Reading and Literature Flashcards

What is 'author's purpose' as assessed on the ISASP Reading test?

Answer: The reason an author wrote the text — to inform, persuade, or entertain

Author's purpose describes whether the writer intended to inform readers, persuade them, or provide entertainment.

In an ISASP passage, a 'text feature' like a heading or diagram helps readers by:

Answer: Organizing information and highlighting key content

Text features organize and emphasize information, helping readers locate and understand key concepts faster.

What does 'context clues' mean when answering ISASP vocabulary questions?

Answer: Using surrounding words and sentences to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word

Context clues are hints within the text that help determine the meaning of an unknown word without a dictionary.

What is a 'counterclaim' in an argumentative text on ISASP?

Answer: An opposing viewpoint the author addresses to strengthen their argument

A counterclaim is an opposing argument that the author acknowledges and then refutes to make their position stronger.

How do Iowa students encounter 'paired passages' on the ISASP Reading test?

Answer: They read two related texts and answer questions about each individually and together

Paired passages require students to analyze each text separately and then synthesize connections between them.

What does 'connotation' mean in the context of ISASP word choice questions?

Answer: The emotional association or implied meaning a word carries beyond its definition

Connotation refers to the feelings or ideas a word suggests, which can be positive, negative, or neutral.