RANDFONTEIN HIGH SCHOOL

ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE

SBA TASK 1 – PREPARED READING

GRADE: 9 DATE: APRIL 2025

EXAMINER: MR SITOLE
MODERATOR: MS MOKONE MARKS:20

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Choose ONE of the following extracts and prepare practice for your prepared
reading task.

TEXT A: The Sunflower Field by Emily J. Miller

TEXT B: The Party by Lena Grayson
TEXT C: The Harmony of Hearts by Lena Grayson

Record a videoclip of yourself while reading the chosen text. When recording the
video, pay close attention to the following details:

 You should be in FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM.

 Remember to greet your teacher.
 Introduce yourself with your full name.
 Announce the title of the story you will be reading.
 Example of introduction, “Good day Mr Mkize. My name is Sibonelo Sibeko
and the story I have chosen to read is titled The Harmony of Hearts.”
 Change your tone, speed and facial expressions where appropriate.
 Use the rubric provided as a guideline.

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TRANSCRIPT INSTRUCTIONS
 Use an A3 paper
 The cover page should include: your name and surname; grade and class; task
number and title; title of the text you have chosen to read; and your educators name.
 Your transcript should include: your chosen story, the authors name, characters, main
idea, what you liked about the text and what you did not like about the text.
 Use the example below as a guideline:

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TEXT A
The Sunflower Field - Emily J. Miller

As the sun rose over the small village of Willow Creek, a young girl named Maria made her
way to the sunflower field. She had been working in the field since dawn, day after day, for
what felt like an eternity. Her back ached, her hands were raw, and her feet were sore, but
she didn't let that stop her.

Maria's family had always struggled to make ends meet. Her father had passed away when
she was just a child, and her mother worked multiple jobs to provide for their small family.
However, Maria was determined to make a better life for herself and her loved ones.

She had planted the sunflower seeds herself, nurturing them with care and attention. She had
spent countless hours watering, pruning, and protecting the delicate blooms from the harsh
weather. And now, as the sunflowers towered above her, their bright yellow petals shining like
miniature suns, Maria felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.

As she worked, Maria's thoughts turned to her mother, who had always encouraged her to
work hard and never give up. She remembered the countless times her mother had come
home exhausted, only to start dinner and help Maria with her homework. Maria knew that she
owed it to her mother to make a better life for herself.

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. Maria's hard work began to
pay off. The sunflowers bloomed, and people came from all around to admire their beauty.
Maria sold the sunflowers at the market, earning enough money to support her family and
even save some for college.

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TEXT B
The Party - Lena Grayson

Alex had been looking forward to the party all week. She had spent hours deciding what to
wear, finally settling on a pair of comfortable jeans and a bright yellow t-shirt. But as she met
up with her friends Rachel and Mike, she felt a surge of pressure to conform. Rachel, who
was always fashionably dressed, teased her about her outfit, saying she needed to "make a
statement."

"I don't know, Rach, I'm just not feeling the whole dressy thing tonight," Alex replied, trying to
brush off the comment. But Rachel wouldn't let up. "Come on, Alex, it's a party! You need to
dress the part." Mike, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up. "Hey, Rach,
lay off. Alex looks fine." But Rachel just rolled her eyes and dragged Alex to the nearest store
to buy a revealing dress and heels.

As they arrived at the party, Alex felt like a completely different person. The dress made her
feel exposed and vulnerable, and the heels made her feet ache. She looked around at the
crowded room, feeling disoriented and unsure. The music was loud, and the lights were
flashing, making it hard for her to focus. She began to wonder how she had ended up here,
and why she had let Rachel talk her into something that made her so uncomfortable.

Just as Alex was starting to feel like she was going to collapse from anxiety, Mike appeared
by her side. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the music. Alex nodded,
feeling a lump form in her throat. Mike looked at her with concern. "Do you want to get out of
here?" he asked. Alex felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Yes, I want to leave," she said,
feeling a sense of empowerment wash over her. As they walked away from the party, Alex
realized she had learned a valuable lesson about the dangers of peer pressure.

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TEXT C

The Harmony of Hearts - Ava Winters

Emily had always felt like an outsider in her high school. She was shy and introverted, and
making friends didn't come easily. She would often eat lunch alone, sitting at an empty table
in the cafeteria, watching as others laughed and chatted with their friends. But everything
changed when she met Sarah and Matt on the first day of her junior year. They were outgoing
and friendly, and they immediately took Emily under their wing.

As they spent more time together, Emily felt seen and heard in a way she never had before.
Sarah and Matt accepted her for who she was, without trying to change her or judge her.
They celebrated her quirks and passions and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Emily
found herself drawn to their kindness, empathy, and generosity. She loved how Sarah always
knew how to make her laugh, and how Matt always knew how to listen.

Together, the three of them navigated the ups and downs of high school. They studied for
exams, went to the movies, and even started a book club. They explored their town, trying
new restaurants and visiting new places. When Emily's parents got divorced, Sarah and Matt
were there for her, offering words of encouragement and comfort. They sat with her, listening
to her cry, and reminding her that she was not alone.

In that moment, Emily realized just how beautiful genuine friendships could be. She knew that
she could always count on Sarah and Matt to be there for her, no matter what. They had
shown her that true friends could be a source of strength, comfort, and joy. As they went their
separate ways after graduation, Emily knew their friendship would endure. They had formed a
bond based on mutual love, respect, and trust. Emily was grateful for the gift of their
friendship and knew she would cherish it forever.

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