Reading Nonfiction
Literary Elements
Vocabulary & Roots
Figurative Language
Structure & Grammar
100

What is the term for what a text is mostly about—the main message or point the author wants you to understand?

What is Central Idea?

100

What is the beginning of a story called where characters, setting, and conflict are introduced?

What is exposition?

100

The root "phil" means love or strong liking for. What would a "technophile" be?

What is a person who loves technology?

100

What word means an author’s specific word choice that affects meaning and tone?

What is diction?

100

"last summer, we visited washington dc. it was amazing."

Fix the capitalization errors in this sentence.


What is "Last summer, we visited Washington DC. It was amazing."?

200

A statement or opinion that can be proven or argued is a [Blank 1], while facts or quotes supporting it are [Blank 2].

What is 1. Claim and 2. Evidence?

200

"Lila couldn’t decide whether to tell the truth or protect her friend."

What type of conflict is shown in this sentence?


What is character vs. self? (internal)

200

"The arid desert was so dry that not even a cactus could survive."

What does "arid" mean, and what context clue helps you?


What is extremely dry? The clue is "so dry."

200

If an author uses words like delightful, cheerful, and joyful, how would you describe the tone of the passage?

What is Cheerful, joyful, happy, positive, or lighthearted?

200

What is the structural difference between a line and a stanza in poetry?

What is a line is a single row of words, while a stanza is a group of lines arranged together (like a poetic paragraph)?

300

Name 3 text features that help a reader locate and understand information in a nonfiction text.

What is headings, subheadings, bold words, captions, charts, glossary, index?

300

What is the message or lesson about life that an author wants readers to learn from a story?

What is theme?

300

What are words that have the same or similar meanings called? 

Provide another word for "happy."

What are Synonyms? Example synonym: Joyful, glad, cheerful 

300

Using the acronym P.I.E., what are the three main reasons an author writes a text (Author's Purpose)?

What is Persuade, Inform, Entertain ?

300

What text element in stories is used to show words spoken directly by characters, typically enclosed in quotation marks?

What is Dialogue ?

400

What are two places or strategy checks in a passage you can look at to help locate the central idea?

What is Look for repeated ideas/topics, check the title/introduction/conclusion, or ask "What does the author want me to learn?"  

400

List the four main types of conflict found in literature.

What is

- Character vs Character

-Character vs Nature

- Character vs Self

-Character vs Society

400

What are words that have opposite meanings called? 

Provide an example of this for "big."

What are Antonyms? Example antonym: Small, tiny, little. 

400

What type of figurative language makes a direct comparison by stating one thing is another (without using "like" or "as")?

What is a metaphor?

400

Description uses details that appeal to the [Blank] to help readers imagine characters, settings, or events.

What are the 5 senses? (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) 

500

Read the passage: "Maria couldn’t stop thinking about how her small actions made a big difference. Even picking up one piece of trash helped keep her park clean." Provide a claim stating the central idea and one piece of evidence supporting it.

What is

  • Central Idea: Small individual actions can make a big positive difference/impact.   

  • Evidence: "Even picking up one piece of trash helped keep her park clean." 

500

Identify a possible theme for this scenario: "After losing the game, the team worked harder and eventually won the championship."


What is: Hard work and perseverance lead to success; Don't give up after failure. 

500

Name three different types of context clues an author might use to help you figure out an unfamiliar word.

What are Definition, Synonym, Antonym, Example? (Must have 3) 

500

Explain the difference in connotation between the words "thin" and "skinny".

What is "thin" generally has a neutral/positive connotation, whereas "skinny" can carry a slightly negative or overly lean connotation?

500

Write a single line of dialogue between two friends discussing homework, punctuated correctly with quotation marks and proper capitalization.

What is 

Example: 

      "Did you finish the math homework last night?" asked Sam. 

      "No, I forgot," responded Owen.