STAAR Reading

Inferences

100

What is an inference?

prior knowledge + text evidence

200

In ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped as gods. Egyptians who harmed cats were punished. If an Egyptian killed a cat, the punishment was usually death. Owners of dead cats shaved off their own eyebrows as a sign of mourning. Dead cats were made into mummies. Egyptians even tucked mummified mice into the tomb so that their cats would not be hungry in 'cat heaven.' IN ANCIENT EGYPT IT IS LIKELY THAT MOST CATS... a. died young b. lived long happy lives c. worked hard d. had no eyebrows

b

300

The Romans thought highly of chickens for all important matters. A priest would write the letters of the alphabet on the ground in a circle and place a grain of wheat on each letter. Then a chicken was put in the center. The priest carefully watched from which letters the chicken took the wheat grains, and "read" the bird's choices as good or bad signs. YOU CAN TELL THAT... a. chance played a major role in important Roman matters b. all the letters were the same c. the chicken learned to read the letters d. the Romans were the most superstitious of all people.

a

Strategies

100

What does each box stand for in the two box strategy?

1. Answer the question being asked 2. proven by text

200

List 3 things you should identify about each selection (text) given.

POV Author's purpose Theme Main idea Tone Topic Genre/type

300

When should you use the dictionary?

ANY TIME you don't know the meaning of a word (in the passage, in the question, in the answer choices)

Theme

100

If you struggle finding a theme, start by thinking about the _________ of the conflict...

topic (cause) then think: what does the author intend to SHOW about that topic in this story? =THEME

200

WHAT IS THE THEME? It happened that a dog had got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat in peace. Now on his way home he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of meat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap at the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth, the piece of meat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more.

The author believes that sometimes when you are not satisfied with what you have and try to get more, you end up with less.

300

WHAT IS THE THEME? In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

Hard work pays off.

Informational

100

What are the different types of author's purpose?

to inform, entertain, or persuade

200

Name all the different types of text structures used in informational texts

cause effect problem solution sequence chronological description compare contrast

300

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE? Writers are responsible for producing a game's script. Videogame scriptwriters work closely with a designer to determine what each scene should include. Many scriptwriters also write game manuals or hint books. Other options are to work as a staff writer or editor for gaming magazines and websites.

description

Summarizing

100

What are 2 different strategies you can use for summary questions? (If it is an acronym, what does it stand for?)

BME- beginning middle end SWBTS- somebody wanted but then so MOO- maintain meaning, omit opinions, order logical WWWWWH- who what when where why how

200

What should a summary include?

the main point and key ideas (not supporting details/unnecessary information), the beginning middle and end

300

SUMMARIZE THIS PASSAGE IN 1 SENTENCE: Shopping malls have produced a revolution in United States shopping and living habits in just 45 years. Before 1950, there were no malls, but now almost every city or region has at least one. In fact, shopping malls have become a part of daily life. Many people even think of them as social centers. In a way, malls have taken the place of Main Street. Shops and services, which were once spread over several city blocks, are now in one place at the mall. Busy householders can save time by doing their shopping at the mall. And people young and old, with time on their hands, often say, “Let’s go to the mall!”

Shopping malls have changed United States culture.