Text Structure Practice

During the Titanic’s maiden voyage, its first across the Atlantic, Captain Smith received warnings about dangerous icebergs.  On April 14, 1912, at 9:20 p.m. Captain Smith went to bed.  The last iceberg warning came in around 9:40, and he never received it.  At 11:40 p.m. lookouts spotted an iceberg, and 37 seconds later, the ship scraped the bottom of the berg.  By 12:45 a.m., lifeboats began lowering into the freezing water.  At 2:20 a.m. on April 15, the Titanic sank to the bottom of the ocean. 

• Sequence

• Cause and Effect

• Question and Answer

• Description

Although many wildfires occur in “wild” areas such as forests and hills, they are called wildfires because they are uncontrolled and can destroy everything in their path.  Depending on how large a wildfire is, it can even change a location’s weather.  On average, 1.2 million acres burn every year because of wildfires.

• Cause and Effect

• QUestion and Answer

• Description

• Problem and Solution

People who live in cold climates know that there are several

different winter sport choices. If you enjoy flying down

hills at breakneck speeds, you’ll need to choose between

snowboarding and skiing. Both are winter sports where

you move along snow with boards attached to your feet.

While skiing, you’ll have a ski attached to each foot, and a

pole for each hand. Snowboarding, on the other hand, uses

only one board, which both feet are attached to. Skis and

snowboards both require boots to buckle into. While you

need a sloped hill to snowboard down, with skis, you can

cross country ski on snowy flat land. Your body’s position

will also be different depending on the sport you choose􀀂

snowboarders ride down hills sideways, and skiers move

straight ahead. Either sport is a thrilling winter activity!

• Question and Answer

• Problem and Solution

• Compare and Contrast

• Description

Most ski and snowboard resorts open in mid-

November. Sometimes, though, there is no snow for

skiers and snowboarders to ride. When that happens,

the resorts fire up their snow machines, called snow

guns or cannons. If temperatures are cold enough, air

and water can be combined to create artificial snow,

and the “no snow problem” will disappear under a pile

of fresh, white, powder. Some ski resorts use the snow

machines nightly until mother nature creates enough

of her own snow!

• Question and Answser

• Problem and Solution

• Compare and Contrast

• Description

It’s never too late to leave bad habits behind and get

healthy! If you want to get healthy, the first thing

you’ll need to do is empty your refrigerator and

cabinets of junk foods that are high in unhealthy fat

and sugars. Then, head to the grocery store and

stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins

like chicken and fish, and healthy fats such as nuts

and sunflower seeds. Ditch processed foods like

cookies and chips. After your fridge is full of

healthy food, get chopping! Chop up your fruits and

veggies so they are ready to eat when you get

hungry. Finally, don’t forget to exercise to stay fit!

• Question and Answer

• Description

• Sequence

• Problem and Solution

Even though both Disney World and Disney Land were

built by Walt Disney himself, they are not the same

theme park. Built in 1971 in Orlando, Florida, The

main park at Disney World, The Magic Kingdom,

features a huge Cinderella Castle. Disney Land, on the

other hand, was built in 1955 in California, and

features Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. While Disney World

has four different theme parks, Disney Land only has

two. Even with their differences, they are both

popular tourist destinations for children and adults!

• Sequence

• Compare and Contrast

• Description

• Problem and Solution

If you hear a tornado siren or see a tornado warning

on the internet or news, there are steps you should

take to avoid the tornado. If you are home, it is best to

take cover in a basement with no windows. If you

have no basement, get to the lowest floor in your

home. Caught in a tornado outside? Experts say it is

best to abandon your car and find a low-lying ditch

where you can lay flat. Tornados are problems for

everyone in their path, but being ready when they

come can help keep you safe.

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Compare and Contrast