Figurative Language
Author's Purpose
Text Structure
Types of Genres
Inference
Vocabulary
200

What is a HYPERBOLE?

extreme exaggeration or an overstatement.

200

A story about a family trying to stick together through the Great Depression in the Midwest in the 1930’s

What is the Author’s Purpose?

To entertain

200

When I got home from school after a long boring day, I took out the peanut butter, jelly, and bread.  After taking the lid off of the jars, I spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and the jelly on the other, and then I put the two pieces of bread together.  After that, I enjoyed it while watching “Cops” on the TV.  I swear, that was the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich I ever ate. 

What text structure is being used?

Sequence

200

A type of fantasy that uses science fiction along with technology and is often set in futuristic times.

Science fiction

200

Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him.  He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch.  After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it.  As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller.

Why does Kyle put the soup can in the garbage can?

He failed a subject on his report card and was trying to hide it from his parents.

200

Where and when the story takes place, is called the?

Setting

300

"Life is like a rollercoaster" is an example of what type of figurative language?

Simile

300

An instructional booklet describing how to operate a smart phone.

What is the author’s purpose?

To inform

300

Before applying the screen protector, clean the surface of your phone’s screen with a soft cloth.  Once the surface of your screen is clean, remove the paper backing on the screen protector.  Evenly apply the sticky side of the screen protector to your phone’s screen.  Smooth out any air bubble trapped on between the protector and the phone screen.  Enjoy the added protection.

 What is the text structure?

Sequence

300

A book with magic and wizards is considered this type of genre.

Fantasy

300

Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms.  She was weeping mournfully and her clothing was disheveled.  In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name:  “Oh... John…”  And then her cell phone beeped.  Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered.  The text message was from John.  She opened up the message and read the few bare words, “I need to get my jacket back from you.”  Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing. 

Why is Anastasia sad?

She broke up with John.

300

This is the development of the characters in the story.

characterization

400

The butterflies in the meadow seemed to two-step with one another, as the thunder yelled angrily in the distance.

What type of figurative language is being displayed?

Personification

400

An article where an author argues that an iPhone is better than an Android phone.

What is the author’s purpose?

To persuade

400

Most people have had red pizza, or pizza covered with red sauce, but have you ever had white pizza?  White pizza is made in almost the same way as red pizza: the dough rises and is rolled out, toppings are applied, and it is cooked in an oven—but the key difference is that white pizza does not have any tomato sauce on it.  Instead, a white pizza may have olive oil or no sauce at all.  I like white pizza more than red pizza because you can really taste the ingredients.  Adding some fresh tomatoes to a white pizza will give it that tomato flavor without the completely overwhelming taste of the red sauce that covers most pizzas.  If you have not had a white pizza, I recommend that you order or make one today.

What text structure is being used?

Compare and Contrast

400

The events in this type of story could really happen to anyone.

Realistic Fiction

400

Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face.  The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday.  Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!”  Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door. 

Where is Cassie most likely going?

School/College

400

This character is considered the “good guy” in the story and will face conflict that he/she must resolve.

Protagonist

500

“It’s raining cats and dogs” or “kill two birds with one stone” is an example of what type of figurative language?

Idioms

500

The story of a young athlete that takes steroids and his life and future fall apart.

What is the author’s purpose?

To entertain

500

You’d think that making a frozen pizza would be as easy as rolling out some dough, dropping some ingredients on it, and freezing it, but it’s actually a lot more complicated than that.  Some of the challenges in creating a good frozen pizza include the sauce combining with the dough and the crust becoming rigid after it is frozen and reheated.  To prevent the sauce from combining with the crust, you can use a layer of modified cornstarch as a moisture barrier between the sauce and the crust.  This will prevent the crust from absorbing the sauce.  Additionally, partially baking the dough and other ingredients will keep the dough from becoming too rigid after it is frozen and reheated.  On second thought, you’re probably better off not trying this at home.

What text structure is being used?

Problem and solution

500

These stories usually have a moral that is being taught. They often use animals that speak and act like humans.

Fable

500

Ryan was looking forward to sleeping over at his friend Robert's house. Though they had been classmates for a while, the two had only recently become good friends. Ryan packed up his sleeping bag, a pillow, and a few of his favorite toys and games, and then his mom dropped him off at Robert's. Robert met Ryan on the porch and the two did their secret handshake and started playing right away. First they played pirates in Robert's tree fort. Next they played ninjas in the driveway. Then it started getting dark and they went inside of Robert's house. As soon as they walked in the house, Ryan's eyes starting getting red and itchy. He saw a big orange cat sitting on the couch. Then he started sneezing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, Robert. It's been a lot of fun, but I have to call my mom.“

Why does Ryan want to call his mom?

To come and pick him up because he’s allergic to the cat.

500

The feeling a reader gets from a story is called…

Mood

600

“Jumbo shrimp”, “icy hot”, and “bitter sweet” are examples of which type of figurative language?

Oxymoron

600

A speech written by a professional athlete listing the negative effects of steroids and urging young athletes to not use steroids.

What is the author’s purpose?

To persuade

600

Pizza is often viewed as a junk food, and it is true that some pizzas are high in salt, fat, and calories, but there may also be some benefit to eating pizza.  Some studies have found that lycopene, an antioxidant that exists in tomato products that are often used in pizza, may prevent some forms of cancer.  Dr. Silvano Gallus, of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmaceutical Research in Milan, studied the eating habits of people who developed cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon.  He concluded that people who ate pizza at least once a week had significantly less chance of developing these cancers.  Here’s to your health.

What text structure is being used?

Cause and effect

600

A book written by the astronaut Mae Jemison about herself is which type of genre?

Autobiography

600

"William, don't forget your towel!" Mom shouted as she applied sunblock on the baby. William threw the folding chairs in the back of the minivan and shouted through the garage door, "OK Mom!" He then ran up and grabbed his towel. "Georgie!" William shouted. There was no response. Mom packed the baby up into the car seat. "William, can you help me with his umbrella?" William ran down the stairs, almost tripping over a chew toy, and then he helped his mother load the large umbrella in the minivan. "Mom, I can't find Georgie," William said. His mother shrugged and replied, "That's OK, William. He probably shouldn't come with us anyway.“

Who is Georgie?

The dog

600

This character is considered the “bad guy” and stands in opposition of the protagonist.

Antagonist