Informational Text Flashcards

An author writing a scientific article lists causes before discussing their effects. Which text structure is being used?

Answer: Cause and effect

Cause and effect structure presents reasons (causes) and the results (effects) that follow from them.

A reader notices that a news article uses mostly unnamed sources. What concern does this raise?

Answer: The article may lack credibility and be hard to verify

Unnamed sources make claims difficult to verify, which weakens the credibility and reliability of the article.

Which of the following best describes an 'objective' informational text?

Answer: One that presents facts without personal bias

Objective writing presents facts and evidence without letting the author's personal feelings or opinions influence the content.

A student reads two articles about climate change. Article A cites peer-reviewed studies; Article B cites social media posts. Which source is more credible, and why?

Answer: Article A, because peer-reviewed studies undergo expert evaluation

Peer-reviewed studies are evaluated by subject-matter experts, making them far more reliable than unverified social media posts.

When an author provides a definition immediately after an unfamiliar technical term, this technique is called:

Answer: In-text definition

An in-text definition is when the author directly explains the meaning of a term within the same sentence or passage.

Which sentence from an informational text contains a FACT rather than an opinion?

Answer: The population of the city grew by 12% between 2010 and 2020.

A fact is a statement that can be verified with evidence; population growth figures are measurable and verifiable.

A text uses subheadings, bold terms, and numbered lists. What is the PRIMARY purpose of these features?

Answer: To help readers navigate and identify key information quickly

Text features like subheadings, bold terms, and lists help readers organize and locate important information efficiently.