Introduction

Reading an informative text

When we read informative texts (texts that provide us with information), we often need to answer questions that test our understanding.

Answers to some questions, such as the title or subject of a text, are easy to find. Answers to other questions are more difficult because they really make us think. This is when we have to search the text carefully for the information we need.

We are often asked to compare information (find what is similar) or contrast information (find what is different). It sometimes helps if we put this information into categories (groups of similar information) or arrange information in a special order.

Text and questions

Text and questions

Read Fashion rules! and then have a go at the questions.

Fashion rules!

Teenage boy wearing casual clothes Three female fashion models

Australian children think that fashion is important. And it's not just the teenagers. Children as young as five now like wearing the latest styles. However, research shows that this is costing parents a lot of money.

In 2011, Australian parents spent an average of $550 on clothing for each child under the age of 12. This was an increase of 25% from 2010. Most of the increase has been caused by the purchase of trendy clothing, which is often more expensive. Sally Hayes is the manager of a large chain of Australian department stores. She says, 'Children, especially girls, are no longer interested in wearing boring clothing. They like dressing in styles that are worn by pop stars and other celebrities. If they see something in a magazine or on the internet, they want to be able to buy it the next day. We supply what they want'. Recent favourites are short skirts, torn fabrics and high heels.

Boys are also keen to look the part. Boys prefer coloured jeans and t-shirts that are worn under open shirts. Adelaide mother Angela Jackson says, 'My 10-year-old son is a keen skateboarder who wants to look like his skating heroes on television. As long as the clothing is comfortable, I am happy to buy it for him'.

Children's health expert Dr Paul Telford worries about the amount of money that families are spending on their children's clothes. 'Many families are struggling to make ends meet,' he says. 'Parents tell me that they buy trendy clothes for their children because they want them to fit in with other kids. I think it would be better if children wore sensible clothes that did not cost too much. This would mean that families could spend their money on things that are more important, such as books and holidays together.'

Two of Australia's biggest department stores predict that by 2016, families will be spending over a billion dollars every year on children's clothing. The increase will be the result of more advertising on television and the internet that encourages kids to follow the latest fashions.

Questions

Have a look at the questions below and imagine that they are in a reading test. Think about the answers that you would give.

One type of question that you might have in a test is called a multiple-choice question. This is where you need to choose the correct answer from a list. The rule is that you only need to pick one answer unless it says otherwise!

Question 1

This text suggests that fashion is:

  1. more important to teenagers than to young children.
  2. more important to young children than to teenagers.
  3. more important to girls than to boys.
  4. important both to teenagers and to young children.

Question 2

Boys are similar to girls because:

  1. they like to wear coloured clothing.
  2. they want to dress like the people they admire.
  3. they expect their parents to buy expensive clothes for them.
  4. they like to be comfortable.

Question 3

Angela Jackson says, 'As long as the clothing is comfortable, I am happy to buy it for him.' This suggests that:

  1. she doesn't care how her son looks.
  2. she agrees with Dr Paul Telford.
  3. she thinks it is important for kids to be trendy.
  4. she does not think that what children wear is an important issue.

Another type of question is where you need to think about the answer and write it in the box. You don't need to write it in the box here, because this is just a practice.

Question 4

What are two facts and two opinions from this text.

Fact 1:

Fact 2:

Opinion 1:

Opinion 2:

Question 5

Which words best describe Dr Paul Telford?

  1. Old fashioned and boring
  2. Caring and concerned
  3. Nosey and bossy
  4. Difficult and bad tempered

Answer key

Answer key

Here are the answers to the questions that you looked at on the 'Text and questions' page.

Question 1

This text suggests that fashion is:

The answer is: d. important both to teenagers and to young children.

To answer this question, you need to look at the first three sentences in the text. They make it clear that fashion is important to all kids. This has been highlighted in the next paragraph.

Australian children think that fashion is important. And it's not just the teenagers. Children as young as five now like wearing the latest styles. However, research shows that this is costing parents a lot of money.

Question 2

Boys are similar to girls because:

This answer is: b. they want to dress like the people they admire.

To answer this question, you need to compare what the text says about boys and girls.

Sally Hayes is the manager of a large chain of Australian department stores. She says, 'Children, especially girls, are no longer interested in wearing boring clothing. They like dressing in styles that are worn by pop stars and other celebrities'.

Boys are also keen to look the part. Boys prefer coloured jeans and t-shirts that are worn under open shirts. Adelaide mother Angela Jackson says, 'My 10-year-old son is a keen skateboarder who wants to look like his skating heroes on television'.

The text clearly suggests that both boys and girls want to look like the people they admire.

Question 3

Angela Jackson says, 'As long as the clothing is comfortable, I am happy to buy it for him'. This suggests that:

The answer is: a. she doesn't care how her son looks.

To answer this question, you need to think about why Angela thinks the way she does. She understands that her son wants to look like his skating heroes. Her statement says that she does not mind what her son looks like as long as he is comfortable. Her opinion is different from the opinion of Dr Paul Telford, who worries about the amount of money being spent on children's clothing.


Question 4

What are two facts and two opinions from this text.

The text has several examples:

Facts:

  • Australian parents spent an average of $550 on clothing and shoes for each child under the age of 12.
  • This was an increase of 25% from 2010. Most of the increase has been caused by the purchase of trendy clothing, which is often more expensive.
  • Two of Australia's biggest department stores predict that by 2016, families will be spending over two billion dollars every year on children's clothing.
  • The increase will be the result of more advertising on television and the internet that encourages kids to follow the latest fashions.

Opinions:

  • As long as the clothing is comfortable, I am happy to buy it for him.
  • I think it would be better if children wore sensible clothes that did not cost too much.
  • This would mean that families could spend their money on things that are more important, such as books and holidays together.

To answer this question, you need to understand the difference between a fact and an opinion. A fact is a piece of information or a detail. An opinion is a point of view or an attitude.

When we read texts, we often need to compare and contrast facts and opinions.

Question 5

What words best describe Dr Paul Telford?

This answer is: b. Caring and concerned.

To answer this question, you need to understand why Dr Telford is worried. The text tells us that he is a children's health expert. This suggests that he knows a lot about kids' wellbeing and cares about them. He is also worried about families who like to buy what their children want, but struggle to afford things.

'Many families are struggling to make ends meet,' he says. 'Parents tell me that they buy trendy clothes for their children because they want them to fit in with other kids.'

Dr Telford believes that money is better spent on other things.

'I think it would be better if children wore sensible clothes that did not cost too much. This would mean that families could spend their money on things that are more important, such as books and holidays together.'

These statements suggest that Dr Telford is caring and concerned.