BBI 2422 READING FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES READING PORFTOLIO

Theme 2: ENVIRONMENT

READING PORTFOLIO (Individual)

Task A:

  1. Students will be given THREE themes on reading from Week 7 to 9.
  2. Students will read a linear text and a non-linear text based on the theme.
  3. Students are to complete Worksheet 1 (based on linear text) & Worksheet 2 (based on non-linear text) on each theme.
  4. All worksheets must be compiled and submitted in HARD COPY in Week 11.

Task B:

  1. Choose ONE theme and find an article based on the chosen theme in Week 9:
  2. Culture
  3. Environment
  4. Health
  5. Make sure the article has:
  6. Focus on an issue or a problem. For example:
  7. negative effects of processed food on human health
  8. effects of climate change on environment
  9. Introduction and at least 3 body paragraphs
  10. Avoid using article from blogs, e-forums, or personal websites.
  11. Article MUST be approved by the instructor.
  12. Complete Worksheet Task B based on the article that you have selected.
  13. Prepare about 5-7 minutes presentation based on Worksheet Task B: Activity 2 and Activity 3 to be presented in Week 11 or Week 12.
  14. The presentation should be in PowerPoint format.
  15. Worksheet Task B should be submitted before the presentation.

.

Themes / Items / EDMODO uploading Week / Submission Week / Submission Items
Culture / Theme 1: Worksheet 1 & 2 / Week 7 / Week 11 / Hard copy compilation of
Theme 1-
Worksheet 1 & 2
Theme 2-
Worksheet 1 & 2
Theme 3-
Worksheet 1 & 2
Environment / Theme 2: Worksheet 1 & 2 / Week 8
Health / Theme 3: Worksheet 1 & 2 / Week 9
Hard copy compilation of ALL worksheets from
Theme 1, 2 & 3
One of the themes above / An article on the chosen theme / Week 9 / Week 10 / Hard copy article for instructor’s approval
Chosen theme / Worksheet Task B / Week 9 / Week 12 / Worksheet Task B

READING 1: Linear Text

I
II
III
IV
V / Most of us are very used to the sounds we hear in everyday life. Loud music, people talking on their phone, noise from vehicles and even dogs barking in the middle of the night have become a part of the urban culture and rarely disturb us. However, when the sound of the television keeps us from sleeping all night or the sound of the traffic starts to give us a headache, it stops becoming just noise and starts turning into noise pollution. For many of us, the concept ofpollutionis limited to nature and resources. However, noise that tends to disrupt the natural rhythm of life makes for one solid pollutant and has several effects.
First, noise pollution can cause hearing problems. Any unwanted sound that our ears have not been built to filter can cause problems within the body. Our ears can take in a certain range of sounds without getting damaged. However, man made noises such as jackhammers, horns, machinery, airplanes and even vehicles can be too loud for our hearing range. Constant exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our ear drums and loss of hearing. It also reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.
Noise pollution can also affect our health.Excessive noise pollution in working areas such as offices, construction sites, bars and even in our homes can influence psychological health. Studies show that the occurrence of aggressive behaviour, disturbance of sleep, constant stress, fatigue and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels. Another study suggests that high intensity noise causes high blood pressure and increases heart beat rate as it disrupts the normal blood flow. These in turn can cause more severe and chronic health issues later in life.
Other than that, noise pollution can also cause problems to animals.Since animals have a better sense of hearing for survival, they are more affected by noise pollution than humans do. The ill effects of excessive noise can be observed at home. Pets react more aggressively in households where there is constant noise. They become disoriented more easily and face many behavioural problems. Meanwhile, in nature, animals may suffer from hearing loss, which makes them easy prey. On the other hand,predatory animals become inefficient at hunting due to noise pollution. These may disturb the balance of the eco-system.
In brief,noise pollution causes problems to both humans and animals. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of noise pollution. For example, everybody can helpreduce the noise in their homes by lowering the volume of radio and television. Better urban planning can also help in creating ‘No-Noise’ zones, where honking and industrial noise are not tolerated. It is therefore our shared responsibility to prevent and reduce noise pollution.
Adapted from: Causes and Effects of Noise Pollution - Conserve Energy Future. (2015). Retrieved October 19, 2016, from / 5
10
15
20
25
30
35

WORKSHEET 1

Activity 1: Meanings

Find the meanings of the words using the contextual clues from the text.

Words / Meanings
excessive
disrupts
severe
disoriented
inefficient

Activity 2 Paraphrasing (Using synonyms)

From the sentences below, replace the underlined words using synonyms.

No. / Sentences / Underlined word / Synonym
1 / Noise pollution reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.
2 / Excessive noise pollution in working areas can influence psychological health.
3 / Studies show that the constant fatigue can be linked to excessive noise levels.
4. / High intensity noise can cause more severe health issues later in life.
5 / When predatory animals become inefficient at hunting due to noise pollution, it may disturbthe balance of the eco-system.

Activity 3: Paraphrasing (Using different word forms)

From the sentences below, write new words form based on the underlined wordsand rewrite the sentences using the new word forms. An example has been done for you.

EXAMPLE:
Sentence: / : / Noise pollution reduces our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.
Word form of underlined word: / : / Reduces (VERB)
New word form(NOUN) of underlined word: / : / Reduction (NOUN)
Sentence using New word form / : / Noise pollution causes reduction of our sensitivity to sounds that our ears pick up unconsciously to regulate our body’s rhythm.
Sentence: / : / Since animals have a better sense of hearing for survival, they are more affected by noise pollution than humans do.
Word form of underlined word: / : / ______(NOUN)
New word form (VERB) of underlined word: / : / ______(VERB)
Sentence using New word form / :
Sentence: / : / Studies showexcessive noise levels can result in disturbance of sleep.
Word form of underlined word: / : / ______(NOUN)
New word form (VERB) of underlined word: / : / ______(VERB)
Sentence using New word form / :
Sentence: / : / It is our responsibility to prevent and reduce noise pollution.
Word form of underlined word: / : / ______(NOUN)
New word form (ADJECTIVE) of underlined word: / : / ______(ADJECTIVE)
Sentence using New word form / :

Activity 4: Identifying main ideas and supporting details

Write main ideas and two supporting details for Paragraphs II, III and IV. Decide if the supporting detail is fact, reason, or example.

Main Idea (Paragraph II)
Supporting Details
fact / reason / example
fact / reason / example
Main Idea (Paragraph III)
Supporting Details
fact / reason / example
fact / reason / example
Main Idea (Paragraph IV)
Supporting Details
fact / reason / example
fact / reason / example

Activity 5: Reading Comprehension

Answer the questions below in complete sentences.

  1. What is the effect of continuous exposure to loud noise to human body?

______

______

  1. Howcan high intensity noise cause high blood pressure?

______

______

  1. According to the text, what can happen to a person who lives next to a construction site?

______

______

  1. What are the effects of loud noise to animals?

______

______

  1. (i) The word ‘It’ in Line 15 refers to ______.

(ii) The word ‘These’ in Line 24 refers to ______.

Activity 6: Giving viewpoints

Write about 60 words in your response.

From your perspective, what can be done to reduce the noise pollution in the university?

Give TWO examples for your answer.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

READING2: Non-linear Text

WORKSHEET 2

Activity 1:Dictionary Skills

Find the meanings of the words that match the context.

No. / Words / Meanings
destruction
global
forecast
deforestation
present
projected

Activity 2: Reading comprehension

Answer the questions below in complete sentences.

  1. What does this chart illustrate?

______

2.How many hectares of rain forest existed in the world in 1950?

______

3. According to this chart, how many hectares of rain forest will exist in the world in the year 2100?

______

  1. The chart shows the projected rate of destruction of the rain forests between the years 2000 and 2100.
  2. What does projected rate mean?

______

  1. What do you think is the reason of rapid deforestation after 1950?

______

______

______

Activity 3: Giving viewpoints

Write about 60 words in your response.

Whatdo you think will happen to the human population if there is no more forest in the future? Give TWO examples.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

Semester 1, 2017-2018