Read Like You Talk
Reading Comprehension Lessons
© 2000 MINDPLAY - Tucson,
Arizona
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LESSON 9: Clues for inflection and pausing
OBJECTIVE: The learner will understand that we use a
preposition to get the listener ready to limit the number of correct
pictures that can be formed.
| 1. |
Mary rode. |
|
| 2. |
Mary rode the bike. |
|
| 3. |
Mary rode the bike |
up the hill. |
| 4. |
Mary rode the bike |
down the hill. |
| 5. |
Mary rode the bike |
toward the hill. |
When we talk we often pause or inflect to make sure the listener forms
the correct picture. Have the learner read each sentence and draw or make
a list of possible pictures.
1. Mary rode.
The number of pictures is almost limitless. Mary can look all sorts
of different ways, and she can be riding anything.
2. Mary rode the bike.
Adding "the bike" limits the number of pictures. Mary can only ride a
bike, not a car, plane, horse, etc., but there are still a lot of
pictures.
3. Mary rode the bike up the hill.
Adding the phrase "up the hill" further limits the number of
pictures. Now, the picture gets clearer with fewer possible pictures.
4. Mary rode the bike down the hill.
Now, one word is changed. UP becomes DOWN and the picture changes
significantly, doesn't it? Wham! Just one small word and we go from a
picture of a girl struggling to cycle up a hill to a girl easily
coasting down a hill.
5. Mary rode the bike toward the hill.
Again, one word is changed. The word TOWARD changes the picture. Now
my picture shows a girl riding her bike on a flat surface toward a
hill in the distance.
These small words are very powerful! They are very important when we read
because they limit the sentence regarding location, people or time.
These words are called prepositions. We frequently pause before a
preposition or inflect to stress the preposition when we talk. This
technique warns that the listener that the picture is going to change.
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Go to Lesson 8
