NJGPA Analyzing Author's Craft and Text Structure in Informational Texts 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An author opens an article about climate change with a striking statistic about rising sea levels before exploring causes and solutions. What structural technique is the author using?
- Chronological order
- Hook followed by problem-solution structure (Correct answer)
- Compare and contrast
- Definition and example
Correct answer: Hook followed by problem-solution structure
Using a striking statistic as an opening hook draws readers in before the author transitions into a problem-solution structure.
Question 2: When an author uses transitional phrases like 'as a result' and 'consequently,' what relationship between ideas is being signaled?
- Comparison
- Sequence
- Cause and effect (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
Correct answer: Cause and effect
'As a result' and 'consequently' are signal words that indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between ideas.
Question 3: A science journalist includes a sidebar with definitions of technical terms alongside the main article. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this text feature?
- To replace the main text for struggling readers
- To provide supplemental information that aids comprehension (Correct answer)
- To entertain readers with interesting facts
- To serve as a summary of the entire article
Correct answer: To provide supplemental information that aids comprehension
Sidebars with glossary definitions supplement the main text by clarifying technical vocabulary without interrupting the flow of the article.
Question 4: An author writing about the history of jazz includes headings such as 'The Birth of Jazz,' 'The Swing Era,' and 'Modern Jazz.' What text structure does this most clearly indicate?
- Cause and effect
- Problem and solution
- Chronological order (Correct answer)
- Compare and contrast
Correct answer: Chronological order
Headings that mark distinct historical periods indicate a chronological structure organizing events in time order.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a topic sentence in an informational paragraph?
- To provide evidence supporting the thesis
- To introduce the main idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
- To transition to the next paragraph
- To restate the conclusion of the text
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of the paragraph
A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph, preparing the reader for the supporting details that follow.
Question 6: An author writes: 'While solar energy has grown rapidly, it still faces significant storage challenges.' What rhetorical purpose does the word 'while' serve?
- It introduces a cause-and-effect relationship
- It signals a contrast between two ideas (Correct answer)
- It indicates a time sequence
- It provides an example
Correct answer: It signals a contrast between two ideas
'While' is a contrast signal word that acknowledges one fact while introducing a contrasting or limiting idea.
Question 7: An informational text includes a graph showing population growth alongside a paragraph discussing urbanization. How does the graph function in relation to the paragraph?
- It contradicts the paragraph's central claim
- It provides visual evidence that supports and clarifies the written content (Correct answer)
- It replaces the paragraph for visual learners
- It introduces a new argument not discussed in the text
Correct answer: It provides visual evidence that supports and clarifies the written content
Graphs in informational texts serve to visually represent data that supports and makes the written content more concrete and understandable.
NJGPA Analyzing Author's Craft and Text Structure in Informational Texts 2
An author opens an article about climate change with a striking statistic about rising sea levels before exploring causes and solutions.
What structural technique is the author using?