RI 6.5: ANALYZING TEXT STRUCTURES

RI 6.5: ANALYZING TEXT STRUCTURES

Multiple Choice

No one knows the true origin of ice-cream, but the first published ice-cream recipe appears in “Mrs. Mary Eales's Receipts,” a cookbook that was printed in London in 1718. Sometime around 1832, an African-American confectioner named Augustus Jackson created multiple ice cream recipes and invented a superior technique to manufacture ice cream. Ice cream soda was invented around 1874, but the real breakthrough may have been at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri when the American ice-cream cone was unveiled!

This author organizes this paragraph by--

• describing ice cream

• describing the ice cream cone

• presenting events that lead to the origin of the ice cream cone

• providing information about ice cream

Multiple Choice

Have you ever had an ice-cream headache? That’s when a painful sensation resonates in your head after eating something cold (usually ice-cream) on a hot day. This pain is produced by the dilation of a nerve center in the roof of your mouth. The nerve center is overreacting to the cold by trying to heat your brain. Ice-cream headaches have turned many smiles to frowns.

The author structures this paragraph to --

• provide information about ice cream headaches

• show what ice cream can do to a person

• give the chronological order of an ice cream headache

• explain what the effect of an ice cream headache can dp

Multiple Select

When students use tablets, instead of textbooks, they are not learning the best way they can. Students can use tablets to access video games and email accounts, which are distractions in class. In the classroom, students should be concentrating on learning school tasks rather than playing games and socializing on their tablets. Additionally, students can use tablets to access the Internet where they can find quiz or test answers rather than learn the subject matter for themselves.

According to experts, excessive use of tablets causes eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision for students. Health experts also say that using tablets can cause neck pain, shoulder pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Furthermore, tablets cost more money than traditional textbooks. It is estimated that schools which buy tablets for every student will pay almost five times more than they would for purchasing textbooks. Schools also have to consider theft or damage of tablets and purchase insurance for the devices. Moreover, replacement and upgrading costs need to be considered. Conversely, textbooks are less likely to be stolen. Also, oftentimes, damaged textbooks can be easily repaired with tape or glue.

Select ALL the correct answers.

Which two text structures does the author use to organize the ideas in the passage?

• order of importance

• compare and contrast

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• chronological order

EXPLANATION

The correct answers are "compare and contrast" and "cause and effect." The passage compares tablets with textbooks as educational tools. It also discusses the various effects of using each type of resource.

Multiple Choice

In the 1992 Summer Olympics, the U.S. men's basketball team was known as the "Dream Team." Michael Jordan and David Robinson were both on that team. Today, Jordan and Robinson are both retired from professional basketball. They both played for many years.

David Robinson played for the San Antonio Spurs. He played center because of his height and build. Robinson is 7 feet, 1 inch tall and is very strong. He is called one of the best centers ever to play the game. Robinson played in the NBA from 1989 to 2003 and led the Spurs to two championships.

Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls for most of his career, though he played for the Washington Wizards for two years. He is often named as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and the greatest athletes of all time. Jordan played guard and was 6 feet, 6 inches tall. He played in the NBA from 1984 to 1993. He retired in 1993 only to come back to basketball from 1995 to 1998. He returned one last time in 2001. Jordan retired for good in 2003. He led the Bulls to six NBA championships.

The author organizes this passage by

• asking questions and providing answers about basketball in the Olympics.

• explaining how Robinson was the reason Jordan played basketball.

• describing David Robinson and Michael Jordan in chronological order.

• comparing and contrasting David Robinson and Michael Jordan.

EXPLANATION

ANSWER D-

The author begins by setting up a comparison between David Robinson and Michael Jordan. He or she then explains the differences between the two men in their basketball careers.

Multiple Choice

Getting to Know Giraffes

Giraffes

Ranging in size from 14–19 feet, the giraffe is the tallest living terrestrial animal. Giraffes are considered a part of the African even-toed ungulate mammal genus.¹ This genus includes only the Giraffa Camelopardalis species because previous species are now extinct.

Giraffe Characteristics

Giraffes have very defined characteristics. Their long legs, which are shorter in the back than they are in the front, appear to be the same length. The giraffe's most distinguished characteristic is its extremely long neck, which is topped with horns that are covered in hair.

Distinctive Coats

The pattern of a giraffe's coat varies based upon the region of Africa where it comes from. The coat of a giraffe acts as a sort of camouflage for a particular habitat. Giraffes can be found as far north as Chad, as far south as South Africa, as far west as Somalia, and as far east as Niger. Although giraffe coats have similarities based on region, no two giraffes have the same coat.

Giraffe Sounds

It is often believed that giraffes do not make sounds, but in the rare instances when they do, they make a variety of sounds, including moos, roars, and grunts. One sound that giraffes make when they're alarmed is a snort. When threats are perceived, they use sounds as early warning signals for other Savannah animals.

¹genus: a group of related living things

Which section best explains the giraffe's scientific relationship to other animals?

• Giraffe Characteristics

• Giraffes

• Distinctive Coats

• Giraffe Sounds

EXPLANATION

ANSWER B- The section "Giraffes" describes the species and genus information related to giraffes. This type of information helps explain the relationship between giraffes and other animals in the animal kingdom. Therefore, the correct answer is "Giraffes."

Multiple Choice

Two strong black men were on the front lines of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X both believed in equality for all people. However, they argued their shared goal in very different ways. King believed in a nonviolent approach to change. He wanted to keep the peace and fight for rights through speech and peaceful action. Malcolm X argued that sometimes violence was necessary. He believed that all people of color needed to fight for equality through whatever means necessary. He did not believe that speeches and other peaceful urgings were going to change the world.

The passage uses its text structure

• to show the differences and similarities between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X.

• to illustrate how the nonviolent approach was a failure in helping to advance civil rights.

• to show that Malcolm X's ideas were better than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ideas.

• to show that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ideas led to Malcolm X's more violent approach.

EXPLANATION

ANSWER A- The passage describes the similarities and differences between the way Malcolm X believed the struggle for civil rights should be and the way Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed it should be. It doesn't make any judgments on which method was better or worse.

Multiple Choice

An ostrich in the Granger Zoo was hurt from a fall. The ostrich named Elsa fell in a wash tub while being washed. The fall caused injuries to its head and legs. As a result, Elsa experienced a lot of pain. However, this did not last long because the zookeepers were able to reduce the pain. After a few weeks, Elsa was able to walk again without a limp. Therefore, the zoo, once again, had a healthy ostrich.

The author organizes this passage by

• classifying the types of animals that live at the zoo.

• compares Elsa's injuries to the zookeepers' treatment.

• showing how the ostrich's fall affects the animal.

• defining the term ostrich and showing how it survives.

EXPLANATION

This passage is organized by cause and effect, and the text explains why there are no more ostriches at Woodland Park Zoo. Look for words like "because," "as a result," and "therefore."

Multiple Choice

The U.S. Oil Embargo of Japan

In 1931, Japan invaded a country called Manchuria. Six years later, it invaded mainland China. Japan was an ally of Germany and Italy, both under the control of Adolf Hitler. Most countries were worried about this alliance because these nations were attacking their neighbors. The United States was among the nations who shared a concern about these aggressive countries called "the Axis."

Soon after Japan invaded China, World War II started. Japan attacked lands belonging to other countries; many of them were allied with the United States. Though the United States was not at war yet with Japan, President Roosevelt took action because of these attacks. The United States refused to sell Japan steel and oil. This is a situation called an "embargo." Steel is used in the manufacture of weapons of war, and oil is used as fuel for war machines. The United States claimed that it was refusing to sell these resources to Japan because it did not want to help Japan wage war.

Japan decided to attack the U.S. soon after the embargo began. Japan wanted to force the U.S. to surrender quickly. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into World War II, and the Axis countries were defeated four years later.

Which of these would most likely follow the same text structure as used above?

• an article explaining how horseback riding has changed throughout the centuries

• an article describing the quality and luxury of a high-performance automobile

• an article showing how Aztec and Egyptian pyramids are similar in size and shape

• an article explaining how a laboratory mistake led to the discovery of antibiotics

EXPLANATION

ANSWER D-

The article explains how the US embargo of Japan led to the attack on Pearl Harbor. To identify a cause and effect text, look for words such as "lead," "because of," "caused," or "resulted in." These words and phrases can help you understand that the author is using a cause and effect structure in the passage. An article about the discovery of antibiotics might contain different information than this passage, but its structure (of cause and effect) would be the same.

Multiple Choice

During the first round of the 2010 World Cup of soccer, the U.S. had to face England. Within the first four minutes of the game, they allowed England to score a goal. This discouraged the U.S. because they have a history of losing when the other team scores early. However, they continued to play against England with a great defense. After 40 minutes of play, the U.S. managed to score a goal with Clint Dempsey. His goal could have been easily blocked by England's Robert Green, but it slipped through Green's hands. As a result, U.S. tied with England. By the end of the game, it was a draw between the two teams.

Which text structure did the writer use to organize this passage?

• cause and effect

• classification

• definition

• compare and contrast

EXPLANATION

ANSWER A- When a passage is organized by cause and effect, the text shows that one event causes another thing to happen. In this case, the text shows what happens when the U.S. and England soccer teams face each other. Look for words like "because," "after," and "as a result."

Multiple Choice

In the candy business, Chocolateers and Mr. Choco Late, the top makers of chocolate, are rivals. Both of the companies do their best to make the best possible tasting candy. They search for the best cacao beans to use in their chocolate. Plus, they take all the time to make the candy perfect while the other candy makers choose to cut corners. Although they believe in the same methods, they try to make their candies different. The Chocolateers use special vanilla beans and berry flavors. These flavors satisfy people who have a taste for fruits. In contrast, Mr. Choco Late adds hints of mint and coconut into some of its recipes. The mint gives a burst of freshness while the coconut gives a tropical taste. Although Chocolateers' and Mr. Choco Late's flavors are very different, both claim to be better than the other.

Which sentence best describes how the passage is organized?

• The passage defines the term cacao bean and shows how it is used in chocolate.

• The passage compares the chocolates of Chocolateers and Mr. Choco Late.

• The passage shows how the chocolate is affected by the freshness of its ingredients.

• The passage classifies each type of chocolate that can be found around the world.

EXPLANATION

ANSWER B- There are two companies being compared and contrasted in the passage: Chocolateers and Mr. Choco Late. To show this, the author highlights what each company has in common and how they differ from one another.