RI.7.5 Text Structures

What type of text structure?
Hurricanes - A hurricane is a large storm with heavy winds and rain that begins in the ocean and builds up strength as it moves across the water. While some of the damage caused by hurricanes is from high winds, most of it is usually from tidal surge, flooding entire cities, and killing large numbers of people. A tornado is a storm that develops on land, with no warning, and moves in a circular motion with heavy winds with a funnel shape, picking up and carrying dirt, dust, and even objects. The damage caused by tornadoes is from the high velocity winds, which are extremely destructive and deadly. They can demolish entire neighborhoods in a matter of a few seconds to a few minutes.  Tornadoes can form when hurricanes make landfall, as their winds at ground level slow down, while the winds near the top keep their momentum, but a hurricane cannot be created by a tornado.  

• Cause and effect
• Chronological
• Compare and contrast
• Problem and solution

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What type of text structure?
Avalanches - Avalanches (when a lot of snow falls from a mountain) may bury people under them. If the people are not found rapidly enough by rescue teams they will die of suffocation (not getting enough air) or of hypothermia (freezing cold).  The chance of surviving an avalanche is as follows: 92% if found within 15 minutes 30% if found within 35 minutes (victims die of suffocation) nearly zero after two hours (victims die of injuries and hypothermia)  

• Compare and contrast
• Chronological
• Cause and effect
• Problem and solution

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

The Exxon Valdez oil spill is one of the worst oil spills to ever happen. On March 24, 1989, an oil ship crashed in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It hit the Bligh Island Reef. More than 10.8 million gallons of oil poured into the ocean. This is about 250,000 barrels.

Investigators found several causes for the accident. The ship’s equipment needed to be repaired. The monitor that could have warned the sailors they were about to crash into the reef was broken. In fact, it had been broken for over a year. In addition, the sailor who was driving the ship did not have enough rest. The Exxon oil company was blamed for not properly supervising or providing enough rest for the crew.

More than 1,300 miles of coastline were covered by oil from the spill. Even worse, 11,000 square miles of ocean were also affected. Between 100,000 and 250,000 seabirds, more than 2,800 sea otters, 247 bald eagles, and 22 orca whales died immediately. Billions of fish eggs were also destroyed. Some scientists say that 20 years later, Prince William Sound is still feeling the effects of the oil spill.

Q. This passage outlines some of the causes of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. What is one effect the author mentions?

• a very tired ship crew

• repairs needed for the ship

• no proper supervision

• the death of marine life

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

The SS James B. Stephens was an American liberty ship in World War II. In 1943, the ship was traveling in Suez when it was torpedoed by the German submarine U-160 about 150 miles northeast of Durban.

One torpedo struck, igniting the fuel oil in storage, and the ship began to sink by the front end. A second torpedo struck and broke the ship in two. Both sections remained afloat, but the ship was on fire. The crew began to abandon ship. The explosion of the second torpedo overturned the motor lifeboat. The other lifeboats were able to pick up all of the men in the water except for one man who was not wearing a life jacket and could not swim. He drowned before he could be rescued.

An Allied warship sank the back section of the James B. Stephens with gunfire. A British warship attempted to take the front section in tow to Durban, but it sank while under tow in heavy seas. Of a total crew of 63, 62 were rescued. A crewman, Edward F. Racine, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for righting the overturned motor lifeboat.

Q. Essays and news stories are often organized by cause and effect. According to this passage, what caused the crew to abandon the ship?

• weather

• torpedoes

• sinking

• gunfire

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued The Emancipation Proclamation. This action did not have much effect on the hardships of the average American slave at the time. Even worse is the fact that one hundred years later, the African American was still not free. Jim Crow Segregation continued in the South. For black citizens in the North, discrimination and economic problems still continued as well. The Civil Rights Movement tried to change this. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, leaders in the black freedom movement began to emerge. Different leaders with different ideas helped to shape the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most well-known leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He asked that people protest with their voices and their money against discrimination. Another leader in the Civil Rights Movement was the Black Panther Party. The Black Panthers supported making a change by any means necessary. Both had the common goal of black freedom in mind, but their ways of getting to this freedom were different. King wanted integration. This meant he wanted white and black to live and work together. The Panthers wanted separation. Also, King saw the white citizen as playing a large part in creating and upholding black civil rights. The Panthers, on the other hand, wanted no part of a white government. Finally King called for non-violent ways to reach equality. The Panthers stood by the "any means necessary" belief. These basic differences would keep the two parties from working together even though they had a common goal.

Q. The section above uses its text structure to

• to show how the Black Panthers and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were different from Abraham Lincoln.

• to show how the Black Panthers and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have similarities and differences

• to show that the Black Panthers' method was the best method in fighting for people's civil rights.

• to show that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s method was best in fighting for people's civil rights

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Antibiotics are chemicals that are used to treat infections. These work by killing the bacteria that cause the infection. Recently, doctors are facing new problems because of antibiotics. It might be a problem they have helped create. Doctors have been prescribing antibiotics too often. People are also using them more than they should. More and more people use antibiotics for colds and common illnesses. Since people get these common illnesses often, they use antibiotics more than they should.

When people use antibiotics too often, they can develop new strains of bacteria. These bacteria can be tough to treat. This is because of bacterial resistance. The chemicals cannot react to the bacteria as they should. Such bacteria need higher and stronger doses of chemicals. At one point, the chemicals stop having any effect on the bacteria.

Today, doctors have found bacteria that are not affected by some of the most powerful antibiotics available. Having to use strong chemicals for common illnesses is also a tough situation. This may start as a small problem and become a bigger medical situation. Many diseases have already become more difficult to treat. Some examples of such diseases are infections of the ear, sinuses, or skin; Meningitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Isn't it about time we start thinking about what we easily put into our bodies?

Q. Which text structure did the writer use to develop this passage?

• chronological order

• compare and contrast

• listing

• cause and effect

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Since the new boss took over, there have been many more changes to the way the company does business. For example, in the area of complaints, it used to be standard practice for a customer to have to wait two days before speaking with a supervisor. Now, with Monty Morgenson as the CEO, he cut the time down to two hours. If a supervisor doesn't immediately respond to a customer's complaint, the supervisor could find him or herself in deep trouble. In fact, one supervisor has already been terminated. Despite this, our customers have been pleased by the fact that they can communicate their issues to supervisors directly.

In addition, the employees of B-3 are all required to dress appropriately for work. Jeans and T-shirts are a thing of the past. Now, slacks, ties, and suits are the clothing of choice. Actually, it's not a choice. Before, it was not uncommon to see people come to the work place in flip-flops and sweats. Now, that look is highly discouraged. It hasn't been all that bad. The office looks much more professional, and our customers seem to really respect us.

One of the biggest changes to company policy is the vacation time. The new boss understands how hard people work. He also understands the importance of time. Upon taking his new position, Monty fought to get all employees an extra week's vacation. Now, instead of the stingy five-day vacation policy, the B-3 team has a ten-day vacation. This has greatly improved team morale, and now, everyone can't wait to come to work.

I should mention that even with Monty at the wheel, guiding the company, one thing will not change: our commitment to serving the community and providing the best service to our customers. We will continue to provide the best customer care of anyone in the electronics business.

Q. The section above uses its text structure

• to illustrate how the new boss will cause B-3 to lose a great deal of money in the future

• to show how the company has made a great deal of money since Morgenson became boss.

• to explain to employees the way that Morgenson came to be the CEO of the company

• to show how B-3 has changed and how it has stayed the same since the new boss took over

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

You have probably heard of gypsies before. This word is often used to refer to people who spend their lives traveling from place to place. Many people enjoy seeing different parts of the world. But could you imagine not having a country to call home?

A stateless person is someone who does not have a citizenship. Sometimes, countries cease to exist. A new government needs to be established in order for the people there to have citizenship. If a new country is not formed, the people who live there could be considered stateless. This can also happen in places where there is a dispute over territory. Countries also sometimes refuse to give citizenship to groups of people altogether.

Other times, countries may decide to take a person’s citizenship. One case where this might happen is if someone fights in a country’s army that opposes his or her home country. The country may decide to strip this person of his or her citizenship.

Q.How does the organizational structure of this passage support the author's purpose?

• It gives facts and explanations about the idea of statelessness

• It compares the causes of statelessness and lists many of its effects.

• It gives arguments to persuade people that denying citizenship is right.

• It compares and classifies the different kinds of citizenships and residencies.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Claire and Bonnie competed for everything: boys, grades, and first chair in band. They were both wonderful girls with their own strengths and weaknesses. Bonnie, for example, was better at basketball while Claire tended to excel at gymnastics and cheerleading. Claire had curly blonde hair, and Bonnie had short black hair. Bonnie was stronger at math, but Claire was better at foreign languages.

They both had a crush on Josh Martin, but Josh Martin dated Cristy Summers. Even still, Josh was good friends with both Claire and Bonnie. In fact Bonnie helped Josh pass his algebra test, and Claire helped him learn French. To express his gratitude, he threw them a party for being the best tutors and friends that he knew.

Q.The section above uses its text structure

• to show how Claire and Bonnie are the same and how they are different.

• to explain the benefits of learning a foreign language while in high school

• to show how Josh is similar to Claire but how he is different from Bonnie

• to illustrate the steps one needs to take in order to pass an algebra exam

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

Would you believe that many of the Caribbean islands were once volcanoes? It’s true. There is a large chain of volcanoes that lies beneath the Caribbean Sea. Many of the islands we see today, including Jamaica and Cuba, were formed on top of volcanoes.

Over many years, the volcanoes were submerged beneath the sea. Limestone began to develop over the igneous and metamorphic rock that was already there. To this day in Jamaica, there are places where the limestone on the island is thousands of feet thick.

What is one conclusion that can be drawn from the passage?

• Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico formed as a result of volcanic eruptions in the Caribbean Sea.

• Jamaica is the largest international exporter of products, like limestone, coconuts, and pineapples.

• Some Caribbean islands were formed as a result of volcanoes being submerged underwater.

• Limestone on other islands in the Caribbean Sea is also thousands of feet thick and miles long

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1