Common Core: 4th Grade English Language Arts : Determine Structure

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 4th Grade English Language Arts

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

All Common Core: 4th Grade English Language Arts Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 73 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Determine Structure

Which of the following is not a story element of setting?

Possible Answers:

Time

Problem

Day

Place

Correct answer:

Problem

Explanation:

The setting is where and when a story takes place, the problem is separate from that. 

 

Example Question #12 : Determine Structure

 If a story happened a long time ago, it takes place in the:

Possible Answers:

Present

Future

Past

Correct answer:

Past

Explanation:

Stories that happened a long time ago took place in the past.

 

Example Question #13 : Determine Structure

What part of a story has conflict, obstacles, and a resolution?

Possible Answers:

The theme

The setting

The characters

The plot

Correct answer:

The plot

Explanation:

The plot of a story has conflict, obstacles, and a resolution. 

 

 

Example Question #14 : Determine Structure

The tone shows the author’s feelings about their subject. 

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

In writing, the tone shows the author's feelings towards what they are writing about. 

 

Example Question #11 : Determine Structure

Use the following poem to answer related questions.

 

Mother to Son By Langston Hughes (1922)

 

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

 

What is the structure used to organize this piece of poetry?

Possible Answers:

Free verse

Lyrical

Limerick

Haiku

Correct answer:

Free verse

Explanation:

This poem does not make use of rhyming, line counts, word counts, or any pattern. The poem is freeform and does not follow a specific “rule.”

Example Question #16 : Determine Structure

Paying Attention Pays Off

Jackson and his family were excited to be camping for the first time. They had never been to Yellowstone National Park, and they had been anticipating this trip all year. His father packed up the car, his mother made sure they had their maps, and he and his little sister Aly hopped in the back seat of their minivan ready to go. It only took about 15 minutes until Aly got on his nerves, so he put his earbuds in so he could watch videos on his phone. He must have fallen asleep because he woke up a few hours later and saw the large brown sign with white writing across the front, reading “Yellowstone National Park.” They had arrived.

They got all checked in and found their home for the next three days, campsite number 35. Dad set up the tents, and Mom consulted her itinerary for all of the upcoming activities and excursions. After they got settled in, it was time for a safety training class with the park ranger. The ranger went through what visitors should do if they encountered a dangerous wild animal, got lost, ran out of supplies, or fell into the fast-moving river. Jackson looked from side to side at his family and realized he was the only one paying attention! His mom was looking at her list, Aly was dozing off, and his father’s eyes were glazed over as he stared into the woods. He hoped they wouldn’t need to use any of these skills!

That night, after his mother and father were all tucked into their sleeping bags, Jackson and Aly snuck out of their tent to look at the stars. It was a quaint evening until Jackson heard grunting and banging coming from the campsite. He peeked around a tree with his flashlight and saw a juvenile bear pawing at the coolers and trash cans. Aly started to shout and tried to take off running. Jackson covered her mouth and reminded her that the ranger said not to scream or run away if confronted by bears. She nodded, and they stood still behind the tree and out of sight. The bear grew frustrated with the coolers and trash cans because Jackson had secured them with bungee cords, just as the ranger recommended. The bear padded off into the woods, and they snuck back to their tents exhausted. As Jackson laid in his sleeping bag, he smiled to himself, thinking about how lucky they were that he had paid attention in the ranger’s safety class.

Why would the author choose to organize the text as it is structured above?

Possible Answers:

Using a rhyme scheme keeps readers interested and entertained by the text.

To help readers learn about Yellowstone National Park.

To give readers a chronological look at the activities and excursions that Jackson and his family participated in.

To allow readers a glimpse at each family member’s personality and how they respond to problems.

Correct answer:

To allow readers a glimpse at each family member’s personality and how they respond to problems.

Explanation:

During the training class, readers could see how each family member was listening (or not listening) to the important information being shared about staying safe and what their priorities were. When faced with a dangerous situation, Aly and Jackson's responses gave readers insight into how each of them handles a problem.

Example Question #12 : Determine Structure

Samantha has highlighted keywords and phrases in a story to help identify the text structure. She has highlighted the following words/phrases:

  • because
  • so that
  • due to
  • led to
  • since

What text structure often uses these keywords and phrases?

Possible Answers:

Sequential

Problem & Solution

Cause & Effect

Compare & Contrast

Correct answer:

Cause & Effect

Explanation:

Samantha has highlights phrases and words form a text that is structured using a cause-and-effect method. In a cause-and-effect text, structure events and actions give readers the reasons or consequences of the story. An example could be, "Gregory was riding his bike quickly around that corner. He was not paying attention, and this led to him crashing into a parked car." We know the consequence is crashing, and the cause of this was not paying attention while riding the bike quickly. Many text structures can be identified based on their keywords.

Example Question #13 : Determine Structure

Paying Attention Pays Off

Jackson and his family were excited to be camping for the first time. They had never been to Yellowstone National Park, and they had been anticipating this trip all year. His father packed up the car, his mother made sure they had their maps, and he and his little sister Aly hopped in the back seat of their minivan ready to go. It only took about 15 minutes until Aly got on his nerves, so he put his earbuds in so he could watch videos on his phone. He must have fallen asleep because he woke up a few hours later and saw the large brown sign with white writing across the front, reading “Yellowstone National Park.” They had arrived.

They got all checked in and found their home for the next three days, campsite number 35. Dad set up the tents, and Mom consulted her itinerary for all of the upcoming activities and excursions. After they got settled in, it was time for a safety training class with the park ranger. The ranger went through what visitors should do if they encountered a dangerous wild animal, got lost, ran out of supplies, or fell into the fast-moving river. Jackson looked from side to side at his family and realized he was the only one paying attention! His mom was looking at her list, Aly was dozing off, and his father’s eyes were glazed over as he stared into the woods. He hoped they wouldn’t need to use any of these skills!

That night, after his mother and father were all tucked into their sleeping bags, Jackson and Aly snuck out of their tent to look at the stars. It was a quaint evening until Jackson heard grunting and banging coming from the campsite. He peeked around a tree with his flashlight and saw a juvenile bear pawing at the coolers and trash cans. Aly started to shout and tried to take off running. Jackson covered her mouth and reminded her that the ranger said not to scream or run away if confronted by bears. She nodded, and they stood still behind the tree and out of sight. The bear grew frustrated with the coolers and trash cans because Jackson had secured them with bungee cords, just as the ranger recommended. The bear padded off into the woods, and they snuck back to their tents exhausted. As Jackson laid in his sleeping bag, he smiled to himself, thinking about how lucky they were that he had paid attention in the ranger’s safety class.

What text structure is used to organize this passage?

Possible Answers:

Compare and Contrast

Problem and Solution

Cause and Effect

Explanatory/Informational

Correct answer:

Problem and Solution

Explanation:

This text is organized around a problem the family is facing. Except for Jackson, all of the family members were distracted during the ranger’s safety training class. When the bear walked onto their campsite, his sister had no clue what to do, and he had to remember the training. He solved the problem (and had even been proactive with the bungee cords) and kept himself and Aly safe.

Example Question #13 : Determine Structure

Photosynthesis

When humans or animals need energy, they find some food to eat. Plants do not get food in the same way. Plants must take materials from the environment and use energy from sunlight to make glucose, an energy-rich sugar. Plants use water and air to make food. Plants absorb moisture from the soil and take it in through their roots. The water travels up the stem and reaches the cells in the leaves. Plants must have water to allow the nutrients to be absorbed. Plants allow carbon dioxide from the air to enter their leaves through tiny holes, and it enters the leaf cells. Without air, plants would be missing one of the ingredients necessary to create glucose. Plants take light energy from sunlight to make their food. Light energy is not a material; it is an energy. Leaf cells trap light energy and use it to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar. The sugar is stored as chemical energy in the plant. When this process takes place, leaf cells release oxygen as a byproduct. This process is called photosynthesis.

What is the structure of this text?

Possible Answers:

Compare & Contrast

Problem & Solution

Explanatory/Informative

Cause & Effect

Correct answer:

Explanatory/Informative

Explanation:

This text's structure is explanatory/informative. The passage is explaining the process of photosynthesis using facts, details, and information about plants. It is non-fiction and a scientific text.

Example Question #14 : Determine Structure

Jessa is reading a text that gives the steps to making a sundial for telling time. It highlights the materials needed and then walks readers through a series of steps to create the sundial at home. How would we describe the structure of a text like this?

Possible Answers:

Sequential

Compare & Contrast

Description

Problem & Solution

Correct answer:

Sequential

Explanation:

A text that is in chronological order follows a series of steps or provides directions for creating something that would be described as a sequential text structure. Chronological and sequential are often used interchangeably because they both refer to something being in order. For Jessa to successfully makes the sundial, she has to follow the steps from beginning to end in the correct sequence.

All Common Core: 4th Grade English Language Arts Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 73 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors