Context Clues
Davy was quite disturbed after watching a horror movie.
What does disturbed mean?
What is unsettled, scared, etc.?
The tires squealed and hissed as I slammed on my breaks.
What is onomatopoeia?
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m going to kill you, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.
What happened to the window?
Tommy broke the window playing baseball.
What is entertain?
Introduction of characters, setting, and plot.
What is the exposition?
My friend is very benevolent when it comes to giving gifts. She puts a lot of thought into what she buys, and she always gives me more than what I need.
What does benevolent mean?
What is giving, thoughtful, kind, thoughtful, etc.?
What type of figurative language is used in this example:
The sky looked angry, and the clouds danced in circles.
What is personification?
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m going to kill you, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.
Why did Tommy leave the house?
He knew his mother would be upset when she arrived home and saw the window.
An author writes to convince someone that their perspective is correct.
Highest point of tension in the story, turning point or peak of the conflict.
The bear was exuberant when it caught a salmon. He jumped up and down.
What does exuberant mean?
Comparing two things without using like or as.
What is a metaphor?
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Why was today a special day?
Today is Valentine's day.
An author writes to teach the reader about a topic.
What is inform?
Dancers are very limber, which explains how they can do so many twists and bends.
What does limber mean?
What is flexible, bendy, etc.?
Alliteration definition
What is using the same letter/sound at the beginning of multiple words?
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Which boy does Veronica like?
She likes Johnny. (tell why)
Joe had been fishing for over two hours without a single bite. Suddenly there was a nibble at the end of his fishing line. He stood up on the boat and leaned out too far. Just then there was a sharp yank on the line. Joe fell overboard and landed head first into the water. Joe and his friends laughed and laughed.
The author's purpose is to?
What is entertain?
Angle or perspective that the story is told from.
Point of view.
Lara couldn't stifle her giggles as her brother tried to trick his friend, so she ruined the joke.
What does stifle mean?
What is hold back, smother, etc.?
Two contradictory, or opposite, terms appear in conjunction.
What is an oxymoron?
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Why does Bartleby run?
He likes Veronica, he is nervous, and he wants to impress her.
The giant panda is a bearlike animal that has thick white fur with black markings on its ears, limbs, shoulders, and around its eyes. The giant panda feeds on bamboo forests at high altitudes in western China. It also eats bulbs, roots, eggs, and some small mammals. The cubs are born in late winter. The giant panda is an endangered species and is protected by the Chinese government.
What is the author's purpose?
What is to inform?
A reference to something in current events, on TV, in history, in literature, and so on.
What is an allusion?