E4.8.B
Description:
Evaluate use of text structure to achieve the author's purpose.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
5A, 5B, 5C
Exemplars
5B: Examining Sequence
5B: Examining Sequence
Description:
Examining Sequence of Ideas and Events
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-27
L-27
Grade level: 12
Word count: 2369 words
Author: Miguel de Cervantes
Synopsis: This selection is the first chapter of a classic work by Miguel de Cervantes.
Excerpt:
He debuted his first published works when he moved to Rome in 1569. Soon after, the young writer joined a Spanish military unit in Italy and served as a soldier for several years.
After laboring as a soldier, de Cervantes began working as a commissary tasked with collecting grain supplies from rural communities for the Spanish Armada. Unfortunately, he was charged with job mismanagement and was forced to spend time in prison. It was during his time in prison that de Cervantes began to work on what was to be later deemed some of literature's greatest works, and what is now considered the world's first modern novel.
After laboring as a soldier, de Cervantes began working as a commissary tasked with collecting grain supplies from rural communities for the Spanish Armada. Unfortunately, he was charged with job mismanagement and was forced to spend time in prison. It was during his time in prison that de Cervantes began to work on what was to be later deemed some of literature's greatest works, and what is now considered the world's first modern novel.
Question:
Put these events in the adult life of author Miguel de Cervantes in order, from first to last.
- He moved to Rome and debuted his first published works.
- He joined a Spanish military unit in Italy and served as a soldier for several years.
- He worked as a commissary and collected grain supplies for the Spanish Armada.
- He was imprisoned and began to write what would become the world's first modern novel.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe a selection in which the sequence of events is not obvious. Explain how this structure aided or impeded your understanding of the selection.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
5A: Examining Text Structure
5A: Examining Text Structure
Description:
Examining Text Structure
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-13
L-13
Grade level: 12
Word count: 2479 words
Author: Peter Kupfer
Synopsis: Americans are great at producing, marketing, and of course eating junk food.
Excerpt:
Junk food -- defined as food with high calories and little nutritional value -- has been around for hundreds of years, in many parts of the world. But no one has done a better job of creating new varieties of it, mass producing it, marketing it, making people rich off it, and, of course, eating it than Americans.
Question:
Read this excerpt. What is the author implying about the American attitude toward junk food in the second sentence?
- The second sentence uses sarcasm to congratulate Americans on excelling at something that is detrimental to health.
- The second sentence laments the fact that Americans do not embrace new marketing.
- The second sentence uses facts to show how junk food has no relevance in the market economy.
- The second sentence employs understatement to argue that junk foods' recent introduction has minimal impact on nutrition.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Choose an informational text that presents information in a cause-and-effect or problem-and-solution manner. Describe why the organization of information did (or did not) help you understand the main idea of the selection.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
5C: Examining Genre
5C: Examining Genre
Description:
Examining Genre
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
L-16
L-16
Grade level: 12
Word count: 1930 words
Author: Erica Cirino
Synopsis: Many historical sites are fragile and need to be protected from modern human activities.
Excerpt:
People also benefit from the existence of coral reefs. Coral reefs protect coastlines by absorbing the impact of rough waves before they hit land. This can help prevent erosion and flooding in seaside communities. In addition, chemical compounds found in corals can be used to formulate new types of medicines. Use of coral chemicals for medicinal purposes has led to many discoveries that have improved human health. For instance, Australian chemists have recently found a substance in some corals on the Great Barrier Reef that contains a natural "SPF 50" sunblock that could be used to protect people from skin cancer.
Question:
Read this excerpt. If it were part of a news story, how might it be different?
- It would probably include a quote from one of the Australian chemists described.
- It would probably be written from a first-person point of view.
- It would probably be written with a greater sense of emotion.
- It would probably include a quote from the author of the selection.
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