KEYReading Unit Study Guide

Test:________________________________This packet is due:____________________

-On this test you will be reading passages and using the reading strategies below to answer questions.-This test will cover the following:Reading Strategies (most questions):

*Cause and Effect*Characterization *Problem and Solution

Review Topics (a few questions):Plot structure, conflict, theme, sentence structure, protagonist, antagonist, foreshadowing, flashback

-Since the test is on different types of Reading Strategies, the best way to study for the test is to READ and practice the strategies!

-The test will have interactive questions. Be prepared to drag and drop answers into graphic organizers AND if a questions says “click on the correct answers” there is two OR more answers!

WHAT TO STUDY: *This study guide!*All reading strategies pages in your reading section of your binder

* Your mini checks * Go to my webpage and click “Extra Review” try out the links!

CAUSE & EFFECT*A CAUSE is why something happens.*An EFFECT is what happens because of that cause.*CAUSE & EFFECT helps you understand how events in a story are connected and why a character acts in a certain way.*Look for Clue Words: BECAUSE, SINCE, SO, and AS A RESULT OF

THINK ABOUT:1. Does the passage tell you WHY something happens?2. Does this event CAUSE something else to happen?3. Is the character doing this BECAUSE of something that

happened?

TRY IT OUT:Headaches can have several causes.  Many people

think that the major cause of headache is nervous tension, but there is strong evidence that suggests diet and environment as possible factors.  Some people get headaches, because they are dependent on caffeine.  Other people may be allergic to salt, or they may have low blood sugar.  Still other people are allergic to household chemicals including polishes, waxes, bug killers, and paint.  If they can manage to avoid these substances, their headaches tend to go away.  When a person has recurring headaches, it is worthwhile to look for the underlying cause, especially if the result of that search is freedom from pain.

Think: “What happens?” (This is the EFFECT)

Answer: People get headaches

Think: “Why does this happen to people? (This is the CAUSE)

Answer: diet and environment as possible factors

CAUSE & EFFECT PracticeRead the memoir below. Use it to complete the graphic

organizer “The New Addition”

by Gina Lewis

My parents had been talking for months and months about a new and wonderful addition to our family. They showed me pictures of Elena and pictures of where she lived, and they told me what little they knew of Elena's life in Sarajevo.There was a war going on that had taken the lives of many people and destroyed much of the country. One group of people wanted to gain control of the country. Elena's parents had been killed, and her grandparents had been taking care of her. Her grandparents became sick and couldn't give Elena the attention a five-year-old needs. Elena's grandparents felt that the best chance for her to grow up in a safe place was to give her up for adoption in another country. When our community center agreed to help place orphan children, that's when my parents got involved. I couldn't help feeling a little angry. I didn't ask for this "new addition." Now there would be Nina and Elena Davis. I knew my parents would fuss over her. They were already fussing over what food to make for her and what clothes of mine she'd fit into-and she wasn't even here yet! I had just about made up my mind to ignore her. I'd heard stories on the news about orphans, but they just seemed like made-up stories about made-up people. Then I saw Elena as she arrived at the airport. As I watched her eyes search fearfully through the crowd for a familiar face, I realized she was a real person. I saw a very lonely and frightened little girl. I thought about how Elena had suffered through many things that I would never have to undergo. That one look changed how I thought about her. That was when Elena became my sister!Complete the chart below with causes or effects. When the author doesn't

state the cause directly--why something has happened--look for clues in the story. Then think of the effect--what happened.

Cause EffectWar broke out in Sarajevo. Elena’s parents were killed.

Elena’s grandparents became ill Elena's grandparents had given her up for adoption.

Our community center agreed to help place orphan children

Her parents got involved and wanted to adopt Elena.

Elena got off the plane and was scared.

Nina welcomed Elena as her sister.

Characterization

Characterization – when the writer reveals the personality of a character. There are two types:

Direct characterization- the author directly states or tells a character’s traits. Examples: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well-mannered and did not disobey their mother.” (The author is directly telling the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.)

Indirect characterization- the author can show what a character looks like, does, and says, and how other characters react to him or her. The reader must draw conclusions about the character based on STEAL: Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, Looks

Examples:

Speech: “I will wait here. No need to rush,” said the boy. (This SHOWS he is patient, but it never flat out says it)

Thoughts: He thought about how far the drop would be if he missed and wondered what it would do to his family.

(This SHOWS that he is worried and cares for his family)

Effect on Others: The town’s people came out to cheer for Billy. They smiled and waved their flags as he passed by in his uniform. (This SHOWS they have respect for him)

Actions: He reached into the fire and pulled out the screaming child. (This SHOWS he is brave)

Looks: His hands were larger and felt of leather. His skin had been tanned by the blazing summer sun, and his clothes smell of the soil he tilled each morning. (This SHOWS he is a hard worker)

Characterization Practice

1. Identify each sentence as either Direct or Indirect:

A. _ Indirect_______ My cousin’s hands were shaking, when she walked on stage.

B. _ Direct _________ Arnold is clumsy.

C. __ Direct ___________ Tom is the bravest person in my family; he never looks scared.

D. ___ Indirect________ When she walked into the room, everyone stared at her.

2. Identify the kind of indirect characterization used (Speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, looks)

A.__ Speech ____ “That’s enough!” he screamed as he slammed his fist on the table.

B. _ actions ______ He lowered his head and shuffled his feet, when he realized his mistake.

C. __ thoughts, ______ She wondered to herself if anyone really understood her.

D. effect on others _ The students cleared the hallway as Mr. Robinson came

down the hall.

E. _ looks _____ His black, hooded coat covered his eyes and the tattered sleeve revealed a small dagger in his hand.

3. Match the words that best describe the characters emotions/ personality. anxious, depressed, determined, mocking, sympathetic, optimistic, amused, grateful

A. _ depressed _____ She wondered to herself if anyone really understood her.B. _ anxious _______ He sat biting his nails and hoping no one would want to

dance.C. determined _____ The mountain looked dangerous, but nothing would stop

him now.D. optimistic ____ “Don’t worry! The clouds will clear and the picnic will go on,”

she smiled at her pouting friends. E. mocking _______ Sarah stood there staring at Megan’s outfit and had a slight

grin on her face, “Did you really pick that out?”F. sympathetic ____ Susan heard Sarah’s mean comment and put her arm

around Megan. G. amused ________ Greg let out a forceful laugh, as his family played charades. H. grateful _______ She let out a heavy, relaxed sigh as she looked around and

realized her whole family was together and safe.

Problem and Solution

TRY IT OUT In the summer, I like to throw around a tennis ball with my brother, Kenny. One of the coolest things to do is throw it up just as high as we can and try to catch it on the way down. Sometimes we throw it up into the tree and watch it bounce off the branches like a pinball. Yesterday, we were up to our old tricks, but instead of coming back down, the ball got jammed in between two branches. First, Kenny started to throw sticks into the tree, but his aim wasn’t good enough. Shaking the tree didn’t do anything either. Finally, I had an idea. I went to the shed and pulled out Dad’s old apple picker. It’s a long stick with a scooper at the end. I reached it up toward the ball. It was just long enough to pluck the ball out and bring it back down. Use the graphic organizer to show the problem that the two brothers faced and how they solved it.

How to identify problem and solution:■ Look for an event or a situation that creates trouble or a conflict that

must be solved. In a story, the problem is often the conflict. ■ Then, look for the solution. Look for steps that are taken to solve the

problem. ■ Decide whether the steps taken successfully solved the problem.

Problem- The ball is stuck in the tree.

Steps taken- 1. Threw sticks to get it out, 2. Shook the tree

Solution- Used Dad’s old apple picker.

Problem and Solution Practice“Finding a Local Habitat”

I live in a busy city, but I love nature. When I learned where the natural habitats of wild animals are, I felt discouraged. I thought I’d never see one, except on television.

Mom tried to help, suggesting we pay a visit to the zoo, and telling me they had created natural habitats for animals. That didn’t make me feel any better, though. It’s not fair to take wild animals away from their real homes and confine them in fake ones. “I want to see wild animals that aren’t cooped up in some place made by people,” I complained.

“Maybe we need to take a road trip,” Mom said. We drove all the way outside the city to a river and sat on the grassy riverbank. After fifteen minutes, an incredible, long-legged bird swooped down and landed on the shallow water. Mom identified it as a great blue heron.

Standing tall in its spindly legs, it suddenly bent its long neck, jabbed the water with its beak, and caught a fish! Here in its own environment, the heron was free to come and go. It was just as I imagined.

While watching the heron, I became aware of pinpricks and stings on my legs. Then I saw about thirty little ants scurrying around my ankles. “Oh, no!” I yelled, jumping up and frantically brushing them away.

Mom smiled, “Well Amanda, you have your wish! As a visitor in the ants’ habitat, you can observe them as they scurry around, free to come and go!”

1. What is Amanda’s problem at the beginning of the story? a. She loves nature b. She is not allowed to watch nature programs on television c. She does not want to go to the zoo d. She thinks she will never be able to see animals in their natural

habitats.

2. What does Amanda’s mother say they could do to solve this problem at first?

a. The could go to the zoo to see animals in re-created habitats b. They could watch a nature program on television c. They could travel to the Arctic to see natural habitats. d. They could go visit their relatives, who live in a natural habitat.

3. Why does Amanda disagree with her mother’s solution? a. She knows there are ants at the riverbank b. The zoo does not have animals that she likes c. She thinks that capturing wild animals for zoos is unfair d. She thinks zoos are boring

4. How can you tell that the second solution was the correct one? a. She does not go to the zoo b. Seeing the blue heron was just as she imagined c. She enjoys catching fish in a natural habitat d. She discovers ants crawling around her feet.

5. What new problem occurs at the end of the story? a. Amanda does not want to go to the zoo b. Amanda and her mother disagree about the beauty of the habitat

c. Amada sees the heron catch a fish d. Amanda sees ants crawling up her leg

Mixed Review- Read the passage and answer the question that follow.

Broken Rule, Broken Leg, Broken Heart

     1 When I came back to consciousness, I was lying in a darkened hospital room, and my leg was broken in two places. When I left the house earlier that day, I certainly did not expect my day to come to such a dramatic conclusion. The day began like any other day of summer vacation. By the time I woke up, my dad had already left for work, so I ate breakfast quickly, and made my way to the park.

    2 Upon arriving at the park, I saw that Steve and Lee were already there waiting for me. I rode up to where they had parked their bikes, and before I could say anything, they told me that they didn't want to hang out at the park. They said we were too old to hang out at a place that was filled with kids, and that they wanted to ride over to the motorcycle trails behind the movie theater. I knew that I wasn't supposed to wander that far from my neighborhood.

    3 I decided to tell Steve and Lee that I couldn't go, but before I could get a single word out of my mouth. Lee glanced at me and said, "What, are you going to tell us that you can't go?" I was about to answer him with a shame-filled "yes," when Steve said, "Because if you are, you can stay here and build sand castles with the 8-year-olds.” His taunt outraged me. I could not believe that he had the nerve to compare me to an 8-year-old. From that point on, my goal was to prove to both him and Lee that I did not belong in a sandbox with 8-year-olds. I said, "Yeah, like I would want to hang out with 8-year-olds. Are we going to the motorcycle trails, or are you guys going to sit around talking all day?"

   4  I remember very little about our trip to the trails. I couldn't concentrate during the ride because I was busy trying to convince myself that my dad would never find out where I went. When we arrived at the trails, we saw that Richard, Bob, and Kim were already there. I tried to ignore Kim's presence. Steve whispered in my ear, "Would you have been so worried about coming if I told you she was going to be here?" I did my best not to react, but Steve pointed out to everybody else that I was blushing.

    5 Embarrassed, I quickly pedaled my bike away from the group. Lee laughed, "Where's he going?"

6 Kim replied, saying "It looks like he's going to jump his bicycle over the narrow part of the creek." Steve told her that I was afraid to come to the trails in the first place, so there was no way I would try to jump the creek. Kim said, "I have a fantastic idea, maybe you could try being a nice person for once. Listen, I'm certain that he can jump his bicycle over the narrow part of the creek. But, unlike you, he probably doesn't feel the need to show off."

    7 I couldn't have cared less what the guys thought, but I did want to prove to Kim that she wasn't mistaken, that I could jump the creek. So, against my better judgment, I continued heading toward the narrow part of the creek and said, "I can

jump the creek with no problem. That's kids' stuff.” I don't remember anything that happened between pedaling toward the jump and waking up in the hospital.

     8 The next day, Kim visited me and told me that I didn't even come close to jumping across the creek. She said that when she saw me lying in the creek bed, she thought I was dead. She laughed a little bit and said that it was kind of funny. I guess you had to be there, or at least remember being there.

1. Paragraph one uses what kind of literary device? a. Conflict b. Flashback c. Symbolism d. Climax

2. What does the narrator claim caused him to try to jump the creek? a. His desire to impress Steve b. His desire to make new fiends c. His desire to prove Kim right d. His desire to prove everybody wrong

3. Which word best describes Kim in paragraph 6 and 8? Select all the terms that apply.

Sympathetic Uninterested

Critical Disapproving

4. The central conflict of the story can best be described as- a. Individual versus society b. Individual versus individual c. Individual versus self – he feels the need to prove he is tough. d. Individual versus technology

5. Based on paragraphs 3- 4, complete the cause and effect chart.

Cause: Steve and Lee's taunt the narrator

Effect: The narrator agrees to go to the motorcycle trails.

6. According to the passage, what did the narrator do after Steve whispered in his ear?

a. He blushed b. He got mad c. He got in trouble d. He punched Steve

7. What event initiates the conflict of the story? a. The narrator leaves his house b. The narrator is taunted by the boys c. The narrator decides to jump the creek d. The narrator wakes up in the hospital

8. What does the following quote from paragraph 7 reveal about the narrator’s character? Select all the terms that apply.

 “I couldn't have cared less what the guys thought, but I did want to prove to Kim that she wasn't mistaken, that I could jump the creek.”

He’s anxiousHe’s grateful

He’s motivatedHe’s depressed

He’s determined

9. In paragraph 4, we learn that the narrator is embarrassed. We learn this through his…

a. Direct characterization b. Thoughts c. Actions d. Speech

10. Which sentence is a complex sentence? a. Upon arriving at the park, I saw that Steve and Lee were

already there waiting for me.b. She laughed a little bit and said that it was kind of funny. c. I guess you had to be there, or at least remember being there.

d. Listen, I'm certain that he can jump his bicycle over the narrow part of the creek.

11. Which sentence includes independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction?

a. Upon arriving at the park, I saw that Steve and Lee were already there waiting for me.

b. She laughed a little bit and said that it was kind of funny. c. I guess you had to be there, or at least remember being there. d. Listen, I'm certain that he can jump his bicycle over the narrow part of

the creek.