Reading around the text 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover' | English

Starter quiz

How did the Curiosity rover get its name?
- It was named by a pupil called Clara Ma ✓
- It was named by the NASA scientist team
- It was decided by using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
True or False? The Curiosity rover was only able to take photographs in black and white.
- True
- False ✓
What technology and equipment was on board the Curiosity rover?
- navigation cameras ✓
- internet connection
- laser ✓
- drill ✓
- games
Match the following definitions of a similarity and difference.
- similarity
  
  ⇔
  
  two or more things that are alike or have something in common ✓
- difference
  
  ⇔
  
  two or more things are not alike or do not have something in common ✓
Sequence the following events from the text in chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  the module enters the Martian atmosphere
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  a parachute is deployed to slow the module down
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  a descent vehicle uses rockets to lower the rover onto the surface of Mars
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  after landing safely, the rover sets off to explore the Martian landscape
True or False? 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover' is a non-fiction text.
- True ✓
- False

True or false? The layout of a text refers to the way the information is organised on the page.
- True ✓
- False
Match the keyword to the correct definition.
- skimming
  
  ⇔
  
  quickly glancing over text for main ideas and key points ✓
- scanning
  
  ⇔
  
  rapidly searching a text for specific information or keywords ✓
- comparing
  
  ⇔
  
  identifying similarities between two or more things ✓
- contrasting
  
  ⇔
  
  identifying differences between two or more things ✓
Which of the following is a tip for skimming and scanning?
- reading every word
- locate headings and subheadings ✓
- notice illustrations, captions and graphics ✓
Which of the following are layout features likely to be found in a non-fiction text?
- sub-headings ✓
- text boxes ✓
- paragraphs ✓
- character dialogue
- captions ✓
How much did Curiosity weigh?
- one pound
- one kilogram
- one ton ✓
What material are Curiosity rover’s wheels made out of?
- recycled plastic
- aluminum ✓
- gold

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When reading non-fiction texts, readers can use the layout features to help navigate the text.
Non-fiction texts can present information in different forms and layouts.
Readers can compare and contrast within and across texts.

Pupils may find it challenging to remember features found in non-fiction texts.

Display/print out common non-fiction text features, alongside layout features, to support pupils when comparing and contrasting.

Layout - the way the information is organised on the page
Skimming - quickly glancing over text for main ideas and key points
Scanning - rapidly searching a text for specific information or keywords
Compare - identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, concepts, or texts
Contrast - identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, concepts, or texts