Vocab
The underlying message, moral, or lesson about life that the author wants the reader to take away from a story.
What is theme?
After boasting that he could never lose, the fast rabbit loses a race to a steady tortoise because he took a nap mid-way through.
What is slow and steady wins the race?
A brochure filled with statistics on shelter overcrowding that ends with a plea: "Adopt your next pet today and save a life!"
What is to persuade?
"Maya dragged her feet to school, pulled her hood up, and kept her head down every time the teacher looked up to ask a question."
What is "Maya does not want to be called on" (or "she is unprepared/nervous")?
"While electric cars are a cute novelty for city dwellers, they are completely impractical and unreliable for real working Americans in rural areas."
What is critical, skeptical, or anti-electric vehicle?
An educated guess or conclusion made by combining evidence from the text with your own prior knowledge.
What is an inference?
A young girl lies to her parents three times about losing her homework. When she actually loses it, no one believes her.
What is lying leads you to be less trust worthy?
A textbook chapter detailing the chemical reactions that occur during photosynthesis in green plants.
What is to inform (or explain)?
"Dark grey clouds gathered overhead, the wind picked up speed, and streetlights flickered on early at 2:00 PM."
What is "a severe storm is approaching"?
"With every new telescope image sent back from deep space, humanity takes another thrilling step toward unlocking the magical secrets of our universe."
What is excited about space, pro-space exploration?
The reason an author wrote a text (e.g., to persuade, to inform, to entertain).
What is author's purpose?
Two neighboring communities share their crops during a harsh winter, allowing both towns to survive while a selfish third town starves alone.
What is.. Something about how community is vital for survival
A fictional comic strip about a talking dog who accidentally launches himself into space on a homemade rocket.
What is to entertain?
"Leo walked into the kitchen, saw the empty plate on the counter with a few stray crumbs, and glared down at his dog, who was licking his lips."
What is "the dog ate Leo's food off the counter"?
"School uniforms eliminate morning stress for parents, bridge economic divides among students, and cultivate a focused academic environment."
What is strongly supportive or in favor of school uniforms?
The author’s attitude, opinion, or point of view toward a topic or subject.
What is author's perspective?
A teenager spends all summer working hard to buy a car, only to realize he values the friendships and work ethic he built along the way far more than the vehicle itself.
What is... the journey matters more than the outcome?
An instruction manual detailing step-by-step how to assemble a bookshelf using an Allen wrench.
What is to explain?
"The actor blew his nose into a tissue, rubbed his bloodshot eyes, and asked his assistant to bring him a hot tea with honey before his next scene."
What is "the actor is sick or losing his voice"?
"Social media promised to bring us together, yet we sit side-by-side at dinner, staring into glowing rectangles, more isolated than ever before."
What is disapproval or concern regarding social media's impact on relationships?
Specific words, phrases, or sentences directly from the text that support an answer, claim, or inference.
An emperor spends his life expanding his borders, but dies alone in a drafty castle with no loved ones to mourn him.
What is money and power isn't everything?
A travel blog entry describing the vivid colors, vibrant smells, and crisp morning air of a spice market in Marrakech.
What is to explain?
"When Sarah handed over her ticket, the usher looked at the date, shook his head, and pointed toward the box office on the left."
What is "Sarah bought a ticket for the wrong date or show"?
"The mayor's proposed budget promises public safety improvements, but a closer look reveals it diverts crucial funding away from our struggling library system."
What is critical or skeptical of the mayor's budget priorities?