Prose & Poetry
Plot & Characters
Inferences &
Context Clues
Context Clues
Text Structure
In Other Words...
200
True or false: Poems follow the same concepts as literary (fictional) texts. For example, poems have a central idea, a theme, etc.
True. Poems are stories just told in a different way.
200
What are five elements to look for when it comes to characters?
Speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks (appearances).
200
What do you use to make an inference?
Prior knowledge and text evidence
200
What is text structure?
How the author organizes their writing in an informational text
200
What does it mean when a question asks, "what is the central theme?"
What is the message or lesson of the story?
400
What is a fable or folktale?
A short, fictional story that illustrates a moral lesson (theme). Sometimes, they are old (passed down through generations) and can teach about ancient wisdom or morals.
400
What is character's perspective? How is a character's perspective formed?
A character's perspective is how their attitudes and feelings. In short passages, it is usually formed through the character's experiences (past or present).
400
What are the five types of context clues and what do they mean?
1. Inference - educated guess using prior knowledge and text evidence.
2. Definition - the definition of the word is given, either in the text or in the glossary.
3. Example - an example of the word is given.
4. Antonyms - the opposite meaning of the word is given (usually with words like "unlike" or "different from").
5. Synonyms - the same or similar meaning of the word is given (usually with words like "such as" or "similarly to").
400
What does it mean when a question asks "how does the structure of paragraph (blank) affect the meaning of the passage?"
The question wants you to identify the text structure and how it impacts the central idea.
400
What does it mean when a question asks how something support the author's claim?
The question wants you to explain how a specific detail, piece of evidence, or idea in the text strengthens or proves the author's main point or belief.
600
What is mood/tone in literary texts and how can you determine the mood/tone in a story or poem?
Tone (mood) is how the style and feeling of a story or poem feels, for example serious, excited, or funny. You can figure it out by looking at the words the author uses, how characters act, and what happens in the story or poem.
600
What does it mean when a question asks, "how does the plot move forward?"
It is asking how the series of events are happening (through the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution). Short passages might skip or have a short exposition and resolution.
600
If you're stuck on a word because you can't pronounce it, what should you do?
If you get stuck on a tricky word, like a long name or place, you can say the first letter and keep reading, but only if the word isn’t super important to the meaning. You can always go back to it later. What matters most is understanding the story.
600
Identify the text structure in the passage below.
Problem and solution. The problem is the bee population is declining. The solution is that scientists are planting more flowers, building spaces for hives, and reducing harmful pesticides,
600
What does it mean when a question asks, "what effect does the phrase/word have on the passage?"
It's asking you to analyze how a specific phrase influences the overall meaning, tone, or purpose of the passage.
800
How can the structure of a poem (like stanzas or line breaks) help a reader understand its meaning?
The structure of a poem shows when ideas change or when something is important. For example, a new stanza might show a new part of the story or a different feeling. Line breaks can make certain words stand out. These choices help us figure out what the poet wants us to notice or feel.
800
Why is it important to pay attention to the conflict in the story?
It is what moves the story along. The story is built off of the conflict reaching its most intense point (the climax) and then being resolved. It is the main part of the story.
800
Name three things you can do if you don't understand a word in a passage.
1. If the passage has a glossary, read the definition in the glossary.
2. Use context clues by looking around the word for hints (synonyms, examples, etc.) to help you.
3. Use your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to help identify the word.
800
Identify the text structure in the passage below.
Cause and effect. The cause is the meteorite, the effect is that plants died off and the dinosaur food chain was disrupted, leading to their extinction.
800
What does it mean when a question asks "how does the author develop the (blank) of the passage?"
How does the author expand or build upon the concept (with more details, examples, and supporting evidence, etc). This could be author's purpose, central idea, theme, perspective, etc.