Reading original short passages and answering questions about theme, tone, word choice, structure and the author's purpose, using evidence from the text.
Maine Learning Results learning standard: Reading 4; Reading 5 · inference, theme and the author's craft
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
Theme is the insight about life a text develops. Support it with specific evidence.
Ask why an author includes a detail: to show change in a character, set a mood or limit a claim.
Word choice carries meaning: “spongy” soil suggests it soaks up water.
Example: Why might an author mention that Noor “had stopped checking her phone”? Earlier, the phone held her attention. Now she is noticing something else: the people around her. Answer: To show she has become interested in the people around her
Close Reading in Maine
In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 1 of 12 in 9th grade English Language Arts, before Literary Elements.
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
The tone of this passage is best described as…
Is a Four-Day School Week Worth It?
Some school districts in North America have tried a four-day week, usually with longer days on Monday to Thursday. Supporters claim the change saves money on transportation and heating, and gives students and teachers a day for appointments, work or rest.
Critics point out that research is mixed. Several studies found small drops in test scores, especially in math, while others found no change at all. Parents who work on Fridays may struggle to find child care, and the longer days can leave younger students tired by the afternoon.
The strongest case for the change may be in rural districts, where long bus rides make every school day expensive. In larger cities with many working parents, the costs may outweigh the benefits. A decision like this probably depends less on a single rule than on the needs of the community.
balanced and thoughtful
bored and uninterested
angry and one-sided
silly and sarcastic
balanced and thoughtful
Hint: The author presents both supporters and critics and avoids strong emotions.
Question 2
What kind of evidence does the author use in the second paragraph?
Is a Four-Day School Week Worth It?
Some school districts in North America have tried a four-day week, usually with longer days on Monday to Thursday. Supporters claim the change saves money on transportation and heating, and gives students and teachers a day for appointments, work or rest.
Critics point out that research is mixed. Several studies found small drops in test scores, especially in math, while others found no change at all. Parents who work on Fridays may struggle to find child care, and the longer days can leave younger students tired by the afternoon.
The strongest case for the change may be in rural districts, where long bus rides make every school day expensive. In larger cities with many working parents, the costs may outweigh the benefits. A decision like this probably depends less on a single rule than on the needs of the community.
A single personal story
A joke
Research findings that disagree with each other
A famous quotation
Research findings that disagree with each other
Hint: “Several studies found small drops… others found no change.”
Question 3
Why does the author mention rural districts?
Is a Four-Day School Week Worth It?
Some school districts in North America have tried a four-day week, usually with longer days on Monday to Thursday. Supporters claim the change saves money on transportation and heating, and gives students and teachers a day for appointments, work or rest.
Critics point out that research is mixed. Several studies found small drops in test scores, especially in math, while others found no change at all. Parents who work on Fridays may struggle to find child care, and the longer days can leave younger students tired by the afternoon.
The strongest case for the change may be in rural districts, where long bus rides make every school day expensive. In larger cities with many working parents, the costs may outweigh the benefits. A decision like this probably depends less on a single rule than on the needs of the community.
To prove cities are better
To criticize bus drivers
To list all school districts
To show where the benefits are strongest
To show where the benefits are strongest
Hint: The passage says the case is strongest where “long bus rides make every school day expensive.”
Question 4
Which sentence best states the author's overall position?
Is a Four-Day School Week Worth It?
Some school districts in North America have tried a four-day week, usually with longer days on Monday to Thursday. Supporters claim the change saves money on transportation and heating, and gives students and teachers a day for appointments, work or rest.
Critics point out that research is mixed. Several studies found small drops in test scores, especially in math, while others found no change at all. Parents who work on Fridays may struggle to find child care, and the longer days can leave younger students tired by the afternoon.
The strongest case for the change may be in rural districts, where long bus rides make every school day expensive. In larger cities with many working parents, the costs may outweigh the benefits. A decision like this probably depends less on a single rule than on the needs of the community.
Test scores always go up.
The four-day week may suit some communities better than others, depending on their needs.
A four-day week never works.
Every school should switch to four days.
The four-day week may suit some communities better than others, depending on their needs.
Hint: The last paragraph says the decision “depends … on the needs of the community.”
Question 5
What does the word “spongy” suggest about the soil?
Tiny Forests
In a few cities around the world, planners have started creating “tiny forests”: dense patches of native trees and shrubs planted in spaces about the size of a tennis court. Because the plants are packed closely, they grow fast, creating shade, habitat and a spongy layer of soil that soaks up rainwater.
Supporters point out that these forests are cheap compared with large parks and can fit on vacant lots or school grounds. Studies of early projects report cooler temperatures nearby and more birds and insects within a few years. Children who help plant them often develop a stronger sense of ownership over their neighborhoods.
Still, the evidence is young. Most tiny forests have existed for less than a decade, and long-term results are unknown. Critics add that planting a few small patches should not replace protecting the older forests and wetlands that already store enormous amounts of carbon. The strongest approach, many experts suggest, is to treat tiny forests as one tool among many.
It can absorb and hold water.
It is full of rocks.
It is made of foam.
It is dry and hard.
It can absorb and hold water.
Hint: Sponges soak up liquid. The passage says the soil “soaks up rainwater.”
Question 6
What does the word “Still” do at the start of the third paragraph?
Tiny Forests
In a few cities around the world, planners have started creating “tiny forests”: dense patches of native trees and shrubs planted in spaces about the size of a tennis court. Because the plants are packed closely, they grow fast, creating shade, habitat and a spongy layer of soil that soaks up rainwater.
Supporters point out that these forests are cheap compared with large parks and can fit on vacant lots or school grounds. Studies of early projects report cooler temperatures nearby and more birds and insects within a few years. Children who help plant them often develop a stronger sense of ownership over their neighborhoods.
Still, the evidence is young. Most tiny forests have existed for less than a decade, and long-term results are unknown. Critics add that planting a few small patches should not replace protecting the older forests and wetlands that already store enormous amounts of carbon. The strongest approach, many experts suggest, is to treat tiny forests as one tool among many.
It introduces a limitation after the benefits.
It repeats the first point.
It ends the discussion.
It starts a joke.
It introduces a limitation after the benefits.
Hint: “Still” signals a turn from the advantages to the concerns.