Active Skills for Reading 1 (Unit 3: Studying Abroad)


CHAPTER 1 - My Travel Journal

Reading Skill - Reading for Details

Reading for details is especially useful when we need to get information from one part of a larger passage. We can scan the passage to find out which part we need to read more carefully, and then look for specific details.

A. Read the following sentences, then scan the second paragraph of the journal. Write the three things Maria wrote about on October 20.

  1. It is difficult for her to talk to her classmates.
  2. She doesn't know how to take the bus.
  3. She is making lots of friends.
  4. She can't understand her teacher.
  5. Her English is improving very slowly.
  6. She had trouble understanding someone on the bus.

B. Scan the third paragraph of the journal for the following information. Write the three things Maria wrote about on October 27.

  1. She wrote for the student newspaper.
  2. She met a French woman.
  3. She talked about her experiences in the United States.
  4. She met a Japanese man.
  5. She walked around the city..
  6. She went to a party.

C. Now read the entire journal carefully.

Your teacher is a role model.

Listen to your teacher share his or her personal reasons for learning English. If your teacher is a native speaker of English, find out how your teacher improves his or her English.

My Travel Journal

September 13

Hi Journal! It's me, Maria! I arrived in New York city two weeks ago. I am writing this journal for one of my classes. My teacher says it is a good way for me to practice writing in English and to write about my experiences here in the United States. So far, I like New York and my school. I have three classes a day. Most of my classmates come from Japan, Korea, Poland,_ Germany, and Brazil. There aren't many Italian students, so I have to use English most of the time. I am learning a lot! I am living in student housing, and I have my own comfortable room.

October 20

My English is hopeless! I was on the bus this morning and a man spoke to me, but I hardly understood him. I was so embarrassed. Why is my English so slowly? I want to make lots of American friends, but this isn't happening so easily. I feel shy, and it is hard, for me to talk to people, even my classmates! I like them, but sometimes I can't understand them very well. I'm feeling homesick. I miss my friends and family.

October 27

I went to a school party last Friday and it was awesome. I talked with a Japanese man named Kenji and a Polish woman n_amed Anna. we talked about our countries' customs and our experiences in the States so far. we are going to walk around the city together this weekend. Also, Kenji wants me to write for the student newspaper here at school. Ma be things are getting better!
Chapter - 2: Before You Read - Writing a Journal Chapter - 2: Reading Comprehension - Check Your Understanding

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