Narrative Techniques
A story’s main character wants to win a race, but a sprained ankle gets in the way. What is the problem called?
Conflict
What is the central point or most important idea in an informational text called?
Main idea
What is a group of lines in a poem called?
A stanza
In the sentence “The curious fox crossed the field,” what word describes the fox?
Curious
In “The puppy was timid, or shy, around new people,” what does timid mean?
Shy or nervous.
Two characters disagree about whether to protect an old forest or build homes there. How might their opposing views help develop a theme?
Their interactions may reveal a theme, such as balancing community needs with care for nature.
A text lists steps in order to explain how to plant a garden. What organizational structure does it use?
Sequence or chronological order.
A poem compares a busy classroom to a buzzing beehive. What kind of language is this?
A simile.
Is this a simple, compound, or complex sentence? “Maya packed her lunch, and Leo filled the water bottles.”
Compound
What is an antonym for ancient?
Modern or recent.
One story tells about a lost dog through a realistic adventure; another tells a similar story with a magical setting. What could you compare about their approaches to the topic?
Compare how each genre develops the topic, characters, events, or theme.
Two authors write about the same historical event, but one focuses on leaders and the other on everyday people. What should you compare?
Compare the authors’ focus, details, organization, and presentation of the event.
What is the repeated pattern of end rhymes in a poem called?
Rhyme scheme.
Combine these ideas into one compound sentence: “The bus was late. We waited patiently.”
“The bus was late, so we waited patiently.”
In “The glass was fragile, so Nina carried it carefully,” what does fragile most likely mean?
Easily broken or damaged.
A writer adds a sudden storm during a tense scene. How might this event affect the pace of the plot?
The storm could add urgency, slow the characters, or make the conflict feel more intense.
Why might an author use headings, facts, and a concluding paragraph in an article about recycling?
These features organize information, support the author’s purpose, and help readers understand the topic.
A poem describes “silver rain tapping the roof.” What technique helps readers imagine the scene?
Imagery.
Find and correct the verb-tense shift: “Jamal opened the door and sees the package.”
“Jamal opened the door and saw the package.”
A word has two meanings. What clues in the surrounding sentence can help you determine which meaning fits?
Context clues, such as nearby descriptions, examples, or contrasting words.
A character’s choices cause a problem to grow, while the setting limits the character’s options. Explain how both elements could shape the plot’s pacing.
The character’s choices can add events and tension; the setting can create obstacles or limit choices, changing how quickly events unfold.
An article begins with a question, groups facts under headings, and ends by suggesting an action. How do these choices support its purpose and audience?
The opening question can engage readers, headings organize information, and the suggested action provides closure or encourages a response.
A poet repeats the “s” sound in “soft snow slid silently.” What sound device is used, and what effect might it create?
Alliteration; the repeated sound may create a soft, smooth effect.
Combine these ideas into one complex sentence, keeping the verb tense consistent: “The clouds gathered. The team continued its hike.”
Example: “Although the clouds gathered, the team continued its hike.”
You are unsure what reluctant means. Name one reliable print or digital resource you could use to check its meaning.
A dictionary, glossary, or trusted digital reference tool.