RI.7.4
Description:
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
4A, 4A, 4C, 6A, 6C
Exemplars
4A: Interpreting Word Meaning
4A: Interpreting Word Meaning
Description:
Interpreting Word Meaning
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
G-41
G-41
Grade level: 7
Word count: 1728 words
Author: Heidi McLean
Synopsis: Throughout history, hair has sometimes been a sign of a person's culture, status, or religion.
Excerpt:
On the other hand, some religions call for the cropping or even shaving of hair. In earlier centuries members of men's and women's religious orders, such as those for monks and nuns, cut or shaved their hair to symbolize their detachment from worldly possessions and lack of vanity.
Question:
In this excerpt, what is the meaning of the word "cropping"?
- cutting closely
- growing successfully
- gathering neatly
- binding tightly
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Choose a selection that included some unfamiliar vocabulary. Replace the unfamiliar words with synonyms that are easier to understand yet still convey the same meaning.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
4A: Interpreting Word Meaning
4A: Interpreting Word Meaning
Description:
Interpreting Word Meaning
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
G-53
G-53
Grade level: 7
Word count: 1940 words
Author: Clare O'Connell
Synopsis: These games are a cultural means to promote peace and unity among people from all nations.
Excerpt:
Seven judges from around the world listen to each category and award points based on sound, tone, artistic ability, and faithfulness to the musical score.
Question:
In this excerpt, the word "score" most closely means
- printed music
- passing grade
- practice session
- top prize
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe three or more words that you learned recently by reading Non-fiction texts about a certain topic. Explain why knowing these words has helped you better understand the topic.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
4C: Visualizing
4C: Visualizing
Description:
Visualizing
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
G-25
G-25
Grade level: 7
Word count: 1587 words
Author: Kathryn Oliva
Synopsis: When car shopping, it's good to research your options.
Excerpt:
How does a hybrid-electric car work? A hybrid-electric car is partly powered by a gasoline engine that is both lighter in weight and smaller in size than a standard gasoline engine. It also is partly powered by an electric motor and a battery. These power sources run at the same time, but not equally.
Question:
If you saw two engines, one from a hybrid car and one from a standard car, how could you tell which one belonged to the hybrid?
- The hybrid car engine would be smaller.
- The hybrid car engine would be heavier.
- The standard car engine would be lighter.
- The standard car engine would be smaller.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe an example of a particularly vivid scene from a selection. Explain what technique the author used to create such a clear picture of the setting or event you found memorable.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6A: Recognizing Author's Intent
6A: Recognizing Author's Intent
Description:
Recognizing Author's Purpose
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
G-6
G-6
Grade level: 7
Word count: 1606 words
Author: Peter Kupfer
Synopsis: The African Americans who served as Tuskegee airmen deserve our respect and thanks.
Excerpt:
When Thomas Mayfield returned to his base in Kentucky, for example, he and the other African American pilots were barred from mixing with the white officers. The pilots were even denied access to the areas where the German prisoners were allowed to walk freely.
"It hurt. We had done our jobs," Mayfield recalled. "The thing is, we had faced discrimination for years during the war. Then we came back and the people we were fighting got more privileges than we had."
"It hurt. We had done our jobs," Mayfield recalled. "The thing is, we had faced discrimination for years during the war. Then we came back and the people we were fighting got more privileges than we had."
Question:
Why does the author include these quotes by Thomas Mayfield?
- to highlight the unfair treatment of a man who had served his country
- to show that German soldiers were treated fairly as prisoners of war
- to promote the need for the Civil Rights Movement in the South
- to defend the actions of soldiers who protested racial segregation
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
How effective were the words and writing style used by the author of a selection? Explain why.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
Description:
Recognizing Mood and Tone
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
G-15
G-15
Grade level: 7
Word count: 1597 words
Author: Nancy McCloskey
Synopsis: Young people take their good ideas and make them a reality.
Excerpt:
Chester's hometown has earned the title "Ear Muff Capital of the World." It celebrates the birthday of the inventor and his invention every December with a parade. Most of the parade watchers are probably wearing ear muffs.
Question:
The author probably added the last sentence to this paragraph to insert some
- humor.
- confusion.
- patriotism.
- mockery.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
What kinds of language or other text structure elements (tone) are used to create a dramatic or fearful mood? Use details from a selection you have read to illustrate and explain your answer.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions