Download THEA Reading Skill #1

Word Meaning
3 types of questions (skills)
1. Unfamiliar and uncommon words
and phrases
2. Words with multiple meanings
3. Figurative expressions
Skill #1:
Unfamiliar
and
uncommon
words and phrases
THEA example:
1.
Which of the following is the best meaning of the
word influx as used in the paragraph?
A. workforce
B. tourist visits
C. coming in
D. exit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uya2CrgS1Bw
THEA example:
1.
Which of the following is the best meaning of the
word influx as used in the paragraph?
A. workforce
B. tourist visits
C. coming in
D. exit
How do I figure out the correct answer?
1. Use context clues

words or sentences surrounding the mystery
word that assist you in determining its
meaning
2. Use word structure
 This refers to how the mystery word is built.
Check for prefixes, familiar root words and
suffixes.
Always plug your choice into the paragraph to make sure in makes sense.
1.
Which of the following is the best meaning of the word influx
as used in the paragraph?
A. workforce
B. tourist visits
C. coming in
D. exit
The influx of European immigrants to New York helped
establish that city as the center of the fashion industry in
the latter part of the century. The immigrants, used to
hardship and willing to work for low wages, provided the
skilled labor the industry needed to grow.
Always plug your choice into the paragraph to make sure in makes sense.
Skill #2:
Multiple Meaning
Words
Skill #2:
What is a Multiple Meaning word?
 A word with more than one meaning.
 Examples:
 funny


That joke was funny.
“That’s funny; I know I left my keys here, but now they’re gone.”
 ball
 fan
 ground
 rock
 chicken
cross
Always make sure to check how the word is being
used IN THE SELECTION!
THEA example
What is the meaning of the word institute as it is used in
the paragraph?
A. An organization
B. To establish
C. To stop
D. A school
Some companies are starting to institute
a policy of relaxed dress code on
Fridays. This has proven very popular
with employees.
A. An organization
B. To establish
C. To stop
D. A school
Always plug your choice into the paragraph to make sure in makes sense.
Durkheim's rigorous research methods captured the attention of
sociologists around the world, and were perhaps even more
important to the future development of sociology than any
specific research results could be. Within a short time, his
specific approach to formulating and testing social theory
became a model that guided the work of nearly all sociologists.
This assured Emile Durkheim a lasting place as one of the key
figures in the history of sociology.
Which of the following best defines the word model as it is used
in the last paragraph of the selection?
A.
B.
C.
D.
one of two or more alternative styles
an artist's subject
a small copy of an object
a plan to be imitated
Always plug your choice into the paragraph to make sure in makes sense.
Examples:
•It’s as dry as a bone.
•He’s as stubborn as a mule.
•She’s going to kill me if she finds out.
•Money talks.
•We walked forever.
Watch out!
The author says one thing but means
another!
THEA Example
“As the sun rose slowly in the east, the
dawn kissed the earth good morning.”
1.
In this sentence, dawn is being compared with:
A.
B.
C.
D.
The sun
The earth
A person
the east
Homework on objective #1
Handout: Skill #1 Practice Exercise
Don’t forget to take notes on each paragraph!
due at next class meeting