Making meaning resources

Students read a one-page article on DNA testing and answer four selected response questions about the aim and purpose of the article.

Students are assessed on their ability to find details to identify the main idea of a text about conservation projects for endangered species.

Students use an index page to identify the pages they should go to, in order to find specific information.

Students read an article on dog grooming. They find information to complete a retrieval chart and answer comprehension questions. SJ-1-1-1997. Text not provided.

Assessment focus: finding details to support the main idea of an informational text, and justifying why they agree or disagree with the main idea presented. The text used is about environmental issues to do with endangered native species.

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.

Students read a text about living in a house bus to answer retrieval and inferential questions. SJ-2-2-1995. Text provided.

Students read a poem, written from the point of view of an immigrant, then answer retrieval and inferential questions.

Students read an article on a town hall pipe organ and answer related questions. SJ-3-2-1985. Text provided.

Students study two graphs on some rocks and lake features of Saharan North Africa and answer a mix of questions to show this ability to interpret these graphs.

A short poem with four pictures is analysed with students having to match text with images and answer questions on movement and illustrations. SJ-2-4-1997. Text not provided.

Students look at a water safety poster and answer questions relating to the posters construction.

Students interpret a series of road safety drawings with questions on visual cues, titles, emphasis and providing appropriate text.

An illustration on a roller coaster ride is the context for questions on lettering, movement lines, and interpreting illustrations showing body language and emotions. SJ-1-2-1997, pages 20-21 are required.

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.

Students read two letters about personal viewpoints on graffiti and answer questions about the content and style of the letters.

Students are assessed on their ability to find and synthesise details to explain the main idea of a text. The text is focused on adjusting to life as a separated family. SJ-3-2-2006. Text provided.

This comprehension task assesses student ability to use evidence in text to make inferences about characters' points of view, and to analyse and synthesise understandings of these characters.

The assessment focus is on student ability to make inferences about character and justify these with evidence from text.

Assessment focus: ability to use contextual clues to infer meaning of a word. (There is a link to the text used for this resource in the Using this Resource section.) SJ-4-3-2004. Text provided.

An article about a clown is read by students who then complete a retrieval chart about his job.

A newspaper article on working from home is the stimulus for this resource. The assessment focus is on looking at both sides of an issue, vocabulary and comprehension.

Students read an article on kiwi and answer multiple choice questions that focus on inference and information retrieval.

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 Mother Teresa and then answer short comprehension questions.