Academic Vocabulary
What is it called when a reader uses the words and sentences around an unknown word to decide its meaning.
Context Clues
A reader briefly retells the most important events of a story in a few sentences. Name this skill.
Summarize
Words around a photograph that describe what it is or what is happening are called what?
Captions
The main statement an author wants readers to accept (what the author is trying to prove).
Claim
The part of a story that introduces characters, setting, and background information at the start.
Plot
Use the surrounding words in this sentence to choose a meaning:
“After the storm, the beach was littered with debris.” Which meaning of debris is correct:
(A) helpful tools, (B) broken pieces/trash,(C) calm water(D) shining shells?
(B) broken pieces/trash. Skill- using context clues
A reader uses clues to figure out information that is not directly stated by combining clues from a text or situation with your own background knowledge.
Infer
1. A student is reading an article about hurricanes. She wants to quickly find information about how hurricanes form.
Which text feature would help her locate this information fastest?
A. Glossary
B. Table of Contents
C. Heading titled How Hurricanes Form
D. Caption under a picture
C. Heading titled How Hurricanes Form
Reasons or facts an author gives to support a claim are called this.
Evidence
The most exciting, intense, or important point in a story, play, or movie, acting as the turning point where the main character faces their biggest challenge.
Climax
A word’s feeling or emotional color (for example, “childlike” sounds kinder than “childish”). Name this term.
Connotation
A reader decides what the author most wants the reader to understand about a topic (the main point)
Central idea (or Main Idea)
A drawing that shows how something works, how parts fit together, or how ideas relate to each other is know as (e.g., "The Water Cycle").
Diagram
A different viewpoint or opinion that others may have that go against the main argument in an essay is called what?
Alternative Perspective
The narrator’s perspective (for example, using “I” or “he/she”) that affects how the story is told.
Point of View
Read the sentence: “The old, abandoned house on the hill looked gaunt and spooky against the night sky.” Does “gaunt” have a positive, neutral, or negative connotation? Explain in one sentence.
Negative Connotation
The overall message, lesson, or moral a reader extracts from a story (often not directly stated). Name this literary term.
Theme
A map in a science article shows where earthquakes happen most often.
What is the main purpose of including this map?
A. To explain the definition of earthquakes
B. To show where earthquakes are located
C. To give directions to a volcano
D. To provide a timeline of events
B. To show where earthquakes are located
“Homework is good because it improves grades.” Identify whether this sentence is a claim, evidence, or an Alternative perspective,
Claim
What does a Flashback do to a story's sequence?
It interrupts the sequence to show an earlier event
A short passage ends with: “Because the tests showed improvement, the committee changed the policy.” Decide whether that sentence is a claim, evidence, or conclusion; justify your choice.
Conclusion
A short phrase that shows a writer’s attitude toward the subject (e.g., sarcastic, respectful) is called what?
Tone
What text feature is used to help you understand the chronological order of events in books such as your history textbook?
Timeline
A person's one-sided view or preference that affects how information is presented; readers look for this when evaluating sources. What is this term?
Bias
Identify the type of conflict: “A student wants to join the team but fears failing the tryouts.” Internal or external?
Internal Conflict