Short Reading Exercises

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions below. 

     Many high school teachers and college professors in the United States complain that their students do not always follow the spelling and grammar rules of English when they communicate through email, cell phone text messages, and through social networking sites. Moreover, many teachers and professors lament that the “misspellings” and “bad grammar” in social networking communication are infiltrating and negatively affecting students’ writing at school. 

     However, can we fairly call these “misspellings” and “bad grammar” if so many people use these consistently and are able to communicate effectively with each other? Are these truly “errors”, or could they better be called “innovations”? Language is always changing, and the rules of spelling and grammar of English are simply being adapted to new styles of communication that have developed thanks to advancements in technology and the creativity of the people who use this technology. Rather than criticize, the “grammar police” need to learn more about and accept these new changes and allow students to use the English they know and use from social networking in their writing for school.

1. Which of the following best describes the mode of this passage?

a. expository             b. persuasive                c. narrative                   d. descriptive

2. Based on the context, which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “infiltrating” in the passage? 

a. appearing in          b. missing from             c. leaving                      d. filtering

3. It can be inferred from context that the author uses the term “grammar police” to refer to which of the following?

a. students                b. parents                    c. cell phones                d. teachers and professors