Reading original short passages and answering questions about theme, tone, word choice, inference and the author's purpose, using evidence from the text.
Maine Learning Results learning standard: Reading 4; Reading 5 · theme, tone and textual evidence
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
Theme is the message about life. Tone is the author’s attitude, shown through word choice.
Back every answer with the words from the text that prove it best.
Ask what each paragraph does: introduce, explain, give an example, admit a limit or suggest a solution.
Example: Which words best show that Dara is calm during a delay: “pressed her forehead to the window and watched” or “paced the aisle”? Calm means still and relaxed. Pacing shows worry. Quietly watching shows calm. Answer: “pressed her forehead to the window and watched”
Close Reading in Maine
In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 1 of 12 in 8th grade English Language Arts, before Literary Devices.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
What is the author's main purpose?
Keeping the Night Sky
On a clear night far from any town, thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye. In a large city, you may be able to count only a few dozen. The reason is light pollution: electric light that shines upward or spills where it isn't needed, making the sky glow.
Light pollution is more than an inconvenience for stargazers. Many birds migrate at night and can become confused by bright buildings, sometimes flying into windows. Sea turtle hatchlings, which use moonlight on the water to find the ocean, may crawl toward streetlights instead. Researchers have also linked bright light at night to poorer sleep in people.
Fortunately, the problem can be fixed. Shields that aim lamps downward, warmer-colored bulbs and timers that dim lights after midnight all help. Several communities have adopted “dark sky” rules, and many report lower energy bills as a bonus. Protecting the night, it turns out, can be both practical and affordable.
To entertain with a story
To advertise a product
To inform readers about a problem and encourage solutions
To describe one city's history
To inform readers about a problem and encourage solutions
Hint: The author explains the problem and ends with practical suggestions.
Question 2
What does the word “Fortunately” signal at the start of the third paragraph?
Keeping the Night Sky
On a clear night far from any town, thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye. In a large city, you may be able to count only a few dozen. The reason is light pollution: electric light that shines upward or spills where it isn't needed, making the sky glow.
Light pollution is more than an inconvenience for stargazers. Many birds migrate at night and can become confused by bright buildings, sometimes flying into windows. Sea turtle hatchlings, which use moonlight on the water to find the ocean, may crawl toward streetlights instead. Researchers have also linked bright light at night to poorer sleep in people.
Fortunately, the problem can be fixed. Shields that aim lamps downward, warmer-colored bulbs and timers that dim lights after midnight all help. Several communities have adopted “dark sky” rules, and many report lower energy bills as a bonus. Protecting the night, it turns out, can be both practical and affordable.
A funny story
A new problem
A return to the first idea
A shift from describing problems to describing solutions
A shift from describing problems to describing solutions
Hint: “Fortunately” means good news is coming.
Question 3
What do the sea turtle hatchlings show about light pollution?
Keeping the Night Sky
On a clear night far from any town, thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye. In a large city, you may be able to count only a few dozen. The reason is light pollution: electric light that shines upward or spills where it isn't needed, making the sky glow.
Light pollution is more than an inconvenience for stargazers. Many birds migrate at night and can become confused by bright buildings, sometimes flying into windows. Sea turtle hatchlings, which use moonlight on the water to find the ocean, may crawl toward streetlights instead. Researchers have also linked bright light at night to poorer sleep in people.
Fortunately, the problem can be fixed. Shields that aim lamps downward, warmer-colored bulbs and timers that dim lights after midnight all help. Several communities have adopted “dark sky” rules, and many report lower energy bills as a bonus. Protecting the night, it turns out, can be both practical and affordable.
Turtles prefer bright cities.
Moonlight is harmful.
Turtles cannot swim.
Artificial light can mislead animals that rely on natural light.
Artificial light can mislead animals that rely on natural light.
Hint: The hatchlings follow streetlights instead of moonlight on the water.
Question 4
Which detail best supports the claim that solutions can be affordable?
Keeping the Night Sky
On a clear night far from any town, thousands of stars are visible to the naked eye. In a large city, you may be able to count only a few dozen. The reason is light pollution: electric light that shines upward or spills where it isn't needed, making the sky glow.
Light pollution is more than an inconvenience for stargazers. Many birds migrate at night and can become confused by bright buildings, sometimes flying into windows. Sea turtle hatchlings, which use moonlight on the water to find the ocean, may crawl toward streetlights instead. Researchers have also linked bright light at night to poorer sleep in people.
Fortunately, the problem can be fixed. Shields that aim lamps downward, warmer-colored bulbs and timers that dim lights after midnight all help. Several communities have adopted “dark sky” rules, and many report lower energy bills as a bonus. Protecting the night, it turns out, can be both practical and affordable.
Some birds fly into windows.
Bulbs can be warmer in color.
Many communities report lower energy bills.
Shields aim lamps downward.
Many communities report lower energy bills.
Hint: Lower bills mean the solutions save money.
Question 5
What is the main message of Coach's advice?
Fourth Down
Mateo had practiced the kick a thousand times, in the backyard, in the school gym, even in the hallway at night until his dad said to stop. Now the whole season came down to one play.
The stadium lights blurred. His teammates were shouting something, but the words sounded like they were underwater. Mateo took two steps back, then one to the left, exactly as always. He thought of Coach's advice: “Don't aim at the goalposts. Aim at the one blade of grass in front of you.”
His foot met the ball with a sound like a snapping branch. For one long second nobody moved. Then the crowd's roar rolled over him, and Mateo realized he had been holding his breath since the whistle.
Focus on one small, close target instead of the huge pressure.
Always aim for the goalposts.
Never practice at home.
Grass is more important than the ball.
Focus on one small, close target instead of the huge pressure.
Hint: “One blade of grass” makes a big task feel small and manageable.
Question 6
What is the effect of the sentence “For one long second nobody moved”?
Fourth Down
Mateo had practiced the kick a thousand times, in the backyard, in the school gym, even in the hallway at night until his dad said to stop. Now the whole season came down to one play.
The stadium lights blurred. His teammates were shouting something, but the words sounded like they were underwater. Mateo took two steps back, then one to the left, exactly as always. He thought of Coach's advice: “Don't aim at the goalposts. Aim at the one blade of grass in front of you.”
His foot met the ball with a sound like a snapping branch. For one long second nobody moved. Then the crowd's roar rolled over him, and Mateo realized he had been holding his breath since the whistle.
It shows the game is boring.
It shows Mateo has missed.
It builds suspense before the result.
It shows the crowd is unhappy.
It builds suspense before the result.
Hint: A pause just before the outcome makes readers wait and wonder.