Read The Following Passage and Answer The Questions That Follow. Reading
Read The Following Passage and Answer The Questions That Follow. Reading
Reading
Did you know that some people don't do their reading assignments? It's shocking, but it's true.
Some students don't even read short texts that they are assigned in class. There are many reasons
for this. They may be distracted or bored. They may be unwilling to focus. They may be
unconfident readers. Whatever the reason, it has to stop today. Here's why
Reading stimulates your mind. It is like a workout for your brain. When people get old, their
muscles begin to deteriorate. They get weaker and their strength leaves them. Exercise can
prevent this loss. The same thing happens to people's brains when they get older. Brain power
and speed decline with age. Reading strengthens your brain and prevents these declines.
You can benefit from reading in the near-term too. Reading provides knowledge. Knowledge is
power. Therefore, reading can make you a more powerful person. You can learn to do new things
by reading. Do you want to make video games? Do you want to design clothing? Reading can
teach you all this and more. But you have to get good at reading, and the only way to get good at
something is to practice.
Read everything that you can at school, regardless of whether you find it interesting. Reading
expands your vocabulary. Even a "boring" text can teach you new words. Having a larger
vocabulary will help you better express yourself. You will be able to speak, write, and think more
intelligently. What's boring about that?
Do not just discount a text because it is unfamiliar to you. Each time you read, you are exposed
to new ideas and perspectives. Reading can change the way that you understand the world. It can
give you a broader perspective on things. It can make you worldlier. You can learn how people
live in faraway places. You can learn about cultures different from your own. Reading is good for
your state of mind. It has a calming effect. It can lower your stress levels and help you relax. You
can escape from your troubles for a moment when you read, and it's a positive escape. The
benefits of reading far outweigh those of acting like a doofus. So do yourself a favor: the next
time you get a reading assignment, take as much as you can from it. Squeeze it for every drop of
knowledge that it contains. Then move on to the next one.
2. Why does the author think that you should read books that are boring?
a. You will eventually grow to love them if you read them enough.
c. You can learn amazing things and become a better person by reading.
d. Knowledge is power.
4. Which is not a reason given by the author why students fail to complete reading
assignments?
6. Which best describes the author's tone in the first three sentences?
a. Surprised
b. Sarcastic
c. Informative
d. Irate
c. Reading helps you perform on tests and get into selective schools.
d. Reading keeps your mind in shape and prevents losses due to age.
c. Reading helps prepare you for your job in the real world.
9. Why does the author believe that reading is good for your mind state?
a. It has a calming effect.
d. All of these
10. Which title best expresses the main idea of this text?
Questions
a) Why does the author believe that reading boring or unfamiliar books can be helpful for
readers? Use the text in your response.
b) Why does the author describe reading as a "positive escape"? In what ways is reading
positive? Use evidence from the text to support your response.
c) What is the author’s main purpose of writing this text? Does the author argue his point well?
Analyze one of his arguments and explain whether or not it is an effective argument.