Text interpretation activity, suitable for students in the seventh to ninth year of education fundamental, with exercises for reading and interpreting the text "Ana and Mia" which deals with disorders food.
This Portuguese language activity is available for download in an editable Word template, ready to print in PDF and also the completed activity.
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SCHOOL: DATE:
PROF: CLASS:
NAME:
Dear friends, what would I be without you? Who would I talk to here at home, in the building, at school? All the girls in the class only know how to repeat one thing: that I'm bad for my health, that I can't go on like this, that I'm going to end my life. But what do they know about my life?
When people look at me, I know it's to judge me, to pity me, to point the finger, to laugh softly behind my back and thank God for not being like that.
Nobody understands what I see when I look in the mirror. Ah, if I could, I would tear out all the mirrors in the house, the elevator, the building, the school! But since I can't, I close my eyes in front of them, like a vampire frightened by her own reflection.
Nobody feels what I feel when I look at my photos. Thank God there are few left, now that I've torn almost all of them, to my mother's despair. The other day I borrowed an album from Tatiana and stole all the photos where I appeared. Tati was pissed off with me, but what can I do? Next week I'm going to borrow an album from Ju and then I'm going to do the same thing.
Nobody imagines the dread I have of my own shadow. No ghost frightens me, no spirit torments me, but what fear my shadow makes me! I can barely look at her, plump, heavy, misshapen, clumsy, dowdy, like me. Respond, friends: why can't I be like Peter Pan, who lost his shadow? Why can't I be transparent?
When we meet at Ju's or Tati's house, the girls are admiring themselves in the mirror, commenting on how they are changing, becoming teenagers, becoming young women. All radiant. Except me, of course. I don't believe anyone can smile in a mirror like them. Spending months without stepping on the scale, like Ju. She looks at me with that pitying way and says, "But you're much thinner than me!" Really? Sometimes I don't even know what I believe anymore.
Last week, at Ju's house, I sneaked a sneak peek at her jeans and saw that the thug is a size 38. How can you, if mine is 36? Did she change the tag, just to deceive me? Are they all deceiving me? Is it a plot for me not to lose weight? To never see me slim?
And the boys? These are even worse. In the past, many used to flirt with me, looked me up and down, smiled at me. Lucas, really, was always sending me notes, asking me to go out, to go to the movies. He said I was beautiful, wanted to date me anyway. I'm glad I resisted, because at this point in the championship he would have already finished with me. Yeah, because now he doesn't even look at me anymore. Also, fat like that… what boy would want to flirt with me?
That's why I can't go crazy, I can't diet, I have to control every calorie, every little fat. Absolutely everything. Today I fully understand that food is my enemy. Enemy, yes! What else could I call? She never lifts me up, never relieves me, never comforts me, like you. She does everything to get my attention, to divert my thoughts from good things. But I guarantee you: she won't bring me down, oh, but she won't! Whenever I break down, lose control, commit any abuse, soon I find a way to compensate. But you know what, friends? I'm sure the body gets used to everything. Less and less calories, more and more gym, a small victory every day. Until finally, I'm sure, my body will learn not to miss food.
Deep down, it's not my fault, it's this world's fault. It is he who chases me, who tortures me, who turns my stomach, who makes me vomit. If the world were different, who knows, maybe I would need to run away from photos, shadows, mirrors?
If the world were different I wouldn't have to hear these disgusting words: anorexic! bulimic! Aren't they ashamed to cast such contempt on my body and soul?
Anorexia, bulimia. If they only knew you two like I do, if they knew your secrets, your intimacy, your nicknames… I always have you, Ana and Mia, to vent.
WEDGE, Leo. loose chronicles. Available in: http://www.cartacapital.com.br/carta-fundamental-arquivo/ana-e-mia
1) According to the text, who are Ana and Mia?
2) Why do the friends of the character in the text reprimand her saying that she is harming her health and that she is going to end her own life?
3) The character in the text reports that people look at her with what intention?
4) Why does the character want to tear out all the mirrors around her?
5) According to the text, the character is not afraid of ghosts and no spirit torments her more than her own shadow. Explain why?
6) Why does she say that food is the enemy?
7) According to the text, is the character really fat as she reports? Justify your answer with a passage of text?
8) The boys flirted, sent notes and asked the character in the story out. In your conception why has this changed?
9) Do you think this character needs treatment? Where should she go for help?
10) Explain why the character in the story has no name?
11) Do you know someone who goes through the same situation as the character in this story? What advice do you leave for people who suffer from these eating disorders?
By Rosiane Fernandes Silva – Graduated in Letters
At answers are in the link above the header.
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