Reading Literature
Which part of a story describes the time and place where events occur?
Setting
What is the primary purpose of an informational text (choose from: to entertain, to inform, to persuade)?
To inform.
What is a synonym? Give an example.
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning of another word. (Ex. happy, joyful, elated)
What is a topic sentence? Explain.
A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph.
What is a simile? Give an example.
A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Her smile was bright like the sun.
What is the main problem in a story called? Give all four types of conflicts.
Conflict: Character vs. Character, Character vs. Nature, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society
Name two signal words that indicate cause and effect relationships in a paragraph.
Cause: because, since, due to, if, and when.
Effect: so, therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, and then.
What is a prefix and give an example.
A prefix is a group of letters added to the start of a word to change its meaning. Example: 'un-' in 'unhappy' means 'not'.
Name the four items that need to be included in a basic paragraph.
Claim, evidence, explanation, conclusion. Topic sentence (introduces main idea), supporting sentences (give details, examples, and evidence), concluding sentence (wraps up or restates the main idea).
What is personification? Give an example.
Personification gives human traits to non-human things. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.
Identify the point of view when the narrator uses "I" and tells their own experiences.
First person point-of-view
What does it mean to evaluate the credibility of a source?
Evaluating credibility means checking if a source is trustworthy and accurate.
What is connotation? How does it differ from denotation?
Denotation is the literal dictionary meaning; connotation is the emotional or cultural association. Example: 'slim' and 'skinny' have similar denotations (thin) but 'slim' has a positive connotation while 'skinny' can be negative.
What is the difference between persuasive and explanatory (informative) writing?
Persuasive writing aims to convince the reader, while informative writing explains or teaches about a topic.
Define irony (verbal, situational, or dramatic — choose one and give an example)
Verbal irony — "When someone says the opposite of what they mean (e.g., saying 'Great!' when something bad happens)." Situational irony — "When the outcome is the opposite of what is expected (e.g., a fire station burns down)." Dramatic irony — "When the audience knows something a character does not (in a play, the audience knows the villain's plan).
How does a theme differ from the plot of a story? Give an example of theme. Give an example of a plot.
Theme is the central message or insight about life (e.g., 'honesty matters'), while plot is the sequence of events (e.g., 'A character hides a mistake, faces consequences, then confesses').
A text includes headings, a table of contents, and captions. What are these features called and how do they help the reader?
Text Feature. Headings — Help the reader find main topics quickly. Table of contents — Shows organization and where to find chapters. Captions — Explain images or figures and provide quick facts.
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the italicized word in this sentence.
The ancient ruins were remarkably preserved, unlike other sites that had completely deteriorated.
What does it mean to include "text evidence" in writing? Give one example of a sentence starter that introduces a quote from a source.
Including text evidence means using quotes, paraphrases, or references from the text to support a claim." Example introductory sentence: "According to the author, '...'." or "The article states that '...
Identify the effect of using a metaphor in a sentence: how does it change the reader's understanding?
A metaphor directly compares two things without 'like' or 'as', which can create a stronger image or suggest a deeper similarity that changes the reader's understanding." Example sentence: "Time is a thief." Explanation: "This suggests time stealthily takes things away, emphasizing loss and the passing of opportunities.
Read this brief excerpt. What is the author's implicit theme here? Provide two text details that support your answer.
Mateo hated running, but he signed up for the summer cross‑country meet because he wanted to be someone who didn’t quit. The first week was brutal: he woke at six, his legs felt heavy, and he wanted to stop every day. Still, he showed up, took notes after each practice—“knees higher, breathe steady”—and kept doing the small things no one saw.
On race day, when his lungs burned and a faster runner passed him, Mateo remembered those tiny choices and kept moving: one step, one breath, one promise kept. He crossed the finish line exhausted and proud; it didn’t matter if he won. The clear lesson stayed with him—hard work and persistence pay off—and from then on, whenever things got hard, he woke up, laced his shoes, and pushed through.
Theme(s): Never give up; Keep going; Always push through.
Read this short passage. What is the central idea of the passage? Cite two pieces of evidence from the text.
Regular physical activity helps the body stay strong and healthy by improving cardiovascular fitness, building muscle strength, and supporting healthy bones. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, or team sports raise the heart rate, which strengthens the heart and lungs and can lower the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercise also helps control weight, increases flexibility and balance, and boosts energy levels, making everyday tasks easier and reducing the chance of injury.
In addition to physical benefits, exercise has important effects on mental health. Moderate, consistent activity releases chemicals in the brain that reduce stress and lift mood, helping to prevent or lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression. Regular routines of movement also improve sleep quality and concentration, which can lead to better performance at school or work. For lasting benefits, experts recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity most days for children and adolescents and at least 150 minutes per week for adults.
Central idea: Regular physical activity improves both physical health and mental well-being.
Choose a multisyllabic academic word: analyze. Break it into root and affixes and explain how those parts help determine meaning.
Break into root/affixes: "an- (Greek prefix meaning 'up' or 'again' sometimes), 'lyz'/'lyze' (root from Greek 'lysis' meaning 'to loosen' or 'break apart'), '-e' (ending). Together 'analyze' means to break something down to examine its parts.
Write a brief (2–3 sentence) claim in response to this prompt (teacher provides). Then list two pieces of evidence you would use to support it.
Prompt: Should schools require uniforms?
School uniforms can improve student focus by reducing distractions related to clothing choices and social comparison. When students wear similar attire, less class time is spent on judging outfits or deciding what to wear each morning, which helps shift attention back to lessons and learning tasks. Uniforms also simplify routines and reduce decision fatigue, so students arrive at school mentally prepared to engage rather than preoccupied with appearance.
Uniform policies can strengthen a sense of belonging and school identity, which supports a focused learning environment. Wearing the same colors or logo reminds students they are part of a shared community, encouraging cooperative behavior and respect for school norms. Additionally, teachers and administrators often report fewer incidents of dress‑related disruptions when uniforms are required, allowing more instructional time and a calmer classroom atmosphere that benefits concentration and academic effort.
Claim — "School uniforms improve student focus." Evidence — (1) "... shift attention back to lessons..." (cite), (2) "... teachers and administrators often report..." (cite).
Read a short poem (teacher provides). Identify two literary devices used in the poem and explain how each contributes to the poem's meaning.
Morning backpacks hum like bees, eager and bright,
Hallways pulse with footsteps—heartbeat of the day.
Teachers light the lamp of learning, steady and warm,
Knowledge blooms in silent rooms, petals of quiet play.
Line 1: "Morning backpacks hum like bees, eager and bright,"
Line 2: "Hallways pulse with footsteps—heartbeat of the day."
Line 3: "Teachers light the lamp of learning, steady and warm,"
Line 4: "Knowledge blooms in silent rooms, petals of quiet play."