Lesson 1: Choosing Language for Context and Purpose

Read the excerpt from Studies of Trees, by Jacob Levison. The pines are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and include about 80 distinct species with over 600 varieties. The species enumerated here are especially common in the eastern part of the United States, growing either native in the forest or under cultivation in the parks. The pines form a very important class of timber trees, and produce beautiful effects when planted in groups in the parks. Which strategy does the author use in his choice of language to convey his message? a. facts and statements b. sequence of events c. conclusive evidence d. persuasive influence

A) facts and statements

Read the paragraph. Monica relocated into a new apartment last weekend. She had countless boxes to pack and could not possibly attempt to transport the furniture herself. She is hiring movers to help her with the heaviest items. Monica's furniture was loaded into a truck and moved to her new apartment. She was there to instruct the movers where to put everything. Luckily, all the furniture made it to the location in one piece! Which best explains the inconsistency in writing used in this paragraph? a. It does not maintain a single point of view. b. It does not maintain appropriate verb tense. c. It does not maintain the same tone throughout. d. It does not maintain the same style throughout.

B) It does not maintain appropriate verb tense.

Read the passage from Etiquette, by Emily Post. Most people of good taste very much dislike being asked their names. To say "What is your name?" is always abrupt and unflattering. If you want to know with whom you have been talking, you can generally find a third person later and ask "Who was the lady with the grey feather in her hat?" The next time you see her you can say "How do you do, Mrs.—" (calling her by name). Does the author use a consistent tone in the passage? a. Yes, the author maintains a lighthearted and whimsical tone. b. Yes, the author maintains a formal and authoritative tone. c. No, the author switches between serious and mocking tones. d. No, the author switches between lighthearted and somber tones.

B) Yes, the author maintains a formal and authoritative tone.

Read the passage from A New Astronomy, by David Todd. From Polaris a line of small stars curves toward the handle of the Dipper, meeting the upper one of a pair of the third magnitude. This pair, with another farther on and parallel to it, form the 'Little Dipper,' Polaris being the end of its handle. The group is Ursa Minor. Opposite the handle of the great Dipper, and at about the same distance from Polaris, are five rather bright stars forming a flattened letter W. They are the principal stars of Cassiopeia. What strategy does the author use in his choice of language to convey his message? a. persuasive influence b. facts and statements c. sequence of events d. experts' logic and reason

B) facts and statements

Read the sentence. Algebra is a precursor for calculus because it will help students to be successful in the latter course. Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word? a. complex training b. preceding requirement c. brief introduction d. predominant trait

B) preceding requirement

Read the passage from Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography. I could not name any principle upon which the books have been gathered. Books are almost as individual as friends. There is no earthly use in laying down general laws about them. Some meet the needs of one person, and some of another; and each person should beware of the booklover's besetting sin, of what Mr. Edgar Allan Poe calls "the mad pride of intellectuality," taking the shape of arrogant pity for the man who does not like the same kind of books. Using the context clues, what is the meaning of the word "principle" as used in the sentence? a. important reason b. standard ruling c. truth d. belief

B) standard ruling

Read the introduction to Julissa's composition. The largest of the linen tents, erected at the campsite to protect the team of conservationists from the relentless African sun, housed the leader of the expedition, Dr. Aidan Hamilton. His round spectacles framed his slender face and complimented his gray hair as he sat outside his tent, mapping the day's journey. Julissa is most likely writing with the purpose of a. explaining information using dates and facts. b. describing a sequence of events. c. describing in an observational manner. d. persuading and influencing others.

C) describing in an observational manner.

Read the passage from "First Joint Debate Ottawa," a speech by Abraham Lincoln. My Fellow-Citizens: When a man hears himself somewhat misrepresented, it provokes him,—at least, I find it so with myself; but when misrepresentation becomes very gross and palpable, it is more apt to amuse him. What is the closest meaning of the underlined phrase as it used in the excerpt? a. widely accepted b. emotionally disturbing c. obviously exaggerated d. extremely humorous

C) obviously exaggerated

Read the sentence. Astronomers are able to map the trajectory of the moon as it travels in a curved trail around the earth. Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word? a. the speed of an object b. the space an object occupies c. the path of an object d. a spinning motion

C) the path of an object

Read the sentence. The investors could not handle the ups and downs so they removed their funds from the fluctuating market. Using the context clues, what is the meaning of the underlined word? a. to become wealthy b. to be uncontrollable c. to vary in level or value d. to take away from

C) to vary in level or value

The paragraph below is an excerpt from an article written for a school newspaper. Texting is an increasingly popular means of communication with students at Mystic Falls High School. Students text their friends to make plans, ask questions, and share information. However, texting can also be distracting. It takes students' attention away from the primary purpose of school: learning. What is the tone of the article? a. melancholy b. humorous c. respectful d. critical

D) critical

Read the sentence. There were a finite number of tickets to the game, as the stadium could only hold 20,000 people. Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word? a. special b. reserved c. pricey d. limited

D) limited

Read the sentence. As the contractor looked at the dilapidated structure that stood on the empty lot, he noticed the cracks and holes in the roof and realized he had a great deal of work to do. Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word? a. enormous b. untouched c. polluted d. rundown

D) rundown

Read the passage from Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography. In the Yellowstone the animals seem always to behave as one wishes them to! It is always possible to see the sheep and deer and antelope, and also the great herds of elk, which are shyer than the smaller beasts. In April we found the elk weak after the short commons and hard living of winter. What is the closest meaning of the underlined phrase as it used in the excerpt? a. survival efforts b. hunting season c. long and cold season d. trials and tribulations

D) trials and tribulations

tone

a writer's attitude toward the subject and audience

context clues

clues that signal a meaning of a word

denotation

dictionary definition of a word

informational writing

explains or informs without passing

argumentative writing

persuades by using logic or reason

descriptive writing

provides details about a subject

persuasive writing

seeks to influence beliefs and actions

consistent writing

smoothly guides the reader or listener from one idea to the next by maintaining a single point of view, appropriate verb tense, the same tone throughout, and the same style throughtout

jargon

technical language used by a profession or group

narrative writing

tells a story or relates a sequence of events

connotation

the implied or associative meaning of a word (positive, neutral, or negative)

context

words and phrases that surround a word