Text Structure Task Cards - Independent

The Florida Everglades and nearby marshes are home to a variety of native plants and animals. However, a new species has been introduced that is not native and has disrupted the ecosystem of the entire region. The Burmese Python is an enormous snake that can reach lengths of 12 feet and weigh about 250 lbs. Its massive appetite has been to blame for a major disruption of the ecosystem. Humans have taken these exotic pythons as pets, but once realizing they can no longer care for these snakes, have dumped them into a region that was not meant to sustain them. As a result, the native wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, opossums, and bobcats, have nearly disappeared. 

The author organizes "An Invasion!" for the purpose of describing the -

• sequence of events that led to a pollution problem in Florida. 

• causes of the shrinking Everglades and the effects it has on wildlife.

• python problem and providing a series of solutions to ease the problem.

• cause of Florida's python problem and the effects this problem is having on the 

  ecosystem.

What is anime and how is it different from a cartoon? An anime is a Japanese animated production, and comes in many formats, such as television series, animated short and full-length feature films. Cartoons, which originated in the U.S., also come in many formats. Both anime and cartoons are forms of animation that usually begin with a hand drawing and use computer graphics. Anime characters are depicted with large eyes, big hair, and long arms and legs. Cartoon characters are less human looking and are generally more comical with the intention of making people laugh. Anime, however, concentrates mostly on life issues or human emotions, and may include darker themes. Anime characters' facial expressions are also characteristically different. For example, an embarrassed or stressed anime character will commonly produce a massive sweat drop. Angry characters may indicate their stress with bulging veins appearing on their forehead. Cartoon characters' bodies, on the other hand, seem to be malleable, allowing them to flex and bend to keep them from getting hurt. In anime, characters often experience physical injuries and are portrayed as I feeling pain. Whichever you prefer, both have great entertainment value and are loved by many audiences worldwide. 

Compare-and-contrast pattern is used to organize the ideas in the paragraph mainly to -

• teach differences in drawing techniques used by anime and cartoon artists. 

• explain differences and similarities between anime and cartoons. 

• identify similarities among anime television series, animated short films, and full-length feature 

  films. 

• persuade viewers to watch anime and cartoons. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) was an African American activist who changed the face of a nation. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. As a bright pupil, MLK skipped 2 grades in school and went onto Morehouse College at the age of 15. He decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a reverend, attaining his doctorate from Crozer Seminary. In 1953, he married Coretta Scott. In his first major Civil Rights action, he led and helped organize the 1953 Montgomery Bus Boycott. In 1963, he also organized the March on Washington to promote equal Civil Rights, in which he delivered his famous, "I Have A Dream" speech. While preparing for another Civil Rights protest, MLK was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

The author structures "Martin Luther King, Jr." in order to -

• propose a memorial to commemorate the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• sort the events from greatest importance to least important in the life of Martin Luther

  King, Jr.

• organize events that lead to the March on Washington.

• sequence the key events in the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Geologists place rocks into categories to better understand them. The first category of rocks is called igneous rocks. Igneous rocks are formed when the magma, or lava, cools and crystalizes as it flows from the earth. The mineral pieces grow and connect with each other. Another category is metamorphic rocks. They are formed as a result of extremely high temperatures and pressure, like along plate boundaries. The third category of rocks is sedimentary rocks which are formed when forces such as wind, water, ice, or gravity break down rocks. Rock fragments, minerals, and plant remains conglomerate to form the building blocks of sedimentary rocks. 

The author organizes "The Earth's Rocks" for the purpose of-

• explaining the formation of metamorphic and igneous rocks.

• describing three categories used to classify rocks. 

• showing how each rock category leads to the creation of the other.

• explaining the causes of rock erosion through natural processes. 

YouTube was founded by 3 employees of PayPal - Chad Hurley, Steven Chen, and Jawed Karin on February 14, 2005. Their original headquarters were above a pizzeria and Japanese restaurant in California and their office was a garage. That same year on April 23rd, they uploaded the very first YouTube video titled, "Me at the Zoo," a 19- second short video featuring elephants in the background. Within a year, YouTube was one of the fastest-growing sites on the web. On October 9, 2006, Google purchased YouTube for $1.65 billion. Later that year, YouTube was featured as Time Magazine's Person of the Year with a reflective mirror to honor the users. By May of 2010, YouTube was serving 2 billion videos a day - double the audience of the 3 major TV networks combined! By 2010, YouTube was the third most visited website on the internet, after Google and Facebook.

By organizing the paragraph chronologically, the author is able to -

• compare how quickly YouTube gained success through followers and advertisements.

• explain the fascination with YouTube and how it affected the company's success.

• list the major events that took place in YouTube's history in sequential order.

• predict the future success of the company by surpassing Google and Facebook.

Today's youth are suffering from massive sleep deprivation. Teachers across the nation often cite that sleep deprivation is a critical factor in whether students are effectively learning. Students cannot absorb new information, retain it, and apply it if they are sleepy. Teenagers and pre- adolescents need 9 hours of sleep to effectively function at school, yet on average receive only about 7 hours of sleep per night. How can we solve the problem of the lack of sleep? There are many effective ways to help children sleep more. One solution is for schools to assign less homework. Our youths are in school for many hours and do not need to spend countless additional hours on homework which keep them from getting to bed on time. Another solution (and less popular with students) is to take away their devices during the week. Students spend entirely too much time on their devices which cuts into their normal cycles of rest. When students take their devices to their bedroom and are left unmonitored, they are more likely to lose track of time and go to sleep later. If both suggestions are followed, your teenager is likely to get more sleep and become more productive during the day.

The author presents the ideas in "The Need to Sleep" as problem and solution so that the reader will better understand -

• how lack of sleep can lead to further problems in the future for adolescents.

• the negative effects of sleep deprivation and offer suggestions to increase the time an

  adolescent spends sleeping.

• the most important solutions to help solve sleep deprivation issues among adults.

• the best ways to ensure a good night's sleep by offering two popular solutions among youths.