Essay and Text Structures Practice

Read the following paragraph and compose a one-sentence main idea for each one:

The physical environment of a classroom is extremely important because it can influence the way

teachers and students feel, think, and behave. If a student feels pressured, under stress, unhappy, or

unsafe, it would be impossible for her or him to learn the lessons planned by the educator. Likewise,

if a teacher feels unhappy or disorganized because of the classroom's lack of order or detail, the

ability for her to teach is greatly diminished. The environment of a classroom serves four basic

functions: security, social contact, pleasure, and growth. For real learning and teaching to take

place, all four of those needs must be met by the class space.

What is the main idea?

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the following paragraph and compose a one-sentence main idea for each one:

The physical environment of a classroom is extremely important because it can influence the way

teachers and students feel, think, and behave. If a student feels pressured, under stress, unhappy, or

unsafe, it would be impossible for her or him to learn the lessons planned by the educator. Likewise,

if a teacher feels unhappy or disorganized because of the classroom's lack of order or detail, the

ability for her to teach is greatly diminished. The environment of a classroom serves four basic

functions: security, social contact, pleasure, and growth. For real learning and teaching to take

place, all four of those needs must be met by the class space.

What is the main idea?

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Choose the correct text structure for this paragraph:

Making sandbags can be easy and fun. The first thing you need to do is to get near a location with a lot of sand. If you are near a beach that's perfect The next thing you need to do is fill your bags with sand. You'll want to fill them completely and pack the sand down so that it is firm like a brick, but leave enough space at the end so you can tie the bag closed. After tying it closed, you may stack the sand bags and make them into a wall. Repeat these steps until you have a large wall.

• Chronological

• Cause and Effect

• Sequence

• 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

Read the following paragraph and compose a one-sentence main idea for each one:

Often when it rains, a particular dreariness descends upon the earth. Most people hide out in their

houses sending forlorn glances out the window. Animals scamper off to nooks and crannies, poking

their heads out to timidly sniff the air for signs of dry weather. Despite the pellets of water

cascading from the sky, an occasional brave soul will venture out for a jog in the drizzle or a bird

will chirp merrily in a mud puddle, dismissing the downpour. Some people call these adventurers

crazy, but others celebrate the willingness of these individuals to embrace negativity and turn it into

something positive.

What is the main idea?

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Choose the correct text structure for this paragraph:

Hurricanes and the destruction they cause take many lives every year. Sadly, people don't have to die from these disasters. One thing that can be done to prevent more lives from being lost is to have an evacuation procedure. Cities and towns in the path of hurricanes need to be evacuated. Some people who live in these cities and towns don't have transportation, so buses must be provided and safe drop zones need to be arranged. Having better evacuation procedures would save lives.

• Chronological

• Cause and Effect

• Sequence

• 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

Read the following paragraph and compose a one-sentence main idea for each one:

The idea that women are not equal to men has been a prevailing, common theme in literature since

the beginning of time. Like their predecessors, Renaissance writers staunchly laid down the tenet

that women were less valuable throughout the pages of effusive literary writings, where women are

alternately idolized as virtuous or shunned as harlots. One man proved to be a glaring contradiction

to this falsity. That man was William Shakespeare and he had the courage in those turbulent days to

recognize the value and equality of women. His portrayal of women differed than that of many of

his contemporaries during the Renaissance era.

What is the main idea?

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Legends make children dream of princesses riding bare back through fields of fragrant heather.

They immortalize noble knights, champions for humanity, who fought tyranny as they raced through a

village with sword brandished and banner waving in the afternoon breeze. Legends awaken imagination

in the young and spur creativity in the old. The famous and trustworthy story of King Arthur is one of

those great legends made famous through repeated telling. According to the stories about King Arthur, he

was a man of valor, integrity, and honor in the face of challengers and opposition. He strove to lead all of

England down the path of goodness and prosperity without any foolish moves or attacks of cowardice. He

supposedly did all of these wonderful things, but as it seems, not one person knows how this legend came

to be, and some even debate that he was once alive.

Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the paragraph?

• King Arthur's legends have been inspirational for both the old and the young.

• Legends, like that of King Arthur, can be inspirational despite their muddled beginnings or

  deficient proof.

• Legends can inspire both the young and the old.

• Legends, like that of King Arthur, are inspirational to those who want to believe in fairy tales.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

A journalist is writing a news story about Richmond's new fire chief. Read the piece of information in each row, then select the section where it fits best.

Bill Serrano, who has served as Greenpoint's fire chief for fourteen years, has been selected as Richmond's next fire chief.

Olivia Carter, Richmond's first fire chief, announced her retirement earlier this year and will leave next month.

• Bill Serrano is the Current Fire Chief

• Bill Serrano is the New Fire Chief

• Olivia Carter is the New Fire Chief

• Olivia Carter is the Current Fire Chief

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

A music reviewer is composing a review of a new album from the band Queen of Hearts. Read the piece of information in each row, then select the section where it fits best.

Queen of Hearts has given us one of their most emotionally arresting albums in years.

Lead singer Angie Olsen's otherwise impressive vocal range falls flat on the title track.

• This is a weakness of the Queen of Hearts new album: Queen of Hearts has given us one of their most emotionally arresting albums in years.

• This is a strength of the Queen of Hearts new album: Queen of Hearts has given us one of their most emotionally arresting albums in years.

• This is a weakness of the Queen of Hearts new album: Lead singer Angie Olsen's otherwise impressive vocal range falls flat on the title track.

• This is a strength of the Queen of Hearts new album: Lead singer Angie Olsen's otherwise impressive vocal range falls flat on the title track.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which answer lists the three main paragraphs of any type of essay in the correct order?

• introduction, conclusion, body

• body, examples, conclusion

• examples, details, conclusion

• introduction, body, conclusion