READING STRATEGIES Spider Webs

READING STRATEGIES

From Learning Strategies Bank

Next, you have 4 basic reading strategies that you can use before, during and after reading any text. Please study them and put them in practice with the text “Spider Webs”.

Nº	READING STRATEGY	DEFINITION (WHAT)	STEPS (HOW)	JUSTIFICATION (WHY)
1	PREVIEWING	Get familiar with pictures, titles and instructions before reading the text.	1.   Read the title 2.   Read headings 3.   Explore pictures 4.   Find names, dates, or numbers 5.   Identify the type of text (poster, article, poem, etc.) 6.   Understand instruction(s)	It helps predict the topic of the text, see connections and understand what to do with it.
2	SCANNING	Look through a text quickly without reading, to find specific information.	1.   Use key words to find specific information. 2.   Do not read every word. 3.   Stop scanning when you find what you want	It helps find a very specific piece of information, and it  saves time (you can use it when you take tests)
3	SKIMMING	Read the first lines of the paragraphs to get the general idea.	1.   Read the first sentences of the each paragraph 2.   Do not read everything 3.   Figure out the main idea by making connections and deductions	To get the general idea about the topic. To confirm predictions.
4	PREDICTING	Use clues to guess what the reading is about.	1.   Get some clues form: pictures, tittles or headings 2.   Think about what you already know 3.   Predict 4.   Check if your predictions are right	It facilitates a better understanding of the text.

Reading Comprehension Exercise[1]

Instructions: Answer, in Spanish, the next questions.

1)    Before reading:

Aplique las estrategias 1 y 4 antes de leer el texto “Spider Webs” y explique a continuación cuáles son las ideas generadas a partir de la lectura global. 

·         Las telarañas ayudan a las arañas a cazar su comida. porque la presa no puede escapar.

·         Las telarañas ayudan a las arañas a camuflarse.

·         Las telarañas ayudan a las arañas a sujetar sus huevos para que no se caigan y también para cortejo.

2)    While reading:

Aplique las estrategias 3 y deduzca la idea principal de cada párrafo antes de leer el texto por completo.

·         Las telarañas ayudan a las arañas a tener sus huevos con mayor seguridad.

·         Las telarañas ayudan a las arañas a esconderse o protegerse.

·         Las telarañas ayudan a las arañas a sujetar la comida para que no se escape .

·         Las arañas necesitan sus telarañas para sobrevivir y reproducirse.

 

 

After reading:

Answer, in English, the comprehension questions by applying strategy nº 2.

Comprehension Questions:

3) This passage is mostly about

A. spider colors

B. spider webs

C. spider eggs

4) Spider webs help spiders

I. hold eggs - II. catch food - III. find water

A. I only

B. I and II only

C. I, II, and III

5) As used in paragraph 4, the word trapped most nearly means

A. stuck

B. hidden

C. eaten

6) How can spiders tell when something is trapped in their web?

A. They hear it.

B. They smell it.

C. They feel it.

7) As used in the last sentence of the passage, the word survive means to stay

A. alive

B. hidden

C. caught

8) The passage lists three reasons why spiders spin webs (paragraph 1). Of these reasons, which do you think is the most important? Why?

·         The most important reason is that

Serve to disorient and intercept flying insects, making them more vulnerable to being trapped in the bottom cloth for their food and also helping them to survive.

9) Are the spider webs good? Do spiders need them? Why or why not?

·         Of course, they need their cobwebs to help them protect themselves and others from predators and their webs help to retain eggs, catch food, hide and woo (reproduce).

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[1] Reading and exercises adapted from www.readtheory.org