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9-10.RI.4b

Description: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including: Analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.(e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
Maps to Reading Plus skills: 4B, 5C, 6C

Exemplars

4B: Interpreting Analogies

4B: Interpreting Analogies

Description: Interpreting Analogies

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-6

I-6

Grade level: 9
Word count: 1546 words
Author: Henry David Thoreau
Synopsis: Have you ever felt that life is just work, work, work? That's just what Thoreau felt too, over 150 years ago.
Excerpt: This world is a place of business. What an infinite bustle! Almost every night I am awakened by the panting of the locomotive. It interrupts my dreams. There is no Sabbath. It would be glorious to see mankind at leisure for once. It is nothing but work, work, work.

Question: Reread this excerpt. What does the image of "the panting of the locomotive" symbolize?
  1. the constant motion of work and business
  2. the increased speed of modern transportation
  3. the ongoing support of technological advances
  4. the steady progression of scientific knowledge

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe how metaphor, simile, hyperbole, or personification is used in a selection and explain how it enhances or distracts from the selection.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

5C: Examining Genre

5C: Examining Genre

Description: Examining Genre

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-42

I-42

Grade level: 9
Word count: 2284 words
Author: James Herbert Walker
Synopsis: The Johnstown Flood was one of the worst calamities in American history. More than 2,000 people were killed in this tragic event.
Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.
Question: This selection is best described as
  1. narrative nonfiction.
  2. an autobiography.
  3. a speech.
  4. science fiction.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Choose an expository piece, such as a speech or an essay. Describe how the author uses language to relay information, or make (or respond) to an argument.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone

6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone

Description: Recognizing Mood and Tone

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-9

I-9

Grade level: 9
Word count: 1814 words
Author: Tamara Smith
Synopsis: Want to change the world? Then do what Wangari did: plant a tree.
Excerpt: She founded her own organization called Envirocare, a business dedicated to the empowerment and independence of women through the planting of trees. This opportunity gave many women the confidence and agency to direct not only their own lives but also the future of their country. Envirocare unfortunately ran into many financial problems and ultimately failed. But Wangari knew she had created an important model and was determined to find new solutions.

Question: The primary tone in this part of the selection is one of
  1. persistence.
  2. jubilation.
  3. hesitation.
  4. impatience.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: What kinds of language or other text structure elements (tone) are used to create an excited or adventurous mood? Use details from a selection you have read to illustrate and explain your answer.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions