Secondary Two Express Term 3 Practice 2

Trees

SINGAPORE THE GARDEN CITY

Do you know our local trees?

RAIN TREEWhy do you think this tree is called as such?

YELLOW FLAME TREE

ANGSANA TREE

SAGA TREE

TEMBUSU TREE

CASUARINA TREE

Common Mistakes1.Long-windedness = Excess denied (E.D)2.Use of contractions3.Poor expression resulting in contradictions and

doubt4.Careless reading arising from speed reading

and complacency(!)5.Explain fully ‘in your own words’ (borrowed

words from passage not allowed)6.Fail to understand demands of the question

i.e. identifying of key words7.This is a comprehension passage NOT a test

of prior knowledge of trees or Geography(!)

Paragraph 1 begins with ‘Trees are on the front lines of our changing climate’. What is the writer’s view of trees in the given sentence?

Trees help to protect the earth/ Trees can help us to battle climatic changes

According to the writer in paragraph 2, how have we underestimated trees?

We think that trees merely provide us with shade.

The writer terms trees as a ‘near miracle’ (line 8). What is so miraculous about trees?

Trees can photosynthesize and use sunlight to create food (for insects, wildlife and people) and fuel.

Explain fully in your own words, what does the writer mean when he says that sunlight is ‘seemingly insubstantial’ (line 9)?

The writer is implying that while sunlight appears/ looks like it is not important/ critical/ essential [1], it actually is. [1]

In paragraph 3, the writer says that ‘the unbroken forest that once covered much of the continent is now shot through with holes’ (lines 12-13). What has happened to the trees?

They have been cut down.

In lines 20-21, the writer gave an example of trees helping to bring back fish and oysters stocks, what is the intention of the writer in doing so?

He is trying to prove/ confirm that trees are essential/ important for a healthy food chain.

In paragraph 7, the writer states that trees are also the planet’s heat shield. What does the word ‘shield’ tell you about the function of trees?

Trees protect us from the harsh sun rays/ heat.

Explain the writer’s response to the question ‘When is the best time to plant a tree?’ in paragraph 8.

We should have planted a tree long ago [1] but it is not too late to start now. [1]

Summarise the benefits trees bring to human beings and the environment.

1. Trees leaves filter air pollution2. … lower incidence of asthma3. reduces the level of stress chemicals in the body4. increases natural killer cells in the immune

system which fights tumours and viruses5. release vast clouds of beneficial chemicals to

regulate the climate6. Others are anti-bacterial and anti-viral

UNDERLINE FROM THE PASSAGE THE FOLLOWING POINTS

7. become a powerful treatment for cancers8. the planet’s heat shield9. They keep the concrete and roads of cities and suburbs cooler10. shield our skin from the sun’s harsh ultra-violet rays.11. Remove carbon dioxide that makes the planet warmer12. Water vapour from forests/ trees lower surrounding temperatures

IN YOUR OWN WORDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE

• CHANGE SENTENCE STRUCTURE (WITHOUT CHANGING ORIGINAL MEANING)

• USE SYNONYMS FOR VERBS AND ADJECTIVES• DO NOT CHANGE NOUNS

Points According to Passage (8-10 points) Points According to Own Words1. Trees leaves filter air pollution Trees leaves aids in air pollution

1. … lower incidence of asthma reduces the number of asthma cases

2. reduces the level of stress chemicals in the body it lessens the stress chemicals in our body

3. increases natural killer cells in the immune system which fights tumours and viruses

and increases natural killer cells in our immune system to fight tumours and viruses.

4. release vast clouds of beneficial chemicals to regulate the climate

It releases a lot of beneficial chemicals which regulate the climate.

5. Others are anti-bacterial and anti-viral Other chemicals are anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

6. become a powerful treatment for cancers. One of the chemicals is a treatment for cancers.

7. the planet’s heat shield Trees protect the earth from heat.

8. They keep the concrete and roads of cities and suburbs cooler

They keep the cities cooler and protect our skin from the sun’s Ultra Violet rays.

9. shield our skin from the sun’s harsh ultra-violet rays.

10. Remove carbon dioxide that makes the planet warmer Trees take in carbon dioxide which makes the planet warmer.

11. Water vapour from forests/ trees lower surrounding temperatures

Water vapour from trees decrease surrounding temperatures.