When reading a passage, good readers often predict what words will come next.

The ability to predict helps them to read smoothly

Adapted from: Benner, P.1997. Breakthroughs in Critical Reading. Developing critical reading skills. pp. 104

Try to predict the words in the next passage.

Read first. Then go back and fill in the

missing words

I had lost my wallet. I didn’t mind

losing money so much, but

______________ hated the idea of

______________ my license and

credit ______________.

It was Kerry’s birthday. We had planned a

_____(1)________ party for Saturday because in

the family had ________(2)______ days off. Since

the ______(3)_______ was warm, we decided

____(4)______ have a barbecue outside.

_____(5)__ brought small presents and ______(6)__

cards. The party ended _____(7)_____ a big

birthday cake and everyone singing

“_____(8)______ Birthday to You”.

Sometimes authors tell you directly what is being predicted

John moved hesitantly through the half open flap of the tent.

“Have a seat!” The fortune teller sat at a small velvet-covered table. She motioned to a chair opposite her. “Cards? Palms? Crystal Ball?”

“Uh, palms I guess.” John fumbled in his pocket for the money.

She took the money and bent over his outstretched palm.

“I see long life… and many children. Ah… but you have been unlucky in love so… Is that so?”

John nodded.

“Not to worry”. The fortune-teller smiled. “All things in their time. You were not ready for such a love as this. But now… is almost time.” She tossed her head, smiled at him, and looked back at his palm.

“Ah, money, I see much money. One who waits to love you will also bring good luck for money… OK! Thank you! Next?”

“Is that all?”

“Isn’t it enough?” The fortune-teller led him toward the flap. “Not many have a lucky palm like yours.”

ATTEMPT AS A CLASS

John moved hesitantly through the half open flap of the tent.

“Have a seat!” The fortune teller sat at a small velvet-covered table. She motioned to a chair opposite her. “Cards? Palms? Crystal Ball?”

“Uh, palms I guess.” John fumbled in his pocket for the money.

She took the money and bent over his outstretched palm.

“I see long life… and many children. Ah… but you have been unlucky in love so… Is that so?”

John nodded.

“Not to worry”. The fortune-teller smiled. “All things in their time. You were not ready for such a love as this. But now… is almost time.” She tossed her head, smiled at him, and looked back at his palm.

“Ah, money, I see much money. One who waits to love you will also bring good luck for money… OK! Thank you! Next?”

“Is that all?”

“Isn’t it enough?” The fortune-teller led him toward the flap. “Not many have a lucky palm like yours.”

What things did the fortune-teller predict for John? You may choose more than one

(1) a long life

(2) many children

(3) a new car

(4) a new love

(5) a lot of money

(6) a new job

ATTEMPT AS A CLASS

Sometimes authors tell you directly what is being predicted

The term “greenhouse effect” refers to the heating up of Earth’s atmosphere. It is caused by the action of the sun on gases that are released when we burn coal, oil, or other fuels. Some scientists predict that if the atmosphere heats up by only two or three degrees, ice at the North and South Poles will melt. The melting ice will be enough to make the oceans rise two to eight feet. All of this may occur in the next 100 years or so.

ATTEMPT INDIVIDUALLY

Which of the following are stated or predicted directly in the paragraph? You may choose more than one.

(1) The “greenhouse effect” means growing plants inside a greenhouse.

(2) The “Greenhouse” effect refers to the heating of the Earth’s atmosphere.

(3) The heating is caused by the action of the sun on gases released when we burn coal, oil, and other fuels.

(4) Higher temperatures in the atmosphere will melt part of the ice at the North and South Poles.

(5) Higher temperatures in the atmosphere will cause more ice to form in the North and South Poles

(6) If the polar ice caps melt a little, the oceans may rise two to eight feet.

Which two of the following statements can be predicted based on the passage? If the oceans rise two to eight feet,

(1) There will be no change in the land on earth

(2) Low-lying land will probably be flooded

(3) Salt water may seep into fresh water supplies, making them unusable

(4) Oceans will dry up

Based on what the article states and predicts, what plans should governments of countries near the oceans be investigating? You may choose more than one.

(1) Ways to build greenhouses

(2) Ways to sail boats

(3) Ways to prevent floods

(4) ways to reduce burning of fuels

ATTEMPT INDIVIDUALLY

The term “greenhouse effect” refers to the heating up of Earth’s atmosphere. It is caused by the action of the sun on gases that are released when we burn coal, oil, or other fuels. Some scientists predict that if the atmosphere heats up by only two or three degrees, ice at the North and South Poles will melt. The melting ice will be enough to make the oceans rise two to eight feet. All of this may occur in the next 100 years or so.