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Grade 8 · English Language Arts · Unit 1 of 11

Close Reading

Theme, tone and evidence

What your child practises

Reading original short passages and answering questions about theme, tone, word choice, inference and the author's purpose, using evidence from the text.

Ontario Curriculum expectation: C3.2, C3.3 · inferences and analyzing complex texts

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. 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-coloured 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 describe one city's history
    • To entertain with a story
    • To inform readers about a problem and encourage solutions
    • To advertise a product
    Show answer

    To inform readers about a problem and encourage solutions

    Hint: The author explains the problem and ends with practical suggestions.

  2. 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-coloured 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 return to the first idea
    • A shift from describing problems to describing solutions
    • A funny story
    • A new problem
    Show answer

    A shift from describing problems to describing solutions

    Hint: “Fortunately” means good news is coming.

  3. 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-coloured 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 cannot swim.
    • Turtles prefer bright cities.
    • Artificial light can mislead animals that rely on natural light.
    • Moonlight is harmful.
    Show answer

    Artificial light can mislead animals that rely on natural light.

    Hint: The hatchlings follow streetlights instead of moonlight on the water.

  4. 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-coloured 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.

    • Bulbs can be warmer in colour.
    • Some birds fly into windows.
    • Many communities report lower energy bills.
    • Shields aim lamps downward.
    Show answer

    Many communities report lower energy bills.

    Hint: Lower bills mean the solutions save money.

  5. Question 5

    What is the main message of Coach's advice?

    Fourth Down

    Mateo had practised 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.

    • Grass is more important than the ball.
    • Never practise at home.
    • Always aim for the goalposts.
    • Focus on one small, close target instead of the huge pressure.
    Show answer

    Focus on one small, close target instead of the huge pressure.

    Hint: “One blade of grass” makes a big task feel small and manageable.

  6. Question 6

    What is the effect of the sentence “For one long second nobody moved”?

    Fourth Down

    Mateo had practised 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 the crowd is unhappy.
    • It builds suspense before the result.
    • It shows Mateo has missed.
    Show answer

    It builds suspense before the result.

    Hint: A pause just before the outcome makes readers wait and wonder.

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