Written Response
What are the three parts of a written response?
Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning
What is the best definition of textual evidence?
A. A summary of the entire text in your own words
B. A quote or detail from the text that supports an idea or answer
C. An opinion about the author's writing style
D. A list of all the characters or facts in a story or article
B. A quote or detail from the text that supports an idea or answer
What is the best definition of a main idea?
A. A short story about the author’s life
B. What the author likes most about the passage
C. The central point or message the author wants to communicate
D. A fun fact found in the first paragraph
C. The central point or message the author wants to communicate
The Sons of Liberty, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of colonists, instigated an unforgettable demonstration. They put their plan into action on the night of December 16, 1773.
What is the meaning of instigated as used in the passage?
Passage:
In many cities around the world, public parks provide a place for people to exercise, relax, and connect with nature. Studies show that access to green spaces improves mental health and community well-being. Parks also help clean the air and provide habitats for wildlife. Because of these benefits, many cities are working to create more parks and protect existing ones.
Question:
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Parks are important for health and the environment.
B. People should visit parks only on weekends.
C. Wildlife does not live in cities.
D. Cities don’t have enough parks.
A. Parks are important for health and the environment.
What is the purpose of reasoning?
It connects your evidence to your claim
What kind of evidence should you rule out in a multiple choice question?
- Unrelated Evidence
- Partially Correct Evidence
What is one of the steps toward finding the central idea?
1. Find the central topic
2. Summarize the main idea of each section
3. Combine the main ideas to create a central idea.
To define and trace the history of every single word in the English language—that was the ambitious goal of the Philological Society of London in 1857 when they set out to create what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary. In order to make the process of gathering information more efficient, the lead editor, James Murray, used crowdsourcing.
What is the meaning of ambitious as used in the passage?
At the beginning of the novel, Jamie is shy and hesitant to speak in class. Throughout the story, she meets new friends who encourage her to share her ideas and believe in herself. By the end, Jamie confidently gives a presentation and volunteers to help with a school project.
Question:
How does the author develop Jamie’s character?
A. By showing her quietness stays the same
B. By describing her growing confidence with support from friends
C. By focusing on other students in the class
D. By showing she struggles alone
B. By describing her growing confidence with support from friends
An opinion or statement that can be supported with reasons and evidence.
Claim
Bats are often misunderstood creatures. While many people believe they are blind, most bats actually have excellent vision. In fact, some species can see better at night than humans. Bats also use echolocation to navigate and hunt, sending out sound waves and listening for the echoes that bounce back.
Which detail best supports the idea that bats are more capable than people realize?
A. Bats are often misunderstood creatures.
B. Bats use echolocation to navigate and hunt.
C. Many people believe bats are blind.
D. Some bats can see better at night than humans.
D. Some bats can see better at night than humans.
Leo had never been good at math, but he kept practicing, even when he failed his first two quizzes. Instead of giving up, he stayed after school for tutoring and studied every night. By the end of the semester, he had raised his grade to a B+.
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Tutoring is the best way to improve your grades.
B. It’s better to try than to give up when things are hard.
C. Leo is better at reading than math.
D. School should be easier for students.
B. It’s better to try than to give up when things are hard.
Talia resolutely walked onto the stage, her hands shaking but her eyes focused. She had practiced this speech for weeks, and even though her heart pounded, she refused to let fear stop her. The crowd was silent, waiting, but Talia stood tall and began to speak with confidence.
What does the word "resolutely" most likely mean as used in the paragraph?
A. Nervously and without planning
B. Quickly and carelessly
C. Firmly and with determination
D. Slowly and without purpose
The hikers moved cautiously along the precipitous trail, aware of the steep drop just a few feet away. The narrow path wound along the side of the mountain, and one wrong step could lead to a dangerous fall.
Question:
What does the word precipitous most likely mean?
A. Gentle and easy
B. Very steep and dangerous
C. Wide and flat
D. Covered with trees
B. Very steep and dangerous
What sentence starter would you use to build a claim for the following question:
Read this sentence from the passage. How does the author support this argument in the passage?
The author supports this argument in the passage by...
Eli stared out the window as the rain poured down. The soccer game had been canceled, and his uniform still hung on the doorknob, untouched. His little sister tried to cheer him up, but he just shrugged and turned away.
What inference can you make about how Eli feels, and which evidence supports it?
A. He is relieved the game was canceled — "His little sister tried to cheer him up."
B. He is upset and disappointed — "His uniform still hung on the doorknob, untouched."
C. He is tired from playing — "Eli stared out the window."
D. He is excited about something — "The rain poured down."
B. He is upset and disappointed — "His uniform still hung on the doorknob, untouched."
What is the best definition of the word theme in literature?
A. The time and place where a story happens
B. The list of characters in a story
C. The problem a character faces
D. The lesson or message of the story
D. The lesson or message of the story
The saxophone has been around for about 170 years. While other instruments, such as drums, guitars, and flutes, have existed for thousands of years, the saxophone is a relative newcomer to the world of music. It was invented in the 1840s by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian musician and instrument maker, to address a disparity in tone across sections of the orchestra. Sax had noted that brass instruments frequently overpowered the woodwinds, creating an unevenness in sound and tone.
What is the meaning of relative as used in the passage?
The story is narrated by a young boy named Sam, who shares his excitement and fears about starting a new school. Because the story is told from Sam’s first-person perspective, readers get a clear understanding of his personal feelings and how he interprets events around him, such as meeting new classmates or facing challenges.
Question:
How does the point of view impact the story?
A. It shows readers only what Sam thinks and feels personally.
B. It allows readers to see the thoughts of many characters.
C. It provides a detailed description of the school building.
D. It tells the story from a teacher’s perspective.
A. It shows readers only what Sam thinks and feels personally.
What is a potential sentence starter for reasoning?
This shows
This evidence is important because
The evidence supports my claim because
During the Great Depression, many families lost their jobs and homes. People stood in long lines hoping for food, and children often had to drop out of school to help support their families. Government programs like the New Deal were created to provide jobs and rebuild the economy.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the Great Depression affected everyday life for children?
"Children often had to drop out of school to help support their families."
"Women stepped into roles in factories, shipyards, and offices."
Sax's solution was to create an instrument that would integrate aspects of the two orchestral sections. Namely, his new instrument, the saxophone, joined a brass-like body with a woodwind-like mouthpiece. It was suitable for both orchestras and military bands, making it a versatile choice for musicians and composers. The saxophone has grown in popularity over time and is now played around the world.
What is the meaning of versatile as used in the passage?
Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, home to thousands of marine species. They protect coastlines from storms and erosion by absorbing wave energy. However, coral reefs are threatened by pollution, rising ocean temperatures, and overfishing. Conservation efforts focus on reducing pollution and creating marine protected areas to help reefs recover and thrive.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Coral reefs provide habitats and protect coastlines but face serious threats.