Download Final Skill Review

REA 0002
Chapters Review
Study Guide
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary in Context
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Sometimes you come across words in your
reading which you do not know. In the olden
days of your education you were often told to
sound them out, but that was not always
successful or reliable. Authors often give you
clues imbedded into the sentences to help you
figure out the words. You need to recognize
these clues.
Types of clues:
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Example – a word is given in the sentence and it will
be followed by examples that serve as context clues for
the word.
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Examples are often introduced by these words:
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For instance
Including
For example
Such as
As they moved westward, early pioneers faced many
adversities, such as scarce food, extreme weather, and
loneliness.
More Clues: Synonyms - Antonyms
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Synonyms: synonyms are words that mean the same
or almost the same as the unknown word
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My boss had an abrasive personality. It’s so irritating that he
has trouble keeping his friends.
Antonyms: Antonyms are words that mean the
opposite of the unknown word.
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Signaled by these words: however, but, yet, on the other
hand, in contrast
My piano teacher’s criticism was always profuse, but her
praise was scarce.
Final Clue: General Sense of
Passage
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General Sense of the passage: Can be found
by skipping the word and using the other words
to suggest the meaning of the skipped word.
Give your brain a chance to make sense of it.
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One argument against capital punishment is that if
an innocent person is executed, the mistake cannot
be rectified.
Chapter 2 – Main Idea
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One of the most important skills for you to learn
is to be able to detect the main idea of a
reading selection. This should not be too
difficult if you can remember the steps you
need to take.
What is it all about? Gives you the topic
What is the point the author is making?
Give you the main idea!
Main Idea
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Just like in writing, there are usually 3 basic parts to
every paragraph. The topic, the main idea, and the
supporting details.
Main ideas and topic sentences can be found
anywhere in the passage.
The main idea is expressed in general terms.
It does not give you specific details.
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These are the causes of the civil war.
Here are some steps to take to improve your grade.
Chapter 3: Supporting Details
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Supporting details are just what the name
suggests. They are the specific information
used to support your main idea.
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They are the reasons, examples, steps, and other
kinds of specific information which explains the
main idea further.
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You will be able to pick out the details in a
couple of ways. Look for special words...
List words – tell you that a list of details is
coming
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Several kinds of
A few reasons
Among the results
To name a few.
a few causes
four steps
a number of
a series of
several advantages
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Addition Words – tell you that more
information is being added to what you already
know.
Addition Words:
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One
First
Also
first of all
second
next
in addition
moreover
another
furthermore
last of all
finally
Chapter 4 – Implied Main Idea
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Sometimes, a main idea is not directly stated.
Then you must use the clues (topic –
supporting details) to help you figure out the
what is implied (make an inference)
You use the same process you did for finding
the main idea. Only you start with the details
that the author gives you…then you ask:
What is the point the author is making?
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The terms central point, gist, and thesis are just
other names for the main idea. They can be stated or
inferred.
Ask:
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What is this all about? – topic
What is the support the author gives me? – supporting details
What is the point the author is making? - implied main idea
Use the list words and addition words to help you.
Chapter 5 – Relationships I
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We have already touched on these
relationships among the words. You probably
know them from writing as transition words.
It is the means by which the author organizes
thoughts.
The first one signals a list pattern of
organization.
Words that show addition:
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These words can list information or additional
information
Here are some examples:
Also
further second(ly) furthermore
Next
in addition finally
for one thing
Thirdly
moreover
another
first of all
One
last of all
Key factor to remember:
They can be interchanged into ANY order.
Words that show time:
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These words tell us that something happened in
relation to when something else happened.
They make clear the order of events, stages, and
steps in a process.
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Before last
eventually
soon
until
Previously
immediately
then
now
First
while since
second during
Often
third
later
frequently
as
Next
after
when
THEY MUST STAY IN THE SAME ORDER!
Chapter 6 – Relationships II
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Three more types of relationships that an
author could use in writing.
Illustration: The author gives you a concept
and then gives you examples to clarify the
idea. Some examples could include:
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For example
Including
One
for instance to illustrate such as
specifically to be specific once
as an illustration
Comparison and/or Contrast
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These make it clear that the author is
comparing (showing likenesses) or contrasting
(showing differences)
Comparison words:
(just) as
similar(ly)
same resemble
– (just) like
similarity
alike in like manner
– Equally
likewise
both in the same way
– In like fashion resemble
in a similar fashion
Words that tell how one thing is like another.
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Contrast words:
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Even though instead
still
but
However
as opposed to
yet
unlike
In contrast
on the other hand while despite
Differently
in spite of
rather than
Differ from
although
on the contrary
Difference
conversely nevertheless
Opposite
Points out the differences between subjects!
Cause and Effect Relationships
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Signal an author is explaining the reason why
something happened or will happen and what
happened.
Cause/effect words:
Therefore
result
so
because (of)
– Thus
cause
since as a result
– Reason
results in
effect explanation
– Consequently
leads toaffect accordingly
– Owing to since
due to if…then
Points out the reasons or the results!
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Patterns of Organization:
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Authors organize what they have to say around
these patterns of organization:
Some times they indicate just a list of things
(list/addition)
Sometimes they show the sequence in which
something happens. (time order)
These two would be either a list or time order.
More Patterns of Organization
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Definition and example – The author would
present an uncommon term and then define it
for you using one or more examples.
Compare/Contrast – The author would tell
how two things are alike or different.
Cause and Effect – The author will address
the why something occurred and/or tell the
results of an event.
Chapter 7 – Fact and Opinion
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The author will give you information. They will be
factual or can express opinions.
A fact is something that can be proved through
objective evidence.
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Physical proof, the spoken word, written testimony of
witnesses
REA 0002 is a class that is taught at MCC.
An opinion is a belief, judgment, or conclusion that
cannot be objectively proved true.
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Uses value laden words; should, ought to
REA 0002 is the best class I ever took.
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Common Value Words: (involve emotions)
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Best
great disgusting
Bad
good beautiful
Lovely worse
Not all people will agree.
wonderful
worst
Cautions:
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Facts can be found to be untrue.
Opinions may be presented as facts.
Value words represent opinions.
Much of what we read is both.
better
terrible
Chapter 8 - Inference
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Sometimes we pick up ideas that are not
directly stated. Just like we did in the chapter
on Implied Main Ideas. We actually read
between the lines, or infer or draw a
conclusion about what we have read.
After the thunderstorm, you get home to
discover that your clocks are all twelve minutes
slow. What might you infer?
How to infer
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1. Read the words (clues) the author gives you.
2. Use your experiences and general knowledge of
events and people’s behavior.
3. Make an informed (logical) guess based on these
facts and knowledge.
Use all the clues provided for you, your own
experience and logic.
Can infer from pictures, tables and graphs, from
literature and from poetry.
Chapter 9 – Purpose and Tone
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There are three basic reasons why authors write.
1. To inform: - give you information on a
subject…facts to explain or illustrate
2. To Persuade: try to convince the reader to agree
with their point of view.
3. To Entertain: - amuse or delight you – appeal to
your sense of imagination – fiction or non fiction –
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Do not want to inform
Do not want to persuade
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When an author tries to persuade you, he may
use facts which support his point of
view…there might be an opposing view. It
would be slanted in some way. Often uses
should or ought to to indicate the writer is trying
to persuade.
Tone
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When a person speaks, we can tell their tone from the
inflections in their voice. An author uses words and
details to express voice. Think about the choice of
words. How would you say them aloud? What
meaning do they convey?
(Review the list on pages 349 – 350)
Irony is a special tone. It says one thing, but means
another. It usually means the opposite of what is said.
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I am so sad that this semester is drawing to a close.
Chapter 10 - Argument
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Argument means a rational discussion in
which each person advances and supports
a point of view about some matter.
That point of view (argument) must be
supported by evidence.
The evidence must be relevant – support the
point of view.
Steps to determine if the argument
is supported.
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1. Recognize the POINT the author is
making. (MAIN IDEA – general statement)
2. Decide if the support is relevant to the
point. (sticks to the topic)
3. Decide if the support is adequate. (rule of
thumb…at least 3 supporting reasons – just
like in writing)
Bias
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Authors express their opinions in their writing. When
these opinions are positive….then the author is biased
in favor of the topic.
If they are negative, then they are biased against.
Look at the word choices the author uses. They will tell
you how he feels.
Example: great – lousy – pretty – drop dead gorgeous
– a dog – terrific.
You get the picture…
Test Taking Tips!
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Read the questions BEFORE you read the
passage. This way you know what is being
expected of you.
Work backwards on some questions…think
about the foils…for eg. Nostalgic…what does
that mean…then think about the
passage…does the author look back on his
past with warm fuzzy feelings?
More Tips
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You will have 75 minutes for the exam…
There are 4 stories with 9 questions each…
That would be 18 minutes a story…
TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!
Some skills will be directly stated…like what is the
tone…is this a fact or opinion…was the point/topic
adequately supported? What is the main idea of
paragraph 2. What does the word mean in sentence 4.
What is the relationship between sentence 1 and 2
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No one can leave before everyone is finished.
Be prepared with something to keep you
QUIET and busy. Sleeping at that time would
be OK. I promise to wake you to leave.
You are all good readers and have all the skills
you need to pass the test!
Think of it as just another practice.