Things to do

1. Recite 8 types of story plot
2. Read aloud and remember the 8 phrases
3. Read the blog messages.
4. Do two comprehension tasks

Today's Lesson

I have an interesting and useful lesson today. I learn three things: story map, text structure, and ways to improve reading.

The use of story map is an interesting way to understand stories. Eight types of story plot are also useful for me to write stories.

Text structure can help me infer meanings when I read a long text. I won't easily get lost when reading.

I also learn seven ways to improve reading. They include: predicting, questioning, making link, inferring, imagination and visualisation, summarising and mind mapping, and reflecting.

To conclude, I think today I learn a lot of useful ideas to learn English. But it is easy to say than to work out the ideas. I hope I will spend time trying out the ideas.

....

Recently , I've found that I must adjust myself to live up to the expectation of improving my study results and my physical well-being.
I must also brave the storm of tackling my weaknesses because I want to earn praise and respect of others.But I know studying hard can pose problems on me.So, I should keep a close eye on my own time table.I must spend more time revising English vocabulary.
In school , I don't want to be in the spotlight.I must make a deliberate attempt to improve my grades,I also need to make a radical change in my diet as opposed to avoiding eating.

Comprehension Task 5

Show Time

We're going to a show.
There's a trick Mary hopes the performers know.
She'll bring a big fish,
She hopes they turn it into a delicious dish!

We're going to a show.
There's a trick David hopes the performers know.
He'll tie on his back a large balloon,
He hopes they let him fly to the moon!

We're going to a show.
There's a trick Daniel hopes the performers know.
He'll bring a heavy stone,
He hopes they turn it into a huge bone!

We're going to a show.
There's a trick I hope the performers know.
I'll give the performers a beautiful flower,
I hope they grant me their secret power!

Choose the correct answers.
1. Which of the following sentences is FALSE?
a. Mary wants the performers to cook for her.
b. David wants to go to the moon.
c. Daniel wants to have a big bone from the performers.
d. The author wants to give some flowers to the performers.

2. Which pair of words from the poem does not rhyme?
a. show, know
b. balloon, moon
c. big, large
d. stone, bone

3. Who is the greediest in the poem?
a. David
b. Mary
c. Daniel
d. The author

4. If you need to choose another title for the poem, which of the following is the best?
a. My friends and I
b. May our dreams come true!
c. Tricky performers
d. A helpful maid

Answer the questions.
1. What kind of show are the friends going to watch?
2. Do you think the author is the greediest among the four? Why do you think so?

8 phrases to study

1. in ruins 毀滅
Last month his dreams shattered and his business was in ruins.

2. serve clients 侍候顧客
These young girls are forced to serve violent clients.

3. look into 調查，研究
The Chief Executive looked into issues surrounding the employment of senior civil servants after retirement.

4. with immediate effect 立即生效
He terminated his employment contract with the company with immediate effect.

5. There is no evidence to suggest that …無證據顯示
There was no evidence to suggest the the bomb hoaxes were linked to the Olympics.

6. commit a crime/ an offence 犯罪
She committed the offence out of suspicion that her husband had been having an affair.

7. sacrifice sth to do sth 犧牲
The fireman sacrificed his life to save the people from burning.

8. at the top/bottom of the list 最緊要的/最不緊要的
Sports were not at the top of the list.

Comprehenstion Task 4

My Favourite Food And Drinks

I think everyone has his favourite food and drink. Let me introduce you my favourite food and drinks. Chicken wings, steamed fish and steak are my favourite foods. My favourite drinks include water, milk and hot chocolate! I think some adults also like steamed fish and steak for lunch. But they may not like milk or hot chocolate.

1. What are the author's favourite foods?
a. steamed fish, steak and tofu
b. steamed fish, garlic and chicken wings
c. steamed fish, ginger and chicken wings
d. none of all above

2. What are the author's favourite drinks?
a. water
b. hot chocolate
c . milk
d. all of the above

3. What do some adults like to eat at lunch according to the author?
____________________________________________

Comprehenstion Task 3

Read the passage below and answer the questions on the next page.

Seven Tips for Tests
When you have tests, sometimes you will be very scared because you think you may fail in the test, and you may even be scolded by your parents if you fail. The following tips can help you solve the problem.

1. Before the Test
The first tip is to do revision as much as you can before the test. You, of course, must spend a lot of time to prepare for it. But after studying for about thirty minutes, you need to take a rest or eat something to relax yourself. You should also go to sleep before ten o'clock; if not, you will not have enough energy to answer the questions in the test. The revision that you did the night before will become useless if you cannot recall them during the test.
2. In the Test
The second tip is the way you answer questions in the test. There are usually a lot questions to answer in the test. You have to answer all the questions even though you are not sure of some. But remember that if you are not sure of the answers, do not spend too much time on them. Otherwise you will not have enough time to finish all the questions. Your overall marks will then be affected if you cannot make a good use of your time.
3. Time Control
The third tip is about your time control. Try first to answer the questions that you know best. Use the remaining time to work on the answers you are not so sure of. Always estimate how much time you can spend and work accordingly.
4. Mark Distribution
The fourth tip is about paying attention to the mark distribution. This will help you get high marks. Try to answer the questions that contain more marks if you don't have sufficient time to finish all the questions. Pay more attention and spend more time on the sections that have a higher percentage of grades.
5. Be Calm
The fifth tip is to be calm and not to be nervous. Some students get nervous and they do badly in their test. Some students who are calm in the exams and can usually answer the difficult questions, so they get higher marks. A calm mind can concentrate better. With a clear mind, you can easily recall most information you have studied.
6. Check Answers
The sixth tip is to check your answers when you have finished your test. Every student will make some silly or careless mistakes in the test. You have to check your answers to make sure you have not made the careless mistakes, otherwise marks will be deducted. These silly mistakes can even make you fail!
7. After the Test
The final tip is what to do when you know the result of the test. Try not to be too sad if you fail or get low marks. You should learn from mistakes. Recall your experience. Reflect on the bad ones so you won't make the same mistakes next time. When you get good marks, don't be too proud or boastful because that may upset people and you will lose friends. Also you may get lower marks in the next exam because you think you are the best and do not need to try hard.

Follow these seven tips. They provide you with some useful ideas to perform well in the test. I am sure you can improve your marks if you follow the advices!

1. Why are some students scared of the tests or exams?
2. What should students do when they study and revise for the test or exam?
3. What are the reasons that student should answer all the questions?
4. How can students control their time in the exam or test?
5. What should students do to get high marks in the test or exam?
6. How do calm students work better in the exam or test?
7. Why should students check their answer after the test or exam?
8. What are the ways that students can deal with their poor grades?

To-do-List for this week

1. learnt and remember the 11 phrases
2. read-aloud two comprehension passages twenty times.
3. finish another two comprehension tasks posted by Terri

Phrases to learn and remember

1. sound/raise the alarm 發出警告
2. live up to somebody's expectations 達到期望
3. brave the storm 冒著暴風
4. keep a close eye on 密切注視
5. earn praise/respect 獲得讚賞/尊敬
6. pose a problem 造成問題
7. tackle a difficult problem 處理難題
8. in the spotlight 公眾的注意的中心
9. a radical change 重大的，根本的改變　
10. a deliberate attempt 蓄意
11. as opposed to 而非