Reading Comprehension and Textual Evidence Flashcards

An author writes a biography in which only positive events about the subject are included, while negative ones are omitted. This is an example of:

Answer: bias through selective evidence

When an author selectively presents only evidence that supports one side, the text is biased regardless of whether the included facts are true.

Read: 'The children danced in the rain, laughing as puddles swallowed their boots.' The mood created by this passage is best described as:

Answer: playful and joyful

Words like 'danced,' 'laughing,' and the vivid image of puddles create a lighthearted, joyful mood.

Which of the following is an example of an inference rather than a direct statement?

Answer: 'Based on her silence, she likely disagreed with the decision.'

An inference draws a conclusion from evidence rather than stating it explicitly — 'likely disagreed' is a conclusion based on observed behavior.

A paragraph begins: 'First, volunteers clear debris. Next, engineers inspect the structure. Finally, restoration crews begin repairs.' This paragraph is organized using:

Answer: chronological/sequential order

Signal words like 'first,' 'next,' and 'finally' indicate that events are arranged in the order they occur.

When a reader 'reads between the lines,' they are:

Answer: making inferences based on implicit textual clues

Reading between the lines means drawing inferences from what the text implies rather than what it states outright.

A student writes: 'In paragraph 4, the author states that pollution levels have doubled — this proves the situation is getting worse.' What is the student doing correctly?

Answer: Connecting a specific piece of evidence to a claim

The student correctly cites a specific detail from the text and explains how it supports their analytical point.

The phrase 'the roaring twenties' uses which figurative device to describe the decade of the 1920s?

Answer: onomatopoeia and metaphor

'Roaring' is onomatopoeic (suggests sound/energy) and metaphorically attributes a quality of vigor to an entire decade.