Vocabulary
Compare and Contrast
Author's Purpose
Main Idea and Details
Reading
100

This means great damage or ruin.

destruction

100

This means exploring similarities of two things.

Comparing or comparison

100

This is the reason an author is writing something.

Author's purpose

100

This is the central, or most important, idea in a paragraph or passage.

Main idea

100

It is a type of informational text that provides factual information about a topic using a clear, non-narrative organizational structure with a major topic and supporting information.

Expository Text

200

Something _____ is something we are not able to tell beforehand.

Unpredictable

200

What are these words for: unlike, different or but.

To show differences or to contrast

200

When the author wants to teach us something, his/her purpose is to ______.

inform

200

It states the purpose and sets the direction of the paragraph or passage.

Main idea

200

What type of topics can be discussed by expository texts?

historical, scientific or economic

300

The ocean waves slowly alter the shoreline by carving away the rocks. What does alter mean?

to make something different or to make a change in something

300

It is a graphic organizer with two overlapping circles, used for comparing and contrasting.

Venn Diagram

300

When the author wants to convince us of something, his/her purpose is to ______.

persuade

300

These are important pieces of information that support the main idea of a text.

Details or key details.

300

The United States used to be a lot smaller. Then President Thomas Jefferson did something to expand it in the 1800s. It was called the Louisiana Purchase. He bought a huge amount of land from France for very cheap. It more than doubled the size of the U.S.

How did the United States expand its territory? 

President Thomas Jefferson bought a huge amount of land from France at a low price.

400

We got a substantial amount of snow last night.

What word can we use to replace the word substantial?

A. substance

B. full

C. significant

C. significant

400

What are the similarities of dolphins and fish, based on the Venn Diagram below?

They both swim.

They are both aquatic.

They both have fins.

400

What is the main purpose of expository texts?

To inform

400

Blood is a miracle liquid. It flows to every part of the body. Some blood cells carry food and oxygen to body organs. Other blood cells kill germs and help stop cuts from bleeding. People can die if they lose a lot of blood or if their blood cells get sick. Doctors sometimes give people fresh blood to save their lives.

What is the main idea of the passage?  

Blood is a miracle liquid. OR Blood is important.

400

Your immune system is what keeps you from getting sick. It is made up of two different types of white blood cells. Phagocytes fight off invading germs. Lymphocytes remember the germs so they can be more easily fought next time. Together they do their best to keep you healthy. 

What is the difference between phagocytes and lymphocytes?

Phagocytes fight off invading germs while Lymphocytes remember the germs so they can be more easily fought next time.

500

Use severe in a sentence.

(Answers vary).

500

Compare and contrast earthquakes and landslides.

Earthquakes and landslides are both fast and powerful natural disasters. They both change the surface of the Earth.


Earthquakes happen when tectonic plates are subducting, spreading, slipping, or colliding.

Landslide is the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or soil down a slope, as forced by wind, rain or even earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

500

Give an example of text that readers can read for entertainment purposes.

Answers vary.

500

Do you enjoy ice cream? Many people over the ages have enjoyed ice cream. The ancient Greeks ate snow mixed with honey and fruit. It really took off as a dessert in the 18th century. Today, people all over the world enjoy the wonderful taste of ice cream. 

Give one detail that supports the main idea.

The ancient Greeks ate snow mixed with honey and fruit. 

It really took off as a dessert in the 18th century.

500

Benjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia. He started the city's first hospital and fire department. Ben also started Philadelphia's first public library. Benjamin Franklin worked very hard to make Philadelphia a better place to live. 

How did Franklin show his love for Philadelphia?

He started the city's hospital, fire department and public library.