Vocabulary
“The room was gloomy, dark, and quiet.”
What does gloomy mean?
“My backpack weighs a ton.”
Hyperbole
“The classroom buzzed with excitement as students laughed and talked.”
Mood?
Excited / happy
“The article lists facts about climate change.”
Inform, Persuade or explain?
Inform
Why is it important to read ALL answer choices?
Because one may be better than the others
Why is it important to reread when you don’t understand a word?
To use context clues for meaning
“The clock stared at me as time ran out.”
Personification
“The author describes the situation in a sarcastic and mocking way.”
Tone?
Sarcastic
“Join our team today and make a difference!”
Persuade
“The wind howled through the empty streets.”
Tone or Mood?
Mood (scary/tense)
“The path was narrow, with very little space to walk.”
What does narrow mean?
Not wide
Why do authors use alliteration?
To create rhythm and emphasis
Why does mood change depending on the reader?
Because readers interpret text based on their own feelings and experiences
“The passage explains how to solve a math problem step by step.”
Explain
Why do wrong answers often seem correct?
Because they include partial or misleading information
Why might a word have multiple meanings in different contexts?
Because meaning depends on how it is used in the sentence
“The fire swallowed the entire building.”
Personification
“The speaker calmly explains a dangerous situation.”
Tone OR Mood? Explain.
Tone (calm), mood (tense)
How can word choice show the author’s purpose?
It reveals whether the author is informing, persuading, or explaining
A student chose an answer that sounds correct but is not fully supported by the text.
What should they do next?
Go back to the text and check which answer is BEST supported by evidence
“The trail was rugged, with sharp rocks and uneven ground that made walking difficult.”
What does rugged most likely mean?
Rough / uneven / difficult to travel
How does figurative language help the reader understand the text better?
It creates vivid images and deeper meaning
How can word choice affect BOTH tone and mood?
It shapes the author’s attitude and influences how the reader feels
Why is it important to find the MAIN purpose instead of just any purpose?
Because one purpose is the primary focus of the text
Two answer choices both seem correct. How do you decide which one is the BEST answer?
Choose the answer that is most fully supported by the text and answers the question completely