Acquiring and using information and ideas in informational texts resources

Students read a newspaper article about outdoor activities then answer some comprehension questions.

This task assesses student ability to find the text features of a science report about one of our native birds. The task is essentially a literacy task in the context of scientific writing, and can also be accessed from the English Bank.

This comprehension task assesses student ability to find details that relate to the main idea of a text about a Māori naturalist/scientist. Students are asked to read a text, find details about the given main idea, then justify why they think the main idea is right or wrong.

An extract about Sāmoan life provides the context for this assessment with its focus on retrieving information and making inferences. Text available.

Students read an article about the Moa then answer retrieval and inferential questions. SJ-2-3-1982. Text not provided.

This resource has students comparing four advertisements on holiday camps and identifying the meaning of a slogan.

This comprehension task assesses student ability to find the main idea of a transactional text about a Māori naturalist/scientist. Students are asked to read a text, identify the main idea from three choices provided, and then justify why they think their choice is right.

Students read an article about the development of safety glass to answer retrieval and inferential questions.

Students read a text containing instructions then answer retrieval and inferential questions. SJ-2-2-1984. Text provided.

Assessment focus: finding important information and the main idea of an informational text. The text used is about an introduced species of fish which has become a pest. SJ-2-4-2005. Text provided.

Students read a text on shoplifting to answer retrieval and inferential questions.

Students read about a visit to the islands of Kiribati by a New Zealand flight inspection team to answer retrieval and inferential questions.

A recount about a whale watch is the context for comprehension questions that require making inferences. The recount is reproduced in the resource. SJ-1-1-1998. Text provided.

Students use the information in an article to interpret the body language of cats in nine different pictures. This task assesses student ability to bring together written and visual texts to show their comprehension. The text is reproduced in the Teacher information pages. SJ-3-1-1990. Text not provided.

Students read an article on parachuting and complete a retrieval chart and answer comprehension questions.

This comprehension task assesses student ability to identify important information to establish the main idea of a transactional text about blushing. SJ-4-1-2006. Text provided.

Students read a short extract on diving and answer five comprehension questions.

Students read a recount about New Zealanders travelling in Africa, then answer retrieval and inference questions. The text is provided.

Students read an article on cold water survival and retrieve information from this text.

Students read a poster about railway crossing safety to answer retrieval and inferential questions.