Reading Week 23

Name: WEEK 23
Author’s Purpose DAY 1

READ THE PASSAGE Think about why the author wrote this passage about an odd inventor.
The Nutty Inventor

In the world of inventions, Yoshiro Nakamatsu deserves the grand prize. “Dr. NakaMats,” as
he calls himself, has created more than 3,200 inventions during his lifetime. His inventions include
the compact disc (CD), the digital watch, a taxicab meter, and spring shoes that allow people to
jump high with less effort. Dr. NakaMats proves that great things can happen when people use
their imaginations.
How does this brilliant inventor come up with ideas for new inventions? Even he would
probably admit that his process is a little strange. Dr. NakaMats starts by diving into a swimming
pool. He remains underwater, holding his breath, until an idea comes to him. Then he writes his
idea on a special underwater tablet that he invented for just this purpose.
Dr. NakaMats believes that his creativity is at its best between midnight and 4 AM. He sleeps
only four hours a day and eats only one meal a day. His habits may seem strange, but the money
he earns from his inventions has given him the freedom to work however—and whenever—he
pleases. “Genius lies in developing complete and perfect freedom within a human being. Only
then can a person come up with the best ideas,” he explains.
SKILL PRACTICE Read the item. Write your response.
1. Why did the author write this text?
2. Why does the author tell the reader how Dr. NakaMats generates new ideas?
3. Predict what Dr. NakaMats will do in the future.
STRATEGY PRACTICE Write two questions that you would ask Dr. NakaMats if you could.
© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3615 • Daily Reading Comprehension 149

Name: WEEK 23
Author’s Purpose DAY 2
READ THE PASSAGE Think about the author’s purpose as you read about the game of cricket.
Playing Cricket
All you need to play a game of cricket is a bat, a ball, a field, and a group of friends. At first
glance, the sport looks a lot like baseball. The basic equipment is the same, although a cricket
bat is flat and wide, like a paddle. Also, instead of running around bases, cricket players run back
and forth on a strip of ground called a “pitch.” The pitcher, who is called a “bowler,” stands at one
end of the pitch and throws the ball to the batter at the other end.
Cricket can be complicated. The official rules for the game, called “laws,” are detailed and
exact. There are also many forms of the game, including first-class cricket, in which the game
lasts up to five days, and one-day cricket, which lasts just one day. Amateur cricket has many
variations. Players often pause during the game to socialize and enjoy refreshments. In this way,
the sport combines the excitement of competition with the tradition of a social gathering.
The history of cricket goes back much further than that of baseball. Cricket has been played
in England for centuries. English settlers took the sport to Australia, India, and other British
colonies. Today, cricket is the most popular sport in India, where televised games attract about
100 million viewers. Cricket may not be well known in the United States, but the game has stood
the test of time in many other parts of the world.
1. Why did the author write this text?
2. Why did the author explain how cricket is played?
3. Would you like to play cricket? Explain your stance.
STRATEGY PRACTICE Describe a team sport that you have watched or played, and explain how it compares
with cricket.
150 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3615 • © Evan-Moor Corp.

Name: WEEK 23
Prediction DAY 3
READ THE PASSAGE Use clues from the passage and what you know about today’s cars to make
predictions about the future of electric cars.
The Drive Toward Electric Cars

Electric cars may seem like a recent invention, but they’ve been around for years. In the early
1900s, there were more electric cars on the road than there were gas-powered vehicles. At that
time, gasoline was expensive compared with other fuels. Once gas prices dropped and new
technologies were developed, electric cars went out of fashion in favor of gas-powered cars, which
could travel longer distances without stopping.
During the 20th century, gas-powered cars got bigger, heavier, and faster. They required more
fuel, which led to more air pollution. For years, carmakers didn’t worry about pollution. They weren’t
concerned about how much gas cars used. But as consumers became aware of Earth’s limited
supply of oil, they pressured manufacturers to make more efficient and less polluting cars.
One solution was a “hybrid” car, one that ran partly on gas and partly on electricity supplied by
a battery. Hybrid cars became popular in the mid-2000s as gas prices rose dramatically and car
manufacturers made the fuel-efficient cars more affordable.
An all-electric car uses no gasoline. The challenge, though, is that car batteries need to be
recharged. That makes electric cars impractical for long distances. The government and car
manufacturers are working together to develop safe, inexpensive, and more practical electric cars.
Once these cars become available to consumers, gas stations may someday be a thing of the past.
1. After reading the first two paragraphs, what prediction did you make?
2. Why are hybrid cars more practical than all-electric cars?
3. What might make gas stations become a thing of the past?
STRATEGY PRACTICE Write two questions that you would ask an engineer who works for a carmaker.
© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3615 • Daily Reading Comprehension 151

Name: WEEK 23
Prediction DAY 4
READ THE PASSAGE Predict what will happen on Misha’s first airplane trip.
First Flight
Misha stepped inside the airplane and wrinkled her nose. The plane smelled like the inside of
the bus that she had taken to see her grandmother last year. The air was also stuffy, and people
sitting in their seats looked grumpy and tired.
Misha checked her ticket and found her seat, but a tall man was already sitting there. Misha
sighed loudly. “Excuse me,” Misha said. “You’re in my seat. I have 19C.”
“This is 18C,” the man replied. Misha felt her face burn with embarrassment as she scooted into
the correct row and scrunched down in the narrow seat. Misha’s mother patted Misha on the
shoulder and took the seat beside her.
“I already hate planes,” Misha pouted as she buckled her seat belt. “I thought this was
supposed to be nice, but it’s worse than a bus. At least you can open the windows on the bus.”
“This trip would take too long by bus,” Misha’s mother said. “Anyway, they’ll turn on the air
conditioning soon. Then it won’t be so stuffy. Just wait until we take off. As the plane climbs, it’ll
seem like the world is shrinking before your eyes.”
“No thanks,” Misha said, pulling her portable DVD player from her bag. “I just want to watch
a movie.” As soon as Misha turned on her DVD player, the flight attendant frowned and began
walking toward Misha’s row.
1. Why was Misha embarrassed?
2. Has Misha’s mother been on a plane before? How did you draw that conclusion?
3. What will the flight attendant probably do next?
STRATEGY PRACTICE Think of a time when you felt annoyed or uncomfortable. Based on that experience,
what advice would you give Misha?
152 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3615 • © Evan-Moor Corp.

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Name: WEEK 23

Author’s Purpose DAY 1

The Nutty Inventor

SKILL PRACTICE Read the item. Write your response.

1. Why did the author write this text?

3. Predict what Dr. NakaMats will do in the future.

© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3615 • Daily Reading Comprehension 149

SKILL PRACTICE Read the item. Write your response.

1. Why did the author write this text?

2. Why did the author explain how cricket is played?

3. Would you like to play cricket? Explain your stance.

150 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3615 • © Evan-Moor Corp.

The Drive Toward Electric Cars

SKILL PRACTICE Read the item. Write your response.

2. Why are hybrid cars more practical than all-electric cars?

3. What might make gas stations become a thing of the past?

© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3615 • Daily Reading Comprehension 151

SKILL PRACTICE Read the item. Write your response.

1. Why was Misha embarrassed?

3. What will the flight attendant probably do next?

152 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3615 • © Evan-Moor Corp.

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