Introduction:

This short piece of reading is from the inside of this birthday card.

Probes:       Can you tell me about...

1. ...what your friend wishes you will have on your birthday.

2. ...the birthday cake.

Questions:

1. Who does your friend wish you will have a happy birthday with? Show me where it says that.

2. Apart from candles, what are some other ways a birthday cake could be made bright and fun?

3. Tell me some ways that a birthday could be made a fun day and a happy time?

Text:

Happy birthday to you!

I hope that you have a fun day on your birthday and that your best wishes come true.

I will be thinking of you, and wishing you a happy time with your family and friends.

If you have a birthday cake, I hope that it is big and bright with the right number of candles on it.

A very happy birthday to you from your friend.

Introduction:

This is a pamphlet called Hot Air Ballooning.

The pamphlet is advertising hot air ballooning over the Christchurch area.

Probes:       Can you tell me about...

1. ...what can you see from the hot air balloon.

2. ...some of the things people need to know about before taking a ride.

Questions:

1. What is the take off and landing like in the hot air balloon? Show me where it says that.

2. Why do you think people find riding in a hot air balloon fun?

3. Tell me what uses there might be in the future for hot air ballooning, other than for fun and joy rides.

Text:

Come for a ride in the hot air balloon. You will like it. It is a new kind of fun. You will go up into the sky and look down to the land below. The houses, trees and cars below will look very small. You can see for a long way. As well as the land and the hills, you will see the blue sea. The hot air balloon moves with the wind. On very windy days, the balloon will not go up because it would be too dangerous.

Ten people can go in the hot air balloon at one time. You stand up because there are no seats. The balloon will take off smoothly, and land smoothly. You should have warm clothes on. Sometimes it is very cold up in the sky.

It costs ten dollars to go in the hot air balloon. For ten dollars you have a ride for 30 minutes.

Come along and have a look. We think you will like it.

[Excerpt]

Non-Book Band 2

Introduction:

This information called HUB-BETS is from the back of a cereal packet.

It tells kids about a breakfast cereal made specially for them.

Probes:       Can you tell me about...

1. ...the importance of a good breakfast for growing children.

2. ...some of the good things about the new fun cereal advertised here.

Questions:

1. What is one of the new fun shapes that has been added to the cereal? Show me where it says that.

2. In what ways will eating a healthy breakfast help you learn better at school?

3. As well as fun things, what are some of the other important things we should look for in a cereal?

Text:

Here is the first breakfast cereal that has been specially made for you. You see, breakfast is very important for young and growing people. A good breakfast helps concentration at school and helps active children that play a lot! A good breakfast stops you getting hungry and getting the grumps in the afternoons.

We have made this a fun cereal. We have added lots and lots of different alphabets (can you recognise all the letters?) Your mum and dad probably fondly remember alphabet soup when they were kids. We have also added fun shapes and surprises - I bet you have never had breakfast cereal with fish shapes in before! We've added fruit for goodness and sweetness. Finally, as a treat we have added Yoghurt Coated Raisins and specially for kids we have added some different flavours of these.

I hope you have a good breakfast and a good day. I wish I was a kid again!

[Excerpt]

Non-Book Band 3

Introduction:

This pamphlet is called Strike.

It explains how to play Lotto Strike.

Probes:       Can you tell me about...

1. ...what you need to do to win Lotto Strike.

2. ...how a player must fill in a board on a Lotto Strike coupon.

Questions:

1. How do you become a double winner? Show me where it says that.

2. Explain how Lotto and Strike are different.

3. Is Lotto a good thing, a bad thing, or a bit of both? Tell me why you think that.

Text:

Play LOTTO Strike! with Lotto.
Lotto Strike! can only be played when you're playing Lotto. So if you choose the winning Lotto Strike! and Lotto numbers, you'll be a double winner.

How to Strike it Lucky.
To play Lotto Strike! you need to pick four numbers in the exact order you think the first four Lotto balls will be drawn. Pick your numbers in exactly the same order as those first four balls and you will strike it lucky with around $100,000 or more!

And if you match just one, two or three of the first four numbers, in exactly the order drawn, you'll also be a winner.

Strike it Lucky for $1
With every Lotto ticket you buy you can play up to three boards of Lotto Strike! on a Lotto Strike! coupon. It will cost you $1 for one board, $2 for two and $3 for the whole Lotto Strike! coupon.

Pick Four Lucky Numbers.
In each board on a Lotto Strike! coupon there are four lines of forty numbers. Mark one number per line. The number on the first line will be your first ball, the number on the second line your second ball and so on.

And if you choose your four favourite Lotto numbers to be your Lotto Strike! numbers as well, you could be a double winner.

[Excerpt]

Non-Book Band 4

Introduction:

This is a page from the telephone book and it is called Other Telecom Services.

It gives customers information about Rental Phones, Telecom Payphones and the 0800 and 0900 numbers.

Probes:       Can you tell me about...

1. ...the types of Telecom Public Payphones available in New Zealand.

2. ...some of the services offered by Payphones.

Questions:

1. Where can you purchase a Telecom Phone Card? Show me where it says that.

2. Why are 0800 numbers free from any Payphone?

3. The Cardphone and Coinphone options will soon disappear.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your reasons.

 

Text:

A Telecom Payphone is your phone away from home or the office. There are three types of Telecom Public Payphones throughout New Zealand (you can spot them by their colour): Cardphones (green); Credit Card Phones (yellow); and Coinphones (blue).

• You can make Collect, Transfer Charge, Telecom Calling Card and Credit Card Calls from any Payphone. Extra charges apply for these services.

• You'll need a Telecom PhoneCard to use a Cardphone. You can get your Telecom PhoneCard from retailers who display a "Telecom PhoneCards Sold Here" sign.

• You can find out the cost of the call by simply calling the number without putting a coin or card into the phone.

• You can call 0800 numbers free from any Payphone, without putting a coin or a card into the phone.

• There is no charge for Emergency 111 calls from a Telecom Payphone.

• Instructions on how to use each Payphone are displayed in the booth.

• If you make a Transfer Charge Call from a Payphone, the Telecom Operator will check the number you wish to charge the call to. If there is no reply or the charge is not accepted, the call will not be placed.

Local calls from Telecom Public Payphones are charged per minute or part minute. Payphone rates apply to all National and International Calls.

[Excerpt. Capitalisation as published.]

Non-Book Band 5

Author: NEMP modified text

Introduction:

This extract is from the jacket of The Lion King video.

Probes:       Can you tell me about...

1. ...Simba's Uncle Scar.

2. ...the music and songs of the video.

Questions:

1. How is Simba's Uncle Scar described?
Show me where it says that.

2. What do you understand the following to mean: "Simba, a naive and curious cub who must struggle to find his place in natures's great circle of life"?

3. Suggest things we might learn from Simba's life story which might be worthwhile lessons for ourselves.

Text:

From the magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African plains to its electrifying finale. The Lion King triumphs as animation's greatest achievement! Disney's masterpiece tells the incredible story of the love between a proud lion ruler, Mufasa, and his son, Simba - a naive and curious cub who must struggle to find his place in nature's great "circle of life!"

Befriended by a host of warmhearted characters, Simba experiences some of life's most glorious moments and toughest challenges. But before he can take his rightful place as ruler of the Pride Lands, Simba must overcome great fear and adversity - climaxed by a blazing battle with his evil and greedy uncle, Scar!

With Oscar winning music (Best Original Song, Best Original Score) featuring songs by Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, and score by Hans Zimmer, Disney's epic coming-of-age saga reigns supreme with warmth and emotion, rip-roaring humour and stunning animation!

[Whole text]