Test Vocabulary
To describe how two or more things are similar
Compare
It has been an extremely brutal summer with very hot temperatures.
What is the meaning of brutal?
Harsh
The backyard was beautiful! The bright green grass was so soft it felt like a giant cushion under my feet. There was a flower garden with vibrant red roses and yellow daffodils. It smelled like a wonderful perfume.
Description
Corn was first grown by Native Americans. They showed the pilgrims how to grow corn as food. At one time, corn was used as money by pioneers. Corn is used as feed for farm animals. People also eat it as a vegetable. Oil, starch, and sugar can be made from corn. Corn is also important in industry. Medicine, paper, fertilizer, and glue can be made from corn and corn products.
What is the main idea?
The main uses of corns.
Where or when a story takes place
Setting
to make an educated guess using text evidence and prior knowledge
She offered a feeble excuse for her late work and they could tell that she wasn’t telling the truth.
What is the meaning of the word feeble?
I enjoy both the summer and the winter. In the summer, I can run around barefoot on the grass wearing only shorts and a tank top. In the winter, however, I have to wear long pants and a jacket. Usually the summer is very hot, but the winter is a bit chilly.
Compare and Contrast
Most people think that gorillas are mean, but actually they are shy. It seems that such a huge animal with very large teeth would be aggressive. Hollywood movies help convey this image of the scary, ferocious gorilla. In fact, gorillas only attack if they are provoked. However, gorillas usually don't have to fight other animals because of their impressive size.
What is the main idea?
Gorillas are misunderstood animals.
Angie slipped the candy bar into her pocket, and attempted to sneak out of the candy store. She was stopped before she even got outside. The owner called the police. Although no charges were filed against her, the experience was terrifying. She felt horrible about her behavior, and never stole anything again.
What is the theme?
Crime doesn't pay.
The problem or struggle in the story
Conflict
The fifty pound pumpkin was gargantuan in size.
What is the meaning of the word gargantuan?
Large
I was sick all of last week with the flu. This caused me to miss five days of school and my basketball game. Now I have loads of homework to catch up on this weekend. I am going to have to stay home and work for hours!
Cause & Effect
Hurricanes are large, intense storms that begin over the ocean, where they gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes move slowly toward land, usually moving 10-20 miles per hour for more than one week. The most dangerous part of the hurricane is the storm surge, when it reaches land and causes flooding. Wind and waves also contribute to the damage caused by these surges.
Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
What does the idiom: It's raining cats and dogs mean?
It's raining very hard.
The message or moral of a story
Theme
When Justice’s soccer team lost the championship game, the entire time was extremely upset. Fortunately, the parents had a huge pizza party planned in order to console the players.
What is the meaning of the word console?
To Comfort
My brother and I arrived at the park around 11:00 a.m. We started off playing on the swings. After about a half an hour, my grandma arrived with my baby sister. Then, we all played catch together. At noon, we ate a delicious picnic lunch!
Chronological / Sequence
Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day, and usually not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique, and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live.
Giraffes are unique animals.
What does each letter of RACES stand for?
Restate, Answer, Cite Evidence, Explain Evidence, Sum it Up
To give hints or warnings about the future
Foreshadowing
Because he hadn’t had anything to eat all day, when he got home that afternoon, he was ravenous.
Hungry
Jessie had a problem, she made hot cocoa for herself and her brother but it was so hot! What could they do to cool it down? They decided to blow on it. But that did not work. Then they had a great idea, they put a few ice cubes in it, it cooled off right away! It was the perfect solution, now they could drink it all up.
Problem & Solution
An octopus isn’t fast enough to swim after a fish. The octopus must wait for a fish to swim by. When the fish comes within reach, the octopus whips out a long arm to grasp it. Then the octopus has a tasty meal.
How an octopus gets its food.
Marcus checked the list in the hallway. He walked home with tears in his eyes. He pushed past his brother and went straight to his room. The well-used basketball in his garage remained motionless. He was so upset that even his video games didn’t give him refuge.
Infer: Why was Marcus uspet?He did not make the basketball team.