Context Clues
The desert was arid, with cracked soil and no signs of rain for months. Even the cactus plants struggled to survive.
What does arid most nearly mean?
Extremely dry
The author describes how hurricanes form and explains the science behind them.
What is the author's purpose?
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Persuade
D. Confuse
Inform
A passage explains the steps for planting a garden.
Text structure?
A. Problem & Solution
B. Chronological
C. Compare & Contrast
D. Cause & Effect
Chronological
Who wrote many famous plays including Romeo and Juliet?
William Shakespeare
What does RI stand for in ELA standards?
Reading Informational
The teacher gave a lenient punishment. Instead of detention, the student only had to write an apology letter.
What does lenient mean?
A. Harsh
B. Strict
C. Merciful
D. Confusing
Merciful
An article argues that schools should start later so students can get more sleep.
Author's purpose?
A. Persuade
B. Inform
C. Entertain
D. Describe
Persuade
First, the settlers built small shelters to survive the winter. Next, they began planting crops in the spring. Finally, they built permanent homes for their families.
Which text structure is used in this passage
Chronological
“All the world’s a stage” suggests that:
A. Everyone acts in plays
B. Life has different roles and stages
C. The world is fake
D. Acting is important
Life has different roles and stages
What is the difference between central idea and theme?
Central idea = the main point of an informational text.
Theme = the message or lesson of a story.
The scientist’s theory was once considered implausible, but new discoveries proved it might actually be true.
What does implausible most nearly mean?
A. Impossible to understand
B. Unlikely to be true
C. Extremely important
D. Difficult to explain
Unlikely to be true
The author uses statistics and expert opinions to convince readers that recycling should be required in all cities.
Why did the author include statistics?
A. To entertain the reader
B. To support the author's argument
C. To make the article longer
D. To confuse the reader
To support the author's argument
Plastic pollution has become a major problem for oceans around the world. One possible solution is reducing the use of single-use plastics and increasing recycling programs.
What text structure does the author primarily use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Problem and Solution
C. Chronological
D. Description
Problem and Solution
In speeches like The Gettysburg Address, repetition is often used to:
A. Make the speech longer
B. Emphasize important ideas
C. Confuse the audience
D. Add humor
Emphasize important ideas
Which of these is figurative language?
A. The wind whispered through the trees.
B. The wind blew at 20 miles per hour.
C. The wind changed direction.
D. The wind stopped suddenly.
The wind whispered through the trees.
The storm grew ferocious, with violent winds that knocked down trees and power lines.
What does ferocious mean?
Dangerous
A story about a boy and his dog going on an adventure in the forest.
Author's purpose?
Entertain
Many cities are experiencing increased flooding. This is largely due to rising sea levels and stronger storms. As a result, communities must spend millions of dollars to repair roads, homes, and businesses.
Which statement BEST explains how the author organizes the information?
A. The author compares two environmental problems.
B. The author explains causes of flooding and the effects that follow.
C. The author lists steps to prevent flooding.
D. The author describes what flooding looks like.
The author explains causes of flooding and the effects that follow.
How does figurative language strengthen a speech?
A. It adds rhythm and deeper meaning to ideas
B. It makes the speech shorter
C. It removes emotion
D. It makes it confusing
It adds rhythm and deeper meaning to ideas
In Shakespeare’s writing, what does “thou” most nearly mean?
You
The speaker’s tone became somber as he discussed the lives lost during the battle.
Which word from the passage BEST helps determine the meaning of somber?
A. speaker
B. tone
C. lives lost
D. battle
Lives Lost
Which statement BEST explains how the author’s word choice supports their purpose to persuade readers?
A. The author uses emotional language and strong opinions.
B. The author provides definitions.
C. The author tells a fictional story.
D. The author uses rhymes.
A. The author uses emotional language and strong opinions.
Urban gardens are becoming more common in large cities. These gardens allow residents to grow fresh food and improve community spaces. In addition, they help reduce pollution and provide educational opportunities for students.
Why does the author MOST LIKELY organize the paragraph in this way?
To describe several benefits of urban gardens
A student argues that school lunches should be healthier.
Which evidence would be irrelevant to the claim?
A. Nutritionists explain the health benefits of balanced meals.
B. Research shows healthier lunches improve student focus.
C. A chef explains how to cook pasta.
D. Data shows obesity rates among teenagers.
A chef explains how to cook pasta.
What is the term for a contradictory statement that actually reveals a deeper truth, such as “less is more”?
A. Irony
B. Paradox
C. Satire
D. Euphemism
Paradox