Reading Descriptive Texts – English Standard Four

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, a pupil should be able to:

• Explain the meaning of a descriptive text.
• Read a simple descriptive text fluently.
• Identify words used to describe people, places, animals and things.
• Answer questions about a descriptive text.

1. Meaning of a Descriptive Text

A descriptive text is a piece of writing that tells us about the appearance, qualities or features of a person, place, animal or thing.

Kwa Kiswahili: Matini ya maelezo ni maandishi yanayoeleza jinsi mtu, mahali, mnyama au kitu kilivyo. Hutumia maneno yanayoonyesha sifa au hali yake.

2. Reading Passage: Our School Library

Our school has a beautiful library. It is near the head teacher’s office. The library is a large and clean room. There are many books on wooden shelves. Some books are storybooks, while others are English, Mathematics and Science books.

There are ten tables and twenty chairs in the library. Pupils sit comfortably and read quietly. Our librarian, Mr Peter, is kind and helpful. He helps pupils to find books and gives them useful information.

I like our school library because it is a good place for reading and learning.

3. Vocabulary

Word	Meaning in Kiswahili
Library	Maktaba
Beautiful	Zuri / la kupendeza
Large	Kubwa
Clean	Safi
Shelves	Rafu
Arranged	Zilizopangwa
Quietly	Kwa utulivu
Librarian	Msimamizi wa maktaba
Helpful	Mwenye kusaidia
Information	Taarifa

4. Reading Practice

Read the passage again and practise the following:

• Pronounce each word clearly.
• Pause at commas and full stops.
• Read at a suitable speed so that others can understand you.
• Pay attention to descriptive words such as beautiful, large, clean, kind and helpful.
• Read the passage aloud with a partner.

5. Comprehension Questions

1. What does the school have?
2. Where is the library located?
3. How is the library described?
4. Where are the books kept?
5. Name two subjects whose books are found in the library.
6. How many tables are in the library?
7. Who is the librarian?
8. Why does the writer like the school library?

6. Practice Activities

A. Write True or False

1. The library is near the head teacher’s office.
2. The library is a small and dirty room.
3. There are books on wooden shelves.
4. Pupils make noise when reading.
5. Mr Peter helps pupils to find books.

B. Fill in the Blanks

Use these words: clean, library, shelves, helpful

1. Our school has a beautiful __________.
2. The room is large and __________.
3. The books are kept on wooden __________.
4. Mr Peter is kind and __________.

C. Identify Descriptive Words

Write five words from the passage that describe the library or the librarian.

7. Answer Guide

Comprehension: 1. A library. 2. Near the head teacher’s office. 3. It is large and clean. 4. On wooden shelves. 5. Any two: English, Mathematics and Science. 6. Ten tables. 7. Mr Peter. 8. Because it is a good place for reading and learning.

True or False: 1. True. 2. False. 3. True. 4. False. 5. True.

Fill in the Blanks: 1. library. 2. clean. 3. shelves. 4. helpful.

Descriptive words: beautiful, large, clean, kind, helpful.

8. Support for Slow Learners

• Let the pupil read the passage one sentence at a time.
• Explain difficult vocabulary using familiar objects or pictures.
• Allow the pupil to repeat words after the teacher.
• Pair the pupil with a supportive classmate for reading practice.
• Give short oral questions before asking the pupil to write answers.

9. Learning Outcome

A pupil should be able to read a simple descriptive text, identify descriptive words and answer questions about the information in the text.