Questions / instructions

Here is a list of children who would like to have pen pals. They want someone to write letters to, so that they can share their interests. Skim quickly through the list. Then answer the questions below. Do as many answers as you can in 5 minutes, I will tell you when the time is up.

PENPALS

U85 - REBECCA (Gisborne) Age 13. Interests are soccer, tennis, camping, water sports and farming. Loves listening to Nirvana & Offspring. Watches "Shortland Street" and "Home and Away". Would like a penpal aged 12-14.

U86 - STEVE-MARIE (Tauranga) Age 5. Enjoys horse riding, playing with Barbies, and watching "The Simpsons". Would like a girl penpal aged 4-6.

U87 - BENJAI (Tauranga) Age 10. Interests are motorbikes, collecting basketball cards, going to the movies, watching "The Simpsons" and listening to music. Would like a penpal aged 9 - 12.

U88 - NICKY (Waitoa) Age 11. Enjoys jazz ballet, soccer, tennis, volleyball, cricket, singing, dancing, rollerblading, looking after animals, and horse riding. Would like a girl penpal aged 10 - 12.

U89 - SUPREEN (Auckland) Likes collecting stickers and going to the movies. Watches "Home Improvement".

U90 - KATARENA (Gisborne) Age 13. Hobbies are horse riding, swimming, talking and listening to Reggae etc. Would like a male pen pal aged 13 - 15. Will reply to all letters.

U91 - TALIA (Coromandel) Age 10. Likes writing and receiving letters, swimming, camping, horse riding, and would like to learn jazz ballet and sign language. Please send a photo.

U92 - ADELE (Auckland) Age 13. Is interested in music like TLC and Mariah Carey, likes animals, movies, and good friends to talk to and hang out with. Please send a photo if you can. Will answer all letters. Would like a boy or girl penpal aged 12 - 14.

U93 - REGAN (Reporoa) Age 10. Listens to Boyz II Men, TLC, All 4 One and Coolio. Watches "The Simpsons" and "Home and Away". Likes hockey, horse riding and rollerblading. Would like a girl penpal aged 10 - 12.

U94 - AMY (Auckland) Age 10. Likes animals, music, swimming and hanging out with friends. Would like a penpal aged 10 - 12.

U95 - SANDRA (Auckland) Age 11. Hobbies include jazz, drama, reading, tennis, all sports, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. Would like a penpal aged 10 - 13.

U96 - TRACEY (Tokoroa) Age 13. Interests are basketball, basketball cards, rap, swimming, hanging with friends and just having fun. Would like a penpal aged 12 or older.

U97 - JASMINE (Auckland) Age 13. Would like a penpal aged 12 or older, boy or girl. Likes listening to music, hanging out with mates, talking on the phone, watching TV and playing sports. If interested, grab a pen and paper and get cracking. All letters will be answered and send a photo of yourself.

U98 - ROSIE (New Plymouth) Age 12. Enjoys horse riding, sleeping in, reading, animals, cooking, listening to music like Boyz II Men, TLC, Coolio, All 4 One, Mariah Carey, MN8, Kulcha, and some Michael Jackson songs. Would like a penpal aged 10 - 13. So if you are interested, pick up that pen NOW.

U99 - NICOLE (Waihi) Age 12. Interests are swimming at the beach, shopping, animals, watching "Shortland Street" & "Neighbours" and listening to Boyz II Men, and Mariah Carey. Would like a penpal aged 12 - 14. Please send a photo. Will answer all letters.

V1 - TRACEY (Auckland) Age 11. Likes art, collecting stamps, sports, reading, listening to music, and watching TV. Would like a girl penpal aged 10 - 12. Please send a recent photo.

Send all of your "penpals" and "Your Bits" to - Team "K". Box 32, AUCKLAND NZ Herald TEAM 'K'

1. Which TV programme does Supreen like to watch?

correct
no response

y8

96
2

2. Which language would Talia like to learn?

correct
no response

91
2

3. Which of the children lives in Waihi?

correct
no response

4. Who is the youngest on the list?

correct
no response

5. Who likes motor-bikes?

correct
no response

6. Which girl wants to have a boy, not a girl, for a pen pal?

correct
no response

7. Daniela is 11 years old. She would like a pen pal of exactly her own age, who lives in the country and likes animals. Which of the children on the list should she write to?

correct
no response

8. What address should Daniella write to?

correct
no response

27
56

9. Give two reasons why it would not be a good idea for Stevie-Marie and Benjai to become pen-pals with each other.

correct
no response

Commentary

This skim reading task follows similar procedures to the year 4 task, Pet Pals. The results show a similar pattern in the fall-off in responses through to the last question.