Written text

1. Vocabulary Explanation

Problem-Solving Approach

• Identify the sentence in the text where the word or phrase appears and understand its meaning from the context.

• Pay attention to the emotional tone and context of the word to avoid literal interpretations.

Tips

• Observe context: Determine the word’s role in the sentence (e.g., describing actions, feelings), especially with surrounding words.

• Find synonyms or concise phrases that match the context.

Template

• Here, the word/phrase means “(explanation of the word)” in this context, particularly…(explanations)”.

Example

• Original sentence：“She decided to kick it to the curb.”

• Answer： Here, “kick it to the curb” means to abandon or get rid of something, particularly a bad habit or undesirable behavior.

2.Sentence Paraphrasing

Problem-Solving Approach

• Grasp the core idea of the sentence and then express it with different structures or words.

• Ensure the rephrased sentence maintains the original meaning and tone.

Tips

• Break down the sentence: Identify the key components like subject, verb, and object.

• Replace synonyms and adjust structure for conciseness.

Example

• Original sentence： “It is up to parents to work with their children to find a good balance.”

• Answers：

Parents are responsible for collaborating with their children to achieve a proper balance between mobile phone usage and other significant life activities.
To find a good balance between mobile phone use and other important life activities, it is the parents’ job to work together with their children.
Collaborating with their children to strike a good balance between mobile phone use and other vital life activities is a task for parents.
Parents are tasked with working alongside their children to find equilibrium between mobile phone use and other significant activities in life.

3.Main Opinion

Problem-Solving Approach

• Locate the central theme, usually found in the introduction, conclusion, or key transitional sections.

• Simplify the author’s main point into one sentence to clearly express their stance.

Tips

• Find the core opinion sentence that directly states the author’s viewpoint.

• Keep it concise: Summarize the main point without unnecessary details.

Template

The author’s opinions can be…

Example

• Answer：

The author’s main opinion is that social media and excessive use of mobile devices can lead to false views of life, negative feelings, health problems, and reduced productivity among young people. Parents should work with their children to find a balance between mobile phone use and other important activities.

The author’s opinion is that while social media and mobile devices have become integral parts of modern life, they should be used responsibly, and there is a need for awareness and balance to prevent the negative impacts on young people’s lives.

4.Supporting Evidence

Problem-Solving Approach

• Identify specific facts, data, or cited sources, especially sentences supported by data or research.

• Explain the source and validity of the evidence, analyzing whether it adequately supports the author’s opinion.

Tips

Look for data or research: Focus on sentences with numbers, study citations, or references to authoritative bodies.

Assess effectiveness and credibility: Evaluate if the source is reliable and how well it supports the opinion.

Template

Evidence (1mark): …(contents from the text)

Source (1mark): This evidence comes from…(paragraph/others)

Valid (1mark): The evidence is (not)valid because…(real-life, published,recent). eg:based on recently published

Convincing (2 marks): The evidence is (not) convincing because…(authority, sample, specific numbers)

Example

• Answers：

Evidence (1mark): “just like most people eventually do with a bad habit” (pa 1-3)

Source (1mark): This evidence comes from Essena O’Neill`s personal experience

Valid (1mark): The evidence is valid because Essena O’Neill’s personal experience provides a real-life example of the negative impacts of excessive social media use.

Convincing (2 marks): The evidence is not convincing because it is a single case and may not be representative of all social media users. It lacks the generalizability of broader studies.

(The evidence is convincing because it is a firsthand account of the pressures and realities of social media influence, which can resonate with many who follow similar lifestyles or are affected by social media.)

Evidence: “Detailed research of over five thousand mobile phone users from Common Sense Media found that teens spend nearly nine hours a day using their devices. They also found increased time looking at screens was associated with increased weight and larger waistlines in teenagers.” (pa 4-1)

Source: Common Sense Media, a organization that provides reviews and advice on media and technology for families.

Valid: The evidence is valid as it is based on a detailed research study conducted by a reputable organization.

Convincing: The evidence is convincing because it is statistically significant, involving a large sample size, and it highlights the correlation between screen time and physical health, which is a widely discussed concern.

5.Bias Analysis

Problem-Solving Approach

Analyze if the article only leans towards one side, particularly by only highlighting positive or negative effects.

Use emotionally inclined words to detect whether the author holds a bias.

Tips

State the level of bias(1 mark) [biased against/in favor of xx]
Explain how the author shows or does not show bias(through evidence,argument or language)(2 marks)
Give supporting example/s (2 marks)

Template

• The author shows (level of bias, e.g., a moderate level of bias) because they (describe evidence of bias). For example, (specific example supporting the bias).

Example

• Answer：

[Level of bias] The author of the article shows a moderate level of bias against social media / mobile devices, particularly among teenagers.

[How to show bias/no bias] The author focuses on the negative aspects of social media and does not provide a balanced view by discussing any potential positive outcomes or benefits of social media use. This one-sided presentation can be seen as biased.

[Supporting example/s] The author uses phrases like “false view of life,” “negative feelings,” “worrying effects,” “ruin a person’s productivity,” and “negative consequences,” which all carry negative connotations and suggest a critical stance on the impact of social media and mobile device usage.

[Supporting example/s] The article starts with Essena O’Neill’s story, which is used to set a negative tone about the impact of social media on self-image and mental health.

[Supporting example/s] The statement “They are unnatural images and edited movie clips that are ranked against each other” suggests that the content on social media is artificial and competitive, which can be seen as a biased view against the authenticity of social media.

Opposing Viewpoint

Problem-Solving Approach

Consider groups or individuals who might hold an opposing stance, listing their possible viewpoints and reasons.

Take the opposite perspective of the article and propose alternative possibilities.

Tips

Infer opposing positions: Find overlooked positive impacts or benefits and imagine the viewpoint of the opposing group.

Support with logical reasoning: Use logical reasons to explain why the opposing stance might be valid.

Template

Person or Groups

Alternative point of view

Example

Question: Who might disagree with the writer’s opinion? Explain the alternative point of view of this person or group. Support your answer with logical reasons.

• Answer：

[Meat Industry Professionals]
They may argue that the meat industry provides livelihoods for millions of people and that insects cannot replace the taste and texture of meat that consumers expect.

[Cultural Traditionalists]
They might believe that traditional diets have cultural significance and that changing dietary habits could lead to the loss of cultural identity. They may also argue that the introduction of insects as a food source could be met with resistance due to deeply ingrained cultural norms.

[Health and Safety Concerns Advocates]
They could argue that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health effects of insect consumption and that the safety of insect farming practices must be thoroughly regulated to prevent contamination.

7.Summary

Problem-Solving Approach

Review the entire article to extract the core information, briefly summarize the main idea and supporting points without direct quotes.

Include the source to indicate where the content originated.

Tips

Summarize key points: Capture the main idea and critical supporting points while removing unnecessary details.

Paraphrase in your own words: Stay objective without copying original sentences.

Template

A whole paragraph

· Main ideas

· Supporting ideas

· Referrence to the source (Smith,2014)

Example

• Answer：

The article discusses the growing global demand for food due to population growth and economic development, which is straining land and water resources. It highlights the environmental impacts of meat production and advocates for the consumption of insects as a sustainable protein source. They are nutritionally comparable to conventional meats. Insects require less feed and produce fewer greenhouse gases, offering a viable alternative to meet future food challenges. (Misha, 2019)

Visual text

1. Sourse of the article

Template

The article is written by…and published in…(month, year etc) from…(sourse).

Example

Question: What is the sourse of the article?

Answer: The article is written by Smith J and published in 2020 from Nature.

2. Describe the image

Template

Who are they? Or what are the key images?
Possible relationships
Actions
Description of each figure
Surroundings
Use present/past tenses when needed

Tips

A B C O/P S

Angle, Body language, Color, Obgects/People, Surroundings

Example

Question: What key images and people can you identify?Describe them here.

Answer:

Body Language: The person’s posture and engagement with the guitar indicate a sense of contentment and immersion in the activity, which can be infectious and inspire similar feelings in the viewer.

Color: The clear sky and natural sunlight contribute to a bright and cheerful atmosphere, enhancing the sense of a pleasant day spent outdoors. The use of warm colors, such as the green of the shirt and the natural hues of the environment, creates a welcoming and harmonious visual experience.

Objects/People: The person playing the guitar suggests a leisurely activity that is often linked to enjoyment and the expression of creativity, which can be soothing and therapeutic. The presence of palm trees adds a tropical or exotic feel to the scene, which is commonly associated with vacations and getaways.

Surroundings: The coastal setting with the sea and rocks provides a natural and serene backdrop that is often associated with calmness and relaxation.

Angle: The front angle helps to frame the subject within the context of the nat setting, enhancing the overall mood of tranquility and connection with nature.

3. Mood or feelings

Template

Describe the feelings
The mood
Surrounding
Colours used in visual texts
Use adjectives

Example

Qustion: What mood or feelings does the visual text try to create in the reader? Explain how the visual text tries to achieve this? Write complete sentences.

Answer: The image aims to create a sense of curiosity and perhaps a bit of surprise or intrigue. It achieves this by presenting an unusual combination of food items—specifically, a sandwich topped with insects—which is not a common sight in most culinary contexts. The use of toasted bread, fresh vegetables, and cheese suggests a familiar and appetizing meal, while the addition of insects introduces an element of novelty and possibly challenge. The overall presentation is clean and well-arranged, which helps to maintain a positive and inviting atmosphere despite the unconventional ingredients.

4. Effectiveness in supporting the Written Text

Template

Brief Answer: State whether the visual text supports the written text (positive or negative).

Explain the Support: Describe how the visual and written texts are related (or not).

Analyze the Visual Text’s Impact: Discuss the role of the visual in enhancing or confusing the message.

Conclusion: Summarize how both elements work together (or fail to work together) to communicate the intended message.

Example

Question: Does the visual text support the written text effectively? Explain why or why not.

Answer: Yes, the visual text supports the written text effectively. The image of a sandwich with insects on it directly relates to the topic of incorporating insects into our diet as a sustainable source of protein. The written text discusses the increasing global demand for food. The image serves as a visual representation of this concept, making the idea more tangible and relatable. It also subtly challenges the reader’s preconceptions about what is considered “normal” food, encouraging a shift in thinking towards more sustainable practices.