APTIS Reading Module

SET 1 PART 1

Choose one word from the list for each gap. The first one is done for you.

The world's shortest woman is an Indian 18-year-old high school student named were was is

Heidegger. She is 0.628 meters tall, even shorter than the average height

average match

of a 2-year-old. Heidegger was excited to let it be known that she wishes to enter

spoken known

READING

college after the completion of high school, and later to Bollywood to become a

after next

moviestar. Heidegger will be going on a trip to Japan and Italy, where she

when which

hopes to meet up with many other world record holders after she has obtained

register record

her Guinness World Records certificate.

Source: http://www.guy-sports.com/funny/funny_true_story_india.htm

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READING PART 2

Order the sentences below to make a story. The first one (1) is done for you.

1

Far, far away from the fire was a house where three little children lived.

2

They all went to school but on this September day it was Saturday.

3

They had been playing all morning.

4

Now it was lunchtime.

5

They asked their mom if they could have lunch, and she said, "Why don't you have a picnic in the yard"?

6

That sounded like a great idea, but WHERE in the yard?

7

So Mom told them to lay a picnic cloth in the green grassy grass near the scruffy old juniper bushes.

Adapted from: http://www.bedtime.com/html/the_missing_picnic_food.htm

PART 3

Read the text and complete each gap with aword from the list at the bottom of the page.

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READING Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. He moved to Indiana in 1816 and lived there the rest of his life. His mother died when he was nine and he was very close to his stepmother who urged him to read. Lincoln stated that he had about one year of formal education. However, he was taught by many different individuals. He loved to read and learn from any books he could get his hands on.

Example: moved

wear hands

individuals rest

close read

himself died

youth formal

Source: http://americanhistory.about.com/od/abrahamlincoln/p/plincoln.htm

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READING PART 4

Read the passage quickly. Choose a heading for each numbered paragraph (1 – 7) from the drop-down box. There is one more heading than you need.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

5 4 7 6 1 3 2

LIST OF HEADINGS 1. Health benefits of soursops 2. Side effects of soursops 3. The use of various parts of the tree 4. The soursop fruit 5. The soursop tree 6. Effectiveness in destroying cancerous cells 7. Nutrients in soursop fruits

SOURSOP JUICE 1

2

3

The soursop tree is an evergreen flowering tree of the genus Annona and the family, Annonaceae. It is also known by the name of Graviola. The scientific name of soursop is Annonamuricata, and it is native to the regions of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Today, it is grown in some other parts of the world, especially in Southeast Asia. (5. The soursop tree) The soursop tree is known for its delicious fruits. The fruit is large with a thin, greencolored skin covered with conical nibs. The pulp is white and soft, and quite delicious. It has both sweet and sour taste. The fruit can be eaten directly, or its pulp can be pressed and strained to extract the juice, which is not only delectable, but also rich in many essential nutrients. (4. The soursop fruit) The flesh or pulp of the fruit, from which the juice is extracted, is very rich in fiber, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, like vitamin B1 and B2, vitamin C, and potassium. On the other hand, it is quite low in saturated fats and sodium. About 1 cup of undiluted juice or nectar contains 160 calories. (7. Nutrients in soursop fruits)

4

The soursop tree is mainly known for its medicinal properties. Certain compounds found in the extracts derived from the fruits, seeds, bark, and the leaves of the soursop tree have been observed to be effective in destroying cancerous cells in some laboratory studies. The leaves of this tree have been found to be particularly effective in killing cancer cells without harming the healthy cells of the body. Moreover, the extract derived from the leaves does not affect the immune system adversely, unlike the chemotherapy drugs. (6. Effectiveness in destroying cancerous cells)

5

Apart from the ability to kill cancer cells, the soursop tree has several other health R5

READING benefits. The seeds of this fruit can be used for inducing vomiting, while the juice can be immensely beneficial for treating urethritis. It can also help treat hematuria which is a condition characterized by the presence of blood in urine. Soursop juice can help alleviate liver ailments as well. The juice is usually taken while fasting in order to cure liver problems. It may also prove beneficial in conditions like leprosy. (1. Health benefits of soursops) 6

The various parts of the tree, including its leaves and the young shoots have been used for conditions, like cough, catarrh, fever, gallbladder problems, inflammation and swelling, diarrhea, indigestion, rheumatism, dysentery, eczema, and some other skin problems. The pulp of the fruit, as well as the crushed leaves of the tree, can be used as a poultice to ensure fast healing of wounds. (3. The use of various parts of the tree)

7 To sum up, soursop is not only a delicious, but also a very nutritious fruit. However, it is imperative to talk to a physician before considering to use it for medicinal purposes. If taken in large dosage, it can induce vomiting and depress the cardiovascular system. It can also induce uterine contractions, for which pregnant women should not use this fruit for medicinal purposes. All these possible side effects need to be considered before using this fruit, or any other part of the tree for the treatment of cancer and other ailments. (2. Side effects of soursops)

Adapted from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soursop-juice.html

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READING SET 2 PART 1 In this task, you must select the appropriate word from a drop-down list. You should complete this task in about three minutes.

Choose one word from the list for each gap. The first one is done for you.

There are people who think you cannot enjoy good food when you go camping. are was is Actually there are many ways that we can have delicious food while attending a camp. planning attending organising One of the meals that we can easily prepare is baked potatoes. We can use alluminium create supply prepare foil to wrap the potatoes. We then put them under the flame. After an hour, wrap cover blanket unwrap the alluminium foil and you can have a taste of delicious baked potatoes delicious fabulous wonderful for dinner. One advantage of camping is there are no plates to wash after dinner. use buy wash

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READING

PART 2 Order the sentences below to make a story. The first one (1) is done for you. 1. My two traumatic experiences when I was young made me become ophidiophobia, the fear of snakes. 2. The first experience was when I was sixteen years old, my friend was bitten by a snake right in front of me. 3. We had to rush him to the hospital as he cried in pain.

4. He was warded for three months and nearly died from it.

5. Two years later while inside a car driven by my father, I encountered that animal again. 6. We stopped the car and hurriedly went into the bushes besides the road.

7. Finally, my father managed to chase that legless animal out from the car.

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READING

PART 3

Read the text and complete each gap with aword from the list at the botom of the page.

Groceries Shopping Puan Aminah needed to use the car to do her shopping, but her husband was busy giving the car a thorough wash. “Hello dear. Have you finished washing the car? I need the car to go to the market,” says Puan Aminah. “No, my dear. I’m not done yet,” said her husband. “I need to wash this car by 10.00 am this morning.” “But we are running out of groceries. I need the groceries to cook our meal today,” replied Puan Aminah. “Okay, I’ll lend you a hand, so that you can cook our meal today,“ said Puan Aminah. We do have some groceries but I still have to buy some more. After 10 minutes, Puan Aminah said, ““Okay, we can go now. the car has been washed well.”

Example:

buy

running

groceries

washing

later R9

READING shopping

give

lend

basket

by

done

PART 4 Read the passage quickly. Choose a heading for each numbered paragraph (1 – 7) from the drop-down box. There is one more heading than you need.

1.

1

LIST OF HEADINGS 1. The Glue of Merdeka

2.

6

2. Symbolism in proclaimation of independence

3.

4

3. Religion in Independence Malaysia

4.

2

4. Scene during Merdeka Proclaimation

5.

5

5. Meaning of Merdeka

6.

7

6. Proclaimation of Merdeka

7.

3

7. Number of “Merdeka” shouting

THE SYMBOLISM OF MALAYSIA’S MERDEKA 1

Birthing a nation is no easy feat and Tungku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj had his work cut out for him but it also appears as if that honour was bestowed upon him. A story is told that at his birth, the midwife upon seeing the child declared that a great destiny awaited him. The Tengku is seen by many as the only person who was able R10

READING to rally the Malays, Chinese and Indians to set aside their differences and come together in unity to seek independence, a condition set by British for granting independence. Malaya became Malaysia on the 16th of September 1963, when Sabah and Sarawak became part of the nation, an idea mooted by the Tengku. 2

“At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired byn the ideas of justice and liberty – a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.” With these words, Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj, Malaya’s first Prime Minister and known “The Tengku”, proclaimed “Merdeka” or Independence.

3

Earlier in the morning of Saturday, the 31st August 1957, Malayans of all walks of life had filled through the gate of Stadium Merdeka to witness Malaya’s Proclaimation of Independence. They were met as with the scene of the Malay rulers from the different Malaysian states seated on a large rectangular carpeted dais sheltered by yellow silk umbrellas. The Paramount ruler or the Yang DiPertuan Agung was seated at the centre. Seated on his right was Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, as well as Queen Elizaberth’s uncle and representative for the occasion while the Tengku was seated on his left. The Duke of Gloucester presented the Instrument of Independence to the Tengku who then proceeded to read aloud the Proclaimation of Independence.

4

Much symbolism accompanied the Tengku’s verbal and nonverbal communication that day. In an earlier proclaimation of Merdeka, uttered in Malaka on the 20th of February 1956 when independence was agreed in principal, the Tengku’s right arm was upraised to heaven but his fingers were closed to denote an unfinished struggle. At the time, the Tengku had explained that the fist would remain until Malaya’s independence was finalised. Hence, when independence fully granted on Saturday the 31st of August 1957, the Tengku, who later became known as the Father of Independence, declared Merdeka seven times in the fully packed Stadium Merdeka to a euphoric crowd that thundered the hail after him.

5

6

7

Why did the Tengku proclaim the word Merdeka and not Bebas which means “free” in Malay? Because Merdeka is a term in the language mutually shared by Malaysia and Indonesia means “independence” and transcends the limited meaning of the term “free”. In addition Merdeka is derived from the Sanskrit word Maharddhika which means rich, prosperous and powerful. It is no wonder that the Tengku preferred to use term laden with rich meaning to foretell the affluent and promising future that awaited the fledging nation. The media has often mistakenly reported that the Tengku made three Merdeka shouts akin to the commonplace hip, hip, hurray that is hailed three times. In truth, the Tengku shouted Merdeka seven times as seven is an auspicious number amang the Malays and Indians. It is also noted that it was the right hand of the Tengku which was upraised. Apart from the fact that the use of the left hand in important matters was considered as R11

READING taboo among the Malays and the Indians, it made sense that that the right hand was upraised to acknowledge the role of the Creator in the country’s independence and to invoke heaven’s blessing upon newly independent Malaya. Bear in mind that Malaysia’s official religion as cited in the Constitution is Islam but there is a tolerance of other religions in the country. In fact, belief in God is one of the five tenets of the National Principles or the Rukun Negara. Extracted from VisionKL (August 2014)

SET 3 PART 1

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READING

Choose one word from the list for each gap. The first one is done for you.

People need to be active to be healthy. Our modern lifestyle and all the conveniences difficulties substance conveniences we've become used to have made us inactive. This inactivity is dangerous for our is are that's health. Sitting around in front of the TV or the computer, riding in the car for short trips riding driving moving and using elevators instead of stairs all contribute to our inactivity. Physical inactivity health inactivity movement is as dangerous to our health as smoking! It is good to start slowly and add up your good handy superior activities a little each day. After three months of regular physical activity, you will slow regular positive notice a difference.

(Adapted from Handbook for Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living pg.4. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Ottawa, Ontario, 1998)

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READING PART 2

Order the sentences below to make a story. The first one (1) is done for you.

1. The teacher told us that we will have a big vocabulary test on Friday. 2. Right when I got home from school, I began to study. 3. I read each word and each definition three times. 4. I did very well on Friday’s test. 5. Mum was pleased with my results. 6. We went to watch a movie and she bought me some popcorn.

.

PART 3 .

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READING Read the text and complete each gap with aword from the list at the bottom of the page.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the most amazing projects in world history. Extending some 3,900 miles across northern China, work on this gigantic construction continued for nearly 2,000 years. The first part of the wall was ordered to be built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The wall was built for the purposes of uniting the warring states into a single nation to prevent invaders such as the Mongols from infiltrating into China. The Great Wall never proved effective in defense and is also called "The Longest Cemetery on Earth" because so many people died during its construction.

(Adapted from: http://mrnussbaum.com/chinacloze/)

Example: amazing

constructio n power

effective

empire

because

infiltrating

prevent

ordered

across

uniting

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READING

PART 4:

Read the passage quickly. Choose a heading for each numbered paragraph (1 – 7) from the drop-down box. There is one more heading than you need.

1.

3

LIST OF HEADINGS 1. The ‘eye’ of the storm

2.

1

2. Storm in the Great Plains

3.

7

3. Financial damage caused by the storms

4.

2

4. Dangerous storms in America

5.

5

5. Tornadoes

6.

6

6. The fury of tornado

7.

4

7. Hurricanes HURRICANES AND TORNADOES

1

Two of the most dangerous storms which afflict America are hurricanes and tornadoes. They are very much feared by anyone who may live in the path of their destruction and cause millions of dollars worth of damage to life and property every year.

2

The storm that usually develop between July and October are called the hurricanes. They are similar to cyclones and originate over the waters in the Caribbean Sea. They move upwards hitting the mainland of America somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. Once they hit land they carry tremendous power with driving rain and wind. These winds can attain speeds of over 75 mph. And cover an area of over 500 miles in diameter. Every year homes are destroyed by their fury and often lives are lost.

3

At the center of the storm there is an "eye" with relatively fair weather and warm, dry air aloft. The diameter of the eye is usually about 32 kilometers. When the eye passes the relief is only temporary but soon the wind and rain will suddenly reappear from the opposite direction.

4

Hurricanes brings both the heavy rains and a storm tides which causes floods along the coasts areas. The high winds and torrential rains associated with this storm are the main causes of the severe flood. The flooding causes enormous damage and most people who live near the coast are forced to evacuate their homes and to move to safer areas until the storm passes. People living in the wake of a storm are given R16

READING ample warning to protect their homes. Flashlights or candles are kept prepared in case of electric-power failures and plenty of fresh water should be saved as precautions against the pollution of water supplies by flooding. 5

There is another kind of storm in the Midwest of America which is equally feared. It is called a tornado. This type of storm is experienced if one should travel inland across the Great Plains and the prairie states of America. In these regions, one will most likely not encounter a hurricane but a tornado. Tornadoes are violent low-pressured storms with an intense updraft near their center which is capable of lifting quite heavy objects from the ground. A tornado, therefore, is a dark, funnel-shaped cloud containing violently rotating air.

6

It can pick up trees and cars right into the air and even uplift heavier objects such as homes and railway cars. Like a vacuum cleaner across a rug, it sucks up into the air anything which may lie in its path. These storms occur most often during the summer months and are noticeable by their strong wind and lack of rain. The sky turns black as dust is sucked up into the air.

7

Tornadoes travel normally at around 60 kilometers per hour and the winds can reach 800 kilometers per hours in the most violent storms. Tornadoes are most frequent in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and especially in the central plains area of the Mississippi basin where about 150 occur each year. Tornadoes may also strike the southern states in winter and have even been known to develop in the northeast. Both hurricanes and tornadoes cause millions of dollars worth of damage each year. Today they can be predicted more easily than in the past, but they cannot be stopped or ignored. When they come they must be endured with the hope that one survives their fury and wrath.

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