2.2 Information report 2 - self test on structure and language features

Social purpose:

Clouds
Structure   Language features
Paragraph 1 Clouds can be classified by their appearance and there 1are three main types which were first described by Luke Howard about 200 years ago. These are cirrus, cumulus and stratus. Clouds that bring rain, hail or snow are called nimbus, the Latin word for rain. For instance, nimbostratus 1is the term for the traditional rain clouds. 1.
Paragraph 2 Cirrus are wispy 2clouds that often 1have a thin, hair-like appearance. They are high altitude clouds which can be seen on dry 2days. 2.
Paragraph 3 3Cumulus clouds are white and fluffy and look like balls of cotton wool. They occur at low levels about one or two thousand metres above the earth. 3.
Paragraph 4 Another low level cloud is the 3stratus. Stratus clouds consist of layers of 4grey, uniform sheets of water droplets often covering the whole sky. 4.
Paragraph 5 Clouds can indicate the kind of weather that is coming so that the 4fluffy cumulus mean good days, but when they 6increase in size and 6billow 5upwards they form thunderheads called cumulonimbus clouds. When this happens, storms and heavy rain can 5often be expected 5.
Paragraph 6 Good weather is likely when cirrus clouds are visible, but they can mean a change because a front is arriving. If they 6thicken because of the drop in air pressure, there is a chance that it will rain. 6.

Self test - information report 2.

I.

1.The social purpose of an information report is to:
a) present an argument giving a particular point of view
b) entertain or inform
c) describe or classify natural, manufactured and/or social phenomena
d) to narrate an incident

II See if you can indicate the functions of the various stages of the report:
2. Paragraph 1.
a) summary of information presented
b) general statement of classification
c) description - behavioural characteristics
d) description - characteristics and appearance

3. Paragraphs 2 - 4
a) description - characteristics and appearance
b) general statement of classification
c) summary of information presented
d) description - behavioural characteristics

4. Paragraphs 5 -6
a) general statement of classification
b) description - characteristics and appearance
c) description - behavioural characteristics
d) summary of information presented


Score = /4
Correct answers:

Explanations to Self-Test

Take your time to review the self-test questions. Click on check answer when you have the answer for the question and close the Window when you have finished reading it.

III See if you can answer the questions about the typical language features for information reports:

1. are; is; have
1a. What kinds of verbs are these?

1b. What tense are they in?

1c. What kinds of statements is this tense used for?

2. clouds; days 2a. Are the nouns general or particular nouns?

3. cumulus clouds; stratus 3a. Are these nouns everyday or technical nouns?

4. grey; fluffy
4a. What kind of words are these?

4b. What do they build?

5. upwards; often
5a. What kind of words are these?

5b. What kinds of words do they add more information about?

6. increase; thicken
6a. Do these verbs describe relationships or actions?

6b. What tense are they in?