Authors Purpose
Which author’s purpose is most likely when a text gives instructions and steps so readers can complete a task?
What does "central idea" mean?
The main point or message the author wants readers to know.
What text structure uses words like “first,” “next,” and “finally” to show the order of events?
Time order
(Sequence / chronological)
Which word is a homophone pair with "flower"? (choose from: flour, floor, flyer) — Circle the correct word.
flour (homophone of flower).
If a short passage tells a true story about the author’s life to teach a lesson, what is the main purpose: to entertain, to inform, or to persuade?
Inform (because it teaches about the author’s life and gives facts/lessons).
Read a short paragraph about how bees help plants by pollinating. Identify the central idea and one supporting detail
Central idea = bees help plants by pollinating; supporting detail = bees transfer pollen from flower to flower
Which text structure would most likely be used for an article that compares two types of bicycles?
Compare and contrast.
What is an analogy? Give a simple example appropriate for grade 5 (for example, "bird is to nest as ____ is to ____").
Analogy definition: shows how two things are similar in a certain way; example: "bird is to nest as dog is to kennel."
Read this short excerpt (teacher reads aloud): “Join the school recycling program today — sign up at the office!” What is the author's purpose and what text features give you that clue?
Persuade (call to action: “Join… sign up”).
A news article describes three ways a town reduced water use and concludes that teamwork helped. Write the central idea and list two details that support it.
Central idea = teamwork helped reduce water use; supporting details = three specific ways the town reduced water use.
Identify the text structure in a paragraph that lists causes of soil erosion and then describes their effects. Name two signal words that helped you decide.
Cause and effect; signal words: "because," "as a result," "therefore."
Identify whether the underlined pair are homophones or homographs and explain why: "lead" (to guide) vs. "lead" (a metal).
Homograph — same spelling, different meanings/pronunciations; "lead" is a homograph
A magazine article lists pros and cons about whether students should have more recess time and ends with the author urging the reader to vote in a school survey. Identify the author’s purpose and two pieces of evidence from the writing that support your answer.
Persuade — evidence: listing pros/cons and urging readers to vote (call to action).
Name two details you might use as evidence to support the central idea that "exercise is important for children."
improved sleep, stronger muscles, better mood, higher energy
A two-page article begins by asking a question, then describes several possible answers with pros and cons, and ends with a recommended solution. Which text structure is this and why
Problem-solution (or question-answer leading to solution) — explanation: author explores options then recommends one.
Given the analogy "library : books :: garage : ____", write the correct word to complete the analogy and explain the relationship.
garage : car (library:books :: garage:car) — library holds books, garage holds a car.