Author's Argument (most covered)
In an informational text, what is the author doing when they state a position and give a reason meant to convince readers?
The author is making a claim and supporting it with reasons/evidence to persuade readers (stating position + reason = argument).
What do you call the main point or overall message of an informational text?
A central idea
What is the difference between a summary and a paraphrase (one short sentence)?
Summary = short restatement of main points; Paraphrase = restating the same idea in different words.
Give an example of figurative language (simile or metaphor)
Example: "The classroom was a beehive of activity."
What strategy would you use first to figure out an unknown word in a text?
Use context clues (read surrounding words/sentences).
Name the three classical rhetorical appeals an author uses to persuade readers.
Ethos, Pathos, Logos.
When comparing two central ideas in the same text, name one strategy for showing how each is developed.
Strategy: track topic sentences, supporting details, and how evidence or examples accumulate; create a summary of each idea’s progression.
When paraphrasing a sentence, name two things you must do to keep it accurate.
Keep the original meaning; use different wording and sentence structure; avoid adding personal opinion.
Define "connotation" in one sentence.
Connotation is the emotional or cultural meaning a word suggests beyond its dictionary definition. And it can be positive, negative, or neutral.
What is a "multiple-meaning word"? Give an example.
A word with more than one meaning depending on context (e.g., "bank" = financial institution or river edge).
Identify whether this reasoning is primarily inductive or deductive: the author lists several specific examples, then draws a general conclusion.
Inductive reasoning
A central idea can change or become clearer as you read further into the text. Explain briefly.
True. Central ideas can be refined or further developed as authors add evidence or explanation.
Which is the BEST paraphrase?
Original sentence:
“Many students struggle with time management because they balance school, activities, and responsibilities at home.”
A. Students have a lot to do, so they can’t manage time.
B. Students find it hard to manage their time because they juggle school, activities, and home responsibilities.
C. Time management is when students do school and activities.
D. Students struggle.
B. Students find it hard to manage their time because they juggle school, activities, and home responsibilities.
Choose between these two words with similar denotations: polite, diplomatic. Which has more positive connotation in a formal context? Explain in one phrase.
"Diplomatic" has a more positive connotation in formal contexts (suggests tact/skill); "polite" is neutral.
Use context clues to infer meaning:
Sentence:
“Although the directions seemed clear at first, the scientist’s explanation became increasingly ambiguous, leaving the students unsure of what to do next.”
What does the word ambiguous most nearly mean?
A. Very detailed and precise
B. Difficult to hear
C. Unclear or open to more than one meaning
D. Completely incorrect
C. Unclear or open to more than one meaning
Describe how you would "trace the development of an author’s argument" across paragraphs (two short steps).
Step 1: Identify the claim(s) or thesis. Step 2: Note supporting reasons/evidence in order and how they build or change the claim.
Given two central ideas (A and B) in an article, what evidence types would you note to show how each develops? List three types.
Types: facts/statistics, examples/anecdotes, expert testimony/quotes (also: explanations or cause-effect chains).
Which is the BEST summary?
A text explains that students often feel overwhelmed because of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and responsibilities at home. It suggests using planners and setting priorities to manage time better.
A. Students have a lot of responsibilities and should use tools like planners to manage their time.
B. Students are busy with school, sports, and home responsibilities, which can be overwhelming.
C. Using a planner is the most important skill for students.
D. Students should focus only on school to avoid stress.
A. Students have a lot of responsibilities and should use tools like planners to manage their time.
Explain how a metaphor can affect the mood of a paragraph (one to two sentences).
A metaphor can make the description more vivid and shape the reader's emotional response, thus creating a stronger mood (e.g., "the town was a ghost" creates eerie mood).
Vocabulary Analysis Challenge:
Read the sentence:
“Even though Marcus called his comment a ‘joke,’ his words had a sharp edge that made everyone in the room uncomfortable.”
What is the connotation of the word sharp in this sentence?
A. Physically pointed or able to cut
B. Intelligent and quick-thinking
C. Hurtful or harsh in tone
D. Loud and attention-grabbing
C. Hurtful or harsh in tone
Given a short excerpt where an author uses statistics, expert quotes, and emotional anecdotes, list which parts show logos, ethos, and pathos.
Logos = statistics (logical evidence); Ethos = expert quotes or credentials; Pathos = emotional anecdotes.
A student says:
“Central Idea A is developed through facts and statistics, while Central Idea B is developed through a personal story and examples. Both ideas are connected because they show different sides of the same issue.”
Which answer BEST evaluates the student’s analysis?
A. The student is incorrect because central ideas should always be developed the same way.
B. The student is partially correct because they identify development but do not explain the connection between the ideas.
C. The student is correct because they explain how each idea develops AND how the ideas are related.
D. The student is incorrect because central ideas cannot be compared within the same text.
C. The student is correct because they explain how each idea develops AND how the ideas are related.
Why is it important to distinguish your summary from your opinion? Give two reasons.
Reason 1: To keep accuracy and avoid bias; Reason 2: To show understanding and not confuse facts with personal views.
Identify the connotation difference and explain effect: "slim" vs. "scrawny" (one to two sentences).
"Slim" connotes a positive or neutral thinness; "scrawny" connotes weak or unhealthy thinness — effect: changes reader’s attitude toward the subject.
Explain how prefixes or roots can help determine a word's meaning; give one example.
Example: "auto-" means self, as in "autobiography" = self-written life story.