English Language Arts (ELA) Domains Flashcards

A student reads a passage and must determine the author's purpose. Which question best helps identify the author's purpose?

Answer: What does the author want the reader to think, feel, or do?

Author's purpose focuses on what the author intends the reader to think, feel, or do as a result of reading.

When comparing two informational texts on the same topic, a student should look for—

Answer: similarities and differences in the authors' claims and supporting evidence

Comparing informational texts requires analyzing how each author develops claims and what evidence they use to support those claims.

Which type of figurative language is used in the sentence: 'The thunder grumbled like an unhappy giant'?

Answer: Simile

A simile makes a comparison using 'like' or 'as'; here thunder is compared to an unhappy giant using 'like'.

In an argumentative essay, what is the primary role of a counterclaim?

Answer: To acknowledge an opposing viewpoint before refuting it

A counterclaim acknowledges the opposing side's argument, which the writer then refutes to strengthen their own position.

A student encounters the word 'benevolent' in a passage. Which context clue strategy is MOST reliable for determining its meaning?

Answer: Looking for nearby words or phrases that describe the character's kind actions

Nearby descriptive phrases about a character's actions or traits are the most reliable context clues for determining word meaning.

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

Answer: She packed three things for the trip: a map, a compass, and snacks.

A colon is correctly used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list.

What does it mean when a text has a 'first-person' point of view?

Answer: The narrator is a character in the story and uses 'I' and 'we'

First-person point of view means the narrator participates in the story and uses pronouns like 'I,' 'me,' and 'we.'