Nonfiction: Text Structure Flashcards

A passage says, 'First, the caterpillar hatches from an egg. Next, it grows into a caterpillar. Then, it forms a chrysalis. Finally, it becomes a butterfly.' What text structure is this?

Answer: Sequence

The words first, next, then, and finally signal that events are listed in order, which is sequence structure.

Which signal words BEST indicate a cause and effect text structure?

Answer: Because, as a result, therefore

Words like because, as a result, and therefore show that one event caused another, signaling cause and effect structure.

A student reads: 'Frogs and toads are alike in many ways, but they also have differences. Frogs have smooth, wet skin while toads have dry, bumpy skin.' What structure is used?

Answer: Compare and contrast

The passage discusses how frogs and toads are alike and different, which is compare and contrast structure.

An author writes several paragraphs describing the size, color, habitat, and diet of a bald eagle. What text structure is MOST likely being used?

Answer: Description

Listing features and characteristics of one topic is description text structure.

Which phrase would you MOST likely find in a problem and solution text?

Answer: One answer to this is

'One answer to this is' signals that the author is presenting a solution to a problem.

A nonfiction book chapter is titled 'How Floods Damage Farmland.' What text structure would you MOST expect inside?

Answer: Cause and effect

A chapter about how floods damage farmland shows what causes the damage and what results from it, which is cause and effect.

A reader sees a Venn diagram in a nonfiction article. Which text structure does this graphic organizer BEST match?

Answer: Compare and contrast

A Venn diagram shows similarities and differences between two subjects, which matches compare and contrast structure.