Reading assessment task (RATS) – Science Fiction

Science Fiction Book report

Present a report that explores the following questions:

• What is ‘science fiction’?

• When did it first emerge as a literary form?

• Why is it a popular form of fiction today?

• What purpose does it have? Does it set out to entertain? Or is there a more serious purpose behind it?

• Are there different kinds of science fiction?

Print your task sheet here: Science fiction task sheet

Reading assessment task (RATS) – Fairy tales

Fairy tales

Examine the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, to present a report which analyses the works of these writers

Consult your library to answer these and other questions:

  • What is a fairy tale?
  • Are fairy tales timeless? Are they outdated today?
  • Why do they appeal to children as well as to adults?
  • Are they designed purely to entertain a child or do they operate on a deeper level?

Extension activity:

Write your own endless fairy tale.  Print the task sheet here: Fairy tale task sheet

Reading assessment task (RATS) – Book review

Book review

Read a book, then prepare a book review.

In preparing your book review you should consider the following questions:

Genre

What type of book is it?

Title

Think about and explain the significance of the title.

Theme

Consider the theme (or themes) in the book. (Don’t confuse the theme with the plot).

Characters

Describe the main characters, briefly supporting your comments about each character with examples from the story.

Consider the setting and the style of the book.

Print the task sheet here: Book review task sheet

 

Reading assessment task (RATS) – Author profile

Author profile

Authors entertain us with their vivid imagination and their writing skills. We all know about our favourite author, but do you know about the many other incredibly talented writers in the genre? Who are they?  What have they written?  What is the life of a horror writer really like?  Well, now is your chance to find out.

You are to choose an author that you would like to learn more about and create a product that represents your author’s life and work.

Print your task sheet here: Author profile task sheet

Reading assessment task (RATS) – Poetry

Poetry

Explore the works of a poet writing in this century.

Develop your own collection of twentieth century poetry.

Find out as much as you can about the time in which this poet lived.

Find out what you can about the poet’s life and the influences on his/her writing.

Read widely from the poet’s works.

Your responses may be written, typed or emailed to your teacher.

 Extension

Develop a collection of your own twentieth century poetry. Write about issues, emotions and relationships which concern you.

Print out the task sheet here: Poetry task sheet

Reading assessment task – Non-fiction

 

Non-fiction book

 

Read a non-fiction book or magazine article of your choice.

Bibliographic information:

Book title:  
Author:  
Date of publishing:  
Publisher:  
Place of publication:  

 

Give a summary of the book or magazine article:

What is the main topic of this

book:

 

 

 

 

Interesting fact 1:

 

 
Interesting fact 2:

 

 

 

This may be completed as a poster, written up or done online.

Print your task sheet here: Non-fiction RAT task sheet

Reading assessment task (RATS) – Horror fiction

Horror

 Many people enjoy reading scary fiction, watching horror movies, and telling ghost stories.  Choose a book from this genre to read.

List your favourite:

Scary movie

Scary book

Scary story

Why do you think people enjoy getting scared? Do you? What scares you?

Horror fiction is defined by the characters, setting and plot.

Describe these elements in the book that you have read.

You can write your responses, or send them in an email to your teacher.

 

Print your task sheet here: Horror fiction task sheet