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ESL Worksheets

Keeping a Reading Journal

As you read this chapter, make notes in response to what you read. You have a lot of freedom, but you must be responsible and write enough to show that you have read in an active, thoughtful way. This assignment will be graded.

You will probably mention:

• Emotions (e.g. Jinda’s and your own) – e.g. what do you think Jinda feels as the girl on the train speaks to her about Bangkok or as she steps off the train and sees Bangkok for the first time?
• Your thoughts – e.g. what do you think of Dao’s move to Chiengmai, or the hopes and dreams of the farmer on the train?
• Questions (what do you not fully understand, what would you like to know more about?)
• Things that surprise you
• The tone (atmosphere) of the writing – e.g. solemn, optimistic, anxious …
• Words/phrases you want to look up, ask about, later

You will probably find it easier to manage this task if you divide it into sections:

• BORING DAYS IN MAEKUNG
• THE TRAIN JOURNEY
• Conversation with girl
• Conversation with farmer
• ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK

Here is an example from someone else’s journal:

P.89/90 Depressed, hopeless atmosphere:

"no one sending her off, no money to buy any snacks with"; "not a drop of rain in three months"; "the parched land"; "a long, hard few months"; "blank and boring"; "empty and silent"; "dusty"

P.90 Letters show pp’s need for excitement (not much happens here) - dozens crowd around J. to hear each letter … PP are illiterate ... J. probably looking forward to love letters but glad they’re impersonal so she can translate them easily …

Frankie Meehan