Key Ideas & Details (Literature)
What does it mean to cite textual evidence?
To support your answer by quoting or paraphrasing directly from the text.
What is the meaning of the word “gloomy” in this sentence: “The gloomy forest made Sara shiver”?
“Gloomy” means dark, sad, or depressing.
What does it mean to determine the central idea of an article?
To find the most important idea the author wants you to understand.
What is the purpose of argumentative writing?
To convince the reader to agree with your claim or point of view.
What is the purpose of informational writing?
To explain or inform about a topic using facts and details.
What is the central idea of a story?
The main message, lesson, or theme of the story.
What is the effect of a flashback in a story?
It shows something that happened earlier and helps explain a character or event.
Read this sentence: “Plastic pollution in the ocean harms sea life every year.” What is the main idea?
Plastic pollution harms sea life.
Name one element every argumentative essay should include.
Claim, evidence, reasoning, counterclaim, conclusion.
Name one type of text structure often used in informational writing.
Examples: Cause/effect, compare/contrast, chronological order, problem/solution.
Amir starts off scared of his speech, but by the end, he feels confident. What changed?
Amir's feelings changed—he grew more confident after practicing/preparing.
How does the author’s word choice create tone in this sentence: “The little puppy danced around the room with joy”?
Words like “danced” and “joy” create a happy, cheerful tone.
“It should be a requirement to recycle. Recycling reduces waste in landfills and conserves natural resources.”
What detail supports the idea that recycling helps the environment?
“Recycling reduces waste in landfills and conserves natural resources.”
Create a claim for the prompt: Should school uniforms be required?
Example claim: “School uniforms should be required because they reduce distractions.”
Give one example of a strong topic sentence for an informational essay about animals.
Example: “Lions are powerful hunters that play an important role in their ecosystem.”
Find one piece of evidence from a text that supports this statement: “Ms. Revere chewed her lip while clutching her suitcase. She felt nervous about moving to a new town.”
Example: “Ms. Revere chewed her lip and clutched her suitcase tightly.” (Shows nervousness.)
How does the structure of a drama differ from a novel?
A drama is written with dialogue and stage directions; a novel is written in prose with narration.
Imagine you just read an article about eating healthy. Summarize the central idea of the article about healthy eating in 1–2 sentences.
"The article explains why healthy eating is important and gives tips for making better food choices."
What type of evidence is stronger: “I think exercise is fun” or “According to doctors, exercise improves heart health”? Explain.
The doctor’s evidence is stronger because it comes from an expert and is fact-based.
How do transitions help an informational essay?
Transitions connect ideas and make the essay flow smoothly.
Summarize the plot of "The Outsider's" in 2–3 sentences.
The story follows Ponyboy and his friends through a summer of escalating tension and violence, forcing him to confront themes of class division, loyalty, and brotherhood as he grapples with loss and the harsh realities of his life. Ultimately, his experiences led to a deep understanding of the shared humanity between the rival groups.
How does point of view (1st person vs 3rd person) affect how the story is told?
1st person lets readers see inside one character’s thoughts/feelings; 3rd person gives a broader perspective of multiple characters/events.
How does the author use evidence to support the claim that exercise improves mental health?
The author uses facts, research studies, or expert opinions to prove the claim.
Give a counterclaim to this statement: “Video games are bad for kids.”
Example: “Video games are not bad for kids; they can improve problem-solving skills and teamwork.”
Give a 2–3 sentence conclusion for an essay about the importance of teamwork.
Example: “Teamwork is essential because it allows people to share strengths, overcome challenges, and reach goals together. Working with others helps us grow and succeed.”