Vocabulary
What does it mean to summarize something?
To give a shortened version of the text in your own words.
When identifying the central idea or main message of a passage, which of these is the BEST place to look first?
(A) A small detail from the middle of the text
(B) The main point the author wants readers to know
(C) The last sentence only
(D) The title of the passage
(B) The main point the author wants readers to know
Provide textual evidence?
You must use quoted material from the text.
What is the word for the author's reason for writing a text—to entertain, inform, persuade, or explain.
What is purpose?
When a question asks "What does the author imply?" you should look for this type of clue that is not directly stated but suggested by details in the text.
What is an inference?
What does it mean to analyze something?
To come to a conclusion from the text. (CER: Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning).
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to connect two related independent clauses.
(A) I like apples; and I like bananas.
(B) I studied hard; therefore, I did well on the test.
(C) She runs fast; but she is tired.
(D) It's raining; bring an umbrella.
(B) I studied hard; therefore, I did well on the test.
Summarize something?
You write it in your own words, shorter than the original.
This literary device compares two things using 'like' or 'as.'
What is a simile?
Before answering a reading-comprehension question, you should do this to find evidence in the passage.
What is skim or scan for key words?
OR
What is highlight or underline the text?
What does it mean to infer something?
To be a detective: Form a conclusion or opinion from clues in the text.
This sentence makes a logical conclusion based on the evidence that the grass is wet.
(A) The grass is wet, so it must have rained earlier.
(B) The grass is wet, so someone watered it—always.
(C) The grass is wet, so there was a flood.
(D) The grass is wet; therefore, school is canceled.
(A) The grass is wet, so it must have rained earlier.
Evaluate a Response?
Decide whether it answers the question or responds to the text correctly.
"Which sentence uses the correct subject-verb agreement?"
(A) The team are playing well together.
(B) The students is studying for the test.
(C) Neither of the answers are correct.
(D) Everyone in the class enjoys the project.
(D) Everyone in the class enjoys the project.
The CAASPP often asks you to support answers with text. Name two ways you can show evidence from the passage.
What are quoting directly and paraphrasing with page/line reference?
What does it mean to evaluate something?
You are given information and must tell me: is it true? False? Well-supported? Reputable?
This choice best provides strong textual evidence to support an answer about a passage.
(A) A sentence from the passage quoted with the line or paragraph number and a brief explanation
(B) A paraphrase without reference to location
(C) A personal opinion not in the text
(D) An unrelated fact
(A) A sentence from the passage quoted with the line or paragraph number and a brief explanation
Analyze a text?
Draw a conclusion from the text, then respond in a CER sentence set or paragraph.
This type of context clue helps you understand an unfamiliar word by providing a definition or explanation right in the sentence.
What is it?
(A) Synonym clue
(B) Antonym clue
(C) Appositive/Definition clue
(D) Example clue
(C) Appositive/Definition clue
This word means the same as another word in the sentence and can help you figure out the meaning of an unknown word. It is often called a clue word nearby.
What is a context clue?
What does it mean to synthesize something?
You must take information from 2 or more sources and combine them to make sense of a topic.
This revision strategy most improves clarity and tone in formal essay writing.
(A) Replace biased, informal words with neutral academic language and vary sentence structure
(B) Add slang to make it sound friendly
(C) Repeat the same word to emphasize
(D) Remove topic sentences
(A) Replace biased, informal words with neutral academic language and vary sentence structure
Determine an author's tone?
Look at the word choice, sentence length, and details--ask whether the language sounds proud, sad, humorous, or neutral.
Which revision best combines these two sentences using a subordinating conjunction: "She studied hard. She passed the test."
(A) She studied hard, and she passed the test.
(B) Because she studied hard, she passed the test.
(C) She studied hard; she passed the test.
(D) She studied hard, so she passed the test.
(B) Because she studied hard, she passed the test.
Read this prompt: "Explain how the author’s choice of words in paragraph 4 affects the tone of the passage."
Describe the steps you would use to answer fully (include at least three steps).
What is: 1) Identify important word choices or phrases in paragraph 4;
2) Define or explain their connotations;
3) Describe how those words influence the tone (mood/attitude);
4) Give a short quote or paraphrase as evidence;
5) Connect evidence to the overall effect on the passage.)