Show:
Connotation vs. Denotation
Inference
Figurative Language
Text Structure
Context Clues
100
Denotative vs. Connotative meaning of words Read the following sentence and explain the connotative meanings of “strong-willed” and how it compares to “pig-headed.” Some people admired Uncle Fred because they thought he was strong-willed, but others considered him pig-headed.
Both words “strong-willed” and “pig-headed” have the literal or denotative meaning of “stubborn.” The word “pig-headed,” however, also has a rather negative connotation of being so stubborn to the point of being stupid and that people are frustrated by such a person, while “strong-willed” has a more positive meaning of being stubborn as a good characteristic.
100
What conclusions can you draw about the video game industry? Video gaming is one of the largest industries in America. Each day more and more children are getting addicted to video games. There have been many video game opponents accusing the industry of becoming too violent. It is not uncommon to play a shoot 'em up game where ten people are getting killed every minute. Yet, despite pressures of society to eliminate violent video games, as each day passes, more gamers are getting hooked.
You can infer that the video game industry is more concerned with making profits than it is with the well-being of the country.
100
Read the excerpt and tell what form of figurative language the phrase “come down like a sluggish sea” is and why. The weather changed. The air had come down like a sluggish sea, weighing us down with its heavy pressure.
The phrase, “air had come down like a sluggish sea” is an example of a simile. Similes add depth to writing and make it richer. They are used to create a more vivid image of something in the reader’s mind. In this case, the air coming down “like a sluggish sea” means the air is very heavy.
100
Directions: read the following passages and determine the text structure. Is it cause/effect, problem/ solution, compare/contrast, descriptive, or order of importance/ sequence: The surface of the Earth is divided into pieces called "tectonic plates." These plates move. When the plates rub against each other, they do not move smoothly. When the plates do not move smoothly, earthquakes result. Some parts of the world get more earthquakes than other parts. The parts of the earth that get most earthquakes are near the edges of these plates.
How is the text structured? Cause and Effect
100
Find the meaning of dilate using context clues. When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they dilate.
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term. Words like “although,” “however,” and “but” may signal contrast clues. “Dilate” means the opposite of “contract.” It means to become larger.
200
Denotative vs. Connotative meaning of words Read the following and explain the connotative meaning of the word “chef” and how it compares to “cook.” I have always thought of myself as a chef, not a cook.
Both the words “chef” and “cook” can be defined as someone who prepares food, but the word chef carries a higher status than cook. it suggests someone who prepares food professionally rather than someone who merely prepares food as a necessity, such as for a family.
200
Read the following excerpt and decide why Alex did not want to see the puppy. Dr. Thomas walked up to Alex in the waiting room. He spoke as gently as he could. “I’m sick about Rover. We did everything we could to save him. But he was just too sick. I know how much you loved him. But I have something to show you.” Then Dr. Thomas showed Alex a cute little puppy. “No,” the boy shouted. “I don’t want to see your dog.”
You can infer that Alex did not want to see the puppy because he was to upset about his own dog. This conclusion might be based both on what the passage says and from personal experience. In the excerpt, Dr. Thomas tells Alex that they could not save his dog. From personal experience you might realize how upsetting it is to lose a pet. That would help you come to the conclusion that Alex was grieving and didn't want to see another dog at that moment. An inference is based on the information in a passage and a reader's experience, but it is not stated in the text.
200
What type of figurative language is this? "I'm working harder than Cinderella, but I don't see a prince in my future." What does the author accomplish in this?
The sentence is an allusion and analogy to Cinderella. The reader thinks highly like they would for a fairy tale. The speaker is also an underdog we root for.
200
Directions: read the following passages and determine the text structure. Is it cause/effect, problem/ solution, compare/contrast, descriptive, or order of importance/ sequence: Some countries, such as Japan, or parts of a country, like California in the United States, have a lot of earthquakes. In these places it is a good practice to build houses and other buildings so they will not collapse when there is an earthquake. This is called seismic design or "earthquake-proofing".
How is the text structured? Problem and Solution
200
Determine the meaning of “cordial” in the following excerpt. The salesperson smiled when the couple came into the store. She told them to take their time in choosing a ring. She chatted with them about their future plans. She was the most cordial salesperson they had ever met.
The excerpt states that the salesperson smiled. It says that she told them to their time and that she chatted with them. Obviously the word “cordial” has a positive meaning based on the context clues. They seem to like the salesperson. She seems very pleasant. If you place "pleasant" in place of "cordial," the sentences make sense.
300
The fact is:George likes to save money when shopping. Aunt Myrna says: “He’s thrifty.” Aunt Willa says:“He’s stingy.” Describe how each Aunt feels about George based on the connotations of the words they use to describe him.
Aunt Myrna is proud of her nephew George. Aunt Willa, by contrast, disapproves of everything George does. Let’s see how their different views of George determine the language they use. Both of these words refer to saving money, but they have different connotations. “Thrifty” suggests that George is smart and knows how to find bargains. “Stingy” depicts George as greedy and lacking generosity.
300
Mr. Johnson looked up at the sky. It was clear as far as the eye could see, except for the cruel sun. The insatiable sun drained the land of all moisture. He cursed the sun. Mr. Johnson ran his fingers through one of the rows of dirt and grabbed a handful. It was bone dry, almost powdery. He let the dirt sift through his fingers and it turned to dust in the wind. Mr. Johnson put his hands on his hips and surveyed the field. It was well seeded, that he knew. He had seeded it himself, yet nothing sprang from the dirt. "Well, there's only one thing left to do," he said to himself. Mr. Johnson headed to church. 1. What does Mr. Johnson do for a living? 2. Why is Mr. Johnson cursing the sun? 3. Why does Mr. Johnson go to church at the end of the passage?
Suggested Answer Mr. Johnson is a farmer. Answer Explanation I know this because he is surveying a field that he has seeded. Suggested Answer Mr. Johnson curses the sun because it has not rained in a while and the sun is drying out his fields. Answer Explanation I know this because when Mr. Johnson grabs dirt from the field, and the dirt is very dry. This indicates that it has not rained in a while. Additionally, Mr. Johnson's crops are not growing, which indicates that they are not getting enough water or light. In this case it seems like they aren't getting enough water. Suggested Answer Mr. Johnson goes to church at the end of the passage to pray for rain. Answer Explanation I know this because Mr. Johnson says, "Well, there's only one thing left to do" before he heads to church. The last thing that he can do then is pray.
300
Which figurative language is used in the excerpt? We stood on the edge of the beach, a browned desert that offered no safe refuge, and watched the faltering ship struggling in the sea.
This is an example of a metaphor. The beach is likened to a browned desert that offered no safe refuge. They are compared without the use of the comparison words “as” or “like”
300
Directions: read the following passages and determine the text structure. Is it cause/effect, problem/ solution, compare/contrast, descriptive, or order of importance/ sequence: A hurricane is a large storm with heavy winds and rain that begins in the ocean and builds up strength as it moves across the water. While some of the damage caused by hurricanes is from high winds, most of it is usually from tidal surge, flooding entire cities, and killing large numbers of people. A tornado is a storm that develops on land, with no warning, and moves in a circular motion with heavy winds with a funnel shape, picking up and carrying dirt, dust, and even objects. The damage caused by tornadoes is from the high velocity winds, which are extremely destructive and deadly. They can demolish entire neighborhoods in a matter of a few seconds to a few minutes. Tornadoes can form when hurricanes make landfall, as their winds at ground level slow down, while the winds near the top keep their momentum, but a hurricane cannot be created by a tornado.
How is the text structured? Compare and Contrast
300
Use context clues to find the meaning of celestial. Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the centuries.
“Celestial” objects are those in the sky or heavens. Sometimes when a reader finds a new word, an example might be found nearby that helps to explain its meaning. Words like including, such as, and for example, point out example clues.
400
Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing approval or disapproval of the topic. Then circle the best word to put into the sentence. 1. “The sooner we move out of this (home, dump),” said Jack, “the happier I’ll be.” 2. This cell phone is (expensive, overpriced), but I don’t mind paying extra because it has so many useful features. 3. You’re lucky to have Wilma on your committee. She has lots of (original, crazy) ideas.
1. dump (-) 2.expensive (+) 3.original (+)
400
"Argh!" Amber exclaimed as she pulled off her sweater and threw it into a multicolored pile of clothes. She walked into her closet and swept her hand recklessly through the rows of hanging garments, her face reflecting her dissatisfaction. She huffed and grabbed a silver dress. She held it up to the mirror against her body for a moment, sighed, and then stepped into the dress. She gazed into the mirror, and then scowled and threw her fists down in disappointment. She heard her mother's voice through the door, "Amber, Scott's here. Are you almost ready?" Amber groaned, "OK, just tell him I'll be down in two minutes!" She slid the silver dress back off and threw it onto the ever-growing multicolored pile of clothes. What problem is Amber having? How do you know this? Will Amber be ready to meet Scott in two minutes? Why or why not? How do you know this? 
Amber cannot find an outfit to wear. I know this because she changes clothes numerous times in the short passage. Suggested Answer Amber will not be ready to meet Scott in two minutes because she still will not have an outfit to wear. Answer Explanation I know this because she is removing the dress at the end of the passage. This means that she will have to select another outfit, put it on, and accept how it looks on her. Based on how many outfits she has tried on already, it is unlikely that her next pick will be the one.
400
An idiom is a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language. What does this idiom say about the culture where it originated? a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush Example: “Someone offered me $100 to buy my old TV. I was hoping to sell it for $200, but I have a feeling this is the best offer I’ll get for a while, and I need that money now. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right?”
Definition: It’s better to have a small, secured advantage than the possibility of a bigger one. It’s better to stick with what you have than risk it for something greater. Be content with what you have and be careful of taking risks.
400
Directions: read the following passages and determine the text structure. Is it cause/effect, problem/ solution, compare/contrast, descriptive, or order of importance/ sequence: Have you ever wondered what the inside of a volcano looks like? Deep underground is a magma chamber. The magma chamber is under the bedrock of the earth's crust. The conduit or pipe runs from the magma chamber to the top of the volcano. The conduit connects the magma chamber to the surface. Most volcanoes also have a crater at the top. Volcanoes are quite a sight, and you can enjoy this site all over the universe. Volcanoes are found on planets other than Earth, like the Olympus Mons on Mars.
How is the text structured? Descriptive Writing
400
Find the definition of lugubrious using context clues. The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the all- but-deserted cemetery.
“Lugubrious,” which means “sorrowful,” fits into the mood set by the words “wails,” “dreary,” and “deserted cemetery.” The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the mood.
500
Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing approval or disapproval of the topic. Then circle the best word to put into the sentence. I have a lot of respect for Jenny’s father. He’s rather (reserved, antisocial) and dignified. My brother can’t stand his mother-in-law. She’s practically a millionaire, but she’s about as (thrifty, miserly) as a person can get. This coffee is very (bitter, strong) – just the way I like it!
reserved + miserly - strong +
500
Identify which information in the excerpt supports the inference that plants need more water when it is hot than when it is cool. Sweat is water that evaporates on the skin. Sweating is a process which cools the body. People sweat more in hot weather. Similarly, plants are cooled by evaporating water. Most of the water a plant takes in is used to keep it cool.
The information that support the inference that plants need more water when it is hot then when it is cool is that plants are like people. The excerpt says that plants are cooled by evaporating water. The excerpt also says that people sweat more in hot weather, so the reader can determine from this evidence that plants need more water when it is hot than when it is cool.
500
Identify the type of figurative language: When he kissed her, it felt to her as though he were trying to win a sword fight. What does the author mean by this?
This is an example of an analogy (or simile). The subject feels like kissing her is a challenge and requires concentration, as if both are playing offense and defense at the same time.
500
Directions: read the following passages and determine the text structure. Is it cause/effect, problem/ solution, compare/contrast, descriptive, or order of importance/ sequence: Tsunamis are very long waves in the ocean, sometimes hundreds of miles long. Tsunamis usually start suddenly. They may begin as normal waves and change to big waves very quickly. After this change, tsunami waves will travel at great speed across the ocean with little energy loss. Just before they hit land, the water will draw back off of the coast. If the slope of the coast is shallow, the water may pull back for many hundreds of feet. People who are unaware of the danger may be drawn by this strange site and remain on the shore. When the tsunami finally hits, it may remove sand from beaches, destroy trees, damage houses and even destroy whole towns. Tsunamis are tremendously powerful.
How is the text structured? Sequence / Process Writing
500
Find the definition of culinary using context clues. She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she served, so she carefully studied the necessary culinary arts.
The author explains the reason for or the result of the word. Words like “because,” “since,” “therefore,” “thus,” “so,” etc. may signal context clues. “Culinary” means “food preparation.”