Reading Comprehension
What should you do first when answering a reading-comprehension question?
Identify exactly what the question is asking, then return to the text to find evidence.
What is theme?
The message, lesson, or insight about life that a story communicates.
'The leaves danced across the sidewalk.' What figurative language is used, and what is the impact?
Personification; provides descriptive imagery.
You can determine the meaning of a new word through context clues. Context clues are often ___________ and ____________.
Definition, example, synonym, antonym/contrast, or inference from surrounding details.
Add punctuation: 'After the bell rang students packed their books.'
A comma: 'After the bell rang, students packed their books.'
A passage explains how exercise improves concentration, reduces stress, and helps students sleep. What is the BEST main idea?
Regular exercise can benefit students' mental and physical well-being.
What is the difference between internal and external conflict?
Internal conflict happens within a character; external conflict is a struggle with an outside force.
What is an idiom? What does 'break the ice' mean?
An idiom is an expression whose meaning differs from its literal words. 'Break the ice' means to make people feel more comfortable or begin a friendly interaction.
'Unlike her outgoing sister, Maya was reserved and rarely spoke in large groups.' What does 'reserved' mean?
Quiet, restrained, or not likely to openly express herself.
Add punctuation: 'I wanted to read the book but the library was closed.'
Add a comma before the coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS): 'I wanted to read the book, but the library was closed.'
A character keeps checking the clock, rereads the same sentence, and taps her pencil while waiting for an important phone call. What can you infer?
She is likely anxious, nervous, or worried. Her actions provide the evidence for that inference.
A character fails, reflects on the failure, changes her approach, and later succeeds. What is being developed?
Character development or characterization; the events show how the character changes.
'The hallway was like a rock festival, packed with students.' What device is used, and what does it suggest?
Simile. It suggests the hallway is crowded, loud, chaotic, or difficult to navigate.
Why would an author choose 'nevertheless' instead of 'also'?
'Nevertheless' signals contrast or an unexpected continuation; 'also' signals addition.
Correct using a semicolon and comma: 'The library was crowded however we found a quiet table.'
'The library was crowded; however, we found a quiet table.'
A town has an empty, weed-filled lot. Residents turn it into a community garden. As a result, neighbors spend more time together and children learn how food grows. How does the garden example develop the author's idea?
It gives a specific example of how improving a shared space can create positive effects.
A peaceful village becomes dark, isolated, and threatening after a dangerous storm arrives. How does setting affect the story?
It changes the mood and can increase conflict and tension.
A room has flickering lights, whispering pipes, and a door that creaks open by itself. What mood is created?
An eerie, suspenseful, or unsettling mood. *The Bigfoot is near!
An author makes a claim, gives a statistic, and then gives a real-world example. How do these details work together?
They develop and strengthen the idea by providing evidence and making it easier to understand.
Why should writers vary sentence structure?
To improve rhythm, emphasis, flow, and readability.
A writer says, 'Many students think difficult books are frustrating; however, struggling with a challenging text can strengthen comprehension.' Why is 'however' important?
It signals a contrast between a common belief and the author's claim.
A character refuses help, makes a serious mistake, and finally accepts help from a friend. What theme is BEST supported?
Recognizing that you need others can be a sign of strength rather than weakness.
A narrator describes a volunteer with words such as 'magnificent,' 'grateful,' and 'remarkable.' What tone do these words create?
An appreciative, admiring, or respectful tone.
Why is 'The invention solved a difficult problem in less than five minutes' stronger than 'The thing was really good'?
It is more precise and clear because it replaces vague language with specific information.
Revise for clarity: 'When she told her friend about the project, she said it was difficult because it took too long.' What is unclear?
The pronouns and reference are unclear. A clearer version names the people and the thing that took too long, such as: 'Maya told Jordan that the science project was difficult because the research took too long.'