DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate finds its way into the best ice creams,

biscuits and cakes. Although eating chocolate usually comes with

a warning that it is fattening, it is also believed by some to have

magical and medicinal effects. In fact, cacao trees are sometimes

called Theobroma cacao which means “food of the gods.”

Dark chocolate has been found out to be helpful in small

quantities. One of its benefits is that it has some of the most

important minerals and vitamins that people need. It has

antioxidants that help protect the heart. Another important benefit

is that the fat content of chocolate does not raise the level of

cholesterol in the blood stream. A third benefit is that it helps

address respiratory problems. Also, it has been found out to help

ease coughs and respiratory concerns. Finally, chocolate

increases serotonin levels in the brain. This is what gives us a

feeling of well-being.
Reference: Schnoll, R. (2012). Choocolate: Food for the Gods, Retrieved from http://

academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/health/rschnoll/contact/documents/chocolatefacultycircle.

pdf
Questions
Why was chocolate called Theobroma cacao? It
is considered to be _____.
fattening food
magical tree
medicinal candy
food of the gods

Which statement is true?

All chocolates have medicinal properties.
In small doses, dark chocolate is fattening.
Dark chocolate has minerals and vitamins.
Chocolate raises the level of cholesterol.

What is found in dark chocolate that will help encourage its consumption?
antioxidants
sugar
fats
milk

After we eat chocolate, which of these is responsible for making us

feel good?
cacao
theobroma
serotonin
antioxidants

If a person coughs and is asked to have some chocolate, why would this be
good advice?
Dark chocolate helps respiratory problems.
Dark chocolate helps circulation.
Dark chocolate does not raise the level of cholesterol.
Dark chocolate has vitamins and minerals.

385
Which of the following body systems does not directly benefit from the
consumption of dark chocolate?
Circulatory system
Respiratory system
Excretory system
Nervous system

Which important fact shows that dark chocolate may be safe for the
heart?
It may ease coughs.
It helps address respiratory problems.
It does not raise the level of cholesterol.
In small quantities, dark chocolate has been said to be medicinal.

What does “address” mean in the second paragraph?

to locate
to identify
to deal with
to recognize
 SNEEZING
Sneezing happens when our body is trying to remove an
irritation found inside the nose. A special name for this process is
sternutation.

How does a sneeze happen? When your nose is tickled, the

sneeze center in our brain receives a message. Soon, the other

parts of the body that work together to create a sneeze such as

the abdominal muscles, chest muscles, the diaphragm, the

muscles of the vocal chords, the back of the throat, and the eyelids

receive this message. An explosion as fast as 161 kilometers per

hour sends the irritant speeding out of your nose. Examples of

irritants in the air are dust, pepper, or allergens such as pollen.

Some experience having a photic reflex and sneeze as soon as

they are under the bright sun. Now, if it ever happens that a

sneeze of yours gets stuck, look towards a bright light to unstick

your stuck sneeze.

Reference: http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/sneeze.html
 a person’s natural reaction to bright light
an explosion of allergens

Sneezing happens ____________________________.

to release energy
to expel an irritant
to remove nose hair
in response to a cough

Which of the following is NOT an example of an allergic reaction?

sneezing in a dusty room
pepper-induced sternutation
photic reflex from sun exposure
Sneezing when exposed to pollen

Which of the following does NOT help to create a sneeze?

abdominal muscles
chest muscles
nasal passages
voice box

Which is the best advice to follow to unstick a sneeze?

look towards a bright light
tickle our nostrils
blow one’s nose
cough out loud

401
Why must we cover our nose when we sneeze?
to prevent the further intake of pepper powder
to prevent the allergens from multiplying
to prevent irritants from spreading
to prevent ourselves from sneezing

Which of the following is the best thing to do if you feel a sneeze coming
along?
Take cold medicine.
Have a body check-up.
Move away from others.
Open a window that faces a garden.

The main idea of this selection is

the different kinds of sneeze
how sneezing happens
the cure for sneezing
the origin of sneezing
 DUST
No matter how often we sweep the floor of our homes, we
are still able to gather together a considerable amount of dust.
Dust is all around us. It gathers on bookshelves, on furniture - old
or new. These particles rest on any still object – undisturbed until
touched or wiped clean.

Dust, which was first believed to be made of dead skin has

been found to be a mix of different things. Some of the common
ingredients of dust particles include animal fur, dead insects, food,
fiber from clothes, beddings, soil and other chemicals. Although
most of household dust comes from the outside through doors,
windows and shoes, other dust particles come from within.
Scientists have discovered that the mix of dust from each
household actually depends on four things: the climate, the age of
the house, the number of persons who live in it and their individual
cooking, cleaning and smoking habits.

Making our homes free of dust may not be possible but

lessening the amount of dust that we keep in our homes will help

avoid possible allergies and allow us to breathe well.

416
Questions
Which of the following is NOT true about dust?
Dust causes allergies.
Dust is made of dead skin only.
Dust comes from both within the home and outside of it.
The amount of dust in the house may depend on the climate.

Knowing the contents of the dust in our homes will determine ________.
how dust can be cleaned up
where the dust is coming from
what one might add to one’s home
the lifestyle of the occupants

Among the sources of dust, which is NOT within one’s control?

the personal habits of family members
the number of persons in the home
the age of the house
the climate

What is the greatest risk that one faces in having a dusty house? A dusty
house might ________.
cause the incidence of allergies
be a reason for accidents in the house
increase the temperature of the environment
result in the early destruction of the furniture

Knowing the composition of dust will especially help persons with ______.
motor difficulties
physical disabilities
circulatory concerns
respiratory problems

417
In this selection, the word “habits” refers to ________.
one’s unusual behavior
being addicted to something
the work one occasionally performs
the manner by which one repeatedly does a task

How did the writer develop this selection about dust?

by giving examples
by narrating some events
by stating the cause and effect
by identifying the problem and the solutions

Which is an appropriate title of this selection?

Keeping the Houses Dust-Free
Sources of Dust in Our Homes
Effects of Dusty Homes
Diseases Due to Dust
 PAIN
How do we sense pain? The human body has nociceptors to
receive an electrical impulse that is sent to part of the brain that
recognizes pain. Memories of these sensations are formed to help
us avoid painful objects and experiences and prevents us from
repeating past mistakes that may have hurt us in some way. But
pain is more complex. It is not only a physical experience but an
emotional and psychological one as well. When all of these come
together, it is called suffering.

The mind is not alone in recognizing pain. The nervous

system is also able to store such information. Even when a person

loses a finger or a limb, the pain that was once felt may become a

chronic one – one that keeps recurring. The best way to avoid this

is to prevent pain memories from forming. The use of anesthesia

prevents the mind from creating these memories. Drugs that

prevent pain such as analgesics help lessen the pain sensed.

432
Questions
What are "nociceptors?"
electrical impulses
memories of pain
nerve receptors
sensations of pain

How do memories of pain help us?

These constantly remind us of what hurts.
These help dull the senses.
These help us re-experience the pain.
These inform us on what to watch out for.

Suffering is the complex mix of __________________.

physical, mental and spiritual experiences
physical, psychological and social influences
physical, sociological and cognitive factors
physical, emotional and psychological experiences

Which of the following is an example of how memories of pain help us?

A baby crying at the sight of the needle
Drinking a pain killer once a headache starts
Asking if a dental procedure will hurt
We relive these experiences through our dreams

Which is an example of helping the body avoid the creation of memories

for pain?
Avoiding the use of anesthesia
Drinking a painkiller once a headache starts
Talking about a painful experience with a friend
Being given an anesthetic before a dental procedure

433
In the selection, how was the word 'chronic' used in the phrase “chronic
pain?"
continuous
in-born
throbbing
worsening

Which of the following adjectives best describes our memories’ role in

managing pain?
curative
corrective
preventive
restorative

In the selection, what does it mean to ‘sense pain’?

create pain
recognize pain
remember pain
understand pain
 DIVING
Humans do not have the capacity to breathe underwater
unaided by external devices. A diver who wants to stay underwater
for more than a few minutes must breathe air on a special mixture
of gases. He can wear diving suits and have air pumped to him
from above or he can carry tanks of air on his back and breathe
through a hose and a mouthpiece.

Early divers discovered that it is not enough to supply air to

breathe comfortably underwater. The diver’s body is under great

pressure in deep water because water weighs 800 times as much

as air. Tons of water push against the diver deep in the sea. When

this happens, his blood takes in some of the gases he breathes.

When the diver rises to the surface, the water pressure

becomes less. If he rises too quickly, the gases in his blood form

bubbles that make breathing difficult. He suffers from bends,

causing him to double up in pain.

514
Questions
What is the purpose of the diving suit?
to track the diver’s location
to make the diver stay afloat
to dive to the bottom of the sea faster
to pump air from the surface of the sea

The hose and the mouthpiece of the diver are used _______________.
for breathing
for finding direction
for lighting the way
for communicating

The second paragraph informs the reader that ___________________.

water is heavier than air
it is easy to float on the water
it is exciting to stay under water
it is difficult to breathe while diving

It is easy for swimmers to float in the water’s surface because

______________________.
they can see where they are heading for
there is lesser water pressure
there is more air to breathe
there is minimal danger.

From the phrase ‘a diver suffers from bends,’ the reader can guess that a
bend is ____________________________.
a reverse turn
an intense pain
a wrong direction
an incorrect information

To avoid pain when rising to the surface, a diving instructor should tell a
swimmer to _______________________________.
“go up as fast as you can”
“swim to the surface slowly”
“avoid bringing things from undersea”
“inspect your hose and mouthpiece first”

515
Which statement is true in the selection?
Water pressure ___________________________________.
is heavier on the sea surface
is greater in the deep part of the sea
feels more while one is going up the surface
is the same on the surface and in the deep part of the sea

Who among the following readers will benefit most from this selection?
the sea divers
the coast guards
the sea travelers
the swimming instructors
 THE BRAIN
The brain is the center of the nervous system. It interprets
stimuli and tells the body how to react.
The brain has three major parts. The part that controls
balance, coordination and muscle movement is called the
cerebellum. It makes sure that the muscles work well together. For
example, a gymnast is able to balance on a beam because of the
cerebellum.

The medulla is a long stem that connects the brain to the

spinal cord. It tells one’s body to do things without thinking about
them. Digesting food or breathing even while asleep are examples
of these involuntary actions.

On the other hand, there are actions that one decides to do.
It is the largest part of the brain—the cerebrum—that is
responsible for these voluntary movements. Without it, one will not
be able to kick a ball or dance at all.

The brain might seem small but it is so powerful as it

controls one’s entire body.

529
Questions
Which is the best description of the brain?
It makes people intelligent.
It keeps one’s body healthy.
It helps everyone think well.
It dictates how the body will react to stimuli.

In the sentence, “The brain interprets stimuli,” the meaning of interpret is

__________.
assign roles
recall facts
discuss ideas
make sense of

What will the brain likely tell you if you happen to hold on to something
hot?
“I wonder how hot it is.”
“Don’t drop it!”
“Hold tight!”
“Let go!”

Which is an example of involuntary action?

circulating blood all over the body
punching one’s classmate
clapping your hands
tickling your friend

Which part of the brain connects to the spinal cord?

the nerves
the medulla
the cerebrum
the cerebellum

530
 What is the function of the cerebellum?
It sends messages to the cerebrum.
It connects the medulla to the cerebrum.
It controls balance and muscle movements.
It tells the parts of the body how they should function.

When you want someone to think of the right answer, you might say,
“Use your senses.”
“Sharpen your cerebrum.”
“Give your medulla a job.”
“Let your cerebellum function.”

What is the main idea of the selection?

The brain controls the senses.
The brain interprets all actions.
The brain has three main parts.
The brain controls one’s entire body
Ask the following questions.

Motivation: When do you experience rain in the Philippines

Motive Question: In the selection, find out which parts of the country
experience rain during certain months of the year
Teacher reads the title. The title of the selection is “Air Currents.”

Now, read the selection.

Wind is the natural movement of the air from one place to

another. It affects the climate of a place. There are three major air
streams that greatly affect our climate.

From November to February, mornings are colder because

of the northeast monsoon wind. It blows from Siberia which is a
very frigid place. It brings along temperature and rain that make us
shiver.

The wind from June to October, is warm and humid. During

this time, the western section of our country experiences strong
rains brought about by the southwest monsoon wind blowing from
Australia.

From March to early May, trade winds coming from the east
or northeast reach the Philippines. It brings rains to the eastern
part of our country. Trade winds are warm and moist and bring hot
temperature with little rain.

Isn’t it amazing that each one of these air streams brings

some amount of rain to the Philippines?

Reference: Philippine Informal Reading Inventory 2008-2009 Edition

607
Listen to each question. Choose the letter of
the correct answer.
The northeast monsoon wind blowing from Siberia causes _________.
heavy rains
windy days
hot temperature
cold temperature

Which of the following statements is true about the wind?

The wind attracts tourists to visit a place.
The wind affects the climate of a place.
The wind always comes from one direction.
The wind moves at select times of the year.

Siberia is a very frigid place. What is an antonym for the word frigid?
very moist
very cold
very hot
very windy

You are going on a vacation at your cousin’s province in the eastern part of
the country in March. What type of clothes should you bring?
new
thin
thick
modern

Among these different air streams in the Philippines, which is the most
appropriate for wearing very heavy clothes?
trade winds
easterly winds
southeast monsoons
northeast monsoons

608
Which among these statements is backed up by the selection?
Northeast monsoons account for strong rains during
the June opening of classes.
Southwest monsoons bring some amount of rain
to the country even in May.
Eastern portions of the country experience strong
rains from June to October.
Western portions of the country experience strong
rains from June to October.

What device did the author use to develop the selection?

examples
cause and effect
a series of events
problem and solution

Which could be another title of the selection?

Different Causes of Heavy Rains
How Air Streams Affect Climate
Northwest and Southwest Monsoons
Hot and Cold Temperature in the Country
Ask the following questions.

Motivation: How would you react if there is a stranger in your

house?
Motive Question: In this selection, find out how organisms react if a
new organism came to their homes.
Teacher reads the title. The title of the selection is “Rcosystems.”

Now, read the selection.

Ecosystems consist of living and non-living organisms in an area.

These include plants, animals, microbes, and elements like soil,
water, and air. The living organisms depend on both living and
non-living aspects of an ecosystem.

An ecosystem can be as small as a puddle or as big as an

ocean. It is a very delicate balance, with these life forms sustaining
one another. Disruptions to an ecosystem may prove disastrous to
all its organisms.

When a new plant or animal is suddenly placed in an

ecosystem, it will surely compete with the original inhabitants for
resources. This stranger may even push out the natural
organisms, causing them to be extinct. The organisms that
depended on the extinct organisms will definitely be affected.

The balance in ecosystems have been unsettled by natural

disasters such as fires, floods, storms, and volcanic eruptions.

However, in recent years and ironically, in the name of progress,

human activity has affected many ecosystems around the world.

623
Listen to each question. Choose the letter of
the correct answer.
Which among the following is NOT a good description for an ecosystem?
animals and plants relying on each other to survive
a place where people are friendly to the environment
a biological community where organisms affect each other
a variety of living and non-living things in a particular area

Why is an ecosystem considered to be a delicate balance?

There are big ecosystems and small ecosystems that have to be
balanced.
Not all ecosystems weigh the same so their weight needs to
be distributed.
A change in an ecosystem can have tremendous effects on all
its organisms.
Different organisms always have equal importance in any given
ecosystem.

Which of the following is NOT one of the natural disasters that have
caused ecosystems to be unsettled?
fires
floods
storms
humans

Based on the selection, which of the following is true about human

progress and ecosystems?
Human progress sometimes causes ecosystems to suffer.
Human activity promotes the development of ecosystems.
Human activity helps find solutions to ecological problems.
Human progress causes different ecosystems to be progressive.

According to the selection, a new organism introduced in an ecosystem can

have an effect on an original inhabitant when _________________.
it fights with and eventually eats the original inhabitant
it consumes resources intended for the original inhabitant
it makes the original inhabitant feel strange in the ecosystem
it contributes to disasters that upset the balance in the system

624
 What should human beings do in order to maintain the balance in
different ecosystems?
Cut down a lot of trees so that there is more space for animals to live in.
Take corals from the sea so that fish would have more freedom to swim.
Plant more trees in order to replace those that have been cut down.
Catch a lot of tuna so that nothing will eat the mackerel or the small fish.

The diagram below shows an ocean ecosystem. The arrows point to the food
source of the succeeding organism. If a new organism is introduced into
the system and it eats the shrimplike creatures, how will this indirectly
affect the mackerel?
The mackerel will have no more shrimplike creatures to eat.
The mackerel will still be eaten by the tuna fish as it continues to
consume the small fish.
The mackerel will be eaten by the small fish which now has to look for a
new food source.
The mackerel might lose its food since without a food source, the small
fish could die.

Using the same diagram, which of the following statements is

FALSE?
The small fish depends solely on shrimplike creatures for food.
The tuna fish depends solely on the mackerel as its food source.
The large shark depends solely on the tuna fish as its food source.
The shrimplike creatures depend solely on one-celled life for food