RIC-6946 The Comprehension Box 1 - Sample student cards
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Red 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Pets are animals we keep at home.<br />
Dogs and cats can be pets. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are fluffy, friendly and fun. My pet is<br />
different!<br />
My pet is small. It isn’t fluffy or<br />
friendly! It has no ears. It has no legs.<br />
It lives in a glass tank. Its eyes are<br />
small and beady. It has scales and<br />
eats mice. My pet’s name is Fang.<br />
Do you know what it is?<br />
My pet is a snake! It is such<br />
a cool pet. I love my pet!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (01)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 3 means a place<br />
where a fish or snake is kept?<br />
(a) cage<br />
(b) glass<br />
(c) tank<br />
2.<br />
Which is the best answer? <strong>The</strong> pet snake:<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
(a) has fur and is fun.<br />
(b) is playful and small.<br />
(c) has scales and two eyes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> snake’s eyes are:<br />
(a) beady.<br />
(b) round.<br />
(c) small and beady.<br />
This text is mainly about:<br />
(a) one person’s pet.<br />
(b) pets.<br />
(c) snakes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks his or her pet is<br />
different because it:<br />
(a) is funny.<br />
(b) isn’t fluffy or friendly.<br />
(c) is called Fang.<br />
In Paragraph 5, it means:<br />
(a) the author.<br />
(b) the snake.<br />
(c) a mouse.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Think about what sort of<br />
animals can be pets. Make a<br />
list of pets.<br />
Write as many as you can!<br />
H Do you have a pet? If so,<br />
write what your pet looks like.
Red 2<br />
Knock! Knock!<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Knock, knock<br />
Who’s there?<br />
Dishes<br />
Dishes who?<br />
Dishes the police! Open up!<br />
Knock, knock<br />
Who’s there?<br />
Cargo<br />
Cargo who?<br />
Car go beep! beep!<br />
Knock, knock<br />
Who’s there?<br />
Boo<br />
Boo who?<br />
Oh, it’s OK, don’t cry!<br />
Knock, knock<br />
Who’s there?<br />
Lettuce<br />
Lettuce who?<br />
Lettuce in!<br />
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5<br />
Knock, knock<br />
Who’s there?<br />
Arch<br />
Arch who?<br />
Bless you!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (02)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word means to tap on<br />
something with your knuckles?<br />
(a) bang<br />
(b) knock<br />
(c) bless<br />
In Paragraph 1, Dishes the<br />
police! means:<br />
(a) Police use plates!<br />
(b) This is the police!<br />
(c) Police do washing up!<br />
What kind of text is this?<br />
(a) report<br />
(b) jokes<br />
(c) stories<br />
What sound does the car make in Paragraph 2?<br />
(a) honk! honk!<br />
(b) beep! beep!<br />
(c) parp! parp!<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer wrote these words to:<br />
(a) make people laugh.<br />
(b) tell a story.<br />
(c) give information.<br />
Which paragraph is<br />
about sneezing?<br />
(a) Paragraph 3<br />
(b) Paragraph 4<br />
(c) Paragraph 5<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write a joke you know<br />
or try to make up one<br />
of your own.<br />
H Write a funny story<br />
about someone<br />
interesting knocking<br />
on your door.
Red 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Next Monday it’s my birthday. It’s the best day<br />
of the year! I’m sure I’ll get some good<br />
presents. I’m going to have a party and<br />
a big cake with seven candles on top.<br />
People do different things on birthdays. Some<br />
people don’t have cakes or presents. But one thing<br />
lots of people do is sing ‘Happy birthday to you’.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ‘Happy birthday’ song is over 100 years old.<br />
Two sisters in the USA wrote it. <strong>The</strong>ir names were<br />
Mildred and Patty Hill. At first, the song was called<br />
‘Good morning to all’. Later, the words changed<br />
to the words we know. Now people all around the<br />
world sing it!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (03)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. What will go on top of the birthday cake?<br />
(a) presents<br />
(b) candles<br />
(c) paper<br />
2. Paragraph 3 tells the reader about:<br />
(a) songs.<br />
(b) sister.<br />
(c) the ‘Happy birthday’ song.<br />
3. Who wrote the ‘Happy birthday to you’ song?<br />
(a) Mildred Hill<br />
(b) Patty Hill<br />
(c) Mildred and Patty Hill<br />
4. How old is the ‘Happy birthday’ song?<br />
(a) a few hundred years<br />
(b) less than 100 years<br />
(c) a bit more than 100 years<br />
5. Which answer is a fact? Everyone has:<br />
(a) a birthday party.<br />
(b) a birthday cake.<br />
(c) a birthday.<br />
6. In Paragraph 3, it means:<br />
(a) the letter.<br />
(b) the song.<br />
(c) the card.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write your own song using the<br />
‘Happy birthday’ tune.<br />
H Write what you do on your<br />
birthday.<br />
H Look around the room. Can<br />
you see the word ‘birthday’?<br />
Count how many times you<br />
can see it written
Red 4<br />
Nugget and Clucky<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Do you like eggs? I do! I love them!<br />
I love eggs so much my mum said we<br />
could get some hens. She said they<br />
can be good pets. <strong>The</strong>y eat food<br />
scraps, and bugs in the garden. Best<br />
of all, they lay eggs we can eat!<br />
First we had to buy a few things.<br />
We got some wood and wire to<br />
make a coop. We put a little box in<br />
the coop for the hens to lay their<br />
eggs. We got some chicken food<br />
and straw from the pet shop.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n we got two hens! One is<br />
called Nugget and the other is<br />
called Clucky.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y lay eggs nearly<br />
every day. It’s great<br />
having hens.<br />
You should get<br />
some, too!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (04)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 3 means a cage<br />
made of wood and wire for chickens?<br />
(a) home<br />
(b) coop<br />
(c) scraps<br />
Hens can help in the garden by:<br />
(a) eating bugs.<br />
(b) eating scraps.<br />
(c) laying eggs.<br />
Why does the writer want hens?<br />
(a) for dinner<br />
(b) for their eggs<br />
(c) for fun<br />
What sort of scraps might the hens eat?<br />
(a) paper<br />
(b) food<br />
(c) wood<br />
How does the writer feel about hens?<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer:<br />
(a) likes to look at them.<br />
(b) likes their eggs.<br />
(c) wants to have some for dinner.<br />
In Paragraph 2, they means:<br />
(a) hens.<br />
(b) Mum and Dad.<br />
(c) children.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Make a list of other<br />
animals that lay eggs.<br />
Can you think of five?<br />
H Chickens live in a<br />
coop.<br />
What do these animals<br />
live in? dog - pig -<br />
goldfish - horse
Red 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Eeek! Dragon!<br />
Once there was a dragon named Dave.<br />
He lived in a cave next to a small town.<br />
Dave was a very friendly dragon. But the<br />
people of the town were scared of him.<br />
When they saw him, they screamed and<br />
ran away. Poor Dave felt lonely and sad.<br />
One day, Dave was flying over the land.<br />
He saw a farmer stuck in some mud. He<br />
flew down to help.<br />
‘Eeek! A dragon!’ the farmer screamed.<br />
‘It’s okay,’ said Dave, ’I’m here to help’.<br />
Dave took the man’s arms and pulled<br />
him out of the gooey, sticky mud.<br />
‘Thanks!’ said the farmer. ‘I’ll tell<br />
everyone that you are a friendly<br />
dragon.’ And he did.<br />
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From then on the people liked<br />
Dave. He was the town hero!<br />
And he was never lonely or sad<br />
again.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (05)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Where did Dave live?<br />
(a) in a cave<br />
(b) on a farm<br />
(c) in the mud<br />
What happened after Dave helped the farmer?<br />
(a) Dave was sad.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> farmer screamed.<br />
(c) Dave was a hero.<br />
This text is a:<br />
(a) fairytale.<br />
(b) letter.<br />
(c) poem.<br />
After Dave helped the farmer, what might the<br />
farmer say to him?<br />
(a) Eeek!<br />
(b) Go away!<br />
(c) Hello, Dave!<br />
Why did Dave save the farmer?<br />
(a) He was strong.<br />
(b) He was friendly.<br />
(c) He was hungry.<br />
In Paragraph 2, him means:<br />
(a) the farmer.<br />
(b) the people.<br />
(c) Dave.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write five things a dragon has<br />
on its body.<br />
H Write a different ending to the<br />
story, starting with ‘One day,<br />
Dave saw a farmer stuck in<br />
some mud …’
Red 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Merrick, the<br />
mud monster<br />
Once upon a time, in water far away, lived a friendly mud monster.<br />
His name was Merrick.<br />
Merrick played in the water and on the rocks. Merrick made friends<br />
with the fish, birds and other animals. He watched the grass and<br />
plants near the water.<br />
One day, Merrick stepped on bottles and plastic bags in the water.<br />
He hurt his feet.<br />
Soon, the water got sick. <strong>The</strong> grass and plants got sick. <strong>The</strong> fish, birds<br />
and other animals got sick, too.<br />
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Merrick was scared, so he ran away. He ran and ran until he came<br />
to a hot, dry land. His skin started to dry out. He felt sick. He felt sad.<br />
He missed his water home.<br />
6<br />
‘I’m going home’, he cried. ‘I’m going to clean up the water. I’m<br />
going to make the environment better for the fish, birds, plants and<br />
other animals’, he said.<br />
7<br />
And he did!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (06)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Where did Merrick live?<br />
(a) in water<br />
(b) in a dry land<br />
(c) in the sky<br />
Merrick’s friends were:<br />
(a) the water and rocks.<br />
(b) fish, birds and other animals.<br />
(c) the hot, dry land.<br />
When Merrick stepped on bottles<br />
and plastic bags, he:<br />
(a) cried.<br />
(b) fell over.<br />
(c) hurt his feet.<br />
What made everything sick?<br />
(a) bottles and plastic bags in<br />
the water<br />
(b) hot days<br />
(c) the flu<br />
<strong>The</strong> word environment in<br />
Paragraph 6 means:<br />
(a) the water.<br />
(b) play.<br />
(c) sick.<br />
In Paragraph 2, he means<br />
(a) Merrick.<br />
(b) the hot, dry land.<br />
(c) the fish.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Explain how to<br />
make a mud pie.<br />
H Draw a picture of a<br />
river with litter in it.
Red 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Legend of Muda,<br />
the pelican<br />
A long time ago in the Dreaming, a group of Aboriginal Australian<br />
people sent a pelican to find out about a new land.<br />
Muda, the pelican, set off with fish and water for his trip. He carried them<br />
in the pouch underneath his neck.<br />
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He flew for a long time. <strong>The</strong>n he felt sick, so he landed on a hill.<br />
As he sat on the hill, he saw many beautiful colours in the stones on the<br />
ground. He started to peck at the ground.<br />
5<br />
Suddenly, a spark flew from the ground. It went into the dry grass nearby<br />
and started a fire. <strong>The</strong> fire ran across the land until it came to some<br />
people camping near a creek. <strong>The</strong>y used the fire to cook their fish.<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> fire was a special gift from Muda, the pelican.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (07)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
What did Muda carry fish and water in?<br />
(a) his pouch<br />
(b) his beak<br />
(c) a sack<br />
Muda felt sick because:<br />
(a) he had a cold.<br />
(b) he flew for a long time.<br />
(c) he was thirsty.<br />
Which paragraph tells how Muda started a fire?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 2<br />
(c) Paragraph 5<br />
Why would people want to find out<br />
about a new land?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y wanted to have a holiday.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y wanted to live there.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y liked new things.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 2 means<br />
a sack for holding small things?<br />
(a) net<br />
(b) pouch<br />
(c) beak<br />
<strong>The</strong> word He in Paragraph 2 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) Muda.<br />
(b) fish.<br />
(c) Aboriginal people.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Find a picture of a pelican<br />
to copy onto white paper.<br />
H Colour it in Aboriginal<br />
colours—black, orange,<br />
red, yellow and brown.
Red 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Batty bats<br />
Bats are small animals like mice.<br />
‘Bat’ means ‘hand-wing’. Bats are<br />
the only mammals that can fly.<br />
Bats rest all day and hunt at night.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y eat insects, birds, fish and<br />
small animals. <strong>The</strong>y use sounds to<br />
find food. <strong>The</strong>y need to eat lots and<br />
lots of insects.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y look after their babies. Baby<br />
bats are called pups.<br />
Bats like to hang upside down by<br />
their feet. <strong>The</strong>y can let go, drop and<br />
fly away quickly.<br />
A group of bats is called a colony.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many different kinds of<br />
bats. Some are big and some are<br />
small.<br />
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Bats live in trees, buildings and<br />
caves. <strong>The</strong>y live under bridges and<br />
in old mines. Some people build<br />
homes for bats to live in. But<br />
sometimes other animals<br />
and insects move in first!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (08)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
Bats live in:<br />
(a) shoes.<br />
(b) nests.<br />
(c) trees.<br />
Baby bats are called:<br />
(a) insects.<br />
(b) pups.<br />
(c) kittens.<br />
Paragraph 3 tells:<br />
(a) when bats sleep.<br />
(b) how to hit a ball with a bat.<br />
(c) about baby bats.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word mines in Paragraph 7 means:<br />
(a) places where gold and<br />
coal are found.<br />
(b) belonging to me.<br />
(c) little.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks bats are:<br />
(a) funny.<br />
(b) messy.<br />
(c) interesting.<br />
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6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word <strong>The</strong>y in<br />
Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) trees.<br />
(b) caves.<br />
(c) bats.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write words for groups of:<br />
cows, fish, sheep, ducks, bees,<br />
pups, snakes, birds.<br />
H Draw a group picture of your<br />
favourite animal.
Red 9<br />
How the elephant<br />
got its trunk<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Once upon a time there was a little elephant. One day, she wanted<br />
to know what the crocodile ate for dinner. She asked all the other<br />
elephants. But they didn’t know.<br />
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So she went to the river to ask the crocodile. <strong>The</strong> crocodile said to<br />
come closer and he would tell her. <strong>The</strong> little elephant did. She walked<br />
to the edge of the river.<br />
3<br />
Suddenly, the crocodile bit the little elephant’s nose. <strong>The</strong> little elephant<br />
pulled and pulled to get free. Her nose got longer and longer.<br />
4<br />
At last the little elephant got away. But now she had a long trunk<br />
instead of a nose. At first she didn’t like it. But then she found she could<br />
squirt water all over her back! And she could use it to wave to all her<br />
friends!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (09)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
What does the word suddenly in Paragraph 3 mean?<br />
(a) very slowly<br />
(b) all at once<br />
(c) sadly<br />
<strong>The</strong> little elephant wanted to know what:<br />
(a) was for dinner.<br />
(b) the crocodile ate for dinner.<br />
(c) the time was.<br />
What happened first to the little elephant?<br />
(a) She got away.<br />
(b) Her nose got longer.<br />
(c) Her nose was bitten.<br />
Why do you think the crocodile wanted her closer?<br />
(a) so he could eat her<br />
(b) so he could stretch her nose<br />
(c) so he could squirt water on her back<br />
Was the little elephant happy her nose<br />
turned into a trunk?<br />
(a) don’t know<br />
(b) yes<br />
(c) no<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6. In Paragraph 4, it means: Something extra<br />
(a) the little elephant.<br />
(b) her trunk.<br />
(c) a crocodile.<br />
H Find pictures in magazines or<br />
draw your own to show animals<br />
with different types of noses.<br />
H List other things the little elephant<br />
could do with her long trunk.
Red 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> mystery of the<br />
missing<br />
objects<br />
‘Give back my new blue ribbon, Justin! I know you took it!’ I yelled at<br />
my brother.<br />
‘Don’t be silly!’ he said. ‘Why would I take your ribbon? But if you took<br />
my blue marker, I want that back!’<br />
‘Mum,’ I yelled, ‘Justin took my new blue ribbon and won’t give it back!’<br />
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‘Stop yelling, Beth!’ Mum said. ‘But if you took the blue pegs from the<br />
clothes line, I’d like them back, please!’<br />
‘I didn’t take your blue pegs, but Justin took my ribbon!’ I replied.<br />
6<br />
‘Dad, a thief has taken all our things!’ I bellowed. ‘<strong>The</strong> thief has taken<br />
my blue ribbon, Justin’s blue marker and Mum’s blue pegs.’<br />
7<br />
‘Come outside’, said Dad. He pointed to the grass in the bush nearby.<br />
‘<strong>The</strong>re’s your thief.’ <strong>The</strong> male bird in the nest had blue things all around<br />
him. A female bird nearby watched him.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (10)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Who lost things?<br />
(a) Justin, Mum and Beth<br />
(b) Dad<br />
(c) Justin and Mum<br />
All the missing objects were:<br />
(a) green.<br />
(b) red.<br />
(c) blue.<br />
Three words which mean the<br />
same as said are:<br />
(a) took and taken.<br />
(b) yelled, replied and bellowed.<br />
(c) ribbon, marker and pegs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> male bird collected blue objects to:<br />
(a) eat them.<br />
(b) make the nest pretty for the female bird.<br />
(c) make the nest warm.<br />
Which paragraph tells who took the objects?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 3<br />
(c) Paragraph 7<br />
<strong>The</strong> word He in Paragraph 7 means:<br />
(a) Dad.<br />
(b) the male bird.<br />
(c) the female bird.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H List all the blue objects in<br />
the room.<br />
H Find pictures of different<br />
nests in books. Draw a<br />
colourful picture of them.
Card 1<br />
Yellow 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
big elephants<br />
Once upon a time, thousands of mice lived in an empty village near<br />
a lake.<br />
Every day, a herd of elephants visited the lake to drink water. As they<br />
went through the village, they crushed hundreds of mice under their<br />
feet.<br />
King Mouse said to King Elephant, ‘If the elephants can walk to the<br />
village a different way, one day we will help you if you need us’.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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King Elephant laughed and said, ‘You are too small to help us, but we<br />
will walk to the lake a different way from now on’.<br />
5<br />
Soon some hunters trapped the elephants in strong nets. <strong>The</strong>y could<br />
not get free.<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> mice came and chewed through the nets. <strong>The</strong>y set the elephants<br />
free.<br />
7<br />
<strong>The</strong> mice and elephants were friends forever.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (11)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
How are mice different from elephants?<br />
(a) Mice are little and elephants are big.<br />
(b) Mice have tails but elephants don’t.<br />
(c) Elephants have ears but mice don’t.<br />
A group of elephants is called a:<br />
(a) flock.<br />
(b) herd.<br />
(c) school.<br />
Which paragraph tells about the elephants<br />
being trapped in nets?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 4<br />
(c) Paragraph 5<br />
<strong>The</strong> mice were able to chew through the<br />
nets because:<br />
(a) they had sharp teeth.<br />
(b) they had knives.<br />
(c) the nets were made from weak rope.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> word they in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) the mice.<br />
(b) the elephants.<br />
(c) the hunters.<br />
After the mice set the elephants<br />
free, they:<br />
(a) were crushed under their feet.<br />
(b) ran and hid.<br />
(c) became friends forever.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write a rhyme or poem<br />
you know about mice or<br />
elephants.<br />
H Draw and colour a picture<br />
to match.<br />
H Find one interesting fact<br />
about mice or elephants<br />
to tell a friend.
Yellow 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Llamas are animals from South<br />
America. <strong>The</strong>y look a bit like<br />
camels, but they don’t have<br />
humps.<br />
Llamas are very strong. This<br />
makes them good for carrying<br />
things up mountains. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
thick, woolly fur. This fur can be<br />
used to make clothes.<br />
Llamas are very social. This<br />
means they like to live with other<br />
llamas in a group. A group of<br />
llamas is called a herd.<br />
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Llamas are usually friendly, but<br />
sometimes they spit! This spit can<br />
have food in it, or even be green!<br />
<strong>The</strong> green spit is very smelly. Most<br />
of the time they only spit at other<br />
llamas. This is usually to ‘tell them<br />
off’. If they are scared, Llamas<br />
sometimes spit at people.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (12)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
<strong>The</strong> word social in Paragraph 3 means llamas like:<br />
(a) nice food.<br />
(b) to be with other llamas.<br />
(c) to work.<br />
Where do llamas come from?<br />
(a) South Africa<br />
(b) South America<br />
(c) South Australia<br />
Which paragraph gives information<br />
about ‘spitting’?<br />
(a) Paragraph 3<br />
(b) Paragraph 1<br />
(c) Paragraph 4<br />
Llamas spit to show they are:<br />
(a) hungry.<br />
(b) scared.<br />
(c) friendly.<br />
Llamas are used to help carry<br />
things because they are:<br />
(a) strong.<br />
(b) brave.<br />
(c) clever.<br />
In Paragraph 4, they means:<br />
(a) camels.<br />
(b) people.<br />
(c) llamas.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Dogs are social animals,<br />
too. Do you know any other<br />
animals that are social?<br />
H Write some things people do<br />
when they are scared.
Yellow 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Once upon a time, zebras were all white.<br />
Why the zebra<br />
has stripes<br />
One day, the jungle animals were having a big party. <strong>The</strong> male and<br />
female zebra were getting ready. <strong>The</strong>y wanted to look special.<br />
First, the male zebra painted his body green. <strong>The</strong>n the female zebra<br />
painted her body brown. <strong>The</strong>y looked like a lizard and a lion. <strong>The</strong>y did<br />
not like that. <strong>The</strong>y wanted to look different. So they painted on black<br />
stripes.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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All the animals at the party liked the stripes, even the lion!<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day, everyone talked about the zebra stripes. <strong>The</strong> other<br />
zebras wanted to look special, too. <strong>The</strong>y painted black stripes on<br />
themselves.<br />
6<br />
Soon, the zebras got tired of the stripes. <strong>The</strong>y tried to wash them off.<br />
<strong>The</strong> stripes would not wash off.<br />
7<br />
Today, zebras still have black stripes.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (13)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Once upon a time, zebras were all:<br />
(a) white.<br />
(b) black and white.<br />
(c) green.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word in Paragraph 3 that means a<br />
girl zebra is:<br />
(a) different.<br />
(b) female.<br />
(c) male.<br />
Paragraph 4 tells:<br />
(a) how the zebras painted their bodies.<br />
(b) what happened after the party.<br />
(c) what happened at the party.<br />
What colour did the male zebra paint<br />
himself first?<br />
(a) green<br />
(b) brown<br />
(c) black<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> colours of lizard and lion were:<br />
(a) black and white.<br />
(b) green and brown.<br />
(c) white.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word <strong>The</strong>y in Paragraph 5 means:<br />
(a) the zebras.<br />
(b) the stripes.<br />
(c) the lion.<br />
Something extra<br />
<strong>The</strong> stripes on each<br />
zebra are different. No<br />
two patterns look the<br />
same.<br />
H Use a pencil to draw<br />
two zebra shapes.<br />
H Use a black pencil<br />
or crayon to make<br />
each striped pattern<br />
look different.
Yellow 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Teddy bears<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s a teddy bear museum near our school. I had never been.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n my teacher said our class was going there. I was so excited!<br />
A man from the museum showed us around. He told<br />
us about a president in the USA called <strong>The</strong>odore<br />
Roosevelt. This man’s nickname was Teddy. He was<br />
the president when the first teddy bear was<br />
made. He liked bears, so the first bear made<br />
was called ‘Teddy’s bear’.<br />
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3<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were so many teddy bears there. One of<br />
them was more than 100 years old! That’s even<br />
older than my grandad! That one was smelly,<br />
like my gran’s old things. <strong>The</strong>n there was a<br />
huge teddy. It was as big as our teacher!<br />
4<br />
I had a great day at the museum!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (14)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
What word in Paragraph 2 means a leader?<br />
(a) museum<br />
(b) president<br />
(c) Teddy<br />
One of the teddy bears in the story was as big as:<br />
(a) the author.<br />
(b) the teacher.<br />
(c) a house.<br />
President Roosevelt thought teddy bears were:<br />
(a) silly.<br />
(b) smelly.<br />
(c) great.<br />
Why did the class go to the museum?<br />
(a) to play<br />
(b) to learn<br />
(c) to eat<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks the museum was:<br />
(a) boring.<br />
(b) interesting.<br />
(c) small.<br />
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In Paragraph 3, them means:<br />
(a) the teddy bears.<br />
(b) the museums.<br />
(c) the children.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write three things that are<br />
bigger than your teacher.<br />
H Would you like to go to the<br />
teddy bear museum? Write<br />
why or why not.
Yellow 5<br />
Birthday wish<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
It was my birthday. All my friends were<br />
coming to my party. Ben was the first<br />
to come. He gave me a big box. As<br />
I started to open it, I saw a frog<br />
outside. Yuck! I didn’t like frogs.<br />
Green, slimy things.<br />
I opened the box and looked<br />
inside. It was empty!<br />
‘Wow. It’s ... an empty box.<br />
Thanks’, I said.<br />
‘It’s not really empty’, said<br />
Ben. ‘It’s a wish. Think about<br />
something you want and you’ll<br />
get it!’<br />
‘Well, I was just thinking about<br />
frogs’, I said. ‘But I don’t like frogs! I...<br />
ribbit, ribbit!’<br />
6<br />
I looked down. My hands were<br />
green. So were my legs. I had<br />
big, webbed feet. I had turned<br />
into a frog!<br />
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7<br />
‘Oh no!’ said Ben.<br />
‘Don’t worry, I know<br />
what to do! We need to<br />
go to the vet. Come on!’ He picked<br />
me up and ran out the door.<br />
8<br />
So in the end, I missed my party.<br />
But now I’m a person again! Thank<br />
goodness for that!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (15)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Which word in Paragraph 6 means feet<br />
with the toes joined by thin skin?<br />
(a) frog<br />
(b) webbed<br />
(c) slimy<br />
<strong>The</strong> story happened:<br />
(a) at a party.<br />
(b) at school.<br />
(c) in a dream.<br />
What happened at the end of the story?<br />
<strong>The</strong> person turned:<br />
(a) into a frog.<br />
(b) back into a person.<br />
(c) around three times.<br />
What made the person in the story turn<br />
into a frog?<br />
(a) a frog<br />
(b) a party<br />
(c) a wish<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer wrote this story:<br />
(a) to give information.<br />
(b) to say how something works.<br />
(c) for people to enjoy.<br />
In Paragraph 7, He means:<br />
(a) the frog.<br />
(b) Ben.<br />
(c) the party.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write what you would<br />
wish for if it were your<br />
birthday.<br />
H Frogs ribbit or croak.<br />
What noises do these<br />
animals make?<br />
cat, sheep, horse, duck
Yellow 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Hi. My name is Bob. I’m a<br />
superhero! I know I don’t look<br />
very strong. But I have a super<br />
power like every other superhero.<br />
What’s my super power?<br />
I have ‘X-ray’ eyes. That’s<br />
right, I can see through<br />
things!<br />
When I was little, I could see<br />
people’s underwear through<br />
their clothes. My mum didn’t<br />
like it when I told her she had a<br />
hole in her underpants one day.<br />
She sent me to my room.<br />
When I played <strong>cards</strong> with my friends,<br />
I could see what <strong>cards</strong> they had. So I<br />
always won. My friends got mad.<br />
At Christmas, I could see through the<br />
wrapping paper on the presents. I told<br />
everyone what they were going to get.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y got cross with me.<br />
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I didn’t like everyone being mad at me all the<br />
time. So I started using my power to do good<br />
things. Now, when someone is sick, I look<br />
into his or her body to find out<br />
what’s wrong. I help my friends<br />
find the things they have lost.<br />
No-one gets mad at me<br />
anymore. It’s great being a<br />
superhero!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (16)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word strong means:<br />
(a) powerful.<br />
(b) clever.<br />
(c) deep.<br />
How is Bob like other superheroes?<br />
(a) He is strong.<br />
(b) He can save the world.<br />
(c) He has a super power.<br />
Why did his friends get mad?<br />
(a) Bob always won card games.<br />
(b) Bob was stronger than they were.<br />
(c) Bob helped them find things.<br />
From the story, we know Bob can see through:<br />
(a) walls.<br />
(b) paper and clothes.<br />
(c) cars.<br />
Why did Bob start doing good things with his super power?<br />
(a) He didn’t like people being mad at him.<br />
(b) He wanted to be famous.<br />
(c) He liked wearing superhero clothes.<br />
In Paragraph 4, they means:<br />
(a) friends.<br />
(b) people.<br />
(c) <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write what sort of<br />
things you would do if<br />
you had X-ray eyes.<br />
H Write what kind of<br />
superhero you would<br />
like to be. What special<br />
powers would you<br />
have? What would you<br />
look like?
Yellow 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Tick! Tock! Squeak!<br />
Tick Tock is the big red clock<br />
On the shed near the dock.<br />
Blink Flash is the metal sundial<br />
In the garden near the leaf pile.<br />
Ding Dong is the grandfather clock<br />
that likes to bong<br />
When it sings its song.<br />
Tick Tock Tick Tock is the little watch<br />
that moves quickly<br />
And keeps on clicking.<br />
Flip Flop is the digital clock<br />
Next to the bed that never stops.<br />
Hickory Dickory is a tall wooden house<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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For baby, sister and Mum and Dad Mouse.<br />
7<br />
Tick! Tock!<br />
Blink! Flash!<br />
Ding! Dong!<br />
Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!<br />
Flip! Flop!<br />
Squeak!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (17)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Where is the clock near the dock?<br />
(a) on the shed<br />
(b) on the bed<br />
(c) at the door<br />
What makes a sundial work?<br />
(a) batteries<br />
(b) the sun<br />
(c) leaves<br />
Which paragraph tells about a watch?<br />
(a) Paragraph 6<br />
(b) Paragraph 5<br />
(c) Paragraph 4<br />
<strong>The</strong> noise of a grandfather clock is:<br />
(a) soft.<br />
(b) loud.<br />
(c) not heard at all.<br />
<strong>The</strong> clock which doesn’t make a<br />
noise is the:<br />
(a) digital clock.<br />
(b) sundial.<br />
(c) grandfather clock.<br />
In Paragraph 3, it means the:<br />
(a) clock on the dock.<br />
(b) grandfather clock.<br />
(c) digital clock.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a big circle and<br />
write all the numbers<br />
around it to make a clock<br />
face.<br />
H Write a list of objects or<br />
animals and the sounds<br />
they make.
Yellow 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Jenny and Mum made green jelly and<br />
carefully placed it in the fridge to set.<br />
‘This packet of jelly crystals came from<br />
Mr Hulk’, said Mum. ‘He is a very strange<br />
old man.’<br />
Later, Jenny looked in the fridge to see if the jelly was set.<br />
‘This jelly needs some jelly snakes’, she said. She dropped in red and<br />
orange chewy jelly snakes and closed the door. Some time later,<br />
Jenny opened the fridge door. A large green, red and orange jelly<br />
blob plopped out.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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‘Help Mum!’ yelled Jenny. ‘It’s after me!’ Mum saw Jenny slipping and<br />
sliding on the floor. A wobbly blob chased her. It grew and grew.<br />
6<br />
‘If Jenny added sweet things to the jelly, then perhaps salt will stop<br />
it’, thought Mum. She threw a handful of salt on the blob. It started to<br />
shrink. Soon it was a small runny puddle on the floor.<br />
7<br />
‘I don’t like jelly anymore’, said Jenny, as she helped Mum clean up<br />
the mess.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (18)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Who made the jelly?<br />
(a) Jenny and Mum<br />
(b) Mr Hulk<br />
(c) no-one<br />
Which is an opinion?<br />
(a) Mr Hulk is a man.<br />
(b) Mr Hulk is very strange.<br />
(c) Mr Hulk is old.<br />
Paragraph 2 tells:<br />
(a) how to make jelly.<br />
(b) how the jelly grew into a monster.<br />
(c) where the packet of jelly crystals came from.<br />
What caused the jelly to grow into a monster?<br />
(a) hot water<br />
(b) red and orange chewy jelly snakes<br />
(c) salt<br />
<strong>The</strong> word me in Paragraph 5 means:<br />
(a) Jenny.<br />
(b) Mum.<br />
(c) Mr Hulk.<br />
Why doesn’t Jenny like jelly anymore?<br />
(a) Jenny likes hotdogs now.<br />
(b) Jelly is too runny.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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(c) <strong>The</strong> jelly monster scared her.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write a procedure to<br />
tell how to make jelly.<br />
H Draw a big bowl of<br />
jelly and colour it your<br />
favourite jelly colour.<br />
H List your favourite<br />
chewy lollies or sweets.
Yellow 9<br />
In the land of Nuts and Bolts<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
In the land of Nuts and Bolts lived a robot king named Rebus. Rebus<br />
was a good king. All the robots were shiny. <strong>The</strong>y did not clank or<br />
grind when they moved.<br />
One day, Rebus thought, ‘Everything is clean and shiny. Everything is<br />
quiet. Life is boring. What we need is a little boy to make a mess and<br />
lots of noise’.<br />
Rebus sent his soldier robots to Earth to find a little boy to make a<br />
mess and lots of noise.<br />
‘Tommy, stop making all that noise! Go and clean up your room!’ the<br />
soldier robots heard. <strong>The</strong>y peeked in the window of the house. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
saw a little boy in a messy room. He was banging a spanner on a toy<br />
workbench.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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5<br />
‘I don’t belong here’, cried Tommy. ‘I can’t make a mess or lots of<br />
noise. I must be an alien or something.’<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> soldier robots grabbed Tommy and carried him to the land of<br />
Nuts and Bolts.<br />
7<br />
Tommy was very happy. He made a mess and lots of noise. King<br />
Rebus was not bored. Tommy’s mum had a clean, quiet house.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (19)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Rebus was bored because:<br />
(a) everything was clean and quiet.<br />
(b) he had no robot friends.<br />
(c) he needed more work to do.<br />
What did Rebus think a little boy<br />
would do?<br />
(a) tell jokes<br />
(b) make a mess and lots of noise<br />
(c) play with Rebus<br />
In Paragraph 4, a spanner is:<br />
(a) a type of food.<br />
(b) a tool.<br />
(c) something that spins.<br />
Paragraph 5 tells:<br />
(a) what Rebus was doing.<br />
(b) what happened at the<br />
end of the story.<br />
(c) how Tommy was feeling.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> word they in Paragraph 4, means:<br />
(a) Tommy.<br />
(b) the soldiers.<br />
(c) Tommy’s mother.<br />
At the end of the story, everyone was:<br />
(a) sad.<br />
(b) happy.<br />
(c) not happy or sad.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Use the letters in the<br />
word ‘robot’ to make<br />
lots of little words. You<br />
can only use each letter<br />
once, except for the<br />
letter ‘o’. You can use ‘o’<br />
twice.<br />
H Draw a design for a<br />
robot made from ‘bits<br />
and pieces’.
Yellow 10<br />
Floating egg tricks<br />
If you put a fresh egg into a glass of water, it sinks to the bottom.<br />
Read the instructions below to see how you can make an egg float!<br />
Trick 1<br />
You will need:<br />
• a fresh egg<br />
• teaspoon<br />
• salt<br />
• glass of water<br />
What to do:<br />
Step 1.<br />
Step 2.<br />
Step 3.<br />
Step 4.<br />
Add 10 teaspoons of salt to the glass of water.<br />
Stir with the teaspoon until the salt is dissolved.<br />
Put the egg into the water.<br />
Watch the egg float!<br />
This next trick will make the egg float halfway up!<br />
Trick 2<br />
You will need:<br />
• the egg in the glass of water from Trick 1<br />
• teaspoon<br />
• tap water<br />
What to do:<br />
Step 1.<br />
Step 2.<br />
Step 3.<br />
Step 4.<br />
Step 5.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Take the floating egg out of the glass of water.<br />
Pour out half the water.<br />
Gently pour in some fresh tap water on top.<br />
Don’t mix.<br />
Carefully put the egg back in the glass of water.<br />
Watch it float halfway up!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (20)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
In Trick 1, Step 2, the word dissolved means:<br />
(a) dirty.<br />
(b) floating.<br />
(c) mixed.<br />
How many teaspoons of salt are needed?<br />
(a) 5<br />
(b) 10<br />
(c) 2<br />
In Trick 1, which step happens first?<br />
(a) stirring the salt<br />
(b) watching the egg float<br />
(c) putting the egg into the water<br />
Which step in Trick 2 best explains what to<br />
do with the tap water?<br />
(a) Step 1<br />
(b) Step 3<br />
(c) Step 4<br />
Which is a fact?<br />
(a) A fresh egg tastes horrible.<br />
(b) A fresh egg will float in salty water.<br />
(c) A fresh egg tastes good in water.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in the last line means:<br />
(a) water<br />
(b) a glass<br />
(c) the egg<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw 10 eggs.<br />
H Try and write a word in<br />
each egg beginning<br />
with tr as in trick.
Blue 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Beetle’s adventures<br />
Once a big black beetle left his cosy home<br />
To have lots of adventures. He set out all alone.<br />
He’d eaten all his breakfast. His Mum had said ‘Okay!’<br />
He’d packed his little backpack and started on his way.<br />
Up and down a slippery rock, sticking in the mud.<br />
In and out a prickly bush with flowers still in bud.<br />
Out along a spiky branch, pointing to the sky.<br />
Underneath a shiny leaf, many beetles high.<br />
Soon he reached a sandy beach and water by the tonne.<br />
‘I think my adventure’s over!’ he said. ‘But it<br />
certainly was fun!’<br />
Back beneath a shiny leaf, many beetles high.<br />
Back along a spiky branch, pointing to the sky.<br />
In and out a prickly bush with flowers still in bud.<br />
Up and down a slippery rock, sticking in the mud.<br />
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8<br />
A tired beetle, a happy beetle, reached his cosy home.<br />
‘Tomorrow I’ll go another way! It is such fun to roam!’<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (21)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word adventures in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) exciting things people do.<br />
(b) adding numbers together.<br />
(c) to walk around.<br />
2. What did the beetle take with him?<br />
(a) nothing<br />
(b) his little backpack<br />
(c) his mum<br />
3. Where did the beetle go after he went out along the spiky branch?<br />
(a) in and out a prickly bush<br />
(b) home<br />
(c) underneath a shiny leaf<br />
4. Which paragraph tells what caused beetle’s adventures to stop?<br />
(a) Paragraph 6<br />
(b) Paragraph 5<br />
5.<br />
(c) Paragraph 2<br />
Which two things were smooth to walk on?<br />
(a) the leaf and the rock<br />
(b) the branch and the bush<br />
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(c) the backpack and the beach<br />
6. . <strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 5<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) his adventure.<br />
(b) a beach.<br />
(c) water.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write adjectives to tell about:<br />
the sea, Mum, the adventures,<br />
breakfast, the mud, the sky.
Blue 2<br />
What’s for breakfast?<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Breakfast is the first meal of the<br />
day. In our country, people usually<br />
eat toast and cereal. But around<br />
the world people eat all kinds of<br />
things at breakfast.<br />
In some parts of Africa, people eat<br />
a corn pudding with sweet milk.<br />
Another African breakfast is atogo.<br />
This is a mix of green bananas in a<br />
beef or bean stew. Fresh fruits like<br />
coconuts and bananas are also<br />
eaten.<br />
In Japan, many people eat fish,<br />
rice, soup, dried seaweed and<br />
salad for breakfast.<br />
In Vietnam, people eat sticky rice,<br />
sweet bread or pho. Pho is a rice<br />
or noodle soup with meat and<br />
herbs.<br />
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5<br />
In Germany, cold meats, sausage<br />
and cheeses are eaten with<br />
different breads. Some of the<br />
breads have seeds. Others are so<br />
dark they look black.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (22)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word usually in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) sometimes.<br />
(b) most of the time.<br />
(c) never.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of this text is to tell the reader:<br />
(a) about different breakfasts.<br />
(b) what the author likes.<br />
(c) a funny story.<br />
What food is eaten in both Japan and Vietnam at breakfast?<br />
(a) fish and chips<br />
(b) cold meats<br />
(c) rice<br />
What cold meats might people eat<br />
at breakfast?<br />
(a) bacon and eggs<br />
(b) ham and salami<br />
(c) honey and jam<br />
Which foods are eaten in Africa?<br />
(a) corn, rice and soup<br />
(b) pudding, stew or fruits<br />
(c) cold meats and salad<br />
Something extra<br />
H ‘Brunch’ is a late breakfast, a<br />
mix of breakfast and lunch.<br />
What could you call a meal<br />
between lunch and dinner?<br />
H Write which of the breakfasts<br />
in the text you would like to<br />
try.<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 5, they means:<br />
(a) breakfasts.<br />
(b) other breads.<br />
(c) foods.
Blue 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong> girl<br />
who could<br />
turn into<br />
a cat<br />
Beth Purton lived at 9 Tabby Lane with her mum, dad and her cat,<br />
Whiskers. She liked doing all the things other children her age did. But<br />
Beth had a secret. She could turn into a cat!<br />
It all began when Beth was feeding Whiskers one day. She loved the<br />
smell of the cat food he was eating. It was ‘Tuna Delight’. Beth looked<br />
in the pantry and found some tins of tuna. She opened one and ate it.<br />
Later, Whiskers was playing with a ball of wool in her room. Suddenly,<br />
Beth wanted to do it too. She rolled around and pounced on and<br />
played with the wool. <strong>The</strong>n she saw herself in her mirror. She’d grown<br />
whiskers, a cat nose and fluffy fur!<br />
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Beth stared into the mirror and blinked. Suddenly, she was a girl<br />
again! How could this happen? Of course! It all began with the tuna.<br />
5<br />
Beth crept into the kitchen. She opened another tin of tuna and ate<br />
it. <strong>The</strong>n she went to her room to lick her paws and clean behind her<br />
ears. After that, she curled up next to Whiskers on her bed and purred!<br />
6<br />
As long as Beth had a mirror to blink into she could become a girl<br />
again. It was fun being a cat sometimes—and Whiskers loved it too!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (23)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. In Paragraph 3, the word pounced means:<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
(a) leapt.<br />
(b) bounced.<br />
(c) ate.<br />
What happened first? Beth:<br />
(a) ate a tin of tuna.<br />
(b) looked in the mirror.<br />
(c) liked the smell of Whiskers’ food.<br />
How did Beth become a girl again?<br />
(a) She looked in a mirror.<br />
(b) She blinked in a mirror.<br />
(c) She ate tuna.<br />
What did Beth do after she curled up with Whiskers?<br />
(a) She purred.<br />
(b) She played with wool.<br />
(c) She licked behind her ears.<br />
Does Beth like being a cat sometimes?<br />
(a) don’t know<br />
(b) yes<br />
(c) no<br />
In Paragraph 2, he is used instead of:<br />
(a) Whiskers.<br />
(b) cat food.<br />
(c) Beth.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write ten words that<br />
rhyme with ‘cat’.<br />
H Write five names to call<br />
a male cat and five<br />
names you could call a<br />
female cat.
Blue 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Hi! I’m Kyle. I have a twin sister, Hayley.<br />
And we have a magical treehouse!<br />
It doesn’t look magical. Our treehouse<br />
is built around a big tree in the<br />
backyard. It is made of wood and has<br />
a roof, a doorway and two windows.<br />
A railing goes all around the edge so we don’t fall off. We have a<br />
ladder to climb up and a slide to come down. Inside is a table with<br />
two chairs and a bench with shelves.<br />
<strong>The</strong> magical part is the spyglass attached to the railing. Grandad<br />
gave it to us. He said it once belonged to a pirate! When we look<br />
through it we see all kinds of strange lands. When we find a place we<br />
like, we touch the glass then … ZOOM! We are there!<br />
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5<br />
Last week, we went to a tropical island and swam with green sea<br />
turtles. Yesterday, we went to the Sahara Desert and rode on camels.<br />
Today, we want to go skiing in the Rocky Mountains.<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> only bad thing about our magical adventures is that they stop<br />
when we hear Mum call our names. ZOOM! Suddenly, we are back in<br />
our magical treehouse.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (24)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word attached means:<br />
(a) touched.<br />
(b) joined.<br />
(c) looked.<br />
Who gave them the spyglass?<br />
(a) a pirate<br />
(b) Mum<br />
(c) Grandad<br />
Paragraph 2 is mainly about:<br />
(a) what is inside the treehouse.<br />
(b) what the outside looks like.<br />
(c) how to climb up to and<br />
down from the treehouse.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir adventures begin when:<br />
(a) they touch the glass.<br />
(b) Mum calls out.<br />
(c) they climb the ladder.<br />
Which paragraph tells about how<br />
their adventures end?<br />
(a) Paragraph 4<br />
(b) Paragraph 5<br />
(c) Paragraph 6<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word it<br />
means:<br />
(a) Grandad.<br />
(b) the treehouse.<br />
(c) the spyglass.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture of your<br />
treehouse or cubbyhouse.<br />
If you don’t have one, draw<br />
one you would like to have.
Blue 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Tarantulas<br />
Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders. Most are black or brown. Some<br />
have been known to live for 30 years!<br />
Did you know that the largest tarantulas are longer than a ruler?<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have a tiny claw on the end of each of their eight hairy legs.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se help them to climb.<br />
Some live in burrows under the ground. Others live on the ground<br />
under rocks, bark or logs. Some even live in trees.<br />
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Tarantulas are meat eaters. <strong>The</strong>y like to eat insects, other spiders and<br />
small lizards. Larger tarantulas also eat frogs, snakes and small birds.<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong>y kill their prey with a poisonous bite. <strong>The</strong>n they crush them with<br />
their strong jaws. Most tarantulas don’t wait in their web to catch their<br />
prey. <strong>The</strong>y run after them and catch them!<br />
6<br />
A tarantula’s bite is like a bee or wasp sting to a human being. It is<br />
good to know that if one bit a person, he or she would not die!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (25)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> word poisonous in<br />
Paragraph 5 means:<br />
(a) deadly.<br />
(b) tasty.<br />
(c) strong.<br />
2. What helps tarantulas to climb?<br />
(a) long legs<br />
(b) tiny claws<br />
(c) strong jaws<br />
3. Paragraph 5 is mainly about:<br />
(a) how tarantulas catch food.<br />
(b) how tarantulas eat food.<br />
(c) how tarantulas scare people.<br />
4. What would happen if a tarantula bit you?<br />
You would:<br />
(a) not feel it.<br />
(b) die.<br />
(c) live.<br />
5. Which answer is true? Tarantulas eat:<br />
(a) weeds.<br />
(b) plants.<br />
(c) grasshoppers.<br />
6. In Paragraph 5, the word them means:<br />
(a) tarantulas.<br />
(b) their prey.<br />
(c) their jaws.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Find a picture of another<br />
type of spider in a book<br />
or magazine.<br />
H Draw and label it.
Blue 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
First, I was thrown outside the front door of the Brown’s home. Ouch! It<br />
hurt! It was a cold, dark, wet morning and I shivered.<br />
About 7 o’clock, Mr Brown brought me inside. He ripped off the wet<br />
plastic sheet covering me and put me on the table. That felt better!<br />
Next, I could smell Mrs Brown cooking toast. <strong>The</strong>n Erin and Zac Brown<br />
came running into the room for breakfast. Mr Brown read me while eating<br />
his toast. A few crumbs landed on the sports pages. I started to itch.<br />
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Suddenly, I could see a pair of scissors over me. Whew! It was only Erin<br />
cutting out a piece of news for ‘Show and tell’. It was about a new baby<br />
elephant born at the zoo.<br />
5<br />
Mrs Brown read me after lunch. <strong>The</strong>n she wrapped some food scraps in<br />
two of my middle pages and put them in the bin.<br />
6<br />
Finally, the rest of me was put in the recycling bin with some other<br />
newspapers, bottles, tins and plastic containers. What a day!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (26)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word ripped in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) cut.<br />
(b) tore.<br />
(c) washed.<br />
Which family members looked at the newspaper?<br />
(a) Mr and Mrs Brown<br />
(b) Mr and Mrs Brown, Erin and Zac<br />
(c) Mr and Mrs Brown and Erin<br />
What happened to the newspaper after<br />
Mrs Brown read it?<br />
(a) Some pages were used to wrap scraps.<br />
(b) It shivered outside the front door.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> plastic sheet covering it was taken off.<br />
Paragraph 3 tells about what happened<br />
to the newspaper:<br />
(a) at breakfast.<br />
(b) after lunch.<br />
(c) in the recycling bin.<br />
What caused the newspaper to itch?<br />
(a) the rain<br />
(b) the scissors<br />
(c) the crumbs<br />
In Paragraph 1, I is used instead of:<br />
(a) the newspaper.<br />
(b) Mr Brown.<br />
(c) the driveway.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture and write a<br />
sentence about some other<br />
news Erin Brown might have<br />
cut out of the newspaper for<br />
‘Show and tell’.
Blue 7<br />
2<br />
4<br />
Four different dinosaurs<br />
Compsognathus was one of the smallest<br />
dinosaurs. Its body was about the size of a<br />
chicken but it had a long tail. Compsognathus<br />
was a very fast runner. It moved on its two back<br />
legs. It had sharp teeth and ate small animals.<br />
1<br />
Brachiosaurus was so big, it weighed the<br />
same as about 800 people. It was taller<br />
than a four-storey building. Brachiosaurus<br />
was longer than five cars. Even though it<br />
was big, it didn’t have sharp teeth. It ate<br />
lots and lots and lots of leaves<br />
from the treetops.<br />
3<br />
Stegosaurus was quite a large<br />
dinosaur. It had large, flat, bony<br />
plates on its back. <strong>The</strong>y were<br />
shaped like a triangle. It had<br />
spikes on its tail. <strong>The</strong> plates and<br />
spikes were there to protect<br />
it. Stegosaurus did not<br />
have teeth. It used<br />
its beak to rip up<br />
plants to eat.<br />
Albertosaurus was a very large<br />
dinosaur but not as big as<br />
Brachiosaurus. It had a huge head and<br />
long, sharp teeth. Albertosaurus moved<br />
on its two back legs. It had long, sharp<br />
claws on its feet and hands. It’s easy to<br />
guess it ate other dinosaurs!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (27)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word protect means:<br />
(a) look after. (b) eat. (c) attack.<br />
Which dinosaur ate meat?<br />
(a) Brachiosaurus<br />
(b) Stegosaurus<br />
(c) Compsognathus<br />
Which dinosaur was the largest?<br />
(a) Albertosaurus<br />
(b) Brachiosaurus<br />
(c) Compsognathus<br />
What is the same about<br />
Compsognathus and<br />
Albertosaurus?<br />
(a) both ate plants<br />
(b) both were small<br />
(c) both had sharp teeth<br />
Which dinosaur might have<br />
been able to eat people?<br />
(a) Albertosaurus<br />
(b) Brachiosaurus<br />
(c) Stegosaurus<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word<br />
they means:<br />
(a) plants.<br />
(b) the bony plates.<br />
(c) dinosaurs.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw and label two<br />
things larger than<br />
Brachiosaurus.<br />
H Draw and label two<br />
things smaller than<br />
Compsognathus.
Blue 8<br />
Protecting firefighters<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
5<br />
7<br />
Did you know that firefighters have about one minute to get dressed<br />
in their firefighting gear? <strong>The</strong>y have to reach the fire as quickly as<br />
possible. All their gear must be ready to put on.<br />
Firefighters wear clothing made from special material. This protects<br />
them from heat, smoke, water and flames. None of their skin must be<br />
showing when they fight a fire.<br />
A helmet protects<br />
the firefighter’s head<br />
from falling objects,<br />
heat and water. A<br />
hood protects the<br />
hair, neck and<br />
ears.<br />
<strong>The</strong> jacket and<br />
pants are made from<br />
material that doesn’t<br />
catch fire easily. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have stripes that<br />
glow so the firefighter<br />
can be seen in dark,<br />
smoky places.<br />
Boots are made from<br />
rubber and have metal<br />
in the toes and soles.<br />
8<br />
4<br />
6<br />
A face mask<br />
is joined to an<br />
air tank on the<br />
firefighter’s back. It<br />
supplies air when<br />
the firefighter needs<br />
to breathe in smoky<br />
places.<br />
Thick leather<br />
gloves protect<br />
hands from heat<br />
and sharp objects.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Other things a<br />
firefighter uses<br />
include a torch, a<br />
radio and tools such<br />
as an axe and rope.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (28)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
11.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word supplies in<br />
Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) turns.<br />
(b) smiles.<br />
(c) gives.<br />
2. What protects a firefighter from<br />
heat, smoke and flames?<br />
(a) warm clothes<br />
(b) special clothing<br />
(c) water tanks<br />
3. A hood protects a firefighter’s:<br />
(a) hands and feet.<br />
(b) ears and neck.<br />
(c) head.<br />
4. If firefighters didn’t have stripes that glow, they would:<br />
(a) get wet. (b) not be easy to see. (c) get too hot.<br />
5.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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If firefighters’ skin wasn’t covered, they could:<br />
(a) get burnt. (b) get dirty. (c) feel hot.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word<br />
they means:<br />
(a) the firefighters.<br />
(b) the stripes.<br />
(c) their jacket and pants.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Use the colours black, red,<br />
grey, orange and yellow to<br />
draw a picture of a fire.
Blue 9<br />
6<br />
Silky silkworms<br />
Did you know that the silkworm is not really a worm at all? It is actually<br />
a moth!<br />
Read about the life cycle of the silkworm moth.<br />
<strong>The</strong> moth emerges in<br />
about three weeks. It<br />
cannot fly or eat. <strong>The</strong><br />
moth reproduces and<br />
dies within five days.<br />
1<br />
A female adult moth<br />
lays hundreds of eggs<br />
on mulberry leaves.<br />
2<br />
A tiny caterpillar<br />
hatches out of its<br />
egg after about<br />
three weeks. It is<br />
called a silkworm.<br />
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5<br />
<strong>The</strong> silkworm<br />
changes into a<br />
moth inside its<br />
cocoon.<br />
4<br />
After about four weeks, the<br />
silkworm is fully grown. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
it spins a cocoon of silk.<br />
3<br />
<strong>The</strong> silkworm eats<br />
mulberry leaves day<br />
and night. It grows<br />
bigger and bigger. It<br />
sheds its skin as it grows.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (29)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Step 6, the word emerges means:<br />
(a) hatches.<br />
(b) sleeps.<br />
(c) eats.<br />
How long does an adult silkworm moth live for?<br />
(a) three weeks<br />
(b) five days<br />
(c) ten days<br />
What happens first? A silkworm:<br />
(a) eats mulberry leaves.<br />
(b) changes into a moth.<br />
(c) spins a silk cocoon.<br />
Why do you think these creatures are<br />
called silkworms?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y make cocoons.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y are worms.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y spin silk.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Which step describes how a<br />
silkworm grows?<br />
(a) Step 2<br />
(b) Step 3<br />
(c) Step 6<br />
In Step 4, the word it means:<br />
(a) the cocoon.<br />
(b) the silkworm.<br />
(c) silk.<br />
Something extra<br />
H <strong>The</strong> word ‘silkworm’ is made from<br />
two small words: ‘silk’ and ‘worm’.<br />
Write six other words that are<br />
made from two small words.
Blue 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong> world’s tallest man was Robert Wadlow. He grew to be 272<br />
centimetres tall. That’s even taller than two ten-year-olds standing<br />
on top of each other!<br />
Robert’s parents, two brothers and two sisters were of average<br />
height. Robert grew so tall because a special gland in his body<br />
made him grow too much.<br />
Robert’s feet were the length<br />
of one and a half rulers.<br />
His hands were a bit longer<br />
than a ruler. He had to have<br />
special shoes, clothes and<br />
furniture made for him. As<br />
Robert grew older, he had to<br />
wear leg braces to help him<br />
walk.<br />
Robert could not fit in a<br />
normal car. His dad took out<br />
the front passenger seat of<br />
their car. Robert sat in the<br />
back seat so he could stretch<br />
out his long legs.<br />
tallest man<br />
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5<br />
When Robert was 22, he got<br />
an infection in his ankle from<br />
wearing a leg brace. Doctors<br />
couldn’t stop the infection<br />
and Robert died in his sleep.<br />
At the time of his death,<br />
Robert was still growing.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (30)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> word average in<br />
Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) nice.<br />
(b) tall.<br />
(c) normal.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Robert’s feet were:<br />
(a) a bit longer than a ruler.<br />
(b) as long as one and a<br />
half rulers.<br />
(c) as long as two rulers.<br />
Why did Robert use braces?<br />
(a) to help him grow<br />
(b) to help him walk<br />
(c) to help him fit in a car<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 4 is to explain:<br />
(a) why Robert grew so tall.<br />
(b) how he fitted in a car.<br />
(c) the cars Robert liked.<br />
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Why did Robert need special shoes?<br />
(a) He had long feet.<br />
(b) He didn’t like normal shoes.<br />
(c) He was tall.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word him means:<br />
(a) Robert.<br />
(b) Robert’s dad.<br />
(c) Robert’s brother.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write the names of<br />
the tallest and shortest<br />
person in your class.<br />
H Now write the names<br />
of six other people in<br />
your class from tallest<br />
to shortest.
Orange 1<br />
How to stop me bugging you<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Hey, Dad! You know the pile of<br />
wood in our yard? I have an<br />
idea how we can use it that will<br />
stop me annoying you on the<br />
weekends!<br />
We can make a cubbyhouse!<br />
If we use all the old wood we already<br />
have, we can help the environment.<br />
And using it to make something will help tidy up our garden.<br />
It won’t cost much. We can find free plans on the internet. I don’t<br />
think it will be too hard. We have all the tools we need, like hammers<br />
and nails. And of course, I’ll help you.<br />
If I have a cubbyhouse, I will be so busy playing I won’t get bored!<br />
So I won’t annoy you at the weekend.<br />
So come on, Dad. Let’s build a<br />
cubbyhouse this weekend!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (31)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> word annoy in Paragraph 4 means to:<br />
(a) bother someone.<br />
(b) make someone happy.<br />
(c) make something.<br />
2. Where does the author think they can get plans for a cubby?<br />
(a) from the internet<br />
(b) from a shop<br />
(c) from a television show<br />
3. Paragraph 2 tells mainly:<br />
3.<br />
(a) how much a cubbyhouse will cost.<br />
(b) why building a cubbyhouse is a good idea.<br />
(c) when to build a cubbyhouse.<br />
4. Why does the author want a cubbyhouse?<br />
(a) to annoy his or her dad<br />
(b) to get strong<br />
(c) to play in<br />
5. Which answer is a fact? Cubbyhouses are:<br />
(a) playhouses for children.<br />
(b) great fun.<br />
(c) easy to build.<br />
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6. <strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 2<br />
is used instead of the:<br />
(a) cubbyhouse.<br />
(b) wood.<br />
(c) environment.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write what you would like to ask<br />
an adult to build for you.<br />
H What else could be made from<br />
scraps of wood? List four things.
Orange 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Floss,<br />
the tooth<br />
fairy<br />
Have you ever wondered about the tooth fairy? Where does she live?<br />
Why does she collect teeth and what does she do with them?<br />
Floss, the tooth fairy, lives in an old, white, magical castle in the sky.<br />
It is quite beautiful! Its bricks are sparkling white baby teeth. But<br />
because the castle is so old, Floss has to spend a lot of time fixing<br />
things up!<br />
During the day, Floss works hard repairing her castle. But at night, she<br />
flies around the world. Floss peeks under pillows and searches for<br />
teeth to fill her tooth sack.<br />
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As soon as she gets home, Floss uses toothpaste and a brush to clean<br />
the teeth. <strong>The</strong>n she sorts them out—big ones for building walls and<br />
small ones for making beautiful furniture.<br />
What does Floss do with any teeth she does not use? At the end of<br />
each day, she scatters the leftover teeth across the sky! <strong>The</strong>y sparkle<br />
as bright, shining stars, lighting her way as she flies through the night.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gift under your pillow is a special ‘Thank you’ from Floss.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (32)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Red 2<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word repairing means:<br />
(a) fixing.<br />
(b) returning.<br />
(c) collecting.<br />
What was used to build Floss’s magical white castle?<br />
(a) bricks<br />
(b) stars<br />
(c) baby teeth<br />
Before she begins her night-time flight, Floss:<br />
(a) builds walls.<br />
(b) makes furniture.<br />
(c) scatters leftover teeth across the sky.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first thing Floss does when she gets back home is:<br />
(a) make furniture.<br />
(b) sort the teeth.<br />
(c) clean the teeth.<br />
It is an opinion that Floss’s castle is:<br />
(a) beautiful.<br />
(b) white.<br />
(c) built from baby teeth.<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the<br />
word it means:<br />
(a) the sky.<br />
(b) the castle.<br />
(c) Floss.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Which words mean the same as<br />
sparkling? glittering boring<br />
shining gloomy twinkling<br />
H Write a poem about Floss cleaning<br />
her castle.
Orange 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Popcorn is a food that many people like to eat. It is a tasty snack you<br />
can buy or make yourself.<br />
Popcorn is a type of corn. When heated up, it explodes and puffs up.<br />
So what makes popcorn explode?<br />
<strong>The</strong> secret to popcorn’s pop is ... water! <strong>The</strong>re is some water inside<br />
a kernel of popcorn. On the outside of each kernel is a hard shell.<br />
When the kernel gets very hot, the water inside starts to turn into<br />
steam. <strong>The</strong> steam can’t get out because of the hard shell. <strong>The</strong> steam<br />
pushes on the hard shell until … POP! <strong>The</strong> hard shell explodes! <strong>The</strong><br />
inside of the kernel puffs out, white and fluffy. And it is ready to eat!<br />
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steam<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (33)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word explode in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) to burn.<br />
(b) to burst open with a noise.<br />
(c) to break.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 3 means a grain of corn?<br />
(a) shell<br />
(b) steam<br />
(c) kernel<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 3 is:<br />
(a) where popcorn pops.<br />
(b) why popcorn pops.<br />
(c) why things explode.<br />
For popcorn to pop, it has to:<br />
(a) get wet.<br />
(b) puff out.<br />
(c) get very hot.<br />
What makes popcorn explode?<br />
(a) water<br />
(b) heat<br />
(c) steam<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word it<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) the steam.<br />
(b) popcorn.<br />
(c) the hard shell.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write three words that<br />
rhyme with ‘corn’.<br />
H Write two other things<br />
that go ‘pop’.
Orange 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
I used to ask Mum and Dad<br />
for money all the time.<br />
Money for snacks, money for toys,<br />
money for bouncing green slime.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n one day, Dad said, ‘I’ve had enough<br />
Of you spending all my money!<br />
I think its time you earned your own,<br />
By helping in the house, sonny’.<br />
So now, each week, I do some jobs.<br />
Like cleaning my room and our car.<br />
And I get my own pocket money.<br />
Which I keep in a big glass jar.<br />
Now I can buy the things I want<br />
Down at the local shops.<br />
Sweets, toys, comics and<br />
Ice-creams with chocolate tops.<br />
I’m going to save for something big<br />
Like a bike or new Gameboy .<br />
While I’m not sure what I’m going to buy,<br />
I know it’ll be something I enjoy!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (34)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
Which word in Verse 2 means got money for working?<br />
(a) spent<br />
(b) saved<br />
(c) earned<br />
How does the author feel about saving and<br />
spending money?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> cleaning makes him tired.<br />
(b) He thinks it’s a good idea.<br />
(c) He doesn’t like it.<br />
Before the author got pocket money, how did he get money?<br />
(a) He did jobs.<br />
(b) He helped his mum and dad.<br />
(c) He asked his mum and dad for money.<br />
What might the author spend his saved money on?<br />
(a) a soft drink<br />
(b) a new game<br />
(c) a pack of <strong>cards</strong><br />
What is the main idea of Verse 2?<br />
(a) what he liked doing<br />
(b) how he spent his money<br />
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(c) he had to work for pocket money<br />
6.<br />
In Verse 5, it is used instead of:<br />
(a) the thing he is going to buy.<br />
(b) the pocket money he gets.<br />
(c) the jobs he is going to do.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw what you would<br />
like to save up for.<br />
H Write what jobs you do,<br />
or think you could do,<br />
around the house.
Orange 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Dolphins<br />
Dolphins are aquatic animals. <strong>The</strong>y live in oceans, seas and<br />
sometimes rivers.<br />
Dolphins are not fish. <strong>The</strong>y are mammals, like people. This means they<br />
have warm blood, breathe air and feed their babies milk. A baby<br />
dolphin is called a calf.<br />
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Dolphins live in groups called pods. <strong>The</strong>y mostly eat fish or squid. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
can live for about 20 years. Dolphins like to play and sometimes surf<br />
waves! <strong>The</strong>y can leap high above the water.<br />
Sometimes, whales or sharks kill dolphins. But most dolphins are killed<br />
by people. <strong>The</strong>y can get stuck in fishing nets. Some people still kill<br />
dolphins to eat them.<br />
Sometimes, dolphins help people in the water. <strong>The</strong>y have kept sharks<br />
away from swimmers. Some people think we should do more to help<br />
dolphins and keep them safe.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (35)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word aquatic in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) has warm blood.<br />
(b) lives in water.<br />
(c) eats fish.<br />
A baby dolphin is called a:<br />
(a) calf.<br />
(b) cow.<br />
(c) guppy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 4 is:<br />
(a) how sharks kill dolphins.<br />
(b) why dolphins live in the sea.<br />
(c) dangers faced by dolphins.<br />
How are dolphins and people the same?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y live in water.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y are fish.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y have warm blood and<br />
breathe air.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer wrote this text to:<br />
(a) tell a story.<br />
(b) give information.<br />
(c) make people laugh.<br />
In Paragraph 5, them means:<br />
(a) dolphins.<br />
(b) people.<br />
(c) sharks.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Can you list another seven<br />
aquatic animals?<br />
H Should people do more to protect<br />
dolphins? Write what you think.<br />
H Write two other words with ‘ph’<br />
in them.
Orange 6<br />
<strong>The</strong> Loch Ness<br />
monster<br />
1 Loch Ness is a big lake in Scotland. It is very deep. It has more fresh<br />
water than all of the lakes in England and Wales put together. Many<br />
people think there is a monster in Loch Ness. This monster is called the<br />
Loch Ness monster, or ‘Nessie’ for short.<br />
In 1934, a doctor took a picture he said was of a monster he saw in<br />
Loch Ness. Since then, many more people have said they have seen<br />
a monster in the loch. Some of them have photos they say are of this<br />
monster.<br />
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Many people think that these pictures are not real. <strong>The</strong>y think that<br />
Nessie is a hoax. Others think that people are really seeing bubbles<br />
or waves in the water, not a monster. Some have tried to search for<br />
Nessie with boats, radars and cameras. None of these searches has<br />
found a monster.<br />
No-one knows for sure if there is a monster in Loch Ness or not.<br />
What do you think?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (36)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word hoax in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) a photo that was taken long ago.<br />
(b) a trick to make people think something is real.<br />
(c) a sea monster.<br />
Loch Ness is a lake that is very:<br />
(a) shallow.<br />
(b) dark.<br />
(c) deep.<br />
Paragraph 1 is mainly about:<br />
(a) the Loch Ness monster.<br />
(b) pictures of the monster.<br />
(c) Loch Ness.<br />
If there was a monster in the loch, what might it eat?<br />
(a) fish<br />
(b) hamburgers<br />
(c) seaweed<br />
<strong>The</strong> author wrote this to:<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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(a) make people believe in Nessie.<br />
(b) give information about a possible monster in Loch Ness.<br />
(c) tell readers that the Loch Ness monster is a hoax.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 3, they in ‘<strong>The</strong>y<br />
think that Nessie is’ means:<br />
(a) pictures.<br />
(b) many people.<br />
(c) monsters.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw what you think Nessie<br />
might look like.<br />
H Write what you would do<br />
if you saw the Loch Ness<br />
monster.
Red 7<br />
Orange 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Once there was a man named Bellerophon. He was kind and brave.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was also a terrible monster, the chimera, that no-one could kill.<br />
<strong>The</strong> king asked Bellerophon to go and kill the chimera.<br />
Bellerophon was scared. He did not think he could kill the monster.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, one night, he had a dream. He dreamed he found a horse with<br />
wings, called Pegasus. In the dream he was able to catch Pegasus<br />
with a magic bridle. He and Pegasus could use a magic sword to kill<br />
the monster.<br />
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3<br />
When Bellerophon woke up he found the magic bridle and sword<br />
beside his bed. He went looking for Pegasus and found him. He put<br />
the magic bridle on Pegasus. <strong>The</strong>n they flew off to find the monster.<br />
Soon, they saw it flying ahead. After a long fight in the sky, Bellerophon<br />
killed the monster with the sword.<br />
4<br />
Bellerophon and Pegasus had many more adventures together.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (37)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraphs 3 and 4, a bridle is:<br />
(a) the straps for a horse’s head.<br />
(b) a kind of sword.<br />
(c) a magic spell to control horses.<br />
Pegasus was a horse that could:<br />
(a) do magic.<br />
(b) use a sword.<br />
(c) fly.<br />
What did Bellerophon do when<br />
he found Pegasus?<br />
(a) He killed the flying horse.<br />
(b) He put the magic bridle on him.<br />
(c) He woke up.<br />
What was Bellerophon doing when he killed the monster?<br />
(a) hiding behind a rock<br />
(b) flying on Pegasus’s back<br />
(c) standing on the ground<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> king chose Bellerophon to kill the<br />
scary monster because he knew:<br />
(a) Bellerophon was brave.<br />
(b) Bellerophon was kind.<br />
(c) Bellerophon had a flying horse.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 3, him means:<br />
(a) Pegasus.<br />
(b) the monster.<br />
(c) Bellerophon.<br />
H Draw what you think<br />
the monster looked like.<br />
Label its parts.<br />
H Write a different ending<br />
for the story.
Orange 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Quicksand<br />
Maybe you have seen films<br />
or read stories about people<br />
stepping into quicksand. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
get ‘sucked’ down and can’t<br />
get out. Is quicksand real? If so,<br />
how does it work?<br />
Quicksand is real! It can be<br />
found in many places, usually<br />
near riverbanks or beaches<br />
and on the shores of lakes.<br />
DANGER<br />
QUICKSAND<br />
Quicksand is a mix of sand,<br />
water, clay and salt. It looks like hard ground but it is more like jelly!<br />
Light things, like leaves, can stay on the top of it. But as soon as<br />
something heavy moves onto it, the clay starts to get ‘runny’. <strong>The</strong><br />
heavy thing then starts to sink. If the heavy thing moves fast, the<br />
quicksand gets runnier. <strong>The</strong>n it sinks even faster!<br />
4<br />
Quicksand is usually not very deep, but it<br />
can be quite hard to get out of. <strong>The</strong> best<br />
way of getting out is to move your arms and<br />
legs slowly. When you are near the top, you<br />
should lie back and float.<br />
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5<br />
So if ever you get stuck in quicksand, think<br />
quickly, but move slowly!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (38)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which four things make up quicksand?<br />
(a) sand, salt, mud and clay<br />
(b) water, sand, salt and pepper<br />
(c) clay, sand, water and salt<br />
What makes people sink faster?<br />
(a) moving fast<br />
(b) moving slowly<br />
(c) keeping still<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 4 is:<br />
(a) how to make quicksand.<br />
(b) what quicksand is made of.<br />
(c) how to get out of quicksand.<br />
After reading this text, readers should know how to:<br />
(a) keep away from quicksand.<br />
(b) get out of quicksand.<br />
(c) make quicksand at home.<br />
Which sentence is an opinion, not a fact?<br />
(a) Quicksand can be dangerous.<br />
(b) Moving slowly can help you get<br />
out of quicksand.<br />
(c) Quicksand is really scary.<br />
In Paragraph 2, it means:<br />
(a) danger.<br />
(b) runny clay.<br />
(c) quicksand.<br />
Something extra<br />
DANGER<br />
QUICKSAND<br />
H Imagine your friend<br />
is stuck in quicksand.<br />
Write what you would<br />
tell your friend to help<br />
him or her out.<br />
H Quicksand is a<br />
compound word. This<br />
is when two words are<br />
joined to form a new<br />
word, like ‘eyelid’ and<br />
‘newspaper’. Write<br />
four other compound<br />
words.<br />
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Orange 9<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> wonder of worm poo<br />
Last week, my friend Kate found a worm at<br />
school. We showed it to our teacher, Miss<br />
Downey. She let everyone have a look. Our<br />
class was really interested, so Miss Downey<br />
said we could start a worm farm.<br />
First, we found out about worms and worm<br />
farms. A worm farm can be just a box<br />
where special worms live. <strong>The</strong>se worms<br />
are called composting worms. <strong>The</strong>y eat<br />
food scraps and turn them into ‘plant food’<br />
which you can put in the ground to help<br />
plants grow.<br />
Next, we bought some big plastic boxes<br />
with lids. Miss Downey cut some holes in<br />
them. <strong>The</strong>n we put some newspaper and soil into the boxes. We<br />
collected our food scraps and put them into the boxes. <strong>The</strong>n we got<br />
some worms from a shop. We put them in the boxes, too.<br />
Now we have lots of worms. <strong>The</strong>y eat all our food scraps. We have<br />
started a class vegetable garden, too. We put the worm ‘poo’ into the<br />
garden. It is great for helping plants to grow.<br />
All this from one little worm!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (39)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
Worms that can eat food scraps and make plant food<br />
are called:<br />
(a) farming worms.<br />
(b) composting worms.<br />
(c) poo worms.<br />
2.<br />
What made the class so interested in worms?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y read about worms.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y looked at a real worm.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y made a vegetable garden.<br />
3.<br />
Composting worms are good for vegetable gardens because:<br />
(a) their ‘poo’ helps plants to grow.<br />
(b) they are small.<br />
(c) they eat food scraps.<br />
4.<br />
<strong>The</strong> children brought a worm into class because they:<br />
(a) thought their teacher might be interested.<br />
(b) wanted their teacher to get rid of it.<br />
(c) wanted to keep it as a pet.<br />
5.<br />
<strong>The</strong> author thinks that worms are:<br />
(a) yucky.<br />
(b) slimy.<br />
(c) useful.<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, it means:<br />
(a) the vegetable garden.<br />
(b) worm poo.<br />
(c) food scraps.<br />
Something extra<br />
• Write a list of things you need<br />
to start a worm farm.<br />
• Write two other words with the<br />
same sound as ‘or’ in ‘worm’.
Orange 10<br />
Dolphin daze<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
At the beach one day, I was<br />
having lunch with my family. I was<br />
just about to eat my sandwich when a bird<br />
took it and flew off! ‘Hey!’ I yelled. ‘Come back<br />
with my lunch!’ I got up and ran after the bird.<br />
I was looking up, so I didn’t see the big wave coming. Crash!<br />
It took me into the water. Under I went. Round and round I went.<br />
When I finally came up, I was far from the shore. I tried to swim back,<br />
but I wasn’t getting very far. I needed help!<br />
<strong>The</strong>n in the water next to me I saw a fin. Oh, no! A shark! I was going to<br />
be a shark’s lunch! A long grey nose popped up next to me. I saw a<br />
smile and a friendly eye. It was a dolphin! <strong>The</strong>n the eye winked at me.<br />
And in my head I heard, ‘Hold onto my fin. I’ll help you’.<br />
Was the dolphin talking to me? I wasn’t sure, but I held onto its fin. It<br />
took me back to shore. When I felt sand under my feet, I stood up.<br />
‘Thanks!’ I said to the dolphin. It winked again and swam away.<br />
I found my family and told them what had happened.<br />
‘Sure, darling. That’s a nice story’, said Mum. ‘Now off you go and play.’<br />
‘But it’s all true, Mum!’ I said.<br />
‘It really happened!’<br />
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8<br />
Didn’t it? Or was it just a<br />
daydream?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (40)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word from Paragraph 2 means the land next to the water?<br />
(a) shore<br />
(b) wave<br />
(c) sandy<br />
Which paragraph tells us how the author was rescued?<br />
(a) Paragraph 2<br />
(b) Paragraph 3<br />
(c) Paragraph 4<br />
Dolphins and sharks both:<br />
(a) have friendly eyes.<br />
(b) have fins.<br />
(c) help people.<br />
Next time the author goes to the beach, he or she might:<br />
(a) be afraid to go close to the water.<br />
(b) take cake, not sandwiches.<br />
(c) wear sunscreen.<br />
Which sentence is an opinion, not a fact?<br />
(a) Dolphins are nice.<br />
(b) Dolphins have fins.<br />
(c) Sometimes there are big waves<br />
at the beach.<br />
In Paragraph 2, it is used instead of:<br />
(a) the shore.<br />
(b) the big wave.<br />
(c) water.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw a dolphin. Label<br />
it with the parts told<br />
about in the story.<br />
H Write a short story<br />
about being rescued<br />
by a different animal.<br />
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Green 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Titanic was a big ship called an ocean liner. It took more than<br />
two years to build. When it was finished in 1911, it was the biggest<br />
passenger ship that had ever been built.<br />
Titanic had a swimming pool, gym and cafe. It was built with the best<br />
technology for that time. Many people thought the Titanic was so<br />
good, it was ‘unsinkable’.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were 2240 people on Titanic’s first voyage. Some of these<br />
people were very rich and famous. This first trip was also to be<br />
Titanic’s last.<br />
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Just before midnight, a few days into the trip, Titanic hit a large<br />
iceberg. <strong>The</strong> iceberg cut a big hole in the ship and, three hours later,<br />
it sank to the ocean floor.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were not enough lifeboats on Titanic and 1517 men, women<br />
and children died in the freezing water.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sinking of Titanic is one of the worst sea disasters in history.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (41)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 4 means a large<br />
piece of ice floating in the sea?<br />
(a) liner<br />
(b) iceberg<br />
(c) sank<br />
An ocean liner is a ship for carrying:<br />
(a) animals.<br />
(b) wheat and wool.<br />
(c) people.<br />
Which paragraph tells why Titanic sank?<br />
(a) Paragraph 4<br />
(b) Paragraph 3<br />
(c) Paragraph 2<br />
Titanic sank in:<br />
(a) warm water.<br />
(b) stormy water.<br />
(c) very cold water.<br />
Titanic sank because it:<br />
(a) was too heavy.<br />
(b) hit an iceberg.<br />
(c) was too big.<br />
In Paragraph 4, it is used instead of:<br />
(a) the iceberg.<br />
(b) Titanic.<br />
(c) water.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H <strong>The</strong> wreck of Titanic<br />
was found in the North<br />
Atlantic Ocean in 1985.<br />
Draw what you think<br />
the wreck might have<br />
looked like.<br />
H List five other kinds of<br />
water transport.
Green 2<br />
<strong>The</strong> biggest animal on Earth<br />
1 Blue whales are the biggest animals on Earth. <strong>The</strong>y can grow to over<br />
30 metres long. That’s longer than two buses! Blue whales are thought<br />
to be bigger than any dinosaur that lived on Earth.<br />
2<br />
3<br />
A blue whale’s heart is as big as a small car. Its tongue is as heavy<br />
as an elephant. Even the sounds blue whales make are ‘big’. A blue<br />
whale can make sounds under water that are louder than a jet plane<br />
taking off.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> biggest animal in the world eats one<br />
of the smallest. Blue whales mostly eat krill,<br />
which are tiny sea animals about as big as<br />
your thumb. A blue whale can eat up to 40<br />
million krill in one day!<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong>re used to be many blue whales. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
humans hunted them until there were almost<br />
none left. Now, many people work to protect<br />
these gentle giants.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (42)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word hunted in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) protected.<br />
(b) caught and killed.<br />
(c) followed.<br />
What do blue whales mostly eat?<br />
(a) seals<br />
(b) fish<br />
(c) krill<br />
A blue whale can grow bigger than:<br />
(a) any other animal on Earth.<br />
(b) a line of buses.<br />
(c) a city.<br />
A blue whale’s heart and a small car are the same:<br />
(a) colour.<br />
(b) size.<br />
(c) shape.<br />
Blue whales make:<br />
(a) no noise.<br />
(b) a little noise.<br />
(c) lots of noise.<br />
In Paragraph 4, them is used<br />
instead of:<br />
(a) humans.<br />
(b) whales.<br />
(c) blue whales.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Make a list of other large<br />
animals that live in the sea.<br />
H Draw a blue whale and a<br />
dinosaur.<br />
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Green 3<br />
Go Blue!<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Each year we have a sports day<br />
at school. Yesterday, it was our<br />
sports day for this year. Every class<br />
was there, even the smallest kids.<br />
Like last year, it was on the school<br />
sportsground.<br />
We sat with our sports groups in big<br />
tents. My sports group wears blue.<br />
Mum let me put blue hair spray<br />
in my hair! We cheered and sang<br />
songs for our team.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were lots of different races. Some of them were running races.<br />
Others were funny, like the sack race. People had to jump in big sacks.<br />
It was funny because lots of people fell over. Some of the teachers did<br />
the sack race, too. I laughed so hard when my teacher, Ms Mack,<br />
fell over!<br />
I was in two races. One was a relay. I ran with three other kids from Blue<br />
group against other kids from our class. We came third out of seven<br />
teams! That was pretty good.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> other one was the 100 metres race. I felt very nervous before the<br />
race. Some of the kids in my class are very fast! But I ran really fast<br />
and came second! In the end, Blue team had the most points! It was a<br />
good day.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (43)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 5 means feeling scared and excited?<br />
(a) happy<br />
(b) cheer<br />
(c) nervous<br />
<strong>The</strong> 100 metres race is a:<br />
(a) sack race.<br />
(b) relay race.<br />
(c) running race.<br />
Next year, the writer might:<br />
(a) not want to go to sports day.<br />
(b) look forward to sports day.<br />
(c) use red hair spray.<br />
Which words best tell what the writer is like?<br />
(a) a fast runner<br />
(b) a good swimmer<br />
(c) a funny person<br />
How did the writer feel about the sports day?<br />
(a) happy<br />
(b) sad<br />
(c) bored<br />
In Paragraph 4, we is used instead of:<br />
(a) the class.<br />
(b) Blue’s relay team.<br />
(c) other kids.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H <strong>The</strong> writer felt happy and<br />
nervous on sports day.<br />
Write five other feelings a<br />
person might have at a<br />
sports day.<br />
H Draw something you<br />
remember from your last<br />
sports day.
Green 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
hat hall we call him?<br />
When we got our puppy<br />
From the dog pound nearby<br />
We had to try to find a name<br />
For the fluffy little guy.<br />
Mum looked on the internet<br />
For interesting dog names.<br />
She found lots of funny ones<br />
Like T-Rex, Jaws and Flames.<br />
Some of the most popular names<br />
Were Max, Sam, Jake and Charlie<br />
Bella, Monty and Buster, too<br />
As well as Blue and Harley.<br />
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But we wanted to call our dog<br />
A really different name.<br />
So we had to keep thinking<br />
Until the answer came.<br />
Our puppy liked to take things<br />
Like clothes and purses, then he would<br />
Hide them all in the garden ...<br />
So—we called him Robin Hood!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (44)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Verse 1 means a place for<br />
keeping stray animals?<br />
(a) garden<br />
(b) pound<br />
(c) purse<br />
Which name did a lot of dogs have?<br />
(a) T-Rex<br />
(b) Max<br />
(c) Robin Hood<br />
<strong>The</strong> family called the dog Robin Hood<br />
because it:<br />
(a) was green.<br />
(b) took things like the storybook<br />
character, Robin Hood, did.<br />
(c) was a popular name.<br />
Why did the dog take clothes and purses?<br />
(a) It took them to eat.<br />
(b) It wanted to give them to the poor.<br />
(c) It was a playful puppy.<br />
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Which sentence is a fact?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> dog was very bad.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> dog hid things in the garden.<br />
(c) Naming a dog is hard.<br />
In Paragraph 5, them is used instead of:<br />
(a) the family.<br />
(b) the puppy.<br />
(c) the clothes and purses.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write other clever names<br />
the family could have<br />
called the dog.<br />
H Draw what you think<br />
the puppy might have<br />
looked like.
Green 5<br />
Raptor<br />
When we think of dinosaurs, we often think of great big animals.<br />
But the raptor (or velociraptor) was quite small. It was only<br />
about as big as a turkey!<br />
<strong>The</strong> raptor was like a turkey in other<br />
ways, too. It moved on two legs and<br />
had feathers. It also had a tail.<br />
But raptors were also very different<br />
from turkeys. Raptors had two big<br />
‘hands’ with three sharp claws.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y also had three toes on<br />
each foot with very sharp<br />
claws, as well as a ‘spur’. <strong>The</strong><br />
claws were used to cut and<br />
kill other animals. Raptors<br />
were meat eaters.<br />
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Foot of a velociraptor<br />
Even with its big claws, a raptor could run very fast. And it was quite<br />
a clever dinosaur. For its small size, it had quite a big brain.<br />
This fast, smart animal, with its sharp teeth and claws, was a<br />
small but deadly dinosaur!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (45)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 5 means able to kill something?<br />
(a) smart<br />
(b) deadly<br />
(c) kill<br />
Raptors had:<br />
(a) two feet with one claw.<br />
(b) three hands with two toes.<br />
(c) two hands with three claws.<br />
Why was the raptor so deadly?<br />
It had:<br />
(a) lots of teeth and legs.<br />
(b) sharp claws and teeth.<br />
(c) claws and a tail.<br />
A raptor was like a turkey because it:<br />
(a) had feathers and a beak.<br />
(b) had sharp claws and teeth.<br />
(c) was small, with two legs and feathers.<br />
Standing next to you, a raptor would be about as high as:<br />
(a) your chest.<br />
(b) the top of your leg.<br />
(c) your head.<br />
In Paragraph 3, they is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) turkeys.<br />
(b) raptor hands.<br />
(c) raptors.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw your favourite dinosaur and<br />
write how it was different from or<br />
similar to the raptor.<br />
H Write the names of four other animals<br />
that have sharp teeth and claws.
Green 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Thousands of years ago, kids didn’t have<br />
electronic games. So what did they play<br />
with? One toy they had is still around<br />
today. That toy is the marble!<br />
If you’ve never seen marbles, they are<br />
really just small, hard balls. <strong>The</strong> name<br />
probably comes from the hard stone<br />
they were once made from—marble.<br />
Today, most marbles are made in factories, from glass. <strong>The</strong>y come in<br />
different colours and sizes and have different names. Big marbles are<br />
sometimes called ‘kings’, ‘king kongs’, ‘shooters’ or ‘mashers’.<br />
One marble game is called ‘keepsies’ (or ‘for keeps’). All the players<br />
put their marbles inside a circle. <strong>The</strong>n one player uses his or her thumb<br />
and fingers to flick one of the marbles. If it hits<br />
someone else’s marble out of the circle, the<br />
player can keep that marble.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many other marble games<br />
people play around the world.<br />
Next time you are looking for<br />
something to do, maybe you<br />
can try playing marbles!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (46)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 3 means<br />
places where things are made?<br />
(a) colours<br />
(b) glass<br />
(c) factories<br />
One way to flick marbles is with:<br />
(a) your toes.<br />
(b) your thumb and fingers.<br />
(c) elastic bands.<br />
Which paragraph tells the reader<br />
where marbles are made today?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 3<br />
(c) Paragraph 5<br />
Marbles got their name from:<br />
(a) the place they come from.<br />
(b) how they roll.<br />
(c) a kind of stone used to make them.<br />
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Which sentence is a fact?<br />
(a) Marbles are fun.<br />
(b) Marbles are usually made of glass.<br />
(c) Flicking marbles is tricky.<br />
In Paragraph 3, they is used instead of:<br />
(a) factories.<br />
(b) marbles.<br />
(c) sizes.<br />
• Write four other words<br />
ending in ‘ble’ like marble.<br />
• Write four other games you<br />
know that use small balls.
Red Green 7 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
monster<br />
under my bed<br />
Just after Mum said goodnight, I heard a noise under my bed.<br />
‘Not again!’ I thought. <strong>The</strong> monster under my bed was back!<br />
When I was little, I used to think there was a monster under my bed.<br />
I had needed a night-light to sleep. I made Mum and Dad check<br />
under the bed before I went to sleep each night. I was older now.<br />
I didn’t need a night-light! Or did I?<br />
I was starting to get scared. But I knew I had to do<br />
something. Trying to be quiet, I moved slowly to the<br />
edge of my bed. ‘Woof! Woof!’ Holly, my dog,<br />
barked outside and made me jump. It also<br />
made the monster move!<br />
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Holding the edge of my bed, I lay frozen.<br />
<strong>The</strong> monster was coming out! I saw a<br />
claw. <strong>The</strong>n one black, hairy arm, and<br />
another. <strong>The</strong>n a pink nose and two<br />
yellow eyes. It was my cat!<br />
‘Jingles!’ I said. ‘You scared me!’<br />
I gave her a cuddle, then went<br />
back to bed ... with the light on!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (47)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word edge in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) the side or end of something.<br />
(b) the blanket on top of a bed.<br />
(c) something shaped like a triangle.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 5 is:<br />
(a) the writer was scared.<br />
(b) the monster was hairy.<br />
(c) the monster was really a cat.<br />
What happened after the dog barked?<br />
(a) She heard a noise under her bed.<br />
(b) She tried to be quiet.<br />
(c) She jumped.<br />
What caused the writer to go back to<br />
bed with the light on?<br />
(a) She was still a bit scared.<br />
(b) She wanted to read.<br />
(c) She was not tired.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks that:<br />
(a) cats are scary.<br />
(b) all cats are monsters.<br />
(c) monsters are scary.<br />
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In Paragraph 5, her is used instead of:<br />
(a) the dog.<br />
(b) Jingles, the cat.<br />
(c) the writer’s mum.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H If there was a monster<br />
under your bed, what<br />
might it look like?<br />
Draw a picture.<br />
H What other things are<br />
people afraid of in the<br />
dark? List three things.
Green 8<br />
You will need:<br />
• a coin<br />
• a clear glass<br />
• 2 pieces of paper (the same colour)<br />
• a handkerchief<br />
• sticky tape and scissors<br />
Before the trick:<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Trace the top of the glass onto one piece of paper.<br />
Cut the circle out.<br />
Tape the circle onto the top of the glass.<br />
<strong>The</strong> trick:<br />
Step 1. Put the glass upside down on the other piece of paper.<br />
Step 2. Tell your friends you are going to made a coin disappear.<br />
Step 3. Put the coin next to the glass on the paper.<br />
Step 4. Put the handkerchief over the glass.<br />
Step 5. Say a magic word and slide the glass on top of the coin.<br />
Step 6. Now the coin is hidden under the paper on the glass.<br />
Take the handkerchief off.<br />
Step 7. It will look like the coin has gone!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (48)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing<br />
Step 3<br />
Step 5<br />
Step7
Questions<br />
1.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word clear means:<br />
(a) it has been washed.<br />
(b) you can see through it.<br />
(c) it is good.<br />
2. 2 Some cutting needs to be done:<br />
(a) before the trick.<br />
(b) in the middle of the trick.<br />
(c) after the trick.<br />
3. 3 At the end of the trick, the coin:<br />
(a) has gone.<br />
(b) looks like it has gone.<br />
(c) has changed into paper.<br />
4. 4 Which step tells how to hide<br />
the coin?<br />
(a) Step 6<br />
(b) Step 5<br />
(c) Step 7<br />
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5. 5 Friends watching the trick might be:<br />
(a) surprised.<br />
(b) angry.<br />
(c) bored.<br />
6. 6 What makes the coin look like it<br />
has gone?<br />
(a) the paper on the glass<br />
(b) magic<br />
(c) the hanky<br />
H Draw your favourite<br />
step in the coin trick.<br />
H Write a sentence<br />
using words with the ‘oi’<br />
sound (as in coin):<br />
boil spoil<br />
soil join
Green 9<br />
Time machine<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
My brother, Dexter, had always been a bit<br />
odd. He collected all sorts of junk. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
he made things with it in Dad’s shed. He<br />
never played outside or watched TV.<br />
One day I was on the computer when<br />
Dexter ran into the room.<br />
‘I’ve done it!’ he shouted.<br />
‘Done what?’ I asked.<br />
‘Finished my time machine! Come on!’<br />
I followed him to the shed. Inside was a big<br />
metal thing with wires. It had a door, which<br />
was open.<br />
‘That’s it?’ I asked, having a closer look.<br />
‘Yes, yes, my time machine ... it’s ready to be tested!’ he said.<br />
‘What do you mean, “tested”?’ I asked. ‘How can it be finished if you<br />
don’t even know if it works yet?’<br />
My brother frowned and moved towards me. ‘Oh, I think it works … I<br />
just need to do one last thing!’ He grabbed me and pushed me inside<br />
the machine.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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‘Hey!’ I yelled. But it was too late. <strong>The</strong> door banged shut. <strong>The</strong>re was a<br />
loud buzzing sound and a big bump, then everything went black …<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (49)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
If time machines were real, they could:<br />
(a) take people into the past or the future.<br />
(b) fix clocks and watches.<br />
(c) be good for playing sports.<br />
<strong>The</strong> time machine was made of:<br />
(a) wires and doors.<br />
(b) metal and wires.<br />
(c) metal and wood.<br />
Who made the time machine?<br />
(a) the writer<br />
(b) the writer’s dad<br />
(c) the writer’s brother<br />
What was the writer doing before he saw<br />
the time machine?<br />
(a) playing outside<br />
(b) playing on the computer<br />
(c) watching TV inside<br />
Which words best tell what Dexter was like?<br />
(a) gentle and nice<br />
(b) clever but mean<br />
(c) sporty and nasty<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 1, it is used instead of:<br />
(a) the junk.<br />
(b) the machine.<br />
(c) the shed.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw what you think the time<br />
machine looked like. Label it.<br />
H Write what you think<br />
happened next.
Green 10<br />
Because an ant got mad<br />
1 Once there was an ant who made a wall fall.<br />
How did he do it, this insect so small?<br />
2 Well, as Adam Ant walked in the park<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
So did a dog with its master, named Mark.<br />
When Mark sat down, he just missed Adam’s head,<br />
Adam Ant was so cross he bit Mark on the leg.<br />
Mark jumped up, landing on his dog’s tail.<br />
<strong>The</strong> startled dog sped off with a wail.<br />
It ran to the lake as some ducks swam by.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ducks got scared and flew into the sky.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y flapped right into a hot-air balloon<br />
Going for its daily trip at noon.<br />
<strong>The</strong> balloon burst with a ‘pop’ and fell down<br />
On top of a truck driving into the town.<br />
<strong>The</strong> truck driver could not see or stop!<br />
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He drove off the street and just missed a shop.<br />
He crashed into a wall, which fell—how sad!<br />
And all because a little ant got mad!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (50)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which word in Verse 2 means the owner of an animal?<br />
(a) driver<br />
(b) master<br />
(c) head<br />
<strong>The</strong> word startled in Verse 3 means:<br />
(a) suddenly surprised or scared.<br />
(b) hurt.<br />
(c) chasing animals.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ducks flew into the balloon<br />
because they were:<br />
(a) exercising.<br />
(b) mad.<br />
(c) scared.<br />
What happened just before the<br />
truck crashed?<br />
(a) A dog chased it.<br />
(b) A balloon fell on it.<br />
(c) It hit a shop.<br />
What sort of text is this?<br />
(a) a report<br />
(b) a story<br />
(c) a poem<br />
In Verse 3, it is used instead of:<br />
(a) the ant.<br />
(b) the dog.<br />
(c) a duck.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw one of the verses.<br />
H Write what you think the<br />
driver thought when a<br />
balloon landed on his truck.
Purple 1<br />
<strong>The</strong> wind and the sun<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
One fine day, long ago, the wind and<br />
the sun were having an argument.<br />
‘I’m stronger than you’, said the wind.<br />
He blew out a puff of wind to show off.<br />
‘I’m stronger than you’, said the sun.<br />
He shot out a ray of sunshine to show off.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y kept arguing and couldn’t decide who was the stronger. Suddenly,<br />
they saw a man walking down the road. He was wearing a jacket. This<br />
gave them an idea. <strong>The</strong>y agreed that whoever was able to make the<br />
man take off his jacket would be the stronger.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> wind went first, so the sun hid behind a cloud. <strong>The</strong> wind began to<br />
blow as hard as he could. He huffed and puffed and tried to get the<br />
man to take off his jacket. But the harder he blew the tighter the man<br />
held on to it.<br />
6<br />
7<br />
<strong>The</strong>n it was the sun’s turn. He came out from behind the cloud and<br />
beamed brightly. He beamed brighter and brighter. <strong>The</strong> man became<br />
hotter and hotter. Soon he was too hot in his jacket and took it off.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sun was the stronger!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (51)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 6, what does the word beamed mean?<br />
(a) smiled<br />
(b) blew<br />
(c) shone<br />
Who huffed and puffed in the story?<br />
(a) the man<br />
(b) the wind<br />
(c) the sun<br />
What happened after the sun and the wind saw the man?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> sun came out from behind the cloud.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> wind and the sun showed off to each other.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> wind and the sun argued.<br />
What happened first to the man in the jacket?<br />
(a) He wrapped his jacket around himself tightly.<br />
(b) He began to get hot.<br />
(c) He took off his jacket.<br />
What made the man take off his jacket?<br />
(a) the strong wind<br />
(b) the long walk<br />
(c) the heat of the sun<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, he means the:<br />
(a) wind.<br />
(b) sun.<br />
(c) man.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Make a list of ways to say warm.<br />
H Make a list of ways to stay cool.
Purple 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
You need:<br />
1 pack of <strong>cards</strong><br />
What to do:<br />
Hold all the <strong>cards</strong> in a pile,<br />
face down.<br />
Flip the bottom card over so it faces up.<br />
Hold the pile of <strong>cards</strong> and ask<br />
someone to take any card.<br />
Ask the person to look at it and to<br />
remember it.<br />
As he or she looks at the card, turn<br />
the pile over. Make sure no-one<br />
sees you! Now the bottom card is<br />
on the top. It is facing down. But<br />
the rest of the <strong>cards</strong> are facing up.<br />
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Ask the person to put the card<br />
back in the pile. It will be put in<br />
face down.<br />
Look for the card. It will be the one<br />
turned the other way. Find it and<br />
reveal it to your friends. <strong>The</strong>y will<br />
be amazed!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (52)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Red 2<br />
<strong>The</strong> word reveal in Step 7 means:<br />
(a) hide.<br />
(b) return.<br />
(c) show.<br />
<strong>The</strong> pile needs to be turned over when:<br />
(a) no-one is there.<br />
(b) no-one is looking.<br />
(c) you finish the trick.<br />
<strong>The</strong> bottom card needs to<br />
be turned over:<br />
(a) before the trick.<br />
(b) after the trick.<br />
(c) on Friday.<br />
This text tells the reader how to:<br />
(a) play a card game.<br />
(b) do a card trick.<br />
(c) remember <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
Which answer is a fact, not an opinion?<br />
This magic trick:<br />
(a) is fun.<br />
(b) uses <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
(c) is real magic.<br />
H A person who does magic is<br />
called a magician.<br />
In the last sentence, they means:<br />
H What do we call a person who<br />
fixes cars? paints pictures?<br />
(a) the <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
cuts hair?<br />
(b) your friends.<br />
H A group of <strong>cards</strong> is called a<br />
(c) your eyes.<br />
pack or deck. Write three other<br />
things that come in a pack.<br />
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Purple 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Cloud spotting<br />
Clouds form in the sky. Tiny water droplets join together to make a<br />
cloud. When the water droplets get too heavy, it rains, hails or snows.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are three main types of clouds—‘cirrus’, ‘cumulus’ and ‘stratus’.<br />
Cirrus clouds form high in the sky. <strong>The</strong> word ‘cirrus’ means ‘tuft’ or ‘curl<br />
of hair’. <strong>The</strong>se clouds look like white, wispy curls of hair and are made<br />
of thin ice crystals.<br />
Cumulus clouds are big and fluffy. <strong>The</strong> word ‘cumulus’ means ‘a heap’<br />
or ‘pile’. <strong>The</strong>y can be white and look like cotton balls, or grey, which<br />
means it may rain. Cumulus clouds form when warm, moist air is<br />
forced upward. As the air rises, it cools and makes clouds.<br />
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Stratus clouds form low in the sky. <strong>The</strong> word ‘stratus’ means to ‘spread<br />
out’. <strong>The</strong>y are in layers and look like a flat blanket across the sky.<br />
Stratus clouds form when a layer of warm, moist air passes over a<br />
layer of cool air. <strong>The</strong>y can be white or grey. If they are grey, it means it<br />
may rain.<br />
6<br />
Other clouds are a mixture or variation of these three cloud types.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (53)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
What are clouds made from?<br />
(a) hair<br />
(b) cotton<br />
(c) water droplets<br />
<strong>The</strong> word form in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) take shape.<br />
(b) a paper with blank spaces.<br />
(c) can be seen.<br />
Paragraph 2 tells about:<br />
(a) the three main types of clouds.<br />
(b) cirrus clouds.<br />
(c) stratus clouds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word <strong>The</strong>y in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) cumulus clouds.<br />
(b) cotton balls.<br />
(c) water droplets.<br />
<strong>The</strong> lowest clouds are:<br />
(a) cirrus clouds.<br />
(b) cumulus clouds.<br />
(c) stratus clouds.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
6. Grey clouds mean:<br />
H Look out the window. Draw the<br />
clouds you can see. Write the<br />
(a) the water is dirty.<br />
name of the cloud under your<br />
(b) the clouds are heavy.<br />
picture.<br />
(c) it may rain.<br />
H Write five words which begin<br />
with ‘cl’.<br />
H Write a poem about clouds.
Purple 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Cows have one large stomach, but it has four separate parts. Animals<br />
with four parts in their stomach are called ruminants. Other ruminants<br />
are giraffes, deer, sheep and goats. Ruminants eat fast and store<br />
large amounts of grass or foliage in their stomachs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first part, called the rumen, stores and softens food. This is where<br />
‘cud’ comes from. Cud is food that cows swallow, partly digest, bring<br />
up and chew again. Cows may chew their cud for up to eight hours<br />
a day.<br />
Cows sometimes accidentally swallow bits of fences and metal. <strong>The</strong><br />
second, and smallest, part of the stomach collects these materials.<br />
This prevents the cow from getting hurt. It is called the reticulum.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> third part acts like a filter. It takes in water and gets the nutrients<br />
from food. It is called the omasum. Cows drink about a bathtub full of<br />
water each day.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fourth part is like a human stomach. This is where the final stage<br />
of digestion occurs. It is called the abomasum.<br />
<strong>The</strong> stomach of a cow is so large that it can be one-third of the weight<br />
of an adult cow.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (54)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
A ruminant is:<br />
(a) an animal with four parts to its stomach.<br />
(b) leftovers from dinner.<br />
(c) garbage.<br />
Cud comes from:<br />
(a) the omasum.<br />
(b) the rumen.<br />
(c) the bathtub.<br />
Which paragraph tells<br />
about the reticulum?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 4<br />
(c) Paragraph 3<br />
Which part of a cow’s<br />
stomach is like a filter?<br />
(a) the second part<br />
(b) the third part<br />
(c) the first part<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in<br />
Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) cows.<br />
(b) the stomach.<br />
(c) horses.<br />
Cows need:<br />
(a) very little water.<br />
(b) no water at all.<br />
(c) lots of water.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Find a rhyme, poem, story<br />
or riddle about a cow to<br />
read to yourself.<br />
H Investigate different<br />
breeds of cows. Draw<br />
pictures to show the<br />
different colours and<br />
patterns.
Purple 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Upside-down houses<br />
All the houses in my street look the same. <strong>The</strong> roofs are straight and<br />
point to the sky. <strong>The</strong> walls, windows and doors are straight. <strong>The</strong> fences<br />
stand in straight lines. Even the garages and letterboxes have straight<br />
lines! Wouldn’t it be better if some houses were different!<br />
Imagine a house with the roof on the bottom. Imagine the floor on the<br />
top. A curvy letterbox could sit on top of the floor. <strong>The</strong> front door could<br />
be at the back. <strong>The</strong>re could be lots of curvy lines and circles. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
houses would not look like other houses at all. <strong>The</strong>y would be very<br />
different. I think upside-down houses would be the best houses of all!<br />
What if you lived in a two-storey house and it was upside down? You<br />
would have to walk up the stairs to go down, and go down the stairs to<br />
go up! When you wanted to slide down the railing, you would have to<br />
pull yourself up! That wouldn’t be much fun at all!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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What if you slept in bunk beds? You would have to climb down from<br />
the top bunk to the bottom bunk to climb up on top! You would have<br />
to climb up onto the top bunk to get down to the bottom bunk!<br />
Perhaps upside-down houses would not be that much fun after all. But<br />
I wonder how different houses would be if more colours or different<br />
materials were used to make them. Yellow bamboo houses? Pink and<br />
purple plastic houses?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (55)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> houses in the writer’s street all<br />
have<br />
lines.<br />
(a) straight<br />
(b) zigzag<br />
(c) curved<br />
Paragraph 1 says that all houses in<br />
the street are:<br />
(a) different.<br />
(b) the same.<br />
(c) new.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word curvy in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) flat.<br />
(b) wavy.<br />
(c) rounded.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks upside-down houses<br />
may not be fun because they would:<br />
(a) be difficult to live in.<br />
(b) have curvy letterboxes.<br />
(c) be different.<br />
This text was written to:<br />
(a) tell some facts.<br />
(b) entertain.<br />
(c) write a report.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) the two-storey house.<br />
(b) railings.<br />
(c) the roof.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a design for<br />
a house built from<br />
unusual materials.<br />
H Draw your house and<br />
use unusual colours to<br />
complete it.
Purple 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
A natural satellite is a body in space which moves around a planet.<br />
<strong>The</strong> moon is our closest neighbour in space. It is the Earth’s only<br />
natural satellite.<br />
In 1969, astronauts landed on the moon. It was the first time that<br />
people had been to the moon. When Neil Armstrong stepped onto<br />
the moon, he said, ‘That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap<br />
for mankind’.<br />
On Earth, we always see the same side of the moon. If you look<br />
carefully, you can see light and dark parts. <strong>The</strong> higher, lighter areas<br />
have many craters.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> moon has no atmosphere to protect it. This allows asteroids,<br />
comets and meteorites to crash onto its surface and make craters.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no air on the moon. Soundwaves need air to travel, so the<br />
moon is a silent place.<br />
<strong>The</strong> moon doesn’t belong to anyone. An agreement among the<br />
countries on Earth protects the moon. It says the moon can only be<br />
explored for peaceful activities.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (56)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
What is a satellite?<br />
(a) a smaller body which circles a planet<br />
(b) a dance step<br />
(c) Earth<br />
Neil Armstrong was:<br />
(a) the man who lived on the moon.<br />
(b) an astronaut.<br />
(c) a singer.<br />
Paragraph 4 tells:<br />
(a) who the moon belongs to.<br />
(b) about the different parts of the moon.<br />
(c) about the moon’s atmosphere.<br />
4.<br />
Which is an opinion?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> moon is beautiful.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>re are craters on the moon.<br />
(c) It is silent on the moon.<br />
5.<br />
Neil Armstrong thought his trip to<br />
the moon was:<br />
(a) very dangerous.<br />
(b) very important.<br />
(c) very long.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word it is used<br />
instead of:<br />
(a) the atmosphere.<br />
(b) the surface.<br />
(c) the moon.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Write five words<br />
to rhyme with<br />
‘moon’.<br />
H Make a list of<br />
‘natural’ things<br />
you can see.<br />
H Write a short<br />
story about a<br />
visit you have<br />
made to the<br />
moon.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Red 7<br />
Purple 7<br />
Cat alarm<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Once upon a time, the mice had a meeting to think<br />
up some ways to outsmart their enemy—the cat. Many<br />
different ideas were suggested and discussed.<br />
Finally, one young mouse said, ‘Listen everyone, I have<br />
the perfect answer to our problem’. All the mice pricked<br />
up their ears to listen.<br />
‘Our main worry is that the cat sneaks up on us quietly. We can’t hear<br />
her coming’, he said. ‘If we could work out a signal to let us know<br />
when she is coming, we could run away and hide.’<br />
‘If we get a small bell and place it on a piece of ribbon, we could<br />
hang it around her neck. This will tell us when she is coming and we<br />
could easily hide until she goes away’, he explained.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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All the mice thought this was a wonderful idea. <strong>The</strong>y clapped very<br />
loudly.<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
Finally, a wise old mouse spoke. ‘That sounds like a clever idea,’ he<br />
said, ‘but who is going to put the bell on the ribbon around the cat’s<br />
neck?’<br />
All the mice looked at each other but no-one spoke. No-one raised a<br />
paw to volunteer, either.<br />
No-one suggested the bell alarm for the cat again.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (57)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word outsmart in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) trick.<br />
(b) outside.<br />
(c) hurt.<br />
Who suggested putting a bell on the cat?<br />
(a) a wise old mouse<br />
(b) a young mouse<br />
(c) the dogs<br />
<strong>The</strong> cat is:<br />
(a) male.<br />
(b) female.<br />
(c) can’t tell.<br />
Which paragraph tells how the cat alarm<br />
would work?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 2<br />
(c) Paragraph 4<br />
No-one wanted to put the bell on the cat<br />
because:<br />
(a) it would be dangerous.<br />
(b) the young mouse was going to do it.<br />
(c) the wise old mouse was going to do it.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> mice didn’t know the cat was coming<br />
because:<br />
(a) they didn’t listen.<br />
(b) she crept up quietly.<br />
(c) they weren’t looking.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Design a simple<br />
alarm for your pet.<br />
H Draw a picture of<br />
your favourite cat<br />
from a story or<br />
cartoon.
Card 58<br />
Purple 8<br />
Computer<br />
curse<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
David tore away the box around the computer and helped his dad<br />
to set it up. When it was switched on, David browsed through the<br />
programs and documents on the computer.<br />
‘Open at your own peril!’ David read on one of the files. He opened<br />
the document and a skull appeared on the screen. Ghostly words<br />
floated across the monitor: ‘<strong>The</strong> curse is set. <strong>The</strong> warning given. Beware<br />
all users. Danger lurks’.<br />
‘Someone is playing a very bad joke’, thought David as he stared at<br />
the screen.<br />
‘Woosh!’ <strong>The</strong> sound echoed in his ears. He blinked and opened his<br />
eyes. ‘Where am I?’ he asked. He saw coloured wires and plastic and<br />
metal streets and lanes. ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was actually<br />
inside the computer’, he thought. He ran down the first street and up<br />
the next. Nothing looked familiar. Nobody appeared when he called.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Heavy breathing sounded behind him. It came closer. David could<br />
feel prickling along the back of his neck. ‘Danger lurks’, he thought.<br />
He bolted as fast as he could. He ran until he couldn’t run any further.<br />
‘I’ve got to think of something. If this was a computer virus or corrupt<br />
program, what would I do?’ he thought. Finally, an idea occurred to<br />
him.<br />
6<br />
He searched for a blue door with the words ‘Quit program’ written on it<br />
and raced quickly through it.<br />
Step 3<br />
Step 5<br />
Step7<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (58)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
After David set up the computer<br />
and switched it on, he:<br />
(a) shut it down.<br />
(b) played a game.<br />
(c) looked through the<br />
programs and documents.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word monitor in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) a computer screen.<br />
(b) a school friend.<br />
(c) money.<br />
Paragraph 6 tells about:<br />
(a) the curse on the computer screen.<br />
(b) David’s plan to escape.<br />
(c) David being chased.<br />
<strong>The</strong> words on the blue door said:<br />
(a) ‘Quit program’.<br />
(b) ‘Danger lurks’.<br />
(c) ‘Exit’.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 5, means:<br />
(a) the screen.<br />
(b) his neck.<br />
(c) heavy breathing.<br />
What do you think is most likely to<br />
happen at the end of the story?<br />
(a) David will escape.<br />
(b) David will be caught.<br />
(c) David will close the book<br />
he is reading.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write a list of commands<br />
found on a computer;<br />
for example, edit, open,<br />
browse, delete, close,<br />
save.<br />
H Draw your own<br />
imaginary computer<br />
virus monster.
Bells, Dick Whittington<br />
and his cat<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
A long time ago, there was an orphan named Dick Whittington.<br />
Purple 9<br />
Dick decided to go to the city of London to make his fortune. Tired, cold<br />
and hungry, he fell asleep on the steps of the house of a rich merchant<br />
named Mr Fitzwarren. Kind Mr Fitzwarren gave him a job in the kitchen.<br />
One day, Dick bought a cat for a penny. <strong>The</strong> cat chased away the mice<br />
in Dick’s tiny room so he was happy.<br />
Mr Fitzwarren was getting ready to send one of his ships to a land far<br />
away. Any servant could send something of value to be traded for gold.<br />
Dick sadly sent his cat.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> cook was very mean to Dick so he ran away. When he reached<br />
the end of the city, he heard the Bow Bells ringing out, ‘Turn again,<br />
Whittington, three times Lord Mayor of London!’ Dick was amazed, but<br />
he decided to go back to work in Mr Fitzwarren’s house.<br />
6<br />
Eventually, the ship returned. Dick discovered that his cat had been<br />
sold to a king for a lot of money. His palace was overrun with mice. So<br />
Dick became a rich man. He started working with Mr Fitzwarren in his<br />
business. Later, he married his business partner’s daughter, Alice. He also<br />
became Lord Mayor of London—three times!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (59)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word orphan in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) bad.<br />
(b) a piece of fruit.<br />
(c) a child with no parents.<br />
Mr Fitzwarren was kind because he:<br />
(a) gave Dick a job.<br />
(b) was rich.<br />
(c) was old.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word he in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) Dick.<br />
(b) Mr Fitzwarren.<br />
(c) the Lord Mayor of London.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cat was valuable to Dick because it:<br />
(a) had a coat of gold fur.<br />
(b) was a strange breed of cat.<br />
(c) caught many mice.<br />
Which paragraph tells how Dick found out about his future?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1<br />
(b) Paragraph 5<br />
(c) Paragraph 7<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Dick was amazed when the Bow Bells<br />
rang because:<br />
(a) he had never heard bells ring before.<br />
(b) they said he would become Lord Mayor.<br />
(c) they sounded so beautiful.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Write a sentence<br />
or two for the Bow<br />
Bells to say to you.<br />
H Find out the name<br />
of the Mayor or<br />
Lord Mayor of<br />
your city.
Purple 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Snakes are reptiles.<br />
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals with backbones. <strong>The</strong>ir body heat<br />
comes from outside of them so snakes need the sun to keep warm.<br />
Snakes have scales which feel smooth and dry. <strong>The</strong>ir special belly<br />
scales help them to grip bumps on surfaces. <strong>The</strong>n they use their muscles<br />
to push off and move.<br />
Snakes live in most areas of the world<br />
except the Arctic and Antarctica.<br />
Most snakes live on land—on the<br />
ground or up in trees—but some<br />
snakes live in the sea.<br />
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Some snakes give birth to live babies. Other snakes<br />
lay eggs. Baby snakes hatch out of the eggs.<br />
Some snakes have poisonous venom to capture or kill their prey. Others<br />
swallow their prey whole and alive. Snakes such as the python squeeze<br />
their prey to death. A few snakes have venom which is harmful or<br />
deadly to humans. Snakes cannot bite or tear their food so they must<br />
swallow it whole. After eating, snakes rest while they digest their food.<br />
Snakes shed their outer layer of skin at least once or twice a year. This<br />
gets rid of the old, worn skin as well as mites and ticks.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (60)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
What do all snakes have?<br />
(a) arms and legs, scales and cold blood<br />
(b) scales, cold blood and a backbone<br />
(c) a backbone and poisonous venom<br />
All snakes hatch from eggs.<br />
(a) true<br />
(b) false<br />
(c) too hard to tell<br />
What type of animals are snakes?<br />
(a) mammals<br />
(b) dangerous<br />
(c) reptiles<br />
Snakes are beautiful animals.<br />
(a) fact<br />
(b) opinion<br />
(c) too hard to tell<br />
<strong>The</strong> word capture in Paragraph 5, means:<br />
(a) protect.<br />
(b) catch.<br />
(c) kill.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
6.<br />
What is the main idea of Paragraph 4?<br />
(a) All snakes are poisonous.<br />
(b) All snakes are dangerous.<br />
(c) how snakes give birth<br />
H Write five words which<br />
rhyme with ‘snake’.<br />
H Write five words to<br />
describe a snake.<br />
H List as many other<br />
reptiles as you can<br />
think of.
Brown 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> wolf in sheep’s clothing<br />
Once upon a time, there was a very<br />
annoyed wolf. No matter how hard<br />
he tried, he could not catch a young,<br />
tender lamb for a delicious meal.<br />
It was all the fault of the shepherd<br />
and his sheepdogs. <strong>The</strong>y were too<br />
good at their job! Every time the wolf<br />
crept up closer to the flock of sheep,<br />
the shepherd would spy him or the<br />
dogs would sniff his scent.<br />
He’d tried sneaking slowly through the bushes so they would hide him,<br />
but somehow he was always seen. He’d tried creeping slowly towards<br />
the flock against the breeze, so his scent would be carried away from the<br />
dogs. But somehow they still sniffed him out and chased him away.<br />
One day, as the wolf was watching the flock from the top of a hill, he<br />
noticed the skin of a sheep on the ground. <strong>The</strong> sheep must have been<br />
killed by the shepherd for meat and the woolly fleece left behind. This<br />
gave the wolf a terrific idea.<br />
‘If I put the fleece over me, I will look like a sheep’, he thought. ‘<strong>The</strong>n I<br />
can get close enough to catch a lamb for supper.’<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6<br />
His idea worked! Disguised as a sheep, the<br />
wolf managed to catch a lamb without<br />
being noticed by the shepherd or his dogs.<br />
7<br />
He tried this several times and each time it<br />
worked. But one day, just as he was about<br />
to pounce on a lamb, he felt something<br />
grab him. It was the shepherd! He was after<br />
a sheep to kill for more meat. <strong>The</strong> shepherd<br />
thought the wolf was a sheep and quickly<br />
caught and killed the sneaky wolf. And that,<br />
of course, was the end of the sneaky wolf.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (61)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> wolf was annoyed because:<br />
(a) he was hungry.<br />
(b) he couldn’t catch a lamb.<br />
(c) the lambs ran away.<br />
<strong>The</strong> wolf tried creeping up with the<br />
wind against him so the:<br />
(a) shepherd couldn’t see him.<br />
(b) dogs wouldn’t know he was<br />
coming.<br />
(c) sheep could chase him.<br />
Which paragraph explains the wolf’s<br />
good idea?<br />
(a) Paragraph 4<br />
(b) Paragraph 5<br />
(c) Paragraph 6<br />
Which word in Paragraph 7 means to<br />
leap at?<br />
(a) pounce<br />
(b) grab<br />
(c) kill<br />
What happened before the wolf disguised<br />
himself as a sheep?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> shepherd caught him.<br />
(b) He caught a lamb.<br />
(c) He found a fleece on the ground.<br />
In Paragraph 2, they means the:<br />
(a) flock of sheep.<br />
(b) wolf.<br />
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(c) shepherd and sheepdogs.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Draw yourself in a<br />
disguise.<br />
H Make a list of<br />
animals that eat<br />
other animals.
Brown 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Marvellous mucus<br />
Some people pick it, some little kids even<br />
eat it … of course I’m talking about the<br />
sticky stuff in your nose. It may seem<br />
yucky to us, but this stuff, called mucus or<br />
sometimes ‘snot’, is really good for you!<br />
Your body makes it for lots of parts of<br />
your body, like the mouth, stomach and<br />
lungs. And, of course, the nose! Your body<br />
makes about one cup of mucus, just for<br />
your nose, each day.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are little germs, bits of dust, smoke and other things in the air.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are often too small for us to see. When you breathe in, these little<br />
bits come into your nose. <strong>The</strong> mucus in your nose traps these little bits.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n they don’t go down into your lungs and make you sick. Most of<br />
the mucus is moved to the back of the throat by little hairs called cilia.<br />
It goes into the stomach. Your stomach can kill some of the germs in<br />
the mucus and help your body get rid of the other little bits.<br />
Some of the mucus dries up in your nose. This<br />
mucus, with the bits from the air in it, makes<br />
little clumps. <strong>The</strong>se can be small or big, slimy<br />
or dry, brown or green! People sometimes<br />
call them ‘boogers’ or ‘bogeys’. <strong>The</strong> best<br />
way to get rid of these is to blow your<br />
nose. Putting a finger into your nose to pick<br />
it out just puts more germs into your nose. It<br />
is also not very healthy to put your finger in<br />
your mouth or on food if it has been in your<br />
nose.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Mucus might be yucky, but it helps to keep us<br />
healthy. Next time you see some mucus,<br />
be happy: it means your nose is<br />
working properly!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (62)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Nose mucus is sometimes called:<br />
(a) germs.<br />
(b) snot.<br />
(c) cilia.<br />
How much mucus does your body make<br />
for your nose in one week?<br />
(a) one cup<br />
(b) seven cups<br />
(c) five cups<br />
Nose mucus helps:<br />
(a) your nose to move.<br />
(b) to keep bits that are in the air from your lungs.<br />
(c) to keep your throat wet.<br />
What causes the mucus to move to the back of your throat?<br />
(a) cilia<br />
(b) sneezing<br />
(c) dust<br />
<strong>The</strong> healthiest way to get rid of mucus from your nose is to:<br />
(a) pick it out.<br />
(b) blow your nose.<br />
(c) swallow often.<br />
In Paragraph 2, it is used instead of:<br />
(a) mucus.<br />
(b) body.<br />
(c) mouth.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something<br />
extra<br />
H Write five words to<br />
describe nose mucus.<br />
H Write an acrostic poem<br />
using the word ‘mucus’<br />
(use each letter of the<br />
word to start a line of<br />
the poem).
Brown 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> oxygen cycle<br />
Most people know about the<br />
water cycle. <strong>The</strong> sun heats up<br />
the water in rivers and oceans.<br />
<strong>The</strong> water changes to water<br />
vapour. When the water vapour<br />
gets cold it changes back to<br />
water. This water stays in the<br />
sky as clouds. When the clouds<br />
become heavy, the water falls<br />
as rain, hail, sleet or snow.<br />
rain<br />
photosynthesis<br />
carbon<br />
dioxide<br />
oxygen<br />
respiration<br />
water<br />
vapour<br />
Fewer people know about the oxygen cycle. This cycle is about<br />
oxygen and carbon dioxide. <strong>The</strong>se are two of the gases in the air. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are breathed in and out by animals and plants.<br />
Animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants<br />
do the opposite. <strong>The</strong>y breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out<br />
oxygen. What great partners animals and plants make!<br />
Plants don’t have brains but they are very clever! <strong>The</strong>y don’t need any<br />
other living thing for food because they can make their own.<br />
Plants make their food using water, carbon dioxide and energy from<br />
the sun. This is called photosynthesis. Without these things, plants<br />
cannot grow. During<br />
photosynthesis, plants<br />
breathe out oxygen.<br />
Animals breathe in<br />
oxygen from the air.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y need it to change<br />
food into energy. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
breathe out carbon<br />
dioxide. This is called<br />
respiration.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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BUS<br />
STOP<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (63)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In this text, a cycle is something that:<br />
(a) you can ride on.<br />
(b) happens over and over again.<br />
(c) is stronger than a storm.<br />
To change food into energy,<br />
animals need:<br />
(a) oxygen.<br />
(b) carbon dioxide.<br />
(c) oxygen and carbon dioxide.<br />
Plants make their food by:<br />
(a) the oxygen cycle.<br />
(b) photosynthesis.<br />
(c) respiration.<br />
It is an opinion, not a fact, that plants:<br />
(a) are clever.<br />
(b) make their own food.<br />
(c) breathe in carbon dioxide.<br />
When water is a gas, it is called:<br />
(a) water.<br />
(b) ice.<br />
(c) water vapour.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word they is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) the plants.<br />
(b) the animals.<br />
(c) carbon dioxide and oxygen.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture of a plant.<br />
Label the leaves, stem, roots<br />
and flowers.<br />
H Find out which part of the<br />
plant makes the food.
Brown 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Blobfish<br />
Have you heard of a blobfish? It is very rare and must be one of the most<br />
unusual creatures ever found in the sea.<br />
This fish is so unusual that there are very few people who have ever seen<br />
one. This is because it lives in the deepest parts of the ocean. Its home<br />
is so deep down below the surface that it’s always dark there. Light just<br />
can’t get through all the water above it to reach the sea floor.<br />
This strange creature looks a bit like a giant tadpole. It has a large head<br />
which thins out to a point at the tail. <strong>The</strong>re are small fins on both sides.<br />
A blobfish is made of a kind of jelly. It grows to about 30 centimetres in<br />
length.<br />
Because a blobfish doesn’t need to go and get food, it doesn’t have to<br />
move about much. Its jelly-like flesh weighs less than water which means<br />
it is lighter and it can float very easily without a lot of effort. It likes to<br />
float very deep, just above the bottom of the ocean. It has a very big<br />
mouth which it opens wide to collect any food which just happens to be<br />
floating by.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> first person to discover one of these amazing sea creatures, nearly<br />
one hundred years ago, was a famous Australian zoologist called Alan<br />
McCulloch. He gave it its name.<br />
6<br />
Blobfish may look very ugly and some people might think they are<br />
scary, but they are really just harmless, but very interesting, blobs of jelly.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (64)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
A blobfish can float because:<br />
(a) its flesh is like jelly.<br />
(b) its flesh is lighter than water.<br />
(c) it doesn’t need to move much.<br />
It is a fact that:<br />
(a) Blobfish are very strange.<br />
(b) Blobfish are very ugly.<br />
(c) Blobfish live in deep water.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 4 is:<br />
(a) how blobfish get their food.<br />
(b) blobfish can float.<br />
(c) a blobfish has a big mouth.<br />
Not many blobfish have been seen because:<br />
(a) people don’t like them.<br />
(b) they are shy.<br />
(c) they live in such deep water.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word rare in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) roaring<br />
(b) not often seen.<br />
(c) common.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 5 is used instead of:<br />
(a) sea creatures.<br />
(b) the name.<br />
(c) the blobfish.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H<br />
H<br />
Draw a blobfish.<br />
Why do you think Alan<br />
McCulloch called it a blobfish?
Brown 5<br />
Banana recipes<br />
1 Banana fluff<br />
2<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 4 large bananas<br />
• 1 tablespoon honey<br />
• 1<br />
/ 4 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
• ice-cream cones to serve<br />
Method:<br />
1. Peel bananas, place on<br />
a tray and freeze for 2 to<br />
3 hours (bananas will be<br />
frozen but not completely<br />
hard).<br />
2. Cut frozen bananas into<br />
chunks and place in<br />
food processor. Beat until<br />
bananas are thick and<br />
creamy. (This takes about<br />
5 to 8 minutes.)<br />
3. Add honey and<br />
cinnamon.<br />
4. Serve in an ice-cream<br />
cone or as a dessert.<br />
3<br />
Banana chips<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 4 bananas<br />
Method:<br />
1. Peel bananas and cut into thin,<br />
even slices.<br />
2. Place slices on greased oven tray.<br />
3. Bake in hot oven (250 °C) for 15 to<br />
20 minutes or until crisp.<br />
4. Allow to cool on tray.<br />
Banana pops<br />
Ingredients:<br />
• 1 / 4 cup orange juice<br />
• 10 ripe bananas<br />
• 1 / 2 cup Rice Bubbles <br />
• 10 craft sticks<br />
Method:<br />
1. Pour orange juice into dish.<br />
2. Spread Rice Bubbles on board<br />
or clean bench and crush with<br />
rolling pin.<br />
3. Peel bananas and dip in juice.<br />
4. Roll bananas in crushed Rice<br />
Bubbles .<br />
5. Insert a craft stick into base of each<br />
banana. Place on tray lined with<br />
non-stick baking paper and freeze<br />
for about 20 minutes.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (65)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Which banana recipe uses a food processor?<br />
(a) Banana fluff<br />
(b) Banana chips<br />
(c) Banana pops<br />
If you were to make all of the recipes, how<br />
many bananas would you need altogether?<br />
(a) 10 bananas<br />
(b) 14 bananas<br />
(c) 18 bananas<br />
In the recipe ‘Banana pops’, why do you think we need to dip the<br />
banana in orange juice?<br />
(a) to make the recipe taste nice<br />
(b) to help the Rice Bubbles stick to the banana<br />
(c) to use up leftover orange juice<br />
It is a fact, not an opinion, that the ‘Banana pops’ recipe:<br />
(a) uses orange juice.<br />
(b) is the tastiest of the three recipes.<br />
(c) is the easiest to make.<br />
Which banana recipe uses heat?<br />
(a) Banana fluff<br />
(b) Banana chips<br />
(c) Banana pops<br />
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It is important to slice the bananas thinly<br />
and evenly for the banana chips so they:<br />
(a) are crisp.<br />
(b) look good.<br />
(c) cook evenly.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Design and make<br />
a poster which<br />
encourages people to<br />
eat more bananas.<br />
H <strong>The</strong> word ‘banana’ has<br />
three syllables. Make<br />
a list of ten fruits and<br />
show their syllables.
Brown 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
I am a bully.<br />
I like to be mean.<br />
It gives me power and it helps to<br />
make me seen!<br />
I am a victim.<br />
I feel so sad.<br />
For their nasty words and<br />
actions make me mad!<br />
I am a bully.<br />
I feel so strong.<br />
When I make a victim cry I<br />
laugh along!<br />
Now I am strong.<br />
I stand my ground.<br />
<strong>The</strong> strength deep inside of me<br />
is finally found!<br />
I was a bully.<br />
I’ve lost my clout.<br />
For you can take my words and<br />
shut them out!<br />
We now are friends.<br />
We laugh and play.<br />
We respect each other—<br />
that’s how it will stay!<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (66)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
Why do people bully?<br />
(a) to make them feel noticed and powerful<br />
(b) so they can make friends<br />
(c) because they care about other people’s feelings<br />
How can a victim stop being a victim?<br />
(a) by running away<br />
(b) by standing strong and ignoring the bully<br />
(c) by shutting doors to keep the bully away<br />
What is the main idea of Verse 3?<br />
(a) how the victim feels after being bullied<br />
(b) why a bully is a bully<br />
(c) how the bully feels when the victim becomes upset<br />
When the victim stands up to the bully, what might happen?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> victim becomes the bully.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> bully may begin to respect the victim.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> bully becomes the victim.<br />
‘For you can take my words and shut them out!’—What does this mean?<br />
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(a) <strong>The</strong> victim doesn’t take the hurtful words to heart.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> victim blocks his or her ears and sings loudly so as not to hear.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> victim runs away so he or she can’t hear the bully.<br />
6.<br />
Choose the best meaning for the<br />
word clout as used in Verse 5.<br />
(a) a hard punch or smack<br />
(b) a patch made of cloth<br />
(c) power or influence<br />
Something extra<br />
H Practise saying ‘no’ or ‘leave<br />
me alone’ in a firm voice.<br />
H Design and make a poster<br />
encouraging people to<br />
stand up to bullying.
Red Brown 7 7<br />
A very different place<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
My nanna, Maria, comes from Peru. If you don’t know where that is,<br />
it’s in South America, near Chile and Brazil.<br />
Nanna left Peru when she was little. But she has always wanted to go<br />
back. So last holidays, Mum, Dad and I took her back for a visit.<br />
NICARAGUA<br />
I had never been to Peru<br />
before. But I knew a little bit COSTA<br />
<strong>RIC</strong>A<br />
about it from Nanna. It has<br />
jungles, lots of interesting<br />
ECUADOR<br />
plants and animals, deserts<br />
and mountains. Big mountains!<br />
And in these mountains is a really<br />
old city called Machu Picchu. It<br />
was built by the Incas, a group of<br />
people living there long ago. Machu<br />
Picchu is sometimes called ‘the lost city<br />
of the Incas’ because for a long time it<br />
was forgotten. I really wanted to see it.<br />
PANAMA<br />
First we visited some of Nanna’s family in<br />
Lima, the capital city. <strong>The</strong>y were nice, but<br />
they mostly spoke Spanish. So I couldn’t<br />
understand what they were saying. <strong>The</strong>ir<br />
food, clothing and music were so different<br />
from what I’m used to.<br />
COLOMBIA<br />
PERU<br />
VENEZUELA<br />
CHILE<br />
BOLIVIA<br />
ARGENTINA<br />
PARAGUAY<br />
GUYANA<br />
FRENCH<br />
GUIANA<br />
SURINAME<br />
URUGUAY<br />
BRAZIL<br />
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5<br />
6<br />
After a couple of days in Lima we went<br />
to Cusco. That’s where Machu Picchu is. We had to walk up very<br />
steep paths. I don’t know how the Incas built this city so high! It was<br />
amazing. We saw a stone table the Incas used for sacrifices. This<br />
means killing animals and sometimes children to make their gods<br />
happy. I was glad there were no Incas there now!<br />
Peru is a really interesting and beautiful place. You should go there if<br />
you get the chance!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (67)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
An animal or person killed to<br />
please a god is called:<br />
(a) an Inca.<br />
(b) a child.<br />
(c) a sacrifice.<br />
Which of these countries are<br />
next to Peru?<br />
(a) Columbia, Uruguay and<br />
Ecuador<br />
(b) Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia<br />
(c) Chile, Bolivia and Brazil<br />
Machu Picchu<br />
Why did the writer go to Peru?<br />
(a) to visit Machu Picchu<br />
(b) to take his or her grandmother back for a visit<br />
(c) to learn Spanish<br />
How long did the writer stay in Lima?<br />
(a) almost a week<br />
(b) about eight days<br />
(c) less than three days<br />
Before the writer went to Cusco, he or she:<br />
(a) climbed Machu Picchu.<br />
(b) visited Lima.<br />
(c) saw the Inca’s sacrifice table.<br />
In the second sentence in<br />
Paragraph 3, it means:<br />
(a) the writer.<br />
(b) Nanna.<br />
(c) Peru.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Make a small travel<br />
brochure about Peru.<br />
H Write why you would or<br />
would not like to visit Peru.
Brown 8<br />
Bad boy, Butch<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
‘Butch! Stop digging!’ I yelled from<br />
inside. It was no use. Butch, my<br />
dog, was born to dig. He loved it.<br />
He dug up plants. He dug huge<br />
holes in the ground. He dug in<br />
grass, sand and mud. If there<br />
were a world championship for<br />
digging, Butch would win!<br />
I went outside and called Butch. ‘You’ll get me into trouble!’ I told him.<br />
‘I might even have to find you a new home!’ Butch looked at me with<br />
his happy eyes. His tongue flopped out of his mouth and he licked my<br />
face. Yuck!<br />
I turned around to go back inside. Butch turned around to go back to<br />
his hole. Naughty dog! I would have to chain him up. I went over to get<br />
him—and then I saw his latest hole.<br />
It was HUGE! His deepest ever. I looked down and could just see the<br />
bottom. Butch was down there … digging and scratching fast.<br />
‘Butch! Get out of there!’ I called. Butch kept going. He was trying to get<br />
something. <strong>The</strong>n he grabbed something with his jaws. He scrambled to<br />
the top of the hole looking very pleased with himself. And he dropped<br />
that something at my feet.<br />
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It was a dirty white bone. A very big, dirty white bone. I had no idea<br />
what it was. So I took it inside to show Mum. Mum had no idea what it<br />
was. She showed it to Dad. He had no idea, either. So we took it to the<br />
museum. And guess what it turned out to be? A dinosaur bone! Butch<br />
had found a dinosaur in our backyard!<br />
<strong>The</strong> museum people dug up our backyard to find a whole dinosaur<br />
skeleton. It was a new kind of dinosaur. <strong>The</strong>y named it ‘Butchosaurus’,<br />
after Butch. Our garden is a big mess now, so we just let Butch dig. Who<br />
knows what he might find next!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (68)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
What did the bone Butch found look like?<br />
(a) long, grey, with bits of brown<br />
(b) big, white and dirty<br />
(c) quite old, with a sharp end<br />
Which is the best answer? Butch:<br />
(a) was an evil dog.<br />
(b) loved to dig and dug very well.<br />
(c) was good at finding lots of dinosaur bones.<br />
How did the writer find out what kind of bone Butch had found?<br />
(a) by asking his or her parents<br />
(b) by reading books about ‘Butchosauruses’<br />
(c) People at the museum told him/her.<br />
How does the writer feel about Butch at the end of the story?<br />
He/She:<br />
(a) doesn’t mind Butch digging.<br />
(b) wants Butch to stop digging.<br />
(c) is angry that Butch keeps digging.<br />
Paragraph 4 gives information about:<br />
(a) Butch.<br />
(b) Butch’s hole.<br />
(c) Butch’s bone.<br />
In Paragraph 7, it means:<br />
(a) the bone Butch found.<br />
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(b) the garden where the bone was found.<br />
(c) the kind of dinosaur Butch found.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw what you think<br />
a Butchosaurus<br />
looked like.<br />
H Write about what<br />
Butch finds next.
Brown 9<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Bees are flying insects that<br />
are related to ants and<br />
wasps. <strong>The</strong>re are thousands<br />
of different bees in the<br />
world. <strong>The</strong> smallest bee is<br />
as tiny as a speck of dust,<br />
but the biggest could be<br />
as large as your little finger!<br />
<strong>The</strong> most well-known bee is<br />
the honey bee.<br />
A colony of bees usually has one large queen. Her job is to lay eggs.<br />
Other female bees are called workers. <strong>The</strong>y collect pollen and look<br />
after the queen. <strong>The</strong> pollen is used to feed the bees. <strong>The</strong> male bees are<br />
called drones. <strong>The</strong>ir job is to breed with the queen bee.<br />
<strong>The</strong> body of a bee has three main parts. <strong>The</strong> mouth, eyes and<br />
antennae are on the head. <strong>The</strong> wings and three pairs of legs are<br />
attached to the thorax. <strong>The</strong> sting is at the tip of the abdomen.<br />
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One very important job of a bee is to pollinate flowers. This means<br />
to take pollen from one flower and put it on to another flower so that<br />
seeds can be made. Bees and other flying insects do this job very well.<br />
When a bee visits flowers to drink the rich, sweet nectar, pollen sticks to<br />
its fuzzy coat. It is also collected in special sacs on the bee’s legs. <strong>The</strong><br />
bee drinks nectar through its long tongue, which is called a proboscis.<br />
A honey bee has two stomachs. <strong>The</strong> second one is called the honey<br />
stomach. This holds the nectar collected by the bees. In the hive, the<br />
bee empties its honey stomach and the nectar is changed to honey.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (69)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. In Paragraph 5, the word rich means:<br />
(a) expensive.<br />
(b) full of goodness.<br />
(c) hard to believe.<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 2 is to:<br />
(a) show that female bees are more<br />
important than male bees.<br />
(b) show that male bees are lazy.<br />
(c) explain how a bee colony works.<br />
3. A bee’s wings and legs are attached to its:<br />
(a) head.<br />
(b) thorax.<br />
(c) abdomen.<br />
4. If bees and other insects didn’t pollinate flowers:<br />
(a) the bees and other insects would starve.<br />
(b) animals that eat plants would eat the bees<br />
and other insects.<br />
(c) plants would not survive.<br />
5. Honey is made from:<br />
(a) nectar.<br />
(b) pollen.<br />
(c) flowers.<br />
6. In Paragraph 5, the word it is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) pollen.<br />
(b) nectar.<br />
(c) the bee’s fuzzy coat.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw and label a picture<br />
of clothing worn by<br />
beekeepers. Explain why it<br />
is important.<br />
H Draw and label a diagram<br />
to show honey bee workers<br />
leaving the hive, collecting<br />
nectar and pollen from<br />
different flowers and<br />
returning to the hive to<br />
make honey.
Brown 10<br />
What is an island?<br />
Bishop Rock<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
An island is a piece of land which is surrounded<br />
by water. Islands can be found in oceans, rivers<br />
and lakes around the world. <strong>The</strong>y can be many<br />
different sizes. Some are as small as a few houses<br />
put together. Others are hundreds of thousands<br />
of kilometres in area.<br />
<strong>The</strong> smallest island in the world with a building<br />
on it is Bishop Rock off the south-west coast of<br />
England. It is famous for its lighthouse. It shines its<br />
light to warn sailors of jagged rocks and reefs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> largest island in the world is the country of Greenland.<br />
It is near the North Pole. It is so cold on this island that<br />
most of it is covered by ice.<br />
Sometimes, many islands make up one country.<br />
<strong>The</strong> country of Japan is made up of four main<br />
islands and thousands of smaller ones. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
extend in a long line.<br />
Some islands are called continental islands<br />
because they lie in the ocean near a<br />
continent. Greenland is a continental island<br />
as it is found near the continent of North<br />
America.<br />
Other islands are called oceanic<br />
islands as they are usually far out in<br />
the ocean, away from continents.<br />
Some were formed when volcanoes<br />
erupted in deep water. <strong>The</strong> volcano<br />
spat out lava which built up under<br />
the water. Eventually, the lava rose up<br />
and up and formed an island. Japan<br />
is made up of volcanic islands.<br />
Japan<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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volcanic<br />
island<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (70)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> world’s largest island is:<br />
(a) Japan.<br />
(b) England.<br />
(c) Greenland.<br />
How many main islands make<br />
up the country of Japan?<br />
(a) thousands<br />
(b) four<br />
(c) one<br />
Paragraph 6 explains:<br />
(a) what Japan is made up of.<br />
(b) where continental islands are.<br />
(c) how volcanoes can form islands.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word extend in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) are extra.<br />
(b) stretch out.<br />
(c) reach.<br />
Which statement is true?<br />
(a) Bishop Rock is too small<br />
to be an island.<br />
(b) Greenland is an oceanic island.<br />
(c) Islands can be found in rivers.<br />
In Paragraph 1, they means:<br />
(a) islands.<br />
(b) oceans.<br />
(c) lakes.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw and label ten things<br />
you would take on a tropical<br />
island holiday.<br />
H <strong>The</strong> word ‘island’ has a silent<br />
‘s’. List four other words that<br />
have a silent letter.
Black 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Fire! Fire!<br />
Fire! Fire!<br />
Many years ago in London, a massive fire swept through the city.<br />
It began in a baker’s shop in Pudding Lane. <strong>The</strong> fire started in the early<br />
hours of the morning when most people were still in bed. No-one<br />
realised just how big this fire would get!<br />
In those days, many of the houses and shops were close together and<br />
all of them were made of wood. <strong>The</strong> fire burned easily as it jumped<br />
from house to house.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> people tried hard to put out the fire. <strong>The</strong>y threw buckets of water<br />
onto the flames but it was no use, the fire was too powerful and very<br />
fierce.<br />
5<br />
6<br />
A strong wind helped the fire to spread quickly. It burned for four whole<br />
days. Hundreds of homes and shops were destroyed. Where would the<br />
people live? What would they do?<br />
<strong>The</strong> people of London worked hard to build the city again. <strong>The</strong>y had<br />
learned a very important lesson. This time, they would use stone instead<br />
of wood and they would leave wider spaces between the buildings.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (71)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word massive means:<br />
(a) marvellous.<br />
(b) enormous.<br />
(c) horrible.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fire broke out in a<br />
(a) butcher’s<br />
(b) grocer’s<br />
(c) baker’s<br />
<strong>The</strong> fire burned so well because the<br />
buildings were:<br />
(a) old.<br />
(b) wooden.<br />
(c) wet.<br />
shop.<br />
If there had been no wind, the fire could<br />
have been put out:<br />
(a) sooner.<br />
(b) in four days.<br />
(c) later.<br />
Stone was used to rebuild the city because it:<br />
(a) doesn’t burn.<br />
(b) is cheaper.<br />
(c) is easier to find.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word it means the:<br />
(a) homes.<br />
(b) wind.<br />
(c) fire.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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H Unjumble the words<br />
to find the names<br />
of some building<br />
materials.<br />
ntoes<br />
krbic<br />
tamel<br />
troecnec<br />
H Write the list in<br />
alphabetical order.
Black 2<br />
Streets of water<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Can you imagine living in a city without any cars? How would you<br />
travel to school and to the shops? It’s hard to imagine, but there really<br />
is a famous city that has no cars!<br />
Venice is a beautiful, very old city in Italy. It is made up of over one<br />
hundred islands that are separated by waterways called canals.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are no roads on the islands. People walk everywhere or travel<br />
between the islands on boats or in water taxis.<br />
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<strong>The</strong>re are hundreds of bridges crossing the canals. It is possible to<br />
spend all day walking around the city without worrying about traffic.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most famous bridge in Venice is the Rialto. It is over four hundred<br />
years old.<br />
4<br />
5<br />
If you are ever lucky enough to be a visitor to Venice, you must take<br />
a ride along the canals on a long, thin boat called a gondola. A<br />
gondolier uses a long pole to steer it through the water.<br />
Everyone uses the canals in Venice. Even the police, fire service and<br />
ambulances have special boats instead of cars.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (72)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word gondolier means:<br />
(a) a family member.<br />
(b) the person who moves a boat.<br />
(c) a police officer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Rialto Bridge was built<br />
(a) hundreds of<br />
(b) a few<br />
(c) four<br />
It is a fact that Venice:<br />
(a) is interesting.<br />
(b) has great beauty.<br />
(c) has canals instead of roads.<br />
People travel around Venice on foot or by:<br />
(a) train.<br />
(b) boat.<br />
(c) car.<br />
years ago.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are hundreds of bridges in Venice because:<br />
(a) people like them.<br />
(b) they are needed.<br />
(c) they are famous.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
6. In Paragraph 2, the word it is used<br />
instead of:<br />
(a) Italy.<br />
H Draw a picture of a<br />
gondola.<br />
H Write two good<br />
things and two bad<br />
(b) Venice.<br />
things about living in<br />
(c) canals.<br />
a place with canals<br />
instead of roads.
Black 3<br />
Sun bears<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> sun bear is sometimes called the honey bear because it loves<br />
honey—just like a famous bear you may know! Its coat is mostly black<br />
but it gets its name from the large golden mark on its chest.<br />
<strong>The</strong> exact number of sun bears in the wild is not known. Loss of habitat<br />
and hunting by poachers are the main reasons why the number of sun<br />
bears is falling.<br />
Just like children, sun bears love to climb trees and they are very good<br />
at it! <strong>The</strong>y have long claws for gripping and soft pads for walking along<br />
the branches.<br />
Sun bears are nocturnal. During the day they sleep in nests which they<br />
build in the branches of tall trees.<br />
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Honey is not sun bears’ only food. <strong>The</strong>y will eat insects, grasses, fruit and<br />
even small mammals.<br />
6<br />
Sun bears live in the tropics where it is warm all year round so they do<br />
not need to have a winter sleep. Bears that live in cold places need to<br />
hibernate because food is scarce in winter and weather conditions are<br />
very bad.<br />
7<br />
Sun bears may be small and cute to look at but the adults are very<br />
aggressive. <strong>The</strong>y would not make very good pets!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (73)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 7, the word aggressive means:<br />
(a) small.<br />
(b) cute.<br />
(c) wanting to fight.<br />
Sun bears eat:<br />
(a) only meat.<br />
(b) only plants.<br />
(c) meat and plants.<br />
Sun bears do not hibernate<br />
because:<br />
(a) they live in the tropics.<br />
(b) they are nocturnal.<br />
(c) they live in trees.<br />
<strong>The</strong> number of sun bears is falling because:<br />
(a) their habitat is being destroyed.<br />
(b) they are being hunted.<br />
(c) their habitat is being destroyed and they are being hunted.<br />
Sun bears would not make good pets because they:<br />
(a) are too big.<br />
(b) eat too much.<br />
(c) are not gentle.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word they is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) children.<br />
(b) sun bears.<br />
(c) feet.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Copy a picture of a sun bear.<br />
H Find out what is special about<br />
the sun bear’s skin. Tell a friend.
Black Black 4 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Playing games outside when the weather<br />
is fine is great fun. It can help to keep you<br />
fit, strong and healthy. In the old days,<br />
children spent as much time as they<br />
could playing games outdoors.<br />
Hopscotch is a great children’s game.<br />
You can play it on your own or with<br />
friends. All you need to do is draw<br />
the court on the ground and find a<br />
marker to throw.<br />
You can choose how big to make<br />
your court. Twelve is a good number<br />
of squares to have, but you can make<br />
a mini-court with only six squares or a<br />
maxi-court with 18 squares!<br />
At the beach, you can draw the court<br />
in the sand, using a stick. At home, you<br />
can draw it with chalk on a path. A<br />
marker can be anything that is small<br />
and easy to throw but choose something<br />
that does not roll, like a flat stone.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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People have different rules for playing hopscotch, so make sure<br />
everyone agrees with the rules before you begin your game!<br />
Hopscotch has been played for thousands of years. Even Roman<br />
soldiers used to play it! Ask your parents and grandparents. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
probably played it too!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (74)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. 1 In Paragraph 5, the word agrees means:<br />
(a) hurts each other’s feelings.<br />
(b) argues with each other.<br />
(c) thinks the same.<br />
2. 2 For how many years have people<br />
been playing hopscotch?<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
(a) hundreds<br />
(b) thousands<br />
(c) tens<br />
Which paragraph tells about different<br />
sizes of hopscotch courts?<br />
(a) Paragraph 2<br />
(b) Paragraph 3<br />
(c) Paragraph 4<br />
You should use a marker that does not roll so that:<br />
(a) it doesn’t get lost.<br />
(b) it stays where it lands.<br />
(c) you don’t hop on it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks that hopscotch is:<br />
(a) dull.<br />
(b) difficult.<br />
(c) enjoyable.<br />
In Paragraph 6, the word it is used<br />
instead of:<br />
(a) hopscotch.<br />
(b) soldiers.<br />
(c) year.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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H Write these words<br />
in two lists under<br />
the correct header.<br />
-tch ch<br />
match rich<br />
much witch<br />
ditch such<br />
lunch hutch<br />
stitch crunch
Black 5<br />
Down with electronic games!<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
I think electronic games should be banned. <strong>The</strong>y are turning children<br />
into monsters!<br />
All they do is play those annoying machines. Mums and dads<br />
don’t want to interrupt them. <strong>The</strong>ir children get so angry if they are<br />
disturbed and lose a game.<br />
Children used to be active, fit and healthy, having fun in the fresh air.<br />
Now, they just sit with their eyes on a screen. Pressing buttons is their<br />
only exercise.<br />
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<strong>The</strong>y used to help at home, but now they don’t care. No more<br />
helping in the garden or washing the car. No more tidying toys or<br />
putting away clothes.<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Even on car trips, children sit with their eyes glued to a tiny screen<br />
instead of looking at the world around them.<br />
Let’s bring the children back again. We don’t want them to become<br />
monsters. Ban electronic games so they will start playing in parks<br />
and gardens once more!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (75)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word banned in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) monsters.<br />
(b) not allowed.<br />
(c) wrapped up.<br />
Mums and dads don’t interrupt their<br />
children because they:<br />
(a) will make a mistake.<br />
(b) will cry.<br />
(c) will get cross.<br />
Paragraph 5 tells us that children:<br />
(a) are interested only in their electronic games.<br />
(b) are lazy.<br />
(c) are rude.<br />
<strong>The</strong> text tells us that electronic games make children:<br />
(a) unhealthy.<br />
(b) clever.<br />
(c) active.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer wants children to:<br />
(a) read more books.<br />
(b) play computer games.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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(c) give up their electronic games.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word them is<br />
used instead of the:<br />
(a) children.<br />
(b) mums and dads.<br />
(c) electronic games.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write a letter telling the<br />
writer what you think about<br />
electronic games.<br />
H List as many words ending in<br />
‘-onic’ as you can you find.
Black 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Wonderful mermaids<br />
Can you imagine living in an underwater world? Wouldn’t it be<br />
fantastic to breathe and see clearly as you swim beneath the waves!<br />
Think of all the fun you could have, diving among the ocean creatures<br />
and in and out of caves. How wonderful to be a mermaid!<br />
Mermaids have a human head and body and a fishtail instead of<br />
legs. <strong>The</strong>y are mythical creatures that live only in our imagination. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
are the stars of many stories.<br />
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Some legends say mermaids with long, flowing hair would lie on rocks<br />
close to the shore and sing in their eerie voices. <strong>The</strong>y wanted to warn<br />
sailors about the dangerous rocks that might wreck their ships.<br />
But other legends say mermaids attracted ships onto the rocks on<br />
purpose. <strong>The</strong>y would take drowning sailors down to the world of the<br />
mer-people where they would live forever.<br />
<strong>The</strong> little mermaid is a fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. In this story,<br />
the mermaid changes her tail into legs so she can marry her prince.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a statue of the little mermaid in Denmark. It was built there to<br />
honour Andersen’s famous story.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (76)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word mythical means:<br />
(a) amazing.<br />
(b) different.<br />
(c) imaginary.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 3 means spooky?<br />
(a) eerie<br />
(b) dangerous<br />
(c) flowing<br />
Paragraph 4 explains that mermaids:<br />
(a) helped sailors.<br />
(b) warned sailors of the rocks.<br />
(c) caught sailors.<br />
In Andersen’s story, the little mermaid wanted to:<br />
(a) marry her prince.<br />
(b) walk.<br />
(c) be a princess.<br />
In the writer’s opinion, being a mermaid would be:<br />
(a) boring.<br />
(b) scary.<br />
(c) fun.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word they means the:<br />
(a) stories.<br />
(b) mermaids.<br />
(c) stars.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write a list of words<br />
to describe the life of<br />
a mermaid.<br />
H Draw a picture of the<br />
undersea world of<br />
mermaids.
Black 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Merry-go-rounds have been popular for many years. <strong>The</strong>y are often<br />
called carousels and you can usually find one at any fairground<br />
you visit. <strong>The</strong>y are easy to see and to hear because they are big and<br />
colourful and special music is played while they revolve.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are beautifully painted ponies with long, flowing manes and tails<br />
on a merry-go-round. If you look carefully, you may notice that the<br />
ponies on the outside are usually brighter than those on the inside. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
do this because they want carousels to look really pretty and inviting.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> carousel ponies are held in place by poles. Riders hold the poles,<br />
which stretch all the way to the top of the canopy. As the merry-goround<br />
spins, the ponies are moved up and down by the poles. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are often brightly coloured stripes painted on the top of the canopy.<br />
Although the ponies move slowly and are very safe, many carousels<br />
have seats that don’t go up and down. Younger children or anyone<br />
who feels a bit scared can sit on them and enjoy the ride too.<br />
When you get off a carousel it sometimes feels as if you are still<br />
moving. This is all part of the fun.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (77)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word revolve in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) remove.<br />
(b) spin around.<br />
(c) move.<br />
While the carousel spins, the ponies:<br />
(a) move up and down.<br />
(b) stay still.<br />
(c) fly out to the side.<br />
Paragraph 2 tells us how:<br />
(a) to paint a carousel.<br />
(b) to make a carousel.<br />
(c) carousels look.<br />
<strong>The</strong> seats on the carousel are different<br />
from the ponies because they:<br />
(a) are soft.<br />
(b) are scary.<br />
(c) don’t move up and down.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer is telling you:<br />
(a) about merry-go-rounds.<br />
(b) to have a ride on a<br />
merry-go-round.<br />
(c) to visit a fairground.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word them<br />
means the:<br />
(a) seats.<br />
(b) ponies.<br />
(c) children.<br />
H Make a list of words that<br />
change from ‘-y’ to ‘-ies’<br />
like pony—ponies.<br />
H Draw a picture of<br />
yourself on a carousel<br />
pony.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Black 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Skipping is a great way to have fun on your own or with friends.<br />
It is also a very good way to keep fit and build strong muscles<br />
in your legs.<br />
Many children skip to music and rhymes, but skipping is<br />
not just a game for children. People all over the world<br />
participate in rope skipping competitions. It could soon<br />
be an Olympic sport!<br />
Skipping is not just for girls. <strong>Box</strong>ers, football players and<br />
other athletes also skip. It helps to keep them nimble and<br />
agile so that they can move and change direction<br />
quickly.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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To get started, you will need a rope of the right length. Stand<br />
on the middle of your rope. Hold an end in each of your<br />
hands. If it reaches your armpits, it’s the right length for you.<br />
All you need to do now is start skipping! Don’t be<br />
disappointed if you keep stopping. Just relax, take a deep<br />
breath and try again. Soon you will be able to do skipping<br />
tricks with your rope. One day, you could even be skipping at<br />
the Olympics!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (78)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word participate<br />
means to take:<br />
(a) a part away.<br />
(b) part in.<br />
(c) over.<br />
A skipping rope of the right length measures:<br />
(a) any length you like.<br />
(b) from one armpit to the ground.<br />
(c) from one armpit to the ground and up<br />
to the other armpit.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraphs 3 is that:<br />
(a) only girls skip.<br />
(b) only children skip.<br />
(c) anyone can skip.<br />
If your skipping rope is not the right<br />
length, you might:<br />
(a) make a mistake.<br />
(b) trip over.<br />
(c) skip better.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> writer thinks that skipping is:<br />
(a) boring.<br />
(b) hard work.<br />
(c) good exercise.<br />
6. In Paragraph 4, the word it is<br />
H Write a list of action<br />
used instead of:<br />
words ending with ‘-ing’.<br />
(a) your armpits.<br />
H Put your list in<br />
(b) the rope.<br />
alphabetical order.<br />
(c) your hands.
Black 9<br />
Enchanting<br />
unicorns<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Close your eyes and imagine a picture of a unicorn, one of the most<br />
beautiful creatures of myths and legends. Standing tall, strong and<br />
proud, it is a symbol of good over evil.<br />
A unicorn looks like a majestic horse but with a single horn pointing<br />
out from its forehead. Some are also pictured with wings on their<br />
backs. In days gone by, unicorns were also imagined with the beard<br />
of a billy-goat, a lion’s tail and hooves like a cow or a pig.<br />
Unicorns have magical powers which they always use wisely. Unicorn<br />
horns have the power to cure illness and take away poison. Hunters<br />
want this power so they try to catch a unicorn. But do you know that a<br />
unicorn can never be captured?<br />
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From their homes in the sky, unicorns can see the whole of the<br />
enchanted world. If someone is hurt or in danger, a unicorn can fly<br />
swiftly to the rescue.<br />
5<br />
6<br />
It takes many years for a young unicorn to learn all the skills of magic<br />
and enchantment and many of them make mistakes. But when they<br />
are ready, unicorns find their own parts of the enchanted world to<br />
watch over and protect.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re may be one close to you!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (79)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 2, majestic means:<br />
(a) like a king.<br />
(b) noticeable.<br />
(c) boastful.<br />
Unicorns are symbols of all things:<br />
(a) magical.<br />
(b) bad.<br />
(c) good.<br />
Hunters want unicorns’ horns because they:<br />
(a) are beautiful.<br />
(b) cost a lot of money.<br />
(c) have great power.<br />
How do unicorns get their magical powers?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y are born with great powers.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y have to learn them.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> powers are given to them.<br />
Unicorns move by:<br />
(a) flying.<br />
(b) trotting.<br />
(c) galloping.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word they means the:<br />
(a) skills.<br />
(b) mistakes.<br />
(c) unicorns.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Make a list of words to describe a unicorn.<br />
H Write a story of how a unicorn came to<br />
your rescue.
Black 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
nostrils<br />
mouth<br />
eyes<br />
lateral line<br />
Fish have many of the same senses people have, but fishy senses are<br />
also different.<br />
Fish have eyes like people but they are at the sides of their heads. Fish<br />
see things best when they are close to them and they have difficulty<br />
seeing things at a distance. <strong>The</strong>y can also see things in colour. Fish who<br />
live further down under the water have larger eyes than those who live<br />
close to the surface.<br />
Fish have two nostrils on top of their head to smell prey. <strong>The</strong> ‘nose’ of a<br />
fish is not connected to the throat as it is in people. Fish use their nose to<br />
smell chemicals given off by other sea creatures.<br />
Fish have ears inside their body. Bones in the ear feel movements in the<br />
water. Fish ears help them to find food to eat. Fish ears also help fish to<br />
keep their balance. Unlike people, fish have a line down each side of<br />
their body called the lateral line. This line feels movements in the water,<br />
which helps fish to catch food and to hide from predators.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Fish have tastebuds, like people. Some fish have them in their mouths,<br />
some have them along their head and others have them on their belly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> catfish has whiskers for tasting its food.<br />
All fish give off an electric field. Other fish can ‘feel’ this. Sharks and<br />
rays are experts at using this sense to feel where their prey is located.<br />
Sometimes, their prey may be hundreds of kilometres away!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (80)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Fish can see best:<br />
(a) up close.<br />
(b) from far away.<br />
(c) with their eyes shut.<br />
Fish smell using:<br />
(a) their tail.<br />
(b) two holes on top of their head.<br />
(c) their head.<br />
Paragraph 5 tells about:<br />
(a) eyes.<br />
(b) ears.<br />
(c) tastebuds.<br />
Fish ears can’t be seen because<br />
they are:<br />
(a) inside the body.<br />
(b) too small.<br />
(c) not there.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word their in Paragraph 5<br />
means:<br />
(a) tastebuds.<br />
(b) people.<br />
(c) fish.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word connected in<br />
Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) made.<br />
(b) separate.<br />
(c) joined.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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H Trace around your hand on a<br />
sheet of paper.<br />
H On each finger write the<br />
words for each major sense<br />
— sight, hearing, taste, touch<br />
and smell.<br />
H Next to each sense, write<br />
the body part used and your<br />
favourite thing to see, taste,<br />
smell, touch and hear.
Lime 1<br />
<strong>The</strong> legend of Black Bart<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
A long time ago, John Roberts<br />
was born in Wales. As an adult,<br />
he started work as a sailor on a<br />
slave ship.<br />
When his ship was attacked by<br />
pirates, he was captured and<br />
forced to work with them. After<br />
the death of the captain, John<br />
Roberts was elected commander<br />
of the ship. Black Bart, the pirate,<br />
had begun his pirate career.<br />
Black Bart became a very<br />
successful pirate. He captured<br />
over four hundred ships and<br />
stole over one hundred million<br />
dollars worth of loot. He caught<br />
and hanged one of his enemies.<br />
Black Bart made a lot of money<br />
selling slaves.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Following a fight between his ship and the warship HMS Swallow, Black<br />
Bart was killed by cannon fire. His crew threw his body overboard as<br />
was his wish. His career as a pirate was over, after less than three years.<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Black Bart was also famous for his unusual ways. He drank a lot of tea,<br />
instead of rum. He encouraged his crew to pray and he did not like<br />
them to get drunk or gamble.<br />
He was also well-known for his habit of wearing gentlemen’s clothing.<br />
His favourite outfit was a bright red waistcoat and trousers, a hat with a<br />
red feather and a diamond cross on a gold chain around his neck.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (81)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
Before he became a pirate, Black Bart was:<br />
(a) a ship’s captain.<br />
(b) a baker.<br />
(c) a sailor on a slave ship.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word commander in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) sailor.<br />
(b) captain.<br />
(c) teacher.<br />
Which paragraph tells how Black Bart<br />
began his career as a pirate?<br />
(a) Paragraph 2<br />
(b) Paragraph 4<br />
(c) Paragraph 6<br />
Black Bart was a successful pirate because he:<br />
(a) stole lots of loot and captured many ships.<br />
(b) sold slaves.<br />
(c) became captain of a pirate ship.<br />
In Paragraph 3, he means:<br />
(a) the enemy.<br />
(b) loot.<br />
(c) Black Bart.<br />
Black Bart was an unusual pirate because he:<br />
(a) didn’t want his crew to drink rum<br />
and gamble.<br />
(b) wore an eyepatch.<br />
(c) stole loot.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something<br />
extra<br />
H Use the<br />
description in<br />
Paragraph 6 to<br />
draw a colourful<br />
picture of Black<br />
Bart.<br />
H Label the clothing<br />
in your picture.
Lime 2<br />
It’s not for sale!<br />
1<br />
3<br />
5<br />
I’m Slimy the snail. I was born with my home on my<br />
back. I take it wherever I go. It’s not for sale! My shell<br />
home protects my soft body. Friends such as turtles<br />
and crabs also have shells.<br />
2<br />
I’m Garth the grizzly bear. I like to search for a cave<br />
to stay in. It’s not for sale! I sleep there through the<br />
cold winter. My friends the mountain lions, wolves<br />
and bats also like to use caves. But they don’t sleep<br />
all winter!<br />
I’m Serena the spider. I use silk inside my body to spin<br />
a web. It’s not for sale! My web helps me to catch<br />
insects to eat. Spiders build webs in all kinds of places!<br />
4<br />
I’m Bevan the bee. I live in a hive with hundreds of<br />
other bees. It’s not for sale! We have wax inside our<br />
bodies to build the hive. Our friends the wasps also<br />
build hives.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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I’m Rosa the rabbit. I live in a burrow under the ground<br />
with lots of other rabbits. It’s not for sale! My burrow<br />
has lots of tunnels and ways to get in and out. It tricks<br />
our enemies. My friends the moles, chipmunks and<br />
badgers also have burrows.<br />
6<br />
I’m Oliver the owl. My home is a hollow in a tree.<br />
It’s not for sale! Some hollows take more than 100<br />
years to form on a tree. My friends the possums,<br />
squirrels and black bears also like tree hollow<br />
homes.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (82)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word protects in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) keeps clean.<br />
(b) keeps safe.<br />
(c) keeps happy.<br />
Which animal uses a cave sometimes?<br />
(a) bee<br />
(b) owl<br />
(c) bat<br />
Which animal would choose<br />
a tree hollow to live in?<br />
(a) possum<br />
(b) snail<br />
(c) mole<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 5<br />
is to tell about:<br />
(a) burrows.<br />
(b) webs.<br />
(c) shells.<br />
What is the same about crabs<br />
and turtles? <strong>The</strong>y have:<br />
(a) a shell outside their body.<br />
(b) a shell inside their body.<br />
(c) silk or wax inside their body.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word we in Paragraph 4 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) wax.<br />
(b) wasps.<br />
(c) bees.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Find or draw pictures of<br />
animals and write the type<br />
of home they like to use<br />
next to each.
Lime 3<br />
Have you ever seen<br />
raisins wriggle as<br />
if they were doing<br />
a dance? If you<br />
read the instructions<br />
below, you will see<br />
how to make it<br />
happen!<br />
What to do:<br />
Step 1.<br />
Fill the glass with<br />
the fizzy drink.<br />
Step 3.<br />
After a while,<br />
the gas bubbles<br />
from the fizzy<br />
drink will stick to<br />
the wrinkles on<br />
the raisins. <strong>The</strong><br />
raisins will start<br />
to ‘wriggle’ and<br />
rise to the top of<br />
the glass.<br />
Step 2.<br />
Drop the raisins<br />
into the glass.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will sink to<br />
the bottom.<br />
You will need:<br />
• a glass<br />
• a bottle of clear,<br />
fizzy drink<br />
• 6 to 8 raisins<br />
Step 4.<br />
As the gas bubbles<br />
‘pop’, the raisins<br />
will wriggle back<br />
down to the<br />
bottom of the<br />
glass. After a while,<br />
they will come to<br />
the top again, as if<br />
they are dancing<br />
up and down!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> raisins will keep wriggling up and down until the fizzy drink goes flat<br />
and there aren’t any gas bubbles left to make them go to the top.<br />
R.I.C. R.I.C. Publications Publications ® ®<br />
<strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (83)<br />
www.ricpublications.com.au<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word rise in Step 3 means to:<br />
(a) drop.<br />
(b) go up.<br />
(c) spin.<br />
How many raisins are needed?<br />
(a) 10 to 12<br />
(b) 8 to 10<br />
(c) 6 to 8<br />
Which part of the trick happens first?<br />
(a) pouring the fizzy drink into the glass<br />
(b) putting the raisins in the glass<br />
(c) watching the raisins wriggle<br />
Which step best explains how<br />
the raisins wriggle to the top?<br />
(a) Step 4<br />
(b) Step 2<br />
(c) Step 3<br />
When the fizzy drink goes flat,<br />
the raisins will:<br />
(a) continue to wriggle.<br />
(b) stay on the bottom.<br />
(c) stay on the top.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word they in Step 4<br />
means the:<br />
(a) gas bubbles.<br />
(b) glass.<br />
(c) raisins.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something<br />
extra<br />
H Draw an animal that<br />
can wriggle.<br />
H Write as many words<br />
as you can that<br />
rhyme with trick.
Lime 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Living with the dinosaurs<br />
Did you know that ferns are plants that lived at the time when dinosaurs<br />
were on Earth? Isn’t it amazing they are still with us today!<br />
A bird’s nest fern lives in a tropical rainforest, which is a very damp, hot<br />
place with lots of rain all year round. <strong>The</strong> trees grow close together and<br />
can be very tall. A bird’s nest fern can grow on the forest floor or in a<br />
tree! Because it is in the shade of the trees it has to grow well in weak<br />
sunlight.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fern has long, green leaves called fronds that are in the shape of a<br />
tongue. New fronds grow from the middle of the fern. <strong>The</strong>se new fronds<br />
look like balls of brown, fuzzy wool in the shape of eggs in a nest. That is<br />
how it gets its name!<br />
<strong>The</strong> fronds turn green and uncurl as they grow. Some grow as long as<br />
120 centimetres. That’s about the length of four rulers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> shape of the bird’s nest fern<br />
means it can catch falling leaves.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se then rot and feed the tree.<br />
Isn’t that clever?<br />
If a bird’s nest fern lives on a tree, it<br />
absorbs water that runs down the<br />
tree’s trunk. If it lives on the ground,<br />
it catches drips of water from the<br />
trees and plants above it.<br />
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Some people like to grow bird’s<br />
nest ferns at home. <strong>The</strong>y must be<br />
kept in a warm, damp, shady place<br />
outside without much wind. If they<br />
are kept inside, they must also be<br />
in a warm place and sprayed with<br />
water to keep them moist.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (84)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 6, the word absorbs means:<br />
(a) eats up. (b) soaks up. (c) throws out.<br />
Where could a bird’s nest fern not live?<br />
(a) in a tropical place<br />
(b) in a warm, shady place<br />
(c) in a cool, sunny place<br />
What part looks like the shape of<br />
eggs in a nest?<br />
(a) the long, green fronds<br />
(b) the brown, fuzzy new fronds<br />
(c) the fronds that uncurl<br />
Paragraph 5 is mainly about how<br />
the bird’s nest fern gets:<br />
(a) food.<br />
(b) water.<br />
(c) sunshine.<br />
Which answer is an opinion? <strong>The</strong> bird’s nest fern is:<br />
(a) green.<br />
(b) clever.<br />
(c) found in a rainforest.<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word they means:<br />
(a) bird’s nest ferns.<br />
(b) rulers.<br />
(c) fronds.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write as many<br />
words as you can<br />
that rhyme with<br />
each of these<br />
words:<br />
bird nest fern
Lime 5<br />
Limerick fun<br />
<strong>The</strong> poems below are all limericks. A limerick is a nonsense poem. Each<br />
poem has five lines. <strong>The</strong> first, second and fifth lines rhyme. <strong>The</strong> third and<br />
fourth lines rhyme.<br />
Limerick 1<br />
<strong>The</strong>re once was a bear called Sunny<br />
Whose favourite food of course was honey<br />
He went to the store<br />
And bought all that he saw<br />
Which cost him a whole lot of money!<br />
Limerick 3<br />
A fish who forgot how to swim<br />
Wanted to practise where it was dim<br />
He found a dark cave<br />
And gave his fins a long wave<br />
And—that was the end of him!<br />
Limerick 2<br />
A young lady called Loretta Link<br />
Found a frog in her kitchen sink<br />
She tried to pick it up<br />
With the help of a cup<br />
But all the frog did was wink!<br />
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Limerick 4<br />
<strong>The</strong>re once was a man from France<br />
Who couldn’t fit into his pants<br />
He lost lots of weight<br />
Eating things he did hate<br />
And doing all kinds of dance!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (85)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Limerick 3, what does the word dim mean?<br />
(a) deep<br />
(b) flat<br />
(c) dark<br />
In Limerick 4, which two words rhyme?<br />
(a) cave and wave<br />
(b) up and cup<br />
(c) weight and hate<br />
What happened first in Limerick 1?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> bear paid for the honey.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> bear went to the store.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> bear put honey in his shopping trolley.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Limerick 2 is that frogs:<br />
(a) are hard to catch.<br />
(b) like to wink.<br />
(c) live in sinks.<br />
What do you think happened to the fish in<br />
Limerick 3?<br />
(a) He got tired of practising how to swim.<br />
(b) He went fishing.<br />
(c) He was eaten.<br />
In Limerick 1, the word him means:<br />
(a) Sunny.<br />
(b) the money.<br />
(c) the honey.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something<br />
extra<br />
H Write a list of simple<br />
rhyming words.<br />
H Use them to make up your<br />
own limerick using the<br />
same rhyming pattern.
Lime 6<br />
It’s not what really happened!<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
I am the spider in the nursery rhyme<br />
‘Little Miss Muffet’. I want to tell you what<br />
really happened that day. As you know,<br />
this is how the rhyme goes:<br />
Little Miss Muffet<br />
Sat on a tuffet<br />
Eating her curds and whey<br />
Along came a spider<br />
And sat down beside her<br />
And frightened Miss Muffet away!<br />
Most people believe I was mean. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
think I was hiding in my web in the bushes<br />
waiting for someone or some creature to<br />
come along and to scare them. But I wasn’t<br />
planning to scare anyone or anything.<br />
Art:<br />
pic<br />
of<br />
Miss Muffet on tuffet with<br />
spider next to her and knocking bowl of<br />
curds and whey off in fright<br />
That morning, I was in my web looking<br />
out at the meadow. I saw Little Miss Muffet<br />
walking along carrying a bowl of food. She sat down on a tuffet below<br />
me and began to eat her curds and whey.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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I felt lonely and thought she would be nice to talk to. I gently lowered<br />
myself down by a silk thread and politely said ‘Hello’ to her. She turned<br />
around, took one look at me and screamed! <strong>The</strong>n she jumped up,<br />
spilt her curds and whey everywhere and ran away!<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Some people also say I scared her so I could eat her curds and whey.<br />
When her bowl tipped up, some curds and whey landed on me. I had<br />
to scrape them all off. I wasn’t eating them. I don’t like curds and whey.<br />
I prefer juicy insects that land on my web.<br />
I hope Miss Muffet understands what really happened that day and<br />
that I didn’t mean to scare her. Perhaps she might even visit me!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (86)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 6, the word prefer means:<br />
(a) taste.<br />
(b) like better.<br />
(c) eat more.<br />
What was the spider doing when Miss Muffet came into the meadow?<br />
(a) hiding in the bushes<br />
(b) sitting on the tuffet<br />
(c) looking out from his web<br />
What happened before Miss Muffet screamed?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> spider wiped away the curds and whey.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> spider went down his silk thread.<br />
(c) Miss Muffet ran away.<br />
Why did the spider go down his web?<br />
(a) to scare Miss Muffet<br />
(b) to eat Miss Muffet’s curds and whey<br />
(c) to talk to Miss Muffet<br />
Which statement is a fact?<br />
(a) Spiders eat insects.<br />
(b) Spiders are horrible creatures.<br />
(c) Spiders are mean.<br />
In Paragraph 6, what does them mean?<br />
(a) insects<br />
(b) curds and whey<br />
(c) spiders<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Imagine that Miss Muffet<br />
has read the spider’s<br />
story about what really<br />
happened. Write what<br />
she might think about<br />
the spider now.
Lime 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> Earth’s slowest mammal<br />
<strong>The</strong> sloth is the slowest mammal<br />
on Earth. Even a snail or a tortoise<br />
moves more than a sloth!<br />
Sloths live in tropical rainforests in<br />
South America. Some have three<br />
toes and others have two toes. <strong>The</strong><br />
sloths with three toes move even<br />
slower than those with two toes!<br />
Sloths spend most of their time<br />
hanging upside down from tree<br />
branches. <strong>The</strong>y use their strong claws to grip onto the branches. Sloths<br />
eat, sleep and have babies hanging upside down!<br />
<strong>The</strong>y can sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day. Even when they are<br />
awake, sloths hardly move. <strong>The</strong>y eat mostly at night. Sloths are plant<br />
eaters and enjoy leaves, juicy young shoots and fruit.<br />
Sloths are about the size of a large cat. <strong>The</strong>y have thick, brown fur with a<br />
greenish covering over it. This is a plant called ‘algae’. It is useful to sloths.<br />
<strong>The</strong> greenish colour of the algae helps them hide among the leaves.<br />
Sloths also lick the algae off their fur for food.<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong>se animals seldom come down<br />
to the ground. When they do, their<br />
long claws make it hard to walk.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir weak back legs mean they<br />
can’t stand up straight. <strong>The</strong>y drag<br />
themselves along the ground using<br />
their strong front legs and claws.<br />
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7<br />
<strong>The</strong> main enemies of sloths are<br />
jaguars, eagles and large snakes.<br />
Sloths are hard to find in the trees<br />
because they hardly move and<br />
have green algae on their fur.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (87)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. 1 In Paragraph 6, the word seldom means:<br />
(a) never.<br />
(b) hardly ever.<br />
(c) always.<br />
2. 2 Which animal moves the slowest?<br />
(a) three-toed sloth<br />
(b) two-toed sloth<br />
(c) snail<br />
3. 3 If you see a sloth dragging itself,<br />
it will be:<br />
(a) hanging in a tree.<br />
(b) sleeping in a tree.<br />
(c) on the ground.<br />
4. 4 Which paragraph best explains how sloths<br />
protect themselves from their enemies?<br />
(a) Paragraph 5<br />
(b) Paragraph 6<br />
(c) Paragraph 7<br />
5. 5 Why don’t sloths fall out of trees?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y hang upside down.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y use their claws to grip.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y get stuck in the branches.<br />
6. 6 In Paragraph 3, the word they means:<br />
(a) branches.<br />
(b) claws.<br />
(c) sloths.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write six words that<br />
begin with ‘sl-’, as in<br />
sloth.<br />
H Draw and label two<br />
other animals that<br />
move slowly.
Lime 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Invisible paint<br />
This morning, I was looking behind our back<br />
shed. <strong>The</strong>re, under an old plastic sheet, was<br />
a pile of paint tins. One of them caught my<br />
eye. It said: INVISIBLE PAINT.<br />
Of course, I had to open it. To my<br />
surprise it looked like water! I stared<br />
at it for a couple of minutes. <strong>The</strong>n I<br />
slowly dipped my finger in it. My finger<br />
disappeared!<br />
Wow! How exciting! If I painted myself all over, I would<br />
become invisible! I quickly spread paint all over myself.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first person I saw was my older sister. I poked my tongue out at her. She<br />
didn’t even blink. I danced around her, making the most horrible faces. It<br />
was so much fun.<br />
Next, I went into the kitchen. Mum was taking a batch of chocolate<br />
cupcakes out of the oven. I took two and ate them right in front of her. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
were still warm. Yum!<br />
<strong>The</strong>n I saw Dad watching the football on television. I picked up the remote<br />
control and switched channels. He looked around but couldn’t see anyone.<br />
He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. I turned it back to the sports<br />
channel. He sat there, looking puzzled.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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7<br />
8<br />
Barkly, our dog, was harder to trick. I threw<br />
his ball to him and ran away. But he always<br />
seemed to know where I was. He’d come<br />
and drop the ball at my feet each time.<br />
Perhaps his nose helped him!<br />
Suddenly, it began to rain. I looked down<br />
and saw all the invisible paint wash off. I<br />
hoped there would be enough left in the tin<br />
for another time!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (88)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
In Paragraph 5, what does the word batch means:<br />
(a) a number of things.<br />
(b) patch.<br />
(c) packet.<br />
2. 2 Which paragraph explains what the boy did to his dad?<br />
(a) Paragraph 5<br />
(b) Paragraph 6<br />
(c) Paragraph 7<br />
3. 3 What happened before the boy spread paint all over himself?<br />
(a) He ate two cupcakes.<br />
(b) He poked his tongue out at his sister.<br />
(c) He dipped his finger in the paint.<br />
4. 4 Barkly seemed to know where the boy was because:<br />
(a) he could hear him.<br />
(b) he could see him.<br />
(c) he could smell him.<br />
5. 5 If it hadn’t rained, the boy could have become visible again by:<br />
(a) putting on the paint.<br />
(b) having a shower.<br />
(c) counting to ten.<br />
6. 6 In Paragraph 7, the<br />
word him means:<br />
(a) the boy.<br />
(b) Barkly.<br />
(c) Dad.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H List some things you<br />
would do if you could<br />
become invisible.
Lime 9<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Hiccup! Hiccup! Hiccup!<br />
Hiccup! Hic! Hic! Excuse me! I know we say<br />
‘Excuse me!’ when we hiccup. But why do<br />
we hiccup?<br />
Put your hands at the bottom of your chest.<br />
Take a deep breath in and then out. You will<br />
feel a muscle moving as you breathe in and<br />
out. It is called the diaphragm (die-a-fram).<br />
Usually the diaphragm works as it should do. It<br />
helps to pull air into our lungs and push air out of them again.<br />
It moves smoothly.<br />
Sometimes, something happens and the diaphragm does not move<br />
so smoothly. It moves in a jerky way. <strong>The</strong> air we breathe out makes a<br />
hiccup sound.<br />
This usually happens because we have eaten something too quickly<br />
or eaten something rich. Hiccups nearly always last just a few minutes.<br />
However, some people have been known to have them for a few days,<br />
a few weeks or even years!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are several things people do to try to get rid of their hiccups.<br />
Some people drink sips of water while holding their breath. Others take<br />
deep breaths in and out of a paper bag.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Another way to get rid of hiccups is to say ‘Boo!’ to someone when he<br />
or she isn’t expecting it. It makes the person take a sudden breath in<br />
and often fixes the hiccups!<br />
BOO!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (89)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word jerky in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) burpy.<br />
(b) soft.<br />
(c) jumpy.<br />
Where is your diaphragm?<br />
(a) in your lungs<br />
(b) at the bottom of your chest<br />
(c) at the top of your chest<br />
Saying ‘Boo!’ to people fixes their<br />
hiccups because it makes them:<br />
(a) happy.<br />
(b) take a sudden breath.<br />
(c) scared.<br />
Paragraph 5 explains:<br />
(a) why we get hiccups.<br />
(b) what to do when we get hiccups.<br />
(c) what we say when we hiccup.<br />
Which is true?<br />
(a) Hiccups always last a long time.<br />
(b) If you eat you will get hiccups.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> diaphragm helps us breathe.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word them means:<br />
(a) the diaphragm.<br />
(b) the lungs.<br />
(c) hiccups.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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H Write another way<br />
people try to get<br />
rid of the hiccups.<br />
H <strong>The</strong> word ‘hiccup’<br />
has six letters.<br />
Write six more<br />
words that have<br />
six letters.<br />
TOM<br />
SAU
Lime 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
issun-Boshi, the tiny boy<br />
Long ago in Japan, there lived a man and his wife. <strong>The</strong>y wished they<br />
had a child of their own. <strong>The</strong>y wanted a child so much that they didn’t<br />
even mind if the child was tiny.<br />
One day, their wish was granted. <strong>The</strong>y were given a tiny boy who was<br />
only three centimetres tall. <strong>The</strong>y named him Issun-Boshi, which meant<br />
‘tiny boy’.<br />
Issun-Boshi lived a happy life with his parents. However, as he grew older<br />
he stayed the same size. Even though he was so small, he decided to<br />
see the world. His parents gave him some things to help him. His mother<br />
gave him a soup bowl he could use as a boat and some chopsticks for<br />
oars. His father gave him a sewing needle he could use as a sword to<br />
protect himself.<br />
When he reached the city he looked for a job. A nobleman thought<br />
he would make a good servant for his daughter. She was an attractive<br />
princess. Issun-Boshi and the princess became good friends.<br />
One day, they were walking back from visiting a temple. Suddenly,<br />
a large green ogre jumped out at them. <strong>The</strong> ogre wanted to kidnap<br />
the princess. But Issun-Boshi quickly climbed up to the ogre’s mouth<br />
and stabbed him in the tongue<br />
with his needle. <strong>The</strong> ogre ran away,<br />
screaming in pain.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> princess was saved! She shut her<br />
eyes tight and made a wish. ‘I wish<br />
for my brave friend Issun-Boshi to<br />
grow tall.’ She opened her eyes and<br />
looked at her friend. Slowly Issun-<br />
Boshi grew as tall as a man.<br />
Issun-Boshi and the princess were<br />
married and lived happily together<br />
for the rest of their lives.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (90)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word ogre means:<br />
(a) an old man.<br />
(b) an evil giant.<br />
(c) an owl.<br />
What three things did his parents give him?<br />
(a) bowl, spoon, needle<br />
(b) bowl, chopsticks, knife<br />
(c) bowl, chopsticks, needle<br />
Which paragraph explains how Issun-Boshi<br />
became tall?<br />
(a) Paragraph 2<br />
(b) Paragraph 5<br />
(c) Paragraph 6<br />
What happened before Issun-Boshi<br />
stabbed the ogre?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> ogre jumped out at them.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> ogre ran away screaming.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> princess made a wish.<br />
Which word best describes Issun-Boshi?<br />
(a) clever<br />
(b) brave<br />
(c) happy<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word him means:<br />
(a) the ogre.<br />
(b) a needle.<br />
(c) Issun-Boshi.<br />
SOMETHING EXTRA<br />
H Draw what you think<br />
the ogre looked like.<br />
H Make a list of other<br />
words that mean the<br />
same as ‘tiny’.
Grey 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
Rainbows in the sky<br />
<strong>The</strong> light we get from the sun is not just white. It is made up of many<br />
different colours. We can see them each time we look up at a rainbow<br />
in the sky.<br />
A rainbow is an arc of these different colours. It appears in the sky on a<br />
rainy day when the sun bursts through the clouds.<br />
A rainbow is formed when the sun shines through the raindrops in the<br />
rain clouds. As it passes through the raindrops, the white sunlight is split<br />
into the colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (deep blue)<br />
and violet (purple).<br />
If you shine the light from a torch through<br />
a glass prism, the prism acts in the<br />
same way as a raindrop. It also splits the<br />
torchlight into the colours of the rainbow.<br />
Next time you look at a rainbow, notice<br />
where the sun is. You will find that you<br />
can only see a rainbow in the sky when<br />
the sun is behind you.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> colours of the rainbow are always in the same order. <strong>The</strong> red is on<br />
the outside of the arc and the violet is on the inside.<br />
Sometimes, a second, faint rainbow can be seen in the sky. <strong>The</strong> colours<br />
of this rainbow are reversed with red on the inside and violet on the<br />
outside.<br />
Have you heard the old story that says if you go to the end of a<br />
rainbow and dig there, you will find a pot of buried gold?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (91)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word arc in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) a string of colours.<br />
(b) part of a circle.<br />
(c) a boat.<br />
A rainbow is formed when the sun<br />
shines through:<br />
(a) raindrops.<br />
(b) rain.<br />
(c) the sky.<br />
For a rainbow to form, there must be:<br />
(a) sunshine and rain.<br />
(b) sunshine and rain clouds.<br />
(c) clouds and rain.<br />
If the sun is in front of you, a rainbow<br />
can<br />
be seen.<br />
(a) sometimes<br />
(b) always<br />
(c) never<br />
In a second rainbow, the order of<br />
the colours is:<br />
(a) the same.<br />
(b) backwards.<br />
(c) all jumbled up.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word it means:<br />
(a) the colours.<br />
(b) white.<br />
(c) the light.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write the colours of the<br />
rainbow in order from red<br />
to violet.<br />
H Write as many words as<br />
you can from the letters in<br />
the word ‘rainbow’.
Grey 2<br />
Slugs<br />
and snails<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Slugs and snails belong to a group of<br />
creatures called molluscs. All molluscs have<br />
soft bodies. Some of them, like snails, carry a<br />
shell where they can hide. Other molluscs, like<br />
squid and octopuses, do not have shells.<br />
Slugs and snails are also called gastropods. <strong>The</strong>y are given this<br />
strange name, which means ‘stomach foot’, because under their<br />
stomach they have just one foot. <strong>The</strong>y use this foot to glide around.<br />
Slime is squeezed out of their foot. This makes it easier for them to<br />
move. <strong>The</strong>y just glide along on their slime as they move across the<br />
ground. <strong>The</strong>y also use it when they climb on fences and plants.<br />
Gastropods are not very popular with farmers and gardeners because<br />
they feed mostly on plants. <strong>The</strong>y may not be very big but they can eat<br />
a lot and they have lots of friends to help them. Gastropods’ tongues<br />
are a bit like cheese graters, scraping food off the plants in the small<br />
pieces they like to eat.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Slugs and snails like warm and damp environments. If it gets too<br />
dry for them, they can use dried slime to stick themselves to a hard<br />
surface. <strong>The</strong>y just stay there until it becomes damp again and then<br />
they move on.<br />
6<br />
Even if you do not see any slugs or snails in your garden, you can tell if<br />
they have visited. <strong>The</strong>y leave trails of dried slime on paths and fences<br />
and trails of destruction through your flowerbeds.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (92)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
Red 2<br />
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word gastropod means:<br />
(a) carries a shell.<br />
(b) soft body.<br />
(c) stomach foot.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gastropod’s slime comes from its:<br />
(a) stomach.<br />
(b) foot.<br />
(c) head.<br />
Slugs stick themselves to walls when:<br />
(a) it is too dry.<br />
(b) they are tired.<br />
(c) they have eaten too much.<br />
A snail is different from a slug<br />
because it has:<br />
(a) a bigger foot.<br />
(b) a shell.<br />
(c) more slime.<br />
It is a fact that slugs and snails are:<br />
(a) revolting.<br />
(b) not popular with farmers and<br />
gardeners.<br />
(c) gastropods.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word them means:<br />
(a) slugs and snails.<br />
(b) damp environments.<br />
(c) hard surfaces.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write as many words<br />
as you can from the<br />
letters in ‘gastropod’.<br />
H Draw a picture of a<br />
slug and a snail.
Card 93<br />
Grey 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Moths and butterflies are insects. So, like all insects, they have three<br />
body parts and six legs. Although there are many other things about<br />
them that are the same, there are many differences between them too.<br />
Each of these insects has two pairs of wings. <strong>The</strong>se are covered with<br />
tiny scales that overlap like tiles on a roof. <strong>The</strong>ir wings are attached to<br />
the middle part of their body, which is called the thorax.<br />
Both moths and butterflies have a mouth, eyes and antennae which<br />
are attached to its head. <strong>The</strong>se insects also have a very long tongue<br />
called a proboscis. <strong>The</strong>y use this tongue to drink the nectar they<br />
enjoy from flowers. <strong>The</strong>y have big eyes that help them see in different<br />
directions. <strong>The</strong>ir feelers, called antennae, are used for balance and to<br />
detect smells.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Some people confuse moths and butterflies but there are a few ways<br />
to tell the difference between the two insects. Moths fly mostly at night,<br />
while butterflies are seen during the day. When it is resting, the wings of<br />
a moth lie flat, but on a butterfly they stand up. If you look closely, you<br />
can see that a butterfly has lumps at the end of its feelers but a moth<br />
doesn’t.<br />
It is thought that moths use the light of the moon to help them fly in<br />
the night sky. But other lights affect their flying skills and confuse them.<br />
You can often see them dancing around a light at night and going<br />
nowhere.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (93)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word detect<br />
means to:<br />
(a) collect.<br />
(b) get rid of.<br />
(c) find.<br />
<strong>The</strong> wings of moths and<br />
butterflies are attached to the:<br />
(a) thorax.<br />
(b) antennae.<br />
(c) proboscis.<br />
Paragraph 4 explains how moths<br />
and butterflies:<br />
(a) eat.<br />
(b) fly.<br />
(c) are different.<br />
Moths dance around lights<br />
because they:<br />
(a) like dancing.<br />
(b) are cold.<br />
(c) are confused.<br />
Which is true? When resting:<br />
(a) a moth’s wings stand up.<br />
(b) a butterfly’s wings stand up.<br />
(c) moths’ and butterflies’ wings stand up.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word they means:<br />
(a) a moth’s wings.<br />
(b) a butterfly’s wings.<br />
(c) lumps.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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H Find the names<br />
of three types of<br />
butterfly.<br />
H Draw and colour<br />
a picture of one of<br />
them.
Grey 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
First trip to<br />
the movies<br />
Zoe and Brad were remembering back to when Uncle Rob had taken<br />
them to their first movie. <strong>The</strong>ir friends at school had been loads of times,<br />
but for the twins, this was a first.<br />
As they arrived, Zoe cried out, ‘Smell that popcorn! Please may we have<br />
some, Uncle Rob?’ He smiled at their excited faces. How could he refuse<br />
them?<br />
<strong>The</strong> children ran down the long line of doors, each leading to a cinema<br />
showing a different movie. <strong>The</strong>ir door was the last one on the left. As they<br />
walked through it, they fell silent.<br />
‘It’s so dark in here! How will we find our way in?’ asked Brad. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
walked very slowly up the short, dark passage. When they reached<br />
the end and turned the corner, they could just see the huge curtains<br />
covering the screen and the seats set out in rows. Dim lights helped<br />
them to find their way in and to choose their seats.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Suddenly, they were in darkness again and they heard a swish as<br />
the giant curtains opened. Music started and the children stared in<br />
amazement as adverts for fast foods and new movies appeared on the<br />
screen and shouted at them from large speakers all around the cinema.<br />
6<br />
7<br />
<strong>The</strong>n the lights came on and the curtains closed. <strong>The</strong> twins were<br />
confused. Seconds later, it was dark again and they heard the curtains<br />
swish open once more.<br />
‘At last!’ laughed Zoe and Brad together. ‘Our first movie!’<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (94)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 6, the word confused means the children didn’t know:<br />
(a) where they were.<br />
(b) who they were with.<br />
(c) what was happening.<br />
<strong>The</strong> door leading to the<br />
children’s cinema was the:<br />
(a) first on the right.<br />
(b) last on the left.<br />
(c) first on the left.<br />
<strong>The</strong> children bought popcorn:<br />
(a) before the movie.<br />
(b) after the movie.<br />
(c) during the movie.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 5<br />
means that the sound from the<br />
speakers was loud?<br />
(a) shouted<br />
(b) large<br />
(c) all around<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> children thought their trip to the<br />
movies was:<br />
(a) okay.<br />
(b) dull.<br />
(c) exciting.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word them means:<br />
(a) their faces.<br />
(b) the children.<br />
(c) popcorn.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write phrases to<br />
describe your<br />
feelings about the<br />
cinema.<br />
H Write all the verbs<br />
ending in ‘-ed’. How<br />
many can you find?
Learn about the library<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Grey 5<br />
A library is a wonderful place to spend some time—rows and rows of<br />
books about everything you could think of and about things you’ve<br />
never even heard of, too.<br />
Not everything in the library is suitable or interesting for children and<br />
you won’t be able to read and understand all the books there yet. But<br />
all libraries have an excellent children’s section filled with fiction and<br />
nonfiction for all ages and interests.<br />
To use a library, you must be a member. It’s often free to join but an<br />
adult has to go with you and give some information before you can<br />
get your card. You will be told how many books, DVDs, CDs and CD-<br />
ROMs you may borrow each time you visit.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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It is very important for the library to keep track of where things are.<br />
When you have made your choices, the librarian will scan the<br />
barcode on your card and on all the things you want to borrow. <strong>The</strong><br />
computer then has a record of what you have taken.<br />
<strong>The</strong> librarian will give you a bookmark with a date stamped on it. This<br />
tells you when the books should be returned. You may borrow them for<br />
longer if you want to but you will need to ask the librarian so the return<br />
date on the library computer can be changed.<br />
Libraries often plan special events to show children how much fun they<br />
can have with books and to encourage them to use the library. Why<br />
not check out your local library!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (95)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word scan means:<br />
(a) to write on.<br />
(b) to read.<br />
(c) look at.<br />
To keep a record of what you have<br />
borrowed, the librarian scans:<br />
(a) the books.<br />
(b) your library card.<br />
(c) your library card and the books.<br />
Paragraph 5 explains:<br />
(a) what you can borrow.<br />
(b) what happens if you<br />
don’t return the books.<br />
(c) returning books.<br />
<strong>The</strong> text is telling you:<br />
(a) what libraries are.<br />
(b) about libraries and how<br />
to use them.<br />
(c) about borrowing books.<br />
It is a fact, not an opinion,<br />
that libraries are:<br />
(a) often free.<br />
(b) wonderful places.<br />
(c) dull places.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word them means:<br />
(a) libraries.<br />
(b) the books.<br />
(c) children.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Make a paper<br />
bookworm with six<br />
segments. Write the<br />
title and author of a<br />
favourite book on<br />
each segment.<br />
H Write all the words you<br />
can make from the<br />
letters in ‘libraries’.
Grey 6<br />
Tall poppies<br />
1<br />
flower buds<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong> poppy is a beautiful tall plant<br />
with a single flower at the top of<br />
each stem. Poppies come in many<br />
colours, including white, pink, yellow,<br />
orange, red and blue. Many poppies<br />
have dark centre markings. <strong>The</strong> most<br />
popular is the deep red corn poppy.<br />
seed sprout<br />
flowering plants<br />
closed pods<br />
seeds fly out of<br />
open pods<br />
Poppies are wildflowers that grow well in soil<br />
that is often disturbed. In the battlefields of the<br />
First World War, corn poppies grew very well. <strong>The</strong><br />
soil there had been dug up by soldiers building<br />
trenches, tanks driving over the ground and by<br />
shells exploding on the land.<br />
2<br />
3<br />
When the petals fall from a<br />
poppy flower, a round seed<br />
pod is left at the end of the<br />
stem. When it is ripe and ready<br />
to release its seeds, the top of<br />
the pod opens.<br />
As the stems sway in the<br />
wind, the seeds fly out of the<br />
pod. <strong>The</strong>y are carried on the<br />
breeze and if they land in a<br />
good place they begin to<br />
form a new plant.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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5<br />
Since then, poppies have been a symbol of<br />
remembrance for people who died fighting in<br />
a war. A poppy is often worn on Remembrance<br />
Day, 11 November. On this day, people around<br />
the world remember and honour those who<br />
fought or served in their country’s wars.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (96)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word single means:<br />
(a) one.<br />
(b) without a husband.<br />
(c) lonely.<br />
Poppy seeds form in the:<br />
(a) flower.<br />
(b) pod.<br />
(c) stem.<br />
Paragraph 4 explains:<br />
(a) what it was like on the battlefields.<br />
(b) why the poppies grew well on the<br />
battlefields.<br />
(c) how the soil on the battlefields<br />
was dug up.<br />
In the life cycle of the poppy:<br />
(a) seeds are released from the pod<br />
before the petals fall.<br />
(b) the pod opens before the seeds<br />
are released.<br />
(c) the petals fall after the pod opens.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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After the pod opens, a very strong<br />
breeze would:<br />
(a) scatter the seeds far and wide.<br />
(b) scatter a few seeds close by.<br />
(c) destroy the plant.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word it means:<br />
(a) a flower.<br />
(b) petals.<br />
(c) the pod.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw the life cycle of<br />
the poppy. Label and<br />
colour your picture.<br />
H Write four sentences<br />
about poppies. Start<br />
each line with ‘Poppies<br />
are …’
Red 7<br />
Grey 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Pirates ahoy!<br />
No wonder we all love the<br />
excitement and adventure of<br />
pirate stories. Imagine sailing the<br />
high seas with a band of tattooed<br />
rascals, searching for ships to<br />
plunder! It would have been a<br />
dangerous and exciting life.<br />
A pirate was a scary looking fellow.<br />
On his head, a pirate wore a scarf<br />
to protect himself from the harsh<br />
sun. Over one eye he may have<br />
had a patch to hide an ugly scar.<br />
Many of his teeth might have been<br />
missing and the ones that were left<br />
would have been black. Pirates<br />
didn’t spend much time cleaning<br />
their teeth!<br />
No ship was safe from a band of<br />
pirates. All they wanted was to get<br />
rich quickly by stealing money and<br />
treasure. <strong>The</strong> sight of the Jolly Roger<br />
flying high on the mast of a pirate<br />
ship put fear into anyone travelling<br />
across the high seas.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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In many stories, pirates stored their<br />
stolen goods in large, wooden treasure chests. <strong>The</strong>y used big iron keys<br />
and heavy iron locks to keep their loot safe from other pirates. Many of<br />
them stole from each other.<br />
Sometimes, they buried their chests on an island and drew a map<br />
where ‘X’ marked the spot of the buried treasure. Other pirates would<br />
commit terrible crimes to get the map of the island. <strong>The</strong>re are many<br />
stories about pirates’ adventures trying to find buried treasure.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (97)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word plunder means:<br />
(a) find.<br />
(b) sink.<br />
(c) to rob.<br />
A pirate would have worn an eye patch to:<br />
(a) cover up an injury.<br />
(b) shade his eye from the sun.<br />
(c) look fancy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> last paragraph describes how some pirates:<br />
(a) drew maps.<br />
(b) hid their stolen treasure.<br />
(c) helped each other.<br />
Jolly Roger is the name of a:<br />
(a) pirate flag.<br />
(b) pirate ship.<br />
(c) pirate.<br />
After pirates buried their treasure, they:<br />
(a) put it in a chest.<br />
(b) drew a map.<br />
(c) locked it up.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
Low Resolution Images<br />
Display Copy<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word they<br />
means the:<br />
(a) stories.<br />
(b) treasure chests.<br />
(c) pirates.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture of a pirate.<br />
H Draw a map of an island<br />
where ‘X’ marks the spot of<br />
your buried treasure.
Grey 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Newborn kittens are quite<br />
helpless. <strong>The</strong>y can not see or<br />
hear because their eyes and<br />
ears are shut tight. <strong>The</strong>y use<br />
their sense of smell to find their<br />
mother. <strong>The</strong> kittens need her<br />
because she keeps them warm<br />
and gives them her special milk.<br />
For the first two weeks, kittens just drink, sleep and grow. By the end of<br />
the second week, their eyes start to open and they begin to hear. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
move around more as their sight and hearing get better.<br />
In the third week, the kittens’ teeth can be seen and you can hear them<br />
purr. This is the best time to start handling the little bundles of fur. Always<br />
wash your hands before and after holding the kittens. Pick them up very<br />
carefully and stroke them gently. It is best to hold them for just a few<br />
minutes at a time until they get used to you.<br />
From now on, kittens grow and develop very quickly. <strong>The</strong>y learn how to<br />
wash and look after themselves. <strong>The</strong>y play at fighting with other kittens<br />
in their litter and join in hunting games.<br />
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Kittens should stay with their mother until they are about twelve weeks<br />
old. By then, they will be eating solid food and drinking from a bowl. <strong>The</strong><br />
kittens will also have had injections to stop them from getting diseases<br />
such as cat flu. Now they are ready for the<br />
outside world and to be given a new home.<br />
If you have a pet such as a kitten, it is<br />
important to look after it properly. Take it to<br />
the vet for regular check-ups, give it the right<br />
food, a comfortable home and lots of love.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (98)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word litter means:<br />
(a) something you write.<br />
(b) rubbish.<br />
(c) baby brothers and sisters.<br />
Kittens are ready for a new home<br />
when they are about:<br />
(a) three weeks old.<br />
(b) twelve weeks old.<br />
(c) two weeks old.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second paragraph tells you how:<br />
(a) kittens change in their first<br />
two weeks.<br />
(b) clumsy newborn kittens are.<br />
(c) lazy newborn kittens are.<br />
Kittens should not go outside before<br />
twelve weeks in case they:<br />
(a) get lost.<br />
(b) give an infection to other animals.<br />
(c) pick up an infection.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer thinks you should:<br />
(a) let a pet look after itself.<br />
(b) look after a pet properly.<br />
(c) not have pets at all.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word she<br />
means their:<br />
(a) mother.<br />
(b) sense of smell.<br />
(c) owner.<br />
H Draw a picture of a kitten.<br />
Write a list of words to describe<br />
it; e.g. fluffy, cute, purrs.<br />
H Write a list of names for boy<br />
and girl kittens.
Grey 9<br />
How do you make a balloon magic? Read the instructions below and you<br />
will find out how to give balloons special<br />
powers that make them seem magical!<br />
You will need:<br />
• two different coloured balloons<br />
• a sheet of coloured paper torn<br />
into small pieces<br />
• a spoon • some sugar<br />
Step 1 Blow up<br />
the balloons.<br />
Tie the end<br />
of each<br />
balloon with<br />
a firm knot.<br />
Step 3 Scatter the pieces of<br />
coloured paper over a desk.<br />
Hold a balloon<br />
just above the<br />
torn pieces<br />
of paper.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will<br />
lift up and<br />
stick to the<br />
balloon!<br />
Step 2 Rub each<br />
balloon hard against<br />
your shirt or jumper.<br />
<strong>The</strong> trick works best if<br />
you are<br />
wearing<br />
something<br />
made from<br />
wool.<br />
Step 4 Sprinkle a spoonful of<br />
sugar over a desk.<br />
Hold the other<br />
balloon just<br />
above the<br />
sugar. It too<br />
will lift up and<br />
stick to the<br />
balloon!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> balloons became ‘magic’ when you rubbed them against your<br />
clothes. <strong>The</strong> rubbing gave the balloons what we call ‘a charge of static<br />
electricity’. This gives them the power to pick up very light things such as<br />
paper and sugar and to make them stick. Try the trick on your friends!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (99)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word scatter in Step 3 means to:<br />
(a) drop.<br />
(b) spread.<br />
(c) crush.<br />
What material is best to rub<br />
the balloon against?<br />
(a) sugar<br />
(b) paper<br />
(c) wool<br />
Which part of the trick happened last?<br />
(a) the paper stuck to the balloon<br />
(b) the balloon was rubbed against<br />
some clothing<br />
(c) the sugar was sprinkled over the desk<br />
<strong>The</strong> balloon could not pick up large<br />
pieces of paper because they would:<br />
(a) be too heavy.<br />
(b) not fit on the desk.<br />
(c) not look as good as small pieces.<br />
<strong>The</strong> balloons need to be tied<br />
in a firm knot so they will:<br />
(a) pop.<br />
(b) stay blown up.<br />
(c) look magic.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Step 4 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) sugar.<br />
(b) the balloon.<br />
(c) the desk.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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H Draw a bunch of different<br />
coloured balloons. Write<br />
words in them that have ‘ll’ or<br />
‘oo’, like the word ‘balloon’.<br />
H Draw yourself dressed<br />
as a magician<br />
doing a magic trick.
Grey 10<br />
A river walk<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
If you could take a long<br />
walk along the bank of a<br />
river from where it begins<br />
to where it flows into the<br />
sea, you would see just how<br />
much it changes.<br />
Every river has a source, which<br />
is the place where it begins. At<br />
its source, it is small and moves<br />
quickly, rushing over small rocks<br />
and bubbling through little stones.<br />
You may not even realise that it is<br />
the start of a river as you would be<br />
able to walk over it in one step.<br />
As it moves along, the river grows wider<br />
and you may need stepping stones<br />
to cross it. Further on, it is even wider<br />
and it flows more slowly. It is also deeper<br />
and can have strong currents. <strong>The</strong>se can<br />
be dangerous so always be careful when<br />
playing near a riverbank. You wouldn’t want<br />
to slip and fall in!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Parts of a river can be so wide that long bridges are<br />
needed. <strong>The</strong>y carry people, cars, trains and other vehicles from<br />
one side of the river to the other.<br />
Your walk along the river may take you through beautiful countryside<br />
and interesting towns. Unfortunately, you may also see ugly places<br />
where there are lots of factories and dirty smoke rising into the sky. You<br />
would see lots of people using the river for work and for fun.<br />
Some say a river is like a person. When it is young, it is small and active.<br />
As it gets older and moves towards its end, it flows more slowly—just like<br />
people do!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (100)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word source means:<br />
(a) beginning.<br />
(b) place.<br />
(c) ketchup.<br />
Which sentence is a fact, not an opinion?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> life of a river is very interesting.<br />
(b) Rivers are used by lots of people.<br />
(c) Rivers are beautiful.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer says playing on a river bank<br />
can be dangerous because:<br />
(a) you may cut yourself on stones.<br />
(b) the fish may attack you.<br />
(c) you may slip and fall in and strong<br />
currents can sweep you away.<br />
Bridges are built across rivers:<br />
(a) because they are too wide<br />
to step across.<br />
(b) to carry people and<br />
transport across them.<br />
(c) because they look nice.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> text is about how:<br />
(a) much fun we can have on rivers.<br />
(b) important rivers are.<br />
(c) rivers grow and change.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word they means the:<br />
(a) bridges.<br />
(b) people.<br />
(c) trains.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Draw a picture of a<br />
river from beginning to<br />
end. Add some natural<br />
and built features.<br />
H Write a list of fun things<br />
you could do on a<br />
river.
Pink 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Mighty moose<br />
In North America, the largest member of the deer family is the moose.<br />
Male moose have huge antlers which can grow up to two metres<br />
across. <strong>The</strong> older ones drop them in winter to conserve energy and<br />
grow a new set in spring.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se large animals can be light brown in colour through to a dusty<br />
black and can be as heavy as you and your whole class. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
a long nose, a drooping lip, a hump at their shoulder and a short tail.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a flap of skin, called a bell, under their throat.<br />
Moose live in forests with swamps and streams nearby and where<br />
there is deep snow in winter. <strong>The</strong>y have long skinny legs which help<br />
them to move quickly and get through the snow. <strong>The</strong>ir wide hooves<br />
have two toes that can spread out and stop them from sinking or<br />
getting stuck in very wet ground.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong>ir thick shaggy fur keeps them warm. Sometimes they make a bed<br />
in the snow to protect themselves from the cold wind. <strong>The</strong>y like to eat<br />
from leafy trees and to rest by leaning against them.<br />
Moose have few enemies but are attacked by packs of wolves. Grizzly<br />
bears enjoy eating moose and often take over a wolf pack’s kill.<br />
Many moose are hit by cars. This usually kills them and the people in<br />
the cars too. Fences and moose warning signs have been put up on<br />
busy roads to try to protect moose and motorists.<br />
R.I.C. R.I.C. Publications ® ®<br />
<strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (101)<br />
www.ricpublications.com.au<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Moose have wide hooves with two toes so they can:<br />
(a) reach high plants.<br />
(b) not get stuck in wet ground.<br />
(c) run fast.<br />
Moose make a bed in the snow because they:<br />
(a) need to sleep. (b) like playing. (c) feel cold.<br />
Which moose have antlers?<br />
(a) females (b) males (c) both<br />
Wolves and grizzly bears are similar because they:<br />
(a) eat moose.<br />
(b) hunt moose.<br />
(c) are the same size.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word conserve in<br />
Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) save.<br />
(b) show.<br />
(c) make.<br />
Moose live where it is:<br />
(a) hot. (b) cold. (c) dry.<br />
Which statement is an opinion and not a fact?<br />
(a) Moose are attacked by wolves.<br />
(b) Wolves are stronger than bears.<br />
(c) Grizzly bears eat moose.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word them in Paragraph 1 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) the moose.<br />
(b) their antlers.<br />
(c) spring.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Design a moose<br />
warning sign.<br />
H Draw a moose and<br />
label its different parts.
Pink 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
You’ll never guess what I did today! I still can’t believe that it really<br />
happened. It was fantastic! I had a ride in a hot-air balloon.<br />
This term, every class at our school has been learning all about flight.<br />
<strong>The</strong> library is full of books about flight and our classrooms have pictures,<br />
flight stories and poems pinned up for everyone to read.<br />
A pilot even came to our school to talk to us about aeroplanes, airports<br />
and flying. It was really great!<br />
Last week we all went to the airport and saw lots of interesting things,<br />
but our teachers saved the best for today: a hot-air balloon!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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When I arrived at school, there it was on the school grounds. It looked<br />
so big and beautiful floating there. <strong>The</strong> balloon was really colourful and<br />
there was a basket under it with ropes so it couldn’t float off.<br />
<strong>The</strong> whole school watched while some teachers climbed into the<br />
basket with the pilot. We were allowed to hold onto the ropes as the gas<br />
fire under the balloon pushed hot air into the balloon. It slowly rose into<br />
the sky.<br />
After it landed I just couldn’t believe it—Mrs Reid chose me to have a<br />
go! It was very noisy and a bit scary but I loved it. I wished we could just<br />
float away instead of coming back down to the school.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (102)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What caused the balloon to rise?<br />
(a) the ropes (b) the hot air (c) the wind<br />
Why did a pilot come to speak to the<br />
<strong>student</strong>s at the school?<br />
(a) He wanted to see their work.<br />
(b) His children went to the school.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> school was learning about flight.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 2 is the whole<br />
school was learning about:<br />
(a) drawing pictures.<br />
(b) writing poems.<br />
(c) flight.<br />
What happened after the teachers climbed into the basket?<br />
(a) It went up. (b) <strong>The</strong>y got in. (c) It came down.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word rose in Paragraph 6 means:<br />
(a) went up. (b) a flower. (c) went down.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer is probably:<br />
(a) interested in flight.<br />
(b) bored.<br />
(c) good at drawing.<br />
After the writer leaves school,<br />
he or she may want to:<br />
(a) become a teacher.<br />
(b) learn to fly.<br />
(c) become a writer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 6 is used instead of:<br />
(a) the school.<br />
(b) the balloon.<br />
(c) the ropes.<br />
H Make a list of things<br />
you could see if you<br />
went up in a hot-air<br />
balloon from your<br />
school.<br />
H Draw and colour a<br />
hot-air balloon.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Pink 3<br />
This is how Indigenous Australians<br />
make their unique musical<br />
instrument, using a tree trunk<br />
hollowed out by insects.<br />
1 Walk into the bush.<br />
2 Look for a tree trunk that is the right size.<br />
3 Peel back some bark.<br />
4 Tap tree trunk and listen for hollow sound.<br />
5 Cut the tree trunk if it is hollow.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6 Collect some poking sticks.<br />
7 Use sticks to poke out termites and bits and pieces.<br />
8 Remove more bits and pieces by banging it on a log.<br />
9 Carve and shape outside of didgeridoo.<br />
10 Cut didgeridoo to the length that makes the best sound.<br />
11 Paint pattern on didgeridoo.<br />
12 Play and enjoy the instrument.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (103)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What caused the tree trunks to become hollow?<br />
(a) water (b) insects (c) <strong>The</strong>y grow that way.<br />
Because they want their didgeridoos<br />
to look good, they:<br />
(a) add decorations.<br />
(b) choose good trees.<br />
(c) test for sound.<br />
After the bark is peeled back,<br />
what happens next?<br />
(a) Sticks are collected.<br />
(b) Sound is tested.<br />
(c) Trunk is tapped.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y tap the tree trunk because<br />
they are trying to find:<br />
(a) termites.<br />
(b) a hollow trunk.<br />
(c) food.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word termites in Step 7 means:<br />
(a) an insect that destroys wood.<br />
(b) an insect that bites.<br />
(c) something that happens every term.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y know how to make a didgeridoo the right length by the way it:<br />
(a) looks. (b) sounds. (c) feels.<br />
To make a good didgeridoo, Indigenous Australians need to:<br />
(a) be good musicians.<br />
(b) do each step in the correct order.<br />
(c) be clever.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Step 8 is used instead of the:<br />
(a) stick. (b) termites. (c) tree trunk.<br />
H Draw and decorate<br />
a didgeridoo.<br />
H Listen to some<br />
didgeridoo music.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Pink 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Bring<br />
back<br />
writing<br />
slates<br />
Ladies and gentlemen<br />
I think it is time we tried to save our planet and one way to do this is to<br />
bring writing slates back into our schools.<br />
Some of you won’t even know what a writing slate is. I suggest you talk to<br />
your grandparents because some of them used slates when they were at<br />
school. It is now time for your children to use slates, too.<br />
Years ago, children liked slates for a number of different reasons. If they<br />
made a mistake it was easy to change it. Also, they didn’t need to keep<br />
sharpening their pencils. This saved a lot of time, more trees and meant<br />
less mess as well.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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You only need to walk into any school and look around it. <strong>The</strong>re is paper<br />
everywhere. Think of all the beautiful trees that were cut down to make all<br />
that paper.<br />
Think about where most of the paper eventually ends up. That’s right, in<br />
the rubbish bins at school or at home.<br />
I know that some of you will protest and say that you recycle paper in<br />
your schools and in your homes as well. That’s great, but it takes energy<br />
to recycle paper and it would be much better if we didn’t use so much of<br />
it in the first place.<br />
So please, join me by encouraging schools to use slates again and help<br />
us to save the planet.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (104)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
<strong>The</strong> speaker wants slates used in schools again because:<br />
(a) they are fun.<br />
(b) it will save trees.<br />
(c) they’re easy to use.<br />
<strong>The</strong> speaker wants children to find out about slates by:<br />
(a) asking old people.<br />
(b) reading.<br />
(c) using one.<br />
Which statement is a fact?<br />
(a) Most paper ends up in rubbish bins.<br />
(b) Your grandparents liked using slates.<br />
(c) Paper is made from trees.<br />
Slates and paper are the same because they are:<br />
(a) white. (b) used for writing. (c) easy to make.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word eventually in Paragraph 5 means:<br />
(a) soon. (b) finally. (c) even.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 3 is to explain why slates:<br />
(a) were popular. (b) were easy to use. (c) saved time.<br />
<strong>The</strong> speaker’s reason for speaking was to persuade people to:<br />
(a) cut down more trees.<br />
(b) save money.<br />
(c) use less paper.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 4<br />
is used instead of the:<br />
(a) school.<br />
(b) paper.<br />
(c) trees.<br />
Something different<br />
H Make a list of things that<br />
are made from trees.<br />
H Draw ten things made of<br />
paper.
Pink 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Dear Mrs Jones<br />
Did you know that Year 3 Red has a class pet? It’s a goldfish named<br />
‘Chips’. Well, we, the <strong>student</strong>s of Year 3 Blue, would like to get a class pet,<br />
too.<br />
We thought a lion would be a great class pet. <strong>The</strong>y are cute and furry,<br />
just like big kittens, really.<br />
A lion could help us learn about Africa, because that is where they<br />
come from. We could also learn a lot about caring for animals if we<br />
had a class lion. We could measure its growth and the food it eats. We<br />
could use it for creative writing ideas, weigh the meat it eats and vote<br />
for things like what to name it. We would learn lots of first aid, too.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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We think lions can make great pets. <strong>The</strong>y are social and like to be with<br />
others. <strong>The</strong>y can be quite affectionate and won’t bite too often if we<br />
feed them enough. <strong>The</strong>y might cost a little bit to buy and feed. But they<br />
can eat some of the scraps from our school meals. So they can help<br />
us to reduce the amount of rubbish we make. <strong>The</strong>y don’t smell bad like<br />
some pets. And a lion could help keep robbers and thieves out of our<br />
classroom on weekends.<br />
We hope you can see that a lion would be a great addition to our class,<br />
and that you will agree to get us one soon!<br />
Year 3 Blue<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (105)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 4 means friendly and loving?<br />
(a) social (b) great (c) affectionate<br />
What scraps would lions be most likely to eat?<br />
(a) cakes (b) fruit and vegetables (c) meat<br />
Which paragraph explains what lions could teach the class?<br />
(a) Paragraph 1 (b) Paragraph 3 (c) Paragraph 4<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 4 is that lions:<br />
(a) eat scraps.<br />
(b) don’t cost much.<br />
(c) can make good class pets.<br />
Which sentence is an opinion?<br />
(a) Lions are cute.<br />
(b) Lions eat meat.<br />
(c) Lions have fur.<br />
Where do lions come from?<br />
(a) South America<br />
(b) Africa<br />
(c) Asia<br />
<strong>The</strong> writers think a lion might be:<br />
(a) funny.<br />
(b) fun.<br />
(c) a good class pet.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word they<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) lions.<br />
(b) a lion.<br />
(c) animals.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write what sort of class pet<br />
you have or would like to<br />
have.<br />
H Make a list of the things<br />
you would need to get to<br />
look after a lion.
Pink 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Danger on the mountain<br />
How could something that started out so well have<br />
changed so quickly?<br />
When Caleb and his dad had left home<br />
to spend the weekend climbing Mount<br />
Reid, it had been a beautifully still<br />
spring day. <strong>The</strong>y had both felt<br />
great as they walked along<br />
munching muesli bars. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
hardly noticed the heavy packs<br />
they carried on their backs.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir plan was to spend the night<br />
in the climbers’ hut near the top,<br />
where there were no phones and no<br />
people. <strong>The</strong>y would climb up to the<br />
summit in the morning before making<br />
their way back down again.<br />
During the afternoon, it became quite<br />
dark and the wind was stronger and<br />
very cold. <strong>The</strong>y put on extra clothes and<br />
trudged on. It was getting harder and<br />
harder to move against the wind. <strong>The</strong>n the<br />
rain started and it stopped being fun.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> ground was wet and very slippery. Dad slid<br />
across some rocks, twisted his foot and fell. He just sat there, holding<br />
his leg and moaning.<br />
Caleb realised Dad couldn’t get up to the hut or get back down<br />
again. It was dark and they were both cold, wet and miserable. This<br />
just shouldn’t be happening at this time of year. What could he do?<br />
He couldn’t leave his dad and if he did, he might get lost. All he could<br />
do was try to keep Dad as warm, dry and comfortable as he could.<br />
He dragged open their packs. He was sure it was going to be the<br />
longest night of his life!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (106)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
Which season of the year was it?<br />
(a) winter (b) spring (c) summer<br />
What happened before Dad fell?<br />
(a) He slipped.<br />
(b) He groaned.<br />
(c) He held his leg.<br />
What probably happened the next day?<br />
(a) Dad crawled down the mountain.<br />
(b) Caleb climbed up to the top and phoned for help.<br />
(c) After the storm, rescuers came looking for them.<br />
Dad was moaning because he was:<br />
(a) cold. (b) in pain. (c) unhappy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word summit in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) the top. (b) added bits. (c) the side.<br />
What caused Dad to slip?<br />
(a) He was hurrying.<br />
(b) It was cold.<br />
(c) slippery rocks<br />
Which statement is a fact,<br />
not an opinion?<br />
(a) Dad was careless.<br />
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(b) <strong>The</strong>y were very good climbers.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> weather changed suddenly.<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word he in Paragraph 5<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) Dad.<br />
(b) Caleb.<br />
(c) the man.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Make a list of the<br />
things you think Caleb<br />
might have taken in<br />
his backpack.
Pink 7<br />
Canteen food –<br />
Good or bad?<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
What do you think about the food and drinks school canteens sell? Lots<br />
of the parents, teachers and <strong>student</strong>s at our school have been talking<br />
about it this week.<br />
We have a new canteen manager who wants to change things by<br />
getting rid of everything she thinks is not healthy. She wants to ban soft<br />
drinks and even some fruit juice packs because they have too much<br />
sugar. But why? She doesn’t look like she eats healthy food herself.<br />
Our teacher, Mr Tan, is very cross because he has an ice-cream every<br />
morning. He says that the milk in it is good for him and the sugar gives<br />
him the energy to put up with us for the rest of the day. He usually buys<br />
a pie and chips for lunch.<br />
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Miss Cody, who is very thin and sporty, thinks that we should all be<br />
running around at lunch. So she doesn’t think we need a canteen. You<br />
can see that she lives on carrot sticks, celery and nuts. She wants us all<br />
to be healthy and to look and feel like sports stars.<br />
My mum doesn’t let us buy much junk food, but she says that the<br />
money from the canteen buys books for the school library. Mum is<br />
worried that if it doesn’t sell as much, we won’t get any new books.<br />
We’ll just have to wait and see what happens and who wins. But I do<br />
know it will be impossible to please everyone!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (107)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
What does Mr Tan buy every day from the canteen?<br />
(a) pie and chips (b) an ice-cream (c) milk<br />
Mum is concerned because:<br />
(a) the canteen sells junk food.<br />
(b) Mr Tan eats junk food.<br />
(c) the school needs the money<br />
from the canteen.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 3 is:<br />
(a) ice-cream is good.<br />
(b) Mr Tan is cross.<br />
(c) Mr Tan likes sugar.<br />
It is a fact that the new canteen manager:<br />
(a) looks healthy.<br />
(b) wants change.<br />
(c) is popular.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word ban in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) put together. (b) stop. (c) make.<br />
Miss Cody:<br />
(a) is healthy. (b) hates sport. (c) is fat.<br />
This text was written:<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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(a) to stop the canteen being changed.<br />
(b) to discuss canteen changes.<br />
(c) because the writer wants the canteen to change.<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word she in Paragraph 5<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) Mum.<br />
(b) Miss Cody.<br />
(c) the librarian.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw and label five healthy<br />
foods you would like to eat.<br />
H Circle the one you like best.
Pink 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Are prairie dogs<br />
really dogs?<br />
Prairie dogs, which are found on the prairies or grasslands of North<br />
America, are not anything like dogs. <strong>The</strong>y are a type of rodent and<br />
belong to the squirrel family. <strong>The</strong>y were called ‘dogs’ because of the<br />
high barking noise they make.<br />
When prairie dogs standing on guard see an enemy, they bark to<br />
warn others about it. <strong>The</strong>n they run down one of the entrances of their<br />
burrows as fast as they can. This is a wise move because they are very<br />
fast over a short distance and can get to safety quickly. <strong>The</strong>ir enemies<br />
include large birds, snakes, badgers and humans. Prairie dogs have a<br />
different bark for each one.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se animals are about 30 cm tall and have round heads, hairy tails<br />
and short legs. <strong>The</strong>y are a yellowish-brown colour with darker ears<br />
hidden in their fur and a lighter belly. <strong>The</strong>ir large eyes are on the sides of<br />
their head.<br />
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<strong>The</strong>ir burrows, called ‘towns’, have several entrances and side rooms<br />
where they sleep at night, hibernate in winter and store the grass, seeds<br />
and leaves they eat. Prairie dogs get all the water they need from this<br />
food. <strong>The</strong>y also enjoy eating a few insects.<br />
Prairie dogs are not like other rodents because each year they have<br />
only one litter of three to five pups. Pups are born blind and hairless and<br />
only come out of the burrow after six weeks.<br />
So you can see that they are really not a bit like dogs, are they?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (108)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Prairie dogs were called dogs because they:<br />
(a) look like dogs. (b) sound like dogs. (c) act like dogs.<br />
Prairie dogs are different from other rodents like mice because they:<br />
(a) have only one small litter a year.<br />
(b) can stand up on their back legs.<br />
(c) live in burrows.<br />
Prairie dog burrows have more than one entrance:<br />
(a) to look good. (b) for fresh air. (c) for safety.<br />
Prairie dogs can see very well because they:<br />
(a) have two large eyes. (b) are tall. (c) see enemies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word hibernate in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) sleep a long time.<br />
(b) hide.<br />
(c) sleep in summer.<br />
Which statement is a fact, not an opinion?<br />
(a) Prairie dogs are cute.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> barking noise they make is strange.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y eat grass.<br />
Because prairie dogs get the water they need<br />
from their food, we know that they:<br />
(a) don’t drink water.<br />
(b) like eating.<br />
(c) drink milk.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 2 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) the prairie dog.<br />
(b) a burrow.<br />
(c) an enemy.<br />
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Something extra<br />
Something extra<br />
H Do you think a prairie dog<br />
would be a good pet?<br />
H Write some instructions<br />
for looking after a prairie<br />
dog pet.
Pink 9<br />
You will need:<br />
l 1 small tub vanilla ice-cream<br />
l 4 ice-cream cones<br />
l 200 g dark chocolate<br />
l 32 white or pink marshmallows<br />
l Coloured sweets for decoration<br />
Instructions<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Melt chocolate in microwave.<br />
Paint each cone with melted<br />
chocolate and put aside.<br />
Place 4 scoops ice-cream on<br />
waxed paper.<br />
Stick on hats.<br />
Decorate faces with sweets<br />
and place in freezer for 2<br />
hours.<br />
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6<br />
Arrange 8 marshmallows<br />
on each plate to make the<br />
clown’s ruffle and decorate<br />
them with drizzled chocolate<br />
and sweets.<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
Remove from freezer and peel<br />
off waxed paper.<br />
Place clowns on plates.<br />
Eat and enjoy!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (109)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
What should you do before you place<br />
ice-cream scoops on waxed paper?<br />
(a) Wedge on hats.<br />
(b) Make ruffles.<br />
(c) Paint cones.<br />
<strong>The</strong> clowns’ ruffles are made with:<br />
(a) chocolate.<br />
(b) marshmallows.<br />
(c) paper.<br />
<strong>The</strong> clowns are put back in the freezer to:<br />
(a) keep them safe.<br />
(b) stop them melting.<br />
(c) stop people from eating them.<br />
Which statement is an opinion?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> clowns will be delicious to eat.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> ruffles go around the clowns necks.<br />
(c) Chocolate melts in a microwave.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word ruffle in Step 6 means:<br />
(a) frill around a neck. (b) head. (c) nose.<br />
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If you didn’t make sweet eyes for the clowns, they would:<br />
(a) not be able to see. (b) melt. (c) look strange.<br />
What causes ice-cream to freeze?<br />
(a) heat (b) cold (c) cooking<br />
8. 8 <strong>The</strong> word them in Step 6<br />
is used instead of the:<br />
(a) plates.<br />
(b) sweets.<br />
(c) clowns’ ruffles.<br />
H Draw a picture to show how<br />
you would decorate an icecream<br />
clown if you made one.<br />
H Make a list of the sweets you<br />
would use to do this.
Pink 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> first sandwich<br />
You know what a sandwich is, but do you know how it got its name?<br />
This explanation, which may or may not be true, is said to have<br />
happened in England in 1762.<br />
A man called John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was enjoying<br />
playing <strong>cards</strong> with some friends. He was feeling hungry, but he didn’t<br />
want to stop playing <strong>cards</strong> to eat. Calling a waiter over, he asked for a<br />
slice of roast beef between two thick slices of bread. When he ate the<br />
meat like this, his fingers didn’t get greasy. This made him very happy.<br />
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Some of the men who were playing <strong>cards</strong> with him saw what he was<br />
eating. <strong>The</strong>y probably said something like this to the waiter: ‘I would<br />
like what Sandwich is having’. <strong>The</strong>y tried one and decided that it was a<br />
great way to eat meat and play <strong>cards</strong> at the same time. So they kept<br />
requesting it.<br />
After some time, they just started asking the waiter for a ‘sandwich’. <strong>The</strong><br />
name became very popular. It is now used all over the world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Earl of Sandwich is also remembered because the Sandwich<br />
Islands, which are now called Hawaii, were named after him by<br />
Captain James Cook. He had given Captain Cook money to pay for<br />
his long journeys and it was Cook’s way of saying thank you.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (110)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1. What did the Earl of Sandwich want between the bread?<br />
(a) lamb (b) salad (c) beef<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 3 is:<br />
(a) the men were talking to the waiter.<br />
(b) the Earl of Sandwich’s friends copied him.<br />
(c) they enjoyed playing <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
3. What happened first?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> men wanted what the Earl was eating.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> Earl ordered meat between slices of bread.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> men were playing <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
4. <strong>The</strong> Earl didn’t want greasy fingers because he didn’t want:<br />
(a) greasy <strong>cards</strong>. (b) to wash them. (c) to feel them.<br />
5. <strong>The</strong> word requesting in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) asking for. (b) explaining. (c) telling about.<br />
66.<br />
What would cause the Earl’s fingers<br />
to become greasy?<br />
7.<br />
(a) the bread<br />
(b) the meat<br />
(c) the <strong>cards</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Earl:<br />
(a) loved <strong>cards</strong>.<br />
(b) was greedy.<br />
(c) worked hard.<br />
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8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 1<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) an explanation.<br />
(b) the name.<br />
(c) the sandwich.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Make a list of the things you<br />
like to have in a sandwich.<br />
H Draw a picture of it.
Lemon 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Laszlo Biro’s<br />
invention<br />
You have probably heard the word biro , but do you know that it is the<br />
name of the man who invented the ballpoint pens we use today?<br />
Laszlo Biro, who was working for a newspaper in Hungary, noticed how<br />
quickly the ink they used to print newspapers dried on the paper and<br />
that it didn’t smudge. He thought it was so much better than the Indian<br />
ink they used in fountain pens, which was so messy that people often<br />
had to use blotting paper.<br />
He tried the newspaper ink in a fountain pen, but it wouldn’t flow into<br />
the tip of the pen. So he decided to try to make a pen that could use a<br />
quick-drying ink.<br />
Working with his brother, George, who was a chemist, he tried using a<br />
small metal ball that rolled around at the end of a tube of thicker<br />
quick-drying ink. It worked!<br />
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<strong>The</strong> metal ball acted like a cap and stopped the ink from drying out.<br />
But when the pen was being used, it rolled around and let the ink flow<br />
onto the paper at an even rate.<br />
During World War II, crews in the Royal Air Force tried using biros. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
worked so well in the air and on the ground that the British government<br />
decided to buy them. <strong>The</strong>y soon became very popular.<br />
Today, millions of these pens are made each day around the world,<br />
but there are different names on them because Laszlo Biro sold his<br />
invention.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (111)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What was Laszlo Biro’s brother’s job?<br />
(a) pilot (b) chemist (c) reporter<br />
Blotting paper was used to:<br />
(a) dry ink.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer wrote this text to:<br />
(a) make you laugh.<br />
(b) tell a story.<br />
(c) explain something.<br />
What did Laszlo Biro do first?<br />
(b) make blots. (c) write on.<br />
(a) ask his brother to help him<br />
(b) made a pen with a ball that rolled around<br />
(c) tried newspaper ink in a fountain pen<br />
<strong>The</strong> word smudge in Paragraph 2 means to make:<br />
(a) mud. (b) a dirty mark. (c) mistakes.<br />
Laszlo Biro was good at:<br />
(a) making money.<br />
(b) flying.<br />
(c) solving problems.<br />
Why did biros become so popular?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y worked very well.<br />
(b) Many different companies made them.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y looked good.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 5<br />
is used instead of the:<br />
(a) cap.<br />
(b) ink.<br />
(c) metal ball.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Find a biro and look<br />
carefully at the tiny<br />
ball in the tip of the<br />
pen.<br />
H Make a list of names<br />
used on biros. What<br />
is the most common<br />
name?
Lemon 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
Mrs Crank’s house<br />
Just down the road from my place was an untidy, rundown house.<br />
<strong>The</strong> weeds out the front were waist-high and some of the windows<br />
were broken. I didn’t think anyone lived there until Mum told me it<br />
was home to an old lady known as Mrs Crank.<br />
For some reason, most of the kids around were scared of that old<br />
place. Even I walked on the other side of the road, rather than get<br />
too close. <strong>The</strong>re was just something about it that made me shiver.<br />
One cold, dark afternoon in winter, my friends and I were bored.<br />
We had played every game we knew and had run out of ideas.<br />
‘Let’s play “dare” again’, suggested Tom. ‘It’s my turn. I dare Maya<br />
to knock on Mrs Crank’s door!’<br />
‘Me?’ I said. ‘No way! That’s not fair!’<br />
‘Maya is a chicken, Maya is a chicken …’ my friends chanted. It<br />
looked like I had no choice. I got my coat and we went outside.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y hid behind bushes while I crept slowly up<br />
to the front door of Mrs Crank’s house. My heart<br />
was thumping and my hands were shaking. I<br />
was so scared. My hand reached up slowly<br />
to knock on the door. Just as I was about to<br />
knock … the door swung open! ‘Aaaargh!’ I<br />
screamed. ‘Aaaargh!’ my friends screamed,<br />
and ran away.<br />
‘Hello, dear’, said a smiling old lady. ‘My,<br />
it’s cold out here. Would you like to come<br />
in for a cup of hot chocolate?’ I stopped<br />
screaming.<br />
‘Ah … I guess so. Thanks.’<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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In the end, I enjoyed that cold afternoon,<br />
cosy in Mrs Crank’s kitchen. We talked,<br />
ate cakes and drank hot chocolate.<br />
She’s a nice lady. I’m really glad I took<br />
that dare!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (112)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What does the word rundown<br />
in Paragraph 1 mean?<br />
(a) old and broken<br />
(b) tired and lazy<br />
(c) to run downhill<br />
Asking someone to do something<br />
scary is called a:<br />
(a) chicken. (b) dare. (c) game.<br />
While Maya walked up to Mrs Crank’s house,<br />
her friends were:<br />
(a) scared. (b) hiding. (c) screaming.<br />
What happened just before Maya screamed?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> door opened.<br />
(b) She saw an old lady.<br />
(c) Her friends dared her.<br />
How does Maya feel about Mrs Crank after meeting her? Maya:<br />
(a) likes her. (b) is scared of her. (c) dares her.<br />
How are Mrs Crank and Maya similar?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y are the same height.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y have the same colour eyes.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y live in the same town.<br />
Which words best describe Mrs Crank?<br />
(a) old and friendly<br />
(b) old and cranky<br />
(c) clever and nice<br />
In Paragraph 6, they means:<br />
(a) the writer.<br />
(b) Maya’s friends.<br />
(c) Mrs Crank and Maya.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write what you think<br />
Maya’s mum said<br />
when Maya told her<br />
what happened.<br />
H Write down some ideas<br />
to help Mrs Crank<br />
make her house look<br />
better.
Lemon 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Egypt is famous for its pyramids. <strong>The</strong>y are enormous buildings with a<br />
square base and four triangle-shaped sides that come to a point at the<br />
top. <strong>The</strong>se buildings have been in Egypt for thousands of years—so long<br />
that no-one today really knows how or why they were built.<br />
People who study graves, buildings and tools from the past are called<br />
archaeologists. <strong>The</strong>y know that pyramids were made with thousands<br />
of large, very heavy stone blocks. Each stone block had to be cut and<br />
shaped to fit perfectly by stonemasons. Moving and lifting these blocks<br />
without machines would have been very hard. <strong>The</strong>y think the Egyptian<br />
people used ropes to pull the heavy blocks up slopes made with mud.<br />
When they were finished, the pyramids would have been smooth.<br />
Many archaeologists have studied the pyramids to try to find out more<br />
about them. Inside most pyramids, a carefully buried body and treasure<br />
have been found. Because of this, most archaeologists think each<br />
pyramid was built to bury an Egyptian king or queen, called a pharaoh.<br />
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After a pharaoh died, his or her body was sometimes<br />
put in a pyramid with gold, treasures and even animals.<br />
Sadly, because many pyramids had treasures inside,<br />
nearly all of them were robbed before they could be<br />
studied. However, archaeologists have still been able<br />
to find out interesting things about these great big<br />
graves. <strong>The</strong> burial place in a pyramid was hidden in<br />
a maze of tunnels. Sometimes, a secret door leading<br />
to the burial place was hidden behind a statue.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se things would have made it harder for the grave<br />
robbers to find.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (113)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What word in Paragraph 3 means king or queen?<br />
(a) archaeologist (b) pharaoh (c) pyramid<br />
What is a person who works with stone called?<br />
(a) an Egyptian (b) a builder (c) a stonemason<br />
Paragraph 3 tells mainly:<br />
(a) why pyramids were built.<br />
(b) where pyramids can be found.<br />
(c) how pyramids were built.<br />
A grave and a pyramid are similar because they both are:<br />
(a) underground.<br />
(b) places where people are buried.<br />
(c) often robbed.<br />
Some burial places were not easily discovered because:<br />
(a) they had a lock on the door.<br />
(b) they were too small.<br />
(c) the entrance was hidden.<br />
<strong>The</strong> people buried in the pyramids were:<br />
(a) very rich (b) men (c) workers<br />
It has sometimes been hard to learn about<br />
pyramids because they have been:<br />
(a) broken.<br />
(b) closed.<br />
(c) robbed.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word<br />
them is used instead of:<br />
(a) the pyramids.<br />
(b) buried bodies.<br />
(c) archaeologists.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write what you think it would<br />
be like if you became a<br />
king when you were nine.<br />
H Write about a discovery you<br />
might make if you were an<br />
archaeologist.
Lemon 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Does a huntsman hunt men?<br />
Does a huntsman hunt men?<br />
Huntsman spiders are<br />
found in many parts of the<br />
world. <strong>The</strong>y can be found in<br />
bushland, gardens, garden<br />
sheds and sometimes in<br />
houses, but prefer to live in<br />
woody places, like under the<br />
bark on trees.<br />
Huntsman spiders can be<br />
quite large, growing up to<br />
15 cm wide from leg to leg.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are brown or grey in<br />
colour. <strong>The</strong>y have crab-like legs<br />
that bend forwards. This means<br />
they can move sideways quite<br />
fast. <strong>The</strong>ir front two pairs of legs<br />
are usually much longer than<br />
their back legs. <strong>The</strong>y often have<br />
a flattened body, which is useful<br />
for crawling underneath bark<br />
and into other hiding places.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se spiders can walk on walls<br />
and even on ceilings. <strong>The</strong>y can<br />
move very quickly. <strong>The</strong>y use their<br />
speed to hunt and catch insects to<br />
eat. Huntsman spiders do not build webs.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Even though their name makes you think they might hunt people,<br />
they don’t! Huntsman spiders are harmless to humans, but they might<br />
bite to protect themselves. While the bite is harmless, it can still be quite<br />
painful.<br />
If you see a huntsman, it’s probably best just to leave it alone. It is not<br />
dangerous and might even help get rid of harmful insects in your<br />
garden and home.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (114)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word harmless in Paragraph<br />
4 means not able to:<br />
(a) be a hunter.<br />
(b) be scary.<br />
(c) hurt people.<br />
Huntsman spiders can crawl<br />
under bark because they:<br />
(a) have longer front legs.<br />
(b) have crab-like legs.<br />
(c) have a flat body.<br />
<strong>The</strong> name huntsman might come from the way these spiders:<br />
(a) crawl. (b) catch their food. (c) grow.<br />
Huntsman spiders differ from most other spiders because they:<br />
(a) don’t spin webs. (b) can move fast. (c) are brown.<br />
Huntsman spiders can be useful to humans because they:<br />
(a) eat harmful insects. (b) don’t spin webs. (c) hunt at night.<br />
Huntsman spiders might bite a person to:<br />
(a) hunt. (b) protect themselves. (c) eat.<br />
Which sentence is an opinion?<br />
(a) Huntsman spiders can move sideways.<br />
(b) Huntsman spiders are scary.<br />
(c) Huntsman spiders eat insects.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word<br />
they is used instead of:<br />
(a) humans.<br />
(b) spider bites.<br />
(c) huntsman spiders.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
Something extra<br />
H List three other animals or insects that<br />
can walk on ceilings.<br />
H Draw a place near your home where<br />
you think a huntsman might live.
Part human, part animal<br />
Lemon 5<br />
3<br />
4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
<strong>The</strong> Minotaur was a fierce and aggressive<br />
creature in Greek myths. <strong>The</strong>re was only<br />
one Minotaur. It had the head and tail<br />
of a bull and the body of a man. When it<br />
was captured, the Minotaur was locked<br />
in a big maze from which escape was<br />
said to be impossible. <strong>The</strong> Minotaur was<br />
given seven young men and seven young<br />
women every nine years. It killed and ate<br />
them one by one. Finally, a hero called<br />
<strong>The</strong>seus killed it while it slept.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sphinx was part of Greek and<br />
Egyptian myths. It had the body of a lion<br />
and the head of a human. <strong>The</strong> Sphinx was<br />
a creature of destruction and bad luck.<br />
In one myth, a winged Sphinx would ask<br />
people a riddle: ‘What animal goes on<br />
four feet in the morning, on two at noon,<br />
and in the evening upon three?’ <strong>The</strong><br />
answer was a human, who in childhood<br />
crawls on hands and knees, in adulthood<br />
walks, and in old age needs a walking<br />
stick. Any person who couldn’t give the<br />
right answer would be killed and eaten.<br />
Strange creatures can be found in many myths<br />
from around the world. Some of the strangest of<br />
these were part human and part animal.<br />
Centaurs in Greek mythology were part human<br />
and part horse. <strong>The</strong>y had the legs and body<br />
of a horse. Where the horse’s neck and head<br />
should have been there was a human waist,<br />
chest, head and arms. <strong>The</strong> centaurs were wild,<br />
strong creatures. Only the leader of the centaurs,<br />
Chiron, was wise and gentle. He was a teacher to<br />
many of the Greek heroes, such as Achilles.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (115)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word myths in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) mysteries. (b) old stories. (c) creatures.<br />
<strong>The</strong> legs of the Sphinx were those of a:<br />
(a) horse. (b) goat. (c) lion.<br />
When the Minotaur was killed, it was:<br />
(a) angry. (b) fighting. (c) asleep.<br />
Why was the Minotaur put in a maze?<br />
(a) for its safety (b) It was dangerous. (c) for sport<br />
Which part of a centaur was human?<br />
(a) the upper body<br />
(b) the body<br />
(c) the head<br />
What caused the Sphinx to kill<br />
and eat people?<br />
(a) a wrong answer<br />
(b) the right answer<br />
(c) being hungry<br />
<strong>The</strong> text was written to:<br />
(a) give information.<br />
(b) give instructions.<br />
(c) amuse.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word<br />
it means:<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>seus.<br />
(b) the Minotaur.<br />
(c) a young person.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Display Copy<br />
Something extra<br />
H If you could choose to be part<br />
animal, which animal would you<br />
choose? Why?<br />
H Make up a riddle similar to the<br />
one that the Sphinx asked.
Lemon 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Was T. rex<br />
the king?<br />
Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs<br />
(carnivores) that ever lived. Its name means ‘tyrant lizard king’. T. rex is<br />
seen by many as the king of the dinosaurs.<br />
From bones found in the ground (fossils), we know that T. rex was about<br />
12 metres long and about 4.6 to 6 metres tall. It walked on two large,<br />
strong back legs. It had a huge head, strong jaws and teeth that could<br />
bite through bone. Its mouth was big enough to fit a whole person!<br />
Tyrannosaurus’ arms were small but powerful. With its strong legs and<br />
long, powerful tail, it could move quickly.<br />
For a long time, T. rex was the biggest meat-eating dinosaur that had<br />
been discovered. <strong>The</strong>n bones of the slightly taller Giganotosaurus<br />
were found. Its skull was big, like T. rex’s, but not as wide or heavy. Its<br />
teeth were shaped more for cutting and slicing than crushing bones.<br />
Giganotosaurus also had a much smaller brain that was the size and<br />
shape of a banana.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Bigger again was Spinosaurus. It may be the largest carnivore to have<br />
roamed the Earth. Although it was bigger, Spinosaurus was lighter than<br />
both T. rex and Giganotosaurus. Its teeth and jaws were big, but not as<br />
strong, and it might have eaten mostly fish.<br />
T. rex wasn’t the largest carnivore, but with its strong teeth, jaws and<br />
legs it was a fierce predator. Many people think it deserves its name.<br />
What do you think?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (116)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 4 means wandered, often in search of food?<br />
(a) walked (b) roamed (c) moved<br />
A predator is an animal that:<br />
(a) eats meat and plants.<br />
(b) has strong jaws and legs.<br />
(c) hunts and kills other animals for food.<br />
From biggest to smallest, the correct order of the dinosaurs is:<br />
(a) Tyrannosaurus rex, Giganotosaurus, Spinosaurus.<br />
(b) Spinosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex.<br />
(c) Giganotosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, Spinosaurus.<br />
A Giganotosaurus’s brain and a banana were a similar:<br />
(a) colour. (b) shape and size. (c) taste.<br />
Why do the three dinosaurs in the text have big teeth?<br />
(a) to kill and eat animals<br />
(b) to break tree branches<br />
(c) to look fierce<br />
What did T. rex eat?<br />
(a) fish (b) other dinosaurs (c) sheep<br />
Which answer is an opinion?<br />
Giganotosaurus was:<br />
(a) a dinosaur.<br />
(b) a carnivore.<br />
(c) huge.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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In Paragraph 5, the word it means:<br />
(a) T. rex.<br />
(b) Giganotosaurus.<br />
(c) Spinosaurus.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Imagine you discover the<br />
bones of an even bigger<br />
carnivore. Write what you<br />
would call your dinosaur,<br />
and why.<br />
H Use the description in the<br />
text to draw a picture of<br />
yourself next to a T. rex
Lemon 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
porridge pot<br />
Once upon a time, a little girl lived with<br />
her mother in a small village. <strong>The</strong>y were<br />
very poor and hungry. One day, they had<br />
nothing left to eat, so the little girl went to<br />
the forest to find some berries and nuts.<br />
<strong>The</strong> girl couldn’t find any food. Upset, she<br />
sat down and cried. Just then, she heard a<br />
crackly old voice asking her what was wrong. She looked up to see an<br />
old lady with a hairy mole on her face. She was wearing a big, dark coat<br />
and pink, fluffy slippers. <strong>The</strong> little girl told her what was wrong.<br />
<strong>The</strong> old lady reached into her coat and took out a small black pot. She<br />
gave it to the girl and said, ‘Here, take this. It is a magic pot. Put it on the<br />
fire and say, “Boil, little pot, boil”, and you will have hot porridge. When<br />
the pot is full, you must say, “Stop, little pot, stop!”, and it will stop cooking.<br />
Don’t forget these words!’<br />
<strong>The</strong> little girl thanked her and ran home to show her mother. <strong>The</strong>y put it on<br />
the fire and said the words. <strong>The</strong>ir eyes widened as the pot made delicious<br />
hot porridge! When the pot was full, the girl said, ‘Stop, little pot, stop!’ And<br />
it did! So, for a long time, the little girl and her mother had enough food<br />
to eat.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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One day, while the girl was visiting her grandma, her mother got hungry.<br />
She decided to make some—you guessed it—porridge! ‘Boil, little pot, boil’,<br />
the mother said, and soon the pot was full. But she could not remember<br />
the magic words to stop the pot cooking. Porridge bubbled over the rim<br />
of the pot and onto the floor. ‘No more, little pot, no more!’ she said, but<br />
the pot kept on cooking. Soon, a river of gooey porridge oozed out the<br />
door, into the street and over paths, bushes and even small children.<br />
When the little girl got back, she quickly said the magic words and the<br />
pot stopped cooking. By that time the villagers were having swimming<br />
races in the porridge! Everyone had to eat a lot of porridge before they<br />
could get back into their homes!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (117)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What is another word for delicious in Paragraph 4?<br />
(a) deli (b) tasty (c) sticky<br />
<strong>The</strong> little girl and her mother were hungry because they were:<br />
(a) on a diet. (b) terrible at cooking. (c) poor.<br />
Why did the little girl go into the forest?<br />
(a) to visit her grandma (b) to find food (c) for a stroll<br />
Which paragraph explains how the girl got the magic porridge pot?<br />
(a) Paragraph 3 (b) Paragraph 4 (c) Paragraph 2<br />
What happened just before the porridge<br />
went everywhere?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> mother forgot to turn it off.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> little girl went to see her grandma.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> mother forgot the magic words.<br />
Next time the little girl goes out alone,<br />
she will probably:<br />
(a) lock her mother in her bedroom.<br />
(b) remind her mother of the magic words.<br />
(c) take her mother with her.<br />
<strong>The</strong> old lady in the forest<br />
was probably:<br />
(a) rich.<br />
(b) a witch.<br />
(c) crazy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word she in Paragraph 5<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) the little girl.<br />
(b) the little girl’s mother.<br />
(c) the old lady.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write what might have<br />
happened if the little<br />
girl had not stopped the<br />
porridge pot cooking<br />
when she did.<br />
H Write some interesting<br />
ways the villagers might<br />
have got rid of the<br />
porridge.
Lemon 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Faster than sound<br />
Sound can move through the air. This is why we can hear loud sounds<br />
from something happening far away just after it happens. But sound is<br />
not the only thing that can move fast through the air. Some planes can<br />
fly as fast as sound. When they move at the speed of sound, they are<br />
travelling at Mach 1. This is about 1220 kilometres per hour.<br />
Some aircraft can move even faster than Mach 1. A plane moving<br />
faster than the speed of sound flies at supersonic speeds. <strong>The</strong><br />
Concorde was a supersonic passenger plane. It flew people around<br />
the world much faster than other planes. However, it was also very<br />
expensive and loud. When a plane moves at supersonic speeds it uses<br />
a lot of fuel and makes a sound like thunder, called a sonic boom. <strong>The</strong><br />
Concorde planes stopped flying in 2003.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Now most supersonic planes are used by the military. Some of them<br />
can move twice as fast as sound, a speed called Mach 2. Some can<br />
go even faster! Once a plane flies faster than Mach 5 (five times the<br />
speed of sound), it is called hypersonic.<br />
In 2004, NASA flew the X-43A, a hypersonic plane, at almost Mach 10. It<br />
reached a top speed of over 12 000 kilometres per hour. This is about<br />
twelve times faster than the passenger planes we usually fly in.<br />
Imagine one day flying in hypersonic planes. Instead of taking over 21<br />
hours to fly from Sydney to London, it could take you less than 2 hours!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (118)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
A plane that carries people is called a:<br />
(a) passenger plane. (b) supersonic jet. (c) navy plane.<br />
NASA flew a plane at nearly how many times the speed of sound?<br />
(a) two (b) three (c) ten<br />
A plane makes a sonic boom when it flies:<br />
(a) at supersonic speeds. (b) at Mach 1. (c) too high.<br />
How fast did the X-43A fly?<br />
(a) about 10 000 km/h<br />
(b) about 12 000 km/h<br />
(c) about 9000 km/h<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 1 is:<br />
(a) Mach 1 is about 1220 km/h.<br />
(b) sound and some aircraft can move fast through air.<br />
(c) sound moves through air.<br />
One plane company claims in 25 years it will have a hypersonic<br />
passenger plane. This:<br />
(a) is totally impossible.<br />
(b) will definitely happen.<br />
(c) is possible.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word part sonic means:<br />
(a) sound.<br />
(b) light.<br />
(c) fly.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word them means:<br />
(a) supersonic planes.<br />
(b) the military.<br />
(c) hypersonic planes.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw and label a<br />
supersonic plane of<br />
your own design.<br />
H Imagine you are one of<br />
the first people to travel<br />
in a hypersonic plane.<br />
Write an email to your<br />
friend telling him or her<br />
what the flight was like.
Lemon 9<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
Forest secret<br />
I used to dread our visits to Nan’s place. It’s not that I don’t<br />
like Nan, it’s just that she lives in the middle of nowhere! It<br />
takes a few days to drive there and we usually stay about<br />
a week. <strong>The</strong>re are no shops, no cinemas and not even<br />
any proper roads. All my sister, Gabby, and I can do is<br />
read, argue or go for walks in the forest.<br />
One cool, foggy morning, that’s just what Gabby and I<br />
did—we went walking in the forest. Normally, we didn’t go<br />
too far. But that day we did. We kept walking until Gabby<br />
disappeared right in front of me! One minute she was in front<br />
of me and the next she was gone! I froze in fright.<br />
‘Gabby?’ I called. ‘Where are you? GABBY!’<br />
‘I’m down here’, came a faint voice. I quickly ran up to where<br />
she had been. I nearly fell down a black and dusty hole.<br />
‘Gabby? Are you OK?’ I asked, peering into the hole.<br />
‘I’m fine. <strong>The</strong>re’s something down here. Something big.’<br />
‘What kind of something?’ I asked. ‘A UFO? A dinosaur? A bomb?’<br />
‘Something metal. It’s huge. I’ll try and see what it is … Wow! I think it’s a<br />
plane’, she said. ‘A really old one. But it is still intact.’<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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As my eyes got used to the dark, I could see she was right. <strong>The</strong>re was a<br />
small, dark green plane, covered in dirt and dust. ‘<strong>The</strong>re’s a something<br />
painted on the side there ... it’s a big red circle with a white rim. Hey! I<br />
think it’s a Japanese warplane!’<br />
It turned out we were right. I helped Gabby out of the hole and we<br />
raced back to Nan’s. Nan rang the army, and the next day the place<br />
was full of soldiers and people from the museum.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Japanese fighter plane was very rare. People came from near and<br />
far to see it! Now there’s cafes and souvenir shops everywhere. Nan’s<br />
place isn’t quite so boring anymore!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (119)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Which word in Paragraph 1 means to not look forward to something?<br />
(a) argue (b) dread (c) stay<br />
In the middle of nowhere means:<br />
(a) a faraway place which is all by itself.<br />
(b) a place right in the middle of a country.<br />
(c) a town near a big forest.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer didn’t like Nan’s place because it was:<br />
(a) boring. (b) near a forest. (c) cold.<br />
Nan’s place was more interesting after the writer and Gabby:<br />
(a) had a fight.<br />
(b) found a warplane. (c) went walking.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer and Gabby knew it was a Japanese plane<br />
because of the:<br />
(a) red and white circle. (b) writing. (c) shape.<br />
When Gabby fell down the hole,<br />
the writer felt:<br />
(a) excited.<br />
(b) right.<br />
(c) scared.<br />
What caused many people<br />
to visit the plane?<br />
(a) It was rare.<br />
(b) It was Japanese.<br />
(c) It was dusty.<br />
In Paragraph 10, the word<br />
we means:<br />
(a) the army and the writer.<br />
(b) Gabby and Nan.<br />
(c) the two children.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write how you think the<br />
plane might have got there.<br />
H Write what you would have<br />
done if you had found the<br />
plane.
Lemon 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
<strong>The</strong> loose-tooth fairy<br />
Austin was getting tired of his loose tooth<br />
wobbling around like an old person on<br />
inline skates. So he decided to pull it out.<br />
He asked his friends for help. Lucy<br />
said she had lost her last tooth eating<br />
a crunchy peanut butter sandwich.<br />
Austin thought that it sounded like a good<br />
idea. So he made and ate a peanut butter<br />
sandwich. He felt in his mouth. Wibble, wobble—the tooth was still there.<br />
He had another sandwich. And another. Nine sandwiches later, Austin<br />
still had a wobbly tooth, and a stomach-ache as well.<br />
‘Why don’t you try our vacuum cleaner?’ suggested Matt. ‘It can suck<br />
anything up. It said so on the box it came in.’<br />
So, later, at Matt’s house, Matt turned the vacuum cleaner on. Lucy held<br />
the nozzle and Austin closed his eyes. <strong>The</strong> vacuum sucked Austin’s lips<br />
halfway down the pipe. But not the tooth. It stayed right where it was.<br />
‘My dog, Fang, is really strong’, said Lucy. ‘Why don’t you tie some string<br />
to him and let him pull it out?’<br />
<strong>The</strong>y drew up a plan, collected string and rope, and put Fang into<br />
position. A rope harness was tied from Fang’s neck to Austin’s tooth.<br />
Austin stood on a skateboard as a stick was thrown for Fang to fetch.<br />
Over the lawn, onto the street and down the road they went.<br />
<strong>The</strong> horseless chariot ride ended when the rope broke. Fang<br />
ran off into the sunset with the stick and Austin ended up in<br />
a rubbish bin.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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‘It’s no good’, said Austin, tired and sore. He went<br />
home, ate his dinner and went to bed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next morning, he woke up to find a shiny coin<br />
beside his pillow. He felt around his mouth with<br />
his tongue. <strong>The</strong> wobbly tooth was gone! Under<br />
the coin was a note. It said: ‘Next time, leave it to<br />
the expert. Signed, the loose-tooth fairy’.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (120)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
A chariot in Paragraph 6 is a kind of transport usually pulled by:<br />
(a) dogs. (b) bulls. (c) horses.<br />
What did Matt suggest would help to get the tooth out?<br />
(a) sandwiches (b) a vacuum cleaner (c) Fang<br />
What is the main idea of this text?<br />
(a) Austin tries to pull his tooth out.<br />
(b) Lucy’s dog wasn’t strong enough to pull the tooth out.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> loose-tooth fairy is real.<br />
<strong>The</strong> vacuum cleaner and Fang were similar because they both:<br />
(a) worked well. (b) were strong. (c) were machines.<br />
Next time Austin has a wobbly tooth, he will probably:<br />
(a) leave it alone until it comes out.<br />
(b) try lots of different ways to get it out.<br />
(c) use two dogs instead of one.<br />
Paragraph 5 gives information about:<br />
(a) Fang’s strength.<br />
(b) Fang’s neck.<br />
(c) Fang’s teeth.<br />
What caused Fang to run?<br />
(a) He was told to fetch a stick.<br />
(b) He was strong.<br />
(c) He was helpful.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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8.<br />
In Paragraph 2, it means:<br />
(a) eating a crunchy peanut<br />
butter sandwich.<br />
(b) Austin’s tooth.<br />
(c) Austin’s mouth.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write another suggestion for<br />
pulling out a wobbly tooth.<br />
H Write the story from the<br />
loose-tooth fairy’s point of view.
Mauve 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Wiley Wolf<br />
Dear Mrs Pig<br />
My name is Wiley Wolf and I am writing to you because I’m worried<br />
about your three sons. Yesterday, I went to the new straw house one<br />
of them had just finished building. It is quite close to where I live. I just<br />
wanted to be friendly and to see if I could help him.<br />
I knocked on the door, but the silly boy would not let me in. So I huffed<br />
and I puffed a bit when I was trying to talk to him and his poor little<br />
house blew in. <strong>The</strong>n the foolish boy ran to his brother’s stick house<br />
and I didn’t have time to explain what I wanted.<br />
<strong>The</strong> poor boys! I was so worried that I went and knocked on that door.<br />
Would you believe it? <strong>The</strong>y just wouldn’t open the door! <strong>The</strong> little stick<br />
house blew in after I huffed and puffed a bit when I was talking to<br />
them. <strong>The</strong> two silly boys raced to their brother’s brick house. <strong>The</strong>y can<br />
really run fast and I just couldn’t catch them.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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I was very concerned that your three boys would be okay, so I<br />
knocked on the door. I don’t think they know what a kind, friendly<br />
person I am because they refused to open the door of that very, very<br />
strong brick house.<br />
5<br />
I am going to keep trying to help your boys. I would like you to phone<br />
them and tell them that I am really a friend and they must open that<br />
door and let me in.<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
Wiley Wolf<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (121)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In the story, it says that Wiley Wolf lived:<br />
(a) in the forest.<br />
(b) close to the pigs.<br />
(c) near Mrs Pig.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 5 is:<br />
(a) the wolf wants Mrs Pig to phone her children.<br />
(b) the wolf is friendly.<br />
(c) Mrs Pig has a telephone.<br />
Before the wolf huffed and puffed:<br />
(a) the pigs ran away.<br />
(b) the pigs wouldn’t let him in.<br />
(c) the house fell down.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second and third houses were the same because they were:<br />
(a) made of bricks. (b) blown down. (c) built by pigs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word concerned in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) worried. (b) confused. (c) confident.<br />
Now the wolf will probably:<br />
(a) give up. (b) visit Mrs Pig. (c) knock again.<br />
<strong>The</strong> third house didn’t fall down because:<br />
(a) the wolf went away.<br />
(b) it was made of strong bricks.<br />
(c) three pigs were in it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word you in Paragraph 5 is used instead of:<br />
(a) the wolf.<br />
(b) the pigs.<br />
(c) Mrs Pig.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something<br />
extra<br />
H Draw the<br />
three houses.<br />
H Write a letter<br />
from Mrs Pig<br />
to the wolf.
Mauve 2<br />
Great homework excuses<br />
Some people like homework, but I hate it.<br />
Here are some great ideas for disposing of your homework.<br />
(I hope they work better for you than they did for me!)<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Find a goat to eat it.<br />
Give it to your baby brother to dribble on.<br />
Give it to your little sister to practise colouring in and cutting out.<br />
Accidentally put it in the kitchen bin.<br />
Use it to make paper aeroplanes.<br />
Bury it in the garden.<br />
Leave it out in the rain.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
12<br />
Stamp all over it with muddy boots. (This one feels good too.)<br />
Spill something smelly on it.<br />
Leave it in a bag with your wet clothes and towel from<br />
swimming lessons.<br />
Cut it up and use it on the floor of your pet’s cage.<br />
Say the dog ran away with it.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (122)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What does the writer suggest you use when<br />
you stamp on your homework?<br />
(a) something smelly<br />
(b) muddy boots<br />
(c) your brother<br />
You can tell that the writer doesn’t really<br />
think these ideas are great, because<br />
he or she says:<br />
(a) some people like homework.<br />
(b) they are his or her own ideas.<br />
(c) the ideas didn’t work.<br />
For which idea would you need to use a spade?<br />
(a) Idea 4 (b) Idea 9 (c) Idea 6<br />
Ideas 2 and 3 are similar because the homework:<br />
(a) is given to family. (b) gets done. (c) tricks people.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word disposing in line 2 means:<br />
(a) getting rid of. (b) showing. (c) collecting.<br />
Why do you think this list was written?<br />
(a) to help children (b) to be funny (c) to teach children<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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What effect would these ideas probably have if you tried them?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y would work very well.<br />
(b) Other people would copy them. Something extra<br />
(c) I would get into trouble.<br />
H Which idea do<br />
you like the most?<br />
<strong>The</strong> word they in line 3 is used instead of:<br />
H Make up some<br />
(a) the people.<br />
more good ideas<br />
(b) the children.<br />
for getting rid of<br />
(c) the ideas.<br />
homework.
Mauve 3<br />
Crazy Horse<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Crazy Horse was a very famous leader of the<br />
Lakota Indians in the USA.<br />
When he was a boy his name was Curly Hair.<br />
At 18 years of age, he was given his father’s<br />
name of Crazy Horse because he was such a<br />
brave warrior. His father was then called Worm.<br />
Crazy Horse wanted his people, who lived in South<br />
Dakota, to keep their way of life and their lands.<br />
When the USA government ordered his people to<br />
move onto an Indian reservation, they refused<br />
to go. Crazy Horse became their leader and<br />
gathered 1200 warriors. <strong>The</strong>y won many fights<br />
against the soldiers. Later, Crazy Horse joined<br />
forces with Chief Sitting Bull. <strong>The</strong>y defeated and<br />
killed General Custer and all his 200 men at the<br />
famous Battle of the Little Bighorn.<br />
After this terrible battle, the other Indian chiefs<br />
fled to Canada, but Crazy Horse stayed and<br />
continued to fight. About a year later, he<br />
had to surrender because the soldiers kept attacking them and there<br />
weren’t enough buffalo left to hunt for food.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Although he was famous, there are few photos of Crazy Horse. This was<br />
because he refused to be photographed. He believed capturing his<br />
image would mean certain death.<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Crazy Horse died when he was only 31. He was arrested because<br />
he left the reservation without permission to take his sick wife to her<br />
parents. He began to struggle and while he was being held, a soldier<br />
stabbed him.<br />
Today, a huge rock carving of Crazy Horse and his horse is being<br />
created on a mountain in South Dakota. It won’t be finished for many<br />
years.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (123)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
Who was the leader of the soldiers at the Battle of the Little Bighorn?<br />
(a) Crazy Horse (b) Custer (c) Sitting Bull<br />
Why did they give Crazy Horse his father’s name?<br />
(a) His father didn’t like it.<br />
(b) His father wanted to be called Worm.<br />
(c) Crazy Horse showed that he was a good warrior.<br />
What was Crazy Horse’s father’s name when his son was born?<br />
(a) Crazy Horse (b) Worm (c) Warrior<br />
Crazy Horse and the Lakota people didn’t want to go to the reservation<br />
because they wanted to:<br />
(a) stay on their land. (b) fight. (c) be brave.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word surrender in Paragraph 4 means to:<br />
(a) surround. (b) give up. (c) stay.<br />
When the rock carving of Crazy Horse is finished, the Lakota Indians<br />
will probably feel:<br />
(a) proud. (b) angry. (c) uncaring.<br />
Because Crazy Horse didn’t<br />
run away after the Battle of<br />
the Little Bighorn, you can<br />
work out that he:<br />
(a) couldn’t run fast.<br />
(b) was a brave man.<br />
(c) was trapped.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
8. <strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 7 H Draw Crazy Horse<br />
is used instead of:<br />
on his horse.<br />
(a) the rock.<br />
H Find out about the<br />
(b) the carving.<br />
Little Bighorn and<br />
Custer’s last stand.<br />
(c) the mountain.
Mauve 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
bears!<br />
Everyone knows that polar bears are white. Polar bears don’t come in<br />
any other colour; they are just white.<br />
White is a great colour for polar bears because it makes them almost<br />
invisible in snow and ice. <strong>The</strong>se large white bears all used to live in a<br />
very cold environment. <strong>The</strong>re is lots of snow and ice there for them to<br />
hide in all year round.<br />
Can you imagine how confused people in Japan were in 2008 when<br />
they noticed that three polar bears in one of their zoos were not white<br />
but green?<br />
Some people were worried that their bears were sick. <strong>The</strong> zoo’s vets<br />
checked them out and said they were all very healthy.<br />
Had someone painted the bears green? <strong>The</strong>y knew it would have been<br />
too dangerous and difficult for anyone to get close enough to the polar<br />
bears to do this. And their colour didn’t appear to have been painted<br />
on.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> zookeepers tried to hose the bears down, but the colour wouldn’t<br />
come off easily. What had happened to their bears?<br />
One day, they looked at the water the bears swam in for hours every<br />
day. It looked a bit green and they realised there was algae in it. <strong>The</strong><br />
zoo had been trying to save water and hadn’t been changing it.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y all stopped worrying because they knew the algae would die in<br />
winter when it was colder and they would soon have white polar bears<br />
in their zoo again.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (124)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Japan, polar bears are:<br />
(a) popular. (b) unpopular. (c) hunted.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Japanese were worried because they thought the polar bears were:<br />
(a) dangerous. (b) sick. (c) monsters.<br />
Which statement is a fact, not an opinion?<br />
(a) Polar bears are scary.<br />
(b) A cold environment is suitable for polar bears.<br />
(c) Polar bears are cute.<br />
<strong>The</strong> green polar bears were found in:<br />
(a) Russia. (b) America. (c) Japan.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word invisible in Paragraph 2 means:<br />
(a) not able to be seen.<br />
(b) noticeable.<br />
(c) white.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 2 is to explain why:<br />
(a) polar bears live in cold places.<br />
(b) white is a good colour for polar bears.<br />
(c) polar bears hide.<br />
Paragraph 5 gives information about:<br />
(a) how to paint bears.<br />
(b) how polar bears are dangerous.<br />
(c) why the zoo's vet didn’t think<br />
someone had painted the bears.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 2 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) polar bears.<br />
(b) snow.<br />
(c) the colour white.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw and colour a green<br />
polar bear.<br />
H Do you think the polar<br />
bears care about being<br />
green? Give a reason.
Mauve 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Do you have a little brother? I do! Is your little brother a pain?<br />
Mine is! In fact, my little brother makes my life really miserable.<br />
It started the day Mum and Dad brought him home. Back then all he<br />
ever seemed to do was scream and make a mess—and he hasn’t<br />
changed a bit. He has the world’s loudest voice. I’m sure you could<br />
hear him from outer space—which I think would be a great place for<br />
him to go.<br />
He is so messy. I’ve tried to tell him food should go in his mouth and<br />
not all around it, all over him and on my things. Not that I have things<br />
anymore. He thinks he owns everything and he can do whatever he<br />
wants with them. Even Mum can’t stop him messing up my things.<br />
He keeps Mum and Dad so busy that they never have any time for<br />
me. I sit in my room all the time, hiding from him with the door closed,<br />
reading books.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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I love scary books. Last night I read about a short chant that made<br />
things vanish. You just have to hold your hands out in front of your nose,<br />
close your eyes, think hard about what you want to disappear, say the<br />
chant out loud twice and turn around three times.<br />
<strong>The</strong> girl in the story tried to make her friend’s grumpy dog disappear.<br />
I don’t know if it worked because my little brother got my door open,<br />
grabbed my book, ran away and hid it. I was really, really, really mad.<br />
Has anyone found my book? Has anyone seen my little brother?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (125)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> girl thinks her little brother should:<br />
(a) go to outer space. (b) go to school. (c) stay home.<br />
Which sentence best tells what the girl thinks about<br />
her little brother?<br />
(a) He is very clever.<br />
(b) He makes her life miserable.<br />
(c) He is spoilt.<br />
<strong>The</strong> writer wrote this text to:<br />
(a) give instructions.<br />
(b) tell a story.<br />
(c) give a report.<br />
Which sentence tells a fact, not an opinion,<br />
about the little brother?<br />
(a) He always makes a mess.<br />
(b) He has the world’s loudest voice.<br />
(c) He has a mum and a dad.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word vanish in Paragraph 5<br />
means:<br />
(a) look good.<br />
(b) disappear.<br />
(c) scary.<br />
H Write the title of a scary<br />
book you know.<br />
H Draw a picture of the<br />
scariest part and tell a<br />
friend about it.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 3 is that the little brother:<br />
(a) makes a fuss. (b) likes attention. (c) is messy.<br />
What did her little brother do to cause the girl to get really mad?<br />
(a) made a mess (b) took her book (c) was noisy<br />
<strong>The</strong> word him in Paragraph 4 is used instead of:<br />
(a) her teacher. (b) Dad. (c) little brother.
Mauve 6<br />
Birds<br />
that can’t fly<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Do you ever wish that you could fly?<br />
Imagine taking off into the sky and feeling<br />
the cool air, the peace and quiet and the freedom of being way<br />
up there above everything, gliding around and having fun. Think<br />
of all the places you could go and the things you could see.<br />
And it wouldn’t cost you anything!<br />
Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to be a bird and to fly!<br />
Sadly, there are birds that are not so lucky. Some birds can’t fly. Think<br />
about how unfair that is. Think how you would feel if you were a bird<br />
that couldn’t fly and do all the fun things other birds do.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are about 40 different types of birds that can’t fly. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
include penguins, emus, kiwis and ostriches. Some of these birds<br />
can run fast and others can swim very well—but they can’t fly.<br />
Scientists think that these birds didn’t need to fly<br />
to escape their enemies or that they just didn’t<br />
have many enemies. Because of this, their<br />
bodies changed over time until they could<br />
no longer fly. Some of them now have<br />
big toe claws they can use if they are<br />
attacked.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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6<br />
7<br />
Some of the differences between birds that can’t fly<br />
and those that can are that they have shorter wings,<br />
more feathers and the breastbone (called a keel)<br />
where their wing muscles join in their chest is much smaller.<br />
I think it’s good these poor birds that can’t take off into the<br />
sky don’t know how unlucky they are and what they’re<br />
missing out on.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (126)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Which birds can’t fly?<br />
(a) eagles and emus (b) emus and kiwis (c) crows and emus<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 5 is:<br />
(a) some birds can’t fly.<br />
(b) birds have enemies.<br />
(c) why some birds can’t fly.<br />
Birds that fly and birds that can’t fly are similar because they have:<br />
(a) big keel bones. (b) feathers. (c) long wings.<br />
Some birds can’t fly because they:<br />
(a) are too lazy. (b) lay eggs. (c) have short wings.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word gliding in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) moving smoothly.<br />
(b) bumping.<br />
(c) skipping.<br />
<strong>The</strong> author probably wrote this because<br />
he or she:<br />
(a) wants people to help birds that<br />
can’t fly learn to fly.<br />
(b) is interested in birds and flying.<br />
(c) doesn’t like birds.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
Low Resolution Images<br />
Display Copy<br />
Which statement is an opinion?<br />
(a) All birds should be able to fly.<br />
(b) Some birds can’t fly.<br />
(c) Some birds have big toe claws.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word they in Paragraph 6 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) birds that can’t fly.<br />
(b) birds that can fly.<br />
(c) their wings.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw one of the birds<br />
that can’t fly looking<br />
after its egg or eggs.<br />
H Tell a friend why you<br />
would or would not like<br />
to be able to fly.
Mauve 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Dragon + fly = dragonfly?<br />
It seems strange that this<br />
beautiful insect we can<br />
often see flying around<br />
in summer is called<br />
a dragonfly. It isn’t a<br />
dragon and it isn’t a fly,<br />
so where did its name<br />
come from?<br />
One explanation is that<br />
some people saw dragonfly<br />
larvae and thought they were<br />
ugly and looked like dragons.<br />
<strong>The</strong> larvae hatch out of eggs laid by<br />
dragonflies in rivers, ponds, lakes and<br />
streams. <strong>The</strong>se very hungry creatures<br />
crawl around underwater, always looking<br />
for food. <strong>The</strong>y eat tadpoles and other<br />
smaller larvae.<br />
After about 60 days in hot places and up to 6 years in<br />
very cold places, the insect emerges and flies off to start its new life.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have large eyes and can see very well. This helps them to catch<br />
other insects. Mosquito is one of their favourite foods.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Display Copy<br />
Speeds of up to 58 km/h have been recorded by some dragonflies.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are excellent fliers and can flap their two sets of long, lace-like<br />
wings independently. This means that, at the same time, their front wings<br />
can be going down and the back ones going up. Flying backwards<br />
and even looping the loop are easy for them.<br />
In Japan, the dragonfly is the national emblem. It is seen in many<br />
paintings and poetry is written about it. But in some Asian countries<br />
dragonflies are eaten like prawns.<br />
In England, dragonflies are sometimes called horse-stingers, but this is<br />
not a good name because they do not sting horses or people.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (127)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Dragonflies are a type of:<br />
(a) dragon. (b) fly. (c) insect.<br />
<strong>The</strong> whole text tells us about dragonflies and:<br />
(a) what they are like and<br />
what they do.<br />
(b) how they fly.<br />
(c) how they got their name.<br />
What does the writer want readers<br />
to do about dragonflies?<br />
(a) learn about them<br />
(b) like them<br />
(c) look after them<br />
It is a fact, not an opinion,<br />
that dragonflies:<br />
(a) have two sets of wings.<br />
(b) are the best fliers.<br />
(c) love looping the loop.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word emerges in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) disappears. (b) comes out. (c) hides.<br />
Dragonflies develop faster in places where it is:<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw a dragonfly<br />
looping the loop.<br />
H Think of a better<br />
name for a<br />
dragonfly.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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(a) cold. (b) dry. (c) hot.<br />
What do people in Japan think about dragonflies?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong>y taste good.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong>y are important.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong>y don’t like them.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word them in Paragraph 5 is used instead of:<br />
(a) their wings. (b) dragonflies. (c) their speed.
Mauve 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Reading by touch<br />
Learning to read can be quite difficult but think how much harder it<br />
would be if you couldn’t see. This was the problem a French boy, Louis<br />
Braille, had almost 200 years ago.<br />
When Louis was three he wandered into his father’s workshop where<br />
he accidentally stabbed himself in the eye with a sharp tool. That eye<br />
became infected, which then spread to the other eye. Poor Louis lost the<br />
sight in both his eyes.<br />
Because Louis was a very clever boy, he was allowed to go to school<br />
with the other children. He sat in the classroom every day and learnt a<br />
lot by just listening. But he still couldn’t read or write.<br />
When he was about 12, he was sent to a special school for the blind<br />
in Paris. At this school he learnt how to read night-writing. It used letters<br />
made up from twelve little raised dots. <strong>The</strong> army had developed this<br />
writing because they thought their soldiers would be able to use it to<br />
read messages in the dark. But it was very slow and too hard for them to<br />
learn.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Louis decided to improve night-writing and to make it smaller so it would<br />
be easier and quicker to read. He changed all the letters, using only six<br />
dots, because he wanted people to be able to feel a whole letter with<br />
only one of their fingertips.<br />
<strong>The</strong> letter ‘w’ wasn’t used in the French alphabet, so Louis added another<br />
letter to cater for people who wanted to read English. Since then many<br />
other changes have been made. Today it is known as braille and it is<br />
used around the world to help people who can’t see to read.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (128)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Louis Braille was blind because he:<br />
(a) was born blind. (b) was sick. (c) hurt his eye.<br />
Night-writing and braille are similar because:<br />
(a) they use 12 dots.<br />
(b) you can read them in the dark.<br />
(c) people can feel a whole letter<br />
with a fingertip.<br />
What happened to Louis first?<br />
(a) His eyes became infected.<br />
(b) He became blind.<br />
(c) His eye was injured by a sharp tool.<br />
<strong>The</strong> text doesn’t tell you but you can<br />
work out that Louis probably:<br />
(a) wanted to share his ideas.<br />
(b) didn’t like reading.<br />
(c) didn’t want others to use braille.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word cater in Paragraph 6 means to:<br />
(a) cook. (b) provide help. (c) give.<br />
It is an opinion, not a fact, that Louis was:<br />
(a) kind. (b) blind. (c) French.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> text, Reading by touch, was written to:<br />
(a) give instructions.<br />
(b) entertain.<br />
(c) give information.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 1 is used instead of:<br />
(a) not seeing.<br />
(b) learning to read.<br />
(c) the boy.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Find out how to<br />
read and write<br />
some braille<br />
letters and use<br />
them to write<br />
short words or a<br />
message for a<br />
friend to read.
Mauve 9<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Elephant<br />
and<br />
monkey<br />
One day an elephant was lumbering slowly through the jungle when<br />
she heard a faint cry. She looked around and saw a very small monkey<br />
up to the top of his legs in some mud. <strong>The</strong> poor animal was terrified.<br />
<strong>The</strong> elephant watched the monkey struggling to get out and realised<br />
that with every move he made, he was sinking deeper into the mud. It<br />
was now up to his middle.<br />
By the time the elephant got to the edge of the pool, the mud had<br />
reached the monkey’s armpits. She reached over with her trunk and<br />
grabbed him. It took all of her strength to pull him out of the sticky mud.<br />
Very gently the elephant carried the muddy monkey to the river so he<br />
could scrub himself clean. He thanked her and told her that one day he<br />
hoped he could do something to help her. But she just looked down at<br />
the tiny monkey and laughed and laughed.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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A few weeks later, the monkey noticed an elephant lying down beside<br />
the river. When the curious monkey went to take a closer look, he saw<br />
that it was the elephant who had rescued him. He raced up to her.<br />
She had hurt her leg and couldn’t get up. For days she’d been stuck<br />
there with only river water to drink and she was weak with hunger. <strong>The</strong><br />
monkey wanted to help, but what could a tiny monkey do?<br />
He scampered up a tree and was gone in a flash. A few minutes later<br />
he was back again, followed by about twenty friends. <strong>The</strong>y all ran about<br />
collecting leaves and berries which they fed to the elephant. <strong>The</strong>y fed<br />
her for days until she was strong enough to get up and walk. <strong>The</strong> moral<br />
of this fable is: One good turn deserves another.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (129)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> monkey was sinking deeper<br />
into the mud because he:<br />
(a) stayed still.<br />
(b) couldn’t swim.<br />
(c) kept moving.<br />
<strong>The</strong> person who wrote this fable wanted to:<br />
(a) explain how something works.<br />
(b) teach people something.<br />
(c) make people laugh.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea in Paragraph 7 is:<br />
(a) the monkeys saved the elephant.<br />
(b) a monkey ran up a tree.<br />
(c) the little monkey had lots of friends.<br />
Which happened last?<br />
(a) <strong>The</strong> elephant took the monkey to the river.<br />
(b) <strong>The</strong> monkey was pulled out.<br />
(c) <strong>The</strong> monkey thanked the elephant.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word lumbering in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) moving heavily. (b) running. (c) leaning.<br />
<strong>The</strong> stories about rescuing them are similar because both animals:<br />
(a) were the same size. (b) were hungry. (c) couldn’t get away.<br />
<strong>The</strong> elephant couldn’t stand up so she was unable to:<br />
(a) drink. (b) eat. (c) call for help.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 2 is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) the elephant.<br />
(b) the mud.<br />
(c) the monkey.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture of the monkey<br />
stuck in the mud.<br />
H Read the fable <strong>The</strong> lion and the<br />
mouse and talk about how the<br />
fables are similar and different.
Mauve 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
A<br />
dragon<br />
Doug was a young dragon and he was really big; bigger than his<br />
brothers, bigger than all the dragons at his school and even bigger<br />
than his dad. He was stronger than the others too, and he was the<br />
fastest runner and had the loudest roar.<br />
Life should have been good for Doug, but he had a problem. Everyone<br />
made fun of him because he was frightened of fire! This would have<br />
been a problem for any dragon, but for a huge fire-breathing dragon,<br />
it was a disaster. Doug couldn’t even breathe out a little bit of fire, so he<br />
ran away to the mountains to hide.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, one day, Doug met Charlie and his life changed forever. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
became friends and spent the summer in the mountains playing<br />
the best games and having the most fun ever. But then the weather<br />
changed and on some days it was too cold for Charlie to play. <strong>The</strong>n it<br />
snowed.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Charlie didn’t come to play and after a few weeks Doug went looking<br />
for him. He found Charlie and his family huddled in their tiny cottage.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were so poor they had only enough money for food and none for<br />
fuel to cook it or to heat their home. <strong>The</strong>y were all so cold and so sad<br />
and they looked so sick that Doug was really worried.<br />
Without thinking, he opened his mouth, gave a loud roar and sent a<br />
warming circle of fire into the cold air. In no time the cottage was warm<br />
and cosy. <strong>The</strong>n everything changed. <strong>The</strong> family used the fire to cook<br />
food and to make hot drinks. <strong>The</strong>y were all warm and happy.<br />
Doug wasn’t frightened any more. Now, thanks to his friend, he really<br />
was a fire-breathing dragon at last!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (130)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What could Doug do better than other dragons?<br />
(a) play games (b) run and roar (c) breathe out fire<br />
Doug was probably able to breathe out fire at the end because:<br />
(a) it was a really cold day.<br />
(b) he was older.<br />
(c) he really cared about his friend’s family.<br />
Which sentence is an opinion, not a fact?<br />
(a) Doug found Charlie’s family in their cottage.<br />
(b) Doug was very friendly.<br />
(c) Charlie’s family didn’t have money to buy fuel.<br />
What happened after it snowed?<br />
(a) Charlie didn’t play. (b) Doug ran away. (c) <strong>The</strong>y had fun.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word huddled in Paragraph 4 means:<br />
(a) crowded together. (b) heaped up. (c) hidden.<br />
Doug’s life changed and was<br />
much better because he:<br />
(a) had a problem.<br />
(b) met Charlie.<br />
(c) wanted to hide.<br />
Doug wasn’t frightened of fire<br />
any more because:<br />
(a) the fire wasn’t very hot.<br />
(b) his friend told him it was safe.<br />
(c) he breathed out some fire<br />
and it didn’t hurt him.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word him in Paragraph 4<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) Doug.<br />
(b) Charlie.<br />
(c) Charlie’s family.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a huge fire-breathing<br />
dragon.<br />
H What are two questions you<br />
would like to ask a dragon?
Silver 1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Have you heard of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, where towering<br />
rock pillars lead into the sea just like a giant path? Legend says they are<br />
the remains of a bridge between Ireland and Scotland, built by the Irish<br />
giant, Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill). Could this possibly be true?<br />
Many years ago, the mighty Scottish giant, Benandonner, shouted<br />
across the sea to the Irish giant, Finn MacCool. He invited him to<br />
Scotland to have a contest to see who was stronger.<br />
Finn MacCool took up the challenge and set to work immediately,<br />
building a bridge across the sea. When he arrived in Scotland, MacCool<br />
caught sight of his mighty opponent. He was truly gigantic! MacCool<br />
was so filled with fear, he ran away, back to Ireland.<br />
When he reached home, MacCool was exhausted and fell fast asleep.<br />
He did not know that Benandonner had crossed the bridge and was<br />
planning to surprise him.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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MacCool’s wife, Oonagh, saw the Scottish giant running towards their<br />
house. She quickly tied a bonnet around Finn’s head and wrapped him<br />
in a blanket.<br />
Benandonner reached the house ready to fight. But when he saw the<br />
sleeping giant baby, he let out a cry of terror. He ran back to Scotland<br />
as fast as he could, destroying the bridge as he went.<br />
Poor Benandonner thought to himself, ‘If MacCool’s baby is that big …<br />
MacCool himself must truly be the mightiest of all giants!’<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (131)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word pillars means:<br />
(a) cushions for the head. (b) tall rocks. (c) paths.<br />
Who built the Giant’s Causeway?<br />
(a) Finn MacCool (b) Benandonner (c) Oonagh<br />
In Paragraph 5, Oonagh shows that she is:<br />
(a) strong. (b) foolish. (c) clever.<br />
Which happened first?<br />
(a) Oonagh dressed MacCool as a baby.<br />
(b) MacCool built the pathway.<br />
(c) Benandonner invited MacCool<br />
to Scotland.<br />
Oonagh dressed Finn as a baby to:<br />
(a) trick Benandonner.<br />
(b) stop him fighting.<br />
(c) make him look silly.<br />
In spite of their great size, both giants were:<br />
(a) cowards.<br />
(b) brave.<br />
(c) lazy.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Benandonner destroyed the bridge<br />
MacCool had built:<br />
(a) because he liked destroying things.<br />
(b) to stop MacCool from following him.<br />
(c) because he didn’t like it.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word he means:<br />
(a) Finn MacCool.<br />
(b) Benandonner.<br />
(c) the Irish giant.<br />
H Make a list of all the<br />
words you can make<br />
from the letters in<br />
'giant’s causeway'.<br />
H Draw a story map<br />
of the legend of the<br />
Giant’s Causeway.<br />
H Write a list of<br />
adjectives to describe<br />
the two giants.
Silver 2<br />
Making marshmallows<br />
Ingredients:<br />
✦ 1 / 4 cup cornflour<br />
✦ 1 / 3 cup icing sugar<br />
✦ 1 sachet gelatine<br />
✦ 1 / 3 cup water<br />
✦ 2 / 3 cup granulated sugar<br />
✦ 1 / 2 cup golden syrup<br />
✦ pinch of salt<br />
✦ 1 teaspoon vanilla essence<br />
What to do:<br />
1. Sift cornflour and icing sugar into a bowl.<br />
2. Spray a 20 x 20 cm cake tin lightly with oil and line<br />
with baking paper. Spray tin again.<br />
3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Step 1 mix into tin, coating sides and base.<br />
4. Pour water into small saucepan and sprinkle gelatine on surface. Allow<br />
to stand for 5 minutes.<br />
5. Add granulated sugar to saucepan and stir over a low heat until<br />
gelatine and sugar have dissolved.<br />
6. In large bowl, use electric mixer on high speed to beat gelatine<br />
mixture, golden syrup, salt and vanilla essence for 15 minutes to<br />
thicken, until soft peaks form.<br />
7. Pour mixture into cake tin and spread evenly. Allow to stand for 2 hours.<br />
8. Remove marshmallow block from tin. Cut into 36 equal pieces. Roll<br />
them in the cornflour/icing sugar mix.<br />
9. Place pieces on wire rack, cover and allow to stand overnight.<br />
10. Store in airtight container.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (132)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
How many marshmallows does this recipe make?<br />
(a) 36 (b) 15 (c) 20<br />
Which two ingredients are mixed to stop the marshmallows from<br />
sticking to the cake tin?<br />
(a) gelatine and water<br />
(b) golden syrup and salt<br />
(c) cornflour and icing sugar<br />
Which step describes how to beat the mixture?<br />
(a) Step 6 (b) Step 4 (c) Step 7<br />
How long do the gelatine and water stand before adding sugar?<br />
(a) 2 hours (b) 5 minutes (c) 15 minutes<br />
Which of these do you do first?<br />
(a) Beat until soft peaks form.<br />
(b) Cut into pieces.<br />
(c) Sprinkle gelatine on the water.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mixture is beaten to:<br />
(a) add air and make it thicker.<br />
(b) make it taste good.<br />
(c) make it white.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Standing the marshmallows overnight on<br />
a wire rack would make them:<br />
(a) stale.<br />
(b) dry out a little.<br />
(c) change colour.<br />
In Step 8, the word them means:<br />
(a) marshmallow pieces.<br />
(b) cornflour and icing sugar.<br />
(c) cake tins.<br />
Something extra<br />
H What would you do to<br />
make different coloured<br />
marshmallows? When<br />
would you do it?<br />
H Write a list of words to<br />
describe marshmallows.
Silver 3<br />
Dr Dolittle’s adventures<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
<strong>The</strong> stories of Dr Dolittle<br />
make fascinating<br />
reading. This amazing vet<br />
can speak over 500 animal<br />
languages, so talking to his<br />
patients is never a problem!<br />
Dr Dolittle’s surgery in Puddlebyon-the-Marsh<br />
is always full of<br />
unusual animals, from aardvarks<br />
to zebra. <strong>The</strong>y travel from far and<br />
wide seeking help from the wonderful<br />
doctor. He can find a cure for even the<br />
most extraordinary complaint.<br />
Dolittle’s amazing adventures really begin<br />
when he is sent a strange animal from a<br />
friend in Tibet. <strong>The</strong> Pushmi-pullyu resembles<br />
an antelope, but unlike most four-legged<br />
creatures, it has a head at both ends with not a<br />
tail in sight!<br />
As you can imagine, this extraordinary creature becomes the star<br />
attraction at the circus. It is here that the doctor is introduced to<br />
Sophie, the performing seal. She tells Dr Dolittle that she wants to return<br />
to the sea as she misses her home and family. He agrees to help her.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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But while trying to release Sophie, Dr Dolittle is arrested and put in<br />
jail. He manages to escape with the help of his only human friends,<br />
Tommy Stubbins and Matthew Mugg. Now they are all on the run from<br />
the police. Whatever will they do?<br />
Doctor Dolittle has a plan. For years he has wanted to find the Great<br />
Pink Sea Snail so, together with his collection of animals and three<br />
others, he escapes in a ship and sails into the distance.<br />
What wonderful adventures will be waiting for them over the horizon?<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (133)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 2, the word complaint means:<br />
(a) event. (b) illness. (c) appearance.<br />
How many people sailed away to find the Great Pink Sea Snail?<br />
(a) two (b) three (c) four<br />
<strong>The</strong> animals like Dr Dolittle because:<br />
(a) he understands them.<br />
(b) he finds a cure for every problem.<br />
(c) he understands them and he finds a cure for every problem.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pushmi-pullyu is a star attraction at the circus because it is:<br />
(a) from Tibet. (b) so unusual. (c) cute.<br />
Sophie wanted to escape from the<br />
circus because she was:<br />
(a) homesick.<br />
(b) being cruelly treated.<br />
(c) bored.<br />
Tommy Stubbins and Matthew Mugg are<br />
on the run because they:<br />
(a) helped Dr Dolittle to escape.<br />
(b) are fast runners.<br />
(c) are thieves.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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What did Dr Dolittle do first?<br />
(a) He was arrested.<br />
(b) He escaped in a ship.<br />
(c) He helped Sophie to escape.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word they means:<br />
(a) Tommy Stubbins and Matthew Mugg.<br />
(b) Tommy Stubbins, Matthew Mugg and<br />
Dr Dolittle.<br />
(c) Dr Dolittle and Sophie.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture of the<br />
Pushmi-pullyu.<br />
H If you had a pet that<br />
could talk, write what<br />
you think it might say<br />
to you.
Silver 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
7<br />
8<br />
Horse ballet<br />
Can you imagine watching a horse perform ballet? Well,<br />
would you believe that at the Spanish Riding School,<br />
magnificent Lipizzaner stallions are trained in the art of<br />
classical dressage, or horse ballet!<br />
Before the Spanish Riding School was formed,<br />
Lipizzaners were used as cavalry horses. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
were chosen because of their great strength. <strong>The</strong><br />
movements that are practised today in the riding<br />
school had been used for many years by the horses<br />
and their riders on the battlefield.<br />
Just like human ballet dancers, the stallions and their<br />
riders have to train for years. <strong>The</strong>re are many difficult<br />
movements for them to learn.<br />
Airs above the ground are spectacular steps in which the horse raises<br />
his legs above the ground. For example:<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Capriole – the horse leaps in the air and kicks<br />
his hind legs out before coming down. This<br />
would have been a very useful movement on<br />
the battlefield!<br />
Levade – the horse rears up with his front legs<br />
tucked into his chest. He holds this position<br />
for a few seconds before coming down. This<br />
movement is not as dramatic as others but it<br />
needs great skill and muscle control.<br />
Courbette – this is like the levade but the horse<br />
jumps for a few steps on his hind legs before<br />
coming down. This is one of the most impressive<br />
steps to watch. It takes great skill for the rider to<br />
remain on the horse’s back!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Visitors can enjoy the show either at a practice in<br />
the morning or at a gala performance at night.<br />
At any time of day, it is a wonderful experience.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (134)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word art means:<br />
(a) painting. (b) drawing. (c) skill.<br />
It is a fact, not an opinion, that all performing horses at the Spanish<br />
Riding School are:<br />
(a) magnificent. (b) handsome. (c) male.<br />
<strong>The</strong> movement in which the stallion has to remain still is the:<br />
(a) levade. (b) courbette. (c) capriole.<br />
<strong>The</strong> courbette is difficult for the rider because:<br />
(a) he has nothing to hold on to.<br />
(b) the horse is jumping on his hind legs.<br />
(c) the horse could fall.<br />
Horse ballet is also known as:<br />
(a) show jumping.<br />
(b) classical dressage.<br />
(c) horse racing.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Spanish Riding School uses<br />
Lipizzaner horses because they are:<br />
(a) strong.<br />
(b) white.<br />
(c) Spanish.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> capriole would have been useful on<br />
the battlefield because:<br />
(a) the enemy could not reach the rider.<br />
(b) the horse could kick the enemy.<br />
(c) the horse could fly out of trouble.<br />
In Paragraph 8, the word it means the:<br />
(a) morning practice.<br />
(b) evening gala performance.<br />
(c) the show.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write a list of<br />
adjectives that<br />
you think might<br />
describe Lipizzaner<br />
horses.<br />
H Draw a picture of<br />
a Lipizzaner horse<br />
and its rider.
Silver 5<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Mum and Dad love the huge bush at the bottom<br />
of our garden because it is a giant mass of leaves<br />
and beautiful purple flowers. I love it because<br />
inside it is a magnificent web of thick, gnarled<br />
branches that make up my very own forest den!<br />
It protects me from the heat of the sun. When it rains, the dense canopy<br />
of leaves keeps me dry. As I crawl inside, it is cool and cosy. I close my<br />
eyes and travel from the real world to the land of my imagination.<br />
In one corner of my den is a shallow pit. I call it the dragon’s lair. On<br />
cool days, I spar with my secret speckled dragon who lives in a hole in<br />
the pit. His name is Braith. He teaches me clever fighting moves so I can<br />
protect myself from enemies.<br />
High in the roof of my den, Eden, the golden eagle, has built a nest for<br />
her brood of eaglets. She takes me for thrilling roller-coaster rides on<br />
her back. I cling to the feathers of her neck while she swoops and soars<br />
through my forest. I cry out in delight as the wind whistles through my<br />
hair and rushes past my cheeks.<br />
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In the middle of my forest, Wilfred, the wizened old wizard, creates his<br />
magical potions with the help of Garth, his ancient, scrawny black cat.<br />
He teaches me how to use the fruits of my forest for spectacular spells<br />
to turn my enemies into frogs, bats and rats.<br />
As I crawl out of my den, the dragon scales, eagle feathers and musty<br />
smell of forest fruits cling to my clothes, reminding me that the land of<br />
my imagination is as real as the real world.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (135)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 4, which word means flies high?<br />
(a) swoops (b) soars (c) whistles<br />
<strong>The</strong> shallow pit is home to the:<br />
(a) wizard. (b) eagle. (c) dragon.<br />
<strong>The</strong> owner of the forest den is most likely:<br />
(a) a child.<br />
(b) a baby.<br />
(c) a dog.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 1 is that<br />
the huge bush:<br />
(a) is beautiful.<br />
(b) is big.<br />
(c) means different things to<br />
different people.<br />
Who helps Wilfred to create<br />
his magical potions?<br />
(a) Garth, the cat<br />
(b) Braith, the dragon<br />
(c) Eden, the eagle<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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What would be most likely to grow in<br />
the forest den?<br />
(a) anything<br />
(b) nothing, because it is too wet<br />
(c) plants that like cool, dark places<br />
For the person in the story, the forest den is:<br />
(a) interesting. (b) magical. (c) dull.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word he is used instead of:<br />
(a) Wilfred. (b) Garth. (c) enemies.<br />
H Write a list of words<br />
to describe a forest<br />
den like the one in<br />
the story.<br />
H Draw a picture of<br />
one character in<br />
the story.
Silver 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
Ryan and Cerys were<br />
in the attic at the top of<br />
Grandpa Joe’s house.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were cobwebs<br />
everywhere and it was<br />
stuffy and very dusty.<br />
‘This is creepy’,<br />
shuddered Ryan. ‘Let’s go<br />
back downstairs.’<br />
Treasure trove<br />
‘Hang on a minute. Let’s<br />
just look in there’, said Cerys as she noticed a large toy chest under the<br />
window.<br />
As the lid creaked open, the two children gasped in amazement. <strong>The</strong><br />
chest was full of old metal train track and engines.<br />
‘Wow! This is the real stuff!’ shrieked Cerys, who was a real engine expert<br />
and model railway fan.<br />
‘Let’s make a space and lay it all out’, cried Ryan eagerly as he took a<br />
handful of track in one hand and an engine in the other. Together, the<br />
two children worked until the last piece was taken from the chest.<br />
A sniffing sound made them turn quickly. Grandpa Joe was standing<br />
in the doorway. His eyes were full of tears and his voice croaked as he<br />
spoke.<br />
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‘No-one has touched that track in over 30 years … not since …, Joe’s<br />
voice trailed away.<br />
‘Sorry, Grandpa,' said Ryan softly, ’we should have asked first’.<br />
‘No lad. Don’t worry. It’s good to see it being used again. Harry would<br />
smile if he could see it … Now, let’s see if we can get those creaky old<br />
engines moving!’<br />
‘Grandpa,’ asked Cerys, ‘who’s Harry?’<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (136)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word stuffy means:<br />
(a) prim and proper. (b) not enough air. (c) full of stuffing.<br />
Grandpa Joe’s attic was used:<br />
(a) every day.<br />
(b) every week.<br />
(c) hardly ever.<br />
<strong>The</strong> toy chest was by the:<br />
(a) window. (b) door. (c) cupboard.<br />
When Grandpa Joe came to the attic, he was:<br />
(a) happy. (b) sad. (c) angry.<br />
In Cerys’s opinion, model trains were:<br />
(a) okay. (b) boring. (c) fantastic.<br />
Harry may have been Grandpa Joe’s:<br />
(a) father. (b) son. (c) grandson.<br />
What probably happened to Harry?<br />
(a) He died as a child.<br />
(b) He got a job overseas.<br />
(c) He moved to the next town.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word it is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) cobwebs.<br />
(b) Grandpa Joe’s house.<br />
(c) the attic.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Write a list of words to describe an<br />
unused room.<br />
H Write six adjectives from the story.
Silver 7<br />
Lambing<br />
season<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Last weekend, I went to<br />
visit my Uncle Tom and<br />
Aunt Rosa on their farm.<br />
I had no idea I was in<br />
for such a wonderful<br />
treat … it was lambing season! I<br />
had always wanted to see lambs<br />
being born.<br />
All the ewes looked skinny because they had been sheared a few<br />
weeks ago. Uncle Tom says it makes it easier for the lambs to drink milk<br />
if their mothers’ fleece isn’t in the way.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first lamb I saw being born just fell out of its mother. I wondered if it<br />
had hurt itself. <strong>The</strong> ewe licked it clean and nuzzled it gently. Aunt Rosa<br />
then cut the cord and dipped the end in iodine to make sure it wouldn’t<br />
get infected. <strong>The</strong> lamb was ready now for its first meal!<br />
Before it could drink, Aunt Rosa had to check that the milk was coming<br />
out of the teats properly. <strong>The</strong> lamb was trying to push her out of the way.<br />
It must have been very hungry! I thought the ewe was going to fall over!<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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One mother just walked away from her lamb after it had been born.<br />
Uncle Tom had to run over to her and cut the cord. She let him check<br />
that her milk was flowing but she wasn’t interested in the lamb. <strong>The</strong> poor<br />
little thing just bleated. I don’t mind telling you, I almost cried!<br />
6<br />
7<br />
Uncle Tom put the lamb up to the ewe’s nose and then next to her<br />
udder but it didn’t know what to do. I pushed its back to move it closer.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n Uncle Tom did the funniest thing. He tickled the lamb’s bottom with<br />
some straw and that made it start sucking!<br />
It was a fantastic weekend. I worked really hard and got hardly any<br />
sleep but it was worth it. I want to do it again next lambing season!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (137)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word nuzzled means:<br />
(a) bit. (b) touched and rubbed. (c) licked.<br />
Ewes are sheared:<br />
(a) before lambing. (b) during lambing. (c) after lambing.<br />
With the first lamb, as soon as it was born, the ewe:<br />
(a) cleaned it. (b) fed it. (c) fell asleep.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ewe’s milk comes out of its:<br />
(a) cord. (b) teats. (c) fleece.<br />
<strong>The</strong> end of the cord is dipped in<br />
iodine to stop it from:<br />
(a) growing.<br />
(b) shrinking.<br />
(c) getting infected.<br />
Aunt Rosa checked that the milk<br />
was flowing properly so that the:<br />
(a) lamb wouldn’t bleat.<br />
(b) lamb didn’t bite the teat.<br />
(c) lamb could feed.<br />
What did the writer think about<br />
the weekend on the farm?<br />
(a) He or she hated it.<br />
(b) He or she didn’t mind it.<br />
(c) He or she enjoyed it.<br />
In Paragraph 5, the word her is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) Aunt Rosa.<br />
(b) the mother.<br />
(c) the lamb.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Draw a picture of a ewe<br />
and her lamb.<br />
H Write all the words you<br />
can make from the letters<br />
in ‘lambing season’.
Silver 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> real Pinocchio<br />
If you think that the real Pinocchio is a cute<br />
cartoon character, you are very much<br />
mistaken! <strong>The</strong> original puppet from <strong>The</strong><br />
adventures of Pinocchio, written by Carlo<br />
Collodi almost 130 years ago, is quite a<br />
horrible little boy. He acts in such a dreadful<br />
way that even quite naughty children would<br />
be shocked by his behaviour.<br />
Here is just a taste of the real Pinocchio’s<br />
character. You’ll have to read the original story<br />
to find out the rest!<br />
His father, Geppetto, soon realises what a<br />
naughty puppet boy he has made. As soon as<br />
his legs and feet are carved, Pinocchio gives<br />
him a big kick and runs away. Poor Geppetto is<br />
thrown in jail because Pinocchio tells the police<br />
that Geppetto has been cruel to him.<br />
Meanwhile, Pinocchio returns home.<br />
<strong>The</strong> talking cricket who has lived with<br />
Geppetto for 100 years tells Pinocchio that<br />
boys who tell lies turn into donkeys. This makes<br />
Pinocchio very angry and he throws a hammer<br />
at the cricket, killing it stone-dead.<br />
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By now, Pinocchio is very tired and he falls<br />
asleep by the fire. When he wakes up, he<br />
realises that his feet have burned away. At that<br />
moment, Geppetto walks through the door. He<br />
immediately makes new feet for Pinocchio who<br />
promises to be good for ever.<br />
6<br />
Pinocchio still meets the characters from the<br />
movie and many others who all help him to be<br />
wicked. He has the ghost of the talking cricket and<br />
a fairy with turquoise hair to help him to be good.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (138)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 1, the word original means:<br />
(a) the first. (b) the best. (c) loved.<br />
What does Pinocchio do before Geppetto is released from jail?<br />
(a) He promises to be good.<br />
(b) He kills the talking cricket.<br />
(c) He makes dinner.<br />
Pinocchio burned his feet because he:<br />
(a) fell asleep by the fire.<br />
(b) washed them in hot water.<br />
(c) was playing with matches.<br />
In the original story, the cricket:<br />
(a) sings. (b) runs away. (c) is killed.<br />
Geppetto’s actions in Paragraph 5 show that he is:<br />
(a) good at making things from wood.<br />
(b) a kind man who has forgiven Pinocchio.<br />
(c) cross with Pinocchio.<br />
Before Pinocchio’s feet are burned:<br />
(a) he falls asleep.<br />
(b) Geppetto walks in.<br />
(c) Pinocchio promises to be good.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Geppetto was thrown in jail because:<br />
(a) he was cruel.<br />
(b) he made a naughty puppet.<br />
(c) Pinocchio lied to the police.<br />
In Paragraph 6, the word him is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) the talking cricket.<br />
(b) Geppetto.<br />
(c) Pinocchio.<br />
Something extra<br />
H List the bad ways<br />
Pinocchio behaved.<br />
H List the bad ways you<br />
behave.
Silver 9<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
<strong>The</strong> tortoise who talked too much<br />
Long ago in India, there lived three<br />
friends—a tortoise and two geese. <strong>The</strong><br />
tortoise lived in a pond where his two<br />
friends often visited.<br />
A drought began to affect the<br />
land and all the waterways<br />
began to dry up—including the<br />
pond where the tortoise lived. <strong>The</strong><br />
animals had very little to drink. Some<br />
animals died.<br />
<strong>The</strong> three friends decided to leave<br />
the pond area and travel to a distant<br />
lake where there was plenty of water.<br />
Although it was easy for the geese to<br />
fly a great distance, it was very difficult<br />
for the tortoise, who could only trudge<br />
along very slowly. <strong>The</strong>y finally thought<br />
of a plan.<br />
<strong>The</strong> geese would fly holding a strong stick in their beaks. <strong>The</strong> tortoise<br />
would grasp the stick in his mouth. However, the tortoise would not be<br />
able to speak at all because if he opened his mouth, he would plunge<br />
to the land below and almost certainly die. <strong>The</strong> tortoise agreed to the<br />
plan but the geese were still concerned about their friend, as he was<br />
very talkative.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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<strong>The</strong> geese warned the tortoise again about talking and they set out<br />
on their journey. <strong>The</strong>y soared high into the sky with the tortoise clinging<br />
tightly to the stick.<br />
Eventually, they flew over a town. <strong>The</strong> townsfolk saw the tortoise being<br />
transported by the geese and began to laugh and clap. <strong>The</strong> tortoise,<br />
annoyed at being made fun of, opened his mouth to speak.<br />
As soon as he opened his mouth, the tortoise lost his grip on the stick<br />
and fell to his death. <strong>The</strong> geese were very sad to have lost a friend who<br />
did not listen to their warning.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (139)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
What caused the pond to dry up?<br />
(a) a drought (b) too many animals (c) floods<br />
Some animals died:<br />
(a) because they got old.<br />
(b) of thirst.<br />
(c) because they killed each other.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word distant in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) talk about. (b) unusual. (c) far away.<br />
Paragraph 2 tells:<br />
(a) why the three friends had to move away.<br />
(b) what the plan was.<br />
(c) what happened to the tortoise.<br />
After the tortoise held onto the stick with his mouth:<br />
(a) the three animals stayed near the pond.<br />
(b) there was a drought.<br />
(c) the geese flew with the stick between their beaks.<br />
In Paragraph 7, he means<br />
(a) the geese. (b) the tortoise. (c) the townsfolk.<br />
<strong>The</strong> geese could fly a great distance quickly but the tortoise:<br />
(a) could only travel slowly.<br />
(b) could run quickly.<br />
(c) did not talk very much.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> geese were worried about<br />
their friend because:<br />
(a) he was talkative.<br />
(b) he was too heavy.<br />
(c) he liked to eat sticks.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Find out and write some interesting<br />
facts about tortoises or geese.<br />
H Read about India.
Silver 10<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
Androcles and<br />
the lion<br />
Long ago in ancient Rome, a<br />
slave named Androcles escaped<br />
from his master into the forest.<br />
He wandered around the forest<br />
for many days, foraging for food<br />
and hiding.<br />
One day, Androcles discovered<br />
a lion lying in the grass, moaning<br />
in pain. As he cautiously<br />
approached, he noticed a large<br />
thorn in the lion’s paw. <strong>The</strong> paw<br />
was swollen and bleeding. Very gently, Androcles pulled out the thorn<br />
and bandaged the paw. <strong>The</strong> lion led Androcles to his cave. <strong>The</strong> lion’s<br />
paw improved daily and soon he was able to hunt for meat, which he<br />
shared with Androcles.<br />
Soon afterwards, both Androcles and the lion were captured by Roman<br />
soldiers. Androcles was sentenced to death in the arena and the lion<br />
was thrown into a cage where he was not fed for many days.<br />
Finally, the day arrived for Androcles to meet his doom. <strong>The</strong> Roman<br />
emperor and the people of the town gathered to watch the event.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. <strong>The</strong> hungry lion was<br />
released from its cage. It bounded into the arena towards its victim. As<br />
the lion approached, he recognised Androcles. He was so pleased to<br />
see his rescuer that he licked his face and hands like a friendly dog.<br />
<strong>The</strong> emperor was amazed by the remarkable sight. He ordered<br />
Androcles to be brought to him and demanded an explanation.<br />
Androcles told him how he had removed the thorn from the lion’s paw.<br />
<strong>The</strong> emperor forgave Androcles for his crimes and released him from<br />
slavery. <strong>The</strong> grateful lion was set free in the forest where he lived happily<br />
for the rest of his life.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (140)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
A slave is:<br />
(a) a person owned by someone else.<br />
(b) a person who works for<br />
someone else.<br />
(c) a snail without a shell.<br />
Before Androcles bandaged the<br />
lion’s paw:<br />
(a) the lion hunted for meat.<br />
(b) he shared the lion’s meat.<br />
(c) the lion moaned in pain.<br />
As soon as Androcles pulled out the thorn, he:<br />
(a) bandaged the paw. (b) ate meat. (c) ran away.<br />
Before the lion hunted for meat, Androcles fed himself by:<br />
(a) catching fish.<br />
(b) foraging for food.<br />
(c) buying food at the supermarket.<br />
<strong>The</strong> lion was not fed for many days so that:<br />
(a) he would be slim when everyone saw him.<br />
(b) he would be hungry when he went into the arena.<br />
(c) it would not cost anything to feed him.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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In Paragraph 5, to meet his doom means to:<br />
(a) go outside. (b) meet his friends. (c) die.<br />
Which paragraph tells what happened to Androcles and the lion<br />
in the arena?<br />
(a) Paragraph 5 (b) Paragraph 6 (c) Paragraph 7<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 2, He means:<br />
(a) Androcles.<br />
(b) the lion.<br />
(c) the emperor.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Find pictures of things in ancient Rome.<br />
H Make a list of words using the letters in<br />
the word ‘Androcles’.
Gold 1<br />
How a hot-air balloon works<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
A French science teacher, Pilâtre de Rozier, invented<br />
the first hot-air balloon. He named the balloon Aerostat<br />
Reveillon. On 19 September 1783, he loaded a sheep,<br />
duck and rooster into the balloon for a flight lasting fifteen<br />
minutes.<br />
On 21 November 1783, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, two French<br />
brothers, took to the air in their hot-air balloon. <strong>The</strong>ir flight took off from<br />
the centre of Paris and lasted twenty minutes. This was the first time<br />
people had travelled in a hot-air balloon.<br />
A hot-air balloon has three<br />
main parts:<br />
• <strong>The</strong> basket, or gondola,<br />
holds the pilot, passengers<br />
and gas cylinders. Some<br />
baskets are large enough<br />
to carry more than twenty<br />
people.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> burner is like the<br />
engine of the balloon.<br />
It uses propane gas to<br />
push hot air up into the<br />
envelope.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> balloon, or envelope, is<br />
made of airtight, durable<br />
fabric. Balloons come in<br />
many colours, shapes and<br />
sizes.<br />
envelope<br />
burners<br />
basket<br />
parachute<br />
valve<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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gas cylinders<br />
4<br />
A hot-air balloon stays in the air because the warm air inside the<br />
envelope is lighter than the cold air outside. This makes the balloon<br />
float. To keep the balloon in the air, the pilot fires the burner so the air in<br />
the envelope stays warm. When the pilot wants to land, he or she opens<br />
the parachute valve at the top of the envelope to let out some of the<br />
warm air.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (141)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
Which part of the balloon is like the engine?<br />
(a) gondola (b) envelope (c) burner<br />
What do you think the word durable in<br />
Paragraph 3 means?<br />
(a) tough<br />
(b) weak<br />
(c) washable<br />
Where will you find the parachute valve?<br />
(a) on a passenger<br />
(b) on the gondola<br />
(c) on the envelope<br />
Who were the first people to ride in<br />
a hot-air balloon?<br />
(a) a sheep, a duck and a rooster<br />
(b) passengers<br />
(c) Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier<br />
What do you call a person who controls the hot-air balloon?<br />
(a) pilot (b) passenger (c) inventor<br />
Would your whole family be able to fit in a gondola for a hot-air balloon<br />
ride together?<br />
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(a) yes (b) no (c) hard to tell<br />
From which country did the hot-air balloon originate?<br />
(a) Paris (b) France (c) England<br />
8.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hot-air balloon is:<br />
(a) an eighteenth-century<br />
invention.<br />
(b) an English invention.<br />
(c) a recent invention.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Draw a colourful hot-air balloon.<br />
H Make a list of other inventions<br />
which fly in the sky.
Gold 2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Amazing animals<br />
Did you know that some animals<br />
are able to regenerate? That<br />
means if they lose a body part,<br />
such as a leg, they can grow a<br />
new one. Lizards can lose their<br />
tail and leave it wiggling on the<br />
ground to distract their enemy<br />
while they escape. It takes around<br />
nine months for a new tail to grow.<br />
If flatworms and sea cucumbers<br />
are cut into pieces, each piece<br />
grows into a whole new flatworm<br />
or sea cucumber. Spiders and sea<br />
stars are able to regrow missing<br />
legs or arms.<br />
A few amazing frogs are able to freeze<br />
themselves over the winter and thaw<br />
out once spring arrives. <strong>The</strong> North<br />
American wood frog freezes itself at<br />
the very first touch of ice. It begins<br />
by freezing its organs. As soon as the<br />
temperature rises in spring, the frog<br />
thaws from the inside and begins<br />
moving around within a few hours.<br />
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Have you ever thought about an animal ejecting its stomach? A sea<br />
cucumber gets rid of its stomach when it feels threatened. It takes a<br />
few weeks for its stomach to regrow. A sea star ejects its stomach to<br />
collect food. When it is finished eating, the stomach is sucked back<br />
inside its body. Some frogs eject their whole stomach when they vomit.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y clean it with their leg and then take it back inside their body!<br />
How about zebras—did you know that each zebra has its own unique<br />
stripe pattern, just like our fingerprints are unique to each of us?<br />
Zebras use their stripes to recognise each other within the herd. A foal<br />
is able to recognise its own mother by her unique stripe pattern.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (142)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What does the word regenerate in Paragraph 1 mean?<br />
(a) to vomit<br />
(b) to grow something new<br />
(c) to freeze and thaw out<br />
When does a sea cucumber<br />
eject its stomach?<br />
(a) when it eats<br />
(b) when it regenerates<br />
(c) when it feels threatened<br />
A zebras stripes are unique, like:<br />
(a) human fingerprints. (b) lizard tails. (c) frog organs.<br />
Flatworms and sea cucumbers are the same because they both:<br />
(a) are plants. (b) live on land. (c) regenerate.<br />
A North American wood frog begins to thaw when it:<br />
(a) touches ice. (b) feels warmer. (c) moves around.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 2, means the:<br />
(a) spring. (b) North American wood frog. (c) ice.<br />
Which word could be used instead of thaw out in Paragraph 2?<br />
(a) freeze<br />
(b) melt<br />
(c) regenerate<br />
Why does a lizard lose its tail?<br />
(a) so other animals have a<br />
play toy<br />
(b) to survive<br />
(c) because it likes to grow<br />
a new one<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Use the letters in the word<br />
‘regenerate’ to make as<br />
many new words as you can.<br />
H Design a unique stripe<br />
pattern which could be found<br />
on a zebra.
Gold 3<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
Skin – the body’s blanket<br />
Skin is the largest organ<br />
of the body. If we were<br />
to lay out the skin of an<br />
adult, it would cover<br />
a two-metre by twometre<br />
blanket. Of all<br />
the different parts of<br />
the body, the skin is the<br />
heaviest! <strong>The</strong> thickest<br />
skin is found on the soles<br />
of the feet, while the<br />
eyelids have the thinnest<br />
skin.<br />
epidermis<br />
dermis<br />
subcutaneous<br />
fat<br />
skin layers<br />
Skin covers our whole body<br />
and protects us from germs,<br />
water and sunshine. <strong>The</strong> skin<br />
also keeps our body at just the right temperature. If it is too hot,<br />
the skin sweats to cool down and if it is too cold, tiny hairs stand up to<br />
trap warm air which helps to keep the body warm. Skin also plays an<br />
important part in keeping all our inside bits … well … inside!<br />
Skin has three layers. <strong>The</strong> outside layer, called the epidermis, is the bit<br />
we can see. New skin is always being made at the bottom of this layer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new skin works its way up to the surface and the dead skin on the<br />
surface falls off. We lose about 10 million dead skin cells from our body<br />
every day. About every four years, we shed our own body weight in<br />
dead skin! This layer also has a chemical called ‘melanin’. Melanin<br />
works to protect us from the sun. <strong>The</strong> more melanin in the skin, the<br />
darker it is.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> second layer of skin, called the dermis, can’t be seen. This part<br />
of our skin gives us our sense of touch. <strong>The</strong> nerves and blood vessels<br />
are found here and they send messages to our brain if something is<br />
painful, hot or cold.<br />
<strong>The</strong> third layer is called ‘subcutaneous fat’. This layer of fatty tissue<br />
cushions us from any knocks or bumps, helps to keep us warm and<br />
attaches the skin to the tissue underneath.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (143)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Which of these sentences is true?<br />
(a) We lose all of our skin when we are four.<br />
(b) It takes four years to shed our body weight in dead skin.<br />
(c) We lose about 10 million dead skin cells every four years.<br />
We feel pain because of the nerves found in the:<br />
(a) subcutaneous fat. (b) epidermis. (c) dermis.<br />
When we are too hot:<br />
(a) the skin sweats.<br />
(b) tiny hairs stand up.<br />
(c) the skin gets thicker.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word it in Paragraph 1<br />
is used instead of:<br />
(a) the body.<br />
(b) the skin of an adult.<br />
(c) a blanket.<br />
Fair-skinned people have:<br />
(a) lots of melanin. (b) thin skin. (c) little melanin.<br />
New skin is made in the:<br />
(a) epidermis. (b) dermis. (c) subcutaneous fat.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word organ in Paragraph 1 means:<br />
(a) a type of piano.<br />
(b) a blanket.<br />
(c) a part of the body.<br />
<strong>The</strong> surface of the skin is:<br />
(a) dead.<br />
(b) alive.<br />
(c) too heavy to carry.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Measure out an area of<br />
2 m x 2 m to see how big it is.<br />
H Draw a poster showing how<br />
to protect our skin from the<br />
sun.
Gold 4<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
People use the term kung-fu to<br />
describe Chinese martial arts.<br />
But working hard and becoming<br />
an expert in any skill is the real<br />
meaning of kung-fu.<br />
Long ago, in China, kung-fu was all<br />
about working hard and training<br />
the body and mind to achieve<br />
excellence in any area of learning<br />
or skill. Today, a person could be<br />
kung-fu at basketball or art. When<br />
we say a person has kung-fu, it<br />
means that person has worked<br />
hard and has great skill.<br />
<strong>The</strong> term kung-fu became popular<br />
in the 1960s when a lot of movies<br />
were made in Hong Kong (a city<br />
in China). <strong>The</strong> movies showed a<br />
lot of Chinese martial arts. One of<br />
the stars of these movies was Bruce<br />
Lee. He was an actor and a master<br />
of Chinese martial arts.<br />
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Chinese martial arts were first<br />
used 5000 years ago. <strong>The</strong>y were a form of self-defence, used during<br />
hunting expeditions. <strong>The</strong>y were also used by Chinese soldiers in handto-hand<br />
combat and weapons training. Over time, Chinese martial arts<br />
changed and new techniques for good health and to develop inner<br />
strength were included.<br />
Today, there are hundreds of different styles of Chinese martial arts.<br />
<strong>The</strong> names given to Chinese martial arts as a group include: ‘kung-fu’,<br />
‘wushu’, ‘kuoshu’, or ‘ch’uan fa’.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (144)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
Kung-fu really means:<br />
(a) Chinese martial arts.<br />
(b) becoming expert by hard work.<br />
(c) fighting.<br />
It is a fact, not an opinion, that:<br />
(a) a person can be kung-fu in<br />
skateboarding.<br />
(b) working hard is good.<br />
(c) everyone should work hard.<br />
In Paragraph 3, the word<br />
popular means:<br />
(a) enjoyable.<br />
(b) well-known and used.<br />
(c) belonging to people.<br />
Chinese martial arts are:<br />
(a) very modern sports.<br />
(b) very old forms of self-defence.<br />
(c) only practised by Chinese soldiers.<br />
What is kung-fu really all about?<br />
(a) working hard to be your best<br />
(b) being really good at martial arts<br />
(c) training all the time<br />
Who can be kung-fu at something?<br />
(a) boys only<br />
(b) girls only<br />
(c) boys and girls<br />
What is the main idea of Paragraph 3?<br />
(a) Bruce Lee was a famous actor.<br />
(b) Movies were made in Hong Kong.<br />
(c) how the term ‘kung-fu’ became<br />
popular<br />
8. When were Chinese<br />
martial arts first used?<br />
(a) 1960s<br />
(b) 5000 years ago<br />
(c) 2000 years ago<br />
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Something extra<br />
H On a map of the world,<br />
find and colour China.<br />
Circle Hong Kong.<br />
H Make a list of things<br />
you would like to be<br />
‘kung-fu’ at.
Gold 5<br />
Green sea<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
turtle<br />
<strong>The</strong> green sea turtle is a marine reptile. It is found in warm tropical and<br />
temperate oceans all over the world. <strong>The</strong> female lives in the sea and<br />
comes onto the beach each summer to lay eggs. <strong>The</strong> male doesn’t<br />
come onto land. <strong>The</strong>re are seven different species of sea turtles. <strong>The</strong><br />
green sea turtle is one of the largest turtles.<br />
<strong>The</strong> green sea turtle has a large, hard shell (called a ‘carapace’); a<br />
beak; a tail; and four flippers. This turtle is unable to retract its head<br />
and flippers into its shell for protection. <strong>The</strong> green sea turtle was so<br />
named because of the colour of the fat underneath the shell. <strong>The</strong> fat<br />
is green in colour because of the amount of sea grass and other sea<br />
plants it eats. <strong>The</strong> adult green sea turtle is a plant eater (herbivore);<br />
however, as a young hatchling, it is a meat eater (carnivore).<br />
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<strong>The</strong> female green sea turtle returns to the same beach each year to<br />
lay her eggs. It is the beach where she was born. She hauls herself<br />
onto the beach at night during summer to lay around 100 eggs. She<br />
uses her flippers to dig a pit, lays her eggs and covers them carefully<br />
with sand. She then returns to the sea. Around three months later, the<br />
baby turtles hatch and make their way to the sea.<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong> green sea turtle is considered endangered in some parts of the<br />
world. Climate change is threatening the future of these and other<br />
marine turtles. Rising waters, severe storms and flooding are destroying<br />
the beaches where the green sea turtles lay their eggs.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (145)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Green sea turtles are found:<br />
(a) in cold waters.<br />
(b) in temperate and tropical waters.<br />
(c) on beaches everywhere.<br />
Green sea turtles are:<br />
(a) reptiles. (b) mammals. (c) fish.<br />
After laying their eggs, female green<br />
sea turtles:<br />
(a) care for their young.<br />
(b) return to the sea.<br />
(c) wait until they hatch.<br />
Male sea turtles:<br />
(a) spend their entire life in the water.<br />
(b) go on to the beach.<br />
(c) care for their young.<br />
What is the name of a baby turtle?<br />
(a) reptile<br />
(b) carnivore<br />
(c) hatchling<br />
<strong>The</strong> green sea turtle was named after:<br />
(a) the person who discovered the species.<br />
(b) the colour of its shell.<br />
(c) the colour of the fatty layer under the shell.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meaning of the word retract in Paragraph 2 is to:<br />
(a) turn. (b) change. (c) pull back in.<br />
<strong>The</strong> main idea of Paragraph 4 is to:<br />
(a) give an introduction to green sea turtles.<br />
(b) describe the green sea turtle.<br />
Something<br />
extra<br />
H Draw a picture of the<br />
baby turtles making<br />
their way to the sea.<br />
H Write a poem about<br />
green sea turtles.<br />
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(c) explain how climate change may affect green sea turtles.
Gold 6<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Batter up for<br />
tee-ball!<br />
Tee-ball is a great game for boys and<br />
girls between the ages of five and 12. It<br />
began in the United States of America<br />
in the 1950s to give young children the<br />
opportunity to develop baseball skills.<br />
<strong>The</strong> games of baseball and softball<br />
were changed to suit younger<br />
competitors. <strong>The</strong> tee-ball field is smaller<br />
than a baseball field and the rules have<br />
been made easier to understand. <strong>The</strong><br />
main aims of playing tee-ball are:<br />
• to introduce children to a<br />
diamond-based team sport<br />
that is fun and where they can<br />
experience success<br />
• to encourage good health<br />
through exercise<br />
• to encourage good sportsmanship.<br />
A tee-ball game runs for 60 minutes. Teams bat for ten minutes, then take<br />
their turn on the field for ten minutes. Each team bats and fields three<br />
times per game. All players have a turn at batting. Fielding positions<br />
are rotated to make sure every player has a turn on one of the bases.<br />
Each team must have nine players. If one team does not have enough<br />
players, they may borrow players from another team with more than<br />
nine players.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Players hit a ball, about the size of a tennis ball, off a tee. <strong>The</strong> tee can<br />
be adjusted to suit the height of the batter. Once the ball has been hit<br />
successfully, the batter drops the bat and runs to first base. It is up to the<br />
fielders to get the ball to the base before the batter reaches it. Players<br />
practise and develop skills in throwing and catching, chasing and<br />
fielding balls, hitting and baserunning, and playing in different positions.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (146)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
Which bat and ball game is tee-ball based on?<br />
(a) cricket (b) hockey (c) baseball<br />
How long does each team spend batting during a 60-minute game?<br />
(a) 10 minutes (b) 30 minutes (c) 60 minutes<br />
A tee-ball field is different from a baseball field because it is:<br />
(a) the same size. (b) smaller. (c) bigger.<br />
What does a batter do once he/she has successfully hit the ball?<br />
(a) drops the bat and runs to first base<br />
(b) catches the ball and throws it to first base<br />
(c) returns to the bench to join the rest of the team<br />
Which age group plays tee-ball?<br />
(a) 5–12 years<br />
(b) under 12 years<br />
(c) 10–15 years<br />
All players have turns:<br />
(a) batting.<br />
(b) fielding.<br />
(c) batting and fielding.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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It is a fact, not an opinion, that tee-ball is:<br />
(a) fun.<br />
(b) played with a bat and ball.<br />
(c) easy to play.<br />
8.<br />
Tee-ball started in:<br />
(a) Australia.<br />
(b) the USA.<br />
(c) England.<br />
Something extra<br />
H Write an acrostic poem about tee-ball.<br />
H List other sports which use a bat and a ball.
Gold 7<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
World records<br />
A world record can be set in anything which can be<br />
measured. World records usually include the fastest or<br />
slowest; largest or smallest; longest or shortest; the most or<br />
the least; oldest or youngest; heaviest or lightest—they are<br />
the extreme best in a category.<br />
You might be surprised to know that the Guinness book of<br />
world records was first published in August 1955, in Britain. Now titled<br />
Guinness world records ® , it is printed in 24 different languages and<br />
sold in more than 100 countries around the world. <strong>The</strong> book has many<br />
categories of world records. <strong>The</strong>se include the human body, arts and<br />
media, amazing feats, modern society, the natural world, travel and<br />
transport, sports and games, and science and technology.<br />
An American man by the name of Ashrita Furman is known as ‘Mr<br />
Versatility’. He holds the world record for the most number of world<br />
records and also for the most number of world records held at any one<br />
time. By 2008, he had set or broken 204 official world records. He set his<br />
first world record in 1979 by doing 27 000 continuous jumping jacks.<br />
In June 2008, he set a world record when he crushed 53 eggs with his<br />
head in just 30 seconds.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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Between 1200 and 1500 people attempt to set or break a world record<br />
each week. If you would like to set or break a world record, you must<br />
contact Guinness world records ® and apply to do so. You must tell them<br />
what you want to do and they will send you information about the<br />
current record and rules to follow. If it is a new type of record, they will<br />
tell you whether or not they are interested and send you rules to follow!<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (147)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
A world record can be set:<br />
(a) by humans only.<br />
(b) in anything which can<br />
be measured.<br />
(c) in anything.<br />
In which section of Guinness<br />
world records ® would records<br />
relating to animals be found?<br />
(a) sports and games<br />
(b) modern society<br />
(c) the natural world<br />
What is the main idea of<br />
Paragraph 3?<br />
(a) records set by Ashrita<br />
Furman<br />
(b) American men’s records<br />
(c) jumping jacks<br />
Guinness world records ® was<br />
first published in:<br />
(a) America.<br />
(b) Britain.<br />
(c) Australia.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What would be the<br />
best meaning for the<br />
word versatility used in<br />
Paragraph 3?<br />
(a) able to turn<br />
backwards or<br />
forwards<br />
(b) having many uses<br />
(c) able to change from<br />
one task to another<br />
Guinness world records ®<br />
sets rules for:<br />
(a) all records.<br />
(b) new records<br />
(c) old records.<br />
Guinness world records ®<br />
was first published in:<br />
(a) 2008.<br />
(b) 1955.<br />
(c) 1979.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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5.<br />
Guinness world records ® will<br />
only publish a record if a<br />
person:<br />
(a) applies first.<br />
(b) sets a world record.<br />
(c) tells what they did.<br />
Something extra<br />
H How many jumping jacks<br />
can you do in one minute?<br />
H Which category of world<br />
records do you find most<br />
interesting? Explain why.
Gold 8<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
LEGO ®<br />
<strong>The</strong> colourful LEGO ® brick, as we know it today, was first made in 1958.<br />
Plastic is poured into specially shaped moulds to form these strong, selflocking<br />
bricks. Children all over the world spend billions of hours every<br />
year playing with LEGO ® bricks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> LEGO ® company was started in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen. He<br />
was a Danish carpenter who began making wooden toys to help<br />
children use their imagination in play. He made up the name, LEGO ® ,<br />
from the first two letters in the Danish words ‘leg godt’, which means<br />
‘play well’.<br />
LEGO ® toys are sold in more than 130 countries around the world.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are more than 2200 different LEGO ® pieces in the LEGO ® range<br />
and 55 different colours available. <strong>The</strong> different LEGO ® pieces can<br />
be assembled to make anything you can imagine, from buildings to<br />
vehicles and even working robots. <strong>The</strong>re are 120 designers working for<br />
the LEGO ® company. Once a new model is created, it takes around<br />
twelve months for that design to be sold in the shops.<br />
©R.I.C. Publications<br />
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4<br />
In 1968, the LEGO ® company built LEGOLAND ® Park in Billund, Denmark.<br />
LEGOLAND ® shows how creativity and imagination can be used. Visitors<br />
to LEGOLAND ® are treated to spectacular LEGO ® brick models, rides<br />
and interactive shows. <strong>The</strong>y are encouraged to be creative with their<br />
own designs in special LEGO ® building areas. LEGOLAND ® can also be<br />
found in Windsor, UK; California, USA; and Gunzburg, Germany.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (148)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
<strong>The</strong> LEGO ® bricks we see today were first invented in:<br />
(a) 1968. (b) 1958. (c) 1932.<br />
<strong>The</strong> word assembled in Paragraph 3 means:<br />
(a) put together. (b) sorted. (c) collected.<br />
LEGOLAND ® is a place where:<br />
(a) LEGO ® bricks are manufactured.<br />
(b) Ole Kirk Christiansen first invented LEGO ® bricks.<br />
(c) creativity and imagination are displayed.<br />
LEGO ® toys are sold in:<br />
(a) USA, UK, Germany and Denmark.<br />
(b) more than 130 countries.<br />
(c) factories.<br />
LEGO ® pieces can be used to create:<br />
(a) buildings and vehicles.<br />
(b) working robots.<br />
(c) almost anything you can imagine.<br />
What is the main idea of Paragraph 2?<br />
(a) where LEGO ® was first invented<br />
(b) how the LEGO ® company started<br />
(c) what LEGO ® is made of<br />
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It is an opinion, not a fact, that LEGO ® is:<br />
(a) great. (b) made of plastic. (c) sold in many countries.<br />
8.<br />
In Paragraph 4, the word they is<br />
used instead of:<br />
(a) visitors.<br />
(b) rides.<br />
(c) LEGO ® models.<br />
H<br />
H<br />
On a world map, show the locations of<br />
LEGOLAND ® .<br />
How many words can you make using<br />
the letters in the word ‘LEGOLAND ® ’.
Gold 9<br />
Ingredients<br />
• 1 cup nuts<br />
• ½ cup dates<br />
• ½ cup dried apricots<br />
• ½ cup raisins<br />
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder<br />
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon<br />
• ¼ cup desiccated coconut<br />
• 1 tablespoon orange juice (optional)<br />
Equipment<br />
• food processor<br />
• measuring cups and spoons<br />
• cup<br />
• kitchen paper or foil<br />
• plate<br />
Method<br />
1. Put nuts, dates, apricots, raisins and<br />
cocoa in the food processor and blend for one minute.<br />
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2. If the mixture does not hold together, add the orange juice.<br />
3. Put the cinnamon and then coconut into a cup. Mix well<br />
and spread onto kitchen paper.<br />
4. Use your hands to roll a teaspoonful of the mixture into<br />
small balls. You should make approximately 20 balls.<br />
5. Roll each ball in the coconut mixture to coat.<br />
6. Place on a plate and put in the fridge until firm.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (149)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
What does the word optional in the ingredients list mean?<br />
(a) You must use orange juice to make the recipe work properly.<br />
(b) It is the last ingredient on the list.<br />
(c) You can use orange juice if you need to.<br />
Orange juice can be added if the mixture:<br />
(a) won’t stay together.<br />
(b) tastes awful.<br />
(c) is too sweet.<br />
Which utensil would make it easier to measure the nuts,<br />
dates, apricots, raisins and coconut correctly?<br />
(a) a cup (b) measuring cups (c) measuring spoons<br />
Which is the last ingredient used?<br />
(a) cocoa (b) coconut (c) cinnamon<br />
If you and four friends were sharing the chocolatey fruit<br />
balls, how many balls would each person receive?<br />
(a) twenty (b) five (c) four<br />
What should be done first?<br />
(a) Roll into balls.<br />
(b) Blend mixture.<br />
(c) Add cinnamon.<br />
In a recipe, the method tells us:<br />
(a) what we will need.<br />
(b) what to do step-by-step.<br />
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(c) how long it will take to make.<br />
H Write the list of ingredients<br />
in alphabetical order.<br />
H Write ALL of the words from<br />
the recipe which are verbs.<br />
H Make a poster listing<br />
rules to be followed when<br />
cooking.<br />
Which word in the method could be<br />
replaced by the word about?<br />
(a) spread (b) place (c) approximately
Gold 10<br />
description<br />
activity<br />
diet<br />
defence<br />
native to<br />
habitat<br />
interesting<br />
fact<br />
What’s the difference?<br />
hedgehog<br />
small enough to fit in<br />
your hand; covered<br />
with thousands of very<br />
sharp spines mixed with<br />
coarse hair<br />
nocturnal; rests in a<br />
den burrowed into the<br />
ground or a nest of leaf<br />
litter<br />
omnivore: insects,<br />
snails, frogs and toads,<br />
snakes, bird eggs,<br />
mushrooms, grass<br />
roots, berries, melons,<br />
earthworms<br />
rolls into a tight ball<br />
with spines pointing<br />
outwards; can also<br />
run away or climb to<br />
escape danger<br />
Europe, Asia and Africa<br />
anywhere there is welldrained<br />
soil, dry shelter<br />
and plenty of insects<br />
Some people think<br />
they make good pets<br />
because they control<br />
pests in the garden.<br />
echidna<br />
covered in spines and<br />
coarse hair for warmth;<br />
has a long snout and<br />
long tongue for finding<br />
food<br />
nocturnal when it is hot;<br />
active day and night<br />
when it is cooler<br />
insectivore: ants,<br />
termites and grubs<br />
on hard ground; rolls<br />
into a tight ball<br />
on soft soil; lowers its<br />
head and digs quickly,<br />
sinking into the ground,<br />
leaving its spines<br />
showing<br />
Australia and New<br />
Guinea<br />
anywhere with ground<br />
cover and plenty of<br />
ants<br />
<strong>The</strong>y don’t like the heat<br />
and are very good<br />
swimmers.<br />
porcupine<br />
mammal erinaceinae monotreme rodent<br />
large rodent covered<br />
in 30 000 barbed quills<br />
along back, sides and<br />
tail; has coarse hair for<br />
warmth<br />
nocturnal; rests in caves<br />
or rocky crevices<br />
omnivore: grass, clover,<br />
grubs, roots, bulbs,<br />
berries, fruits, bark, nuts<br />
backs up to the<br />
attacker; if quills are<br />
touched, they are<br />
released into the<br />
attacker and are<br />
difficult to take out<br />
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Asia, Italy, Africa and<br />
North and South<br />
America<br />
forests, hillsides, rocky<br />
outcrops, deserts,<br />
grasslands<br />
Most live on the ground,<br />
but some climb trees—<br />
even though they are<br />
very clumsy.<br />
R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (150)<br />
Prim-Ed Publishing
Questions<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Coarse hair is:<br />
(a) rude. (b) smooth. (c) wiry.<br />
An echidna:<br />
(a) is an omnivore and lives in Australia.<br />
(b) has spines and can swim.<br />
(c) has quills and can swim.<br />
An omnivore eats:<br />
(a) meat.<br />
(b) plants.<br />
(c) meat and plants.<br />
Which mammal does the writer think would make a suitable pet?<br />
(a) hedgehog (b) echidna (c) porcupine<br />
Which mammal is a rodent?<br />
(a) hedgehog (b) echidna (c) porcupine<br />
<strong>The</strong> word clumsy was used to describe the porcupine. It means:<br />
(a) is difficult to handle.<br />
(b) moves in a awkward way.<br />
(c) doesn’t get on well with others.<br />
Which animal defends itself by attacking?<br />
(a) hedgehog<br />
(b) porcupine<br />
(c) echidna<br />
<strong>The</strong> text was written<br />
to give:<br />
(a) instructions.<br />
(b) information.<br />
(c) an opinion.<br />
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Something extra<br />
H Select one mammal and write a<br />
poem about it.<br />
H Find and write the words in the text<br />
which have three or more syllables.