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Definitions
Vocabulary
Signal Words
Passages- Difficult
Passages- Easy
100
A smart phone is a mobile phone with built-in computer system that can send emails, view websites, or download applications. The first use of the term smart phone was in 1997, when Ericson described its GS 88 as a "smart phone." In 2003 phones got even smarter when Andy Rubin launched the Android mobile operating system. It would take years for the first Android powered phone to reach the market, but today over 80% of all mobile phones are powered by Android. Yet, perhaps the biggest development in the history of smart phones occurred in 2007, when the original iPhone was released. The first iPhone didn't even have an app store, but it set many of the standards that people have come to expect from smart phones, like using the phone with just a finger on the screen rather than with a keypad or stylus. Smart phones have changed the world and continue to improve. I don't know where the future will take us, but I bet that the phones will be cooler
Chronological Order
100
tell how two or more things are alike
What is compare?
100
first, next, then, before, after, finally, following, dates, and times
What is sequence?
100
One problem with every modern Olympics is that is has become very big and expensive to operate. The city or country that hosts the games often loses a lot of money. A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the athletic events and housing is needed for the athletes who come from around the world. And all of these facilities are only used for two weeks! In 1984, Los Angles solved these problems by charging a fee for companies who wanted to be official sponsors of the games. Companies like McDonald’s paid a lot of money to be part of the Olympics. Many buildings that were already being built in Los Angeles were also being used. The Coliseum where the 1932 games were held was used again and many colleges and universities in the area became playing and living areas.
What is problem and solution?
100
Hurricanes and tornados are both amazing yet deadly natural phenomena. Both generate deadly conditions, but in different ways. Tornados are likely to damage people and property with their high winds, which go up to 300 miles per hour, but hurricanes are generally more feared for their flooding. Also, hurricanes can produce tornados, which makes them quite dangerous indeed. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
What is compare and contrast
200
the author explains a topic, person, place, or thing by listing characteristics, examples, or features
What is description?
200
Getting a new phone is a really cool feeling, but your phone can't do much without applications. In order to get the most from your new phone, you need to download apps. To do this you will need a data connection. Some plans allow you to get data from your phone network. If your plan lets you to do this, you can connect to web services anywhere that your phone gets a signal. If your plan does not let you to do this, you will need to connect your device to a Wi-Fi network. Free Wi-Fi can be found at coffee shops, laundry mats, and other public locations. Once your phone is receiving data, go to the application store on the device. Use the search or browse functions to find fun, interesting, or useful programs. Once you have found an application that you want to try, click the button to download and install it on your device. Not all applications are free, so make sure that you know how much the app costs before agreeing to download it. Also, if you are under the age of 18, get your parent's permission before downloading anything. You'll like your new phone so much more once you have some cool apps.
Sequence of Events
200
same as, similar, alike, as well as, also, both, instead of, on the other hand, different from, and as opposed to
What is compare and contrast?
200
Working on a computer may be easier and safer than working in a mine, but it doesn't come without risks. Using a computer for a long time can lead to poor eyesight, muscle loosening, back pain, and injuries to the hands and wrists. If you find yourself working or playing on a computer quite regularly, take a few steps to prevent these problems and you'll thank yourself later. When you are computing for a long time, take frequent breaks. Get up and walk around every once and while. Exercise a little bit. Take your eyes off of the computer screen. Stretch your hands and wrists. Straighten your back. It can be hard to pull yourself away from your computer once you get into a zone, but your body will thank you later if you do. Make your health a priority and don't worry so much about what's happening on that little screen.
Problem and Solution: This paragraph teaches readers to avoid pains brought on by heavy computer use (problem) by taking frequent breaks and stretching (solution).
200
No one knows exactly what causes tornados, but some scientists believe that when warm air meets cold air, a tornado may form. The reason for this is that the warm air is lighter than the cold air, so it rises up fast and meets different winds moving different directions. Under the right conditions, this can cause a tornado. Though there is still much mystery surrounding tornados, many people believe that when warm moist air meets cool dry air, tornados can result. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .
Cause and Effect
300
For better or worse, mobile phones are changing the world; however, one place where phones are definitely making things worse is on the road. Today it is common for motorists to play with their mobile phones while driving. Drivers may get bored or impatient while waiting in traffic and use their smart phones to pass the time by checking sports scores, stock numbers, or news stories. Worse still, they may engage in text messaging. Some drivers are so used to receiving and responding to communications immediately that it does not occur to them to wait until an appropriate time to respond. As soon as they get a message, these drivers will try to read and respond to it. There are many reasons why people use cell phones while driving, but none of them are good reasons.
What is cause and effect?
300
Computers are very complex machines, but everything that they do can be put into two basic categories: inputting and outputting. Inputting is when the computer accepts information entered by the user. Outputting is when the computer returns information to the user. When you press a key on your keyboard, you input information. When the letter that you pressed appears on your monitor, your computer is outputting. Both inputting and outputting require the computer to process information, but input is controlled by the user and output is controlled by the computer. Without inputting and outputting, there would be no computing.
Compare and Contrast: This passage discusses how input and output are similar and different.
300
Have you ever received an email from a strange address with nothing but a mysterious link in the body? Don't click that link! It may be a drive-by download attack, a common way of infecting computers. These attacks may start as link in an email or Facebook inbox. If you click the link, your computer browser will connect to a website created to attack computers. Once you have connected with the attack site, it will begin scanning your computer for weaknesses. If it finds a weakness, your computer will begin downloading a harmful file. You will not know that you are downloading this file. It will happen without your knowledge or permission. After the download is complete, the file will run and the attacker will have control of your computer. As you continue browsing the internet, you may not even realize that you have been victimized. The drive-by download attack is one of the most common threats to computer users today.
Sequence / Process
300
The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings. The rings represent the five continents- Africa, Asia, North America, Europe, and South America- from which athletes come to compete in the games. The rings are colored black, blue, green, red, and yellow. At least one of those colors is found in the flag of every country sending athletes to compete in the Olympic games.
What is description?
300
7. Looking around our society nowadays, it's hard to imagine a time when we weren't surrounded by computers, but it really wasn't that long ago. In 1977 a mere 48 thousand personal computers were sold. Fast forward to 2001 and over 125 million were sold. By 2002 over one billion personal computers had been sold worldwide. The first one billion computers took 25 years to sell. Five years later in 2007, another one billion computers had been sold. The second billion sold happened five times faster than the first! In 2011, global computer sales topped 355 million. This data shows us that computer usage is only accelerating. If you think that you are surrounded by computers now, just wait a few years. You haven't seen anything yet.
Chronological Order: This paragraph tells readers about some important milestones in computer sales based on the order in which the events happened.
400
Buying a computer can be a frightening and overwhelming task, but don't let that prevent you from getting the right one. The first thing that you have to do is figure out which one you want. Start by researching on the internet: read reviews and compare features. Decide what's important to you and how much you are willing to pay. Once you have found the right computer, it is time to compare prices. Search by the model number of the computer. Check prices from at least three websites before you make your purchase, and don't forget to factor in the cost of shipping and handling. Also Google the name of the website on which you are planning to buy the computer and read reviews to make sure that they are reputable before placing your order. If it looks good, enter your information, await your shipment, and enjoy your new computer!
Sequence: This paragraph teaches readers a method to saving money on the purchase of a computer.
400
It's important to think critically about the information that you receive, or else you may be led astray. For example, the brontosaurus is a type of dinosaur that never really existed. Many people still believe in the brontosaurus today, but the "brontosaurus" is actually the body of an apatosaurus with the head of a camarasaurus. This concocted creature was made from two mismatched fossils. Had more people thought critically about these findings, analyzing the components that were presented, entire generations of school children may not have been misinformed; therefore, think critically about the information that people tell you, even if it's information you find on a book or in a worksheet. Keep these problems in mind when conducting your studies.
Problem and Solution
400
More and more people these days are buying tablets instead of personal computers. Each has advantages over the other. If you have to write a paper, build a website, or do a lot of computer work, you will probably want to use a personal computer since it will have a full size keyboard. Tablets also have keyboards, but they are not as comfortable to use for long periods of time since they are smaller. If you are just doing some casual internet browsing, social networking, or messaging, you may just want to use a tablet. Tablets are smaller and more portable than personal computers. That means that you can use your tablet while you are lying on the couch, on vacation, or in a car. Personal computers need to be plugged in to work while tablets have batteries that allow them to run for a long time without connecting to an outlet. There is a right time to use each of these devices. I want both.
Compare and Contrast: This paragraph discusses similarities and differences between tablets and PCs.
400
Not all bugs slither and crawl. A bug can also be an error in a computer program. When a computer tries to read a program with a bug in it, the bug will affect the computer in one of two ways: the computer may process the error and continue running the program. In this case the bug only has a small effect on the computer; however, if the computer cannot process the error, then the bug will cause the computer to freeze and crash. This will require the user to restart the program or the computer. Bugs are pesky to computer programmers and users.
. Cause and Effect: This passage describes how programming bugs affect computers.
400
The twist is a dance inspired by rock and roll music. To do the Twist, first stand with your feet approximately shoulder width apart. The torso may be squared to the knees and hips, or turned at an angle so one foot is farther forward than the other. Then, hold your arms out from your body, bent at your elbow. Next, rotate your hips, torso, and legs as a single unit with your arms staying more or less stationary. Every so often lift one leg off of the floor for styling. Now you're doing the twist!
Sequence
500
've noticed that a lot of people are confused about mobile data and Wifi. Some people think that they're the same thing. Sure, both mobile data and Wifi allow you to connect to the internet, but there are some important differences between them. Mobile data is provided by the mobile phone company while Wifi is comes through cable or phone lines. Mobile data gives you internet access anywhere that your phone can get a signal, but you can only get Wifi access when you are near a router. Wifi is usually faster than mobile data too, but perhaps the most important difference is the amount that you can use. Customers are usually given an nearly unlimited amount of Wifi data, like an all-you-can-eat buffet. On the other hand, mobile data is often sold in limited portions, like an expensive restaurant. It is important to know which you are using so that you aren't charged hefty fees for going over your mobile data plan limits.
Compare and Contrast: This paragraph describes similarities and differences between receiving WiFi and mobile data.
500
If you ask me, the perfect pizza has a thin crust, but not too thin. Even though I'm from Chicago, I prefer the New York style crust. Your perfect pizza might have tomato sauce on it, but mine has pesto on top of the crust. On the pesto I'd like to see lots of cheese: a full layer of shredded mozzarella and Romano cheese, and on top of the shredded mozzarella, I'd like to see some slices of fresh mozzarella. Now you might think I'm crazy for this one, but I'd really like to see some goat cheese in the crust. To top it all off, I'd like to see it polka-dotted with pepperoni slices. Now that's what I call a pizza pie.
Descriptive Writing
500
Computer viruses are scary. If an attacker gets control of your computer, they can snoop through your files, steal your sensitive information, and even use your computer's webcam and microphone to spy on you. But just because there are scary things on the Internet, doesn't mean that we should stay off of the Internet. Instead, practice safe habits such as installing virus protection. Virus protection will not protect you against all attacks, but it may stop the most common ones. It also helps to keep your software up to date. Software updates close security holes. By installing updates from software providers, you will have a stronger system. Perhaps the most important thing that you can do is to be smart about how you browse. Don't click on suspicious links and don't open attached files unless you are expecting them. The Internet can be a dangerous place, but you'll be safer if you take a few precautions. Happy browsing!
Problem and Solution
500
Viruses can mess up computers and make them run slowly. If you've ever gotten a virus on your computer, you may have wondered why someone would go through all of that trouble just to ruin your computer. There are two reasons why people spread viruses: money and power. If someone infects your computer with a virus, they can make money by stealing your sensitive information and selling it to identity thieves. Or, they can gain power by using your computer to attack other computers and websites to take them offline. Your computer makes an attractive target to cybercriminals because they can use it to gain money and power.
Cause and Effect: This paragraph gives reasons (causes) why people might want to infect computers with viruses (effect).
500
Most mobile phones sold today have an operating system that was either designed by Apple or Google. Apple makes the iOS operating system powering their iPhones and iPads. Google makes the Android operating system that can be found on many different mobile phones and tablets. Both of these operating systems allow users to connect to app stores and download applications. To launch these applications, users press small square buttons that appear on their home screens. One major difference between these two operating systems is that Apple makes all of its own hardware. That is to say, the iOS operating system only appears on products created by Apple. On the other hand, many different manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, and LG use the Android operating system. Which one do you like better: Android or iOS?
What is Compare and Contrast