ENG2601
Jan/Feb Supplementary PORTFOLIO 2026
Due Date: 22 January 2026
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED
The article titled Lack of books in SA’s homes throws spotlight on Pirls shock
addresses a critical educational and social challenge in South Africa, namely the
severe lack of reading material in homes with young children and its connection to
poor literacy outcomes. Published in BusinessLive and written by Tamar Kahn, a
Health and Science Correspondent, the text draws on recent research by Unicef and
the Department of Basic Education to highlight how early exposure to books and
storytelling is closely linked to children’s ability to read for meaning. The article
appears shortly after the release of the Progress in International Reading Literacy
Study results, which revealed that a large majority of Grade 4 learners in South
Africa struggle with basic reading comprehension. Through careful use of genre,
tone, audience awareness and register, the writer establishes a clear purpose, which
is to inform the public, raise concern, and encourage greater responsibility from
caregivers, government and educational stakeholders regarding early literacy
development.
The genre of the text is a newspaper report with strong elements of informational
and analytical journalism. As a news article, its primary function is to report factual
information based on credible research and expert commentary. This genre choice is
significant because it positions the text as reliable and grounded in evidence rather
than opinion. The writer presents statistics early in the article, stating that “there are
no books at all in 43% of SA households with young children, and just 16% of homes
contain more than five books.” This immediate presentation of numerical data is
typical of a news report and serves to establish the seriousness of the issue from the
outset. The genre allows the writer to synthesise findings from a national study,
reference international assessments such as Pirls, and include viewpoints from
multiple authoritative voices, including Unicef officials, government representatives,
academics and non profit organisations. By doing so, the article does more than
merely describe a problem. It contextualises it within broader educational outcomes
and policy debates. The genre therefore supports the purpose of creating public
awareness while also prompting reflection on systemic failures in early childhood
literacy.
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Jan/Feb Supplementary PORTFOLIO 2026
Due Date: 22 January 2026
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS PROVIDED
The article titled Lack of books in SA’s homes throws spotlight on Pirls shock
addresses a critical educational and social challenge in South Africa, namely the
severe lack of reading material in homes with young children and its connection to
poor literacy outcomes. Published in BusinessLive and written by Tamar Kahn, a
Health and Science Correspondent, the text draws on recent research by Unicef and
the Department of Basic Education to highlight how early exposure to books and
storytelling is closely linked to children’s ability to read for meaning. The article
appears shortly after the release of the Progress in International Reading Literacy
Study results, which revealed that a large majority of Grade 4 learners in South
Africa struggle with basic reading comprehension. Through careful use of genre,
tone, audience awareness and register, the writer establishes a clear purpose, which
is to inform the public, raise concern, and encourage greater responsibility from
caregivers, government and educational stakeholders regarding early literacy
development.
The genre of the text is a newspaper report with strong elements of informational
and analytical journalism. As a news article, its primary function is to report factual
information based on credible research and expert commentary. This genre choice is
significant because it positions the text as reliable and grounded in evidence rather
than opinion. The writer presents statistics early in the article, stating that “there are
no books at all in 43% of SA households with young children, and just 16% of homes
contain more than five books.” This immediate presentation of numerical data is
typical of a news report and serves to establish the seriousness of the issue from the
outset. The genre allows the writer to synthesise findings from a national study,
reference international assessments such as Pirls, and include viewpoints from
multiple authoritative voices, including Unicef officials, government representatives,
academics and non profit organisations. By doing so, the article does more than
merely describe a problem. It contextualises it within broader educational outcomes
and policy debates. The genre therefore supports the purpose of creating public
awareness while also prompting reflection on systemic failures in early childhood
literacy.
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
