Benchmark Review

1st 9 weeks Benchmark Review

Be sure to study your notes and graphic organizers (this includes DLR).

Hint: In class, we completed a “Magnet Summary” over a paragraph about Galapagos Turtles. With this magnet summary assignment, we underlined key words for each paragraph and wrote the main idea for each paragraph in the margin. It will be very beneficial to you to do this on your benchmark. Your reading passages are lengthy and have a lot of detail. Write the main idea for each paragraph in the margin and underline your key words, this will help you with your questions, identify details more efficiently and help for constructed response questions.

  1. Author’s purpose for writing:
  1. To inform
  2. To describe
  3. To explain
  4. To persuade
  5. To tell a story

 

  1. Verbals:
  1. Gerund=ends in –ing; looks like a verb; acts like a noun
  2. Participle=ends in –ing or –ed; looks like a verb; acts like an adjective
  3. Infinitive=to + a verb; acts like a noun, adj, or adv.

                I would sometimes run into older kids who would tease me about my reading.    ____________

                I had grown to six feet and had the appetite of a growing teenager.                        ____________               

                My family had no money to spend on anything but necessities.                                 ____________

               

  1. Tone: the author’s attitude and/or feelings toward a topic. The tone is generally expressed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer.

 

  1. Types of writing:
  1. Argumentative = previously called persuasive; the author is trying to convince the audience into a way of thinking
  2. Informative = the author explains or informs the reader of specific information
  3. Narrative = the author tells a story; can be fiction or nonfiction

 

  1. Main idea/thesis/central idea = the whole point of the story or piece of writing.

 

  1. Mood:  the author is able to create certain feelings within the reader through the use of words and descriptions. Mood causes an emotional response within the reader so that the reader can connect to the story.

 

  1. Transitional words:

 

To give examples:  for example, for instance, such as, specifically

To show cause and effect:  therefore, hence, thus, as a result, resulting in, so, consequently

To contrast:  nevertheless, however, but, on the other hand, in contrast, on the contrary, conversely, at the same time, still, although, even though, despite, in spite of

To show similarity:  likewise, similarly, just as, equally

To concede:  although, even though, of course, granted, while

To elaborate:  in addition, additionally, moreover, also, furthermore

To emphasize:  more importantly, most importantly, chiefly, indeed, in fact, primarily, no doubt

To restate:  again, in other words, in effect, that is, in short

To indicate time:  last, at last, eventually, before, after, afterwards, finally, during, then, when, as

To indicate place:  to the right, to the left, in the background, in the foreground, in the distance

To conclude:  thus, finally, in the end

 

 

 

  1. Types of conflict:
  1. Man vs. man
  2. Man vs. nature
  3. Man vs. society
  4. Man vs. himself
  1. Point of View
  1. 1st—uses the pronouns “I, me, my and we”. Main character tells the story
  2. 2nd—uses the pronouns “you and your”. Directions or How-to
  3. 3rd—uses the pronouns “he, she, they”. Narrator does not know thoughts and feelings of characters and is not part a character in the story
  4. 3rd limited—uses the pronouns “he, she, they, their”. The narrator is not a character in the story but knows ONEcharacter’s thoughts and feelings.
  5. 3rd omniscient—uses the pronouns “he, she, they, their”. The narrator is not a character in the story but knows ALL the thoughts and feelings of ALL the characters.

 

 

2nd 9 weeks Benchmark Review

You need to review the following information to be prepared for the benchmark.

  1. Literary devices—
  1. Hyperbole: extreme exaggeration
  2. Metaphor: comparison, saying one thing is another, without using like or as
  3. Simile: uses like or as to compare 2 things/people
  4. Alliteration: repeats consonant sounds
  5. Personification: makes objects/things have human-like characteristics
  6. Examples: Match each sentence with one of the literary devices.

The trees waved their branches like hands saying “hello.”                          _________________

The raven is my grief that will never leave me.                                          _________________

I am so hungry I could eat a horse.                                                           _________________

The yellow material was like liquid gold.                                                     _________________

 

  1. Participles—
  1. End in –ing or –ed (sometimes –en or –t)
  2. Look like verbs, act like adjectives
  3. Examples: Underline the participle in each sentence.

I have a nagging pain in my leg.

They stopped at the weathered cabin.

Frozen blueberries are his favorite snack

Under the pile of magazines lay the forgotten letter.

 

  1. Theme—the subject of a short story, novel or play, or the lesson to be learned from a piece of literature. What is the overall/underlying message the author is communicating?

 

  1. Idioms—figure of speech; a phrase that means something other than the words that are expressed
  2. : Match the idiom with its meaning.

paid an arm & a leg                                              false lead

mad as a hatter                                                   being determined

barking up the wrong tree                                      without hesitation

red herring                                                           expensive

buckling down                                                      avoiding the subject

at the drop of a hat                                               crazy

beat around the bush                                             looking in the wrong place

 

 

  1. Point of view—
  1. 1st person: uses pronouns of I, me, my, mine
  2. 2nd person: uses pronouns of you, yours; tends to motivational, inspirational or self-help writing
  3. 3rd person: uses pronouns of he, she, they, him, her, their
  4. Omniscient: reader knows everything all characters are thinking or feeling
  5. Limited: reader knows only one character’s thoughts and feelings
  6. Examples: Label each short story with a point of view.

The Most Dangerous Game                                           _____ Point of view

The Landlady                                                                _____ Point of view

The Lottery                                                                   _____ Point of view

The Tell Tale Heart                                                         _____ Point of view

 

  1. Infinitives vs. Preposition phrases—
  1. Infinitives: to + a verb; can act as N, ADJ, or ADV
  2. Prepositions: to + noun; can act as ADJ or ADV
  3. Examples: Label each phrase as INF or PREP

We went to the game.                                                _________

She wanted to drive the new car.                                 _________

Children must go to school.                                        _________

He jumped up to go with his brothers.                          _________

 

  1. Tone—the way a writer puts sentences together creates a tone in his or her writing which in turn conveys his or her attitude toward the readers and the subject matter. Examples of tone: sarcastic, angry, disappointed, humorous, positive, formal, casual, etc.

 

  1. Structures & style—
  1. Poem: includes stanzas, meter, figurative language, symbolism & sometimes rhyme
  2. Letter: includes date, address, salutation, signature
  3. Essay: includes paragraphs, intro, body with supporting evidence, conclusion
  4. Narrative: includes paragraphs, characters, plot, setting

 

  1. Active/Passive Voice Verbs—
  1. Active: subject does the action of verb. Ask is the subject doing something.
  2. Passive: subject is not doing verb; usually includes the preposition by. Ask is something being done to the subject.
  3. Examples: Label each subject and label each sentence active or passive.

The children ate their popsicles.                                   ______________

The popsicles were eaten by the children.                     ______________

Bingo is played in Britain.                                            ______________

The president was elected by the people.                      ______________

 

  1. Types of Conflict—Internal and external

Label the different types of conflict for each of the 4 examples (is it internal or external), and give an example for each.

  1. Man vs. Self                                                                   ______________
  2. Man vs. Man                                                                  ______________
  3. Man vs. Society                                                             ______________
  4. Man vs. Nature                                                              ______________

 

  1. Constructed Responses—
  1. Responses will be scored according to content (answer + evidence) plus writing style (how well you express your ideas).

 

3rd Nine Weeks Benchmark – ELA Study Guide

 

Read and comprehend text in order to apply your knowledge.

 

  1. Making inferences - “reading between the lines” to draw conclusions

 

  1. Summarizing - including appropriate details from the story

 

  1. Point of view - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (omniscient or limited)

                                     

 

  1. Verb moods (conditional, subjunctive, imperative, interrogative, indicative)

 

  1. Verbals (participles, infinitives, gerunds)

A verbal is a word that is formed from a verb but does not act as a verb. There are three types of verbals: gerunds, participles, and infinitives. A gerund acts as a noun and always ends in –ing. A participle acts as an adjective and usually ends in –ing or –ed. An infinitive can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb and is formed by adding to before a verb.

 

  1. Central Idea

 

  1. Figurative Language (metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, etc).

 

Type

Explanation

Example

 

Simile

 

A way of describing something by comparing two unlike things using the words “like” or  “as”

Peggy ran as fast as a cheetah to catch the bus on time.

 

Imagery

 

A way of describing something using your senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell

The brown, rough sand felt gritty between my toes as I walked down the placid beach.

 

Metaphor

 

A way of describing by comparing two unlike things using the words “is”, “are” or “was”

Frank was a tornado as he passed through the living room.

 

Personification

 

To give something that is NOT human, human characteristics

The dishes danced on the shelf during the earthquake.

 

Alliteration

 

When the author repeats the first consonant in a group of words

Assonance – a group of words with the same middle vowel sound

The coin clunked as it fell down the money slot.

 

The boy ate the poison berry.

 

Hyperbole

 

When the author uses exaggeration to make a point

I told my brother a million times that I would be home at 8:00.

 

Diction

 

When the author uses specific word choice to convey a certain mood or tone

The flag fluttered in the wind as people saluted it in silence.

 

Idioms

 

Phrases people use which do not make sense literally, but they have an underlying meaning

Don’t cry over spilt milk.

It’s raining cats and dogs.

Onomatopoeia

Created by Sherry Silkowski and Barbara Gokey 2011

 

 

Words that are sounds

CRACK, SNAP, POP

 

  1. Tone - author’s attitude towards the text

Tone - the writer's attitude toward the audience; a writer's tone can be serious, sarcastic, tongue-in cheek, solemn, objective, satirical, solemn, wicked, etc.

 - Tone is the author’s (not necessarily your narrator's) overall outlook or attitude toward the given audience. Ironic, matter-of-fact, bemused, outraged, curiously respectful, disdainful - how does he/she feel about the fragment of life displayed in the story? 

 

  1. Mood - reader’s feelings towards the text

 Mood - is the feeling a piece of literature arouses in the reader: happy, sad, peaceful, etc. Mood is the overall feeling of the piece, or passage. It could be called the author’s. emotional-intellectual attitude toward the subject.

 

  1. Active/Passive Voice

Voice is the form a verb takes to indicate whether the subject of the verb performs or receives the action.  There are two types of voice:  active voice and passive voice.

 

•Active Voice

Active voice is used to show that the subject of the sentence is performing or causing the action.

Example:

Lebron threw the basketball before the buzzer.

Lebron shot the basketball from the free throw line.

Lebron scored three points.

                                                            •Passive Voice

Passive voice is used when the subject is the recipient of the action.

Example:

The ball was thrown by Lebron.

The basket was shot by Lebron.

The score was made by Lebron.

 

  1. Foreshadow - hints in text that give the reader a “heads up” that something is going to happen

 

  1. Theme - an overall meaning that can be applied to the reader’s life

 

Examples:

 

Believe in yourself

Betrayal hurts

Conquering the unknown

Do things right the first time

Family is everything

Freedom/freedom comes at a cost

Friendships last forever

Good and evil both live

Hard work pays off

Having courage to do right

Honesty is the best policy

It pays to be honest

Keeping traditions may not be ok

Life is not always fair

Lust for power ends badly

Money does not buy happiness

Never give up

Overcoming adversity

Persistence pays off

Rejection hurts so be nice

Respect others

Showing responsibility

Survival of the fittest

Taking a stand

Taking responsibility

The adventure never ends

To have friends, you must be a friend

Together, we can do anything

We will do anything for our friends

Work hard, play hard

Self-Selected Reading Project

4th nine weeks - Due April 24, 2018

Student Name: ________________________________________

 

4

3

2

1

Cover

Includes book title, author's name, your name, a descriptive drawing (NOT the same one as the book) to represent the book and a caption

Includes book title, author name, your name and a drawing

Includes book title, author name and your name

Missing multiple pieces of required information

Flap 1

Setting

 

 

 

Includes the setting of the story. This should be written in sentence form and include at least one drawing to represent the setting.

Includes the setting of the story in sentence form and a rough, unrelated drawing.

Includes the setting of the story in sentence form-no drawing.

Includes the setting but not in sentence form.

Flap 2

 

Characters

 

 

Includes all main characters of the book. Each character should be summarized, behaviorally and characteristically, and include a picture/drawing of each character

Includes some main characters of the book. Each character is somewhat summarized and includes pictures/drawings

Includes some main characters and loosely describes the characters. Includes some pictures/drawings

Lists only one or two main characters and loosely describes them. May include some pictures/drawings

Flap 3

 

Plot

2 paragraphs (4-6 sentences each) written to describe the plot of the book. A picture/drawing should depict a major event in the book. There should also be a caption.

2 short paragraphs (3 sentences) written to describe the plot of the book. Picture/drawing depicts major event in book. Includes a caption.

1 paragraph (4-6) sentences written to describe the plot of the book. Picture/drawing depicts major events in book. Includes a caption.

A sentence or two is written to describe the plot of the book. Picture/drawing depicts an event in the book or is not drawn.

Flap 4

 

Theme

Theme is given and  explained in three sentences. 5 literary device examples are given by quoting the book and writing the type of literary example.

Theme is explained in two sentences. 4 literary device examples are given by quoting the book and writing the type of literary example.

Theme is explained in one sentence. 3 literary device examples are given by quoting the book and writing the type of literary example.

Theme is listed. 1-2 literary device examples are given by quoting the book and writing the type of literary example.

Flap 5

 

Favorite Scene

One paragraph (4-6 sentences) explains your favorite scene from the book. Paragraph includes one quotation. A drawing/picture depicts the scene.

One paragraph (3 sentences) explains your favorite scene from the book. Paragraph includes one quotation. A drawing/picture depicts the scene.

Two sentences explain your favorite scene from the book. No quotation is given. Drawing/picture depicts a scene.

One sentence explains your favorite scene from the book. No quotation is given. No drawing/picture is given.

Back

 

Author information

Includes detailed information about the author in one paragraph (4-6 sentences). Includes a picture of the author. Do NOT copy!

Includes some information about the author in one paragraph. Includes a picture of the author. . Do NOT copy

Includes very little information about the author in 3 or less sentences. Author picture is included. . Do NOT copy

No information or just a sentence is given about the author.

Neatness, Effort, illustrations

The project has no distracting errors, corrections or erasures and is easily read. It appears the student spent a lot of effort getting things just right. Drawings are neatly done and colored.

 

The book project has almost no distracting errors, corrections or erasures and is easily read. It appears the student worked hard on it. Drawings are neatly done and colored.

 

The book project is fairly readable but the quality is not too good on some parts. It looks like the student ran out of time or didn't take care of it.

 

Very messy and hard to read. It looks like the student threw it together at the last minute without much care.

 

Conventions

There is 1 or are fewer spelling and grammar errors. The author's name and the title are spelled correctly throughout!

 

There are 2-3 spelling and grammar errors OR the title or author's name is not always spelled correctly.

 

There are 4-5 spelling or grammar errors.

 

There are more than 5 conventional errors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a foldable that has six flaps.

Any plagiarism will result in an automatic zero that will NOT be adjusted. Write all this (except quotes-citing them correctly) in YOUR OWN WORDS!

*Must use ONLY white paper

* Three sheets folded as shown in class.

Cover – book title, author name, your name, a descriptive drawing to represent the book and a caption

Flap 1 – Setting – Setting of story in paragraph form. Use at least one drawing to represent the setting

Flap 2 – Characters – Includes ALL main characters with a summary and drawing/picture of EACH character. Summary must include behavioral and features of the characters.

Flap 3 – Plot – Two paragraphs (4-6 sentences each) describing the plot. Additionally, include a picture/drawing of a major event in the book. Include a caption.

Flap 4 – Theme – Explained in three sentences. Also, five literary devices examples given by quoting the book (correctly) and designating the literary device.

                   Personification: “The trees waved as the wind gust blew in from the Pacific Ocean” (Brown 6).

Flap 5 – Favorite Scene – One paragraph explaining your favorite scene from the book with at least one quotation (written correctly) with a drawing/picture depicting the scene.

Back – Author – Detailed information about the author in at least one paragraph. Include a drawing/picture of the author.

Must be neat and grammar must be correct.