Comprehension Strategies and Constructing Meaning #7

Tara saw a shiny red stone.  She picked it up and closed her eyes.  The stone got warmer, so she opened her eyes.  The stone had turned into a little red bird!

 

What kind of writing is this?

• a song

• a true story

• a made-up story

I’ve investigated area hotels to determine which to recommend to my friends from out of town.  Its new exercise facilities, including a swimming pool, make it worth the drive.  The other hotel is more conveniently located in the heart of town.  It has fewer luxuries than the other, but it has a cozy, comfortable feel.

 

Which statement from the passage is a fact?

• Its new exercise facilities make it worth the drive.

• Two of the hotels clearly are the best options.

• One hotel is located on the outskirts of town.

Maureen wandered through the museum’s Village from the Past.  Actors in costume performed tasks in the museum as they were done in the 1800s.  Maureen was a bit bored until she heard some interesting noises coming from the blacksmith’s shop.  Inside, a man in an apron and gloves held a piece of iron inside a forge.  When he pulled the iron from the flames, it was bright red.  Maureen watched, fascinated, as he pounded the glowing metal on an anvil.

 

How does the blacksmith shop affect Maureen?

• It changes her attitude from one of boredom to one of fascination.

• It helps her realize she’s never really known what a blacksmith does.

• It causes her to stop wandering around aimlessly and pay attention.

Olivia stood among the cluster of students watching her older sister, Megan, on the hockey field.  Olivia was always impressed with how Megan seemed to dominate on the field.  Olivia grimaced as she recalled how she herself had once considered donning a hockey uniform.  Olivia had plenty of enthusiasm for field hockey, but she had no desire to exist in Megan’s shadow.  Olivia had to find her own place to shine.

 

How do Olivia’s reflections on her sister affect this story?

• They reveal Olivia’s desire to be her own person.

• They explain Olivia’s reluctance to cheer for her sister.

• They anticipate Olivia’s eventual success at hockey.

Caleb balanced on the rickety wooden crate and peered over the crowd.  His greatest desire was to catch a glimpse of the articulate Mr. Abraham Lincoln.  Caleb hadn’t been fortunate enough to personally witness Lincoln’s speech at Cooper Union.  Those who experienced that pleasure were now calling Lincoln the next president of the United States.  Caleb was thrilled to be standing on the same street as his nation’s next leader.

 

What part of the story is probably based on a historical fact?

• Caleb wanted to hear Lincoln speak.

• Lincoln gave a speech at Cooper Union.

• Caleb stood on the same street as Lincoln.

Actress Ava Erikson says, “When I’m on the movie set, it’s absolutely vital that my makeup look flawless and professional.  The last thing I want is a mascara that clumps and flakes.  That’s why I always use LiquidityLash mascara.  LiquidityLash gives me the long, dense lashes I need with no clumping or flaking,”

 

Why does the advisement quote a famous actress?

• To make the product seem more appealing because a famous person uses it

• To present facts and figures that demonstrate the high quality of LiquidityLash

• To convince people that LiquidityLash is a simple solution to a complicated problem

Learning how to play guitar may seem daunting; however, there are steps you can follow to make it easier.  Surprisingly, many songs, even relatively complex-sounding ones, rely on only five key chords.  To begin, borrow or buy the best guitar you can afford – cheap ones are harder to learn on.  Then enlist the assistance of a competent teacher and remember to flex and exercise your hands often!  Thereafter, master the chords E, A, G, D, and C, and away you go.

What does the sequence in the passage imply about learning to play guitar?

• The importance of finding a competent teacher is crucial.

• Learning to master the five key chords should be the ultimate goal.

• Hand exercises are the last step in learning to play guitar.

Mrs. Ortega had woven the many beautiful fabrics that covered the walls in the Ortega home.  Now, she wanted to acquaint her daughter Mariana with the craft her own mother taught her.  Mrs. Ortega started by showing Mariana how to set up the strings on a loom.  She taught her to pass the yarn across the strings, weaving it over and under them.  Within a few hours, she had helped Mariana weaver her first small square.

 

From the passage, what is true of Mrs. Ortega?

• She values tradition.

• She owns a yarn shop.

• She has little patience.

Mattie is an enthusiastic bird watcher.  She is never without binoculars and a small journal.  On weekends, she goes on group hikes to identify birds.  Mattie’s family is planning their annual vacation.  Each year, they select and research several possibilities, and then they vote.  This year the choices are a theme park, the nation’s capital, or a lake known for its variety of ducks and geese.

 

Mattie will probably vote for which vacation activity?

• A theme park

• The nation’s capital

• A lake with ducks and geese

Miguel and his mom were talking about the student council election.  Miguel thought he might be a good candidate.  Miguel mentioned that he volunteered for neighborhood activities.  He also enjoyed organizing projects for his school club.  He noted that he was the captain of the basketball team too.  His mother agreed Miguel would make a great candidate.  She had only one objection: “When will you have time for homework?”

 

What might be a problem with Miguel as a candidate?

• Miguel does really want to be part of the student council.

• It would be better if he had more experience than he does.

• The reasons he is a good candidate also make him too busy.