PRE-READING:
Look at the title and predict the main ideas of the article. Then, write down three wh-questions about the text.
Ex: What is the name given to the baby elephant?
WHILE READING:
Set a time limit to read this article. An average reader can read at the speed of 250 words per minute. Note down your reading speed regularly to check your progress.
SKIMMING:
Within the time limit, read and summarize the main ideas of the paragraphs in your own words. Do not worry about unfamiliar vocabulary.
BABY ELEPHANT BRINGS HOPE
Six weeks ago, the floodwaters sweeping down from Thailand's north reached Ayutthaya, a UNESCO-listed historical city that lies 100 kilometers from Bangkok.
Just one week later, the entire area was severely flooded. Shops closed, roads became rivers, temples and monuments were unable to keep the waters at bay, and people had to swim or use boats to get food and water.
One of those affected was Yvette Cagney, a 30-year-old Australian who has worked as an elephant helper at Ayutthaya's Royal Elephant Kraal for the past three years. She had to climb from her house through a second-floor window to escape the rising waters.
Cagney and her colleagues were able to help about 60 elephants escape to higher grounds, and set up camp three kilometers away. Because of their fragility, about eight babies and their mothers had to be left behind.
Yet amongst the pessimism, there has been one fortuitous turn of events – the arrival of a new baby to the herd. Born just three days ago, Soisilee has brought a shade of happiness and a touch of hope.
He's already at home taking a bath in the muddy flood waters, and seems to have become the darling of the herd.
"He's our gift among all this craziness," says Cagney. "He's lifted everyone's spirits during these hard times."
Word count: 222 words
Source:http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/02/world/asia/thailand-elephants/index.html?hpt=ias_mid
SCANNING:
Use your notes to identify where you can find the answers to the questions you made in the pre-reading stage.
POST-READING:
Glossary:
Pay attention to how the word is combined with other words in context. Do not learn the meaning of the word without sentences. Vietnamese should be the last resort after you have tried all the learning strategies.
• To sweep down = to move steadily, strongly or swiftly (Tràn xuống, càn quét)
• To keep waters at bay = to stop something from getting too close or worse (Ngăn nước tràn vào)
• To set up camp = to put up a temporary shelter or housing (Dựng lều/ trại tạm)
• Fragility = the quality of being easily damaged or destroyed (Tính mỏng manh, dễ vỡ)
• Pessimism = the characteristic of always looking at or seeing the bad side of things (Bi quan)
• A fortuitous turn of events = a sudden, unexpected and lucky chance (Cơ may bất ngờ)
• The darling of somebody/something = someone or something that is especially liked or loved (Cục cưng của ai đó)
• To lift everyone’s spirits = to make everybody feel happy or happier (Làm mọi người phấn chấn)
True or False:
Write T if the statement agrees with the text above and F if it does not.
1. The floodwaters came from the north of Ayutthaya.
2. Business in the area continued even with the floodwaters rising.
3. Yvette Cagney owns the Ayutthaya Royal Elephant Kraal.
4. She and her colleagues were able to help all the elephants escape the rising waters.
5. Everybody in the elephant camp adores Soisilee.
Grammar:
Notice the special grammar point in the following sentences.
1. Yvette Cagney, a 30-year-old Australian, has worked as an elephant helper at Ayutthaya's Royal Elephant Kraal for the past three years.
2. Soisilee has brought a shade of happiness and a touch of hope.
3. He has lifted everyone's spirits during these hard times.
The Present Perfect is used in all three sentences. We form the Present Perfect with has / have + past participle.
In sentence 1, the Present Perfect is used to talk about an action or state which continues from the past to the present.
In sentences 2 and 3, we do not know exactly when the action happened AND the results of the past action are important in the present.
Discussion:
Practice your speaking skills by asking and answering these questions with a speaking partner.
1. Are elephants common in your country? What about flooding?
2. How does your government deal with the flooding problems of your country?
3. What are some ways you can help reduce flooding in your area?
ANSWERS:
True or False:
1. T
2. F
3. F
4. F
5. T
This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).
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