Making Predictions

Making Predictions

Learn about making predictions: If you are like most TV and movie viewers, you make guesses about how the story you're watching will turn out. Making guesses about future events is called predicting. If you are watching a mystery, you might predict who has committed the crime. If you are watching a comedy, you might predict how a rediculous plan will backfire. Making predictions is part of the pleasure of viewing a story because predicting keeps you involved and interested. You want to find out if your prediction is right.

Making predictions is also part of the pleasure of reading a story. As you read, ask yourself:

* What do I know about the character likly to behave selfishly? generously? foolishly? cleverly?

* What do I know about this kind of story? Is it a mystery with details that might be clues? Is it an adventure story in which I can predict likely dangers to come? a legend in which great strength or heroism will probably be shown? a realistic story in which characters will act like people I know?

As you continue to read, you should check your predictions. Change your predictions or make new ones as you learn new information about the characters and events.

Reading Activity

Reading 1: Read this opening to a story and predict what will happen next?

Long, long ago in China, a boy named Yu Shin grew up with a good heart. Despite his kindness to everyone, Yu Shin was harhly  treated by his parents, who favoured Yu Shin's spoiled and selfish brother. One day, after after Yu Shin was punished for doing nothing wrong, he went to the house of his teacher, an elderly man who was Yu Shin's only source of comfort. "How is it that parents may give special foods and favours to one son yet to the other son give only crunbs and cruelty?" Yu Shin asked.

"There is no answer to that question," replied Yu Shin's teacher. "Bu, as Confucius wisely teaches, you must remain obedient to your parents. Do not envy your brother. Your goodness will help you rise above any evil that surrounds you now. Be unafraid."

Yu Shin bowed and accepted his teacher's advice. He returned home, determined to accept whatever would happen without complaint.

1. What I know sofar: ................................................................

2. What will happen next about Yu Shin: ..................................................................

Reading 2: How Ann Got Free Movie Tickets

Ann and Isabella read an announcement on the school's bullentin board. It said students could earn free movie passes by doing community service work on weekends. "Look," said Ann to Isabella. "there are projects for students in all grades." Isabella looked at the list of projects.

"I don't want to spend my Saturdays weeding gradens or working at the recycling center, "said Isabella.

"But it'll be fun," coaxed Ann. "We could work together." Isabella made a face. Ann wasn't going to be able to convince her friend to join her.

3. What you think will happend next: ....................................................

4. What is the clue of your prediction: .....................................................

Reading 3: In the Valley of the Kings

The fame and fortune that would soon be his were still only a dream to Howard Carter on thathot and dusty day in November of 1922. As he stood under the blazing sun of the Egyptian desert, 

Carter wondered if all his years of searching in the Valley of the Kings would finally be rewarded.

Would he discover the tomb of the legendary pharaoh, Tutankhamen?

Howard Carter had been living in Egypt since he was 17. He was now 50. For several years,

Carter and his supporters, fellow Englishman Lord Carnarvon, had been searching for a tomb that still held the treasures of the past. Most of the tombs that had been discovered had been robbed long ago by ancient treasure seekers. Carter and Carnarvon were hoping they would be the ones to find the tomb of  Tutankhamen. They believed that his tomb still held the pharaoh’s wealth.

Carter knew that Lord Carnarvon would withdraw his financial support. Carter was becoming

desperate. On November 3, as he and his team of Egyptian workers were digging, they came

across a series of steps. After uncovering 12 steps they discovered a door. The door was secured with the ancient seal of the royal burial grounds. As Carter later wrote of the moment, “I found myself after years of comparatively unproductive labor on the threshold of what might prove to be a magnificent discovery. Anything, literally anything, might lie beyond that passage…..”

5. What will most likely happen next?

1. Lord Carnarvon will cut off all support, and Carter will be unable to continue his work.
2. The Egyptian workers will refuse to continue digging.
3. Carter’s discover will prove to be another entrance to a previously discovered tomb.
4. Carter’s discovery will turn out to be the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

6. Where did you find clues to help you make your prediction?

1. in the title of the article
2. in the details provided about Lord Carnarvon’s behaviour
3. in the details provided about Carter’s later life
4. in what Carter was quoted as saying

Identifying Author's Purpose

What is author's purpose?

Authors always write for a reason. Everything you read has a purpose. The author's purpose is either to describe, to entertain, to explain,or to persuade.

How do you find author's purpose?

Every reading passage is written for a reason. Whaen you read, ask yourself, "What does the author want me to know?" Your answer will help you figure out the author's purpose.

* If a reading passage contains many details about a person, place, or thing, the author's purpose is to describe.
* If a reading passage is enjoyable to read, tells a personal story, or uses a story to teach a lesson, the author's purpose is to entertain.
* If a reading passage provides facts about a particular subject or tells readers how to do something, the author's purpose is to explain or inform.
* If a reading passage contains many opinions or tries to convince readers to do something, buy something, or believe something, the suthor's purpose is to persuade.

Reading Activity

Text 1: Read this selection from a speech made by a freed slave, Sojouener Trurth, to the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in 1851. As you read, try to figure out Sojouener Trurth's purpose in this part of the speech. Then answer the questions.

        That man over there say that women needs to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or give me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me? Look at my arm! I have ploughed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man-when I could get it-and bear the lash as well!! And ain't I a woman?

1. What was Sojouener Trurth's purpose in this part of her speech?
    a. to describe the physical starin of her daily life
    b. to entertain listeners with an amusing story
    c. to persuade listeners that women are men's equals
    d. to inform listeners about the injustice of slavery

2. You know your answer to question 1 is correct because this part of the speech mainly
    a. relates an enjoyable story.
    b. contains opinions that try to get listeners to believe something.
    c. contains many detains that describe a person, place, or thing.
    d. provides facts or tells listeners how to do something.

Text 2: Read this story that Alexa wrote about a man who helps people with thier computer problems. As you read, ask yourself, "Why did the author probably write this story?" Then answer the questions.

      When I first got my new computer, I had a few problems getting everything to work just right. Each time I phoneed the manufacturer's technical-support hotline, I was put on hold for what seemed like hours. Could there really be that many people with computer problems? When a technical-support person named Jared finally answered the phone, I posed the question to him. He explained that much of his time is taken up with complex, and sometimes unusaual, questions. He told me a story to illustrate his point.

     " A customer called," Jared began, "and he was complaining that, while the computer is pretty much working fine, the cup holder isn't right. This wasn't a minivan; it was a computer. What cup holder could the caller be asking about? I thought that maybe it was a promotional device he had picked up a computer show, something that somehow was attached to the computer. So I asked him where he had gotten it," Jared explained.

     " He said, it came the computer." The man huffed and showed signs of exasperation. 

     " I asked, where exactly on your machine is the cup holder located?"

     " The caller answered, don't you guys know your own product? It's right in front. You push the little button on the left, and the cup holder comes out."

     " Suddenly everything became clear to me. This man's cup holder was the computer's CD-ROM drive. The man was trying to set a soda can into this disc drive!"

3. The author told this story primarily to
    a. describe what a computer looks like
    b. entertain readers with an amusing story
    c. inform readers how technical-support people fix computer
    d. persuade readers to be patient when calling computer companies

4. You know your answer to question 3 is correct because the story mainly
    a. contains many details about what a computer looks like
    b. tells readers how to fix computers
    c. tries to convince readers of something
    d. relates an enjoyable story

Text 3: Read the advertisement for a portable computer. Then answer the questions.
                                                                   Tech-Tron’s TT2100
        The Portable Computer for When you need More Than a Portable Computer
                                                What $999 Gets you from Tech-Tron

- 256 MB RAM

- 80 GB hard drive

- 1.2 GH2 processor

- 17” LCD display

- 24 X CD-ROM drive

- Built-in stereo speakers and microphone

                                                                     - 2- year warranty  
            Are you just getting by with your portable computer? When you turn it on, do you try to convince yourself that this computer is "good enough and fast enough and has enough memory?" 

            Deep down, you know that your current laptop really isn't meeting your needs: it's not really good enough and fast enough, and it really doesn't have enough memory. You probably think that a new computer with all the features you need costs a small fortune. Not anymore! Check out Tech-Tron's new TT2100, THE PORTABLE COMPUTER OF THE FUTURE, AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD!

            "the price shown does not reflect state and local taxes that may apply. Prices are subject to change. Tec-Tron is not responsible for editorial, pictorial, or typographical errors in this advertisement."

                                What$999 Gets you from the other guys ; NONE

5. What is the main purpose of the the details in the ad?
    a. to entertain readers with facts about the features of a new computer
    b. to persuade readers that a new computer is better that what is available from other computer companies
    c. to describe the features of sevaral different kinds of computers
    d. to expalin how to compare different computer 

6. Which of these states another purpose of the details?
    a. to amuse readers with an exaggerated comparison
    b. to convince readers that other companies sell empthy boxes
    c. to decribe what is found in most computer boxes
    d. to tell readers about the computers that are avalilable to them

7. What is the main purpose of the ad?
    a. to persuade readers to invest their money in a company that makes a new computer
    b. to entertain readers with amusing computer information
    c. to inform readers that a new portable computer is available
    d. to persuade readers to buy a particular portable computer

8. The information in the aircle was written in order to
    a. encourage readers to think twice before buying a computer
    b. provide information that readers need to know in order to make a informed decision
    c. explain about local taxes that must be paid if the computer is purchased
    d. amuse readers with absurd information

 

Recognizing Cause and Effect

What is cause and effect?

There is a reason for everything that happens. What happens is called the effect. Why it happens is called the cause. You can find examples of cause and effect almost anywhere.

How do you find cause and effect?

Not all reading passage tell about cause and effect. You can find exaples of cause and effect by thinking about what happens in a passage and why it happens. Read the passage below.

"Angelo and his friends were meeting at the park for a game of baseball. When they arrived, their hearts sank. Someone had been dumping trash in the park. The boy put down their bats, gloves, and other equipment and rolled up their sleeves. They spent two hours picking up all the trash. By the time they finished, Angelo and his friends were too tired to play baseball."

- Think about what the passage tells you. 

- Let's find two examples of cause and effect.

- Look at the boxes below:

                  

What happened?	Why did it happen?
- Their hearts sank.	- Someone had been dumping trash in the park.

*The first box tell what happened. This is the effect.

*The second box tells why it happened. This is the cause.

@ A cause is the reason that something happens. An effect is the result, or what happens because of the cause.

@ Clue words such as so, so that, since, because, therefore, and reason often signal cause and effect. Other clue words are as a result, if... then, and in order to.

@ When there are no clue words, look for cause and effect by thinking about what happens and why or how it happens.

Reading Activity

The Thaigem.com Story

Coming out of an unlikely backwater in rural Thailand, Thaigem.com utilizes the Internet not merely as another form of advertising, but as a medium to conduct business and generate profits. Thaigem.com is the e-commerce arm of Thaigem Global Marketing Limited. Its sister company, the NCS Group Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Nuntiya Care Stone, Co. Ltd.) is a traditional gemstone wholesaler based in Chanthaburi, Thailand.

Known for expertise in processing rubies and sapphires, as Chanthaburi mines dried up, the local   industry developed overseas    supply networks for rough gems. Established in the   early 80’s   the NCS Group, Co., Ltd. built up   a presence   as    an exporter   of colored gemstones from this regional industry hub.          

In 1998, the NCS Group Co., Ltd., began to experiment in online sales and  the

instantaneous profitability afforded  resulted in extremely rapid growth. Initially  listing 5 items on eBay,(website) more and more items were added as sales  escalated until, by the  end of that year, NCS Group Co. Ltd., had thousands of gemstones listed online and Thaigem.com, the Web’s Biggest Gem&Jewelry Store, was born.
           Today, Thaigem  Global  Marketing  Limited  operates  and   markets    Thaigem.com worldwide, buying directly from its sister company, the NCS Group Co., Ltd., to fulfill orders. The NCS Group Co., Ltd., has   over   500 employees, making   it the largest   single private sector   employer   in   the    Chanthaburi   province   of Thailand. Shipping over 2,000 items everyday   and   with an average product return rate of only 3%, Thaigem.com is among the most profitable e-businesses in Asia & the undisputed e-commerce leader in Thailand.
             Listing over 1.6 million individual items online, Thaigem.com caters for the diverse range of global preferences and tastes at extremely competitive prices. Starting with only 6 gem types, Thaigem.com  used to purchase most    of   its   gems in    Chanthaburi. Today, Thaigem.com   sources   gems   from  60    countries,    stocking    over    400   gem   types. Thaigem.com’s high volume enables bulk inventory   acquisition,   which are then resold as single    items or    smaller lots.  Thaigem.com’s   success and    large  online market share (approximately 90%)    has allowed  it to rapidly diversify into related areas such as jewelry, carvings, beads, tools and more.

a. Which paragraph contains these main ideas? (5 points)

Paragraph ……… In1998, the NCS Group Co., Ltd., began to experiment in online sales and the instantaneous profitability afforded  resulted in extremely rapid growth. 

Paragraph …….....  Known for expertise in processing rubies and sapphires, as Chanthaburi mines dried up, the local   industry developed overseas    supply networks for rough gems. 

Paragraph …………  Thaigem.com is the e-commerce arm of Thaigem Global Marketing Limited.

Paragraph ………...   Thaigem.com caters for the diverse range of global preferences and tastes at extremely competitive prices. 

Paragraph …………   Today, Thaigem  Global  Marketing  Limited  operates  and

marketsThaigem.com worldwide, buying directly from its sister company, the NCS  Group Co., Ltd., to fulfill orders.

 

b.  Match for meaning the numbers on the left with the letters on the right hand column. (10 points)

Terms	meanings
1. generate	a. catalog, stock
2. hub	b. produce, happen, build
3. instantaneous	c. make to sell again
4. escalate	d. immediate, promptly, spontaneously
5. profitability	e. controversy, argument, disagree
6. dispute	f. small ball pierced for threading with others
7. bead	g. volume, mass, large, big size
8. bulk	h. center
9. inventory	i. benefit, advantage
10. resold	j. increase, higher

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

c.   Complete the table below.  (10 points)

nouns	verbs
diversification	1.
2.	acquire
preference	3.
4.	operate
5.	escalate
experimentation/ experiment	6.
7.	generate
8.	expertise
establishment	9.
inventory	10.

 

d. Make the story in the right order (ลำดับเหตุการณ์) (5 points)

………… a. Thaigem.com sources gems from 60 countries, stocking over 400 gem types.

………… b. The NCS Group Co., Ltd.,    began   to    experiment    in online sales with 5  items

………… c. Thaigem.com’s   success and    large  online market share (approximately 90%) has allowed  it to rapidly diversify into related areas

………... d. Its sister company, the NCS Group Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Nuntiya Care Stone, Co. Ltd.) is a traditional gemstone wholesaler based in  Chanthaburi, Thailand.

………... e. The NCS Group Co. Ltd., had thousands of gemstones listed online by the  end of the year

e. Answer the question

1. What can cause to conduct business and generate profits of Thaigem?

2. What is the effect of using internet for online sales?

Let's join our reading passage and practice !!!!!!!

Aj. Pook