Using Evidence
What does it mean to "cite evidence" from a text?
Giving a direct quote or detail from the text to support your answer.
What is the theme of a story?
The message, lesson, or moral the author wants readers to learn.
Which three main elements of a story often interact to shape what happens?
Characters, setting, and plot.
What is figurative language?
Words or phrases that go beyond their literal meaning (like similes and metaphors).
Which word needs a capital letter: i went to the store yesterday.
“i” → should be “I.”
If a character says, "I'll never go back to that house again," what inference can you make about how they feel?
They are afraid or upset that something happened there.
A story shows a character who tells the truth even when it’s hard. What is a possible theme?
Honesty is important / Always tell the truth.
In a story, a character gets lost in a dark forest. How does the setting create conflict?
The forest setting creates danger, fear, and obstacles for the character.
The author writes, “The classroom was a zoo.” What type of figurative language is this, and what does it mean?
Metaphor; it means the classroom was noisy and chaotic.
Which word needs a capital letter?
I saw my cousin mary at the park.
Mary → I saw my cousin Mary at the park.
In a story, a character is always checking the time or tapping their foot. What inference can you make, and what evidence supports it?
They are impatient or nervous; evidence = checking the time and tapping foot.
What makes a good summary of a story?
It includes only the main events/ideas, is short, and does not include opinions.
A character becomes braver after moving to a new school and making new friends. How does the setting influence the character’s development?
The school setting challenges the character to adapt and grow more confident.
What is connotation? Give an example.
The feeling a word gives beyond its dictionary meaning (e.g., “home” = warmth, family, comfort).
Fix the capitalization:
We went to see dr. smith at river valley hospital.
We went to see Dr. Smith at River Valley Hospital.
The text says, “The room grew silent as Emma lowered her head and avoided everyone’s eyes.” What can you infer about Emma, and what evidence supports your answer?
She is embarrassed or ashamed; evidence = room grew silent, lowered head, avoided eye contact.
A story shows two friends who argue but later forgive each other. What is a possible theme?
Forgiveness is important in relationships / True friendship can overcome conflicts.
In a story, two characters argue because one follows the rules strictly while the other bends them. How do their traits move the plot forward?
Their conflict creates tension and drives events in the story.
A poem uses repetition of sounds, like “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” What is this called, and how does it affect the text?
Alliteration; it creates rhythm and draws attention to the phrase.
Which is correct?
A) The dogs bone is missing.
B) The dog’s bone is missing.
C) The dogs’ bone is missing.
B) The dog’s bone is missing.
A text says, “Maria slammed her book shut, rolled her eyes, and muttered under her breath.” What inference can you make about her feelings, and what details from the text prove it?
She is frustrated or annoyed; evidence = slammed book, rolled eyes, muttered.
In a novel, a character faces many failures but keeps trying and finally succeeds. Write a possible theme and explain how it develops through the story.
Perseverance leads to success; theme develops as the character fails, learns from mistakes, and ultimately reaches their goal.
In a drama, a small town during the Great Depression forces a family to make tough financial choices. Explain how the historical setting shapes the characters’ actions and the overall plot.
The setting (Great Depression) limits opportunities, causes struggles, and motivates the family’s decisions, which drives the plot.
An author describes a storm using words like “furious,” “pounding,” and “wild.” What effect does this word choice have on the tone of the story?
It creates an intense, dramatic, and possibly frightening tone.
Where do commas belong?
My best friends are Anna James and Sophia.
My best friends are Anna, James, and Sophia.