Civics in Reading
What does the prefix "un" mean?
Not
What is a simile?
A comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as".
Define theme.
The life lesson or message from a story.
What is central idea?
The topic + point.
Define conflict.
The problem in a story.
Was segregation ended in Plessy v. Ferguson?
No, separate but "equal" was the ruling.
What is the meaning of the word unequal as used in the sentence below?
The parents said that racial segregation in unequal and violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment.
HINT: Not equal is not the answer.
A law or rule that is not applied the same way to everyone.
Why is the following answer not a theme:
Never eat at Sonnys BBQ on Highway 19N. You will become sick!
It is not universal
What is the central idea of the court case: Plessy v. Ferguson?
Answers will vary.
Define plot
The events that occur in a story.
What was the final ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson?
Segregation was allowed as long as the separate railroad cars were "equal".
Which amendment contains the equal protection clause?
14th
Explain the difference between theme and central idea.
Theme is a universal message or lesson that can be applied to the reader's life. In contrast, the central idea is an overall statement explaining what an entire text is about (topic + point).
How do authors develop or support a central idea?
-Key details
-Facts
-Examples
What is revealed during a story's exposition?
The characters and setting.
What power was given to the supreme court in Marbury v. Madison?
The power of judicial review (deciding whether laws or government actions are unconstitutional).
What is dramatic irony?
In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?" "I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same." "Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew.
What is the moral of this story?
C
Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner. It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.
What is the central idea of this paragraph?
Identify the dialogue in the excerpt below.
But Mama interrupted. “When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso. And you embarrass me and yourself. As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.” The child kept crying. Her face was so dirty that her tears washed clean streaks down her cheeks. Esperanza suddenly felt ashamed and the color rose in her face, but she still pushed the valise farther under the seat with her feet and turned her body away from Mama.
“When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso. And you embarrass me and yourself. As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.”
What is judicial review?
The supreme courts power to determine whether laws or government actions are unconstitutional.
How is suspense created in a story?
-Plot twist
-Different character perspectives
-Dramatic irony
-Withholding some information from the reader
Which detail from the excerpt helps you identify the story's theme?
A number of flies were attracted to a jar of honey which had been overturned in a housekeeper's room, and placing their feet in it, ate greedily. Their feet, however, became so smeared with the honey that they could not use their wings, nor release themselves, and were suffocated.
-Feet became smeared with honey.
-Could not use their wings...were suffocated.
Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood
What is the central idea of the passage?
1
Make an inference: What does the italicized text reveal about Esperanza's feelings?
But Mama interrupted. “When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso. And you embarrass me and yourself. As difficult as it is to accept, our lives are different now.” The child kept crying. Her face was so dirty that her tears washed clean streaks down her cheeks. The color rose in Esperanza's cheeks, but she still pushed the valise farther under the seat with her feet and turned her body away from Mama.
Answers will vary.
Esperanza is reflecting on her actions (not sharing the doll). She is beginning to feel ashamed for the way she judged and mistreated the other passangers on the train.