Approaching pre-1900 unseen fiction texts

Approaching pre-1900 unseen fiction texts

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will be looking at how to approach pre-1900 unseen non-fiction texts by reading Isabella Bird's 'The Bazaars of Baghdad - Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan' . We will be using a strategy to work through the text systematically, tracing what we are told (events) and how the writer feels about them (attitude / thoughts). We will also be moving from a 'literal' understanding of the text to thinking about the 'big picture' meanings that a text has to offer - what does it tell us about mankind or human nature?

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Loading...

5 Questions

Q1.
Where was Christopher Ondaatje born?
Ghana
India
Kenya
Correct answer: Sri Lanka
Q2.
What does a 'philanthropist' do?
advises you on your diet
Correct answer: gives donations to others
is a type of surgeon
is an explorer
Q3.
When Ondaatje went to Canada, he had virtually no money or savings. True or false?
false
Correct answer: true
Q4.
Which event did Ondaatje take part in during the 1964 Olympics?
cross country slalom
figure skating
Correct answer: four man bob-sled
three man bob-sled
Q5.
What does the word 'urban' mean in the context of our extract? Select the correct definition.
Others
relating to a residential area outside of a town or city
Correct answer: relating to or characteristic of a built-up town or city
relating to or characteristic of a village or countryside
relating to popular dance music

5 Questions

Q1.
What is a bazaar?
a type of boat
Correct answer: a type of market
a type of person
a unusual event
Q2.
What fascinated Isabella Bird the most about the Arab women?
their face coverings
their long hair
their shoes
Correct answer: their tattoos
Q3.
All of the bazaars are indoors - true or false?
false
Correct answer: true
Q4.
Which word is the best synonym for 'squalid'?
dark
Correct answer: filthy
old
sterile
Q5.
What is a 'labyrinth'? Select the most appropriate definition.
Correct answer: a network of passages
a religious text
a type of cloth covering
an type of old-fashioned jug

Lesson appears in

UnitEnglish / Language Skills - Non-Fiction - Reading

English