Armistice Runner - Session 1 - Reading Comprehension

The first session of reading comprehension based on the book "Armistice Runner" covers Chapters 1 and 2. Students are tasked with answering a series of questions that delve into the details of the story, encouraging close reading and understanding of the text. Questions range from straightforward queries, such as the number of girls in a race, to more interpretive ones, like why the protagonist, Lily, should conserve her energy for a significant upcoming race. The comprehension exercise also prompts students to consider character emotions and motivations, asking why Lily's father appears with red and puffy eyes, and what the implications of Lily's grandmother's illness might be on their family dynamics.

Other questions require students to engage with the language used in the book, such as analysing the effectiveness of the metaphor 'a thick pane of glass' to describe Lily's relationship with her grandmother. Additionally, students must maintain a critical eye on narrative details, such as the function of Lily's running log. The session culminates in a summarising activity, challenging students to condense the key events and themes of the first two chapters into a succinct 50-word summary. This exercise not only tests comprehension but also hones the students' skills in brevity and the essence of storytelling.