1.        In terms of text features, which of the two passages provided most effectively presents its information?  Use details from the passage(s) to support your response.

2.        Choose either of the two passages and determine what text feature you would add to make the passage more effective. Explain why you chose that particular feature and where or how you would use it.

3.        Pretend you’ve just read an encyclopedia article about a famous person. What was the author’s purpose in writing that article?

a.        to persuade

b.       to contrast

c.        to inform

d.       to entertain

4.        Choose either of the two passages and identify the author’s purpose for writing the passage.  Make it clear which passage you’re discussing, and use details from the passage to explain how you identified the author’s purpose.

5.        Complete the graphic organizer to explain each author’s viewpoint about the subject of the passages.  Record details from the passages to support your explanations.

6.        What is the most important information presented in Passage B? Explain why that is most important.

7.        Which of the following would NOT be used in determining accuracy of information?

a.        background knowledge/personal experience of author

b.       connotation

c.        evidence of research of topic

d.       quotations from experts in the field

8.        List one detail from Passage A that suggests that the information presented is likely accurate.

9.    Study the two passages provided to determine which of the two authors provides better support for his or her main idea. Consider both the adequacy and accuracy of information. Explain your choice, using details from the passage(s) as support.

10.  In Passage A identify a problem-solving process (plan). Also identify a solution offered in the passage and explain the effectiveness of that solution.

11.  List details found in one of the two passages but not in the other. Explain why those might have been included in one passage and left out of the other.

12.  Choose either of the two passages and explain how the author’s choice of vocabulary helped or hindered you in understanding the passage. Use details from the passage to support your response.

13.  Which of the following sentences uses a word with a more positive connotation than the other? Circle your answer, and explain how the choice of words made a difference in your perception, using details from the sentence(s).

a.        Charlie’s behavior was daring.

b.       Charlie’s behavior was reckless.

14.  Choose either of the two passages and describe the author’s method of organization. Then explain why that method of organization is or isn’t effective.

15.  Which of the following is a cohesive device?

a.        transitions

b.       prepositional phrases

c.        adjectives

d.       simple sentences

16.  Which of the following sentences is an example of parallel structure?

a.        My mother was speeding, so the officer gave her a ticket.

b.       The gray kitten climbed on the rickety fence before falling onto the pile of leaves.

c.        Sasha and Lynsie are best friends and have been since first grade.

The sun was shining brightly, the birds were singing happily, and children were scampering around the park.

17. Explain the purpose of repeating words, phrases, sentences and ideas in written passages.

18.  Rewrite the following paragraph using transitional words and phrases to link the sentences and ideas.

Johnny woke up late. His alarm did not go off. He missed the bus.  He missed his biology test, which was first hour.  Mrs. Jones, his teacher, was very displeased.

19.  Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting the sentence fragment.

Shadow is a playful black Labrador retriever.  He loves to swim in the pond on my farm and chase the ducks that feed nearby.  Although he is supposed to be a hunting dog.  Shadow would rather try to make friends with the ducks than retrieve them.