Connotations and Context Clues
What does empty hives suggest in the passage?
Is the connotation positive, negative or neutral?
It suggests worry, loss, and urgency; it carries a negative connotation.
What is the main claim of the passage?
Pesticides are the main cause of bee deaths.
What is the author’s purpose in the passage?
To inform readers about the threat to bees and persuade them to help protect bees.
Why are bees important, based on the passage?
Bees pollinate crops and flowers, which affects food and plants.
What is the central idea of the passage in one sentence?
Pesticides are the main cause of bee deaths, but humans can take action to protect them.
The committee issued a terse statement after the heated board meeting.
The word "terse" has a positive, negative, or neutral connotation?
Negative connotation
Name two pieces of evidence that support the main claim.
1) Studies show colonies shrink faster in areas with heavy pesticide use, 2) Beekeepers report empty hives after spraying.
How does the author present a counterargument in the passage?
The author mentions climate change, diseases, and habitat loss as alternative explanations for bee deaths.
What can you infer about why beekeepers move hives to other areas?
To protect bees from pesticides and unsafe conditions.
Write a one-sentence central idea for the paragraph about climate and disease threats.
Other factors like climate change, disease, and habitat loss may also affect bee populations.
The scientist was persistent even though her experiments kept failing.
What is the definition of "persistent," and is the connotation positive, negative, or neutral?
Refusing to give up
Positive connotation
Identify a counterargument and how the author addresses it.
Counterargument: Climate change, disease, or habitat loss may threaten bees. Response: These factors overlap with pesticide exposure, making pesticides the most controllable threat.
Explain how the author responds to conflicting evidence about bee deaths.
The author notes that these factors often overlap with pesticide exposure, showing pesticides are the most controllable threat.
What inference can you make about the effect of pesticides compared to climate or disease?
Support with evidence.
Pesticides are a more controllable and direct threat; evidence: “Studies show that in areas with heavy pesticide use, bee colonies shrink faster” and “Beekeepers report finding empty hives…after fields were sprayed.”
Identify the central idea and two supporting details from the passage.
Central idea: Pesticides threaten bees. Supporting details: 1) Colonies shrink faster in areas with heavy pesticide use, 2) Beekeepers report empty hives after fields are sprayed.
She navigated the bureaucracy with steely resolve, calmly completing each form.
What is the meaning of "steely" and describe how the connotation affects the author's tone?
"Steely" means strong, firm, emotionally controlled.
The connotation is positive and suggests determination and inner strength in the face of something hard.
Evaluate the strength of the evidence presented for the main claim.
Evidence about pesticide-heavy areas shrinking colonies is strong because it is specific and observable; beekeeper reports provide real-world confirmation. Counterarguments are mentioned but less developed.
Evaluate whether the author fairly presents the counterarguments.
The author presents them briefly but acknowledges them; the handling is somewhat fair, but pesticides are emphasized as the strongest factor.
How can readers infer that humans have a role in protecting bees? Provide two pieces of textual evidence.
Evidence: 1) “Farmers are planting wildflowers to give bees safe food,” 2) “Citizens can help by avoiding pesticide sprays…planting bee-friendly flowers.” This shows humans can act to reduce harm.
Summarize the entire passage in 2–3 sentences focusing on central ideas and key details.
Bees are disappearing, and pesticides are the main cause of colony collapse. Other threats like climate change and disease exist but overlap with pesticides. Humans can help by reducing pesticide use and planting bee-friendly flowers.
The principal dismissed the proposal as untenable, explaining that it could not work under current school policies.
In this sentence, what is the meaning of "untenable" and is the connotation positive, negative or neutral?
Untenable means weak, flawed, or impossible to defend.
It has a negative connotation.
Delineate the full argument, evaluate reasoning and evidence, and note any irrelevant information.
Claim: Pesticides are the main threat. Supporting points: studies and beekeeper observations. Counterarguments: climate, disease, habitat loss, acknowledged and evaluated. Reasoning is sound, evidence mostly relevant and sufficient; no major irrelevant info, though some points about habitat loss could be elaborated.
Analyze how the author’s presentation of conflicting evidence affects credibility and persuasiveness.
Including other causes (climate, disease, habitat loss) makes the author more credible, while explaining why pesticides are the most controllable strengthens persuasiveness.
Infer why the author emphasizes pesticides over other threats and cite three textual details supporting this inference.
he author emphasizes pesticides because they are controllable and clearly linked to bee deaths. Evidence: 1) “Pesticides are the main cause of bee deaths,” 2) “Studies show…colonies shrink faster,” 3) “These factors often happen alongside pesticide exposure.”
Write a concise, objective summary suitable for a study guide that includes central idea and key supporting points.
Pesticides are the main threat to bee populations, as evidenced by studies and beekeeper reports. Other factors like climate change, disease, and habitat loss contribute but are less controllable. Solutions include planting wildflowers, moving hives, and avoiding harmful sprays.