The time and place of a story.
What is the SETTING?
EFFECT: The playground was wet in the morning.
What was the cause?
It rained all night.
Clue: Sarah came inside wearing a wet raincoat and muddy shoes.
Question: What can you infer about the weather outside?
Provide answer and reasoning.
Answer: It was raining or had rained recently.
Reasoning: Wet clothes and muddy shoes suggest she was outside in the rain.
Put the events in order: beginning, middle, end.
He got on the bus just in time.
Tom woke up late.
He brushed his teeth quickly and ran to catch the bus.
Beginning: Tom woke up late.
Middle: He brushed his teeth quickly and ran to catch the bus.
End: He got on the bus just in time.
Question: Which word is a synonym for reluctant?
a) Willing
b) Hesitant
c) Excited
Answer: b) Hesitant
People in the story. Their words, thoughts, and actions help move events forward.
What are CHARACTERS?
CAUSE: Mia forgot to charge her Chromebook.
What is a possible effect?
EFFECT: She couldn’t do her homework in class.
Clue: When the teacher said, “Clear your desks and take out a pencil,” everyone groaned.
Question: What can you infer is about to happen?
Provide answer and reasoning.
Answer: The students are about to take a test or do a difficult assignment.
Reasoning: Students often groan when they expect something challenging or stressful.
Put the events in order: beginning, middle, end.
After a few weeks, the sunflowers grew tall and bright.
Lila planted sunflower seeds in a small pot.
She watered them every day and made sure they got sunlight.
Beginning: Lila planted sunflower seeds in a small pot.
Middle: She watered them every day and gave them sunlight.
End: The sunflowers grew tall and bright.
Question: Which word is a synonym for elaborate (as in “The teacher gave an elaborate explanation”)?
a) Simple
b) Detailed
c) Quick
Answer: b) Detailed
The sequence of events that make up the beginning, middle, and end of a story. Usually revolve around a conflict or problem.
HINT: events in a story
What is the PLOT?
CAUSE: Cause: The science teacher did an exciting volcano experiment.
What is a possible effect?
EFFECT: More students wanted to join the science club.
Clue: Jamal’s hands were shaking as he looked at the test paper, and he kept checking the clock.
Question: What can you infer about how Jamal is feeling?
Provide answer and reasoning?
Answer: He is nervous or anxious.
Reasoning: Shaking hands and worrying about time suggest anxiety or stress.
Put the events in order: beginning, middle, end.
Students prepared experiments and practiced presentations.
On the day of the fair, everyone presented their projects, and winners were announced.
The school announced a science fair.
Beginning: The school announced a science fair.
Middle: Students prepared experiments and practiced presentations.
End: Everyone presented their projects, and winners were announced.
Question: Which word is a synonym for vivid (as in “She had a vivid memory of her first day of school”)?
a) Bright
b) Clear
c) Dull
Answer: b) Clear
The perspective from which the story is told.
HINT: such as first-person or third-person narration
What is POINT OF VIEW?
CAUSE: People started using less plastic and recycling more in the community.
What is one possible effect?
EFFECT: The amount of trash in local rivers and parks decreased over time.
Clue: The lights were off, the cake was on the table, and everyone whispered, “Shh, they’re coming!”
Question: What can you infer the people are doing?
Provide answer and reasoning.
Answer: They are planning a surprise, probably a birthday surprise.
Reasoning: Whispering and hiding a cake indicate a surprise celebration.
Put the events in order: beginning, middle, end.
A kind neighbor saw the dog, called the owner, and returned it safely.
It got lost and found shelter under a tree.
A small dog wandered away from its home.
Beginning: A small dog wandered away from its home.
Middle: It got lost and found shelter under a tree.
End: A kind neighbor saw the dog, called the owner, and returned it safely.
Question: Which word is a synonym for meticulous?
a) Careless
b) Thorough
c) Lazy
Answer: b) Thorough
An important message or idea that the author wants readers to understand.
HINT: the lesson of the story
What is a THEME?
EFFECT: Traffic around the school decreased, and the air quality in the neighborhood improved.
What is a possible cause?
CAUSE: Many students began walking or biking to school instead of getting rides.
Clue: The grass in the park turned brown, the pond was shrinking, and people started watering their lawns at night.
Question: What can you infer about the weather or season?
Provide answer and reasoning.
Answer: It is likely a hot and dry season, such as summer, or there is a drought.
Reasoning: Brown grass, low water, and extra watering suggest hot, dry conditions.
Put the events in order: beginning, middle, end.
She followed the map through forests, streams, and hills.
A young girl discovered an old map in her grandmother’s attic.
She found a hidden chest filled with letters and photographs from her ancestors.
Beginning: A young girl discovered an old map in her grandmother’s attic.
Middle: She followed the map through forests, streams, and hills.
End: She found a hidden chest filled with letters and photographs from her ancestors.
Question: Which word is a synonym for oblivious?
a) Aware
b) Unaware
c) Attentive
Answer: b) Unaware