Reasoning Through Language Arts
Describe what main idea of a passage means.
The central point or message of the passage.
Simplify: 2 + 3 x 4.
2 + 3 x 4 = 2 + 12 = 14
What is the smallest unit of life.
Cell
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Name one winter holiday celebrated worldwide.
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's
What is an inference?
A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning, not directly stated.
Convert 0.75 to a fraction.
3/4
Name one renewable energy source.
Solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal
What are the 3 branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
If a gift costs $20 gift with 25% off, what is the cost?
20 x .25 = 5
20 - 5 = $15.00
Synonym for happy.
Joyful, glad, cheerful.
A recipe calls for 2/3 cup of sugar. Double it. State in simplest form.
4/3 = 1 1/3 cups
Why does ice float on water?
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water.
Define "checks & balances."
System where each branch limits the others' power.
Share a sentence using the word tradition.
Example: "Family gatherings are an important holiday tradition."
Correctly use "their/there/they're."
Daily double if you can do it in one sentence.
Example: "They're going to put their coats over there."
A holiday tree costs $48. It is discounted by 15%, and then you pay 8% sales tax. What is the final price?
48 × 0.15 = 7.2048
48 − 7.20 = 40.80
40.80 × 0.08 = 3.26
40.80 + 3.26
Final price = $44.06 (approx.)
Explain why the Earth experiences seasons.
Seasons occur because of Earth’s axial tilt and orbit around the Sun.
What was the main purpose of the Federalist Papers?
To promote ratification of the Constitution and explain checks and balances.
A family is planning a holiday dinner for 12 people. If each person eats ⅔ pound of turkey, how many pounds of turkey are needed?
12 people × ⅔ lb each
12×0.67≈8.04
About 8 pounds of turkey needed.
What is a compound sentence?
Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (e.g., "I studied, and I passed the test."
A cookie recipe calls for 1 ½ cups flour, ¾ cup sugar, and ⅔ cup butter. If you triple the recipe, how much of each ingredient do you need?
Flour: 1.5 × 3 = 4.51
Sugar: 0.75 × 3 = 2.25
Butter: ⅔ × 3 ≈ 2
Answer: 4½ cups flour, 2¼ cups sugar, 2 cups butter
A string of holiday lights uses 0.05 kWh per hour. If they are on for 6 hours each night in December (31 days), how much energy is used in total?
Lights use .05 kWh/hour × 6 hours/day = 0.3 kWh/day.
December = 31 days → 0.3×31=9.30.3 \times 31 = 9.3 kWh total.
Answer: 9.3 kWh used in December
Compare the powers of the federal government and state governments in the U.S. Give one example of each.
Federal powers: regulate interstate commerce, declare war, coin money. State powers: run schools, issue licenses, manage local elections.
Make a short persuasive statement (2–3 sentences) convincing someone why holiday traditions are important for community and culture.
Example persuasive statement: “Holiday traditions strengthen community by bringing people together. They preserve culture and create shared memories that connect generations.”