Awa Reading Comprehension (AsTTle-style)

Text

Our awa begins as a puna high in the hills. The water is cold and clear there. As it travels, it passes farms, roads, and our kura. Sometimes rain washes rubbish into the drains, which leads straight to the awa. When the water slows near the town bridge, we notice more algae and a muddy smell. Kaitiaki from the marae remind us that “he taonga te wai”—water is a treasure—and we must protect it. Our class decided to take action: we tested pH and temperature, counted litter, and designed signs to teach others how to help the awa.

Questions

1. Literal: Where does the rubbish sometimes enter the awa from?
2. Literal: What did the class decide to do to help the awa? (name two actions)
3. Inference: Why might algae and muddy smells appear near the town bridge?
4. Vocabulary: What does “he taonga te wai” mean in this text?
5. Application: Suggest one more action the class could try and explain why it would help.

Word Bank

puna • taonga • pH • drains • algae • kaitiaki