The Explorer - Session 17 - Reading Comprehension

In the "Reading Comprehension" session centred on "The Explorer," students delve into the motivations and emotions of the characters through a series of questions designed to test their understanding of the text. The first question asks why the explorer appears to blush when he delivers water and mangoes, hinting at a possible underlying emotion or circumstance. As the session continues, students explore the explorer's offer to assist the children in reaching Manaus and why Fred refuses to keep the existence of the city and the explorer a secret, despite the implications it may hold.

The comprehension questions further probe into the dynamics between the characters, such as the reason behind Con's anger towards Fred and the explorer's own frustration with the two. Students are encouraged to consider Fred's eagerness to investigate what lies behind the vines and Con's apprehension about cutting them, suggesting a conflict between curiosity and caution. Towards the end of the chapter, the focus shifts to Fred's feelings of shame, prompting students to reflect on the consequences of the characters' actions. The session culminates in a summarisation task, challenging students to concisely capture the essence of "The Explorer" in no more than 50 words, demonstrating their ability to distil key information and themes from the narrative.