Hit the dirt with style

Hit the dirt with style

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This task is about the use of words and comprehension. 
THERE is no way round it – if you are going to go on one of Lachie McLeod's quad bike adventures, you are going to have fun and get your feet wet.
For up to 3½ hours, Mr McLeod, accompanied by his golden labrador Whaka, takes riders on a journey around his family farm, Hautotara. 
Riders, on 300cc quad bikes, make their way through three rivers, native bush and Mr McLeod's extensive Martinborough farm. There are also stops for coffee and some home baking before ending up on the Ngawaka-a-Kupe hills overlooking Southern Wairarapa.
Depending on conditions, there is also a giant mud hole to rip through, and in summer you can always stop for a dip in one of the property's waterholes.
No experience is necessary – before the tour departs, full training on the bikes is given.
Mr McLeod began the tours about a year ago. "I was looking for something new and exciting to do. People who work in the city usually have three or four different jobs and houses during their life, but as a farmer you have one job and one house and that's it."
"I was looking for a new challenge." he says.

Question 1Change answer

a)  What is the name of Mr McLeod's farm?

Question 1Change answer

b)  How long has Mr McLeod been running quad bike tours?

Question 1Change answer

c)  According to Mr McLeod, what is a difference between working in the city and on a farm?

Question 1Change answer

d)  What always happens before a tour starts?

Question

e)  Mr McLeod is accompanied by his labrador Whaka.
     Which of the following words could best be used instead of "accompanied", without changing the meaning of the sentence?

    • followed

    • chased

    • joined

    • delayed

Question 1Change answer

f)  Name two different kinds of countryside you may pass through during the tour.
1. 
2. 
 

Question 1Change answer

g)  The article says that there are some stops during the tours.
1.
Write one stop which happens every time.
2.
Write one stop which happens sometimes.
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with some auto marking).
Copyright: 
Source: The Dominion, Friday 24 September 1999.
Permission granted.
(Text abridged).
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Reading
Key Competencies: 
Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts
Keywords: 
reports, article, news articles, comprehension, vocabulary
Description of task: 
Students read a newspaper article and answer questions about comprehension and vocabulary.
Curriculum Links: 
Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:

  • use comprehension strategies
  • locate and summarise ideas
as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading at: http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.
Answers/responses: 
 
Y6 (11/1999)
a)   Hautotara easy
b)   For about one year. easy
c)  

For either:

  • People who work in the city usually have more than one job during their life.
  • Farmers usually have only one job during their life.
 easy
d)   He gives full training on the bikes before the trip starts. moderate
e)   C (joined) easy
f)  

Any 2 of:

  • rivers
  • native bush
  • mud hole
  • farm (paddock, hills, and hill country)
  • waterholes

2 correct – moderate 

1 correct – easy
g)

i)
ii)

Stop for tea/coffee and home baking.
Stop for a dip in a water hole.

2 correct – difficult

1 correct – easy