Discuss the reading skills in about 350 words.
Reading skills enable readers to turn writing into meaning and
achieve the goals of independence, comprehension, and fluency. Reading
skills are specific abilities which enable reader to read the written form as
meaningful language.
There are four types of reading skills used in every language. There
are skimming , scanning ,intensive and extensive reading. Skimming is
used to get the general idea of the text and quickly gather the most
important information, or 'gist'. Run your eyes over the text, noting
important information.
Next , scanning also one of the reading skills that have been used.
Scanning is used to find a particular piece of information you need. We
can cover a vast amount of reading material in a short time. Use scanning
on schedules, meeting plans and the others in order to find the specific
details you require.
Extensive reading is used to obtain a general understanding of a
subject and includes reading longer texts for pleasure, as well as business
books. We use extensive reading skills to improve our general knowledge
of business procedures.
Intensive reading is used on shorter texts in order to extract specific
information. It includes very close accurate reading for detail. Use
intensive reading skills to grasp the details of a specific situation.
Reading is a complex process that requires active participation
from readers by which, they need to process and understand information
in the texts. Hence, readers can understand the text more effectively if
they are able to make use of appropriate reading strategies. The use of
effective reading strategies is important as they help readers to minimize
time and effort to comprehend a particular text.
Strategies that can help students read more quickly and effectively.
There are previewing , predicting , guessing from context and
paraphrasing. Previewing means reviewing titles, section headings, and
photo captions to get a sense of the structure and content of a reading
selection.
Second , predicting means using knowledge of the subject matter
to make predictions about content and vocabulary and check
comprehension; using knowledge of the text type.
Last but not least , paraphrasing means stopping at the end of a
section to check comprehension by restating the information and ideas in
the text.
2. Select an appropriate text of each text type, read , organize and
present the narrative, expository, argumentative, persuasive and report
in non – linear form / graphic organizers.
1. NARRATIVE WRITING:
Learning something new can be a scary exper ience. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but I decided that swimming was an important skill that I should learn. I also thought it would be good exercise and help me to become physically stronger. What I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make a more confident person. New situations always make me a bit nervous, and my f irs t swimming lesson was no exception.
After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the side of the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. Af ter a couple of minutes the teacher came over. She smi led and int roduced hersel f , and two more students joined us. Although they were both older than me, they didn't seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim. I began to feel more at ease. We got into the pool, and the teacher had told us put on brightly coloured water wings to help us stay afloat.
One of the other students, May, had already taken the beginning class once before, so she took a kickboard and went splashing off by herself. The other student, Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the breast stroke. One by one, the teacher had told us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, travelling at a fast clip across the short end of the pool. Things were not quite that easy for me, but the teacher was very patient. After a few more weeks, when I seemed to have caught on with my legs , she taught me the arm strokes. Now I had two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated. Sooner than I imagined, however, things began to feel "right" and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling - like flying, maybe to be able to shoot across the water. Learn ing to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not only did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned something about learning. Now when I am faced with a new situation I am not so nervous. I may feel uncomfortable to begin with, but I know
that as I practice being in that situation and as my skills get better ; I will feel more and more comfortable. It is a wonderful, free feeling when you achieve a goal you have set for yourself.2. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING : WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS?
“ Sports” are activities carried out for pleasure or exercise. Playing games
like tennis and football or taking part in athletics are sport activities.
One of the main reasons for encouraging students to take part in sports is
that it is good for health. In sports, especially outdoor activities , fresh air is taken
into the lungs , resulting in greater oxygen flow into the heart. With improved
blood circulation , other organs of the body function well. All this, together with a
good diet, make a healthy body.
The second advantage is that sports participation instills discipline and
develops leadership qualities among students. For example, students must
attend the various practices and training programmes punctually. When they are
late , they are reprimanded and soon they realize that obeying orders is
important. In addition, some students involved in sports activities may get elected
as captains, secretaries and other positions. Students holding these positions
usually develop leadership qualities.
Thirdly, sports participation helps students to release stress and tension.
The increasing amount of homework and the fear of failure at examinations do
not allow students to relax. After a game or workout at the gymnasium, the
students feel much better and are ready to study after a good bath. This way of
releasing stress is healthy unlike some methods many students resort to e.g.
smoking, loitering in shopping complexes or taking drugs.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages of participating in sports. It
often leads students to neglect their homework, studies and even family. When
students are over-enthusiastic, driven by great interest or the desire to win at
competitions, they tend to spend more time and more time away from home.
This, in turn, may lead to poor academic performance and a breakdown in family
communication.
Furthermore, exposure to sports means students are prone to injuries like
torn tendons, sore muscles, sprains and even fractures. Injured students have to
stay away from school for some time, causing them to miss lessons and,
consequently, fall behind in their studies.
Finally, sports participation involves a lot of expenses. Students need to
spend money on equipment like tennis rackets and track shoes. In addition,
transport to and fro for practice and pocket - money for refreshments means
more money has to be spent. This money can be put to better use by buying
more books or food.
In conclusion, we can say that moderation is the key to success in
anything. Therefore, if participation in sports is kept in moderation, it should not
pose a danger or treat to the students. However if the student is over-
enthusiastic, then the disadvantages could turn out to be very real.
3. EXPOSITORY WRITING : KEYS TO HEALTH
To stay healthy, you need to work on four areas – exercise, diet , weight
control and good health habits.
Regular exercise is essential for good health. It tones the muscles,
strengthens the bones, and makes the heart and lungs work better. Exercise also
helps to relieve stress. The most beneficial type of exercise is aerobics. Aerobics
exercises, in the form of jogging, cycling and lap swimming, strengthens the
heart. It is important to choose a form of exercise you enjoy. As long as you do it
regularly, you will be fit. People who are fit enjoy life more because they can join
in any kind of activity.
To maintain a healthy life, it is necessary to develop good dietary habits.
Eat more whole - wheat grains, fruits, vegetables and fish. Decrease intake of
animal protein and fats. Use less salt and take at least 1000mg of calcium a day.
Non - fat milk is a good source of calcium. Do not forget to drink at least seven
glasses of water a day. Avoid eating junk food or processed food which is high in
sugar or salt content and has little nutritional value.
Developing good health habits is important if you want to keep healthy.
Don’t smoke, avoid excessive alcohol intake, and keep moderate hours. Go to
bed early and wake up early. Work hard and play hard too. Avoid stress by
exercising and developing hobbies. Have a positive attitude towards people and
work. Half- yearly dental check-ups are also necessary to maintain dental health.
Being overweight can lead a lot of health problems. You can suffer from
heart disease, high blood pressure and gall bladder disease. Weight control
requires conscious effort and self- control. Diet and exercise play the most
important role in weight control. Make sure exercise is part of your daily
programme. Watch the amount and type of food you eat. Complex carbohydrates
are important in a healthy diet.
Health is pleasurable; ill health is miserable. There are other threats to
health but if you remember the points mentioned above, you should enjoy good
health.
4. PERSUASIVE WRITING : SMOKING
Smoking should be prohibited in all public places. It is a unhealthy habit,
which should be immediately banned. Smoking should only be allowed on
personal property and land. There have been numerous reports, linking cigarette
smoking to heart disease; lung disease; cancers of the lung, mouth, and other
tissues; and other ailments. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemical
substances, many of which have been linked to the development of diseases.
Chemical substances occur in cigarette smoke as gases or as particles. Many
places in which smoking should be banned are in pubs, clubs and working
places.
Smoking affects everyone around you through Second Hand Smoke. The
risk of increasing your chances of lung diseases, heart failure, and risks even yet
unidentified are overwhelming. The cost of cigarettes is also getting out of hand
for people to afford. Cigarette smoking has many risks and no rewards that I
know of.
Second Hand smoke hurts people around you whether they will be your
loved ones or people you don't even know. If you spend eight hours a day with a
smoker, your chances of developing lung cancer increase by 20 to 40 percent.
Many babies can birth defects or become mentally challenged even before birth.
It almost does more damage to them than you, because you have a filter and
they don't.
Children are also spending money on cigarettes and not learning to save
for college or their futures, assuming their parents will for them. Smoking
increases your chance of cancer, stroke, heart disease, lung diseases, and much
more. 90 percent of all Americans who are diagnosed with lung cancer are either
smokers or former smokers. It also causes yellow teeth, and bad breath. By not
smoking you could look years younger because cigarettes cause wrinkling of the
skin. Smoking increases odds of your life ending short or you spending years of
your life with avoidable health problems.
Research increasingly indicates that passive smoking contributes to
thousands of cases of lung cancer and heart disease in non-smokers annually.
Also, infants under one year of age who are exposed to smoke have twice as
many lung infections as infants who aren’t. Pregnant women should also be
banned from smoking as they are forcing someone to smoke that doesn’t have a
choice. These days it is a difficult job trying to avoid smoke. It is unhealthy and
should not be forced upon everyone. Even walking down a street or going to the
local footy you are in danger of passive smoking.
In conclusion , in many countries, smoking is prohibited on public transport
and in some public places, such as hospitals, schools, theatres, and cinemas,
but I believe this is not enough. It is a habit not everyone contributes in and those
who want to do it can but not in public.
5. REPORT WRITING :
KUALA PILAH, Mon. – A clouded leopard was sighted outside a house near the
Ganim forest last night.
Puan Ali, 72, said she heard the roar of an animal for the past three days
near her house. Her son, Ishak, 33 added, ‘ Last night, I was about to get down
from my car to open the gate when I saw a leopard. I quickly switched on the car
headlights. I could clearly see the animal moving slowly and then it disappeared
into the jungle.’
He shouted to warn his mother inside the house that a leopard was nearby.
Then, he called the police on his mobile phone.
The Negeri Sembilan Wildlife and National Park senior ranger, Encik
Ahmad, said that based on the paw prints found near the house, he believed the
animal to be a clouded leopard. ‘ It could have strayed from its habitat in the
Ganim forest,’ he said.
The senior ranger said that a trap would be laid near Puan Ali’s house.
Also wildlife officers, villagers and policemen, armed with tranquillizers, have
formed teams to catch the animal. They hope it could be captured and released
into the Ganim jungle.
The Graphic Organiser For Narrative Essay :
The narrator was always afraid of the water and his first swimming
lesson was no exception.
He changed into his bathing suit waiting for the teacher and the other
students coming.
The teacher had told them to hold on to the kickboard while she pulled
it through the water and her students kicked.
Few weeks later , the narrator seemed to have caught on with my legs. She taught me the arm stokes.
The narrator was able to swim. He had learnt how to swim and to conquer his fear of the water. He had learned something new about swimming.
When he faced new situation , he will not nervous again and his swimming
skills got better.
The Graphic Organiser For Expository Essay :
ADVANTAGES
Instill discipline and develops leadership qualities among students.- Students attend the training programmes punctually.- Students involved in different positions abd it helps to
develop leadership qualities.
Good for health- The fresh is taken into the lungs, greater oxygen
flow into the heart.- Organ functions well.
To release stress and tension.- The increasing amount of homework let students
feel stress and they will feel better and are ready to study after participating in sports.
DISADVANTAGES
Students neglect their homework ,studies and family- They spend more time in the sport competition and
this may lead to poor academic performance and a breakdown in family communication.
Students are prone to injuries- Injuried students have to stay away from school for
some time cause them to miss the lesson and fall behind in their studies.
Involves a lot of expenses- They need to spend their money to buy equipment
like tennis rackets.- Transport to and fro for practice.
SPORTS
SPORT
The Graphic Organiser For Argumentative Essay :
REGULAR EXERCISE
- Tones the muscles, strengthen the bones.
- Makes the heart and lungs work better.
DEVELOP A GOOD DIETARY HABIT
- Decrease intake of animal protein and fats.
- Avoid eating junk food or processed food which
is high in sugar and salt content.
- Drink at least seven glasses of water a day.
HALF – YEARLY DENTAL CHECK- UP
Avoid stress by exercising and developing hobbies.
- Do not smoke.
- Avoid excessive alcohol intake.
- workout at the gymnasium as a part of
exercise.
- Can have some hobbies like reading,
swimming and the others.
The Graphic Organizer For Persuasive Essay :
SMOKING
Smoking should be prohibited in all
public places as it is a unhealthy
habit.
It increases your chance of cancer, stroke, heart diseases, lung disease, and cancer of the lung.
Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemical substances which in gases or particles.
The cost of cigarette is also getting out of hand for people to afford.
Second hand smoke hurts people round you especially the people you love one. Many babies can birth defects or become mentally challenged even before birth.
By not smoking you could look younger because cigarettes cause wrinkling of the skin.
The Graphic Organiser For Report Essay :
A clouded leopard was sighted outside a house near the Ganim forest last night.
Puan Ali , 72 said that she heard the roar of an animal for the past three days near her house.
Her son , Ishak said that he saw a leopard when he wanted to get down from his car to open the gate. He saw the animal moving slowly and then it disappeared into the jungle.
He called the police. The Negeri Sembilan Wildlife and National Park senior ranger, Encik Ahmad ,he believes that the animal to be a clouded leopard based on the paw prints that near the house.
The Wildlife Officers, villagers and policemen, armed with tranquilizers have formed teams to catch the animal.
They hoped it could be captured and released into Ganim jungle.
3. Write about the new learning in completing this course work in about
350 words.
I had gained new knowledge through this assignment . After I had done
this coursework, I had learnt new knowledge on reading skills. In short , reading
skills are specific abilities which enable reader to read the written form as
meaningful language.
Firstly, I would like to state the problem that I faced before I doing my
assignment. Before I was exposed to this coursework, I didn’t know what was
reading skills at all and it was hard for me to get on this task. I knew not much
about the reading skills , but I had my new learning about the overall reading
skills after I had get on this task. I tried to search from internet to know more
information based on the question of the assignment. I also spent some time
discussed with my coursemates about the detail of this assignment.
Then, I would like to share about how I cope with the problem I had faced
while I was doing this assignment. From here, I put a lot of efforts to choose the
suitable articles for this coursework. I also tried to ask the opinions from my
lecturers about my assignment and they gave me their opinions generously, I
really appreciated for the opinions and solutions that gave to me.
Last but not least, I gained a lot throughout the process in completing my
assignment. I learnt how to work together with my coursemates and I also
realized that a thing is hard to be done without the supports from peers, a group
work will make the work done easily and effectively. Besides, I had learnt that
we should share our knowledge with others generously. This was because we
won’t gained anything if we keep the knowledge with us, but if we share our
knowledge with others, we can help our peers to increase their knowledge too.