Meaning based on Context
Excerpt:
"The boy was elated when he saw his name at the top of the winner's list, unable to hide his wide grin."
Q: What does elated most likely mean in this sentence?
A: Elated means extremely happy or joyful. Context clue: "unable to hide his wide grin."
What type of figurative language is used here, and what does it mean?
Excerpt: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Simile. Compares her smile to the sun using “as.” It means her smile is bright and joyful.
How does Ava’s perspective change?
Excerpt: “At first, Ava was nervous about the audition. But when she stepped on stage and heard the applause, a smile spread across her face.”
Ava goes from nervous to confident and happy, shown through her reaction to applause.
What can you infer about the speaker’s emotions?
Excerpt: “I walk these halls / in silence deep / memories echo / while others sleep.”
The speaker feels nostalgic, lonely, or lost in memories.
What text structure is used?
Excerpt: “First, gather your ingredients. Then, mix them together. Next, pour the batter…”
Sequence
What does bravado mean, and what clues help you figure it out?
Excerpt: “Despite his bravado, Marcus trembled slightly before stepping onto the stage.”
Bravado means a show of boldness intended to impress or hide fear. Clue: “trembled slightly” suggests he wasn’t truly confident.
What type of figurative language is this? What is being personified?
Excerpt: “The thunder grumbled angrily in the distance.”
Personification. Thunder is given the human quality of grumbling angrily.
How does the author show the character’s changing feelings?
Excerpt: “‘I’ll never forgive him,’ she thought. But after reading his note, her hands trembled, and she wiped away a tear.”
Through inner thought, physical reactions (trembling, crying), and her emotional shift.
Describe the speaker’s tone and what it reveals.
Excerpt: “My boots thud on pavement cracked / each step a whisper of the past I lacked.”
The tone is reflective or regretful. The speaker feels disconnected from the past.
What is the text structure?
Excerpt: “Because the volcano erupted, nearby towns were evacuated.”
Cause and effect
Using context, what does arduous most likely mean?
Excerpt: “The path was arduous, stretching through rough terrain and steep hills that made every step a challenge.”
Arduous means difficult or requiring a lot of effort. Clues: “rough terrain,” “steep hills,” “every step a challenge.”
Identify the type of figurative language and its effect.
Excerpt: “I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!”
Hyperbole. It exaggerates to emphasize frustration or repetition.
How is Jamal's perspective shift?
Excerpt: “Jamal stormed off, muttering under his breath. Hours later, he replayed the argument in his head, regretting every word.”
Jamal goes from angry to regretful. His reflection shows his change.
What does the speaker reveal about their attitude?
Excerpt: “Not the tallest, not the best / but I rise above the rest.”
The speaker is confident, resilient, and determined.
What text structure is used here?
Excerpt: “Both dolphins and whales are marine mammals, but dolphins are smaller and have different teeth.”
Compare and contrast
What does convoluted mean, and how do you know?
Excerpt: “Her explanation was so convoluted that no one could follow her train of thought.”
Convoluted means complicated or confusing. Clue: “no one could follow her train of thought.”
What figurative language is used and what does it reveal about the person?
Excerpt: “He’s a rock in tough situations.”
Metaphor. Compares him to a rock, showing he is strong, dependable, and calm under pressure.
How did Leo’s perspective change and what text evidence shows it?
Excerpt: “‘I don’t belong here,’ Leo said quietly, glancing at the other students. By the end of the week, he was laughing and sharing lunch with new friends.”
He starts feeling like an outsider but becomes included and comfortable, shown through dialogue and his later actions.
Who is the speaker, and what might they be comparing themselves to?
Excerpt: “I am the wind / brushing through trees / unnoticed / but always there.”
The speaker compares themselves to the wind—quiet, constant, often unnoticed.
Identify the structure and explain how it helps the reader understand the topic.
Excerpt: “This article discusses how social media has changed communication over the last 20 years.”
Description. It helps readers understand the topic by focusing on its characteristics and changes.
What does aura mean in this sentence, and what words help you determine that?
Excerpt: “The ancient castle exuded an aura of mystery, drawing visitors in despite its crumbling walls and eerie silence.”
Aura means an invisible atmosphere or feeling surrounding something. Clues: “mystery,” “crumbling walls,” “eerie silence.”
dentify the figurative language and explain the meaning of the phrase.
Excerpt: “She spilled the beans about the surprise party.”
Idiom. “Spilled the beans” means she revealed a secret.
What three ways does the author show the character's growth?
Excerpt: “In the beginning, she doubted her ability to lead. But through failures, inner reflection, and one powerful speech, she found her voice.”
Description is used to show growth is through (1) her doubt, (2) reflection, and (3) delivering a speech.
Analyze the speaker's voice and how metaphor contributes to understanding their journey.
Excerpt: “They said I’d never reach the stars / yet here I am, orbiting scars.”
The speaker has overcome doubt and hardship. The metaphor suggests pain turned into strength and resilience.
What structure is used and how does it organize the information?
Excerpt: “In 1969, humans walked on the moon. The following decades saw continued space exploration…”
Chronological order. It organizes events by time to show progress.