Identifying Text Structure Practice

French fries were not invented in the U.S., but Americans still love them. The first documented use in the United States was when then-President Thomas Jefferson asked a French chef to make “potatoes served in the French manner.” A recipe for “French fried potatoes” has been found in a cookbook from the 1850's. They were referred to as “French fried potatoes” until the 1930's, when Americans dropped the word “potatoes” and started referring to them as simply French fries. They gained in popularity with the growth of the fast food chains that took America by storm in the 1950's and 1960's. Today, they are as popular as ever!

• Cause and Effect

• Compare and Contrast

• Problem and Solution

• Sequence/Chronological Order

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Have you ever wanted to own a pet other than a typical house pet such as a dog, cat, fish, or bird? An exotic pet might be the choice for you! Flying squirrels and sugar gliders are becoming popular exotic pets. Although they seem similar, a flying squirrel is a better pet. Their diet consists of a simple parrot food along with other fruits and veggies you may already have in your fridge. On the other hand, sugar gliders require a complicated and well-balanced diet, including nectar and special proteins like bug mix or mice. While sugar gliders mark their territory with a musky smell, flying squirrels have no scent glands and don’t leave any odor. Flying squirrels are also a better choice since sugar gliders require constant attention, unlike squirrels who are more independent.

• Description

• Compare and Contrast

• Problem and Solution

• Sequence

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Gymnastics is one of the most watched events of the Summer Olympics. The women’s artistic competition includes four events: balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars, and vault. Competitors can win medals in each individual event, and there are also medals given to the three individuals who score the highest in all four events combined. A team competition also takes place during the Olympics. In the team final, three gymnasts from each participating team are selected to compete in the four events. The scores are totaled into a final team score, and the team with the highest number of points wins the gold medal.

• Compare/Contrast

• Problem/Solution

• Cause/Effect

• Description

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Tsunamis are particularly dangerous events because they cannot be predicted. A tsunami can reach land with minutes. Scientists are researching methods that they hope will assist them in warning people in the path of the tsunami at a faster speed. One current solution that has bee developed is the SMS Tsunami Warning System. This warning system sends a text alert directly to your cell phone if there has been an earthquake and it appears that a tsunami may be approaching your area. Scientists hope to develop even more reliable warning systems in the future.

• Problem/Solution

• Compare/Contrast

• Cause/Effect

• Sequence/Chronological Order

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

There are four major events that can cause a tsunami. Most often, tsunamis are caused by earthquakes below or near the ocean. The most destructive tsunamis occur when there is a shallow focus earthquake where the ocean is less than 70 km deep. Other less-common events that can cause tsunamis include underwater landslides and violent volcanic eruptions. Tsunamis can also be caused by asteroids or meteors that crash into the ocean from outer space, but this is a rare occurrence.

• Description

• Compare/Contrast

• Problem/Solution

• Cause/Effect

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5