Vocabulary
What does it mean to summarize something?
To give a shortened version of the text in your own words.
Which answer best identifies the main idea of a short paragraph?
(A) A small detail from the middle
(B) The main point the author wants readers to know
(C) The last sentence only
(D) The title of the passage
(B) The main point the author wants readers to know
Provide textual evidence?
You must use quoted material from the text.
"The committee issued a succinct report after the meeting."
What does "succinct" most likely mean?
(A) Confusing
(B) Wordy
(C) Brief and clear
(D) Colorful
(C) Brief and clear
When a question asks "What does the author imply?" you should look for this type of clue that is not directly stated but suggested by details in the text.
What is an inference?
What does it mean to analyze something?
To come to a conclusion from the text. (CER: Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning).
Which choice shows correct use of a semicolon?
(A) I like apples; and I like bananas.
(B) I studied hard; therefore, I did well on the test.
(C) She runs fast; but she is tired.
(D) It's raining; bring umbrella.
(B) I studied hard; therefore, I did well on the test.
Summarize something?
You write it in your own words, shorter than the original.
A short paragraph describes a community garden and ends by encouraging readers to join volunteer days.
The author's purpose is most likely to:
(A) Entertain readers with a story
(B) Persuade readers to participate
(C) Explain the history of gardening
(D) Compare different plants
(B) Persuade readers to participate
Before answering a reading comprehension question, you should do this to find evidence in the passage.
Skim or scan for keywords
OR
Highlight or underline the text
What does it mean to infer something?
To be a detective: Form a conclusion or opinion from clues in the text.
Which sentence shows a correct inference?
(A) The grass is wet, so it must have rained earlier.
(B) The grass is wet, so someone watered it—always.
(C) The grass is wet, so there was a flood.
(D) The grass is wet; therefore, school is canceled.
(A) The grass is wet, so it must have rained earlier.
Evaluate a Response?
Decide whether it answers the question or responds to the text correctly.
"Jamal tightened his scarf and watched the frost bloom on the window. He left his backpack by the door and stood very still."
What can you infer about Jamal?
(A) He is preparing to go outside into cold weather.
(B) He has just finished a warm meal.
(C) He is learning to draw frost patterns.
(D) He is cleaning the window.
(A) He is preparing to go outside into cold weather.
The CAASPP often asks you to support answers with text. Name two ways you can show evidence from the passage.
What are quoting directly and paraphrasing with page/line reference?
What does it mean to evaluate something?
You are given information and must tell me: is it true? False? Well-supported? Reputable?
Which choice best provides strong textual evidence to support an answer about a passage?
(A) A sentence from the passage quoted with the line or paragraph number and a brief explanation
(B) A paraphrase without reference to location
(C) A personal opinion not in the text
(D) An unrelated fact
(A) A sentence from the passage quoted with the line or paragraph number and a brief explanation
Analyze a text?
Draw a conclusion from the text, then respond in a CER sentence set or paragraph.
Claim: "The narrator feels lonely in the story." Which piece of evidence best supports this claim?
(A) The narrator describes many noisy parties.
(B) The narrator says, "I waited at the bus stop until the city lights blurred and no one said hello."
(C) The narrator lists items in a suitcase.
(D) The narrator mentions the color of the sky.
(B) The narrator says, "I waited at the bus stop until the city lights blurred and no one said hello."
This word means the same as another word in the sentence and can help you figure out the meaning of an unknown word. It is often called a clue word nearby.
What is a context clue?
What does it mean to synthesize something?
You must take information from 2 or more sources and combine them to make sense of a topic.
Which revision most improves clarity and tone in formal essay writing?
(A) Replace biased, informal words with neutral academic language and vary sentence structure
(B) Add slang to make it sound friendly
(C) Repeat the same word to emphasize
(D) Remove topic sentences
(A) Replace biased, informal words with neutral academic language and vary sentence structure
Determine an author's tone?
Look at the word choice, sentence length, and details--ask whether the language sounds proud, sad, humorous, or neutral.
"The river whispered secrets to the stones."
What is the author using, and what effect does it create?
(A) Hyperbole; it makes the river seem larger than life.
(B) Personification; it gives the river human-like qualities and creates a quiet, intimate mood.
(C) Simile; it compares the river directly to stones.
(D) Onomatopoeia; it imitates the sound of water.
(B) Personification; it gives the river human-like qualities and creates a quiet, intimate mood.
Read this prompt: "Explain how the author’s choice of words in paragraph 4 affects the tone of the passage."
Describe the steps you would use to answer fully (include at least three steps).
What is: 1) Identify important word choices or phrases in paragraph 4;
2) Define or explain their connotations;
3) Describe how those words influence the tone (mood/attitude);
4) Give a short quote or paraphrase as evidence;
5) Connect evidence to the overall effect on the passage.)