Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14: A Practical and Systematic Approach to Comprehension Skills
Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14: A Review
If you are looking for a book that can help you improve your reading and listening comprehension skills in English, you might want to check out Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14. This book provides material for intermediate and advanced learners of English who want to prepare for Cambridge First Certificate or other comparable examinations. In this article, we will review the structure and content of this book, as well as its benefits and drawbacks.
Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14
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Introduction
What are intermediate comprehension passages?
Intermediate comprehension passages are texts that are written at a level that is suitable for learners who have reached an intermediate stage of proficiency in English. They are not graded, so that learners are exposed to natural language that reflects authentic usage and style. They cover a variety of topics, such as culture, history, science, literature, and current affairs. They are designed to challenge learners' understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and discourse.
Who is Donn Byrne and why is his book important?
Donn Byrne is a British author and teacher who has written many books on English language teaching and learning. He has extensive experience in teaching English as a foreign language in different countries and contexts. He is well-known for his books on comprehension skills, such as Basic Comprehension Passages, More Basic Comprehension Passages, Advanced Comprehension Passages, and Intermediate Comprehension Passages. His book Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14 is important because it provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing reading and listening comprehension skills at an intermediate level.
What is the structure and content of the book?
The book is divided into three related sections:
Section One: This consists of thirty texts, with exercises for oral and written work.
Section Two: This consists of recall exercises, which are extracts from the texts in Section One, with certain grammatical features omitted or incomplete.
Section Three: This consists of aural comprehension tests, which are based on texts in Section One, but rewritten or modified to test listening skills.
We will discuss each section in more detail in the following sections.
Section One: Comprehension Passages
How are the passages selected and organized?
The passages in Section One are selected from various sources, such as newspapers, magazines, books, and radio broadcasts. They are organized according to their length and difficulty, from the shortest and easiest to the longest and hardest. They are also grouped into four categories, according to their genre and purpose: narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative. Each category has a different focus and requires different strategies for comprehension.
What types of exercises are included for each passage?
Each passage is followed by seven types of exercises, which aim to test and practice different aspects of comprehension. The exercises are as follows:
Exercise 1: Multiple choice type questions, which test the general understanding of the passage.
Exercise 2: Wh- type questions, which test the specific details of the passage.
Exercise 3: Yes/No type questions, which test the ability to infer information from the passage.
Exercise 4: Completion type exercises, which involve restatement and interpretation of part of the passage.
Exercise 5: Vocabulary exercises, which test the knowledge of words and expressions used in the passage.
Exercise 6: Guided composition exercises, which involve re-presentation of part of the passage, usually from a personal angle.
Exercise 7: Practice in some point of usage in the passage, such as grammar, punctuation, or style.
The exercises are graded according to their difficulty and complexity, so that learners can progress from simple to more challenging tasks.
What are the benefits of using these passages for reading and listening comprehension?
Using these passages for reading and listening comprehension has many benefits for learners. Some of them are:
They expose learners to a variety of texts that reflect real-life situations and topics.
They help learners develop different skills and strategies for understanding different types of texts.
They provide learners with feedback and practice on their comprehension performance.
They enhance learners' vocabulary, grammar, and discourse knowledge.
They stimulate learners' interest and curiosity about the world.
Section Two: Recall Exercises
What are recall exercises and how do they work?
Recall exercises are extracts from the texts in Section One, with certain grammatical features omitted or incomplete. The learners' task is to fill in the blanks or complete the sentences with the correct words or forms. The extracts are arranged in four groups, according to the grammatical features that are tested: tenses, articles, prepositions and adverbial particles, and linking words. The learners can use the references provided for each extract to check their answers with the original texts.
What grammatical features are tested in these exercises?
The grammatical features that are tested in these exercises are those that are commonly used and often cause difficulties for intermediate learners of English. They include:
Tenses: The use of different verb tenses to express time, aspect, mood, and voice.
Articles: The use of definite and indefinite articles to express specificity, generality, countability, and uniqueness.
Prepositions and adverbial particles: The use of prepositions and adverbial particles to express location, direction, manner, degree, purpose, and result.
Linking words: The use of conjunctions, adverbs, pronouns, and other words to connect sentences and clauses logically and coherently.
How can these exercises help students improve their accuracy and fluency?
These exercises can help students improve their accuracy and fluency in several ways. Some of them are:
They reinforce the grammatical rules and patterns that students have learned or encountered in the texts.
They help students notice and correct their own errors or gaps in their grammatical knowledge.
They provide students with practice in using different grammatical structures appropriately and effectively.
They increase students' confidence and competence in producing grammatically correct sentences.
Section Three: Aural Comprehension Tests
What are aural comprehension tests and how are they related to the passages in Section One?
Aural comprehension tests are passages that are based on the texts in Section One, but rewritten or modified to test listening skills. They are read aloud by a native speaker or a recording device at a natural speed. The students listen to the passages and answer questions or complete tasks based on what they hear. The questions or tasks are similar to those in Section One, but adapted for listening comprehension. The passages are related to those in Section One linguistically and thematically, so that students can activate their prior knowledge What skills are required for these tests and how can students practice them?
These tests require students to use a range of skills and strategies for listening comprehension, such as:
Predicting: Using the title, the introduction, and the background knowledge to anticipate what the passage is about and what kind of information to expect.
Listening for gist: Getting the main idea or the overall message of the passage without focusing on every detail.
Listening for specific information: Identifying and extracting relevant facts, figures, names, dates, or opinions from the passage.
Listening for inference: Understanding implied meanings, attitudes, emotions, or intentions from the speaker's tone, voice, or choice of words.
Listening for coherence: Following the logical structure and organization of the passage and recognizing how different parts are connected or related.
Students can practice these skills and strategies by doing the following:
Before listening: Reading the questions or tasks carefully and thinking about what kind of information they need to listen for.
While listening: Paying attention to key words, signals, and clues that indicate the topic, the purpose, the main points, and the transitions of the passage.
After listening: Checking their answers with the transcript or the original text and analyzing their mistakes or difficulties.
How can these tests prepare students for Cambridge First Certificate or other comparable examinations?
These tests can prepare students for Cambridge First Certificate or other comparable examinations by familiarizing them with the format, content, and level of difficulty of the listening section of these exams. They can also help students develop their confidence and competence in understanding different types of spoken texts in English. By doing these tests regularly and systematically, students can improve their listening comprehension skills and achieve their desired results in these exams.
Conclusion
Why is Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14 a valuable resource for intermediate and advanced learners of English?
Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14 is a valuable resource for intermediate and advanced learners of English because it offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing reading and listening comprehension skills at this level. It provides learners with a variety of texts that reflect authentic usage and style of English. It also provides learners with feedback and practice on their comprehension performance. It enhances learners' vocabulary, grammar, and discourse knowledge. It stimulates learners' interest and curiosity about the world. It prepares learners for Cambridge First Certificate or other comparable examinations.
Where can students find and download this book online?
Students can find and download this book online from various sources, such as Google Books, Scribd, or Archive.org. However, they should be aware that some of these sources may not have the complete or updated version of the book. They should also respect the copyright laws and regulations of their country when using this book online.
What are some tips and suggestions for using this book effectively?
Some tips and suggestions for using this book effectively are:
Choosing a suitable level of difficulty: Students should start with the passages that match their current level of proficiency and gradually move on to more challenging ones.
Using a variety of skills and strategies: Students should use different skills and strategies for reading and listening comprehension, such as predicting, skimming, scanning, inferring, summarizing, etc.
Checking their answers: Students should check their answers with the answer key or the original texts and analyze their mistakes or difficulties.
Reviewing their progress: Students should keep track of their progress by recording their scores or feedback on each passage or exercise.
Seeking further practice: Students should seek further practice by reading or listening to other texts that are similar to those in this book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Donn Byrne Intermediate Comprehension Passages Pdf 14 and other books by Donn Byrne?
The main difference is that this book focuses on intermediate level comprehension passages, while other books by Donn Byrne cover basic or advanced level comprehension passages. This book also has three sections: comprehension passages, recall exercises, and aural comprehension tests, while other books may have different sections or formats.
How long does it take to complete this book?
It depends on the individual learner's pace and preference, but generally, it takes about 3 to 4 months to complete this book if one does one passage or exercise per day.
Can this book be used for self-study or in the classroom?
This book can be used for both self-study and in the classroom. For self-study, learners can use the answer key and the references provided for each passage or exercise. For classroom use, teachers can use the passages and exercises as a basis for discussion, explanation, or further practice.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this book online?
The advantages of using this book online are that it is convenient, accessible, and cost-effective. The disadvantages are that it may not have the complete or updated version of the book, it may not have the audio files for the aural comprehension tests, and it may violate the copyright laws and regulations of some countries.
What are some other books or resources that can complement this book?
Some other books or resources that can complement this book are:
Cambridge English B2 First preparation materials: These are official materials from Cambridge English that provide sample tests, tips, and advice for taking the B2 First exam.
Write & Improve: This is a free online tool that helps learners practice and improve their writing skills by providing feedback on their texts.
Test & Train: This is an easy-to-use practice tool that helps learners get ready for their B2 First exam through short, sharp workouts.
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