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English 9

Unit 6

Reading Nonfiction

6 topics · 24 practice questions · Free responseNot yet reviewed

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Notes

Kinds of nonfiction

  • Informational, argumentative and narrative nonfiction; biography (by another), autobiography (by the subject), memoir (focused personal memories).

Central idea and summary

  • The central idea is the main point; supporting details (facts, examples, statistics, anecdotes) develop it.
  • A summary is short, objective and in your own words: central idea plus key points, no opinions.

Text structure

  • Chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, description. Signal words reveal the structure.

Purpose, perspective and language

  • Purposes: inform, persuade, entertain, explain. Separate facts (provable) from opinions (judgments) and watch for bias.
  • Text features (headings, captions, sidebars) guide readers. Word choice reveals tone.

Topics in this unit

Each topic has its own short notes and practice.

Practice

"In 1903, the Wright brothers made the first powered flight. By 1919, planes were crossing the Atlantic. Today, millions fly every day." The text structure is:
Which belongs in an objective summary of an article about coral reefs?
A writer recalls her summers on her grandparents' farm and what they taught her about hard work. This text is most likely a:
"Phones distract students. Some schools now require phones to be locked in pouches during class." The structure is:
"Volunteers planted 500 trees. Their tireless, heroic work transformed our neighborhood!" The author's tone is:
Which detail would NOT support the central idea "Exercise improves mental health"?

Free response

Write your answer first, then open the scoring guide.

Free-response question

Read the passage: "Many cities are replacing grass lawns with native plants. Native plants need less water because they are adapted to local rainfall. They also give food and shelter to local bees and butterflies. In one desert city, residents who switched cut their outdoor water use by nearly half. Critics say native gardens look messy, but supporters argue the benefits outweigh appearances."

(a) State the central idea of the passage.

Show the answer and scoring guide

Replacing lawns with native plants benefits cities by saving water and supporting wildlife.

Check off the points you earned:

(b) Identify the main text structure and one signal of it.

Show the answer and scoring guide

Cause and effect: native plants are adapted to local rainfall, so they need less water ("because"), which results in lower water use. Problem and solution is also acceptable if explained (high water use solved by native plants).

Check off the points you earned:

(c) Write a two-sentence objective summary.

Show the answer and scoring guide

Cities are swapping grass lawns for native plants, which use less water and support pollinators; in one desert city, outdoor water use dropped by nearly half. Some critics dislike the look, but supporters say the benefits matter more.

Check off the points you earned:

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