Reading & Language System:Reading Comprehension

Use of English

Introduction

• In this lesson, we are going to…– Review on one of the skills in doing reading

comprehension: identifying the main theme– Do some exercises on reading

comprehension

Comprehension: The Main Theme or Topic • When we read a passage, it is important

to identify the main theme. To do this, we need to:– pay attention to the title (if given)– read and identify topic sentences for each

paragraph– read the introductory and concluding

paragraphs carefully

Questions about the main theme in a number of ways • Direct questions about the theme

– E.g. The main focus of this passage is …

• Choose a suitable title for the passage– E.g. Another suitable title for the passage

could be…

• Decide where the passage comes from – E.g. Which section of a newspaper or

magazine might this passage appear in?

Exercise Time!Alice in Wonderland was my favourite book as a child, with its unforgettable story of a young girl wandering into a magical world where nothing is quite normal, and unexpected characters pop up all around.

The new cartoon masterpiece by Japanese animator, Hayas Miyazaki, reminded me very much of this book. The central character is also trapped in a fantasy world which is controlled by a wicked witch. Helped by a strange boy and talking animals, she overcomes many difficulties and dangers in order to get back to her own world.

Despite its familiar theme, Miyazaki’s beautiful fable will bring joy to everyone’s hearts.

Exercise Time

1. The main focus of this passage is ……a. the writer’s favourite children’s book.b. how Miyazaki’s cartoon resembles Alice in

Wonderland.c. the popularity of Alice in Wonderland.d. the Japanese animato Hayas Miyazaki.

• Advice: – Read paragraph 1– Read the topic sentence in paragraph 2. How

is paragraph 1 related to paragraph 2?

Exercise Time!

• Answer: – b. how Miyazaki’s cartoon resembles

Alice in Wonderland.– Paragraph 2: [Topic sentence] “The new

cartoon masterpiece by Japanese animator, Hayas Miyazaki, reminded me very much of this book.”

Exercise Time!

2. Which section of a newspaper or magazine might this passage appear in?

a. Entertainment

b. World news

c. Book review

d. Great people

Exercise Time!

• Answer:– a. Entertainment– Paragraphs 2 + 3 = the new Japanese

animation [cartoon]

Looking for the Clues…

• Topic sentence (also known as a focus sentence) – Organizes an entire paragraph – One in most major paragraphs– Mostly appear at the beginning– Not all paragraphs need a topic sentence [if

it just tries to give an example to paragraph above]

Think about this…

• Consider the following topic sentence:– Many fast-food chains make their profits from

adding a special ingredient called "forget sauce" to their foods.

– If this sentence controls the paragraph that follows, then all sentences in the paragraph must relate in some way to _______________, _______________ and _______________.

– fast food, profits and “forget sauce”

Looking for the Clues…

• Topic sentence makes a point– The paragraph that follows must…

• Expand• Describe• Prove• Support with reasons or examples

Exercise Time!

• Find the topic sentence to the paragraphs below.

1. ……The blossoming wildflowers in the spring are a joy to see. Spectacular sunsets delight the eye. The occasional quail or roadrunner dart across the sandy roads. It is a unique experience.

a. I have never lived in the desert.b. A desert is as lonesome as one can think.c. Regardless of what some people may think, the

desert is a beautiful place.

Exercise Time!

• Answer: – C. Regardless of what some people may

think, the desert is a beautiful place. – Positive words:

• “a joy to see”• “delight”• “unique”

Exercise Time!2. ……Citizens have had to decide whether offenders such as first-degree

murderers should be killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society. Many citizens argue that serious criminals should be executed. They believe that killing criminals will set an example for others and also get rid society of a cumbersome burden. Other citizens say that no one has the right to take a life and that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. They believe that society as well as the criminal is responsible for the crimes and that killing the criminal does not solve the problems of either society or the criminal.

a. There are too many criminals in our society.b. Criminals are a threat to our society.c. The punishment of criminals has always been a problem for society.

Exercise Time!

• Answer:– c. The punishment of criminals has always been a

problem for society. – Keywords:

• Punishment: “killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society”

• Problem: “decide whether”• Closing sentence: “killing the criminal does not solve the

problems of either society or the criminal”

Time for Practice 1!

Homework: Exercises 1 + 2