lesson 1 ( Reading Comprehension )

Reading Comprehension
               > is not a simple concept. We read to comprehend, but possibly miss out on so efficient and satisfactory reading due to lack of awareness about process of reading comprehension.

Reading then and now:

             In the past, reading is simply known as getting meaning from the printed page by way of a passive and receptive phase of written communication. Stress was given to literal reading or reading the lines to get the message drift on the what, who, where, why and how of information. In this traditional idea of reading, it is enough for the reader to perceive letters and words. Using semantic cues (word meaning), syntactic clues (word order), phonetic/gramaphonic cues (sound-and-word relationships), picture cues and structural cues. The use of study guides are helpful in careful reading and increased retention.

                    Today, there is much advancement on concepts about reading comprehension.
Take note:

• The schemata theory states that as we read, we are influenced by the knowledge previously stored in our memory.
• The schemata (store of past experiences) influence us in interpreting new textual information.
• The first level of comprehension is at the literal level. This refers to recognition of what is simply, directly and explicitly the textual message. Reading at this level is called Literal Reading is reading the lines of the textual message.
• The second level of comprehension is the inferential level which goes beyond the direct and explicit statement and adds on by enriching the meaning of the textual message. Reading a this level is referred to a Interpretative Reading or reading between the lines combining information with inferred meanings.
• The third level in reading comprehension is the critical level wherein the reader raises questions and evaluates the printed text for its veracity, style, pattern etc. Reading at this level is referred to as Critical Reading. Or reading beyond the lines.
• Another level of comprehension is creative level in which the reader sees new ideas/insights from the textual material. Reading at this level of comprehension is known as Creative Reading.

 EXERCISE 1:

Read the information below and answer the following questions.


The New York Jets were established in 1959. Originally called the Titans of New York, the team was a founding member of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960. They now play in the American Football Conference (AFC) East Division and share a stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey with the New York Giants.

The original franchise was awarded to Harry Wismer, a sports broadcaster. The Titans struggled financially in its first three years, and by 1962 was nearly bankrupt. In 1963, the Titans were purchased by a group led by business executive Sonny Werblin for one million dollars. Werblin renamed the team the Jets because it played at Shea Stadium and was close to La Guardia Airport. In 1968, Werblin sold the team to petroleum magnate Leon Hess.

In 1969, the New York Jets won Super Bowl III defeating the NFL’s heavily favored Baltimore Colts, 16-7, in what was one of the last championship games before the leagues merged in 1970. Super Bowl III, however, is most famous for Jets quarterback Joe Namath’s guarantee that the Jets would win (even though he was allegedly drunk when he made the declaration.) Broadway Joe, as he came to be known, was the AFL Rookie-of-the-Year in 1965 and became the first quarterback in professional football history to throw for over 4,000 yards. He would be named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl III.

In 1970, Joe Namath and the New York Jets played in the first ever Monday Night Football game, losing to the Cleveland Browns in front of a record 85,703 people. After the merger of the NFL and AFL, the Jets suffered through more than a decade of mediocrity before losing in the AFC Championship game to the Miami Dolphins, 14-0 in 1983.


In 2000, Woody Johnson, from the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical family purchased the team for $635 million dollars. Since the purchase, the Jets have made the playoffs six times, but have yet to make it to a second super bowl in team history. In 2009, the Jets hired Rex Ryan as head coach. Under Ryan’s leadership, the Jets played in two consecutive AFC Championship games, losing both. The 2011 and 2012 seasons have been particularly turbulent for the Jets. Starting quarterback Mark Sanchez has been the subject of much criticism, and the team’s acquisition of former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has continually been questioned in the press.



Questions

1. According to the passage, how many owners have the New York Jets had in their history?
   1.   1
   2.   3
   3.   4
   4.   2
2. Where do the New York Jets currently play games?
   1.   New Jersey
   2.   New York State
   3.   Long Island
   4.   New York City
3. Which of the following IS NOT true about Joe Namath?
   1.   He guaranteed the New York Jets would play the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl
   2.   He once threw for over 4,000 yards in a single season.
   3.   He was nicknamed Broadway Joe
   4.   He won the Rookie-of-the-Year Award in 1965
4. What does the word "merged" mean in the following sentence?
   
   In 1969, the New York Jets won Super Bowl III defeating the NFL’s heavily favored Baltimore Colts, 16-7, in the last championship games before the leagues merged in 1970.
   1.   disappeared
   2.   improved
   3.   came together
   4.   split apart
5. Since its 1969 Super Bowl victory, the Jets have played in ________ Super Bowls.
   1.   1
   2.   2
   3.   5
   4.   0
6. What question is answered in the fourth paragraph?
   1.   Who bought the New York Jets in 2000?
   2.   What was the final score between the Browns and the Jets?
   3.   Why was Joe Namath nicknamed Broadway Joe?
   4.   What two teams played in the first Monday Night Football game?
7. What word best describes the 1970-1982 in Jets history from the PERSPECTIVE of a Jets fan or supporter?
   1.   athletic
   2.   lackluster
   3.   victorious
   4.   special
8. Read the section below. In which sentence is the word "turbulent" used correctly?
   
   The 2011 and 2012 seasons have been particularly turbulent for the Jets. Starting quarterback Mark Sanchez has been the subject of much criticism, and the team’s acquisition of former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has continually been questioned in the press.
   1.   I feel so turbulent that my Jets won the Super Bowl!
   2.   We were impressed by the turbulence shown by the restaurant's star chef!
   3.   It was so late at night, and I had practiced for so long, that I fell asleep with lots of turbulence.
   4.   IThe pilot announced that we should expect some major turbulence as we landed in the midst of a heavy downpour.
9. Since Woody Johnson bought the Jets....
   1.   The team has yet to make the playoffs
   2.   The team has made the playoffs six times
   3.   The team has made the Super Bowl
   4.   The team fired Rex Ryan
10. When was Rex Ryan hired as head coach?
    1.   Before Woody Johnson purchased the team.
    2.   Before the Jets made it to two consecutive AFC Championship Games.
    3.   2009
    4.   Last season.  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Reference: Developmental Reading 1 by Aida S. Villanueva, Ph.D and Rogelio S. Delos Santos pp. 38-39
                   mrnussbaum.com/readingcomp/columbus_vocabulary