Understanding Author’s Craft #4

It was Robyn’s last day of middle school, and she walked through the halls one last time. She was excited to be graduating, but she had also had many wonderful experiences here. She would be leaving with a heavy heart.

What does with a heavy heart mean?

• feeling sad

• feeling tired

• feeling nervous

Cats make better pets than dogs do. Cats are quieter and take less care. Cats may not come when they’re called, but that’s okay. They show their love in other ways, like rubbing against their owners. They are really smart, too. I’ll take a cat over a dog any day.

What is the authors main point?

• Cats are quieter than dogs

• Cats are really smart

• Cats make better pets than dogs do

I was about to reveal how the film ends, and I had to bite my tongue.

Which is the meaning of bite my tongue?

• Draw a picture

• Speak too quickly

• Refrain from talking

We are lucky to have alligators help keep a balance in nature. Sometimes an area can go a long time without much rain. The ponds, rivers and lakes can start to dry up. Alligators will dig holes to make pools of water. This helps the plants, insects, and animals living in the area.

What does the writer want the readers to believe?

• Some areas have dry periods

• Alligators need lots of water

• Alligators are helpful creatures

Exercise helps people get stronger and makes hearts healthier. But exercise is also good for the mind. Your brain needs you to have a healthy body. Scientists studies older people who walked a lot. These older people remembered things better and learned things more easily than others.

What does the writer want readers to agree with?

• Exercise is good for your mind and body

• People need to remember things better

• Scientists like to study older people

In the past, there was only one way to send a greeting card. You bought a paper card from the store and mailed it.  Today, people can send online cards through several electronic greeting companies.  They can even send electronic cards signed by an entire group.  But there is something special about discovering a card in the mailbox.  One can instantly recognize it by its sight and feel.  It’s also fun to have something to open and hold while reading.

What is the author’s opinion about greeting cards?

• The author thinks electronic cards are better because they offer more choices including sending a group card.

• The author favors paper cards, mentioning several of their benefits including how fund they are to open.

• The author describes both paper and electronic cards and doesn’t seem to have an opinion about either of them.

Mary watched the penguins slide across the Antarctic ice.  She laughed as two of the birds dove into the cold water.  Her amusement took her back to when she was five years old laughing at penguins in the zoo.  Back then, Mary had no idea she would someday be observing penguins in their natural environment.  She turned her attention to writing observation notes in her research journal.

What is an example of flashback in this story?

• Mary remembers being five years old.

• Mary is writing in her research journal.

• Mary is studying penguins in Antarctica.

Many teachers use literature groups in order to help students learn to enjoy reading.  Literature Circles are usually composed of five or six students.  The students read a book and discuss it as they read.  It’s like a web-based chatroom, except that everyone is there in person.  The nifty part is that most members are gently motivated by their peers.

Why does the author say that Literature Circles are like web-based chatrooms?

• To show that Literature Circles use technology too

• To highlight that Literature Circles can be fun and social

• To explain how members of literature circles choose books

Have you glanced under the field bleachers after a sporting event and seen litter everywhere?  This can easily be fixed.  Simply deposit your trash or recycling in a conveniently located receptacle.

Why does the author use the underlined words?

• To make cleaning up sound like it requires very little effort

• To make people feel guilty for not cleaning up after games

• To make readers understand why cleaning up is important

Julius studied the photographs he and Kalinda had assembled for their parents’ anniversary gift.  Kalinda complained that Julius was making too many adjustments in his quest to make it perfect.  Julius, however, felt something still wasn’t right.  He just needed to make a few changes before his parents arrived.  He glanced at the clock and saw he had enough time to accomplish his goal.

Which supports the idea that Julius will make further adjustments?

• He checks the time and has nothing else to do while he waits for his parents.

• He thinks about his sister’s complaints and understands why she makes them.

• He doesn’t think the display is perfect yet and sees he has time to fix it.