Text Structure
Central Idea
Author's Perspective
Author's Claim & Evidence
Reading Across Genres
100
Tomorrow is a busy day for Beth. First, she need to wash her clothes. Next, she needs to fold them and put them away. Finally, she must get dressed for the party.
What is the text structure?
A. Problem/Solution
B. Sequence
C. Description
B. Sequence
Sequence is a form of writing that is used if the author wishes to inform readers about certain topics by presenting this information by listing events or steps in a sequence
100
What is the definition of the Central Idea?
The central idea is what the text is mostly about. It is the topic of the text and the main or overall point the author is making.
100
What is the definition of Author's Perspective?
What the author thinks, feels, or believes about a topic.
100
Cheerleading tryouts are on Friday. There are 20 open spots, but 40 students are trying out. It is a shame that there will only be one team. If they made two teams, then everyone would make a team.
What is the author’s claim about cheerleading?
A. Tryouts should be required for all students.
B. Cheerleading is the students’ favorite sport.
C. It is wrong to cut students from the team.
D. It is a shame that cheerleading tryouts are on Friday.
C. It is wrong to cut students from the team
100
“The leaves on the old tree whispered in the wind”.
Which figurative language device is being used here?
Metaphor, Personification or Hyperbole?
Personification
200
Jody’s mother brought her a tulip plant for her birthday. Jody watered it twice a day. By the end of the week, the plant was almost dead. Jody looked up tulip care on the Internet. She discovered that tulips need very little water. She stopped watering it so much, and it came back to life.
Which is the text structure?
A. Problem/Solution
B. Sequence
C. Description
A. Problem/Solution
The problem is that the plant is getting too much water. The solution is that Jody watered it less.
200
(1) Have you ever heard of the Startup Aims? (2) They can be found on college campuses and in recreational areas. (3) This self-driving golf cart is becoming very popular.
(4) It will soon take the place of mini-buses.
Which sentence contains the definition of a Startup Aims?
A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 2
C. Sentence 3
D. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 3
(3) This self-driving golf cart is becoming very popular.
200
(1) A Caracal is a small, wild cat. (2) They are very good hunters. (3) They are fast and make very little noise. (4) They also have strong back legs and can jump up to six feet in the air. (5) Caracals are one of over 30 species of small wild cats.
What TWO sentences show WHY Caracals are good hunters, according to the narrator?
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 5
C. 3 and 4
D. 4 and 5
3 and 4
(3) They are fast and make very little noise.
(4) They also have strong back legs and can jump up to six feet in the air.
200
(1)Cheerleading tryouts are on Friday. (2) There are 20 open spots, but 40 students are trying out. (3) It is a shame that there will only be one team. (4)If they made two teams, then everyone would make a team.
Which TWO sentences include the author’s claim with support?
Sentences 3 – 4
(3) It is a shame that there will only be one team. (4)If they made two teams, then everyone would make a team.
200
Andrea enjoys reading mysteries. She is also a member of the school band. She plays the trumpet.
Sarah likes to draw. She can draw pictures of houses and dogs. She also likes to read comic books. Superhero comic books are her favorites.
What do these two people have in common?
A. They both like mysteries.
B. They both like houses and dogs.
C. They both like reading.
C. They both like reading.
300
You might be surprised to know that chewing gum may actually be good for you! Scientists have discovered that chewing gum can help your memory. This increase in memory might be due to the chewing action by your jaw. When you chew gum, your hippocampus is stimulated. The hippocampus is the memory part of the brain. Chewing gum also results in more blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain. So… the next time you are preparing to take a test, you might want to pop a piece of gum in your mouth!
What is the text structure?A. Chronology
B. Compare/Contrast
C. Cause/Effect
D. Description
C. Cause/Effect
300
Children between the ages of 3 – 5 need to learn basic skills before starting school. LeapStart is an interactive learning system that gets kids excited about counting, learning to read, and problem solving. The magic behind LeapStart is a stylus that reads invisible dots on every page, triggering questions, challenges, songs, jokes and more. LeapStart helps kids build tomorrow’s skills today, in new imaginative ways.
What is the central idea?
A. LeapStart is for children between the ages of 3 – 5.
B. LeapStart gets children excited about learning.
C. LeapStart has a stylus that reads invisible dots.
D. LeapStart is a fun way for children to get the skills they need.
D. LeapStart is a fun way for children to get the skills they need.
300
Blaring horns and smells of trash are all Adele can concentrate on as she exits the taxi cab into the bustling city. She is bumped and jostled by passersby and no one even says, “Excuse me.” She can already tell that she will never be at home in this strange place.
How does the author feel about the city? How can you tell
The author does not like the city. The way the story would have changed if the author’s feeling changed would be that she would describe good things about the city instead of rude people. She might also use words that are positive instead of "blare"
300
(1) Brent decided to wash his clothes. (2) He mixed the red and white clothes together in the washing machine. (3) He washed them using hot water. (4) He made a big mistake. (5) Can you believe it? (6) All of his white clothes turned pink.
Which sentence represents the author’s claim?
Sentence 4:
(4) He made a big mistake.
300
Bob has a million chores to do before his mother will let him play basketball.
Which type of figurative language is being used here? What does it mean?
Hyperbole
Bob has a lot of chores, but not a million. This is an exaggeration. It emphasizes how many chores he has to do before being able to play basketball.
400
The differences between chewing gum and tooth-paste are obvious. For example, people can chew gum for hours, but people keep toothpaste in their mouth for two minutes or less. You can blow big bubbles outside the mouth with gum. However, you cannot blow a bubble with toothpaste. You might be surprised to know that chewing gum and toothpaste are alike in some ways, too. Both chewing gum and toothpaste can relieve the symptoms of bad breath or gum disease. Like toothpaste, sugar free gum has been found to protect tooth enamel and lessen the number of cavities in teeth.
What is the text structure?
Compare/contrast
400
I must decide between a small or large dog. I have to admit, I like having a small dog on my lap while watching television. On the other hand, it is beneficial to have a larger dog for protection. Personally, I don’t think I see a large dog in my future. My apartment is just too small. Making decisions like this is often difficult.
What reason did the author provide for NOT wanting a large dog?
A. He didn’t want to have a dog on his lap.
B. He wants to have a dog for protection.
C. He wants to wait until the future to buy a dog.
D. He thinks his apartment is too small.
D. He thinks his apartment is too small
400
Today, we are able to use our cell phones for all kinds of things, other than calling people. We can take pictures, pay bills, play games, auto-tune our voices, look up directions, and even do research for a project. It is hard to believe we ever lived without these wonderful little devices that make life easier!
How does the author feel about technology? How do you know?
The author has positive opinions about cell phones and technology. She calls cell phone "wonderful little devices." She says that “it is hard to believe we lived without” cell phones.
400
(1) Brent decided to wash his clothes. (2) He mixed the red and white clothes together in the washing machine. (3) He washed them using hot water.
(4) He made a big mistake. (5) Can you believe it? (6) All of his white clothes turned pink.
Which sentence supports the author’s claim?
(6) All of his white clothes turned pink.
400
Poodles come in a variety of colors, including black, white, apricot, and red. They are quite smart, and very easy to train.
Golden retrievers come in one basic color – golden yellow. They shed their fur, which causes quite a mess. But they are extremely good natured. They are intelligent too.
Which do these dogs have in common?
They are both smart/intelligent.
500
Bubble gum is a type of chewing gum. Most people love to blow bubbles with bubble gum. There are numerous flavors of bubble gum. Some of the more popular flavors include grape, strawberry, watermelon, cinnamon, fruit punch, and blue raspberry. Some of the more unusual flavors are bacon and popcorn. In taste tests, children seem to prefer strawberry and watermelon flavors. What flavor of bubble gum is your favorite?
What is the text structure?
Description
500
The Persian cat is a long-haired breed with a round face and short muzzle. People love their soft fur. They also like their affectionate nature. According to statistics from 2017, more people bought Persians over any other breed of cat.
What is the central idea?
A. The Persian is a very popular cat.
B. The Persian cat has long hair.
C. Persian cats have round faces.
D. Persian cats have short muzzles.
A. The Persian is a very popular cat.
500
Jingle bells jingling. Hot cocoa with marshmallows. Christmas trees and bright decorations all around town. Christmas is the best holiday of the entire year. Christmas music fills my heart with joy and makes me want to sing along at the top of my lungs. Christmas should be all year long!
How does the author feel about Christmas? How do you know?
The author feels strongly that Christmas is the best holiday. She says that it should be all year long and describes her favorite part of the holiday.
500
(1) Ice cream has been around for centuries. (2) Chocolate is the best flavor. (3) It is decadent, creamy, and tastes delicious.
(4) Henry’s mother promised to buy him some chocolate ice cream on Friday.
Which sentence represents the claim, and which sentence represents support for the claim?
Author’s Claim:
(2) Chocolate is the best flavor.
Support for Claim:
(3) It is decadent, creamy, and tastes delicious.
500
William and Terry are best friends. Terry likes to draw pictures with airplanes. Wiloma prefers drawing houses. Wiloma is the best math student in the class. Terry goes to ballet class on Saturdays.
How does William feel about drawing, compared to Terry?
They both like to draw, but Terry likes to draw airplanes, and William likes to draw houses.