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Generic Reading Comprehension - Non-fiction

Last updated about 6 years ago
25 questions
Note from the author:
A generic template for reading comprehension. Works with any non-fiction text. Suitable for Middle and High School!
How to use this formative!
This formative contains generic questions, designed to work with any non-fiction text or excerpt, in the following areas:
  • Structure
  • Text features
  • Main idea and supporting details
  • Author's point of view and purpose
  • Argument and claims
  • Connections (text to text, text to self, text to world).
Feel free to delete sections and questions that don't apply to your text, modify questions so that they apply better, and/or to add your own questions!

Remember to:
  • Add an answer key to questions to enable autograding
  • Adjust the number of points each question is worth
  • Adjust whether you want students to be able to earn partial credit on each question
  • Tag your own standards
  • Add a header image, to the formative, if you'd like to!

Want to see an example of this formative with a text excerpt? Check out this link or use clone code: HTMGWJ.
2

Put the points from the text into the correct sequence.

  1. Point 5
  2. Point 1
  3. Point 2
  4. Point 4
  5. Point 6 (etc)
  6. Point 3
1

How is the text organized?

3
4

Which text features does this text include? Select all that apply.

3

Pick one text feature, and explain: why did the author choose to use this text feature?

3

Pick one paragraph in the text, and write 1 sentence that summarizes the main idea of that paragraph. Think about:
  • What is the author saying about the topic in this paragraph?
  • What do the first and last sentences say?
  • What idea do the details in this paragraph support?

4

What is the main idea of the entire text? Summarize it in 1-2 sentences. Think about:
  • What message about the topic does the author want the reader to remember?
  • What idea do the details in this text support?

4

Give at least two pieces of evidence from the text to support your answer to the previous question.
Explain how each detail supports the main idea.

3

Which kinds of supporting details does the author use in this text? Select all that apply.

3

Write an objective summary of the text in a logical order (4 - 7 sentences). Use present tense.

1

What was the author's purpose when writing this text?

3
2

What is the author's point of view (opinion) about the topic? Summarize it in 1-2 sentences.

4

Give at least two pieces of evidence from the text to support your answer to the previous question.
Explain how each piece of evidence supports your answer. Think about:
  • The language used by the author (especially adjectives / adverbs)
  • The facts, details, and examples chosen by the author
  • The text structure chosen by the author

1

Which statement would the author most likely agree with?

1

Which statement would the author most likely disagree with?

4

Which rhetorical strategies and devices does the author use to advance their point of view (opinion) or purpose? Select all that apply.

3

Pick one rhetorical strategy / device from the previous question, and explain how it advances the author's point of view (opinion) or purpose.

2

What is the author's main argument (central claim)? Summarize it in 1-2 sentences.

4

Which features of effective arguments are present in this text? Select all that apply.

2
2
2

Does the text contain any of these logical fallacies? Select all that apply.

2

Pick one logical fallacy from the text and explain why it is a logical fallacy:

5

Pick one of these options and write an essay response:
  1. How do the ideas or claims in this text remind you of another text? (Which details are emphasized or absent in each text?)
  2. How do the ideas or claims in this text relate to your own life, ideas, and experiences? (Do you agree or disagree with the ideas or claims? Why?)
  3. How do the ideas or claims in this text relate to our world? (Does the text make you wonder about the past or future? Does the text remind you of a present situation in the world?)

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