ELA Literary Skills Practice

ELA Literary Skills Practice

By Madison Waite

ELA Literary Skills Practice ​

Text Structures for Informational Text

Problem and Solution

This structure will identify a problem and give a solution to fix that problem.

Example: A text could identify an old highway as dangerous and propose to rebuild it as a solution.

Compare and Contrast

This type of text examines the similarities and differences between two or more people, events, concepts, ideas, etc.

Example: A book about ancient Greece may explain how the Spartan women were different from the Athenian women.

What is Text Structure

​This is when you look at a story or narrative and determine how it is organized or structured.

​Description

​This sort of text describes something.

Example: A book may tell all about whales or describe what the geography is like in a particular region.

​Cause and Effect

This structure will identify how one things causes something else to happen.

Example: A text could explain how technology has helped increase student scores.

Open Ended

Define Central Idea...

​Chronological Order

This text structure gives readers a chronological of events

Example: A book about the American revolution might list the events leading to the war.

Sequence

This sort of Tex lists steps in a procedure.

Example: A book listing the steps involved in harvesting blue crabs.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be considered to be a chronological order text?

• Text instructing how to bake brownies.

• Text explaining the difference between cats and dogs.

• Text outlining the events that took place between 1800 and 1820s.

• Text identifying fires as a problem and suggesting to restrict camp fires.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be considered a descriptive text (description)?

• Text explaining a Colorado law.

• Text explaining the difference between cats and dogs.

• Text outlining the events that took place between 1800 and 1820s.

• Text identifying fires as a problem and suggesting to restrict camp fires.

Multiple Choice

"You are the dew on the morning grass and the burning wheel of the sun."

• understatement

• hyperbole

• analogy

• metaphor

Multiple Choice

"A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink in spilled water."

• metaphor

• analogy

• simile

• irony

Multiple Choice

"Long live the rose that grew from concrete

When no one else even cared!"

• metaphor

• personification

• understatement

• analogy

Multiple Choice

"The roof might fly off, the walls might buckle from the pressure of his rage."

• irony

• hyperbole

• understatement

• metaphor

Multiple Choice

Romeo: "What, art thou hurt?"

Mercutio: "Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch."

(After being stabbed)

• hyperbole

• personification

• analogy

• understatement

Multiple Choice

"Ten thousand saw I at a glance

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."

• idiom

• analogy

• personification

• metaphor

Title

quickly tells the reader what information they should gain

identifies the topic

Multiple Choice

What is purpose of a title?

• to give details

• to teach someone something

• to ask questions

• to identify the main topic

Multiple Choice

"I can resist everything, except temptation."

• irony

• idiom

• analogy

• understatement

Multiple Choice

"I heard it through the grapevine."

• idiom

• hyperbole

• metaphor

• irony

Headings

help the reader identify the main idea of a section of the text

identify the topic of the section

Subheadings

organize ideas within a section of the text

Multiple Choice

What is purpose of headings?

• to identify the topic of a section

• to give directions

• to provide a visual

• to identify the main topic of the article

Multiple Choice

How might you describe the tone of the man in the bowtie?

• Calm

• Sassy

• Angry

• Ronald

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be considered to be a sequence?

• Text instructing how to bake brownies.

• Text explaining the difference between cats and dogs.

• Text outlining the events that took place between 1800 and 1820s.

• Text identifying fires as a problem and suggesting to restrict camp fires.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be considered to be cause and effect?

• Text instructing how to bake brownies.

• Text describing how after school programs have helped decrease youth delinquency (trouble).

• Text outlining the events that took place between 1800 and 1820s.

• Text identifying fires as a problem and suggesting to restrict camp fires.

Central Idea

• The MAIN idea 

• What the story or the article is MOSTLY about

Multiple Choice

What is purpose of using images in a text?

• to give extra facts and statistics

• to identify the central idea of the article

• to provide a visual for information

• to give the reader something to trace, copy, or color

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be considered to be a problem and solution text?

• Text instructing how to bake brownies.

• Text describing how after school programs have helped decrease youth delinquency (trouble).

• Text outlining the events that took place between 1800 and 1820s.

• Text identifying fires as a problem and suggesting to restrict camp fires.

Multiple Choice

Screen Protector

Before applying the screen protector, clean the surface of your phone’s screen with a soft cloth. Once the surface of your screen is clean, remove the paper backing on the screen protector. Evenly apply the sticky side of the screen protector to your phone’s screen. Smooth out any air bubble trapped on between the protector and the phone screen. Enjoy the added protection.

How did the author organize the text?

• description

• problem / solution

• cause and effect

• sequence

Open Ended

What is the TITLE of this text?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be considered to be compare and contrast?

• Text explaining a Colorado law.

• Text explaining the difference between cats and dogs.

• Text outlining the events that took place between 1800 and 1820s.

• Text identifying fires as a problem and suggesting to restrict camp fires.

Today you will be reading a Science-Fiction story where the characters all have a different view of what is right/wrong. This develops an important theme in the story.

​

When reading a piece of Fiction, it is important to see how the characters can directly affect the theme.​

​

​Theme

Multiple Choice

What Happened to the Dinosaurs?

There are many theories about why the dinosaurs vanished from the planet. One theory that many people believe is that a gigantic meteorite smashed into the Earth. Scientists believe that the meteorite was very big and that the impact may have produced a large dust cloud that covered the Earth for many years. The dust cloud may have caused plants to not receive sunlight and the large plant eaters, or herbivores, may have died off, followed by the large meat eaters, or carnivores. This theory may or may not be true, but it is one explanation as to why these giant reptiles no longer inhabit the Earth.

How did the author organize the text?

• problem / solution

• cause and effect

• sequence

• chronological

Multiple Choice

It was raining, and Dr. Naismith was trying to keep his students active. He wanted them playing a vigorous game that would keep them moving. He wrote out the rules for a game with peach baskets fixed to ten-foot elevated tracks. Naismith's students played against one another, passing the ball around and shooting it into the peach baskets. Dribbling wasn't a part of the original game. Also it took a while to realize that the game would run more smoothly if the bottoms of the baskets were removed.

• Invention of Basketball

• Invention of Cookies

• Invention of Cars

Multiple Choice

Read the information from the article.

Which of the following questions would readers be able to answer after reading this section of the text?

• How did Simone Biles gain confidence?

• Why might a person have low self-confidence?

• What are all the steps to building self-confidence?

• How do you learn to assert yourself?

Multiple Choice

Bobby Fischer

Robert James Fischer was born in Chicago but unlocked the secrets of chess in a Brooklyn apartment right above a candy store. At the age of six he taught himself to play by following the instruction booklet that came with his chess board. After spending much of his childhood in chess clubs, Fischer said that, “One day, I just got good.” That may be a bit of an understatement. At the age of 13 he won the U.S. Junior Chess Championship, becoming the youngest Junior Champion ever. At the age of 14 he won the U.S. Championship and became the youngest U.S. Champion in history. Fischer would go on to become the World Champion of chess, but he would also grow to become his own worst enemy. Instead of defending the title, he forfeited it to the next challenger without even making a move, and the rise of a chess superstar ended with a fizzle.

How did the author organize the above text?

• sequence

• cause and effect

• chronological

• problem / solution

Multiple Choice

What mood would you associate it with this picture?

• Joy

• Sadness

• Anger

• Mr. Kalnoske when kids don't think Taylor Swift is the best artist ever

Multiple Choice

When a river receives a lot of extra water it may flood. During a flood there is plenty of water, and most people wouldn’t think that dehydration was a serious risk, but flood waters are mostly polluted and not safe to drink. People who drink the contaminated water may suffer from illnesses or diseases such as typhoid. You can prepare for flooding by filling many containers with fresh clean drinking water. You can also use sandbags to protect your house and to soak up the water. Be prepared and be safe.

How did the author organize this passage?

• cause and effect

• problem / solution

• sequence

• chronological

Multiple Choice

That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking. Make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients before you continue. Next, use good tools and utensils. By using good tools you minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Last, use top quality ingredients. If you use poor quality materials, you'll create inferior products. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available.

• How to ice a cake

• how to make cookies

• how to study

Multiple Choice

The Best PB & J Ever!

When I got home from school after a long boring day, I took out the peanut butter, jelly, and bread. After taking the lid off of the jars, I spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread and the jelly on the other, and then I put the two pieces of bread together. After that, I enjoyed it while watching “Cops” on the TV. I swear, that was the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich I ever ate.

How is the above text organized?

• problem / solution

• sequence

• cause and effect

• description

Multiple Choice

Dr. Miller doesn’t want the tigers to vanish. These majestic beasts are disappearing at an alarming rate. Dr. Miller thinks that we should write to our congress people. If we let them know that we demand the preservation of this species, maybe we can make a difference. Dr. Miller also thinks that we should donate to Save the Tigers. Our donations will help to support and empower those who are fighting the hardest to preserve the tigers. We owe it to our grandchildren to do something.

How does the author organize the passage?

• cause and effect

• problem / solution

• sequence

• description

Multiple Choice

Could it be the hummingbird, the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position. They can also fly upside down and move about very rapidly.

• Bears can be scary

• Hummingbird fly in a unique way

• Dolphins can swim in unique ways

Poll

If you were writing to persuade your overweight readers to exercise vigorously three times a week, how would you organize your writing? Either structure can be used, but be prepared to explain your choice!

• Cause and Effect

• Problem/Solution

Multiple Choice

What mood would you associate with this picture?

• Joy

• Anger

• Fear

• Sadness

Open Ended

Why?

Poll

If you were writing about your favorite vacation destination, how would you organize your writing?

Either structure can be used, but be prepared to explain your choice!

• Chronological

• Description

Fiction Vs Nonfiction

• Can you remember the difference between them? 

• Let's find out...

Multiple Choice

Fiction means it is a fake story or about something that didn't happen

• True

• False

Poll

If you were writing to tell someone how to fix their bicycle, how would your organize your writing? Either structure can be used, but be prepared to explain your choice!

• sequence

• problem/solution

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between tone and mood?

• The way Taylor Swift told Kanye to get out of her face...OH MAN!

• Tone is the author's attitude toward a subject... Moodis how we are made to feel as readers, or the emotion evoked by the author.

• Tone is the way you talk like "Sit down! ...you can tell I'm in a mood

• Cause baby now we got bad blood

  You know it used to be mad love

  So take a look at what you've done

  'Cause baby now we got bad blood

Multiple Choice

Nonfiction is about a story that really happened

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

An example of Fiction would be a newspaper

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

An example of Fiction would be Diary of a Wimpy Kid

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

An example of nonfiction would be an biography, a book about someone's life

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The audience or reader's particular feeling or state of mind toward the piece.

• Tone

• Sloths are the best!

• Mood

• Simile

Fill in the Blank

The theme is quite simply the __________.

Multiple Choice

The author or character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation is

• Mood

• Tone

• Super Jalil

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

An example of Nonfiction would be The Babysitters Club

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The theme could be a moral or life lesson.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What is the tone of this passage:

The team had trained hard, worked hard, and played hard. Now they were earning the attention they deserved. Each player was among the best in the country. These were students who deserved nothing but praise for al lof their work.

• Proud

• Super Ronald

• Reassuring

• Romantic

Multiple Select

What is a universal theme?

• A theme that is so popular it pops up in many works of fiction.

• A theme everyone knows in the Universe.

• A theme so often used in stories and books all over the world.

• A theme known by extra terrestrials.

Multiple Choice

What word best describes the tone of the passage below?

It was obvious something was going on. There was a cluster of four people who stopped talking instantly when Cameron came into the room. Johnnae glanced around nervously when Bryan approached them. "What are you doing here?" ..."We weren't expecting you"

• Violent

• Energized

• Bossy

• Suspicious

Multiple Choice

What word best describes the mood of this passage...

The Christmas tree glittered with glass decorations and sparkling lights. The house smelled of gingerbread and vanilla and the sound of laughter came from the kitchen

• Depressing

• Festive

• Tragic

• Uncertain

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

• true
• false

Multiple Choice

What is a protagonist?

• The main or central character

• The good guy

• The character that goes against the central/main character

• The bad guy

To figure out what an unknown word means look for one of these 5 types of clues.

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the highlighted word?

The teacher was appalled, or disgusted, by the honey-covered homework the student turned in.

• Pleased

• Surprised

• Frustrated

• Disgusted

Multiple Choice

The theme is a common idea or observation that the reader can relate to.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What is an antagonist?

• The bad guy

• The character that goes against the main/central character

• The good guy

• The main/central character

Multiple Choice

What type of context clues use similar words to help with the meaning of an unknown word?

• Antonyms
• Synonyms
• Examples
• HDefinitions

Multiple Choice

The movie star’s large and beautiful home was PALATIAL.

What does the word PALATIAL mean?

• ugly

• tiny

• for dogs

• like a palace

Multiple Choice

The VIGILANT guards stayed up all night to make sure no one came near the castle.

What does the word VIGILANT mean?

• sick

• watchful

• superior

• youthful

Multiple Choice

Jaki is a wonderful piano player, but Emily is more VERSATILE; she sings, acts, paints and writes poetry, and also plays the piano.

What does the word VERSATILE mean?

• has many skills

• boring

• not skilled

• exciting

Multiple Choice

I drank an entire glass of water because I was so parched.

• thirsty

• full

• hungry

• happy

Multiple Choice

The sweltering weather made the baseball game very uncomfortable. We tried using paper fans, but it didn't help much.

• rainy

• windy

• stormy

• very hot

Multiple Choice

I am running late and have to leave in two minutes. Can you give me a condensed version of the story?

• a story with a happy ending

• more detailed

• shortened

• longer

Multiple Choice

My parents decided to update their kitchen. So, yesterday my dad let me demolish the cabinets with a sledgehammer!

• fix

• build

• break apart

• fill up with food

Multiple Choice

Is it true that the person sitting on the back of a tandem bicycle doesn't have to pedal as hard?

• a type of motorbike

• a type of bike with three wheels

• to have two seats side-by-side

• to have seats one behind another

Multiple Choice

The parade will commence as soon as it stops raining.

• to end

• to command

• to cause a delay

• to start or begin

Multiple Choice

The theme ties together other elements of the narrative, including the characters and the events of the plot.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.

• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.

• You can severely break your leg while crossing the street.

• Life is short; make the most of it.

To practice we are going to use a movie excerpt - let's see if you can find the elements of fiction!

​

​

Multiple Choice

Who was the antagonist?

• Glinda

• Theodora

• The Wizard

• The Munchkins

Multiple Choice

What was the conflict type?

• Person vs Person

• Person vs Self

• Person vs Nature

• Person vs Technology

Multiple Choice

What were the three main characters named?

• Glinda, Theodora & The Wizard

• Witch of the West, Witch of the North, Wizard of Oz

• Mary, Kate and James

• Glenda, Wicked Witch, Wizard

Multiple Select

What was the setting? Select all that apply.

• Oz

• Munchkin Land

• Yellow Brick Road

• Town Square

Multiple Choice

Which part of the video was the exposition?

• When Glinda and the Wizard were addressing Theodora

• When Glinda and the Wizard were discussing the Witch coming to attack

• When Theodora threatened Glinda and the Wizard with her sister's army

• When Theodora left

Open Ended

Based on your answer for conflict, summarize the core conflict between the characters and what began the problems.

Multiple Select

The little grey mouse that lived in my wall prospered for many days on nibbles of my lunch. I’d pack a meal before bed and, while I slept, he would take small bites of my lunch, which I left on the counter. He’d take a cracker crumble here, and a bread crumb there, but he wouldn’t take too much and he’d always clean up after himself. Things were going quite well for him and I didn’t even know he existed, until he got sloppy. One night while I slept, he ate all of my chips and left behind a big mess. When I awoke to this sight, I knew what had happened to my chips. So the next night when he returned for another snack, he found a nice, delicious piece of cheese… lightly balanced on a mouse trap. Now I don’t have to share my chips anymore.

• The mouse lives a happy life in the shadows, until he gets too bold.

• Clean up your messes.

• The mouse should move to a new place with many friends.

• Believe in yourself.

• Don't be greedy.

Multiple Select

Kyle liked Lucy more than any other girl in the school, but he had an odd way of showing it. When she walked ahead of him in line, he kicked at her shoe. When she passed him on the school yard, he called her “lame Lucy.” He even wrote a mean word on her homework during the bus ride to school. But what puzzled Lucy the most was receiving an invitation to Kyle’s birthday party. Figuring that he was just planning a mean trick on her, Lucy decided not to go, and while Kyle eagerly awaited Lucy’s arrival, Lucy talked on the phone to Jacob. When Kyle finally realized that Lucy was not coming to his party, he was crushed.

• Home is where the heart is.

• Kyle likes Lucy but picks on her instead of expressing himself.

• If you like someone, you should tell them.

• Share your true feelings.

• Lucy should tell Kyle to leave her alone.

Multiple Select

Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch soap operas, Suzie wanted to watch talk shows. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another’s company. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that progress reports came out. While riding the bus home from school, the girls—startled by how upset the other looked—realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading. Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another. So everyday after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. By the time report cards came were distributed, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were delighted, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters passed their classes, but because they had learned to be good sisters.

• It's better to work together.

• Friendship is everything.

• Two heads are better than one.

• June and Suzie help one another out by learning to work together.

• Everyone should just get along.

Multiple Select

Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After explaining her situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she spilled grape soda all over her assignment.

Select two Themes that are in this passage:

• Respecting others property is important

• You shouldn't get chips on your friends bedspread

• Friends get offended when you are messy.

• Choose your partners carefully

Multiple Choice

There was a ragged old woman following behind me as I walked down each aisle. She had a strange look on her face, as her missing teeth distorted her smile. I rushed to try to avoid her, as I was a little nervous about what she might do. Come to find out, I dropped some money and she was trying to return it to me.

• Old people are always mean

• don't judge a book by its cover

• you should be aware of others

• it takes courage to stand up to bullies

Multiple Choice

An old turtle looked up and said,

“Mr. Sky, I have lived a long time.I have seen it all,

And what they say is true.

There is nothing new under the sun.”

“Really?” said Sky.

And from six miles up, he dropped

A single snowflake.

Which sentence describes the theme of the poem?

• There’s always something new to experience.

• Nature always challenges us to think twice.

• Animals understand nature better than humans.

• It’s important to gather new knowledge.

Multiple Choice

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.
What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor
• work before you play
• be respectful
• don't be greedy

Read each poem and identify the theme.

What is the theme?

(Answer on next slide)

Multiple Choice

What is the theme?

• Honesty is the best policy

• Never give up

• Keep up appearances

What is the theme?

(Answer on the next slide)

Multiple Choice

What is the theme?

• Know yourself

• Don’t worry about what others think

• You are stronger than you think.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme?

• Let go of your fears

• Be more trusting

• Be careful who you trust

What is the theme?

(Answer on the next slide)

Multiple Choice

What is the theme?

• You create your situation.

• Loneliness is temporary.

• Build walls to keep yourself safe.

What is the theme?