Plot
What are the five main parts of plot in a story?
Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
What is a theme in literature?
A theme is the central idea or message the author explores in a story. Lesson learnt
What is a table of contents and why is it useful?
The table of contents lists the book’s chapters or sections with page numbers so readers can quickly find information.
What does "text structure" mean in nonfiction?
Text structure is how an author organizes information and ideas to show relationships and help readers understand the topic.
Maya decided to bank the small boat along the river before the storm rolled in. She climbed the nearby bank to tie a rope to a sturdy tree. From the hilltop, she watched the dark clouds gather and hoped the river would stay calm.
Question: In this story, what is the meaning of the bolded word "bank"?
A) A financial institution where people keep money
B) The sloping side of a river
C) To tilt or turn an aircraft or vehicle
D) A set of similar items stored together
B) The sloping side of a river
What is the exposition and why is it important?
The exposition introduces characters, setting, and basic situation so readers understand the story's starting point.
How is theme different from the plot?
Plot is what happens (events); theme is the deeper meaning or lesson about life revealed by those events.
What is the purpose of headings and subheadings?
Headings and subheadings organize information into topics and subtopics, making the structure easier to follow and scan.
What are common nonfiction text structures?
Description, sequence (or chronological), cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem and solution.
Jonah set the jam on the kitchen counter and went to answer the door. When he returned, he found the lid sticky from the spilled jam. He used a clean cloth to wipe the mess before it hardened.
Question: In this story, what is the meaning of the bolded word "jam"?
A) A traffic backup
B) A musical improvisation
C) A difficult situation
D) A sweet fruit spread
D) A sweet fruit spread
What happens during the rising action?
Conflicts and complications build tension and develop the plot, leading toward the story’s turning point.
Name two ways an author can develop a theme.
Through character actions and growth, and through recurring symbols or motifs.
How do captions support nonfiction texts?
Captions explain or add details about images, charts, or diagrams, helping readers understand visual information.
How can you identify a sequence or chronological structure?
The text lists events or steps in order and uses time words like first, next, then, before, or finally.
The mechanic told Lena to check the spare in the trunk before their road trip. She found the tire flat and fetched the jack to lift the car. By noon they were back on the highway.
Question: In this story, what is the meaning of the bolded word "spare"?
A) Extra or reserved item
B) To refrain from harming
C) A bowling term
D) Thin or lean
A) Extra or reserved item
What is the climax of a story?
The climax is the most intense moment or turning point when the main conflict reaches its peak.
What is an implied theme?
An implied theme is not stated directly; readers infer it from characters, events, and details.
What is a glossary and when should a reader use it?
A glossary defines key terms used in the text; readers consult it to learn meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary.
What signal words often indicate a cause-and-effect structure?
Words and phrases like because, since, therefore, as a result, and consequently.
During the presentation, the teacher asked Jamie to address the issue with the missing supplies. Jamie apologized and explained how he had misplaced them in his locker. The class agreed on a plan to prevent future losses.
Question: In this story, what is the meaning of the bolded word "address"?
A) A location where someone lives
B) To speak to or deal with a problem
C) A formal speech
D) To write a recipient's details on an envelope
B) To speak to or deal with a problem
How do falling action and resolution differ?
Falling action shows the events after the climax as loose ends are tied up; the resolution (or denouement) provides the story’s final outcome or lesson.
How can a reader identify a story’s theme?
Look for repeated ideas, character lessons, conflicts and outcomes, and any statements or actions that suggest a universal message.
Why are indexes important in nonfiction books?
Indexes provide an alphabetical list of topics with page references so readers can locate specific information quickly.
How does recognizing text structure help a reader?
It improves comprehension and recall by guiding how to take notes, summarize, and find key ideas efficiently.
Rosa set the table near the windows so everyone could enjoy the view. When the guests arrived, she noticed one fork missing and hurried to find a replacement. The meal began with laughter and conversation.
Question: In this story, what is the meaning of the bolded word "set"?
A) A group of identical items
B) A recorded collection of songs
C) To place or arrange objects
D) To become firm or hard
C) To place or arrange objects