School Name / Yugumbir State School
Subject / English / Topic / Comprehending traditional stories / Year / 3
Description / Sample pre-assessment task Unit 5
Instructions / This pre-assessment will assess the students ability to:
· Understand how content can be organised using different text structures depending on the purpose of the text.
· Understand how language features, and vocabulary choices are used for different effects.
· Identify literal and implied meaning connecting ideas in different parts of the text.
Give each student a copy of the text Tiddalik. Read through the text and questions with students.
Students then complete the questions independently.
Task designed by / Desire Johnson / Contact / Janelle Dickman 0467 777 965
Student Name / Class / Date
Read the traditional Aboriginal story of Tiddalik. Answer the questions, using clearly formed, joined letters.
Answer the questions in full sentences where necessary.
1. What is the purpose of this story? (Why was it told?)
2. This story was set in the past. Write down three verbs the help the reader understand when this story was set.
3. This story is set in Australia. Write down some of the noun groups and evaluative language the author uses to describe the setting.
4. Is this a good beginning (orientation) for this story? Explain why you think this?
5. Circle the action verbs in these sentences:
He began to dance on the ground, slowly at first then faster and faster, and he wriggled and twisted and looked so funny that Tiddalik started with a little giggle, then it grew into a chuckle.
6. Circle the speaking verbs and underline the thinking verb in these sentences:
All the animals pondered about their terrible plight, so they gathered together to discuss
what should done. After much chatting and arguing they decided that if they could make
Tiddalik laughall the water inside of him would come out of his mouth and they would
have water to drink.
7. Circle the relating verbs in this sentence.
The animals were very upset that there was no fresh water.
8. What words does the storyteller use to explain how the other animals felt?
9. Write down two similarities this traditional Aboriginal story shares with other traditional Aboriginal stories that you have heard or read.
10. Do you think this story is effective in serving its purpose? Why/why not?
11. Compare how things changed from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
Beginning of story / End of story
How would you describe Tiddalik’s character?
How would you describe the setting?
How did the other animals feel?
13 How did your feelings about Tiddalik change from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
14 What are the words the storyteller uses to make you feel this way?
South East Region Learner Resource template V1 – Aug 2013