Informational Text Analysis

"Pollution has become one of the greatest threats to marine life in the world’s oceans. Chemicals from factories, plastic waste, and oil spills are contaminating the water, leading to the destruction of habitats and the death of many marine species. Fish, turtles, and even large mammals like whales are affected by these pollutants. If this trend continues, it could lead to the collapse of entire marine ecosystems."

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Marine life faces extinction due to overfishing.

• Pollution is one of the leading threats to marine life.

• Coral reefs are important for ocean biodiversity.

• Many species of fish live in the ocean.

Answer explanation

This excerpt directly supports the main idea question and allows students to identify the core focus (pollution's threat to marine life).

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

"Wildfires have devastating effects on both the environment and human communities. They destroy forests, wildlife habitats, and homes, while also releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming, which increases the risk of future wildfires. In addition, fires can cause soil erosion, leading to water contamination. To prevent wildfires, communities are adopting fire management strategies like controlled burns and creating firebreaks."

How is the information in this passage organized?

• Chronological order

• Compare and contrast

• Problem and solution

• Cause and effect

Answer explanation

Cause and effect – The passage explains the effects of wildfires (environmental destruction and global warming) and their causes (wildfires and global warming in a cycle).

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.5

"Deforestation, the removal of large areas of forests, significantly impacts the environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and release oxygen, making them vital to controlling climate change. However, when forests are cleared, the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Additionally, deforestation destroys the habitats of countless species, leading to a loss of biodiversity."

Which sentence from the passage supports the idea that deforestation contributes to global warming?

• "Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and release oxygen."

• "When forests are cleared, the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere."

• "Deforestation destroys the habitats of countless species."

• "Trees are vital to controlling climate change."

Answer explanation

"When forests are cleared, the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere." – This directly supports the idea that deforestation contributes to global warming by explaining how carbon is released.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.W.6.9A

"Plastic pollution has become a critical issue, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the oceans every year. This waste harms marine life and disrupts ecosystems. Plastic products, such as bottles and bags, can take hundreds of years to decompose, and during that time, they break into tiny particles that are ingested by fish and other sea creatures. Reducing plastic use, recycling, and promoting alternative materials are essential steps in tackling this growing environmental crisis."

What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

• To entertain readers with a story about the ocean

• To persuade readers to reduce their use of plastic

• To explain how plastic is made

• To inform readers about different types of plastics

Answer explanation

To persuade readers to reduce their use of plastic – The passage highlights the dangers of plastic pollution and suggests actions like reducing plastic use, aiming to persuade readers to take action against plastic waste.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

"Solar energy is becoming a popular alternative to fossil fuels because it is a renewable resource. Unlike coal or oil, which are finite and contribute to pollution, the sun provides an endless supply of energy. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops or in open fields to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. Although the initial cost of installation can be high, the long-term benefits include lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact."

Based on the passage, why is solar energy considered a sustainable resource?

• Solar energy is available only during certain seasons.

• Fossil fuels are cheaper than solar energy.

• Solar panels are easy to install.

• The sun will continue to provide energy indefinitely.

Answer explanation

The sun will continue to provide energy indefinitely – From the passage, we can infer that solar energy is sustainable because the sun provides an endless supply of energy, making it a long-term resource.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.W.6.9A

"After the devastating hurricane, the coastal community proved to be resilient. Despite the damage to homes and infrastructure, the residents quickly organized cleanup efforts and began rebuilding. Their ability to recover from such a difficult situation showed their strength and determination."

What does the word “resilient” most likely mean in the passage?

• Weak and fragile

• Unable to recover

• Strong and able

• Easily broke

Answer explanation

Strong and able - The passage describes the community recovering and rebuilding after the hurricane, showing that "resilient" refers to strength and the ability to recover from hardship.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.6.4D

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

"Bees play a crucial role in pollination, which helps plants reproduce. Without bees, many plants, including fruits and vegetables, would struggle to grow. However, the global bee population has been declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. This decline could have serious consequences for food production and biodiversity."

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Bees are essential for pollination and food production.

• Pesticides are the biggest threat to bees.

• The bee population is growing rapidly.

• Bees live in diverse habitats around the world.

Answer explanation

Bees are essential for pollination and food production – This is the central idea that the passage is conveying.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.2

"In 2020, a major earthquake struck a small coastal town. The quake destroyed buildings, left many people homeless, and caused significant damage to the infrastructure. Following the disaster, local authorities implemented stricter building codes and established emergency response teams to prepare for future quakes."

What text structure does the passage use?

• Cause and effect

• Problem and solution

• Chronological order

• Compare and contrast

Answer explanation

Problem and solution – The passage describes a problem (earthquake damage) and the solution (stricter building codes and emergency response teams).

"Tigers are an endangered species due to poaching and habitat loss. Poachers hunt tigers for their fur, which is sold illegally in many markets. In addition, forests where tigers live are being cleared for agriculture, leaving the animals without a place to hunt or live."

Which sentence from the passage supports the idea that habitat loss is a major threat to tigers?

• "Tigers are an endangered species due to poaching and habitat loss."

• "Poachers hunt tigers for their fur, which is sold illegally."

• "Forests where tigers live are being cleared for agriculture."

• "Tigers are often hunted for their fur in illegal markets."

Answer explanation

"Forests where tigers live are being cleared for agriculture." – This directly supports the idea that habitat loss is a threat to tigers.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.2

"Electric cars are becoming more popular as people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Unlike gasoline-powered cars, electric cars produce no emissions, making them a cleaner option for the environment. Additionally, the cost of charging an electric car is lower than filling up a gas tank, which saves drivers money in the long run."

What is the author’s purpose in this passage?

• To inform readers about the benefits of electric cars

• To entertain readers with a story about electric cars

• To explain how electric cars are built

• To persuade readers to stop using gasoline-powered cars

Answer explanation

To inform readers about the benefits of electric cars – The passage lists advantages of electric cars, such as lower emissions and cost savings, aiming to provide information, not to persuade or entertain.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6