S Prose comprehension
TUDENTS, IN this week’s lesson, you will get a narrative passage to practise. You will also get a vocabulary development activity to complete.
ACTIVITY 1
Instruction: Read the following passage carefully and then answer the questions set on it.
Lying on the couch waiting for my children to come home I must have dozed, for soon I was in a strange land inhabited by teenagers, including my own.
I hastened to look in their rooms. Something was wrong! They were tidy beyond belief. Clothes were on hangers! Shoes were neatly arranged in pairs! The floor was not littered with dirty socks. Naturally, I looked to see if there were wet towels on the beds. I couldn’t find one!
The teenagers still played their favourite music, but they played it so softly that elsewhere in the house it was possible to carry on a conversation. And whenever they used the telephone, it was for short calls. In fact, I overheard my daughter saying, after speaking for only two minutes:
“I’m sorry, Jill. I must hang up. I’ve been on the phone too long.”
Soon it was dinner time. The food was macaroni and string beans. Someone, I felt, was certain to say, “That again?”
Instead, they ate it with glee. All of them, all of it. There were many questions that I would have loved to ask these strange children, but because they were all anxious to begin their homework, they scampered off.
Just then, someone touched me on the shoulder and I awoke. “What’s for dinner, mom?” “Macaroni and string beans.” “Aw, mom, why do we have to eat the same thing every day?”
a. The writer is using the device of the dream to achieve a specific purpose. What is the purpose? [2 marks]
b. In paragraph two, the writer says that “something was wrong”. Identify TWO things the writer expects to find in the children’s room.
[1 mark] c. Why are exclamation marks used in the second paragraph? [2 marks]
d. Why did the writer believe that someone would be certain to say, “That again?” [2 marks]
e. Which word in paragraph six indicates a contrast between the children’s usual approach to eating macaroni and string beans? [ 2 marks]
f. What does the word ‘scampered’ tell the reader about the children’s attitude to their homework? [2 marks]
g. Why does the writer consider the children to be “strange”? [2 marks]
h. What does the writer realise when her daughter says, “Aw mom, why do we have to eat the same thing every day?” [2 marks]
TOTAL 15 MARKS
TIP: As you respond to the comprehension questions, identify the questions that require you to infer meaning and be careful in how you respond to them. Also, if you are asked to give reasons for the use of particular punctuation marks, ensure that your response shows what it does or the specific purpose it serves. Suggested opening: They are used to.
In preparation for the topic descriptive writing, that we will commence next week, please complete the following vocabulary development exercise. It tests your knowledge of adverbs.
ACTIVITY 2
Select the word from the list given below that accurately completes each sentence. cautiously, skilfully, mercilessly, frantically, eagerly, boldly, plaintively, passionately, efficiently, leisurely
1. The driver manoeuvred the jeep ______________ through the forest.
2. Mary tried __________________ to escape the rope that bound her wrists.
3. The mother stepped ____________into the room so as not to awaken the sleeping baby.
4. He ____________ approached the lion and petted him.
5. The students participated ____________ in the lesson.
6. The baby cried ______________ for its mother.
7. The machine worked _______________ and in no time the boxes of bottles were packed.
8. The protester spoke ______________ about the changes she wanted in her community.
9. The students walked _______________ into the school yard.
10. The policeman beat the resident______. Students, see you on the other side of this week.