Responding to Facts in an Informational Text

Petra read these lines in a robotics magazine.

Robots are the world's greatest invention! Robots can make life easier for humans. They go places people do not want to; for example, some robots explore inside volcanoes or gas tanks. The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, which means "forced labor." Robots are great because they can do our work and never get tired or bored.

What is the author's opinion, and what evidence is used to support it?

• The author's opinion is that robots are the world's greatest invention. This opinion is supported by real-life examples of robots at work.

• The author's opinion is that robots make life easier for humans. This opinion is supported by the statement that robots are the world's greatest invention.

David has been asked to respond to "Empire State Building by J. Patrick Lewis.

It's lonely up here without my big twin brothers,

the World Trade Center Towers.

Wait here on my doorstep, Central Park,

while I look over Harlem.

I am an American boy, face to face with the world.

Which statement would be best for David to include in his response?

• In my opinion, the World Trade Center Towers are much more important than the Empire State Building.

• Lewis supports the idea of being “lonely” by showing that the World Trade Center Towers are no longer nearby.

• Lewis is an American boy who believes that all Americans should stand face to face against the world.

Read this excerpt from a travel brochure.

Do you love history? Then book a vacation to the beautiful city of London, England! London is one of the world’s oldest and most historic sites. In London, visitors can see the Tower of London, Big Ben, and Kensington Palace. The British Museum is a fascinating place to spend a day or two. Many local shops and restaurants have been around for hundreds of years. A visit to London is like a trip back in time!

How does the writing shape the reader's impression?

• The writing style is formal and informs the reader about many unknown historical facts.

• The writing style is scientific and gives the reader a scholarly understanding of London

• The writing style is persuasive and convinces the reader to visit historical London.

Brooklyn becomes available, henceforth, as a place of residence to thousands, to whom the ability to reach their places of business without interruption from fog and ice is of paramount importance. . . . Incident to this is the opportunity it gives for rapid communication.

—Opening Ceremonies of the

New York and Brooklyn Bridge,

Seth Low

What opinions could someone form about the Brooklyn Bridge after reading this text?

• People are likely to start moving to Brooklyn.Building the bridge was a good idea.

• The bridge was probably built to get rid of fog and ice.The bridge will make it hard for people to communicate with Brooklyn.

Read this excerpt from Dean Kamen's "On Becoming an Inventor."

I had just finished making a complicated piece of equipment that was to be used for a show opening in Philadelphia called "Fiorello." When the machine arrived they had trouble wiring it, so instead of going off to college that morning for an orientation, I spent several days at the theater fixing my light/sound equipment. The show received poor reviews, except for the mention by one reviewer of the "special effects," which, he wrote, were "outstanding."

How does the writing shape readers' impressions?

• Kamen’s opinion seems to be that hard work can overcome any obstacles. He supports this with an example of hard work on a light machine. His tone is humorous and directed at young audience.

• Kamen’s opinion seems to be that his inventions are more important to him than other activities. He supports this by sharing an example of skipping college orientation to fix sound equipment. His tone is informal and directed at a general audience.

Brady read this on a pamphlet at the dentist's office.

Shinybrite is the best toothpaste on the market! Eight out of ten patients who tried Shinybrite Minty Creme liked it better than the leading brand of toothpaste. Shinybrite whitens teeth and freshens breath. Regular toothbrushing decreases cavities and gum disease.

What is the writer's opinion, and what evidence is used to support it?

• The writer's opinion is that Shinybrite is the best toothpaste. It is supported with the statistic that eight out of ten patients like it more than the leading brand.

• The writer's opinion is that Shinybrite whitens teeth. It is supported with the statistic that eight out of ten patients like it more than the leading brand.

• he writer's opinion is that the toothpaste freshens breath. It is supported by the fact that Shinybrite is the best toothpaste on the market.

Read this excerpt from "Empire State Building" by J. Patrick Lewis.

I am an American boy, standing up to the world.

I sleep, the city sleeps. We dream

the riveter's dream, held island-fast.

I wake to taxi alarms.

I am a 102-stop elevator ride to heaven.

I am ten million bricks of unshakable faith.

I capture imagination at its peak.

Lewis's style is

• informal; he uses humorous language to entertain the audience and make them laugh.

• informal; he uses familiar language to entertain his audience with meaningful poetry.

• formal; he uses scholarly words to persuade readers to visit the building.

Read this excerpt from A Short Walk around the Pyramids and through the World of Art by Philip Isaacson.

The traditional art of African nations is a wonderful part of the world's art. Like the art of all people who live in groups called tribes—the people of the Pacific islands, the Native Americans, the Eskimos, the Indians of the Northwest Coast of Canada—it was once called primitive art. But it isn't primitive. It isn't primitive in its shape or in the way it is made or in the deep feelings it expresses.

Isaacson's purpose is

• to convince the reader to create traditional art; his tone is informal.

• to inform the reader about traditional art; his tone is formal.

• to persuade the reader to buy traditional art; his tone is formal.

Read this excerpt from a children's cookbook.

Fruit salad is a fresh and simple dessert. Fruit is full of vitamins and fiber, and nutritionists recommend eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Fruit salad is a delicious way to get one or two servings of fruit. Choose a variety of fresh fruit. Then wash, peel, and slice the fruit, and stir everything together. Bananas, berries, apples, melons, and pineapples all taste great!

How does the writing shape readers' impressions?

• It encourages kids to eat the right amount of fresh fruit.

• It encourages kids to begin preparing their own meals.

• It makes kids understand the importance of vegetables.

The traditional art of African nations is a wonderful part of the world's art. Like the art of all people who live in groups called tribes, it was once called primitive art. But it isn't primitive. It isn't primitive in its shape or in the way it is made or in the deep feelings it expresses.

Isaacson's purpose is

• to persuade the reader to buy traditional art; his tone is formal.

• to entertain the reader with humorous traditional stories; his tone is informal.

• to inform the reader about traditional art; his tone is formal.

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