Text Structures
Deserts are very dry places that receive little rain. Many desert plants have thick stems to store water, and animals often come out at night when temperatures are cooler.
In an article about volcanoes, a section titled “Types of Volcanoes” appears in bold at the top of the page. This feature helps readers understand what the next section will be about.
Headings
Bees play an important role in pollination. As they move from flower to flower collecting nectar, they help plants reproduce and grow new fruits and seeds.
Bees help plants reproduce through pollination
The hikers were exhausted after walking up the steep mountain for three hours.
What does exhausted most nearly mean in this sentence?
A. excited
B. very tired
C. confused
D. hungry
B. very tired
Should students wear uniforms to school?
Claim + two reasons.
First, cocoa beans are harvested from cacao trees. Next, the beans are dried and roasted. Then they are ground into a paste. Finally, sugar and other ingredients are added to create chocolate.
Chronological Order or Sequence
At the back of a science book, there is a section that lists important vocabulary words like eruption and magma along with their definitions.
Glossary
Solar energy comes from the sun and can be used to produce electricity. Solar panels collect sunlight and turn it into power for homes and buildings. This type of energy is renewable and does not create pollution.
Solar energy is a clean source of power
The scientist carefully examined the rock under a microscope to learn more about its surface.
What does examined most nearly mean?
A. looked at closely
B. broke apart
C. threw away
D. painted
A. looked at closely
Should schools provide free lunch for their teachers and staff?
Claim + two reasons
Factories released large amounts of smoke into the air. As a result, the city experienced heavy smog that made it difficult for people to breathe and see clearly.
Cause and Effect
Under a photograph of a sea turtle, a sentence explains that the turtle is swimming through a coral reef while searching for food. This text gives more information about the picture.
Caption
Sea turtles face many dangers in the ocean. Some become trapped in fishing nets, while others mistake plastic bags for food. Because of these threats, many sea turtle species are endangered.
Sea turtle face dangers that threaten their species.
The forest provides a habitat for many animals, including deer, birds, and insects.
What does habitat most nearly mean?
A. a type of food
B. a place where animals live
C. a dangerous predator
D. a kind of plant
Should school weeks be reduced to 4 days?
Claim + two reasons.
Both dolphins and sharks live in the ocean, but dolphins are mammals that breathe air while sharks are fish that breathe through gills.
Compare and Contrast
A labeled picture shows the parts of a plant, including the roots, stem, and leaves, with arrows pointing to each part.
Chart or Diagram
Many cities are planting more trees along streets and in parks. Trees provide shade for people walking outside. They also help reduce air pollution and can make neighborhoods cooler during hot weather.
Which detail best supports the central idea that planting trees benefits cities?
A. Cities are planting trees along streets and in parks.
B. Trees provide shade for people walking outside.
C. Trees help reduce air pollution and make neighborhoods cooler.
D. Many people like spending time in parks.
C. Trees help reduce air pollution and make neighborhoods cooler.
The new bridge was designed to be durable, so it could withstand heavy traffic and strong storms for many years.
What does durable most nearly mean?
A. colorful
B. expensive
C. long-lasting and strong
D. easy to build
C. long lasting and strong
Should students be allowed to bring their phones to school?
Claim + two reasons.
Plastic waste was polluting the town’s river and harming wildlife. To solve the problem, community leaders organized monthly cleanups and encouraged people to use reusable bags and bottles.
Problem and Solution
A bar graph shows how the population of bald eagles increased from 1990 to 2020. Readers can quickly compare the numbers from each year.
Graph or Chart
Researchers discovered that octopuses can open jars, solve puzzles, and escape from small spaces. In some experiments, octopuses remembered solutions to problems even after several weeks.
Which detail best supports the central idea that octopuses are highly intelligent animals?
A. Octopuses live in oceans around the world.
B. Octopuses can open jars and solve puzzles.
C. Some octopuses are small while others are large.
D. Octopuses have eight arms.
B. Octopuses can open jars and solve puzzles.
To reduce pollution, the city decided to implement several new environmental policies over the next year.
What does implement most nearly mean?
A. discuss
B. ignore
C. remove completely
D. put into action
D. Put into action
Are video games more helpful or harmful for kids?
Claim + two reasons.