Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : Reading to Compare and Contrast Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts

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All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources

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Example Question #11 : Reading To Compare And Contrast Texts

Text 1:

One clear advantage of selling goods online is that smaller markets can be served without the seller needing to invest in high inventory costs. Recordings of classical music, for example, are increasingly hard to find at the larger music chains. Now the classical music lover can locate nearly any classical CD in print on the Internet.

In addition, forward-thinking artists without national followings have made their music available on personal sites or through services that provide the musicians with a more generous share of profits than that offered by the large record labels. For some, this has resulted in increased sales volume, greater return on investment, greater control of the product, and a more direct connection with their fan base.

Major orchestras and record labels have taken note, and have created websites where one can purchase individual tracks, full CDs, archival recordings, and even music exclusively made available for online downloads. Some symphony orchestras now include, with the price of admission to a concert, the right to download a recording of the concert afterward. Other services allow the listener unlimited streaming or downloading for a monthly fee.

Text 2:

One disadvantage of selling goods online is that smaller retailers can be crushed by large online retailers. Big corporations that sell online have access to more goods so that brings the cost of each item down exponentially. They place larger orders and can carry more varieties of products so they may be able to satisfy more customers.

Just about anything can be found online so it takes away the fun of the hunt. Digging through vintage record bins, combing through racks of clothing, or spending a day out shopping with friends is reduced to a few clicks online and waiting 3-5 business days for the package to arrive. Small businesses are losing foot traffic to their stores and facing declining sales when a big box store can beat their price with a cheaper imported good.

Musicians, for example, may have CDs to sell after a performance but when people can download the single song they like or it can be listened to on a streaming service the artist can lose out on those sales. Many artists don’t produce a tangible good anymore and just make their goods available for digital download or purchase.

How do these authors present their information similarly or differently?

Possible Answers:

The authors present similar perspectives and information.

The authors present different perspectives and formats for their information.

The authors present similar perspectives but their information is presented differently.

The authors present differing perspectives but their information is presented similarly.

Correct answer:

The authors present differing perspectives but their information is presented similarly.

Explanation:

Both authors present their opinions and unverified evidence to support their opinions about online sales. They do not have the same viewpoint on the topic but have similar formats for sharing.

Example Question #12 : Reading To Compare And Contrast Texts

Text 1:

Genetic investigations into the origins of human life most often focus on mitochondrial DNA. As opposed to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA is transmitted only from the mother. This allows for the tracing of mutations that arise independently of changes that occur because of the combining of the mother’s and father’s DNA. As useful as this is, the high mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA allows scientists to look at only relatively recent prehistory.


Text 2:

Nuclear DNA, on the other hand, has a low mutation rate, making it ideal for looking into the more distant past. Studying the nuclear DNA of fossils now shows a substantial decrease in population size in Europe and Asia approximately 50—80 thousand years ago. No such decrease happened in Africa. This supports the idea that migrants from Africa replaced all previous humans, and did not interbreed with earlier migrants.

Does either of the authors present unfair or biased information?

Possible Answers:

The author of text 1 provides both unfair and biased information.

The authors of both texts do not present unfair or biased information.

The author of text 2 provides both unfair and biased information.

Both of the authors provide unfair and biased information.

Correct answer:

The authors of both texts do not present unfair or biased information.

Explanation:

Both authors stick to the scientific facts and not present anything that is biased, unfair or alludes to personal opinion.

Example Question #13 : Reading To Compare And Contrast Texts

Text 1:

Genetic investigations into the origins of human life most often focus on mitochondrial DNA. As opposed to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA is transmitted only from the mother. This allows for the tracing of mutations that arise independently of changes that occur because of the combining of the mother’s and father’s DNA. As useful as this is, the high mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA allows scientists to look at only relatively recent prehistory.


Text 2:

Nuclear DNA, on the other hand, has a low mutation rate, making it ideal for looking into the more distant past. Studying the nuclear DNA of fossils now shows a substantial decrease in population size in Europe and Asia approximately 50—80 thousand years ago. No such decrease happened in Africa. This supports the idea that migrants from Africa replaced all previous humans, and did not interbreed with earlier migrants.

Do the authors’ present facts or opinions?

Possible Answers:

The author of passage 2 presents facts while the author of passage 1 provides opinions.

The authors of both passages present opinions.

The authors both passages present facts that are backed up by scientific evidence.

The author of passage 1 presents facts while the author of passage 2 provides opinions.

Correct answer:

The authors both passages present facts that are backed up by scientific evidence.

Explanation:

Neither author presents a personal opinion, both stick to using scientific facts to make their arguments.

Example Question #11 : Reading To Compare And Contrast Texts

Text 1:

Genetic investigations into the origins of human life most often focus on mitochondrial DNA. As opposed to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA is transmitted only from the mother. This allows for the tracing of mutations that arise independently of changes that occur because of the combining of the mother’s and father’s DNA. As useful as this is, the high mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA allows scientists to look at only relatively recent prehistory.


Text 2:

Nuclear DNA, on the other hand, has a low mutation rate, making it ideal for looking into the more distant past. Studying the nuclear DNA of fossils now shows a substantial decrease in population size in Europe and Asia approximately 50—80 thousand years ago. No such decrease happened in Africa. This supports the idea that migrants from Africa replaced all previous humans, and did not interbreed with earlier migrants.

What structure do both authors use to organize their text?

Possible Answers:

Problem and solution

Chronological

Explanatory

Cause and effect

Correct answer:

Explanatory

Explanation:

When comparing both texts the authors use the same text structure to organize their writing, explanatory also called an informative structure. The authors use this structure to share information related to the topic in an informative way supported by evidence.

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All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources

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