Show:
Main Idea
Text Structure
Prepositional Phrases
Grammar
The Writing Process
100
To explain who Nike was
What is the main idea of this passage? Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. Her name actually means “victory” in Greek and is pronounced NEE-kay. Nike went to war with the Greeks and helped them win battles. She also led them to victory in others areas, including athletics. Today we know Nike best from a line of athletic products that has borrowed her name.
100
chronological
What is the text structure of this passage? The Age of the Dinosaurs Dinosaurs existed about 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago. This era is broken up into three periods known as the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The Triassic Period lasted for 35 million years from 250-205 million years ago. Planet Earth was a very different place back then. All the continents were united to form one huge land mass known as Pangaea. The Jurassic Period was the second phase. The continents began shifting apart. The time scale for this famous period is from 205 to 138 million years ago. The Cretaceous Period was the last period of the dinosaurs. It spanned a time from 138 million to about 65 million years ago. In this period the continents fully separated. However, Australia and Antarctica were still united.
100
Over the mud puddle
What is the prepositional phrase in the sentence? Johnny ran over the mud puddle.
100
a. was ice skating
What is the correct verb for the sentence? George hurt his head while he ______________. a. was ice skating b. ice skates c. had ice skated d. ice skated
100
a. brainstorming/prewriting
What is the first step of the writing process? a. brainstorming/prewriting b. introductory paragraph c. editing/revising
200
When someone gives a gift, the other person should say thank-you, no matter what the gift is.
What is the main idea of the passage? Da-Marr was upset. Uncle Theo had given him a stamp-collecting kit for his birthday. Da-Marr had not interest in collecting stamps. Now he was supposed to send Uncle Theo a thank-you note. Da-Marr didn’t feel like thanking him. Then he remembered that Uncle Theo probably didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Da-Marr picked up his pen.
200
Sequence
What is the text structure of this passage? Creating a Dinosaur Sculpture Materials: pipe cleaners, clay, non-toxic paint Wouldn’t you like a scary dinosaur model on your desk to protect your pencils and textbooks? You can easily make one by following these simple directions. First, bend your to make the frame of your dinosaur. I suggest you create a tyrannosaurus frame by using one long pipe cleaner as his neck, spine, and tail, and then bend another into a u-shape to make his feet. Wrap the feet around the spine piece. Next, roll out clay to wrap around the pipe cleaners. Let the clay dry overnight. The next day you may want to paint your dinosaur using non-toxic paint. His eyes should be white, but feel free to color your dinosaur as you wish. Nobody really knows how dinosaurs were colored, so don’t let anyone tell you that your dinosaur can’t be pink. Lastly, put him on your desk and watch as he or she scares away bullies and pencil thieves.
200
...on the top of the stove
What is the prepositional phrase? The tea kettle sat on the top of the stove.
200
b. has been working
What is the correct verb for the sentence? Jonathan _________ for the NCAA since 1992. a. will work b. has been working c. works d. is working
200
C.
Write about the best vacation that you have ever taken. Where did you go? What did you do? What would be a good idea to add to a graphic organizer for the above prompt? a. Why California is a place that you want to go in the future. b. Why going to Disney World next summer is going to be the best trip ever. c. Why visiting the mountains was your most memorable vacation experience.
300
Weaver ants use larva silk to build colonies in trees.
What is the main idea of the passage? Weaver ants construct colonies in trees. First they pull two leaves close together. Then each ant picks up a larva, which is an ant that has hatched but is not fully developed. When squeezed, the larva products silk, which the ants then use to stitch the two leaves together. They repeat this procedure until they construct a ball of leaves, which they use for a colony.
300
C. Compare-Contrast
What text structure shows compares/contrasts two or more things? a. chronological order b. problem-solution c. compare-contrast
300
...on the kitchen table
What is the prepositional phrase in the sentence? The book is on the kitchen table.
300
b. went
What is the correct verb for the sentence? The last time I ____________ to Korea, I spent three weeks in Seoul. a. was going b. went c. have gone
300
Topic sentence, thesis statement, details, closing sentence
In what order should the first paragraph of an essay be written in?
400
Dogs are valuable to humankind.
What is the main idea of the passage? For more than 14,000 years, dogs have been helping humans. They’ve been used to hunt for food and to herd animals. They’ve pulled carts and sleds, and rescued people from all kids of dangers. They’ve delivered messages and chased down criminals. They’ve helped people with disabilities. On top of all this, they’ve been loyal companions. Is there a better animal anywhere?
400
Chronological Order
Which text structure shows time order? a. problem-solution b. chronological order c. description
400
...perfectly manicured garden.
What is the prepositional phrase in the sentence? The rabbits hopped through the perfectly manicured garden.
400
January 15, 1929.
Correct the sentence for comma errors. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15 1929.
400
c.
Write about the best vacation that you have ever taken. Where did you go? What did you do? What is one idea that does not belong on a graphic organizer for the above prompt? a. I took pictures of all of the monuments when I went to Florida last summer. b. I enjoyed laying out on the beach and watching the ocean waves. c. I would love to go to Hawaii one day.
500
Mutts can be just as good, if not better, than purebreds
What is the main idea of the passage? Getting a dog? Don’t count out a mutt. Mutts are often free, where purebreds can cost thousands. Also, musts might not be as handsome as purebreds, but they’re less likely to be nervous or snappy, and best of all, a mutt doesn’t have a million copies of itself running around. A poodle is a poodle, but a must is one of a kind!
500
Problem and Solution
What is the text structure of this passage? Fossil Mishap It’s important to think critically about the information that you receive, or else you may be led astray. For example, the brontosaurus is a type of dinosaur that never really existed. Many people still believe in the brontosaurus today, but the “brontosaurus” is actually the body of an apatosaurus with the head of a camarasaurus. This concocted creature was made from two mismatched fossils. Had more people thought critically about these findings, analyzing the components that were presented, entire generations of school children may not have been misinformed; therefore, think critically about the information that people tell you, even if it’s information you find on a book or in a worksheet. Keep these problems in mind when conducting your studies.
500
...in the vase
What is the prepositional phrase? The flower in the vase is a peony.
500
Lisa, Charlie, and Susan bought popcorn, candy, and soda at the movie theater.
Correct the sentence for comma errors. Lisa Charlie and Susan bought popcorn candy and soda at the movie theater.
500
b. expository
If you could design a neighborhood of the future, what would it look like? Describe how your neighborhood of the future would look, using specific details and examples. What type of prompt is this? a. narrative b. expository c. persuasive