Understanding Author's Craft #5

Angie dragged the canoe onto the gravel shore of the island and helped her granddaughter disembark.

Angie’s own grandmother had first taken Angie to stay at the cottage here decades ago.  The two had spent flawless days, picnicking and exploring the forested areas.  Angie’s grandmother had identified every wildflower, and with her coaching, Angie had memorized their names too.

Now, I’m holding her granddaughter’s small hand in her own, Angie pointed out a particularly beautiful orchid.  “This is called a pink lady’s slipper,” Angie told her.

What is the effect of the flashback in this passage?

• It creates a sense of foreboding about what might happen on the island.

• It adds emotional depth to Angie’s interactions with her granddaughter.

• It provides details about the challenges Angie has overcome in the past.

Everyone should vote in favor of allowing paddle boats on our community lake.  Paddle boats are a silent form of transportation, so they won’t disturb residents close to the lake.  They have no motors and cause no pollution.  They provide excellent exercise in both warm and cool weather.  I find riding in my paddle boat to be relaxing and enjoyable.

How does the author try to persuade readers?

• By presenting evidence that paddleboats cause no harm and offer many benefits

• By showing that motorboats are a real problem at the community lake

• By arguing that people who are opposed to paddle boats are against the environment

Our town should hold a winter carnival.  In summer, visitors come for the beaches.  They wander into town to shop and eat.  In winter, half the shops close because their aren’t enough customers.  A winter carnival would draw people to town in the cold season.  They would see our town as a fun place to visit any time of year. 

What does the writer want the reader to agree with?

• A carnival is as much fun as spending a day at the beach.

• Summer is a much better time of year than winter is.

• A winter carnival would be good for the business in town.

You can listen to many types of music these days.  But with K-pop music, you don’t just listen, you experience it.  K-pop started in Korea and the name stands for Korean popular music.  A K-pop song mixes many styles from around the world. It has catchy, high-energy beats and inspires original dance moves.  Other performers might lose your attention, but it’s hard to stop watching K-pop artists.

What is the writer’s opinion about K-pop?

• K-pop songs are usually simple and easy to learn

• People should limit how much time they spend watching K-pop.

• K-pop is much more entertaining than other types music.

Let me introduce you to what could simply be the finest pencil ever made.  Our pencils are made from recycled material.  We use only high-quality graphite in our pencil leads, and these writing instruments are available in dozens of colors.  With these pencils, you will be the envy of all your friends.  Buy our pencils today!

What support given by the author is probably not based in fact?

• The pencils are made from recycled material.

• The pencils will make your friends envy you.

• The pencils are available in dozens of colors.

We should have a field day at school.  In a field day, students run races and play games outside.  Students would get lots of exercise.  The ones who win would get fun awards.  We could also give awards to the students who try the hardest.  The awards would make everyone want to take part.

Why does the author think there should be a field day?

• Students have worked hard in school.

• Students would have fun and get exercise.

• Students need to be given awards.

Some sunlight can be good for your health.  Sunlight helps your body make Vitamin D.  This keeps you healthy in many ways.  Too much sunlight is not good for you, though.  It can cause health problems.  The right amount of sunlight is not the same for everyone.  Check with your doctor to see how much is good for you.

What ideas does the writer want the reader to accept?

• Sunlight can be both helpful and hurtful to your body.

• Sunlight causes health problems and should be avoided.

• Everyone should spend as much time in the sun as possible.

Rock collecting is a great hobby.  It is something anyone can do, because there are rocks everywhere.  Take a walk outside and gather rocks that look interesting to you.  Use old shoe boxes or egg trays to store them.  Go to the library and borrow a rock book to learn their names.  Soon, you’ll be enjoying your new hobby: rock collecting!

What does the writer want the reader to believe?

• Rock collecting is fun and easy to do.

• Everyone should have an interesting hobby.

• It’s important to find ways to use old things.

A pilot’s pre-flight checklist can seem like it is a mile long.  But it’s important ensuring a safe flight.

What does the author mean by a mile long?

• The checklist is too big to keep on the plane

• The checklist is hard to understand

• The checklist has many steps

Marsha was running a few minutes late for work, so she decided to take the highway instead of the side roads.  Before she merged into traffic, she signaled, consulter the mirror twice, and checked her blind spot.  Unfortunately, as soon as she had merged, the traffic slowed to a crawl.  Marsha sighed, regretting her decision to try to save time taking the highway.

How does the author show that Marsha is a cautious driver?

• By revealing Marsha’s thoughts about taking the highway

• By describing Marsha’s actions as she merges into traffic

• By directly stating that Marsha is a very careful person