Text Structure
Context Clues
Author's Purpose
Infer/Inference
Grab Bag
100

Seahorses have unique body structures.  They have what is called a prehensile tail.  This allows them to grip onto the sea grasses and other weeds as they are feeding and not be washed away in the current. They can grow fleshy appendages called cirri on their bodies that look like seaweed. This allows them to camouflage themselves. Seahorses also have long snouts that allow them to probe into tiny cracks to find food.

What is description?

100

Mr. Griffin was very impressed with my essay. He said it was the best he'd ever read.

What does impressed mean?

proud; thought it was very good; pleased, very happy with

100

A TV commercial advertising a new cereal.

What is persuade?

100

Jake and Tim sat quietly next to each other, each thinking his own thoughts.  Suddenly, the pole Jake was holding loosely in his hands jerked so hard he nearly dropped it. 

"You got one!" exclaimed Tim. "Reel him in slowly."

What are Jake and Tim doing and how do you know?

Fishing because it said "reel him in slowly" and pole.

100

You will be surprised what studying can do for you.  Do you want to score better on your next test? Try studying for 15 minutes each night before the test and see your score increase.

What is the point of view of the text and how do you know?

second person point of view

"you/your"

200

People have been fascinated with seahorses since their discovery. This has led to the dilemma of seahorses being hunted and sold as pets.  Unfortunately, seahorses are very sensitive to their environment. They are sensitive to light and sound and can be startled by a simple tap on the glass.  They also have trouble eating their normal food of shrimp in an enclosed area.  To solve this, owners will try other types of food, but sometimes can make them ill. Seahorses are also prone to diseases. As a result of these problems, less than 10 out of a thousand seahorses will survive living in an aquarium. 

What is problem and solution?

200

The upcoming test is making me very anxious.  I am worried that I might not pass. 

What does anxious mean?

nervous, worried

200

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

What is entertain?

200

Mom was making a sour face as she handed the baby to Dad and said, "Your turn. I did it last time."  Dad took the baby and headed off to the nursery.

What will Dad do next and how do you know?

Dad will change the baby's diaper because it's a stinky baby and Mom said it was his turn. 

200

What should you eliminate when you are figuring out the point of view of the text and why?

Eliminate the dialogue because it will "mess you up"

300

King penguins and Adelie penguins are similar, but also have their differences.  Both are found all over the southern hemisphere and come in a variety of different color patterns and sizes. Both eat krill and are excellent swimmers. King penguins can grow up to 38 pounds and have beautiful orange and yellow coloring, while Adelie penguins usually weigh less than 12 pounds and are primarily black and white. 

What is compare and contrast?

300

There should be a law to ban cellphones at the dinner table. 

What does ban mean?

not allow, prohibit

300

Crocodiles are the biggest reptiles on Earth and can be found on every continent with the exception of Europe. They are closely related to dinosaurs and birds. Ever heard of "crocodile tears"? Crocs do cry. When they eat they swallow too much air which irritates their tear ducts making them cry. 

What is inform?

300

Jenna was lying outside in the sun. She knew she should put some sunscreen on, but the sun felt so good on her back that she did not want to move.  Within three minutes Jenna had fallen asleep.

What will most likely happen to Jenna?

Jenna will get a sunburn. 

300

Who is telling the story if it is written in third person point of view?

a narrator

400

Chewing gum has a long history. Native Americans used to chew the sap from trees, and they passed the habit to the settlers. Then the settlers added beeswax to make chewing gum. In 1848, John B. Curtis made and sold the first chewing gum. In 1871, Thomas Adams patented a machine to make gum. In 1914, the Wrigley Doublemint company was formed. In 1928, Walter Diemer invented the pink Double Bubble bubble gum. Today, millions of pieces of gum are sold each day. 

What is chronological/ sequence?

400

In 1886 France gave the Statue of Liberty and the pedestal it rests on to the United State as a gift.

What is a pedestal?

a stand 

400

"Who Was Steve Irwin?" by Dina Anastasio

What is inform?

400

Carl picked himself up off the pavement and checked himself over for injuries.  No blood, and nothing seemed to be broken.  Good thing he was wearing his pads and helmet.  He walked over to the skateboard that was laying upside down a few feet away, popped it right-side up with his foot and rode away.

Why was Carl on the pavement and how do you know?

Carl fell off his skateboard because it was on the ground and he checked himself for injuires. 

400

Simon and Sam turned to look around the corner of the building to see the monster climbing the side of an apartment building.  The boys thought they were doomed until they saw their friend Joe speeding down the street in his pickup truck ready to rescue them. 

What is the point of view and how do you know?

third person narrator

- said character names and "the boys" "their"

500

Drinking water is very important.  Each person should have at least 64 ounces of water each day to stay hydrated.  The amount of water we need depends on our activity level; the more active we are the more water we need.  Not drinking enough water can have serious health risks, including: headache, dizziness, dry skin, muscle cramps and even heart problems.  Make sure that you are drinking water everyday to stay healthy. 

What is cause and effect?

500

I was envious of my friend when her parents bought her a new car for her birthday, when all I got was a $25 gift card. 

What does envious mean?

jealous

500

Recycling is so easy. There are so many ways that you are able to help the environment by recycling.  You can recycle paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and steel. There are recycling bins located all over town.  Help the Earth and recycle today! 

What is persuade?

500

Mom made sandwiches and put them into the basket, along with some fruit and chips. Dad grabbed the big checkered blanket and Robby got the Frisbee.  Then the whole family piled into the car and headed out.

What is the family doing and how do you know?

They are going on a picnic- sandwiches and food in basket and a Frisbee. 

500

Alex got a new pack of crayons for her birthday.  She took her new crayons and some paper into the back yard to draw pictures under the large oak tree. Alex drew for a little while until her mom called her in to eat lunch.  Alex ran into the house leaving her crayons on the ground.  After lunch Alex decided to take a nap and watch some tv.  Before dinner Alex wanted to color a picture for her dad when she remembered that the crayons were outside.  When Alex found the crayons they were just a colorful puddle of wax. 

What is the theme of this selection?

- take care of your things

-put your things away

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