Literary Key Details & Inferences (Targets 1 & 2)
To "cite evidence" from a story means to do what?
Provide specific examples or direct quotes from the text to support your answer.
Identify the simile in this sentence: "The mountain stood like a giant guarding the valley."
"Like a giant."
An author’s "claim" is another word for what?
Their main argument or position on a topic.
Which structure uses words like "consequently," "therefore," and "as a result"?
Cause and Effect
"Level 1" questions usually asks you to do what?
Recall facts or locate information directly in the text.
What is the difference between a "Topic" and a "Central Idea"?
A topic is a subject (e.g., "Friendship"), while a central idea is the specific message about that subject (e.g., "Friendship requires sacrifice")
If a word has a "negative connotation," how does it make the reader feel?
It gives a bad or unpleasant feeling (e.g., "nosy" vs. "curious")
Which of these is "strong evidence" for a claim about global warming? (A) A personal story about a hot day, or (B) Data showing rising sea levels over 50 years.
(B) Data showing rising sea levels.
In an informational article about how honeybees communicate, the author includes a diagram of the "waggle dance" with labels and arrows. What is the primary purpose of this text feature?
A) To provide a fun decoration that makes the page look more interesting.
B) To list the different types of flowers that bees like to visit for nectar.
C) To clarify a complex process described in the text by showing the specific movements.
D) To offer a summary of the entire article in a visual format.
C (SBAC often asks about the "function" of a feature. Diagrams specifically "clarify" or "illustrate" complex concepts that words alone might not explain clearly).
"Level 3" (Strategic Thinking) requires you to explain "How" or "Why." Give an example.
"Why did the author choose to end the story this way?" or "How does the setting affect the plot?"
When a reader "makes an inference," they combine these two things
Text evidence + background knowledge (schema)
Use context clues to define meticulous: "She was so meticulous about her art that she used a magnifying glass to paint the tiny details."
Extremely careful or precise.
What does it mean to "evaluate" an argument?
To decide if the author's reasoning is logical and if they have enough evidence.
What text structure is used in a biography that follows a person from birth to death?
Chronological (or Sequential) order.
When a question asks "Which sentence best supports the idea...", how many correct-looking answers might there be?
Usually 2 or more, but one is more specific or relevant than the others.
A student is making the inference that the main character, Leo, is anxious about his upcoming piano recital. Which piece of evidence from the story best supports this inference?
A) Leo sat down at the piano and looked at the black and white keys.
B) Leo’s teacher told him that he had practiced very hard all week.
C) Leo adjusted his tie in the mirror and sighed deeply before walking onstage.
D) Leo’s palms were slick with sweat, and he kept tapping his foot rhythmically against the floor.
D (While C shows a sigh, D provides physical "show, don't tell" symptoms of anxiety—sweaty palms and fidgeting—which is a stronger level of evidence for 6th-grade analysis).
What is "personification"?
Giving human qualities to non-human things (e.g., "The sun smiled down")
If an SBAC question asks you to "compare two texts," what is it Target 12 checking for?
our ability to see how different authors handle the same topic or event.
How does a "Problem and Solution" structure differ from "Cause and Effect"?
Problem/Solution specifically offers a way to fix the issue described.
To "analyze across texts" (Target 12), you must find what?
Similarities and differences in how information is presented.
What is a "summary" of a literary text required to include?
The main characters, the conflict, the key plot events, and the resolution (without personal opinions).
In SBAC terms, what does it mean to "analyze the impact of word choice"?
Explaining how a specific word changes the tone or the reader's mood.
What is a "counter-argument"?
An argument that opposes the author’s claim (used to show the author has considered other sides).
Why would an author use bold headers in a long article?
To help the reader navigate the text and identify the main topic of each section.
What is "Textual Evidence" for an inference?
The specific line or "clue" from the book that led you to your conclusion.