Author's Purpose
BLT Plot Mountain
Main Idea
BLT Story
Spooky fun facts!
100

Name three (of the five) main reasons an author writes and publishes any piece of text.

Student should have named three of the following: 

1. Persuade 

2. Inform 

3. Entertain 

4. Explain

5. Describe

100

we learn that the story takes place in a highly advanced, near-future Canadian city. the reader meets Mr. Toussaint whose smart apartment controls his daily life. This is which part of the plot mountain?

The exposition

100

A main idea should be expressed in how many sentences? 

one sentence

100

This is the name of the maliciously programmed smart energy drink pouch that tricks Mister Toussaint’s refrigerator into throwing away perfectly good food.

Loony Goony

100

To meet the massive demand for Halloween, manufacturers produce roughly 35 million pounds of this striped, tri-colored candy every year.

Candy Corn

200

If an author writes a step-by-step manual on How to Build a Solar-Powered Oven, what is their primary purpose for writing this text?

To explain

200

A series of mishaps unfold: Mister Toussaint tries to destroy the rogue smart-pouch, Loony Goony, using a trash can, a microwave, and a dishwasher. These events are examples of which part of the plot mountain?

Rising Action

200

Often found in the introduction of an essay or article, this single sentence explicitly states the main idea and outlines the points to follow.

a thesis statement

200

Mister Toussaint first realizes something is wrong with his high-tech, networked home when he returns to find 300 euros' worth of these unexpectedly left on his doorstep.

groceries

200

If an 8th grader ate too many sweets on Halloween night, they might experience a temporary rush of energy from this hormone, which is released by the brain alongside dopamine during a "sugar rush."

Adrenaline

300

Read this snippet and determine the Author's Purpose: 

Did you hear about the explosion at the French cheese factory?! It was awful; de brie was everywhere!

to entertain

300

This is the most intense turning point of the plot, where Mister Toussaint retrieves an analog, non-networked antique from his grandfather's storage box to melt and finally destroy Loony Goony.

the climax

300

Identify the Topic and main idea of the following passage:

Disneyland, known as "The Happiest Place on Earth," opened on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California. Created by Walt Disney, the park combined Disney's animated magic with exciting rides and themed lands like Adventureland and Fantasyland. Designed as a place for both children and adults, Disneyland has grown over the years, adding new attractions while preserving its original charm. Today, it remains a beloved symbol of American culture and imagination.

Topic: Disneyland

Main Idea: Disneyland, opened by Walt Disney in 1955 in Anaheim, California, is a beloved American destination.

(for 300 points, I would also accept anything about the history of the park)

300

When Mister Toussaint tries to throw away the energy drink, his smart trash can refuses to cycle it down the chute, claiming the pouch contains these types of substances.

toxic (or hazardous) substances

300

Long before pumpkins became the standard, the original Jack-o'-lanterns in Ireland and Scotland were carved out of this spicy root vegetable.

turnips

400

An editorial starts by sharing a tragic statistic about ocean plastic, uses vivid imagery of choking sea turtles, and ends by asking readers to sign a ban on single-use straws. The ultimate or overarching author's purpose is this.

to persuade

400

This plot event officially kicks off the main conflict when Mister Toussaint comes home to find 300 euros worth of unwanted groceries on his doorstep because his refrigerator was tricked.

the inciting incident (or initiating event)

400

When a main idea is not explicitly stated in the text, a reader must use clues and background knowledge to determine it. Using clues to draw a interpreted conclusion is called... 

Inferring

400

Who is the author of The Brave Little Toaster?

Cory Doctorow

400

According to Spotify playlist data, this 1962 novelty hit by Bobby "Boris" Pickett is the most played and added song on Halloween playlists.

"Monster Mash"

500

What kind of words (written within the text) can help the reader determine an author's intention for writing the piece?

tone words

500

Which part of the plot mountain does this scene represent?
After the energy drink is successfully destroyed, firefighters put out the toxic smoke and take away the ruined appliance. This final stage of the plot diagram occurs when Mister Toussaint is left without his grandfather's toaster but has successfully freed his home from the manipulative device.

The resolution

500

Identify the topic and the main idea of the following passage:
Studies indicate that teenagers aren't getting enough sleep. This deficit affects both health and academics. Busy schedules and the use of electronic devices before bed disrupt consistent sleep patterns, leading to concentration issues, mood swings, and a weakened immune system. Addressing this sleep deficit is crucial for their well-being.

Topic: Sleep

Main Idea: Teenagers don't get enough sleep and this negatively impacts their lives. 

500

What is the concept of smart devices being interconnected called?

the Internet of Things)

500

When you walk through a haunted house and get startled, this almond-shaped set of neurons deep inside your brain's temporal lobe instantly triggers your "fight-or-flight" response.

the amygdala