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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter discusses overview of reading ability, overview of Descriptive text, overview of Numbered Heads Together NHT technique, and
review of previous study.
A. Overview of Reading Ability
Reading ability or it is usually called as reading skill, is one part of language skill that must be mastered by language learners. Because the absent
of the skill can influence bad effect towards the development of learning language itself.
a. Understanding of Reading Ability
Reading is one of the basic skills in learning language. There are numerous definitions of reading. Browne 1998 defines reading as subtle
and complex process which involves a relationship between the text and the reader. Alderson 2000 defines process of reading as interaction
between reader and text. Meanwhile according to Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 2008, reading is defined as the skill or activity of
getting information from books or written text. Based on the definitions ab
ove, it can be concluded that reading is reader’s activity in getting information from book or written text. In getting information from book or
written text is cannot be separated from an understanding about the content of the book or the written text.
While the term ability is defined as skill or power Oxford Learner’s Pocket Dictionary, 2008. It means that ‘ability’ is the synonym
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of ‘skill’. Moreover, ability is defined as the physical or mental power or skill that is needed to do some
thing Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary :2008. From the explanations, it can be concluded that ability is
skill of people that is needed to do something such us to do writing or reading.
Reading is reader’s activity to get understanding of information from book or written text. While ability is skill of people that is needed to
do something such us to do writing, or reading. Therefore, in here, reading ability is defined as ability or skill of people that is needed to get
understanding of information from book or written text. Moreover, Mahfoodh cited in Divina and Floris 2009 states that having good reading
skill or proficiency means that the reader has abilities to understand written statements or any type of written texts accurately and efficiently.
b. Purpose of Reading
According to Rivers and Temperley cited in Nunan 1989, second learners will want to read because of the following purpose: to get
information for several purposes or because readers are curious about some topics, to get instructions on how to perform some tasks for our work or
daily life, to act in play, ply a game such as do a puzzle, to keep in touch with friends by writing or to understand business letters, to know where or
when something will takes place or what is available, to know what is happening or has happened newspapers, magazines, etc., and to
enjoyment or excitement.
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c. Model of Reading Text
