Short Passage 短文閱讀
BasicReading skills for short passages.
- Three reading steps: title → picture → keywords.
- Answer with the words in the passage, not your guess.
- The title tells you what the passage is about.
文體小知識：Read and answer.
§Text Passage
1I have a dog called Sam. Sam is small and brown. He has long ears and a short tail. Every morning, I walk him in the park. He likes to run after birds. He never catches them. In the evening, he sleeps under my bed. I love Sam very much.
2In class, we read this story together. First, I read the title. Then I look at the picture. I find the keyword in each sentence. The keyword helps me understand the story.
3After reading, I answer the questions. There is a sign in the park too. It says, 'No dogs here.' So Sam must wait outside. Now I understand the story and the sign. Reading is fun!
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
I have a dog called Sam.
我養了一隻狗，叫 Sam。
Sam is small and brown.
Sam 是一隻棕色的小狗。
He has long ears and a short tail.
他有長長的耳朵同短短的尾巴。
Every morning, I walk him in the park.
我每天早上帶他去公園散步。
He likes to run after birds.
他喜歡追着小鳥跑。
He never catches them.
他一次都捉不到。
In the evening, he sleeps under my bed.
晚上，他睡在我的床下面。
I love Sam very much.
我好喜歡 Sam。
In class, we read this story together.
上課的時候，我們一起讀這個故事。
First, I read the title.
首先，我讀標題。
Then I look at the picture.
接着我看一看圖畫。
I find the keyword in each sentence.
我在每句句子裡面找出關鍵詞。
The keyword helps me understand the story.
關鍵詞幫我明白這個故事。
After reading, I answer the questions.
讀完之後，我回答問題。
There is a sign in the park too.
公園裡還有一個告示牌。
It says, 'No dogs here.'
上面寫着：「不准狗隻進入。」
So Sam must wait outside.
所以 Sam 要在外面等。
Now I understand the story and the sign.
現在我明白這個故事同那個告示牌。
Reading is fun!
閱讀好好玩！
1Summary 重點摘要
Reading skills for short passages.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Read.
Answer.
Question.
Picture.
Sign.
Title.
Key word.
Understand.
3Step by step Steps
- Three reading stepsReading a short passage has three steps: first read the title, which tells you what the text is about; then look at the picture for clues; finally find the keywords in the sentences. Do the three steps in order, and the whole passage becomes much easier to understand.
- Paragraph 1: meet SamIn "I have a dog called Sam." the word called introduces the name: a dog named Sam. Sam is small and brown, with long ears and a short tail. While reading the first paragraph, circle all the words that describe how Sam looks; those words are the keywords.
- Find keywords as you readIf the question asks What colour is Sam?, go back to the passage and look for brown. Keywords usually sit right beside the answer: remember what the question word asks — colour, place or action — and then hunt for it in the text. This makes finding answers quick and accurate.
- Paragraph 2: how to readThe second paragraph shows the reading order: First I read the title. Then I look at the picture. Then I find the keyword in each sentence. The words first and then show the order of the actions. Doing things step by step keeps us from getting confused.
- Paragraph 3: answer questionsAnswer the questions only after reading, and use the exact words from the passage: if the passage says brown, answer brown. Do not guess. This is the safest way to answer, because the answers are already hiding in the text — you only need to find the right place.
- Read the sign tooIn the park there is a sign: No dogs here. It means dogs may not go into the park, so Sam has to wait outside. When reading, do not just read the main text; read the signs and labels beside the picture too. They often hold important information.
- Retell to someoneAfter reading, retell the story in three sentences: Sam is small and brown. He runs after birds. We walk in the park. If you can say it in your own words, you truly understand the story; if you cannot, read the passage once more.
5Worked example Example
Read My Dog Sam with the three reading steps, then answer the three questions using the words in the passage.
- Step one, read the title: My Dog Sam. From the title we know the story is about a dog.
- Step two, look at the picture: a small brown dog with long ears and a short tail.
- Step three, read paragraph one for keywords: small and brown. Circle the describing words.
- Answer Q1: What colour is Sam? The answer is He is brown., using the word brown from the passage.
- Answer Q2: Where do they walk? The answer is In the park.; the passage says the park.
- Answer Q3: What does Sam like to do? The answer is Run after the birds. Then read everything once more to check.
- Answer: Q1 He is small and brown. Q2 In the park. Q3 He likes to run after birds. The steps: read the title first, then the picture, then find the keywords; always use the exact words of the passage.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is the first reading step?
Q2What is Sam like?
Q3What does Sam like to run after?
Q4What does the sign in the park say?
Q5What is the English word for the important word we find?
8Recap Recap
- Three reading steps: title → picture → keywords.
- Answer with the words in the passage, not your guess.
- The title tells you what the passage is about.
- Circle new words, use clues, then ask your teacher.
- Retell the story after reading — retelling shows you understand.