Meaning of Unknown Vocabulary & Phrases
“After the test, Lily felt a wave of relief wash over her.” What does the phrase “a wave of relief” mean?
It means Lily felt sudden comfort or release of stress. The metaphor compares her emotion to a wave, showing how strong and fast the feeling came.
In a story, we meet Maya, a girl who loves music. She lives in a small coastal town and dreams of becoming a violinist. What part of the story is this?
Setting and character introduction – this is part of the exposition.
Clue: Two short articles talk about the first moon landing in 1969.
Account 1: "As I stepped onto the surface of the moon, I felt both pride and fear. The silence was overwhelming." (Neil Armstrong's autobiography)
Account 2: "The 1969 moon landing was a technological breakthrough for the U.S. It involved years of scientific planning." (from a science textbook)
Which account shows a personal point of view?
What is Account 1 (the astronaut’s firsthand experience)?
"Recycling is one of the easiest ways for people to help the planet. When families recycle paper, plastic, and glass, it reduces the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. In many cities, recycling bins are picked up weekly, making it convenient for everyone to participate."What is the reason and what is the evidence the author uses to support the idea that recycling is easy?
Reason: Recycling helps the planet and is easy for families to do.
Evidence: Families can recycle common items, and pickup is weekly in many cities.
Passage A (Informational):
"Bees play a critical role in pollinating crops, helping farmers grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without bees, many plants would not be able to reproduce."
Passage B (Informational):
"In recent years, bee populations have declined due to pesticides and habitat loss. Scientists are working on ways to protect these vital pollinators."Question: What is one way the information in both passages could be integrated to better understand bees’ importance?
Bees are important for crops, and they’re in danger, so it’s crucial to protect them.
In the article, it says: “The explorer’s supplies dwindled as the days dragged on.” What does “dwindled” mean?
“Dwindled” means to gradually decrease in number or amount. Context clues show that the supplies were slowly running out.
Read this excerpt:"In 1851, the gold rush began. Then in 1852, thousands of miners moved west. By 1853, towns began to grow near mining sites."What type of text structure is used here?
Chronological order – the text presents events in the order they happened.
Clue:“I couldn’t believe I had forgotten my lines during the play. Everyone stared, and I wanted to disappear behind the curtain.”
What point of view is this written in? How does the narrator’s POV influence the description?
What is: First person; it shows the narrator’s personal thoughts and emotions.
"Schools should start later in the morning to help students succeed. Research shows that students who sleep longer perform better on tests and pay more attention in class. Many teens struggle to fall asleep early because of natural sleep patterns, making early wake-up times unhealthy."What is the reason and the evidence for the claim that schools should start later?
Reason: Students would do better if schools started later.
Evidence: Research links sleep to better test performance and attention; teens naturally fall asleep later.
Passage A (Fiction):"Tyler stepped onto the stage, heart pounding. He had never sung
in front of a crowd before. But as the music began, he took a deep breath and gave it his all."
Passage B (Fiction):
"Aria danced across the gym floor, each step filled with confidence. She had been performing since she was six and lived for moments like this."Question: How are Tyler and Aria’s experiences similar and different in their performances?
Both characters perform in front of others. Tyler is nervous, while Aria is confident.
Read: “She was meticulous in her work, checking every detail twice.” What does “meticulous” mean?
“Meticulous” means very careful and precise. The phrase “checking every detail” helps readers infer the meaning.
Read this excerpt:"Solar energy is clean and renewable, while coal energy is more harmful to the environment. Both are used to produce electricity."What structure is being used to organize this information?
Compare and contrast – it shows similarities and differences between solar and coal energy.
Clue: Two accounts talk about the Boston Tea Party.
Account 1: "On December 16, 1773, colonists boarded British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. This protest was in response to unfair taxes." (history textbook)
Account 2: "We crept aboard the ship dressed as Mohawk Indians. The salty wind bit at our faces as we heaved the crates into the water, fueled by a fierce sense of justice." (fictional diary of a colonist)
What is a key difference in how the event is presented?
What is: The textbook is objective and factual, the diary is dramatic and emotional from a participant's perspective?
"Walking dogs regularly is important for their health. Dogs who get daily exercise are less likely to develop joint problems and obesity. In addition, exercise helps dogs release energy, making them calmer at home and less likely to chew furniture or bark excessively."What is the author’s reason and what evidence supports it?
Reason: Regular walks are important for a dog’s health and behavior.
Evidence: Exercise prevents joint problems and obesity, and helps dogs stay calm and well-behaved.
Passage A (Informational):
"Volcanoes form when magma rises to the Earth's surface, often causing eruptions that reshape the land."
Passage B (Informational):
"Earthquakes are caused by sudden shifts in the Earth’s crust, releasing energy that shakes the ground."
What is one way the causes and effects of these natural disasters are alike and different?
Both are natural disasters caused by changes beneath the Earth's surface. Volcanoes involve magma, earthquakes involve shifting plates.
In a science text: “This discovery was a monumental leap in environmental research.” What does “monumental” mean in this context?
“Monumental” means extremely important or significant, especially in the context of a major advancement or discovery.
In a story, we meet Maya, a girl who loves music. She lives in a small coastal town and dreams of becoming a violinist. Maya is invited to audition for a music school, but her family can't afford the trip. Maya decides to secretly enter a contest to win money for the trip. She wins and surprises her family.After Maya wins the contest, her family is proud, and they all prepare for the big trip together. What is the climax of this story? What are the falling actions?
Climax: Maya decides to secretly enter a contest to win money for the trip. She wins and surprises her family.
Falling Actions: Maya wins the contest, her family is proud, and they all prepare for the big trip together.
Clue: Two writers discuss the Gold Rush.
Account 1: "The Gold Rush gave thousands of Americans the chance to improve their lives. It brought towns, railroads, and business growth to the West." (economic historian)
Account 2: "We dug for days with bleeding hands. Every glimmer of gold turned out to be fool’s gold. Some men gave up and left with nothing." (journal entry from a gold prospector)
What do these accounts reveal about differing viewpoints on the same event?
What is: One sees the Gold Rush as positive progress; the other reveals the hardship and disappointment many faced?
"Reading fiction improves empathy in young readers. A recent study found that students who read novels were better at understanding how others felt in different situations. Fictional stories often explore characters’ emotions, challenges, and relationships, which helps readers think from another’s perspective."Identify the reason and evidence the author gives.
Reason: Fiction builds empathy.
Evidence: A study found fiction readers better understood others' feelings; fiction explores emotions and relationships.
Passage A (Fiction – Fable):
"The lazy grasshopper laughed as the ant worked hard gathering food. But when winter came, the ant had plenty to eat while the grasshopper went hungry."
Passage B (Fiction – Fable):
"The turtle moved slowly, while the rabbit bragged about being the fastest. In the end, the turtle’s steady pace helped him win the race."Question: What is a theme both stories share, and how is it shown differently?
Shared theme: Hard work and persistence pay off.
Difference: The ant prepares early; the turtle stays steady.
Read: “The boy’s excuse was paper-thin, and the teacher wasn’t convinced.” What does “paper-thin” mean figuratively?
The idiom “paper-thin” means weak, unconvincing, or lacking substance. It emphasizes that his excuse was not believable.
Read this excerpt:"When water is heated, it evaporates. That water vapor then cools and condenses to form clouds. Eventually, it falls as precipitation."What structure is used here?
Cause and effect – it explains the water cycle by showing how one event leads to another.
Clue:“Emily didn’t know that her sister had already opened the gift. She tiptoed into the room, unaware of the surprise waiting for her.”
What point of view is this? What does the narrator know that Emily doesn’t?
Third Person POV
She doesn't know that the gift has already been opened
"Zoos play an important role in protecting endangered animals. Many zoos now participate in breeding programs that help increase animal populations. In some cases, animals born in captivity are later released into the wild to strengthen natural populations. Without these efforts, some species might have already disappeared."What is the reason and the evidence that support the idea that zoos help protect animals?
Reason: Zoos help protect endangered animals.
Evidence: Breeding programs increase populations; captive animals are released into the wild; without zoos, some species might be extinct.
Passage A (Informational):
"In the 1800s, many families traveled west by covered wagon in search of better opportunities. The journey was long and filled with dangers, like harsh weather and limited supplies."
Passage B (Diary Entry – Historical Fiction):
"April 12, 1851: We crossed another river today. The wagon wheel broke again. Mama says we must stay strong. I miss home, but I want to see the new land Papa promised."
Question: How do these passages work together to help readers understand westward expansion?
Passage A gives facts and background; Passage B shows emotions and personal struggles, helping readers understand both the risks and hopes of traveling west.