Grade 6 Term 2 Biography Reading Comprehension Assessment

Michael Milton – Man of Speed

Have you ever tried to skip or run on only one leg? Most people would find it very difficult. Imagine then trying to ski down a steep slope with only one leg. Michael Milton does.

Michael was born in Canberra in 1973. He learnt to ski when he was three years old. When he was nine, he was diagnosed with a bone cancer and had surgery to amputate one of his legs. But that didn’t stop his drive and determination, and he was soon back skiing again.

After two decades of hard work, Michael achieved his most significant sporting achievement to date. It was at the 2002 Paralympics when he won all four men’s alpine skiing gold medals. That same year he was named the Laureus World Sportsperson of the year with a disability.

Always on the lookout for new challenges, and after retiring from Olympic skiing after the 2006 Paralympics, Michael turned to speed skiing. He still holds the Australian Speed Skiing Record at a little over 213km/h, set in 2006 – a unique feat.

In 2007, having won gold at the Australian championships, this time for track cycling, he was included in the team for the Beijing Summer Paralympics. Later that year he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which interrupted his preparation. Luckily Michael again beat cancer and went on to participate in the 2008 Games.

Michael doesn’t see having one leg as being an obstacle in life – he just sees it as a part of who he is. If he is an inspiration to others, he wants it to be for what he does and his fearlessness in testing the limits.

QUESTION 1: What type of text is this?

• Discussion

• Biography

• Autobiography

• Recount

Michael Milton – Man of Speed

Have you ever tried to skip or run on only one leg? Most people would find it very difficult. Imagine then trying to ski down a steep slope with only one leg. Michael Milton does.

Michael was born in Canberra in 1973. He learnt to ski when he was three years old. When he was nine, he was diagnosed with a bone cancer and had surgery to amputate one of his legs. But that didn’t stop his drive and determination, and he was soon back skiing again.

After two decades of hard work, Michael achieved his most significant sporting achievement to date. It was at the 2002 Paralympics when he won all four men’s alpine skiing gold medals. That same year he was named the Laureus World Sportsperson of the year with a disability.

Always on the lookout for new challenges, and after retiring from Olympic skiing after the 2006 Paralympics, Michael turned to speed skiing. He still holds the Australian Speed Skiing Record at a little over 213km/h, set in 2006 – a unique feat.

In 2007, having won gold at the Australian championships, this time for track cycling, he was included in the team for the Beijing Summer Paralympics. Later that year he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which interrupted his preparation. Luckily Michael again beat cancer and went on to participate in the 2008 Games.

Michael doesn’t see having one leg as being an obstacle in life – he just sees it as a part of who he is. If he is an inspiration to others, he wants it to be for what he does and his fearlessness in testing the limits.

QUESTION 2: Why does the text open with a question?

• It is a test

• The writer wants to know the answer

• To engage the audience

• The writer couldn't come up with anything else

Michael Milton – Man of Speed

Have you ever tried to skip or run on only one leg? Most people would find it very difficult. Imagine then trying to ski down a steep slope with only one leg. Michael Milton does.

Michael was born in Canberra in 1973. He learnt to ski when he was three years old. When he was nine, he was diagnosed with a bone cancer and had surgery to amputate one of his legs. But that didn’t stop his drive and determination, and he was soon back skiing again.

After two decades of hard work, Michael achieved his most significant sporting achievement to date. It was at the 2002 Paralympics when he won all four men’s alpine skiing gold medals. That same year he was named the Laureus World Sportsperson of the year with a disability.

Always on the lookout for new challenges, and after retiring from Olympic skiing after the 2006 Paralympics, Michael turned to speed skiing. He still holds the Australian Speed Skiing Record at a little over 213km/h, set in 2006 – a unique feat.

In 2007, having won gold at the Australian championships, this time for track cycling, he was included in the team for the Beijing Summer Paralympics. Later that year he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which interrupted his preparation. Luckily Michael again beat cancer and went on to participate in the 2008 Games.

Michael doesn’t see having one leg as being an obstacle in life – he just sees it as a part of who he is. If he is an inspiration to others, he wants it to be for what he does and his fearlessness in testing the limits.

QUESTION 1: The writer asks you to imagine skiing with only one leg. This:

• Creates empathy

• Paints a vivid image

• Introduces the topic

• All of the above

Michael Milton – Man of Speed

Have you ever tried to skip or run on only one leg? Most people would find it very difficult. Imagine then trying to ski down a steep slope with only one leg. Michael Milton does.

Michael was born in Canberra in 1973. He learnt to ski when he was three years old. When he was nine, he was diagnosed with a bone cancer and had surgery to amputate one of his legs. But that didn’t stop his drive and determination, and he was soon back skiing again.

After two decades of hard work, Michael achieved his most significant sporting achievement to date. It was at the 2002 Paralympics when he won all four men’s alpine skiing gold medals. That same year he was named the Laureus World Sportsperson of the year with a disability.

Always on the lookout for new challenges, and after retiring from Olympic skiing after the 2006 Paralympics, Michael turned to speed skiing. He still holds the Australian Speed Skiing Record at a little over 213km/h, set in 2006 – a unique feat.

In 2007, having won gold at the Australian championships, this time for track cycling, he was included in the team for the Beijing Summer Paralympics. Later that year he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which interrupted his preparation. Luckily Michael again beat cancer and went on to participate in the 2008 Games.

Michael doesn’t see having one leg as being an obstacle in life – he just sees it as a part of who he is. If he is an inspiration to others, he wants it to be for what he does and his fearlessness in testing the limits.

QUESTION 1: What does 'diagnosed' mean?

• Became ill

• An illness was identified

• Was treated for an illness

• An illness was cured

Michael Milton – Man of Speed

Have you ever tried to skip or run on only one leg? Most people would find it very difficult. Imagine then trying to ski down a steep slope with only one leg. Michael Milton does.

Michael was born in Canberra in 1973. He learnt to ski when he was three years old. When he was nine, he was diagnosed with a bone cancer and had surgery to amputate one of his legs. But that didn’t stop his drive and determination, and he was soon back skiing again.

After two decades of hard work, Michael achieved his most significant sporting achievement to date. It was at the 2002 Paralympics when he won all four men’s alpine skiing gold medals. That same year he was named the Laureus World Sportsperson of the year with a disability.

Always on the lookout for new challenges, and after retiring from Olympic skiing after the 2006 Paralympics, Michael turned to speed skiing. He still holds the Australian Speed Skiing Record at a little over 213km/h, set in 2006 – a unique feat.

In 2007, having won gold at the Australian championships, this time for track cycling, he was included in the team for the Beijing Summer Paralympics. Later that year he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which interrupted his preparation. Luckily Michael again beat cancer and went on to participate in the 2008 Games.

Michael doesn’t see having one leg as being an obstacle in life – he just sees it as a part of who he is. If he is an inspiration to others, he wants it to be for what he does and his fearlessness in testing the limits.

QUESTION 5: How old was Michael Milton when he had bone cancer?