WEEK 1

FIRST NIGHT IN THE CITY

It was Lynn’s first night in the city. She woke up with a stun and then she remembered where she
was. She had never spent the night in a city before. She lay still and listened. Cars and jeepeneys seemed
to race like ants heading straight towards her. A new house was being built next to her aunt’s house and
the cement mixer was roaring angrily. Downstairs in the kitchen, she heard the clattering of pans. Then,
she heard the chime of the big clock. She turned over and fell asleep again.

KEY WORDS:

 stun
 race
 cement mixer
 roaring
 clattering

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 What did Lynn remember when she woke up?

 Where did Lynn imagine the cars and jeeps going?
 How did she know the time?
 Why did Lynn wake up with a stun?

WEEK 2
CAMPING

Rene was tired from the day’s tramp. He rolled himself in his scout blanket and laid still. It was
very quiet in the woods. Then he heard some queer noises. There was a flapping of wings. A night owl was
on its way to hunt. Tiny raindrops started to fall on the leaves. The shower was over though, in a moment.
The cicadas and other insects started their night songs with ended into a forest symphony. “Those queer
night sounds in the forest is a good lullaby,” Rene thought as he drowsed off to a sound sleep.

KEY WORDS:

 tired
 tramp
 queer
 cicadas
 symphony

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 Where did Rene went?

 Where did he rolled himself?
 What did Rene heard singing?
 To Rene, what was the sound of the insects sounds like?

Excerpt from Developing Reading Power 6

WEEK 3
THE DIVER

A skilful diver can see clearly what lies underneath a vast body of water. He sees swaying
seaweeds, acres of sea plants that have large, bright colored leaves. He finds countless giant crabs and
lobsters. A diver also encounters sea snakes, sea horses, fierce sharks and other wild fishes. He takes
delight in watching the different species of fish, splendid in their brilliant colors. To a diver, the life
underworld is full of thrilling adventures.

KEY WORDS:

 skillful
 underneath
 swaying
 acres
 encounters

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 What can the divers see through the clear water?

 What kind of diver can stay in the water for a long time?
 How does a diver feel while watching the different species of fish underneath?
 What may possibly happen to a diver who is not skillful?

WEEK 4
FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO

It was time for the zookeeper to feed the animals. Judging from the noise, the beast were hungry.
The lions opened their mouths and gave the people in the zoo a frightful sample of the howl of the king
of the beasts. The little monkeys squeaked as they tumbled over each other to reach the cage bars. The
monkeys shook the iron bars till they reached, and parrots jumped up and down shrieking excitedly.

KEY WORDS:

 zookeeper
 judging
 frightful
 squeaked
 tumbled

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 What time was it in the zoo?

 How did the animals show that they were hungry?
 What was the zookeeper going to do?
 How did the little monkeys manage to reach the cage bars?

Excerpt from Developing Reading Power 6

WEEK 5
THE ATOMIC ENERGY

With the establishment of a Nuclear Center, we will engage in the production of radio isotopes
for use in agriculture, industry and medicine. This is a landmark in our scientific progress as it opens up
for our youth the field of nuclear science and ultimately harness the mightiest industrial power known
to man. It will greatly help fight poverty. With the use of the atomic energy, we will have the power to
run more industries.

KEY WORDS:

 landmark
 nuclear
 radio
 isotopes
 progress

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 What was established in our country?

 What can we engage in with the establishment of the center?
 For whom is the vast field of nuclear science open?
 In what branch of science is the mightiest industrial power known to man?

WEEK 6
A WISE BUYER

“I have good news today, Mother,” said Normas as she put down the big basket she was carrying.
“What’s your news, Norma?” asked Mother. “Look at my basket,” said Norma excitedly. “I bought many
things today: meat, sugar, fish, vegetables and fruits. See, I still have a little change left. ”But why?” asked
Mother, puzzled.

KEY WORDS:

 news
 basket
 excitedly
 change
 puzzled

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 Where did Norma come from?

 Why was Norma happy?
 Why was Norma’s news good?
 Why do you think was Mother puzzled?

Excerpt from Developing Reading Power 6

WEEK 7
AN AIRPLANE RIDE

The strangest thing about my first airplane ride was that I seemed not to be moving at all since
the plane assumed a certain altitude. As I looked down, the earth below seemed like a wonderful map in
lovely colors. Everything was a miniature. The houses, the trees, the buildings appeared like playthings.
The vast rice fields were restful to the eyes to look at. The ocean was but a shallow stream of clear, blue
water.
Indeed, anybody’s first plane ride is a pleasant experience.

KEY WORDS:

 strangest
 altitude
 miniature
 vast
 assumed

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 On what kind of transportation was the author riding?

 How did the earth below appear to the narrator?
 How did the author consider his first airplane ride?
 What was the strangest thing about the author’s first airplane ride?

WEEK 8
VACATION TIME

“It is vacation now!” shouted Ben happily. “I can take a swim in the river everyday.” “I will sell
newspapers every morning and shine shoes in the afternoon,” said Luis. “I need to save money so I can
go to high school next June.” “I will help Mother do home chores,” said Gloria. “I can cook and go to
market.” “I will plant vegetables in our backyard,” said Rene.

KEY WORDS:

 vacation
 newspaper
 high school
 backyard
 chores

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 What vacation is mentioned in this story?

 Who among the children in the story will spend his vacation earning money?
 Why is Ben happy?
 Who will help in the food production?

Excerpt from Developing Reading Power 6

WEEK 9
INCOMPARABLE RIZAL

We just wonder how Rizal in his short life learned so many things. He was only thirty-five years
old when he dies, but he could speak about twenty-six languages. We know he was a doctor, a writer, an
artist and scientist. When he was exiled to Dapitan, he learned to be a farmer. He was a teacher and a
businessman. He was also a good swimmer, and an expert in fencing and boxing.

KEY WORDS:

 languages
 expert
 exile
 fencing
 businessman

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 What was the story about?

 How many languages did Rizal learned to speak?
 Give four things that tell what Rizal was?
 Which of these did Rizal learn in Dapitan?

WEEK 9
ELECTRIC POWER

Electricity has become a servant and a messenger in the modern world. It lights homes, runs
machines in factories and make distant people neighbors. Electricity has given us all the comforts in life
through electrical appliances used in our homes. Science has helped us in making the most out of
electricity. Work has become lighter with the advent of electricity.

KEY WORDS:

 messenger
 distant
 appliances
 advent
 lighter

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

 Give two words that tell what has become of electricity.

 Has electricity made our work lighter?
 Give the phrase that tells what has brought comfort to our lives.
 Which has helped people make the most out of electricity?

Excerpt from Developing Reading Power 6