ENGLISH ENHANCEMENT/PLUS
Unit I: Enhancing Reading Skills Worksheet
Directions: This activity sheet covers several parts encompassing reading techniques
and comprehension skills. Read each instruction carefully to complete the task.
Part I. Applying Skimming and Scanning
1. Skim the short article below and in one sentence write the general idea of the
text.
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Microplastics Invading Human Bodies at [an] Alarming Rate
Published: Oct 25, 2024
Source: https://subjecttoclimate.org/news/
Plastic and other synthetic materials have been around since their invention in the early 1900s.
For generations, plastic containers and wrappings have carried and stored our food and drinks,
while much of modern clothing is made of synthetics. Plastic has become so pervasive that it’s
been found in the farm animals and fish that we eat, and tiny microplastics have even been
identified in remote Arctic ice.
Now, scientists and researchers are warning about the potential dangers to human health of this
non-natural material. Microplastics, defined as pieces that are less than 5 millimeters in length,
around the size of a sesame seed, or smaller, are seeping into our bodies at an alarming rate.
“The world has a plastic problem,” wrote the Harvard Gazette in an introduction to a recent
podcast of experts discussing the issue. “Not only are nonbiodegradable plastics clogging oceans
and landfills, but they’re also invading our bodies.”
WWF International, a nongovernmental environmental organization, concluded in a recent report
that humans could be ingesting the equivalent of a credit card worth of plastic per week. What
all that plastic does to our bodies remains a mystery. But experts say it surely is negatively
impacting our health.
“These particles … are what we call sustained release vehicles, meaning they’re just sitting there,
and every day they’re releasing a little bit for the rest of the lifetime (into) those cells in your gut
or other organs,” Don Ingber, a professor in both the engineering and medical schools at Harvard
University, told the Gazette. “That makes (them) even more dangerous.”
Experts suggest limiting plastic exposure in any way possible, from buying foods packaged in
other materials to wearing clothing made of natural fibers.
2. Which of the following details is most relevant in supporting the claim that
microplastics could be harmful to human health?
a. Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in length.
b. Plastic containers have been used for food storage since the early 1900s.
c. Scientists have identified microplastics in Arctic ice.
d. Experts say that microplastics are slowly releasing substances into human
organs over time.
3. Scan the Text: When were plastic and other synthetic materials invented?
Your answer:
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4. What are microplastics?
Your answer:
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5. Reflect: What changes would you make in your daily routine if you wanted to
use safer and more natural materials? Note: Write your reflection in three
sentences only.
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Part II. Finding the Main Idea and Supporting Details
Direction: Read the passages below. For passages 1-3, underline the main idea and if
the main idea is implied, rewrite or construct the general idea of the text based on the
gist or supporting details given. For passages 4 and 5, underline the supporting details
given in the text and write the main idea in the space/lines provided below each passage.
1. Harmonious relationships reflect a healthy and desirable ecological balance.
Ecological balance is a term used to describe the balance between living organisms such
as humans, plants, and animals and their environment. Humans play a key role in
maintaining ecological balance, as they have the highest thinking capacity compared to
other living organisms. The availability of sufficient food for all living organisms and their
stability reflects the existence of ecological balance. Therefore, this balance is very
important as it ensures the survival, existence, and stability of the environment
(https://www.ecolabel.org).
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2. Tree planting is the process in which tree seedlings are transplanted generally for
forestry, land reclamation, or landscaping purposes. If more trees are planted, then the
world's environment will become a safer place to live in. Tree plantation is very necessary
because trees provide oxygen to the environment and make the air quality better. Tree
plantation also reduces pollution, thus making the lives of future generations secure.
Through this tree plantation essay, one will have a clear overview of this topic
(https://www.vedantu.com).
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3. You know what's hard in expressing painful experiences? Because the process itself is
painful already. The thought of it, the feeling, the denial, the acceptance, the expression,
the reality. Everything through it is painful. That though despite the pain, your eyes can
even hardly shed a tear. Though your heart can tell how heavy the loads to bear. Your
eyes can never really go ahead and start flushing tears because it's always the bravery
of the heart that is being tested first. And once your heart surrenders, you get the chance
to feel everything, unknowingly, a tear will run down your cheek and there you go, the
confrontation of your feelings begins. Your emotion flows smoothly, swiftly,
uncontrollably, and freely. Your heart and body communicate. Painful still. Painful really.
But that would be the moment that you never thought would happen - you were able to
release it finally. You stumble, you break down, you growl from your cries up until you
reach the denouement of your emotions. Then slowly, you'll recover from your hard cry
and painfully compose yourself as if nothing hard hit your heart. Painful still. Painful
towards the end. But you have to get up and finally accept that everything is indeed
painful from the very start.
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4. The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995. It is an exciting story
about space exploration. In the movie, the astronauts get in trouble while they are trying
to return to Earth. People in the audience are on the edge of their seats waiting to see
what happens. What makes it even more exciting is that it is a true story.
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5. At any one time, a diverse set of individual, family, community, and structural factors
may combine to protect or undermine mental health. Mental health is a state of mental
well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn
well and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental
value and is integral to our well-being. Although most people are resilient, people who
are exposed to adverse circumstances – including poverty, violence, disability, and
inequality – are at higher risk of developing a mental health condition
(https://www.who.int).
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Part III. Understanding SQ3R Technique
Direction: The table below shows the five sequential techniques one may apply in
reading. Write the specific steps you should do when reading and applying the SQ3R
technique.
Five Sequential
What do you do?
Technique
Survey
Question
Read
Recite
Review
Part IV. Checking Comprehension Skills
Directions: Read each passage carefully and answer the following questions.
Passage 1
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. It is not only a popular
morning ritual but also a significant part of social interactions. Coffee contains caffeine,
a natural stimulant that can improve alertness and concentration. However, excessive
consumption may lead to negative health effects such as insomnia and increased heart
rate.
1. What is the primary function of caffeine in coffee?
a. To enhance the flavor.
b. To improve alertness and concentration.
c. To induce sleep.
2. Why is coffee considered a significant part of social interactions?
a. Due to its affordability.
b. Because it is a morning ritual.
c. People often gather over coffee for socializing.
3. What are some potential negative health effects of excessive coffee
consumption?
a. Improved concentration.
b. Insomnia and increased heart rate.
c. Reduced alertness.
Passage 2
In the 21st century, technology has become an integral part of daily life. From
smartphones to smart home devices, people rely on technology for communication, work,
and entertainment. While technology brings convenience, it also raises concerns about
privacy and the impact on interpersonal relationships. Striking a balance between the
benefits and drawbacks of technology is crucial for a well-rounded lifestyle.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
a. The drawbacks of technology.
b. The convenience of technology in daily life.
c. Balancing the benefits and drawbacks of technology.
d. None of the Above
2. According to the passage, what are some areas where people rely on
technology?
a. Only for entertainment.
b. Communication, work, and entertainment.
c. Solely for interpersonal relationships.
d. a & c
3. Why does the passage emphasize the importance of balancing the benefits
and drawbacks of technology?
a. To discourage the use of technology.
b. To highlight the convenience of technology.
c. To promote a well-rounded lifestyle.
d. All of the Above
Passage 3
The honeybee plays a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the growth of various
fruits and vegetables. However, honeybee populations worldwide are facing declines due
to factors like pesticide exposure and habitat loss. The decline in honeybee populations
could have severe consequences for agriculture and ecosystems, emphasizing the need
for conservation efforts.
35. What is the primary role of honeybees mentioned in the passage?
a. Producing honey.
b. Pollination.
c. Creating hives.
d. All of the Above
36. What are some factors contributing to the decline in honeybee
populations?
a. Increased habitat.
b. Pesticide exposure and habitat loss.
c. Climate change.
d. b & c
37. Why does the passage emphasize the need for conservation efforts related
to honeybees?
a. To increase honey production.
b. To preserve agriculture and ecosystems.
c. To promote pesticide use.
d. a & b
Part V. Applying Reading Comprehension Skills
Direction: Read and analyze the figures below and answer the following questions.
Figure 1
Support for Media Education by Age
Retrieved from: subjecttoclimate.org/
Answer/Do the following:
1. Reading the figure. What does the figure talk about?
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2. Extracting Data: Discuss/explain the figure in your own words.
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3. Making a generalization. Based on the information in the figure, students who are
17 and 18 are _______ to believe that media literacy should definitely be taught in
schools compared to 13 and 14-year-olds.
a. more likely
b. not more or less likely
c. far less likely
d. less likely
4. Draw a conclusion: Write a one-sentence conclusion based on the data provided in
the figure.
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Figure 2
PISA Scores 2022
1. Read and Interpret the Figure. Discuss and interpret the figure above.
Elaborate the discussion by providing implications.
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Part VI. Practicing Critical Reading
For Many Communities, Pride Month Events are a First
Published: Jun 27, 2024
Source: https://subjecttoclimate.org/
Each June, thousands of communities across the globe celebrate Pride Month, recognizing the
cultures, identities, and histories of LGBTQ+ people. For some communities in the US, 2024 is
especially groundbreaking, as they welcome Pride events for the first time.
Pride Month traces its roots to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, an uprising in response to a police
raid of the Stonewall Inn that targeted gay and lesbian residents in New York City. In the following
years, community activists organized marches to advocate for lesbian and gay rights. The
popularity of the marches quickly spread, and in 1999, President Bill Clinton declared the June
anniversary of the Stonewall Riots as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” President Obama expanded
the acknowledgement to include the entire spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities in 2011.
Now, Pride Month events can be found in many major cities across the US. But some towns will
be hosting their first ever Pride events in 2024.
Megan Proffer and her wife co-founded the nonprofit Northeast Louisiana (NELA) Pride in 2023.
This year, they organized the town of Monroe’s first Pride event, and the first
their broader community had seen in 10 years.
“In just five weeks, we were able to organize and host the very first Pride Festival in our area in
over a decade,” Proffer told LGBTQNation. “We had over 60 booths, 1000 attendees, resources,
entertainers ... and so much more.”
“Starting NELA Pride reminds me that one person can make a difference,” Proffer added. “One
person can start a movement. It just takes one.”
Direction: Read and critically evaluate the text above. Remember to apply the steps on
how to critically read a text.
Guide questions:
How can local communities foster inclusivity and support for diverse identities?
How does the author use the closing sentence to emphasize the importance of individual
action?
What are your other comments and suggestions to improve the text?
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Prepared by:
ANTONIA E. SEÑORITA, LPT, MAELLT (Cand.)
Instructor I
Department of Languages and Literature
College of Arts and Sciences
Eastern Visayas State University
