Literary Elements
Cause and Effect
Inferencing
Sequencing
Synonyms
100

The time and place of a story.

What is the SETTING?

100

EFFECT: The playground was wet in the morning.

What was the cause?

It rained all night.

100

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.

100

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.

100

Question: Which word is a synonym for reluctant?
a) Willing
b) Hesitant
c) Excited

Answer: b) Hesitant

200

People in the story. Their words, thoughts, and actions help move events forward.

What are CHARACTERS?

200

CAUSE: Mia forgot to charge her Chromebook.

What is a possible effect? 

EFFECT: She couldn’t do her homework in class.

200

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.

200

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.

200

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

300

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?

300

CAUSE: Cause: The science teacher did an exciting volcano experiment.

What is a possible effect?

EFFECT: More students wanted to join the science club.

300

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.

300

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.

300

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

400

The perspective from which the story is told.

HINT: such as first-person or third-person narration

What is POINT OF VIEW?

400

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.

400

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.

400

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.

400

Question: Which word is a synonym for meticulous?
a) Careless
b) Thorough
c) Lazy

Answer: b) Thorough

500

An important message or idea that the author wants readers to understand.

HINT: the lesson of the story

What is a THEME?

500

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.

500

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.

500

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.

500

Question: Which word is a synonym for oblivious?
a) Aware
b) Unaware
c) Attentive

Answer: b) Unaware