Portal Stage 4 Comprehension PDF

STAGE 4 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Letter Dear Governor Mason, Portal The portal opened today. As you are aware, we have been trying to w...

STAGE 4 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Letter Dear Governor Mason, Portal The portal opened today. As you are aware, we have been trying to work out what will trigger it for months now. We believe that we have finally cracked the code. The message inscribed on the out rim appears to have been written in an ancient language similar to Ancient Egyptian. The hieroglyphs are similar, but not identical, and it took us some time to translate them. Doctor Evangeline O’Hare has been a significant help to us. Her knowledge of ancient script is second to none. It’s not going too far to say that, without her input, we would likely never have cracked it. When translated, the message reads “From within the circle of lightning, step forth Osiris and his guardians of Duat”. At the moment, we are trying to work out what this might mean. Doctor O’Hare has told us that Duat was the Ancient Egyptian underworld, ruled over by Osiris. She believes that this may well be a gateway to the underworld itself. I am not so sure. The young apprentice, Hudson, discovered a concealed brass circle on the rear side of the stone ring, today. He made the mistake of touching it before reporting it. I’m afraid to say that it activated some sort of internal mechanism. Within seconds, the air inside the ring began to glow. There appears to be another ring, made of brass or copper, inside the one made of stone. Almost as soon as the air started to glow, the metal ring began to spin. It hasn’t stopped since; instead, it has sped up considerably. The air in the hanger is now too hot for us to enter, and we are forced to wait until tomorrow to see if it cools down. The boy has been removed from his duties. I must admit to being concerned about this new development. My office looks out over the hanger, and I can see through the open doors that the machine isn’t slowing down at all. In fact, the glowing light now appears to be twisting and forming the shape of thousands of men. My sincerest apologies, Governor, but I must leave at this point. Something is coming through the portal, and it is important that I try to stop whatever it is. If you don’t hear from me shortly, please send help. Yours sincerely, Doctor Whitehouse all resources ©2021 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com  VOCABULARY FOCUS 1. Find and copy a word that tells you the message has been carved or cut into the portal. 2. What does the phrase “significant help” tell you about Doctor O’Hare? 3. Find and copy a word from the text that is a synonym for “hidden”. 4. What does the word “internal” mean in this context? 5. Which word tells you that the author is worried about what is happening? VIPERS QUESTIONS R What was the name of the Ancient Egyptian underworld? S What happened when the apprentice touched the brass circle? R Who wrote the letter? S How can the author see what is happening? I Why does the author leave so suddenly? all resources ©2021 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com