S.

1 Assignment 8 1 of 6
Reading Comprehension
Remedial reading and comprehension

Text 1

From: Anson
To: Eric
Subject: Camping trip in mid July
Date: 7 May

Hi Eric!
5

I’m going on a camping trip in mid-July. It’s a sports camp and Jennie is going to join up too. I
think we’ll enjoy trying out new water sports. Want to join us?

The camp is called Waves of Fun. While we’re there, we’ll attend a
sports clinic to learn surfing and waterskiing. Best of all, the famous
coach Simon Yip is going to be our teacher–yeah! We can go
10 swimming, diving, and do an array of other water-based activities
too.

Won’t it be great if all three of us get to train under Simon? We can

even have a competition and see who swims the fastest or who can
dive while doing the most difficult twist. The campsite is next to a
15 beach. We can go stargazing. Does that sound enjoyable to you?

Want the details? It’s an overnight (13-14 July) outdoor camp in Sai Kung, and the fee is $300.
The deadline for signing up is Friday 3 June. Hope to see you there!

Cheers
Anson
S.1 Assignment 8
Reading Comprehension
Remedial reading and comprehension
Text 2
Taiko
What is it? 15
Taiko appeared in around the 6th century in
Japan when it was performed during
worship and festivals. Performers do a mix
5 of martial arts and dancing while tapping
and hitting drums with bachi sticks. The 20 drumbeats.
drummers’ powerful movements also make
it a sport.
What do you need?
10
Taiko requires special kinds of Japanese
drums and drumsticks. In old Japan, big
taiko drums were crafted from large tree
trunks. Recently, more green or recycled 25
materials, such as wine barrels, have been
used.
2 of 6
Why do it?
Taiko is good exercise for
your body. Plus, your mind
gets to relax as you make
great music with varied
What is the advice for
beginners?
Practise a lot to play well.
With your professional
drumming skills, what sadly
comes along are rough hands
and pain all over your body.
S.1 Assignment 8 3 of 6
Reading Comprehension
Remedial reading and comprehension

Text 3

Guess the sport

 
You’ll be lucky not to get wet Not every sport needs a ball
If you’re taking part Not every sport needs water
In this water sport. 10 Not every sport needs a uniform

But if you’ve got the wind Not every sport needs a bat
5 On your side All you need for this sport
You’ll ride on the waves Are some good shoes and strong ropes
Ever so high! And a head for heights!


15 All around the oval track
Racers cycle and pedal
Wheel to wheel
Neck to neck
‘Til they finish the last lap.
S.1 Assignment 8 4 of 6
Reading Comprehension
Remedial reading and comprehension

Exercise 1 Answer the questions below using the information in Texts 1-3.

1 Is Anson’s email a formal or an informal message? Support your answer with a reason.
Your answer: formal / informal (Circle your answer.)
Your reason:

2 What activities can people join at the camp?

A skiing
B diving
C jogging
D ice-skating

3 What is Anson’s purpose for writing the email? Which paragraph contains information about his
purpose?
Purpose:
Paragraph:

4 Why are the following dates important?

a. 3 June
b. 14 July

Text 2

5 Based on the information given, which part of a tree were taiko drums originally made from?
S.1 Assignment 8 5 of 6
Reading Comprehension
Remedial reading and comprehension

6 Decide if the following statements are True (T), False (F), or the information is Not Given
(NG) in the text.
T F NG
a. Taiko drumming started in the 7th century.

b. Taiko is a mix of singing and dancing.

c. Performers hit the taiko drums with drumsticks.

7 Find a word in paragraph 2 that means ‘made’.

8 Complete the summary about taiko. Use ONE word to fill in each blank.

Taiko is a form of Japanese drumming performance. It began a long time ago when it was performed
during (1) and (2) . Good taiko drummers need to (3)
for a long time to give a good show. As a result, they may suffer (4) in their body and
they often have (5) .

9 Would you like to learn taiko? Explain your answer.

Text 3

10 The sport in riddle 1 is best done when it’s…

A cold.
B windy.
C sunny.
D cloudy.

11 Guess the sports riddle 2 talks about. Support you answer with information from the text.
S.1 Assignment 8 6 of 6
Reading Comprehension
Remedial reading and comprehension

12 In riddle 2, a person who has ‘a head for heights’ (line 17) is …

A not afraid of high places.
B afraid of high places.
C adventurous.
D tall.

13 What is riddle 3 about? Circle the correct picture.