are in reverse
alphabetical order?
All about words
7. Which word shares the same consonant
sound with these words?
1. Did (a) you described, know that sushi development, did not actually different originate in Japan? tradition This fresh and sushi shortened
tasty (b) snack expensive, has its origins eventually, in Southeast eliminated Asia.
(a) Asia
2. The (c) early preservation, form of sushi, present, called preserve ‘nare-zushi’, was actually a combination (b) increasing of
salted fish and rice. To preserve it, the fish was kept in dry rice and left for
2. months The word at a time. resembled The fish in was Paragraph then eaten 3
(c) seaweed
while the rice was thrown away.
Over means time, to: it spread throughout China and on to Japan 8. by the Which 8th word century is an antonym for eagerly in
AD. (a) Instead accept of using a decision the rice you for don’t preservation, like. the Japanese Paragraph would eat the 6?
fish partly raw with rice and so the modern idea of sushi was born!
(b) smell terrible.
(a) grudgingly
3. The
(c)
original
be like
form
or
of
similar
sushi
to
stank
something.
horribly! A Japanese story from
(b)
the
readily
12th
century described nare-zushi as having a smell that resembled blue cheese,
3. fish Which and rice two vinegar. words Yuck! have It’s the probably same number due to this awful stench (c) that boldly
the of Japanese syllables eventually as burrito? shortened the fish preservation process. Stores
9.
would continue to sell partly-preserved sushi for centuries and
Say
would
each word
hang
pair. Which pair has the
signs
(a)
letting
combination,
customers
mobile
know when the sushi would be ready.
same
Eventually,
vowel sound as raw?
with (b) the expensive, development popularity of the refrigerator, this process was eliminated (a) popular, before
altogether.
(c) numerous, takeaway
(b) preservation, awful
4. The idea of sushi as a quick takeaway meal didn’t start until the early
4.
19th
Which
century.
word
At
belongs
that time,
with
Tokyo
this
was
group
still
of
(c) sauce, important
known as ‘Edo’ and mobile
food
words?
stalls on the street were increasing in popularity. ‘Nigiri-zushi’
10. Which sentence is spelled correctly?
was takeaway started in this throughout way, with small chopstick rectangles of rice served with pieces
(a) Present-day sushi can take many
of fish draped on top. Towards the end of the century Japan’s most
(a) continue
forms and have numerous diferent
famous fast food had taken off as many in Tokyo found it easy to eat
the (b) small outside
ingredeints.
parcels of food with fingers or chopsticks. This dish was eaten
when (c) people popular were in a rush or before the theatre. (b) The early form of sushi was a
combinition of salted fish and rice
5. Present-day sushi can take many forms and contain numerous ingredients.
5. The word eliminated in Paragraph 3 could
which origonated in Southeast Asia.
While most people think that sushi means ‘raw fish’, it can be made with
be replaced with:
tofu, vegetables or other meats like cooked chicken. ‘Sashimi’ (c) is actually Wasabi was traditionally thought to kill
the (a) Japanese discontinued word for raw fish and is frequently eaten with soy sauce bacteria on raw fish but has since been
and green wasabi paste (similar to a spicy horseradish). Wasabi was found to be solely for taste.
(b) elevated
traditionally thought to kill any bacteria that may have been present in raw
fish, (c) but evaded
11. Which compound word has a similar
we know today that its function is solely for taste. Interestingly,
meaning to the words that make it?
the wasabi plant is difficult and expensive to grow outside Japan, so most
6. In which word pair are both words spelt
wasabi served in Western countries has very little, or none at (a) all, chopstick of the
correctly?
plant in it.
(b) takeaway
(a) rectangle, ingredeint
6. Many western countries have eagerly adopted this healthy and (c) filling important food.
Sushi (b) eventually traditionally, made customer its way to Western countries and became popular
in the (c) 1970s, bacteiria, although frequently some people found it difficult to enjoy 12. From eating Paragraph raw 3, which words have
fish. This was particularly true in the United States, but a Japanese related chef meanings?
in Los Angeles created the popular ‘California Roll’, which used
(a)
avocado
stank, stench
instead of raw tuna and which has since become the most widely eaten
sushi variety in the Western world. It is important to note, however, (b) form, that process
what many Western countries refer to today as sushi (raw fish (c) and described, rice resembled
wrapped in seaweed) is actually called ‘maki-sushi’. Now sushi comes in
many different forms, including ‘burrito sushi’ (made with jalapeno peppers),
with cheese instead of raw fish and ‘poochie sushi’, which is for dogs!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (66) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (66) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 2
Comprehension
Ashoka:
Unifier of India
1. Known as the ‘Emperor of Emperors’, Ashoka Maurya is thought by some to be one of India’s
greatest emperors. His formidable military conquests united much of present-day India and his
adoption of the Buddhist faith changed the course of the country’s history.
2. Ashoka was the grandson of another great Indian ruler, Chandragupta Maurya, who founded
the Mauryan dynasty in about 325 BC. From an early age, Ashoka demonstrated great skill in
his royal military training and soon developed a reputation as a fierce warrior. Legends tell of
Ashoka’s impressive hunting ability after he killed a lion with a simple wooden stick.
3. In 273 BC, after the death of his father, Bindusara, a war erupted over who would take his
place. According to legend, Ashoka killed his rival brothers, but there is no historical evidence
to confirm this. What is known is that Ashoka’s coronation as emperor occurred in 269 BC.
4. Buddhist legends portray Ashoka’s early time as emperor as brutal and angry. He ordered the
construction of a torture chamber and an executioner was appointed to deal with anyone
whom Ashoka believed was disrespectful towards him.
5. Over the next eight years, Ashoka rapidly expanded his empire, conquering neighbouring
lands and extending its boundaries to modern-day Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh in
the east, Iran and Afghanistan in the west and almost to the peninsula of southern India.
Even after his successful military achievements, one jewel still remained to be plundered, the
territory of Kalinga on the east coast of India.
6. It is said that Ashoka set out from his capital, Pataliputra, and marched towards Kalinga with
thousands of troops and war elephants. Ancient inscriptions state that the battle was intense
and resulted in the deaths of more than 100 000 soldiers and the deportation of 150 000
people. Although victorious, when Ashoka walked through the battlefield the following day,
he was filled with remorse. It is said that the carnage of this epic battle resulted in Ashoka’s
adoption of the Buddhist faith.
7. In 260 BC, Ashoka formally declared Buddhism the faith of the empire and he placed a
great emphasis on non-violence and piety. He famously wrote a number of rules, known as
the Edicts of Ashoka, which preached his social and moral beliefs according to Buddhism.
Ashoka felt so strongly about his chosen faith that he sent Buddhist messengers to spread
its teachings throughout India and neighbouring territories such as Greece, Sri Lanka, Burma
(Myanmar) and North Africa.
8. Ashoka’s reign lasted an estimated forty years and was largely peaceful after his conversion
to Buddhism, but the Mauryan dynasty continued for only fifty years beyond his death in 232
BC. As impressive as Ashoka was as a ruler, history would have probably forgotten about him
had it not been for the records and inscriptions of his accomplishments he left behind. From
magnificent pillars to carvings on cave walls, Ashoka tirelessly documented his life, particularly
his conversion to Buddhism and his belief in its teachings. Because of these, we know about
this ‘emperor of emperors’ today.
1. The word in Paragraph 6 that means the
brutal death of many people is:
(a) remorse
(b) carnage
(c) epic
2. The final place that Ashoka took by force
was:
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Iran
(c) Kalinga
3. The main idea of Paragraph 4 is that Ashoka:
(a) was a leader who ruled by fear.
(b) had an interest in architecture.
(c) thought some people didn’t like him.
4. Ashoka began following the Buddhist faith:
(a) from birth.
(b) after his coronation as emperor.
(c) after the battle for Kalinga.
5. Ashoka’s reign was different from those of his
father and grandfather because he:
(a) extended his empire in all directions.
(b) declared Buddhism the official faith of his
empire.
(c) ruled his empire with violence and anger.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. You could predict from the text that after his
conversion to Buddhism, the people of his
empire
Ashoka:
(a) had greater love and respect for
(b) continued to live in constant fear of
(c) were prepared to rise up against
7. You can conclude from the text that Ashoka:
(a) wanted people to remember him and
what had occurred during his reign.
(b) gave no thought to informing future
generations about his reign.
(c) had no formal education and could not
read or write.
8. A summary of Paragraph 7 is that
Ashoka:
(a) believed that people should be
forced by him to follow the Buddhist
faith.
(b) was so dedicated to the teachings
of Buddhism that he wanted to share
it.
(c) wrote the Edicts of Ashoka so that
people would understand Buddhism.
9. The Mauryan dynasty lasted for
approximately
years:
(a) 15
(b) 150
(c) 1500
10. Ashoka is remembered today because
he:
(a) was an unforgettable emperor.
(b) converted his empire to Buddhism.
(c) documented his life so well.
11. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Ashoka:
(a) followed his father as emperor of the
Maurya dynasty.
(b) killed his brothers so he would be
crowned emperor.
(c) was the cruellest emperor of the
Maurya dynasty.
12. It is the writer’s point of view that Ashoka
was a
leader:
(a) weak
(b) strong
(c) dangerous
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (67) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Fuchsia 2
All about words
group 1. 1. with A The the preposition word correct in Paragraph spellings phrase starts 6 that with means a 8. the The pair 5. of 8. words Some A summary with conjunctions no common of Paragraph used vowel to join 7 is that clauses
ll the verbs preposition; brutal formed death from e.g. of the many He nouns was people of the is: Buddhist sound in their to syllables Ashoka: make longer is: sentences can make one
ption, inscription faith. and conversion is:
(a)
The
remorse
preposition phrase in this
(a) erupted,
clause
peninsular (a) believed
dependent
that
and
people
unable
should
to stand
be
adopt, inscribe,
sentence
convert
is:
on its own;
forced
e.g.
by
He
him
still
to
wanted
follow the
Kalinga
Buddhist
(b) carnage
(b) construction, impressive
adopt, inscripe,
Legend
converse
says that Ashoka fearlessly attacked
even though
faith.
he had a vast empire. The
a (c) lion epic with a wooden stick.
(c) inscription, word magnificent that makes one clause dependent
adop, inscrip, convers
in (b) this sentence was so dedicated is: to the teachings
2. (a) The final fearlessly place attacked that Ashoka took by 9. force In Paragraph 5, describing of Buddhism Kalinga that as he the wanted to share
When Ashoka walked through the
word in Paragraph (b) was: a lion3 that comes
jewel means that it was: it.
battlefield he was filled with remorse.
the Latin verb coronare meaning to
(c) (a) with Bangladesh a wooden stick
(a) a land rich (c) in natural wrote resources. the Edicts of Ashoka so that
n is:
(a) when (b) through (c) with
people would understand Buddhism.
(b) a land full of diamond mines.
erupted 2. A
(b)
preposition
Iran
phrase can function as an 6. A verb group includes the verb, any
adjective (c) Kalinga describing a noun; e.g. a battle (c) a scenic 9. place. The Mauryan dynasty lasted for
confirm
auxiliary verbs and a negative term if
with many casualties. Which preposition
approximately
years:
present; e.g. He would have forgotten. The
coronation 3. phrase The main is not idea functioning of Paragraph as an 4 is adjective that 10. Ashoka: The word appointed
verb (a) group 15 in Paragraph
in this sentence
4
is:
in this sentence?
could be replaced with:
(a) was a leader who ruled by fear.
hich two words do the letters ou
The (b) memory 150 of Ashoka has been living for
Ashoka’s reign of forty years was mostly (a) praised
e the same (b) sound had as an they interest do in the architecture.
almost two thousand years.
peaceful after his conversion to Buddhism.
(c) 1500
young?
(b) judged
(c) thought some people didn’t like him.
(a) has
(a) of forty years
ground, famously
(c) chosen 10. Ashoka is remembered today because
(b) has been
4. (b) Ashoka after began his conversion following the Buddhist faith:
he:
country, southern
11. From Paragraph (c) 5, has which been words livingdo not
(c) (a) to from Buddhism birth.
(a) was an unforgettable emperor.
thought, founded
have related meanings?
7.
3. Adverbials
(b) after his
are
coronation
words or groups
as emperor.
Determiners (b) converted introduce his empire nouns. to Some Buddhism. are
of words (a) expanded, possessive achievements and show ownership; e.g. his
list of words that (c) in give reverse after more the alphabetical
battle information Kalinga. about verbs;
r is: e.g. spread its teachings throughout the
(b) conquering,
reign.
(c)
plundered
Some
documented
are quantitative
his life so
and
well.
tell how
much; e.g. a number of rules. Others are
southern, 5. known social, Ashoka’s soldiers, world reign (place). soon was different The adverbial from those of (c) of his boundaries, 11. It
demonstrative territory is a fact, not an opinion, that Ashoka:
and tell which noun; e.g.
place father in and this grandfather sentence is: because he:
coronation, conversion, construction,
this (a) battle. followed Two of his the father determiners as emperor in this of the
12. The suffix -ful means full of; e.g.
confirm When (a) extended Ashoka walked his empire through in all the directions.
sentence Maurya are: dynasty.
successful: For which word is the suffix
battlefield he was filled with remorse.
emperor, empire, (b) declared emphasis, Buddhism evidence the official faith -ful of his not added Some to (b) mean people killed full his believe of? brothers that so Ashoka he would killed be his
(a) When empire. Ashoka walked
brothers crowned but there emperor. is no evidence to support
(a) respect
correct spelling (b) filled is:
this theory.
(c) ruled with his empire remorsewith violence and anger. (c) was the cruellest emperor of the
(b) victory
neigbour
(a) demonstrative
Maurya dynasty.
(c) through the battlefield
6. You could predict from the text that after (c) his remorse
neighbor
(b) possessive
4. A conversion noun group to is Buddhism, a noun with the its people adjectives of his 12. It is the writer’s point of view that Ashoka
(c) quantitative
neighbour and empire often a determiner; Ashoka: e.g this epic
was a
leader:
battle. (a) had The greater noun group love and in this respect sentence for is: 8. An (a) abstract weaknoun is one we cannot
best synonym for the word
orse in Paragraph
Ashoka (b) continued had
6 is:
been to fighting live in constant before his fear of
identify (b) strong using our senses; e.g. anger. How
dramatic conversion to Buddhism.
many abstract nouns are in this sentence?
shame (c) were prepared to rise up against
(c) dangerous
(a) had been fighting
Many people who lived in fear of Ashoka’s
sadness 7. brutal reign felt much safer after his
(b) You his can dramatic conclude conversion from the text that Ashoka:
sorrow
conversion.
(c) (a) to wanted Buddhism people to remember him and
Mauryan
what had occurred during his reign.
(a) Empire one (b) two (c) three
ntonym for the word moral in
graph 7 is: (b) gave no thought to informing future
generations about his reign.
decent
(c) had no formal education Something and could not extra
virtuous
read or write.
corrupt Find an image of Ashoka Maurya on the internet and draw your version of it.
Use internet resources to discover the significance of the bodhi tree for the Buddhist faith.
1. The group with the correct spellings
8. The pair of words with no common vowel
for all the verbs formed from
Ashoka:
the nouns
sound in their syllables is:
adoption, inscription and conversion is:
(a) erupted, peninsular
(a) adopt, inscribe, convert
Unifier of
(b)
India
construction, impressive
(b) adopt, inscripe, converse
(c) inscription, magnificent
(c) adop, inscrip, convers
9. In Paragraph 5, describing Kalinga as the
2. The word in Paragraph 3 that comes
jewel means that it was:
1. Known as the ‘Emperor of Emperors’, Ashoka Maurya is thought by some to be one of India’s
from the Latin verb coronare meaning to
greatest emperors. His formidable military conquests united (a) a much land of rich present-day in natural resources. India and his
crown is:
adoption of the Buddhist faith changed the course of the (b) country’s a land full history. of diamond mines.
(a) erupted
2. Ashoka was the grandson of another great Indian ruler, (c) Chandragupta a scenic place. Maurya, who founded
the
(b)
Mauryan
confirm
dynasty in about 325 BC. From an early age, Ashoka demonstrated great skill in
his (c) royal coronation military training and soon developed a reputation 10. The word as a appointed fierce warrior. in Paragraph Legends tell 4 of
Ashoka’s impressive hunting ability after he killed a lion could with a be simple replaced wooden with: stick.
3. In which two words do the letters ou
3. In 273 BC, after the death of his father, Bindusara, a war (a) erupted praised
make the same sound as they do in the
over who would take his
place. word young? According to legend, Ashoka killed his rival brothers, (b) judged but there is no historical evidence
to confirm this. What is known is that Ashoka’s coronation as emperor occurred in 269 BC.
(a) ground, famously
(c) chosen
4. Buddhist legends portray Ashoka’s early time as emperor as brutal and angry. He ordered the
(b) country, southern
construction of a torture chamber and an executioner 11. From was appointed Paragraph to 5, deal which with words anyone do not
whom (c) thought, Ashoka founded believed was disrespectful towards him. have related meanings?
5. Over the next eight years, Ashoka rapidly expanded his
(a)
empire,
expanded,
conquering
achievements
4. The list of words in reverse alphabetical
neighbouring
lands order and is: extending its boundaries to modern-day Burma (b) (Myanmar) conquering, and plundered Bangladesh in
the east, Iran and Afghanistan in the west and almost to the peninsula of southern India.
Even
(a) southern,
after his successful
social, soldiers,
military
soon
(c) boundaries, territory
achievements, one jewel still remained to be plundered, the
territory (b) coronation, of Kalinga conversion, the east construction,
coast of India. 12. The suffix -ful means full of; e.g.
confirm
6. It is said that Ashoka set out from his capital, Pataliputra, successful: and marched For which towards word Kalinga is the with suffix
thousands (c) emperor, of troops empire, and emphasis, war elephants. evidence Ancient inscriptions -ful not state added that to the mean battle full was of? intense
and resulted in the deaths of more than 100 000 soldiers (a) and respect the deportation of 150 000
5. people. The correct Although spelling victorious, is: when Ashoka walked through the battlefield the following day,
(b) victory
he (a) was neigbour filled with remorse. It is said that the carnage of this epic battle resulted in Ashoka’s
adoption of the Buddhist faith.
(c) remorse
(b) neighbor
7. In (c) 260 neighbour BC, Ashoka formally declared Buddhism the faith of the empire and he placed a
great emphasis on non-violence and piety. He famously wrote a number of rules, known as
6. the The Edicts best synonym of Ashoka, for which the word preached his social and moral beliefs according to Buddhism.
Ashoka remorse felt in so Paragraph strongly about 6 is: his chosen faith that he sent Buddhist messengers to spread
its teachings throughout India and neighbouring territories such as Greece, Sri Lanka, Burma
(Myanmar)
(a) shame
and North Africa.
(b) sadness
8. Ashoka’s reign lasted an estimated forty years and was largely peaceful after his conversion
to (c) Buddhism, sorrow but the Mauryan dynasty continued for only fifty years beyond Mauryan his death in 232
BC. As impressive as Ashoka was as a ruler, history would have probably Empire forgotten about him
7. had An antonym it not been for for the the word records moral and in inscriptions of his accomplishments he left behind. From
magnificent Paragraph 7 pillars is: to carvings on cave walls, Ashoka tirelessly documented his life, particularly
his (a) conversion decent to Buddhism and his belief in its teachings. Because of these, we know about
this ‘emperor of emperors’ today.
(b) virtuous
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(c) corrupt
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (67) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (67) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 3
Comprehension
Before Harry Potter and Twilight
1. Before fantasy novels such as the Harry Potter and the Twilight series were even a twinkle
in their authors’ eyes, an aspiring author named Norton Juster wrote a book called The
phantom tollbooth. The year was 1961 and the book became a classic—even being
compared to Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. Everyone should read this
book, no matter their age.
2. The plot of the story involves a young schoolboy named Milo, who is bored with learning
and feels so many things are a waste of time. He unexpectedly arrives home one afternoon
to find a magic tollbooth in his room. Following the directions, Milo drives his electric
toy car through the tollbooth and finds himself in a magical place called the Kingdom of
Wisdom. Here he undertakes a quest to rescue two banished princesses—Rhyme and
Reason—with assistance from companions, Tock, the watchdog, and Humbug, an insect.
The trio have many adventures while engaged in the quest and Milo learns many valuable
lessons along the way.
3. The characters in the book are immensely interesting and varied. Their names and the way
they act reinforce the adult language, add humour and support the story. Tock, a giant
clock with a dog’s head and legs, has the job of ensuring nobody wastes time. Humbug, the
insect, flatters himself and others. Spelling Bee, a giant bee, loves to spell out words while
holding a conversation. Faintly Macabre, the Not-So-Wicked Which, introduces Milo to the
story of the princesses, banished by the warring regents—King Azaz, ruler of Dictionopolis,
the kingdom of words, and his brother, the Mathemagician, ruler of Digitopolis, the land
of numbers—who both objected to Rhyme and Reason’s point of view that words and
numbers were of equal importance.
4. The illustrations are black and white line drawings by Jules Feiffer. Their simplicity allows
readers to use their own creativity and imagination to add colour and detail. The story is
not overshadowed by intricate artwork.
5. The most fascinating aspect of this novel is the use of language. The author uses puns and
idioms in the dialogue throughout the story. Readers will encounter Officer Shrift charging
Milo with crimes including ‘upsetting the applecart, wreaking havoc, and mincing words.’
They will read how residents of Dictionopolis ‘eat their own words’—literally—as they dine.
The names of places such as the Sea of Knowledge, the Island of Conclusions (which visitors
must leap to), the Foothills of Confusion, the Mountains of Ignorance, the Doldrums (where
people get stuck), the Forest of Sight and the Valley of Sounds, are chosen carefully.
6. The book tries to teach readers that learning is essential, it is important to appreciate the
world around them, to use their common sense, and, above all, not to waste time. If a
person did all these things, boredom would never be a problem.
7. No matter how old you are, you must find a copy of this book to read because you will
thoroughly enjoy the clever story, interesting and varied characters, quirky placenames, but
especially the language, which is so cleverly entwined throughout the story.
1. The word classic in Paragraph 1 means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a literary work of the highest
standard.
something that is stylish and fine.
a class of schoolchildren.
2. Which two characters does Milo take
along on his quest?
(a)
(b)
(c)
Rhyme and Reason
Tock and Humbug
King Azaz and Mathemagician
3. Paragraph 5 is mainly about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the names the author called the
various characters.
how language was used throughout
the book.
examples of puns and idioms used.
4. What aspect of the book does the writer
talk about after the characters?
(a)
(b)
(c)
the illustrations
the language
the themes
5. This book is most similar to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the Harry Potter series
Alice’s adventures in Wonderland
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
the Twilight series
6. You can conclude that the writer of this
book review:
(a)
(b)
(c)
doesn’t care for the book very much.
is indifferent to the book.
thinks it is an excellent book.
7. Which sentence best summarises
Paragraph 3?
(a)
(b)
(c)
The characters, including the princesses
have interesting names, which reflect their
character and support the story.
The characters all have interesting names
like the two princesses Rhyme and Reason.
The two princesses were banished
because they believed words and numbers
were of equal importance.
8. You can infer that Rhyme and Reason were
probably:
(a)
(b)
(c)
nasty princesses.
related to King Azaz and Mathemagician.
unwanted by everyone in the Kingdom of
Wisdom.
9. What was the cause of the banishment of
Princesses Rhyme and Reason?
(a)
(b)
(c)
They became bored and got into mischief.
They tried to take over the throne of the
Kingdom of Wisedom.
King Azaz and Mathemagician objected
to their opinion that words were just as
important as numbers.
10. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Norton Juster:
(a)
(b)
(c)
wrote a book called The phantom
tollbooth.
was an inspired writer.
wrote a brilliant story.
11. The text was written in order to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
give information about puns and idioms.
persuade people to read The phantom
tollbooth.
entertain using a classic story.
12. The pronoun them in Paragraph 6 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the book
the characters
readers
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (68) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Fuchsia 3
All about words
word 1. 1. idioms Dashes The in word Paragraph are classic used in 5 in means Paragraphs 12, means: 3 and 7. 5: Homophones 7. Which 6. sound A sentence possessive the same, best determiner summarises
are spelt
placed
ases:
(a) to a literary introduce work a list. of the highest
differently Paragraph and before have 3? a a different noun to meaning; say who or what the
whose meaning is not related to the
e.g. there/their/they’re. The meaning of
(b) to
standard.
show missing text.
(a)
noun
The characters,
belongs to;
including
e.g. your
the
book,
princesses
his
individual words.
a word that is a brother. homophone The possessive for waste determiner is: in
(c)
(b)
instead
something
of round
that is
brackets.
stylish and fine.
have interesting names, which reflect their
that sound idiotic.
(a) the part of
this
character the
sentence
human and body support
is:
between the story.
(c) a class of schoolchildren.
the ribs and the hips.
that 2. are meant Which to group be taken of words literally. is an idiom; e.g.
(b)
Their
The characters
names and
all
the
have
way
interesting
they act
names
(b) employ uselessly
reinforce
or
the
without
adult
return.
language.
2. upsetting Which two the characters applecart? does Milo take
like the two princesses Rhyme and Reason.
ich word is
(a)
along a synonym
learning his for
is
quest?
important
intricate in
(c) a search (c) or
(a)
The pursuit. two
Their
princesses were banished
agraph 4?
(b)
(a)
eat
Rhyme
their
and
own
Reason
(b) because they they believed words and numbers
words
8.
curiosity
In which group of words does one not
have an oo sound
(c)
were
like
the
of equal importance.
(c)
(b)
black
Tock
and
and
white
Humbug
line drawings
tollbooth?
detailed
(c) King Azaz and Mathemagician
8.
(a) two,
You
who
can
7. A preposition
infer that Rhyme
phrase
and
begins
Reason
with
were
a
simple 3. Which sentence has a past tense verb?
probably:
(b) humour, book
preposition. Which group of words in
3.
(a)
Paragraph
Boredom
5 is
would
mainly
not
about:
be an option.
(a) the nasty sentence princesses. below is a preposition
ich word is an antonym for banished in
(c) conclusion, throughout
agraph 3? (b)
(a)
The
the
plot
names
of the
the
story
author
involves
called the
a school (b)
phrase?
related to King Azaz and Mathemagician.
boy.
various characters.
9.
deported
Which words (c) are He
unwanted not unexpectedly in alphabetical
by everyone
arrives
in
home
the Kingdom
one
of
(c)
(b)
Norton
how language
Juster wrote
was used
an interesting
throughout
book. order? afternoon
Wisdom.
to find a magic tollbooth in his
prohibit the book.
room.
(a) important, importance, imaginative
welcomed 4. An (c) adjective examples phrase of puns begins and idioms with an used. 9. What (a) was in the his cause roomof the banishment of
adjective. Which group of words is the (b) understand, Princesses undertakes, Rhyme and unexpectedly Reason?
(b) a magic tollbooth
ich sentence 4. adjective What is spelt aspect phrase correctly? of the in this book sentence? does the writer (c) conclusion, (a) They confusion, became conversation
bored and got into mischief.
The princesses The
talk
characters
about
Rhyme
after
and in the
the
Reason book
characters?
(c) unexpectedly arrives home
are immensely
10.
had an argument interesting with and King varied. Azaz and
Which word, (b) originally They tried from to take the over Italian the throne of the
(a) the illustrations
Mathemagician who believed their
word puntiglio 8. Which Kingdom meaning word of fine Wisedom.
point, a modal verb which helps
(a) (b) immensely the language interesting and varied
opinions were unacceptable.
quibble, means (c)
another
King Azaz humorous verb;
and
e.g.
Mathemagician use must of a find, will
objected
rescue.
(b) (c) The the characters themes in the book
word in such a Everyone to manner their opinion as should to bring that read words out this a book were no just matter as
The princesses Rhyme and Reason
different meaning? what important their age. as numbers.
had an argument (c) are with immensely King Azaz interesting
5. This book is most similar and to:
Mathemagician who beleived their
(a) pun (a) read
10. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Norton Juster:
5.
opinions
A
were
(a) noun
unacceptable.
the group Harry is Potter a group series of words with a
(b) idiom (b) should
noun, adjective(s) and usually a determiner; (a) wrote a book called The phantom
The princesses
(b) Alice’s
e.g. a Rhyme
adventures
giant clock. and Reason
in Wonderland
Which group of words is (c) a pugnacious (c) tollbooth. their
had an arguement noun (c) group the Twilight with in King this series sentence? Azaz and
Mathemagician who beleived their
11. Which words (b) both was have an inspired a prefix writer. and a
opinions 6. The
were You most can unaccepteble. conclude fascinating that aspect the writer of this novel of this is the suffix? (c) wrote a brilliant story.
use book of language. review:
(a) thoroughly, valuable
word (a) The could most replace fascinating immensely aspect in
11. The text was written in order to:
(a) doesn’t care for the book very much.
agraph 3.
(b) unexpectedly,
Something
overshadowed
extra
(b) (b) of is this indifferent novel
(a) give information about puns and idioms.
to the book.
immediately
(c) carefully, princesses
(c) (c) is thinks the use it is of an language (b) persuade people to read The phantom
excellent book.
occasionally
12. Which group Research has tollbooth. a to combined find out where total and of 10 why tollbooths
extremely
syllables? are (c) still entertain used today. using a classic story.
(a) reinforce, including, adventures
ich group’s base words both changed
12. Compile The pronoun a list of them titles in of Paragraph fantasy novels, 6 refers films to: or
n adding a suffix?
(b) fascinating, television encounter, series you cleverly are familiar with, then add
(a) the book
interesting, magical
(c) simplicity, to it over unexpectedly, time as fellow language class members offer
their (b) suggestions.
the characters
learning, overshadowed
completing, varied
(c) readers
Before Harry Potter and Twilight
phrases:
1. The word idioms in Paragraph 5 means
7. Homophones sound the same, are spelt
differently and have a different meaning;
(a) whose meaning is not related to the
e.g. there/their/they’re. The meaning of
1. Before individual fantasy words. novels such as the Harry Potter and the a Twilight word that series is a were homophone even a twinkle for waste is:
in their authors’ eyes, an aspiring author named Norton Juster wrote a book called The
(b) that sound idiotic.
(a) the part of the human body between
phantom tollbooth. The year was 1961 and the book became the a ribs classic—even and the hips. being
(c) compared that meant to Lewis to Carroll’s be taken Alice’s literally. adventures in Wonderland. Everyone should read this
(b) employ uselessly or without return.
book, no matter their age.
2. Which word is a synonym for intricate in
(c) a search or pursuit.
2. Paragraph The plot 4? of the story involves a young schoolboy named Milo, who is bored with learning
and feels so many things are a waste of time. He unexpectedly 8. arrives home one afternoon
(a)
to
curiosity
In which group of words does one not
find a magic tollbooth in his room. Following the directions, have an Milo oo sound drives like his tollbooth? electric
(b) toy detailed car through the tollbooth and finds himself in a magical place called the Kingdom of
Wisdom. Here he undertakes a quest to rescue two banished
(a) two,
princesses—Rhyme
who
(c) simple
and
Reason—with assistance from companions, Tock, the watchdog, (b) humour, and book Humbug, an insect.
3. Which The word trio have is an many antonym adventures for banished while engaged in in the quest
(c)
and
conclusion,
Milo learns
throughout
many valuable
Paragraph lessons along 3? the way.
9.
3. (a) The deported characters in the book are immensely interesting and
Which
varied.
words
Their
are
names
not in
and
alphabetical
the way
they act reinforce the adult language, add humour and
order?
support the story. Tock, a giant
(b) prohibit
clock with a dog’s head and legs, has the job of ensuring (a) nobody important, wastes importance, time. Humbug, imaginative the
(c) insect, welcomed flatters himself and others. Spelling Bee, a giant bee, loves to spell out words while
(b) understand, undertakes, unexpectedly
holding a conversation. Faintly Macabre, the Not-So-Wicked Which, introduces Milo to the
4. Which story sentence of the princesses, is spelt correctly? banished by the warring regents—King (c) conclusion, Azaz, ruler confusion, of Dictionopolis, conversation
(a) the The kingdom princesses of words, Rhyme and and his Reason brother, the Mathemagician, ruler of Digitopolis, the land
of numbers—who both objected to Rhyme and Reason’s
10.
had an argument with King Azaz and
Which point word, of view originally that words from and the Italian
numbers Mathemagician were of equal who believed importance. their
word puntiglio meaning fine point,
opinions were unacceptable.
quibble, means the humorous use of a
4. The illustrations are black and white line drawings by Jules word Feiffer. in such Their a manner simplicity as to allows bring out a
(b) readers The princesses to use their Rhyme own and creativity Reason and imagination to add different colour meaning? and detail. The story is
not had overshadowed an argument by with intricate King Azaz artwork. and
Mathemagician who beleived their
(a) pun
5. The opinions most fascinating were unacceptable. aspect of this novel is the use of (b) language. idiom The author uses puns and
idioms in the dialogue throughout the story. Readers will encounter Officer Shrift charging
(c) Milo The with princesses crimes including Rhyme and ‘upsetting Reason the applecart, wreaking (c) pugnacious havoc, and mincing words.’
They had will an read arguement how residents with King of Azaz Dictionopolis and ‘eat their own words’—literally—as they dine.
The Mathemagician names of places who such beleived as the their
11. Which words both have a prefix and a
Sea of Knowledge, the Island of Conclusions (which visitors
must opinions leap to), were the unaccepteble.
suffix?
Foothills of Confusion, the Mountains of Ignorance, the Doldrums (where
5.
people get stuck), the Forest of Sight and the Valley of (a) Sounds, thoroughly, are chosen valuable carefully.
The word could replace immensely in
6. Paragraph The book 3. tries to teach readers that learning is essential, (b) it is unexpectedly, important to overshadowed
appreciate the
(a) world immediately around them, to use their common sense, and, above (c) carefully, all, not to princesses waste time. If a
person did all these things, boredom would never be a problem.
(b) occasionally
12. Which group has a combined total of 10
7. No matter how old you are, you must find a copy of this book to read because you will
(c) extremely
syllables?
thoroughly enjoy the clever story, interesting and varied characters, quirky placenames, but
6. Which especially group’s the base language, words both which changed is so cleverly entwined (a) throughout reinforce, the including, story. adventures
when adding a suffix?
(b) fascinating, encounter, cleverly
(a) interesting, magical
(c) simplicity, unexpectedly, language
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (68) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (68) Prim-Ed Publishing
(b)
(c)
learning, overshadowed
completing, varied

Fuchsia 4
Comprehension
1. Harry had been thrilled to travel to Japan on a school exchange. It was an opportunity coveted
by many students and Harry had worked endlessly on his presentation to the school board. As he
strolled down the quiet lane along the river’s edge in his small host Japanese village, he reflected
on how fortunate he had truly been to be able to immerse himself in such a fascinating culture.
2. ‘Courteous and welcoming’, was how Harry would have described the Japanese family who had
hosted him in their home. He was made to feel like an honoured guest, even if there were some
language communication issues at times. Harry could recall once when the elderly grandmother
had tried to tell him about the local river. She had so desperately wanted to relay the information,
but was constrained by her limited English ability. When Harry had asked her teenage
granddaughter about what she had been trying to tell him, the girl waved her hand dismissively
saying she was just trying to scare him with local urban myths.
3. Harry continued to walk down the lane, enjoying the mild spring weather and the sweet fragrance
of the abundant cherry blossom trees. The relaxing sound of the bubbling river almost made
him overlook a small woman in the distance by the water’s edge. He could see that she was
attempting to wash her hair while struggling to hold onto a swaddled baby on her hip. Clearly,
she was having difficulty and while Harry thought it was strange to be washing one’s hair in a river
in this modern age, he jogged ahead to assist her.
4. When he reached the woman he tentatively asked, ‘May I help you?’ and gestured with his arms
for the baby. She remained silent but smiled appreciatively as she handed him the small bundle.
Harry took the child into his arms, but immediately felt alarmed. Taking him by surprise, the child
latched onto his arms and began to grow heavier and heavier, making it almost impossible to
support the weight. Harry was driven to his knees by the excruciating pain from the burden and
failed to notice how the woman had moved into the shallow
water and was rapidly transforming.
5. By the time Harry had the sense to look at the woman his
throat dried up and though he should have screamed
for help, all he could manage was a desperate
strangled moan. The woman’s eyes had changed into
beady red snake eyes, sharp fangs had extended from
her dripping mouth and her entire body had taken on a
serpent’s shape with a long scaly tail. Her black tongue
flicked dangerously in his direction as she began to move
forward, making an ominous hissing sound as she crept
closer.
6. Harry was pinned under the weight of the child and could
only watch in horror as the woman, who was now clearly not
human, bit down into his tender flesh with her fangs. The pain
was unlike anything Harry had ever experienced and though
it subsided, it was replaced with a dull ache as she sucked
the blood from his body with her tongue. As Harry’s world
slowly darkened and he lost consciousness, he could
faintly recall the Japanese grandmother trying to warn
him about the river.
7. Harry was later discovered by his host family. His
body resembled a fragile shell that had been
completely sucked dry. There was no sign of any
woman or baby. When the grandmother saw
Harry she pointed to the river with trembling
fingers while screaming, ‘Nure-Onna!’
1. The word coveted in Paragraph 1
means:
(a) covered over
(b) longed for
(c) joked about
2. The main idea of Paragraph 3 is to:
(a) describe the scenery near the river.
(b) introduce the characters of the
woman and her baby.
(c) explain how Harry came to meet the
woman and the baby.
3. Nure-Onna is the:
(a) grandmother’s name
(b) woman’s name
(c) baby’s name
4. Before the woman flicked out her
tongue, she:
(a) made a hissing sound.
(b) extended her fangs.
(c) crept closer to Harry.
5. Harry was chosen above others to be an
exchange student in Japan because he:
(a) very carefully prepared his
presentation.
(b) loved travelling.
(c) had always wanted to go on an
exchange.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. It is an opinion, not a fact, that:
(a) Japanese culture is fascinating.
(b) cherry blossom trees grow in Japan.
(c) some Japanese people live in
villages.
7. The woman and the baby were similar
because they both:
(a) washed their hair.
(b) transformed themselves.
(c) sucked Harry’s blood.
8. The pronoun she in Paragraph 7 refers to
the:
(a) woman
(b) baby
(c) grandmother
9. You can conclude that the grandmother:
(a) knew the urban myth was true.
(b) was trying to scare Harry.
(c) agreed with what her
granddaughter said to Harry.
10. The woman’s body took on the
appearance of a:
(a) dragon
(b) shark
(c) serpent
11. The author wrote this text as a type of
narrative.
(a) mystery
(b) horror
(c) science fiction
12. Harry was killed by:
(a) losing all his blood.
(b) the baby squashing him.
(c) drowning in the river.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (69) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 4
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Fuchsia 4
All about words
word 1. dismissively 1. Which The word sentence in coveted Paragraph has in the Paragraph 2 commas 1 and 7. Which words 5. 7. Which both The woman follow words the are and rule all the ‘when adjectives baby were describing similar
ans to do apostrophes something means: in for a: possession in the right adding a suffix nouns because beginning this they sentence? with both: a vowel
places?
to words ending with e, the e is dropped
serious manner (a) covered over
Harry (a) walked washed down their the hair. quiet lane,
before adding the suffix’?
(a) Her transformation included a snakes
enjoying the mild weather and the sweet
humorous (b) manner longed for
(b) transformed themselves.
beady eyes, sharp fangs, a black (a) worked, strolled fragrance of the abundant cherry blossom
casual manner (c) tongue, joked about a serpent’s body shape and a
trees. (c) sucked Harry’s blood.
(b) reflected, latched
scaly tail.
ich words do not both have a long e
(a) quiet, mild, sweet,
2. The main idea of Paragraph 3 is to: (c) continued, 8. The described pronoun she in Paragraph 7 refers to
nd like ability?
(b) Her transformation included a snake’s
(b) the:
(a) beady describe eyes, the sharp scenery fangs, near a black the river.
walked, enjoying, abundant
8. The word is a synonym for
experienced, tongue, beady a serpents body shape, and
ominous
a
(c) (a) lane, woman
(b) introduce the characters of the
weather, fragrance
in Paragraph 5.
immediately, ahead scaly woman tail. and her baby.
(b) baby
(a) threatening 6. A possessive determiner is placed before
endlessly, (c) (c) trulyHer explain transformation how Harry included came to meet a snake’s the
a (c) noun grandmother
to say who the noun belongs
beady (b) noisy
woman eyes, and sharp the baby. fangs, a black
to; e.g. your chair, their car. Which word
antonym for subsided tongue, in a serpent’s Paragraph body 6 shape and (c) a friendly 9. is You not can a possessive conclude determiner that the grandmother:
in this
3. Nure-Onna scaly tail. is the:
sentence? (a) knew the urban myth was true.
9. Which group of words is not in
increased 2. Adverbials (a) grandmother’s are words name or groups of words alphabetical
She
order? (b) sucked was trying the blood to scare from Harry. his body with
lessenedthat (b) can woman’s give more nameinformation about a
her tongue.
verb; e.g. strolled down the lane (adverbial (a) exchange, (c) excruciating, agreed with experienced what her
moved
of
(c)
place).
baby’s
The
name
(a) She
adverbial in this sentence (b) is:
granddaughter said to Harry.
endlessly, enjoying, entire
(b) his
word excruciating 4. Her Before black the in tongue woman Paragraph flicked flicked 4 in his out direction her as (c) extended, 10. The even, woman’s eyes body took on the
be replaced she tongue, moved. with: she:
(c) appearance her of a:
10. Which sentence does not have a spelling
unbearable
(a) black made tongue a hissing sound.
7.
error?
A (a) preposition dragon phrase begins with a
excellent
(b) in extended his direction her fangs.
preposition; (b) shark e.g. He moved into the
(a) She was shallow having dificulty water. Which trying group to of words is
heavy
(c) as crept she closer movedto Harry.
wash her not hair. (c) a preposition serpent phrase?
ich words 3. The both adverb have the completely same in this sentence is (b) After taking Harry the continued child, he immediately
5. Harry was chosen above others to be an
11. The author wrote to walk this text along as the a type river’s of
ber of syllables? one exchange of: student in Japan because he:
felt alarmed. edge near his narrative. host’s home.
appreciatively, Harry’s (a) very dangerously
body carefully had been prepared completely his sucked (c) All he could (a) (a)
manage continued mystery
was to a walk
dry. presentation.
desparate moan.
excruciating, communication
(b) (b) along horror the river’s edge
(a) (b) frequency loved travelling. (how often)
11.
dismissively, ominous
In which group (c) (c)
do near the
science
words his host’s fiction
not home all have
(b) (c) purpose had always (why) wanted to go on an
a long a sound like baby?
ich word belongs in this group?
8.
(c) degree
exchange.
(scale)
(a) fragrance, 12. Which Harry weight,
conjunction was age killed by: would best join these
two sentences to retain the meaning?
nddaughter teenage grandmother
(b) taking, constrained, (a) losing alarmed all his blood.
6.
4. Which
It is an
words
opinion,
are
not
adverbs
a fact,
in
that:
this sentence?
He strolled down the quiet lane. He
exchange
(c) strange, reflected failed, (b) the saying on
baby
how
squashing
fortunate he
him.
was to be
As
(a)
Harry’s
Japanese
world slowly
culture
darkened,
is fascinating.
he could
unlike
here. (c) drowning in the river.
faintly (b) cherry recall the blossom grandmother’s trees grow warning.
Japan. 12. Which word’s root word did not change
anything
(a) slowly, darkened
when adding (a) the although
(c) some Japanese people live in
suffix ing?
(b) faintly,
villages.
recall
(a) fascinating (b) since
(c) slowly, faintly
(b) welcoming (c) as
(c) transforming
Something extra
This text is based on a creature in Japanese folklore. Type
‘Nure-onna’ into a search engine to view artists’ images of it.
Choose the paragraph that most appealed to you while you
were reading the text and explain why you chose it. Sketch an
illustration to match.
1. The word dismissively in Paragraph 2
7. Which words both follow the rule ‘when
1. Harry means had to been do thrilled something to travel in a: to Japan on a school exchange. adding a It suffix was an beginning opportunity with coveted a vowel
by many students and Harry had worked endlessly on his to presentation words ending to the with school e, the board. e is dropped
(a) serious manner
As he
strolled down the quiet lane along the river’s edge in his small before host adding Japanese the suffix’? village, he reflected
on
(b)
how
humorous
fortunate he
manner
had truly been to be able to immerse (a) himself worked, in such strolled a fascinating culture.
2. ‘Courteous
(c) casual
and
manner
welcoming’, was how Harry would have described (b) reflected, the Japanese latched family who had
hosted him in their home. He was made to feel like an honoured guest, even if there were some
2. Which words do not both have a long e
language communication issues at times. Harry could recall
(c)
once
continued,
when the
described
elderly grandmother
sound like ability?
had tried to tell him about the local river. She had so desperately wanted to relay the information,
8. The word is a synonym for
but (a) was experienced, constrained by beady her limited English ability. When Harry had asked her teenage
ominous in Paragraph 5.
granddaughter (b) immediately, about ahead what she had been trying to tell him, the girl waved her hand dismissively
saying she was just trying to scare him with local urban myths. (a) threatening
(c) endlessly, truly
3. Harry continued to walk down the lane, enjoying the mild (b) spring noisy weather and the sweet fragrance
3. of the An antonym abundant for cherry subsided blossom in Paragraph trees. The relaxing 6 sound (c) of the friendly bubbling river almost made
him is: overlook a small woman in the distance by the water’s edge. He could see that she was
attempting to wash her hair while struggling to hold onto 9. Which a swaddled group baby of words on her is not hip. in Clearly,
she
(a)
was
increased
having difficulty and while Harry thought it was strange alphabetical to washing order? one’s hair in a river
in this (b) modern lessened age, he jogged ahead to assist her.
(a) exchange, excruciating, experienced
4. When (c) he moved reached the woman he tentatively asked, ‘May I help you?’ and gestured with his arms
(b) endlessly, enjoying, entire
for the baby. She remained silent but smiled appreciatively as she handed him the small bundle.
4. Harry The took word the excruciating child into his in arms, Paragraph but immediately 4 felt alarmed. (c) extended, Taking him even, by eyes surprise, the child
latched can be onto replaced his arms with: and began to grow heavier and heavier, making it almost impossible to
support the weight. Harry was driven to his knees by 10. the excruciating Which sentence pain does from not the have burden a spelling
(a) unbearable
and
failed to notice how the woman had moved into the shallow error?
water (b) and excellent was rapidly transforming.
(a) She was having dificulty trying to
5. By (c) the time heavy Harry had the sense to look at the woman his wash her hair.
throat dried up and though he should have screamed
5.
for
Which
help, all
words
he could
both
manage
have the
was
same
(b) After taking the child, he immediately
a desperate
strangled
number
moan.
of syllables?
felt alarmed.
The woman’s eyes had changed into
beady (a) red appreciatively, snake eyes, dangerously
sharp fangs had extended from (c) All he could manage was a
her dripping mouth and her entire body had taken on a
desparate moan.
(b) excruciating, communication
serpent’s shape with a long scaly tail. Her black tongue
11.
flicked (c) dangerously dismissively, ominous
In which group do the words not all have
his direction as she began to move
a long a sound like baby?
forward, making an ominous hissing sound as she crept
6. closer. Which word belongs in this group?
(a) fragrance, weight, age
6. Harry granddaughter was pinned under teenage the weight grandmother of child and could (b) taking, constrained, alarmed
only (a) watch exchange in horror as the woman, who was now clearly
(c)
not
strange, failed, saying
human, bit down into his tender flesh with her fangs. The pain
was
(b)
unlike
unlike
anything Harry had ever experienced and 12. though Which word’s root word did not change
it subsided, (c) anything it was replaced with a dull ache as she sucked when adding the suffix ing?
the blood from his body with her tongue. As Harry’s world
slowly darkened and he lost consciousness, he could
(a) fascinating
faintly recall the Japanese grandmother trying to warn (b) welcoming
him about the river.
(c) transforming
7. Harry was later discovered by his host family. His
body resembled a fragile shell that had been
completely sucked dry. There was no sign of any
woman or baby. When the grandmother saw
Harry she pointed to the river with trembling
fingers while screaming, ‘Nure-Onna!’
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (69) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (69) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 5
Comprehension
1. Shawn Corey Carter was born in Brooklyn, New York
on 4 December 1969, the youngest of four children.
When Shawn was eleven, his father abandoned
the family and his mother, Gloria, took on the sole
responsibility of raising the children in a
neighbourhood where poverty, drugs and violence
were commonplace.
2. Shawn first attended high school in Brooklyn
and later two others in New Jersey, but he
failed to graduate. In one of his songs he comments
on his education —‘I went to school, got good
grades, could behave when I wanted/But I had
demons inside that would raise when confronted’.
3. Shawn showed early signs of musical ability. During
the night, he would wake his brother and sisters
by creating drum patterns on the kitchen table.
His mother finally gave him a boom box and
soon he was writing lyrics, absorbing the music
of popular artists, and freestyling (improvised rap
lyrics with instrumental beats). He began recording
parts of songs with rap artist Jaz-O in the late
1980s and early 1990s. The rapper Jay-Z was born.
4. Around his neighbourhood, Shawn’s nickname was ‘Jazzy’.
Rapper Jaz-O, the stage name of Jonathan Burks, was the first to assist Jay-Z
in the rap music industry. The J/Z subway line stopped near the housing project at Marcy Avenue
where Shawn lived. This is credited with Shawn’s adoption of the stage name Jay-Z.
5. From the early 1990s, Jay-Z rose to prominence. He recorded and performed with Big Daddy Kane,
made music videos, and released numerous albums including ‘Reasonable doubt’ and ‘In my lifetime,
Vol. 1’, produced by Sean ‘Puff Daddy’ Combs. Both of these sold over one million copies each. Other
albums include ‘Hard knock life’ (his biggest hit and Grammy award winner), ‘Life and times of S.
Carter’ and numerous others. Some were collaborations with artists such as Kanye West and R. Kelly.
In the hip-hop world, Jay-Z was now a force to be reckoned with.
6. At the beginning of his professional career, Jay-Z had difficulty securing a record contract. This
prompted him to found his own record label—Roc-A-Fella Records—with two friends in 1995. He
continued to exercise his business acumen by founding the Roc Nation record label, opening a series
of sports bars called the 40/40 Club, releasing a line of urban streetwear called Rocawear, becoming
part-owner of a national basketball team, producing a Broadway musical, and investing in real estate.
7. Jay-Z’s life includes facets other than music. He is married to singer Beyoncé Knowles, with whom
he has a daughter, Blue Ivy; he promotes awareness of the global water shortage; pledged financial
support for victims of Hurricane Katrina; supported the re-election of Barack Obama as US president;
and released a book called Decoded which is a combination of memoirs, lyrics and stories.
8. Jay-Z is constantly called one of the greatest artists of all time. In 2011, his fortune was reported
to be more than $450 million. His album sales worldwide exceed fifty million and he has received four
Grammy awards. Jay-Z, rapper, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur, is a person worthy
of the recognition.
1. The word lyrics in Paragraph 3 means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the text belonging to a song.
the written or printed scores of
musical compositions.
people who practise one of the
performing arts such as a singing.
2. The neighbourhood where Jay-Z
grew up was:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a middle-class area.
a housing project.
devoid of education institutions.
3. Which paragraph describes Jay-Z’s
early musical history?
(a) Paragraph 1
(b) Paragraph 2
(c) Paragraph 3
4. Jay-Z began recording with rap artist
Jaz-O:
(a)
(b)
(c)
before he recorded with Big Daddy
Kane.
after he worked with Sean ‘Puff
Daddy’ Combs.
in the same year as he founded Roc-
A-Fella Records.
5. One major difference between Jay-Z’s
early and current life is that he:
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a)
(b)
(c)
no longer has to look after his family.
can afford a better life and help others.
can sing as much as he desires.
6. You can predict that Jay-Z:
(a)
(b)
(c)
still lives in Brooklyn.
lives on Broadway.
moved out of his neighbourhood as
soon as he could afford to do so.
7. You can conclude that Jay-Z:
(a)
(b)
(c)
has a large number of acquaintances
who are rap artists.
is still relatively unknown in the music
field.
only knows people in the music
industry.
8. A heading summarising Paragraph 4
would be:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Education
Origins of stage name
Recording history
9. By listening to the music of popular artists
when he was younger, Jay-Z was then
able to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
obtain some formal musical training.
copy them.
develop his own musical style.
10. It is the writer’s point of view that Jay-Z:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is a person worthy of recognition.
is a successful rap artist.
is a successful businessman.
11. Jay-Z failed to graduate from high school
because he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was not academic.
always misbehaved.
was plagued by personal demons.
12. It is an opinion, not a fact, that Jay-Z is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
married to Beyoncé Knowles.
father to Blue Ivy.
the greatest artist of all time.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (70) Prim-Ed Publishing

Fuchsia 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
Fuchsia 5
All about words
ich word 1. matches A The preposition word the lyrics meaning phrase Paragraph below? starts with 3 means: a 8. In which 7. group 6. You A is clause can the conclude plural must of contain that each Jay-Z: word a verb and its
eone who (a)
preposition.
takes the a calculated text
The
belonging
preposition
risk to to create a song.
phrase in formed in the
(a)
subject. same
has
way?
a
In
large
the sentence,
number of
the
acquaintances
phrase which
manage a
this
company
sentence
for financial
is:
gain
(a) industry,
is
ability,
not a
story
clause is:
(b) the written or printed scores of
who are rap artists.
entrepreneur
Shawn
musical
demonstrated
compositions.
his musical ability from
(b) child, person, (b)
From
is shortage
an
still
early
relatively
age, Jay-Z
unknown
showed
in the
his
music
musical
an early age.
talent as he created drum rhythms on the
collaborations (c) people who practise one of the (c) copy, victim, grade
field.
(a) Shawn demonstrated
kitchen table.
prominence
performing arts such as a singing.
(c) only knows people in the music
(b) his musical ability
9. In the word subway, (a)
industry.
From the an prefix early sub- agemeans:
2.
ich word is
The
a synonym
neighbourhood
for acumen
where
in
Jay-Z
(c) from an early age
(a) acting together (b) Jay-Z showed his musical talent
agraph 6?
grew up was:
8. A heading summarising Paragraph 4
(b) lower in rank (c) he created drum rhythms on the
2.
activities
The (a) phrase a middle-class which is area.
would be:
not an adverbial
kitchen table
(c) under, beneath
understanding
(b)
giving
a
more
housing
information
project.
about the verb in
(a) Education
this sentence is:
7. A main clause can stand independently
10. Which word of French origin means
name
(c) devoid of education institutions.
(b) Origins of stage name
During his early years, Jay-Z had a tough
as a complete sentence. A subordinate
records of facts (c) or events in connection
time in his Brooklyn neighbourhood.
clause Recording cannot. history In the sentence, the
3.
ich word is
Which
an antonym
paragraph
for urban
describes
in
Jay-Z’s with a particular
subordinate
person?
clause is:
agraph 6? (a) early During musical his history? early years
9.
(a) memoir
By listening
(b) lyrics
to the
(c)
music
stories
of popular artists
Because Shawn’s father abandoned them,
casual (b) (a)
(b) Jay-Z Paragraph
citified had a 1
when he was younger, Jay-Z was then
tough (c) rural time
11. Which word does able his mother to: raised the family on her own.
not change in the same
(c) (b) in Paragraph his Brooklyn 2 neighbourhood
sentence in which all words are spelt
way as the other (a) (a) two obtain Because when some Shawn’s creating formal father its musical abandoned training.
rectly is:
(c) Paragraph 3
adjective? them
3. In the sentence the quantifying
(b) copy them.
Poverty, drugs determiner and violents telling were how common much of a noun (a) finance (b)
his profession mother raised (c) the music family
4. Jay-Z began recording with rap artist
(c) develop his own musical style.
in the neighbourhood.
there Jaz-O: was is:
(c) on her own
12. In which pair do both words have the
Jay-Z has Some had a albums varied proffesional were collaborations carrear. with
10.
(a) before he recorded with Big Daddy same number
It
of
is the
syllables
writer’s
and
point
at least
of view
one
that Jay-Z:
8.
artists such as Kanye West and R. Kelly.
Which verb is a more expressive word to
Jay-Z rose to prominence
Kane.
in the early 1990s.
common sound? (a)
replace
is a person
took on
worthy
that would
of recognition.
improve the
(a) (b) such after he worked with Sean ‘Puff (a) absorbing, (b) sentence popular is a successful below? rap artist.
ich word does
(b)
not
with Daddy’ belong Combs. in the category
ow?
(b) daughter, (c) His support mother, is a successful Gloria, businessman.
took on the sole
(c) Some in the same year as he founded Roc-
responsibility of raising the children.
o album artist record hip-hop
(c) collaboration, graduate
A-Fella Records.
11. Jay-Z failed to graduate from high school
(a) sole
beats 4. The figure of speech a force to be
because he:
5. One reckoned major with difference in Paragraph between 5 means: Jay-Z’s
(b) shouldered
poverty
(a) was not academic.
early and current life is that he:
(a) to make a mathematical calculation.
(c) captured
producer
(b) always misbehaved.
(a) no longer has to look after his family.
(b) someone who is important and
(c) was plagued by personal demons.
ich pair of (b) words powerful can does afford not and a belong better should life in not and the be help ignored. others.
up of words (c) with
someone can a sh sing sound as who much as
can
in as Shawn?
be he relied desires.
12.
on.
It is an opinion, not a fact, that Jay-Z is:
financial, national
5. 6. In You the can sentence, predict that the subject Jay-Z: of the verb
(a) married to Beyoncé Knowles.
pledged,
respect
improvised
(a) still is: lives in Brooklyn.
(b) father to Blue Ivy.
professional,
Many
recognition
Create a graffiti-style portrait of Jay-Z
(b) lives people on Broadway. in the music industry respect
(c) the
or
greatest
another
artist
musical
of all
artist
time.
Jay-Z for his contribution to rap and hiphop.
hich group (c) is the long i sound
of your personal choice.
moved out of his neighbourhood as
resented by the soon same as letter(s) he could afford to do so.
Compile a list of rap artists
ll of the words? (a) Many people
commencing with those in the text
writing, freestyling, (b) the music sign industry
and adding to it using your own
finally, violence, (c) Many financial people in the music industry
knowledge, consultation with other
class members or internet research.
improvised, night, exercise
1. Which word matches the meaning below?
8. In which group is the plural of each word
someone who takes a calculated risk to create
formed in the same way?
1. Shawn and Corey manage Carter a company was born for in financial Brooklyn, gainNew York (a) industry, ability, story
on 4 December 1969, the youngest of four children.
(a) entrepreneur
(b) child, person, shortage
When Shawn was eleven, his father abandoned
the (b) family collaborations
and his mother, Gloria, took on the sole (c) copy, victim, grade
responsibility
(c) prominence
of raising the children in a
neighbourhood where poverty, drugs and violence 9. In the word subway, the prefix sub- means:
2. were Which commonplace. word is a synonym for acumen in
(a) acting together
2. Shawn Paragraph first attended 6? high school in Brooklyn
(b) lower in rank
and (a) later activities two others in New Jersey, but he
(c) under, beneath
failed to graduate. In one of his songs he comments
(b) understanding
on his education —‘I went to school, got good
10. Which word of French origin means
grades, (c) could namebehave when I wanted/But I had
records of facts or events in connection
demons inside that would raise when confronted’.
3. Which word is an antonym for urban in
with a particular person?
3. Shawn Paragraph showed 6? early signs of musical ability. During (a) memoir (b) lyrics (c) stories
the night, he would wake his brother and sisters
by creating
(a) casual
drum patterns
(b) citified
on the kitchen
(c) rural
table. 11. Which word does not change in the same
His mother finally gave him a boom box and
4. The sentence in which all words are spelt
way as the other two when creating its
soon he was writing lyrics, absorbing the music
correctly is:
adjective?
of popular artists, and freestyling (improvised rap
lyrics (a) with Poverty, instrumental drugs and beats). violents He began were common
(a) finance (b) profession (c) music
recording
parts of songs in the neighbourhood.
with rap artist Jaz-O in the late
12. In which pair do both words have the
1980s (b) and Jay-Z early has 1990s. had a The varied rapper proffesional Jay-Z was carrear. born. same number of syllables and at least one
4. Around (c) his Jay-Z neighbourhood, rose to prominence Shawn’s in the nickname early 1990s. was ‘Jazzy’. common sound?
Rapper Jaz-O, the stage name of Jonathan Burks, was the first (a) to absorbing, assist Jay-Z popular
5. in the Which rap word music does industry. not The belong J/Z in subway the category line stopped near the housing project at Marcy Avenue
where below? Shawn lived. This is credited with Shawn’s adoption of
(b)
the
daughter,
stage name
support
Jay-Z.
5. From video the early album 1990s, Jay-Z artist rose record to prominence. hip-hop
(c) collaboration, graduate
He recorded and performed with Big Daddy Kane,
made
(a)
music
beats
videos, and released numerous albums including ‘Reasonable doubt’ and ‘In my lifetime,
Vol. 1’, produced by Sean ‘Puff Daddy’ Combs. Both of these sold over one million copies each. Other
albums (b) include poverty‘Hard knock life’ (his biggest hit and Grammy award winner), ‘Life and times of S.
Carter’ (c) and producer numerous others. Some were collaborations with artists such as Kanye West and R. Kelly.
In the hip-hop world, Jay-Z was now a force to be reckoned with.
6. Which pair of words does not belong in the
6. At the beginning of his professional career, Jay-Z had difficulty securing a record contract. This
group of words with a sh sound as in Shawn?
prompted him to found his own record label—Roc-A-Fella Records—with two friends in 1995. He
continued (a) financial, to exercise national his business acumen by founding the Roc Nation record label, opening a series
of sports (b) pledged, bars called improvised the 40/40 Club, releasing a line of urban streetwear called Rocawear, becoming
part-owner of a national basketball team, producing a Broadway musical, and investing in real estate.
(c) professional, recognition
7. Jay-Z’s life includes facets other than music. He is married to singer Beyoncé Knowles, with whom
7. he has In which a daughter, group Blue is the Ivy; long he i promotes sound awareness of the global water shortage; pledged financial
support represented for victims by of the Hurricane same letter(s) Katrina; supported the re-election of Barack Obama as US president;
and in released all of the a book words? called Decoded which is a combination of memoirs, lyrics and stories.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
8. Jay-Z (a) is constantly writing, freestyling, called one sign of the greatest artists of all time. In 2011, his fortune was reported
to be (b) more finally, than violence, $450 million. financial His album sales worldwide exceed fifty million and he has received four
Grammy awards. Jay-Z, rapper, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur, is a person worthy
of the (c) recognition. improvised, night, exercise
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (70) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (70) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 1
Comprehension
Hatshepsut:
The woman
who was king
1. King Hatshepsut has been one of the most hotly debated figures in Egyptian history, mostly due to
the fact that Hatshepsut was a female who took the role and title of pharaoh, traditionally given to
males. Born in the 15th century BC, Hatshepsut was the daughter of the pharaoh Thutmose I. Upon
his death, his son and Hatshepsut’s half-brother (who was also her husband) became pharaoh, but
only ruled a few short years before he also died. His son, Thutmose III, was meant to rule but due to
his young age Hatshepsut assumed power on his behalf, presumably with the idea of making him
pharaoh when he was older. However, Hatshepsut never relinquished her power.
2. Egyptologists generally agree that Hatshepsut declared herself pharaoh around 1479 BC and ruled
for approximately twenty-two years until her death. Her reign was documented by historians as a
prosperous and peaceful one, although she did successfully lead a number of military expeditions
during the early part of her time in power. She re-established important trade arrangements with
numerous different cultures and, due to the wealth earned from these agreements, she was able to
build significant monuments.
3. Hatshepsut ordered the construction of hundreds of buildings throughout the kingdom and was
known as one of the most extensive builders in ancient Egypt. Her buildings were considered
to be much larger and built on a grander scale than any done by earlier pharaohs. In fact, her
works were so impressive that later pharaohs tried to claim her work as their own! Hapshepsut’s
undoubted crowning masterpiece was her mortuary temple, also known as her tomb or final resting
place. This magnificent complex was built at Deir el-Bahri. It is now called the Valley of the Kings,
because many later pharaohs chose this same spot for their temples. Hatshepsut’s temple featured
dozens of columns and pleasing symmetrical proportions which would be seen hundreds of years
later in Greek buildings.
4. The controversy surrounding Hatshepsut’s time as pharaoh was not only about her acting in a male
role. After her death in 1458 BC, during the reign of Thutmose III and later Amenhotep II (the son of
Thutmose III), Hatshepsut’s monuments, mortuary temple and great architectural achievements
were demolished or defaced. Images of her face were chiselled away or her name removed and
replaced with another. Two large obelisks (high columns of stone) were covered, her statues torn
down and Hatshepsut’s mummified body was stolen from her temple. What is now believed to be
Hatshepsut’s mummy was identified in 2007. It had been found earlier in a non-royal tomb.
5. It was thought that her stepson and nephew, Thutmose III, ordered the destruction of Hatshepsut’s
memorials because of jealousy and anger that she had denied him the royal throne. Egyptologists
now think that it was actually Amenhotep II, Hatshepsut’s grandson, who ordered that her
monuments and records be erased as a way of establishing his power and control over the
pharaoh’s title. He later claimed many of Hatshepsut’s buildings as his own.
1. The word relinquished in Paragraph 1
means:
(a) kept onto
(b) forgot
(c) gave up
2. Hatshepsut became pharaoh because:
(a) she was a female.
(b) Thutmose II’s son was too young.
(c) the previous pharaoh was her husband.
3. The two people historians consider could
have been responsible for destroying
Hatshepsut’s memory are:
(a) Thutmose I or Thutmose III.
(b) Thutmose III or Amenhotep II.
(c) Thutmose I or Amenhotep II.
4. Which event occurred second?
(a) Hatshepsut’s mortuary tomb was built.
(b) Hatshepsut led a number of military
operations.
(c) Thutmose III became pharaoh.
5. The main idea of Paragraph 3 is to:
(a) describe where Hatshepsut built her
temple.
(b) explain Hatshepsut’s contribution to
ancient Egypt architecture.
(c) explain that Hatshepsut ordered
hundreds of building projects.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) Hatshepsut remains a mysterious
person to historians.
(b) later pharaohs were impressed by
Hatshepsut’s buildings.
(c) Hatshepsut declared herself pharaoh in
the 15th century BC.
7. Hatshepsut and Thutmose III are
different because only one:
(a) became a pharaoh.
(b) showed jealous tendencies.
(c) was an Egyptian historical figure.
8. Deir el-Bahri’s name was changed to
the Valley of the Kings because:
(a) the pharaohs preferred it.
(b) it was too hard to pronounce.
(c) many pharaohs (kings) were
buried there.
9. You can conclude that Hatshepsut:
(a) was an outstanding pharaoh.
(b) should not have made herself
pharaoh.
(c) only did things to be remembered.
10. The writer would agree that
Hatshepsut:
(a) could have been a better ruler.
(b) spent too much time constructing
buildings.
(c) did a commendable job as ruler.
11. The pronoun he in the last sentence of
Paragraph 5 refers to:
(a) Thutmose I
(b) Amenhotep II
(c) Hatshepsut
12. In the future, it is likely that historians
will:
(a) think less of Hatshepsut’s
achievements.
(b) change their mind about
Hatshepsut’s achievements.
(c) think the same about Hatshepsut’s
achievements.
6. Hatshepsut is likely to remain a mysterious person for historians, but she must have been a
remarkable woman to seize control of Egypt and rule successfully for so many years. Despite the
best efforts of some, her achievements lived on long after her death and she is considered by many
to be one of the greatest female rulers of all time.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (71) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 1
Rust 1
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
word 1. controversy 1. Which The word sentence in Paragraph relinquished has been 4 in Paragraph correctly 7. 1 The word 5. 7. Adverbials Hatshepsut is an are antonym words and Thutmose or for groups III of are words
ns a: punctuated?
means:
demolished that in Paragraph different can give because more 4. information only one: about
a verb; e.g. was built at Deir el-Bahri
pleasant (a) discussion
The kept female onto pharaoh, hatshepsut, ruled (a) destroyed (a) became a pharaoh.
(adverbial of place). The adverbial in this
for approximately twenty two years.
dispute over (b) a difference forgot of opinion
(b) rebuilt sentence (b) showed is: jealous tendencies.
(b) Hatshepsuts’ half brother (who was
mystery (c) gave up
(c) vandalised Despite (c) the was best an efforts Egyptian of some, historical her figure.
also her husband) ruled for a few short
achievements lived on long after her death.
ch word 2. is an Hatshepsut synonym years. became for pharaoh because: 8. The word erased 8. Deir in Paragraph el-Bahri’s name 5 could was changed to
perous in (c) Paragraph
(a) Hatshepsut’s 2?
was a female. nephew and stepson, be replaced (a) with: the the Valley best efforts of the Kings because:
thriving Thutmose III, was thought to be jealous (a) traced (b) (a) lived the onpharaohs preferred it.
(b) and Thutmose angry towards II’s son was Hatshepsut. too young.
poor
(b) effaced(c) (b) long it after was too her hard deathto pronounce.
(c) the previous pharaoh was her husband.
perfect 2. A noun group is a group of words with (c) displayed 6. A possessive (c) many determiner pharaohs (kings) is placed were before
3. a The noun, two adjective(s) people historians and usually consider a could
a noun to buried say who there. the noun belongs to;
ch words both determiner; have have been more e.g. responsible syllables his young for age, destroying the early 9. Which two words e.g. her do memory, not both his have son. a Which word is a
the word part. magnificent?
Hatshepsut’s Which group memory of words are: is a noun long e sound 9. possessive like You peaceful? can determiner conclude that in this Hatshepsut: sentence?
phrase in this sentence?
approximately, (a) establishing
Thutmose I or Thutmose III. (a) believe, Many seize (a) pharaohs was an later outstanding chose this pharaoh. same spot for
Hatshepsut will likely remain a mysterious
architectural, (b) documented
Thutmose III or Amenhotep II. (b) pleasing, their achievement
(b) temples. should not have made herself
person for historians.
pharaoh.
Egyptologists, (c) traditionally
Thutmose I or Amenhotep II. (c) greatest, (a) reign many (b) this (c) their
(a) will likely
(c) only did things to be remembered.
ch words 4. both (b) Which follow a mysterious event the occurred rule person ‘when second? 10. Which words 7. A were sentence not both must made include by a verb and its
ing a suffix beginning with a vowel
simply adding 10. subject. the The suffix writer The verb -ly would to is a the word? agree action. that The subject
(c) (a) for Hatshepsut’s historians mortuary tomb was built.
ost words ending with e, the e is
performs Hatshepsut: the action; e.g. Hatshepsut
(a) likely, traditionally
ped before (b) Hatshepsut led a number of military
3. A preposition adding the phrase suffix’?
declared herself pharaoh. Hatshepsut is
begins with a
(a) could have been a better ruler.
operations.
(b) presumably, the subject successfully and declared is the verb. In this
assumed, preposition; believed e.g. with the idea. Which group
sentence, (b) spent the subject too much of the time verb constructing agree is:
of (c) words Thutmose is not a III preposition became pharaoh. phrase? (c) approximately, symmetrically
defaced, earned
buildings.
Egyptologists generally agree that Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut led several military expeditions
demolished, 5. The claimed main idea of Paragraph 3 is to: 11. Which group ruled of (c) words for about did is a in commendable alphabetical
20 years. job as ruler.
during the early part of her time in power.
order?
(a) describe where Hatshepsut built her
(a) Egyptologists
hich pair of (a) words several does military one not expeditions
11. The pronoun he in the last sentence of
temple.
(a) Egypt, Egyptologists, Egyptian, efforts
e a sh sound like Hatshepsut?
(b) Paragraph Hatshepsut5 refers to:
(b) during the early part
(b) explain Hatshepsut’s contribution to (b) established, establishing, expeditions,
expeditions, establishing
(c) (a) years Thutmose I
(c) in ancient power Egypt architecture.
extensive
Egyptian, proportions
(b) Amenhotep II
(c) explain that Hatshepsut ordered (c) early, 8. earlier, A sentence earned, may efforts also include an object. The
4. The adverb successfully in this sentence is
magnificent, ancient hundreds of building projects.
verb (c) is the Hatshepsut action. The object receives the
one of:
12. Which word action would not of the fit in verb; this Hatshepsut ruled over
ch sentence 6. She It is has did a fact, two successfully spelling not an opinion, errors? lead a number that: of category? 12. Thutmose In the future, III. Ruled it is is likely the verb that and historians Thutmose
military expeditions.
will:
Columns and (a) symetrical Hatshepsut proportions remains a mysterious behalf III masterpiece is the object. In this herself sentence, the object
are a feature (a) of frequency person Hatshepsut’s to (how historians. temple. often)
however of successfully
the (a) verb think seized less of is: Hatshepsut’s
achievements.
Hatshepsut (b) successfully place later pharaohs (where) lead a were impressed by (a) remarkable Hatshepsut seized power over Egypt for many
number of milatary Hatshepsut’s expeditions. buildings.
years. (b) change their mind about
(c) manner (how)
(b) became
Hatshepsut’s achievements.
Hatshepsut (c) was Hatshepsut pharaoh of declared Egypt herself pharaoh in (a) Hatshepsut (b) power (c) years
(c) remain
for approximately the twenty 15th century years. BC.
(c) think the same about Hatshepsut’s
achievements.
Something extra
Choose one fact from each paragraph and list them in the order you think is most interesting
to least interesting.
Choose two verbs from each paragraph and write each in a meaningful sentence.
Hatshepsut:
1. The word controversy in Paragraph 4
7. The word is an antonym for
means a:
demolished in Paragraph 4.
(a) pleasant discussion
(a) destroyed
The
(b) dispute
woman
over a difference of opinion
(b) rebuilt
(c) mystery
(c) vandalised
2. Which word is an synonym for
8. The word erased in Paragraph 5 could
be replaced with:
who was king
(a) thriving
All about words
(a) traced
(b) poor
(b) effaced
1. King Hatshepsut has been one of the most hotly debated figures in Egyptian history, mostly due to
the
(c)
fact
perfect
that Hatshepsut was a female who took the role and
(c)
title
displayed
of pharaoh, traditionally given to
males. Born in the 15th century BC, Hatshepsut was the daughter of the pharaoh Thutmose I. Upon
3. Which words both have more syllables
9. Which two words do not both have a
his death, his son and Hatshepsut’s half-brother (who was also her husband) became pharaoh, but
than the word magnificent?
long e sound like peaceful?
only ruled a few short years before he also died. His son, Thutmose III, was meant to rule but due to
his (a) young approximately, age Hatshepsut establishing assumed power on his behalf, presumably (a) believe, with seizethe idea of making him
pharaoh
(b) architectural,
when he was
documented
older. However, Hatshepsut never relinquished
(b) pleasing,
her
achievement
power.
2. Egyptologists (c) Egyptologists, generally traditionally agree that Hatshepsut declared herself (c) greatest, pharaoh reign around 1479 BC and ruled
for approximately twenty-two years until her death. Her reign was documented by historians as a
4. prosperous Which words and peaceful both follow one, the although rule ‘when she did successfully 10. Which lead words a number were of not military both made expeditions by
during adding the early a suffix part beginning of her time with in a power. vowel She re-established simply important adding trade the suffix arrangements -ly to a word? with
numerous to most different words ending cultures with and, e, due the e to is the wealth earned from these agreements, she was able to
(a) likely, traditionally
build dropped significant before monuments. adding the suffix’?
(b) presumably, successfully
3. Hatshepsut (a) assumed, ordered believed the construction of hundreds of buildings throughout the kingdom and was
known (c) approximately, symmetrically
(b) as defaced, one of the earned most extensive builders in ancient Egypt. Her buildings were considered
to be much larger and built on a grander scale than any done by earlier pharaohs. In fact, her
(c) demolished, claimed
11. Which group of words is in alphabetical
works were so impressive that later pharaohs tried to claim her work as their own! Hapshepsut’s
order?
undoubted crowning masterpiece was her mortuary temple, also known as her tomb or final resting
5. In which pair of words does one not
place. This magnificent complex was built at Deir el-Bahri. (a) It is now Egypt, called Egyptologists, the Valley Egyptian, of the Kings, efforts
have a sh sound like Hatshepsut?
because many later pharaohs chose this same spot for their
(b)
temples.
established,
Hatshepsut’s
establishing,
temple
expeditions,
featured
dozens (a) of expeditions, columns and establishing pleasing symmetrical proportions which
extensive
would be seen hundreds of years
later
(b)
in Greek
Egyptian,
buildings.
proportions
(c) early, earlier, earned, efforts
4. The (c) controversy magnificent, surrounding ancient Hatshepsut’s time as pharaoh was not only about her acting in a male
role. After her death in 1458 BC, during the reign of Thutmose 12. Which III and word later would Amenhotep not fit in II this (the son of
6. Thutmose Which sentence III), Hatshepsut’s has two monuments, spelling errors? mortuary temple and category? great architectural achievements
were demolished or defaced. Images of her face were chiselled away or her name removed and
(a) Columns and symetrical proportions
behalf masterpiece herself
replaced with another. Two large obelisks (high columns of stone) were covered, her statues torn
are a feature of Hatshepsut’s temple.
however successfully
down and Hatshepsut’s mummified body was stolen from her temple. What is now believed to be
Hatshepsut’s (b) Hatshepsut mummy successfully was identified lead in a 2007. It had been found (a) remarkable
earlier in a non-royal tomb.
number of milatary expeditions.
5. It was thought that her stepson and nephew, Thutmose III, (b) ordered became the destruction of Hatshepsut’s
memorials (c) Hatshepsut because was of jealousy pharaoh and of Egypt anger that she had denied (c) remain him the royal throne. Egyptologists
now think for that approximately it was actually twenty Amenhotep years. II, Hatshepsut’s grandson, who ordered that her
monuments and records be erased as a way of establishing his power and control over the
pharaoh’s title. He later claimed many of Hatshepsut’s buildings as his own.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. Hatshepsut is likely to remain a mysterious person for historians, but she must have been a
remarkable woman to seize control of Egypt and rule successfully for so many years. Despite the
best efforts of some, her achievements lived on long after her death and she is considered by many
to be one of the greatest female rulers of all time.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (71) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (71) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 2
Restoring the
gift of sight
1. When the eye surgeon Fred Hollows died, the world
lost a truly good person. Fred was a practical man
who invested his efforts into finding solutions to the
health problems of underprivileged people.
2. Born in New Zealand in 1929, Fred moved to
Sydney, Australia soon after he qualified as an
ophthalmologist. Five years later, he was head of the
Eye Department at one of Sydney’s main hospitals.
3. Fred’s experiences in Sydney highlighted the lack
of medical services for Aboriginal Australians. His
charismatic personality and ‘let’s get things done’
attitude helped him to motivate others to join him in
his quest to help them. The first Aboriginal Medical
Services Centre was established in Sydney with more
than 60 to follow throughout Australia by 2005.
Photo courtesy Rakesh Ahuja MD
4. The work for which Fred later became internationally famous began on his visits to communities
in the remote regions of Australia. He discovered many Indigenous people were going blind from
eye diseases that could be easily treated but, more importantly, were avoidable. He correctly
assumed that if this was happening among disadvantaged people in one country, it was probably
occurring in others, too.
5. Fred learned that in the African nation of Eritrea there were no eye doctors to treat the many
people who go blind each year because cataracts have developed in their eyes. Again he called
on the support of others to join him when he visited the country to help. With money raised by
the Australian people, Fred established a factory in Eritrea that produced the replacement lenses
used in cataract eye surgery.
6. By the 1980s, Fred had blazed a trail across the globe, establishing eye clinics in some of the
poorest countries. A strong believer in helping people to help themselves, he taught local doctors
to recognise the symptoms of curable eye diseases and to perform the procedures to treat them.
7. For a man who was dedicating his professional career to those who needed him most, it is
tragic that his life was cut short by the onset of an incurable disease. In 1987, Fred Hollows was
diagnosed with cancer.
8. With a typically positive attitude, Fred was adamant his work would not die with him. He was not
concerned about people remembering him but he wanted others to continue his work. To this
end, the Fred Hollows Foundation was set up in 1992.
9. Fred Hollows died in 1993 but his work and his memory live on. Supported by generous donations
from around the world, the Foundation continues to flourish. Through its work, many people in
different countries have received the gift of sight, but still more are waiting.
10. Fred received numerous awards for his selfless work throughout his professional career. But for
him, the greatest reward was being able to help those in need.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (72) Prim-Ed Publishing
1. In Paragraph 3, the word meaning the
ability to attract and influence others is:
(a)
(b)
(c)
charismatic
attitude
motivate
2. In Paragraph 4, the word this refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Fred becoming internationally
famous.
people in other countries being
disadvantaged.
people going blind from eye
diseases.
3. A summary of Paragraph 6 is Fred
Hollows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
completed a whirlwind medical tour
of the world teaching doctors how to
perform operations.
set up eye clinics in many poor
countries of the world and taught
doctors to perform routine
operations.
strongly believed that people should
be taught how to do things, not have
them done for them.
4. The main idea of Paragraph 3 is while
Fred worked in Sydney he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
realised that Aboriginal Australians
did not have adequate medical
services.
motivated others to help him do his
work.
established the first Aboriginal
Medical Services Centre.
5. Before he began working in other
countries, Fred Hollows established:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a lens factory in Eritrea.
the Aboriginal Medical Centre in
Sydney.
the Fred Hollows Foundation.
Comprehension
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. You can conclude from the text that Fred
Hollows was a man who cared about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
money and his reputation as a surgeon.
the environment of Outback Australia.
helping people without access to
medical facilities.
7. We know that Fred Hollows believed in helping
people to help themselves because he:
(a)
(b)
(c)
travelled to other countries
collected money to help others
trained other doctors
8. It is a fact, not an opinion, that Fred Hollows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
was born in New Zealand.
loved living in Australia.
enjoyed travelling around the world.
9. In the writer’s opinion, Fred Hollows was:
(a)
(b)
(c)
an ordinary person doing his job.
a wonderful humanitarian.
an impatient person.
10. The people of Australia Fred
Hollows’ work.
(a)
(b)
(c)
did not know about
did not care about
supported
11. You can predict that had he lived, Fred
Hollows would have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
continued his work with disadvantaged
people.
retired early and travelled for fun instead
of work.
started working in private practice.
12. Australia is similar to many poor countries
of the world because it:
(a)
(b)
(c)
is in the southern hemisphere.
has large areas of desert.
has many disadvantaged people.

Rust 2
Rust 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
group 1. 1. with Finite In the Paragraph verbs correct are 3, spellings always the word linked meaning to a subject; the 7. An antonym 5. 6. Some You for can conjunctions the conclude word remote from used in the to join text clauses that Fred to
all the adverbs e.g. ability Fred formed to helped attract from disadvantaged and the influence others people. is: Paragraph make Hollows 4 is: a longer was a sentence man who can cared make about: one of
ectives curable, The
(a)
subject
charismatic
remote is and Fred tragic and the is: verb helped
(a) nearby
the
(a)
clauses
money
dependent
and his reputation
(unable
as
to
a
stand
surgeon.
on
curablely,
is
(b)
remotely,
in the past
attitude
tragicly
tense. In this sentence, the its own); e.g. He won the race although he
subject of the verb produced is: (b) isolated was (b) unwell. the environment The word of that Outback makes Australia. one clause
curably, remotly,
(c) motivate
tragicaly
Fred established a factory in Eritrea that (c) distant dependent (c) helping is: people without access to
curably, remotely, produced tragically replacement lenses used in eye Because medical he cared facilities. and helped others, Fred
2. In Paragraph 4, the word this refers 8. to: The pair of words with no common vowel
surgery.
changed the lives of many people.
word in Paragraph 7.
(a) Fred
9
becoming
that comes
internationally
sound in their We know syllables that is: Fred Hollows believed in helping
m the Latin (a) verb Fred
famous.
florere meaning to
(a) people Because to help themselves (b) and because (c) he: of
(a) attitude, hospital
om is: (b) a factory in Eritrea
6.
(b) people in other countries being (b) procedure,
A (a) relative travelled
diagnose
pronoun to other always countries follows the noun
generous (c) replacement lenses
disadvantaged.
it
(b)
refers
collected
to; e.g.
money
eye diseases
to help
that
others
could be
(c) continue,
2. Non-finite
(c) people
verbs
going
are
blind
not linked
from eye
to a subject
treated. replacement
flourish
The relative pronoun that belongs in
(c) trained other doctors
or verb
diseases.
tense. They are the present
this sentence is:
different
9. The term blazed a trail in Paragraph 6
participle (an -ing verb) or the infinitive (a means: 8. The It is people a fact, not an opinion, had been that helped Fred Hollows: by Fred
group 3. containing to A verb); summary words e.g. of motivating Paragraph all with the people 6 is Fred to help Hollows were very grateful.
(a) cleared (a) a route was born by burning New trees. Zealand.
e long vowel others. Hollows: sound In this is: sentence, the non-finite
(a) that (b) who (c) which
verbs are:
(b) cleared (b) a route loved by living marking Australia. trees.
sight, died, (a) eyecompleted a whirlwind medical tour
7.
Fred believed of the world that teaching doctors local doctors how to (c) to moved
Determiners
(c) on enthusiastically.
enjoyed
introduce
travelling
nouns.
around
Some
the world.
are
raised, regions, five
recognise perform symptoms operations. was important.
possessive. They tell who or what owns the
greatest, disease, blind
10. The terms 9. noun; In underprivileged the e.g. writer’s his efforts. opinion, and Some Fred are Hollows quantitative. was:
(a) (b) believed, set up eye teaching clinics in many poor disadvantaged They tell
(a)
refer how
an ordinary
to people much of
person
who: the noun; e.g. great
doing his job.
list of words (b) in teaching, countries reverse to alphabetical
of recognise the world and taught
efforts. Others are demonstrative. They
(a) are unemployed.
er is: (c) to doctors recognise, to perform was routine
tell (b) which a wonderful noun; e.g. humanitarian. these efforts. The
operations.
(b) do not determiners (c)
have
an
access
impatient in to this health
person. sentence care. are all:
quest, 3. qualify, Non-finite symptom, verbs generous can act as adjectives; e.g.
(c) strongly believed that people should (c) have
the motivating force. The verb acting as
There eye disease. were no eye doctors to treat the many
dedicate, diagnose, disease, donate
be taught how to do things, not have 10. The people of Australia Fred
an adjective is:
people who go blind each year.
charismatic, cataract, them done career, for cancer them.
11. The word from Hollows’ Paragraph work. 1 that also
The blazing trail Fred forged across the means liquid (a)
(a)
containing demonstrative
did not know
dissolved (which one)
about
correct 4. spelling world The main helped is: idea thousands of Paragraph of people 3 is while to see. substances (b) is: possessive (whose)
Fred worked in Sydney he:
(b) did not care about
indiginous (a) blazing (b) forged (c) to see (a) surgeon (c) quantitative (how much/often)
(a) realised that Aboriginal Australians
(c) supported
indigenus
8.
4. A preposition
did not have
phrase
adequate
is a group
medical
of (b) solution Adverbials are words or groups of words
words 11. You can predict that had he lived, Fred
services.
starting with a preposition. The
that can give more information about a verb;
indigenous
(c) problem
preposition phrase in this sentence is:
e.g. Hollows travelled would across have: the globe (an adverbial
ynonym for (b) the motivated word selfless others in to help him do his of place). The adverbial this sentence is:
12. The group
Many (a)
in which
continued
both words
his work
contain
with disadvantaged
work.
people were going blind from eye
agraph 10 is:
three three-letter
diseases that could be easily treated.
Fred Hollows people.
words worked is: for many years for people
selfish (c) established the first Aboriginal (Letters are who could not help themselves.
(a) were (b)
in order
retired
and
early
may
and
be shared.)
travelled for fun instead
Medical
going
Services
blind
Centre.
unselfish
(a) for
(b) from eye diseases
(a) flourish, award of many work. years
5. (c) Before that he could began working easily treated in other
(b) for people who could not
uncharitable
(b) indigenous, (c) started greatest working in private practice.
countries, Fred Hollows established:
(c) help themselves
(c) cataract,
12. Australia
adamant
is similar to many poor countries
(a) a lens factory in Eritrea.
of the world because it:
Something (b) the Aboriginal Medical extra Centre in
(a) is in the southern hemisphere.
Research
Sydney.
to list the places where Fred Hollows carried out his humanitarian work.
(b) has large areas of desert.
(c) Research the Fred the Hollows causes and Foundation. effects of different eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma.
(c) has many disadvantaged people.
Restoring the
All about words
1. The group with the correct spellings
7. An antonym for the word remote in
for all the adverbs formed from the
Paragraph 4 is:
adjectives gift curable, remote of and sight
tragic is:
(a) nearby
(a) curablely, remotely, tragicly
(b) isolated
1. When the eye surgeon Fred Hollows died, the world
(b) curably, remotly, tragicaly
lost a truly good person. Fred was a practical man (c) distant
who (c) invested curably, his remotely, efforts into tragically finding solutions to the
health problems of underprivileged people.
8. The pair of words with no common vowel
2. The word in Paragraph 9 that comes
sound in their syllables is:
2. Born from in New the Latin Zealand verb in florere 1929, Fred meaning moved to to
(a) attitude, hospital
Sydney, bloom Australia is: soon after he qualified as an
ophthalmologist. Five years later, he was head of the (b) procedure, diagnose
(a) generous
Eye Department at one of Sydney’s main hospitals.
(c) continue, replacement
(b) flourish
3. Fred’s experiences in Sydney highlighted the lack
(c) different
9. The term blazed a trail in Paragraph 6
of medical services for Aboriginal Australians. His
means:
charismatic personality and ‘let’s get things done’
3. The group containing words all with the
attitude helped him to motivate others to join him in (a) cleared a route by burning trees.
same long vowel sound is:
his quest to help them. The first Aboriginal Medical (b) cleared a route by marking trees.
Services (a) sight, Centre died, was eye established in Sydney with more
than (c) moved on enthusiastically.
(b) 60 to raised, follow regions, throughout five Australia by 2005.
Photo courtesy Rakesh Ahuja MD
4. The (c) work greatest, for which disease, Fred later blindbecame internationally 10. famous The began terms on underprivileged his visits to communities and
in the remote regions of Australia. He discovered many Indigenous disadvantaged people refer were to going people blind who: from
4. eye The diseases list of that words could in reverse be easily alphabetical treated but, more importantly, (a) are were unemployed. avoidable. He correctly
assumed order that is: if this was happening among disadvantaged people in one country, it was probably
occurring (b) do not have access to health care.
(a) quest, in others, qualify, too. symptom, generous
(c) have eye disease.
5. Fred (b) learned dedicate, that in diagnose, the African disease, nation donate of Eritrea there were no eye doctors to treat the many
people who go blind each year because cataracts have
(c) charismatic, cataract, career, cancer
11.
developed The word in from their Paragraph eyes. Again 1 he that called also
on the support of others to join him when he visited the country means to liquid help. containing With money dissolved raised by
5.
the The Australian correct people, spelling Fred is: established a factory in Eritrea substances that produced is: the replacement lenses
used in cataract eye surgery.
(a) indiginous
(a) surgeon
6. By the 1980s, Fred had blazed a trail across the globe, establishing eye clinics in some of the
(b) indigenus
(b) solution
poorest countries. A strong believer in helping people to help themselves, he taught local doctors
to recognise (c) indigenous the symptoms of curable eye diseases and to (c) perform problem the procedures to treat them.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. 6. For A a synonym man who for was the dedicating word selfless his professional in career 12. to those The group who needed in which him both most, words it is contain
tragic Paragraph that his life 10 is: was cut short by the onset of an incurable three disease. three-letter In 1987, words Fred Hollows is: was
diagnosed with cancer.
(a) selfish
(Letters are in order and may be shared.)
8. With (b) a typically unselfishpositive attitude, Fred was adamant his work (a) would flourish, not award die with him. He was not
concerned about people remembering him but he wanted others to continue his work. To this
end, (c) the uncharitable
Fred Hollows Foundation was set up in 1992. (b) indigenous, greatest
(c) cataract, adamant
9. Fred Hollows died in 1993 but his work and his memory live on. Supported by generous donations
from around the world, the Foundation continues to flourish. Through its work, many people in
different countries have received the gift of sight, but still more are waiting.
10. Fred received numerous awards for his selfless work throughout his professional career. But for
him, the greatest reward was being able to help those in need.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (72) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (72) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 3
Comprehension
Texting gets
the thumbs
down
1. Texting can become addictive. One medical expert has compared constant texting to heroin. She
states that brain imaging shows back and forth texting has the same effect as a drug—it ‘floods
the pleasure centres of the brain’. With technology a huge part of our daily lives, we need to be
extremely careful how much time we spend sending text messages. Excessive texting can cause
many serious problems.
2. Excessive texting can cause physical problems. Constant use of the thumb to send messages
can cause damage to the tendons. In Japan, there is evidence of thumb growth due to texting
resulting in ‘monster thumbs’. An American doctor has warned against holding the neck,
shoulders and head in the same position while texting. This can cause headaches, neck and
shoulder pain, and possibly arthritis later in life. Serious physical injury can result when people are
distracted while texting. It may seem amusing to watch someone walk into a pole while texting,
but it is really terrifying to observe a driver texting! In 2011, an American survey revealed that 28
per cent of teenage drivers admitted to texting while driving. This is an extremely dangerous habit.
Accidents are caused by inattention. Not only physical, but also mental problems result from
overuse of text messages.
3. Mental problems can result from a dependence on texting. Excessive texting can cause low
self-esteem, anxiety, insecurity, depression and a constant need for more. Users may worry
about receiving or not receiving messages; they can believe messages have arrived when they
haven’t; some ‘binge texters’ have been known to send multiple texts in order to feel good about
themselves and attract responses. Constant texting can become a method of avoiding reality
and living in an artificial world. Social as well as mental problems must also be pondered.
4. In this age of technology, socialisation problems are a huge worry. Texting can become a way
to escape problems with face-to-face relationships. Lack of contact with others makes it difficult
for people to communicate in person. Reduced personal contact can lead to isolation. In older
individuals, isolation can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. Sometimes the
result of overtexting is simply rudeness as users text constantly during meals or at improper times,
ignoring others. Excessive texting can make normal communication difficult.
5. Communicating using texting alone has resulted in a generation that is unable to spell because
texters use a type of shorthand. Words like LOL or CUL8R are substituted for correctly spelt words.
Some people even make up their own language to use which others cannot understand. This
makes communication quick but not conventional.
6. Another problem relating to texting too much is the cost. Text messages are expensive. One US
study showed the average teenager sends up to 3000 texts a month. That’s about one every ten
minutes! Adolescents new to texting have been known to suffer personality changes—they lie in
order to text or easily lose track of time.
1. Which word in Paragraph 2 means cords
or bands of white fibrous tissue which
connect a muscle with a bone or body
part?
(a) tendons (b) arthritis (c) thumbs
2. It is probable that someone who has
monster thumbs has …
(a) mental problems
(b) been overtexting
(c) arthritis
3. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is to explain:
(a) that the present generation can’t spell
in the accepted manner.
(b) that texters use a type of shorthand.
(c) how texting shortcuts have caused
communication problems.
4. After constantly using shorthand to send
texts, users may not be able to:
(a) spell in a conventional manner.
(b) use their thumbs properly.
(c) communicate quickly.
5. It is a fact, not an opinion, that:
(a) texting during meals should be
banned.
(b) it is amusing to watch a texter bump
into a pole.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(c) technology is part of modern life.
6. You can predict that the parents of
adolescents who become addicted to
texting would:
(a) not care.
(b) not notice any changes.
(c) be very concerned.
7. You can conclude that excessive texting:
(a) can cause many problems.
(b) is not a major worry.
(c) makes people more intelligent.
8. Which would be a suitable summary of
Paragraph 4?
(a) Texters need to aware of all the
problems associated with excessive
texting.
(b) Excessive texting can result in
difficulty communicating face-toface,
isolation resulting in health
problems, and basic rudeness.
(c) The isolation that results from
excessive texting by older people
can increase their risk of heart
disease.
9. You can infer that a teenager who
sends about 3000 texts each month:
(a) has no time for anything else.
(b) cannot spell.
(c) would need to pay a lot of money.
10. What is the effect of constantly being in
the same hunched-over position while
texting?
(a) neck, shoulder and head pain
(b) isolation and arthritis
(c) insecurity and depression
11. The word this in Paragraph 5 refers to:
(a) bad spelling
(b) using their own language
(c) not understanding
12. The writer’s point of view is that texting:
(a) is a fun, enjoyable and harmless
activity.
(b) is an accepted part of modern life.
(c) can cause serious problems if done
to excess.
7. It is essential that people become aware of possible problems so users do not become addicted
to ‘text messaging’. Excessive texting definitely gets the ‘thumbs down’!
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (73) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 3
Rust 3
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
word 1. adolescents 1. Semicolons Which word in Paragraph (;) in can be 6 used 2 means to connect cords 7. Which words 6. 8. do A Which not main have would clause a combined be contains a suitable a verb summary and of
ans: closely or bands related of white ideas, fibrous as they tissue are which in total of 11 syllables? its Paragraph subject and 4? is an independent
Paragraph connect a 3. muscle The three with separate, a bone or but body
sentence. e.g. If users text during meals
youths, growing to adulthood.
(a) generation, (a) conventional, Texters need evidence to aware of all the
connected, part? ideas all relate to:
I’ll think they have bad manners. The
problems associated with excessive
people over the age of twelve.
(b) excessive, communication, main clause in this expensive sentence is:
(a) sending tendons and (b) receiving arthritis text (c) messages. thumbs
texting.
costing a great deal of money.
(c) adolescents, People technology, need to be aware of the problem
(b) physical injuries caused by excessive
(b) Excessive texting can result in
2. It is probable that someone who has approximately so users don’t become addicted.
ich word is monster a synonym texting.
thumbs for distracted has … in
difficulty communicating face-toface,
isolation resulting in health
agraph 2? (c) ways to avoid reality through texting. 8. Which word does (a) not so use users -ly don’t as a suffix?
(a) mental problems
problems, and basic rudeness.
observed
(a) correctly (b) so users don’t become addicted
2. Which (b) been group overtexting of words in the sentence
(c) The isolation that results from
diverted perform the function of an adjective? e.g. (b) only (c) People need to be aware of the
(c) arthritis
excessive texting by older people
problem
constantolder individuals with greater risk of heart (c) daily
can increase their risk of heart
3. disease. The main idea of Paragraph 5 is to explain: 7. A dependent disease. clause has a verb, its
ich word is This an
(a) makes antonym
that the communication for
present generation quick can’t but 9. not The word centre
spell
subject has an and s sound. a conjunction Which which
ventional 9. You can infer that a teenager who
conventional.
in Paragraph 5?
words both have
in the accepted manner.
makes two s it sounds? an incomplete sentence;
sends about 3000 texts each month:
unusual (a) (b) not that conventional
(a) evidence, message e.g. They can believe text messages
texters use a type of shorthand.
have (a) has arrived no time when for they anything haven’t. else. Which
fictitious (b) (c) quick how texting but not shortcuts conventional (b) essential, possible
have caused
group of words is a dependent clause
(b) cannot spell.
standard(c) This communication makes communication problems. (c) excessive, adolescents
in this sentence?
(c) would need to pay a lot of money.
People are distracted while sending text
ich four 3. 4. words What After are are constantly all the spelt comparative incorrectly?
using shorthand superlative to 10. send Which word originated from the Latin
texts, users may not be able to:
10. messages.
What is the effect of constantly being in
forms of the adjective accepted? e.g. word supervidere meaning to oversee?
expereince, symtoms, posession,
the same hunched-over position while
happy, (a) spell happier, in a conventional happiest and manner. important,
(a) while sending text messages
noticible
(a) survey
texting?
more important, most important
(b) People are distracted
texters, symtoms, (b) use separated, their thumbs posession properly. (b) response
(a) neck, shoulder and head pain
(a) accepteder, acceptedest
(c) text messages
posession, (c) noticible, communicate prized, quickly.
(c) superior
(b) isolation and arthritis
expereince (b) accept, accepter
8. Which more expressive and interesting
5. It is a fact, not an opinion, that: 11. In which group (c) does insecurity one word and not depression
have
(c) more accepted, most accepted
verb could be substituted for is
word habit in Paragraph 2 is a
a hard c sound like cause?
(a) texting during meals should be
11. essential The word in this Paragraph in Paragraph 7?
ograph 5 refers to:
4. (word Possessive with one
banned. determiners spelling but tell who owns the (a) accidents, escape
erent meanings noun. Which depending word on in the sentence is the
(a) (a) is bad important spelling
text) and possessive can (b) mean it is amusing determiner?
a particular to watch a texter bump (b) headaches, much
(b)
into a pole.
(b) is using imperative
ctice or custom. Which sentence
their own language
(c) accepted, neck
onstrates Some an alternative people even meaning? make up their own
(c)
(c) technology is part of modern life.
(c) is not basic understanding
language to use which others cannot
It was the understand.
habit of Mother Superior to
12. Which phrase is commonly used to
6. You can predict that the parents of
12. The writer’s point of view is that texting:
use technology to keep up-to-date.
indicate disapproval?
(a) adolescents their who become addicted to
(a) is a fun, enjoyable and harmless
Mother Superior always wore an
(a) ‘binge texters’
(b) texting Some would:
activity.
impeccable habit.
(b) ‘floods pleasure Something
(c) (a) which not care.
(b) is an accepted part of modern life.
Mother Superior’s habit of reading the
centres of
text out loud (b) to not herself notice was any annoying. changes.
the brain’ (c) can cause
extra
serious problems if done
5. Which group of words uses the apostrophe
(c) be very concerned.
(c) ‘thumbs down’ Write
to excess.
for possession correctly?
a list of text messaging
ich words are in reverse alphabetical
er?
shortcuts and their meanings
7. (a) You many can conclude texter’s messages that excessive texting:
or translations.
addictive, (b) (a) admitted, many can cause teenagers’ adolescents many accidents problems.
Write bullet points for each
depression, (c) (b) dependence, a is thumbs’ not a major size definitely worry.
paragraph and summarise
extremely, (c) excessive, makes expensive people more intelligent.
the arguments given.
Texting
1. The word adolescents Paragraph
gets
6
7. Which words do not have a combined
means:
total of 11 syllables?
(a) youths, growing to adulthood.
(a) generation, conventional, evidence
the
(b) people over
thumbs
the age of twelve.
(b) excessive, communication, expensive
(c) costing a great deal of money.
(c) adolescents, technology,
approximately
2. Which word is a synonym for distracted in
down
Paragraph 2?
8. Which word does not use -ly as a suffix?
(a) observed
(a) correctly
(b) diverted
(b) only
1. Texting (c) constant can become addictive. One medical expert has (c) compared daily constant texting to heroin. She
states that brain imaging shows back and forth texting has the same effect as a drug—it ‘floods
3. the Which pleasure word centres is an antonym of the brain’. for With technology a 9. huge The part word of our centre daily has lives, an we s sound. need Which to be
extremely conventional careful in how Paragraph much time 5? we spend sending text words messages. both Excessive have two texting s sounds? can cause
many serious problems.
(a) unusual
(a) evidence, message
2. Excessive (b) fictitious texting can cause physical problems. Constant (b) use essential, of the thumb possible to send messages
can cause damage to the tendons. In Japan, there is evidence of thumb growth due to texting
resulting
(c) standard
in ‘monster thumbs’. An American doctor has warned
(c) excessive,
against holding
adolescents
the neck,
shoulders and head in the same position while texting. This can cause headaches, neck and
4. Which four words are all spelt incorrectly? 10. Which word originated from the Latin
shoulder pain, and possibly arthritis later in life. Serious physical injury can result when people are
word supervidere meaning to oversee?
distracted (a) expereince, while texting. symtoms, It may posession, seem amusing to watch someone walk into a pole while texting,
but it is noticible really terrifying to observe a driver texting! In 2011, (a) an American survey survey revealed that 28
per
(b)
cent
texters,
of teenage
symtoms,
drivers
separated,
admitted
posession
to texting while driving.
(b)
This
response
is an extremely dangerous habit.
Accidents are caused by inattention. Not only physical, but also mental problems result from
overuse (c) posession, of text messages. noticible, prized,
(c) superior
expereince
3. Mental problems can result from a dependence on 11. texting. In which Excessive group texting does can one cause word not low have
5. self-esteem, The word habit anxiety, in insecurity, Paragraph depression 2 is a and a constant a need hard for c sound more. like Users cause? may worry
about homograph receiving (word not with receiving one spelling messages; but they can believe messages have arrived when they
(a) accidents, escape
haven’t; different some meanings ‘binge texters’ depending have on been the known to send multiple texts in order to feel good about
themselves context) and can attract mean responses. a particular Constant texting can become (b) headaches, a method much of avoiding reality
and practice living in or an custom. artificial Which world. sentence Social as well as mental problems (c) accepted, must also neck be pondered.
demonstrates an alternative meaning?
4. In this age of technology, socialisation problems are a huge worry. Texting can become a way
(a) It was the habit of Mother Superior to
12. Which phrase is commonly used to
to escape problems with face-to-face relationships. Lack of contact with others makes it difficult
use technology to keep up-to-date.
indicate disapproval?
for people to communicate in person. Reduced personal contact can lead to isolation. In older
individuals, (b) Mother isolation Superior can always increase wore the an risk of heart disease, (a) stroke ‘binge and texters’ dementia. Sometimes the
result of impeccable overtexting habit. is simply rudeness as users text constantly
(b) ‘floods
during
pleasure
meals or at improper times,
ignoring others. Excessive texting can make normal communication
(c) Mother Superior’s habit of reading the
centres
difficult.
of
5. Communicating text out loud using to herself texting was alone annoying. has resulted in a generation the brain’ that is unable to spell because
texters use a type of shorthand. Words like LOL or CUL8R are (c) substituted ‘thumbs down’ for correctly spelt words.
6. Some Which people words even are make in reverse up their alphabetical own language to use which others cannot understand. This
makes order? communication quick but not conventional.
6. Another
(a) addictive,
problem
admitted,
relating to
adolescents
texting too much is the cost. Text messages are expensive. One US
study (b) showed depression, the average dependence, teenager definitely sends up to 3000 texts a month. That’s about one every ten
minutes! Adolescents new to texting have been known to suffer personality changes—they lie in
(c) extremely, excessive, expensive
order to text or easily lose track of time.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
7. It is essential that people become aware of possible problems so users do not become addicted
to ‘text messaging’. Excessive texting definitely gets the ‘thumbs down’!
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (73) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (73) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 4
Box 2
Comprehension
The ancient
Maya
1. One of the most well-known ancient civilisations, the
Maya of Central America, originated in the Yucatán region
around 2600 BC. This area is the equivalent of presentday
Southern Mexico, Northern Belize, Guatemala and
Western Honduras, so their territory was quite extensive.
Though they had earlier origins, the Maya didn’t actually
rise to prominence until the classical era, which was much
later, approximately 250–900 AD.
2. Known for their many achievements, the Maya were particularly impressive during the classical
period, which was a time of great intellectual and artistic expression. While they are often
credited with the development of astronomy, the early calendar and hieroglyphic writing, the
Mayans were actually experts at adopting the inventions and knowledge of earlier civilisations,
such as the Olmec. During this time, the Mayan population was likely to have been in the millions.
They created hundreds of kingdoms which prospered from the long distance trade established
with regions as far away as Panama and the Caribbean.
3. The magnificent palaces, temples and observatories built by the Maya are some of the most
visible examples of how extraordinary they were. Without metal tools, animals for pulling carts
and wagons, or even pulleys for hoisting materials, the Maya built their grand cities of stone by
sheer hard work and an abundance of manpower. The soft limestone used in most of their large
buildings was found locally and made carving decorations easier. Decorative pictures of the royal
families, religious gods and hieroglyphics were often chipped into the stone.
4. The Maya writing system had over 1000 different glyphs, or characters, and to date over 10 000
texts, mostly written on monuments and pottery, have been discovered by archaeologists. It
took a long time to decipher the texts as historians could only understand bits and pieces of
the writing, but as of the late 20th century, most of the hieroglyphics have been recorded and
translated.
5. The Maya were also highly skilled as farmers and cleared large areas of rainforest. When water
was unavailable or limited, the Mayans built large underground reservoirs to store surplus
rainwater. Mayan farming is significant because many historians and archaeologists believe it
played a big part in the decline of their civilisation. Around 900 AD, the Mayans abandoned their
southern cities for reasons that are still a mystery. As recently as 2011, researchers think they may
have found a possible reason for this. Using research from scientists studying ancient lake beds
and rocks, it is thought that a long drought may have led to a profound lack of water in the area,
causing farms to flounder and the food source to dwindle. Some have also said that because the
Maya cleared so much land for farming, their land would have been very dry.
6. What is known is that the northern Maya were added to the Toltec civilisation around 1200 AD.
It is also argued that many of their descendants continue to live in Central America where their
ancestors joined other native peoples of the area. By the time of the Spanish conquests in the late
17th century, nothing remained of the once great Mayan civilisation.
1. The word prominence in Paragraph 1
means:
(a)
(b)
(c)
conspicuousness, importance
a great store of valuable possessions,
property or riches
uncertainty of meaning or expression
2. The Yucatan region covers present-day:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Central America.
Southern Mexico, Northern Belize,
Guatemala and Western Honduras.
Panama and the Caribbean.
3. Paragraph 3 is mainly about the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
inventions credited to the Maya.
Mayan buildings and their
construction.
writing system of the Maya.
4. After they established long distance trade
with regions such as Panama and the
Caribbean, the Maya:
(a)
(b)
(c)
prospered.
disappeared.
floundered.
5. The northern Maya were different from
the southern Maya because it is believed:
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
(a)
(b)
(c)
they experienced a drought in their
area.
their descendants live in Central
America.
they abandoned their cities around
900 AD.
6. You can predict that, as archaeologists
uncover more evidence of the Mayans,:
(a)
(b)
(c)
details about them will be less
obvious.
more questions will be raised.
more details about their lives will be
revealed.
7. You can conclude that the Mayans were:
(a)
(b)
(c)
a diverse culture.
hunter/gatherers only.
traders and artisans.
8. A heading summarising Paragraph 5
would be:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Methods of farming
The importance of farming
Types of farming
9. You can infer that the Mayans thought:
(a)
(b)
(c)
stone was the most durable building
material.
their palaces, observatories and
temples would last forever.
decorating structures was important.
10. What is believed to have been a possible
cause of the disappearance of the
Mayan civilisation?
(a)
(b)
(c)
the disintegration of the farming
industry
the absorption of the Mayans into
other cultures
annihilation during the Spanish
conquests
11. The purpose for writing the text was to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
give information about the Maya.
persuade readers that the Maya
were the most important ancient
civilisation.
entertain readers with a folktale.
12. The pronoun it in the third line of
Paragraph 5 refers to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
historians and archaeologists
the Mayan civilisation
Mayan farming
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (74) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 4
Rust 4
Box 2
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
ich word 1. 1. matches Which The word group the prominence meaning of words is in an Paragraph adverbial 7. 1 Which word 7. 6. does You A preposition can not conclude follow the phrase that same the begins Mayans with were: a
ow? giving means: information about a verb? pattern to name
(a)
preposition; a person who
a diverse culture.
e.g. studies The palaces were
a subject, such
It (a) took conspicuousness, a long time to decipher importance the texts as
built as; science by the Maya. (scientist) Which or
riting system in which many of the
is the
research (researcher)?
bols are images (b) hunter/gatherers only.
historians of
(b) a great
could the things
store
only they
of
understand
valuable possessions,
bits and
preposition phrase in this sentence?
d for.
(a) astronomy
pieces.
(c)
property or riches
The traders Maya built and their artisans. grand cities by
hieroglyphics
(b) medicine
(a)
(c)
the
uncertainty
texts
sheer hard work.
of meaning or expression 8. A heading summarising Paragraph 5
decipher
(c) archaeology
(b) a long time
would (a) by be: sheer hard work
texts 2. The Yucatan region covers present-day:
(c) bits and pieces
8. In which two (a) words (b) Methods The was Maya a final of farming e
(a) Central America.
dropped before
(b) (c)
ed
The their
was added?
ich word is a synonym for flounder in
importance grand cities of farming
agraph 2. 5? Which
(b) Southern
verb is present
Mexico,
tense?
Northern Belize, (a) cleared, prepared
7. (c) Types of farming
(a) were Guatemala highly skilled and Western Honduras.
Which sentence contains a plural verb?
flourish
(b) credited, continued
(b) (c) is Panama known and the Caribbean.
9. You (a) can Most infer of that the hieroglyphics the Mayans thought: have
falter
(c) translated, argued
been recorded and translated.
erode (c)
(a) stone was the most durable building
3. Paragraph
was found
3 is mainly about the: 9. Which word cannot (b) material. The be used soft limestone with was found
water to make a compound
3. Which (a) inventions group of words credited in to the the sentence Maya.
locally.
word like
ich word is an antonym for decipher
rainwater?
aragraph
(b) their palaces, observatories and
below 4?
(b) Mayan
form the
buildings
adjective
and
group?
their
(c) temples The Mayan would population last forever. was likely to
(a) fall
decodeAfter the construction. 17th century, nothing remained of
have been in the millions.
(b) break (c) decorating structures was important.
scribe the
(c)
once
writing
great
system
Mayan
of
civilisation.
the Maya.
(c) artesian 8. Which more expressive verb could
encode(a)
nothing remained
10. What is believed to have been a possible
replace built in the sentence below?
4. After they established long distance trade cause of the disappearance of the
(b)
with
After
regions
the 17th
such
century
10. Which word, originally from a French
ich word pair is spelt correctly? as Panama and the
Mayan The Maya civilisation? built their grand cities of
word meaning storehouse, means a
archaeologists, (c) Caribbean, once descendants great the Mayan Maya:
stone by sheer hard work and an
natural or artificial (a) the place disintegration where water of is the farming
abundance of manpower.
ancestor, (a) prospered.
industry
4. The
decypher
collected and stored?
comparative and superlative forms
(a) made
spectacular, of (b) the acheivements
disappeared.
word ancient are more ancient (a) lake (b) the absorption of the Mayans into
and
(c)
most
floundered.
ancient. Which is not a possible (b) reservoir (b) other constructed cultures
ich word does comparative not belong and in superlative the of the
egory below?
(c) farming (c) (c) annihilation demolishedduring the Spanish
5. adjective The northern old? Maya were different from
conquests
period
(a) the more southern calendar
old, most Maya time
old because it is believed: 11. Which group of words is in alphabetical
century
order? 11.
(a) they experienced a drought in their
The purpose for writing the text was to:
(b) elder, eldest
conquests area.
(a) decrease, (a) decline, give information decorative about the Maya.
(c) older, oldest
date
(b) experts, extensive, extraordinary
(b) their descendants live in Central
(b) persuade readers that the Maya
5. Which America. word in the sentence below is an (c) archaeologists, Something were artistic, the argued most important extra ancient
hich word is the first s sound
indefinite
(c) they
pronoun
abandoned
referring
their cities
to unspecified
around
civilisation.
resented in the same way as it is in
12. The correct
beings,
900
objects
AD.
or places?
syllabification Research the of less the word familiar
word scientists?
intellectual is: (c) ancient entertain civilisations readers with mentioned a folktale.
central Some have also said that because the Maya
and compile a report in a
6. cleared You can so predict much land that, for as farming, archaeologists
(a) int/ell/ect/u/al
their land 12. The pronoun it in the third line of
similar format to the text.
researchers
would uncover have more been evidence very dry. of the Mayans,: (b) in/tell/ect/ual Paragraph 5 refers to:
descendants
(a) (a) sodetails about them will be less (c) in/tel/lec/tu/al
(a)
Compile
historians
a travel
and
brochure
archaeologists
obvious.
of Mayan ruins in Central
(b) Some
(b) America. the Mayan civilisation
(b) more questions will be raised.
(c) their
(c) Mayan farming
(c) more details about their lives will be
revealed.
All about words
The ancient
1. Which word matches the meaning
7. Which word does not follow the same
below?
pattern to name a person who studies
a subject, such as; science (scientist) or
Maya
A writing system in which many of the
research (researcher)?
symbols are images of the things they
stand for.
(a) astronomy
(a) hieroglyphics
(b) medicine
1. One (b) of decipher the most well-known ancient civilisations, the (c) archaeology
Maya of Central America, originated in the Yucatán region
(c) texts
around 2600 BC. This area is the equivalent of presentday
Which Southern word Mexico, is a synonym Northern for flounder Belize, in Guatemala and
8. In which two words was a final e
dropped before ed was added?
2.
Western Paragraph Honduras, 5? so their territory was quite extensive. (a) cleared, prepared
Though they had earlier origins, the Maya didn’t actually
(a) flourish
(b) credited, continued
rise to prominence until the classical era, which was much
later, (b) approximately falter 250–900 AD.
(c) translated, argued
(c) erode
2. Known for their many achievements, the Maya were 9. particularly Which word impressive cannot during be used the with classical
water to make a compound word like
3.
period, Which which word was is an a antonym time of great for decipher intellectual and artistic expression. While they are often
credited rainwater?
in Paragraph with the 4? development of astronomy, the early calendar and hieroglyphic writing, the
Mayans were actually experts at adopting the inventions (a) and fall knowledge of earlier civilisations,
(a) decode
such as the Olmec. During this time, the Mayan population was likely to have been in the millions.
(b) break
They (b) created scribe hundreds of kingdoms which prospered from the long distance trade established
with (c) artesian
(c) regions encode as far away as Panama and the Caribbean.
3. 4. The Which magnificent word pair palaces, is spelt temples correctly? and observatories 10. built Which by the word, Maya originally are some from of the a French most
visible examples of how extraordinary they were. Without word metal meaning tools, animals storehouse, for pulling means carts a
(a) archaeologists, descendants
and wagons, or even pulleys for hoisting materials, the Maya
natural
built
or
their
artificial
grand
place
cities
where
of stone
water
by
is
(b) ancestor, decypher
collected and stored?
sheer hard work and an abundance of manpower. The soft limestone used in most of their large
buildings (c) spectacular, was found acheivements
locally and made carving decorations (a) easier. lake Decorative pictures of the royal
families, religious gods and hieroglyphics were often chipped (b) reservoir into the stone.
5. Which word does not belong in the
4. The category Maya writing below? system had over 1000 different glyphs, (c) or characters, farming and to date over 10 000
texts, mostly written on monuments and pottery, have been discovered by archaeologists. It
era period calendar time
11. Which group of words is in alphabetical
took a long time to decipher the texts as historians could only understand bits and pieces of
(a) century
order?
the writing, but as of the late 20th century, most of the hieroglyphics have been recorded and
translated. (b) conquests
(a) decrease, decline, decorative
(c) date
(b) experts, extensive, extraordinary
5. The Maya were also highly skilled as farmers and cleared large areas of rainforest. When water
was unavailable or limited, the Mayans built large underground (c) archaeologists, reservoirs to artistic, store surplus argued
6. In which word is the first s sound
rainwater. Mayan farming is significant because many historians and archaeologists believe it
represented in the same way as it is in
12. The correct syllabification of the word
played
the word
a big
scientists?
part in the decline of their civilisation. Around 900 AD, the Mayans abandoned their
intellectual is:
southern cities for reasons that are still a mystery. As recently as 2011, researchers think they may
have (a) found central a possible reason for this. Using research from (a) scientists int/ell/ect/u/al studying ancient lake beds
and (b) rocks, researchers it is thought that a long drought may have led (b) to a in/tell/ect/ual
profound lack of water in the area,
causing (c) descendants
farms to flounder and the food source to dwindle. Some have also said that because the
(c) in/tel/lec/tu/al
Maya cleared so much land for farming, their land would have been very dry.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. What is known is that the northern Maya were added to the Toltec civilisation around 1200 AD.
It is also argued that many of their descendants continue to live in Central America where their
ancestors joined other native peoples of the area. By the time of the Spanish conquests in the late
17th century, nothing remained of the once great Mayan civilisation.
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (74) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (74) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 5
Comprehension
1. Most people have heard of urban legends, but how many
people really know what they are or how they originated?
2. An urban legend, also called a contemporary
legend, is a modern tale related in a manner that it is
plausible enough to be true. It usually concerns horrific,
embarrassing, mysterious or humorous events
that supposedly happened to real people.
3. The term ‘urban legend’ is used not to state
that the legend originated in an urban instead of
a rural region, but to differentiate the tale from
traditional legends and to make comment about
some aspect of modern life. Many urban legends are
thought to have originated from actual events which
have been misinterpreted. The term was first
coined in 1981 by Jan Harold Brunvand,
an English professor, who published a
collection of legends titled The vanishing
hitchhiker: American urban legends and
their meanings.
4. Urban legends are usually handed down by
word of mouth and, as they circulate, some
variation, exaggeration or embellishment may occur
over time. Some may be preserved because of their
importance to the community in which they revolve.
In the digital age, urban legends circulate swiftly. One
urban legend which has remained close to the original is
the tale of the woman killed by spiders who nested in her
elaborate hairstyle.
5. The veracity of an urban legend is difficult to determine because it is often impossible to trace
the origin. Urban legends appear to be truthful because they are personalised using FOAF
(Friend of a Friend). They are retold as having happened to someone, either the original witness
or participant, known to the narrator. Usually false, some may have some basis in truth. One
example is the legend of The submarine—a giant white shark patrolling the waters around Cape
Town, South Africa. Although the hoax was started by journalists to fool newspaper readers, old
photographs and numerous sightings seem to confirm the actual existence of a huge white shark.
6. Urban legends contain some warning for the listener or reader. They also play on human fears.
One humorous tale tells of a cement truck driver who was a very jealous husband. Assuming his
wife was unfaithful, he would drive past his house during the day. When he observed a brand new
Cadillac in his driveway one day, he backed his truck up to the car, filling it with cement. Upon
arriving home at the end of the day and asking his wife about her day, she replied that it was
awful because some ‘jerk’ had filled the new car she had bought for him with cement. The tale
cautions against jealousy and false assumptions. Others caution against parking cars in remote
locations, or becoming too familiar with, or accepting gifts from, strangers.
7. Television shows such as Mythbusters and Urban legends: beyond belief: fact
or fiction and a number of websites try to debunk urban legends, myths and rumours.
8. No matter their origin, meaning or truthfulness, urban legends like traditional tales are vastly
entertaining narratives—perfect for relating on a spooky night beside a campfire!
1. The word contemporary in Paragraph 2
means:
(a) in the most modern style; up to date
(b) fictitious; not genuine; false
(c) dishonourable; disgraceful
2. The term urban legend originated from:
(a) city regions
(b) English professor, Jan Harold
Brunvand
(c) the television show Mythbusters
3. Which paragraph mainly tells about the
truthfulness of urban legends?
(a) Paragraph 8
(b) Paragraph 4
(c) Paragraph 5
4. It is an opinion, not a fact, that urban
legends are:
(a) entertaining.
(b) usually passed on by word of mouth.
(c) also called contemporary legends.
5. Urban legends and traditional tales are
similar because they are both:
(a) about true events.
(b) narratives.
(c) spread via email.
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
6. You can predict that the truck driver who
dumped cement into the new car his
wife bought him:
(a) was never jealous again.
(b) jack-hammered all the cement out
of his car.
(c) was very annoyed with himself.
7. You can predict that urban legends will:
(a) continue to circulate.
(b) be written down and preserved.
(c) eventually die out.
8. Which paragraph is summarised by the
following statement?
The truth of urban legends is hard to verify.
(a) Paragraph 4
(b) Paragraph 5
(c) Paragraph 6
9. You can infer that in this digital age,
urban legends circulate more quickly
because:
(a) they can be published as quickly as
books.
(b) it is easier to verify the truth of many.
(c) emails can reach multiple readers at
one time.
10. The pronoun it in Paragraph 6 ‘… she
replied that it was awful’ refers to:
(a) her day.
(b) the car.
(c) the cement.
11. One effect of passing on an urban
legend is that:
(a) the teller may put themselves in the
tale.
(b) the account may vary.
(c) it may not be as entertaining.
12. The writer’s point of view is that urban
legends are:
(a) a complete waste of time.
(b) too varied to verify.
(c) entertaining tales.
R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (75) Prim-Ed Publishing

Rust 5
Rust 5
All about Comprehension
Grammar words
All about words
ich word 1. 1. is Italics The defined word are by used contemporary the meaning writing in for Paragraph titles of 8. 2 Which two 6. 8. words Which do word paragraph not in both the have sentence is summarised an ur below by is a the
ow? newspapers, means: journals, radio broadcasts sound like urban? relative following pronoun; statement? e.g. They originated from
or similar. Which word or group of words
events which have been misinterpreted.
ing the appearance (a) in the of most truth modern or reason style; up to date(a) heard, circulate The truth of urban legends is hard to verify.
should not be italicised?
One humorous tale tells of a cement truck
plausible(b) fictitious; not genuine; false (b) rural, journalist (a) Paragraph 4
(a) Cadillac
driver who was a very jealous husband.
veracity (c) dishonourable; disgraceful (c) occur, interpreted (b) Paragraph 5
(b) The vanishing hitchhiker: American
(a) One (b) of (c) who
variation
(c) Paragraph 6
2. The urban term urban legends legend and their originated meanings from: 9. Which sentence uses the words passed;
7. Preposition phrases start with a preposition.
(c) (a) Mythbusters
e.g. I passed my test, and past; e.g. They
ich two words from city the regions text are
9. Which You can group infer of that words in this not digital a preposition age,
lived in the past, correctly?
onyms?
urban legends circulate more quickly
(b) English professor, Jan Harold
phrase in this sentence?
2. Quote marks are used with the word jerk
(a) Urban legends because: are past down and
jealous, awful in Paragraph Brunvand6 to indicate:
Assuming his wife was unfaithful, he would
have origins in the passed.
(a) they can be published as quickly as
contemporary, (c) the television show Mythbusters
drive past his house during the day.
(a) direct modern speech
(b) In the passed books. urban legends were
veracity, (a) his wife
3. (b) caution
Which it is paragraph a quoted word mainly tells about the past down slowly.
(b) it is easier to verify the truth of many.
truthfulness of urban legends?
(b) past his house
ich word in (c) Paragraph it is an informal 4 is an word
(c) Now urban legends are passed
(c) emails can reach multiple readers at
onym for understatement?
(a) Paragraph 8
down quicker (c) during than in the the day past.
one time.
3. Which verb is in the future tense?
variation (b) Paragraph 4
8. Which expressive verb would be the best
(a) were handed down
10. The pronoun it in Paragraph 6 ‘… she
personalised (c) Paragraph 5
to substitute for nested in in the sentence
replied that it was awful’ refers to:
(b) is handing down
below to add more details or interest?
exaggeration
4. It is an opinion, not a fact, that urban
(a) her day.
(c) will be handing down
One urban legend is the tale of the woman
legends are:
ich word is spelt correctly?
killed (b) by the spiders car. who nested in her elaborate
4. Which group of words is an adjective
(a) entertaining.
hairstyle.
patrolling
(c) the cement.
group in the sentence below?
(b) usually passed on by word of mouth.
(a) lived in
travelingIt usually concerns horrific, embarrassing,
11. One effect of passing on an urban
(c) also called contemporary legends.
(b) legend infested
leveling mysterious or humorous events that
is that:
supposedly happened to real people.
(c)
5. Urban legends and traditional tales are
(a) snuggled the teller in may put themselves in the
correct syllabification (a) similar It usually of
because concerns the word
they are both:
tale.
rator is:
(b) (a) horrific, about embarrassing, true events. mysterious
(b) the account may vary.
na/rra/tor or humorous
10. Which word’s base word did not change
(b) narratives.
(c) it may not be as entertaining.
nar/ra/tor
when the suffix ous was added?
(c) that supposedly happened to real
(c) people spread via email.
narr/at/or
(a) mysterious 12. The writer’s point of view is that urban
legends are:
5.
6. The You comparative can predict that and the superlative truck driver forms who (b) humorous
ich words all have a s sound like
dumped cement into the new car his
(a) a complete waste of time.
e? of the adjective plausible are:
(c) advantageous
wife bought him:
(b) too varied to verify.
cautions, (a) concern, plausibler, sharkplausiblest.
11.
(a) was never jealous again.
Which Latin word and meaning is the
(c) entertaining tales.
published, (b) participant, more plausible, false most plausible. origin of the word veracity?
(b) jack-hammered all the cement out
cement, (c) professor, plausibled, his veracity car. plausibling.
(a) ‘versio’ meaning ‘turning’
(c) was very annoyed with himself.
(b) ‘verus’ meaning ‘true’
ich word in Paragraph 7 is ericanism meaning to expose?
(c) ‘civitas’ meaning ‘the state, a city’
7. You can predict that urban legends will:
debunk
12.
(a) continue to circulate.
Which prefix does not give the base
belief
word the opposite meaning?
(b) Write be written a list down of characteristics and preserved. of an urban legend
coined
(a) impossible
(c) then eventually use these die out. as a guide to write one of your own.
(b) unfaithful
Research to read some interesting urban
(c) recirculate
legends.
1. Which word is defined by the meaning
below?
8. Which two words do not both have an ur
sound like urban?
having the appearance of truth or reason
(a) heard, circulate
1. Most people have heard of urban legends, but how many
people (a) plausible really know what they are or how they originated? (b) rural, journalist
2. An (b) urban veracity legend, also called a contemporary
(c) occur, interpreted
legend, (c) variation is a modern tale related in a manner that it is
plausible enough to be true. It usually concerns horrific, 9. Which sentence uses the words passed;
e.g. I passed my test, and past; e.g. They
2. embarrassing, Which two words mysterious from the or humorous text are events
that lived in the past, correctly?
synonyms? supposedly happened to real people.
3. The (a) Urban legends are past down and
(a) term jealous, ‘urban awful legend’ is used not to state
that the legend originated in an urban instead of
have origins in the passed.
(b) contemporary, modern
a rural region, but to differentiate the tale from
(b) In the passed urban legends were
traditional (c) veracity, legends caution and to make comment about
past down slowly.
some aspect of modern life. Many urban legends are
3. Which word in Paragraph 4 is an
(c) Now urban legends are passed
thought to have originated from actual events which
antonym for understatement?
down quicker than in the past.
have been misinterpreted. The term was first
coined (a) variation in 1981 by Jan Harold Brunvand,
an English professor, who published a
collection (b) personalised of legends titled The vanishing
hitchhiker: (c) exaggeration American urban legends and
their meanings.
4. Which word is spelt correctly?
4. Urban legends are usually handed down by
word (a) of patrolling mouth and, as they circulate, some
variation, exaggeration or embellishment may occur
(b) traveling
over time. Some may be preserved because of their
importance (c) leveling to the community in which they revolve.
In the digital age, urban legends circulate swiftly. One
5. urban The legend correct which syllabification has remained of the close word to the original is
the narrator tale of the is: woman killed by spiders who nested in her
elaborate (a) na/rra/tor hairstyle.
10. Which word’s base word did not change
5. The (b) veracity nar/ra/tor of an urban legend is difficult to determine because when the it is suffix often ous impossible was added? to trace
the origin. Urban legends appear to be truthful because they
(c) narr/at/or
(a) are mysterious personalised using FOAF
(Friend of a Friend). They are retold as having happened to someone, either the original witness
or participant, known to the narrator. Usually false, some may (b) have humorous some basis in truth. One
6. Which words all have a s sound like
example is the legend of The submarine—a giant white shark
trace?
(c) patrolling advantageous the waters around Cape
Town, South Africa. Although the hoax was started by journalists to fool newspaper readers, old
photographs (a) cautions, and concern, numerous shark sightings seem to confirm 11. the Which actual Latin existence word and of a meaning huge white is the shark.
(b) published, participant, false
origin of the word veracity?
6. Urban legends contain some warning for the listener or reader. They also play on human fears.
One (c) humorous cement, tale professor, tells of veracity a cement truck driver who was (a) a very ‘versio’ jealous meaning husband. ‘turning’ Assuming his
wife was unfaithful, he would drive past his house during the day. When he observed a brand new
(b) ‘verus’ meaning ‘true’
7. Cadillac Which in word his driveway in Paragraph one day, 7 is an he backed his truck up to the car, filling it with cement. Upon
arriving Americanism home at meaning the end of to the expose? day and asking his wife about (c) ‘civitas’ her day, meaning she replied ‘the that state, it a was city’
awful because some ‘jerk’ had filled the new car she had bought for him with cement. The tale
cautions
(a) debunk
against jealousy and false assumptions. Others 12. caution Which prefix against does parking not give cars the in base remote
locations, (b) belief or becoming too familiar with, or accepting gifts word from, the strangers. opposite meaning?
7. Television (c) coined shows such as Mythbusters and Urban legends: (a) beyond impossible belief: fact
or fiction and a number of websites try to debunk urban legends, (b) unfaithful myths and rumours.
8. No matter their origin, meaning or truthfulness, urban legends (c) like recirculate traditional tales are vastly
entertaining narratives—perfect for relating on a spooky night beside a campfire!
©R.I.C. Publications
Low Resolution Images
Display Copy
www.prim-ed.com Literacy box 3 (75) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ® Literacy box 3 (75) Prim-Ed Publishing