Extensive Reading – Library Skills Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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Extensive Reading – Library Skills (Grammar focus for Kenyan indigenous languages)
For learners age 13 in Kenya. These notes focus on grammatical matters you can study while doing extensive reading: mainly tense and aspect in an indigenous Kenyan language (examples in Kiswahili). Use reading to spot and practice grammar.
- Verb forms that show time (present, past, future) and aspect (completed, ongoing, habitual).
- Markers attached to verbs (subject prefixes, tense markers, aspect markers).
- Time words in the sentence (e.g., jana/leo/kesho) that help identify tense.
In Kiswahili many tenses are shown by a tense marker between the subject prefix and the verb root:
nina + kula → ninakula (I am eating / I eat)
li + kula → walikula (they ate) / nilikula (I ate)
ta + kula → nitakula (I will eat)
me + kula → nimekula (I have eaten)
Note: subject prefixes (ni-, u-, a-, tu-, m-, wa-) come before tense markers. Practice spotting these parts in sentences.
- Read one paragraph slowly and underline all verbs (or verb groups).
- Circle subject prefixes (e.g., ni-, u-, a-).
- Mark the tense marker (e.g., ni-na-, ni-li-, ni-ta-, ni-me-).
- Write margin notes: present / past / future / perfect.
- Check time words (leo, jana, kesho) to confirm tense choice.
Leo ninapika chakula kwa ajili ya familia. Jana nilipikanitapika
Quick answers to check:
- ninapika — present (ongoing)
- nilipika — past (completed)
- nitapika — future
Use this template to track how well you spot and understand tenses during extensive reading.
Past: ____
Future: ____
Perfect: ____
Sample entry: Date 05/04 — Title: Hadithi za Mtaani — Pages 5–10 — Present 6, Past 3, Future 2 — New forms: 'ameenda' = has gone; 'tunaona' = we see.
- Underline five verbs and write their tense beside them.
- Change one past-tense sentence into present and future by changing the tense marker.
- Find one sentence with a perfect form and explain what it shows (result/completed action).
Choose stories or short articles in Kiswahili or your local language. Start with short passages: it is easier to identify tense markers and practice forming new verb examples. Keep the reading log beside you.
End of notes — keep practicing by reading more texts and marking verb tenses. 📘✍️