LAFS.7.RI.2.4

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, 4B, 4C

Exemplars

4B: Interpreting Analogies

4B: Interpreting Analogies

Description: Interpreting Analogies

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: G-42

G-42

Grade level: 7
Word count: 1959 words
Author: Diane Lang
Synopsis: A "philosopher" inspires a community project to restore courage and kindness to the school.
Excerpt: I told Mr. Matas about my desire to be a doctor and repair deformities like mine, so other kids wouldn't be ridiculed or beaten like me. Mr. Matas inquired about my schoolwork and then asked about the boys who taunted me. Because he was so kind, I described my dismal situation, but admitted I was reluctant to request assistance from my parents and teachers.

"Stay strong," he urged. "Withered plants will eventually revive with sufficient watering."

Question: In this excerpt, when Mr. Matas uses the phrase "withered plants," he is really talking about the
  1. bullies at Jordi's school.
  2. parents in Mamelodi.
  3. flowers in his employer's garden.
  4. teachers at Jordi's school.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Write short paragraphs that demonstrate use of simile, metaphor, idiom, and hyperbole.

Evaluator

Organization: Curriculum Design Institute

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
  1. printed music
  2. passing grade
  3. practice session
  4. 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: Curriculum Design Institute

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?
  1. The hybrid car engine would be smaller.
  2. The hybrid car engine would be heavier.
  3. The standard car engine would be lighter.
  4. 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: Curriculum Design Institute