ENGLISH TENTH GRADE

TENTH GRADE

Critical thinking skills

Module 1 Lesson 1

Welcome!

Throughout this module, you will be able to use reading strategies, literary analysis, and critical thinking skills to construct meaning and develop understanding as well as an appreciation of a variety of genres of both fiction and nonfiction. Reading is a dynamic interactive process of constructing meaning using your existing knowledge and the information provided by the text.

This module contains information and material which will improve your reading skills. You will learn by using the best way nowadays to work individually without the straight directions of a teacher; but remember, read very carefully the instructions given.

Instruction:

Information regarding the skill will be given. Explanations and examples will be provided. Read the information carefully. Afterwards, you will find practice exercise to challenge your comprehension. Read the information, study the example and complete the exercises, quizzes and tests.

Table of Contents

Introduction and instructions

Lesson 1-Context Clues

Lesson 2-Dictionary skills

Lesson 3-Character traits

Lesson 4-Setting

Lesson 5-Point of view

Lesson 6-Plot

Lesson 1

Context Clues

Context Clues are words that say, “Stop don’t touch that dictionary. The definition of the word you don’t know is right here in the text!”

How to Use Context Clues

♦ If the context clue is one of the following: is, are, was, were, or, such as, or means, the definition will be found AFTER the word and the context clue.

♦ If the context clue is: are known as, is known as, is called, or are called, the definition will be in FRONT of the word you need to know the meaning of.

Examples:

1. Precipitation is water that falls to the earth as rain or snow.

2. Water that falls to the earth as rain or snow is called precipitation.

3. Flurries are a light snow which falls for a short time.

4. A light snow which falls for a short time is known as flurries.

5. Accumulate means to pile up.

6. In a blizzard, snow accumulates, or piles up.

Context Clues

Practicing exercise

I. Use context clues to find the definitions of words in the text you are reading.

A. Unicorn

A unicorn is a mythological animal. Mythological means made-up, or imaginary. A unicorn is always white and looks like a small horse with a horn protruding, or sticking out of, the center of its forehead. It was considered good luck to see a unicorn.

1. What is a unicorn?

2. What does mythological mean?

3. What is another word for imaginary?

4. What does protruding mean?

II. Use context clues to find the definitions of words in the questions following each section.

A. Mammoth

A mammoth was a mammal that lived during the Ice Ages. The Ice Ages were a time when much of the earth was covered by glaciers, or slowly moving rivers of ice. A mammoth looked like a hairy elephant with large tusks which curled up at the ends. The mammoth’s shaggy coat helped it survive in the cold. Things which help an animal survive in its environment are called adaptations. The mammoth had many adaptations which helped it survive in the Ice Ages.

1. What was a mammoth?

2. What were the Ice Ages?

3. What is a glacier?

4. What are adaptations?

B. Snowflakes

Snowflakes are a form of winter precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and other types of moisture that fall from the sky are known as precipitation. Snowflakes are produced, or made, when a cloud’s temperature falls beneath 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowflakes are usually in the shape of hexagons. A hexagon is a six-sided shape.

1. What is a snowflake?

2. What is precipitation?

3. What does produced mean?

4. What is a hexagon?

Context Clues

Practicing exercise-Answer key

1. A unicorn is a mythological animal.

2. Mythological means made-up, or imaginary.

3. Made-up

4. Sticking out of

II.

1. A mammoth was a mammal that lived during the Ice Ages.

2. The Ice Ages were a time when much of the earth was covered by glaciers, or slowly moving rivers of ice.

3. Slowly moving rivers of ice.

4. Things which help an animal survive in its environment.

1. Snowflakes are a form of winter precipitation.

2. Rain, snow, sleet, and other types of moisture that fall from the sky are known as precipitation.

3. Made.

4. A hexagon is a six-sided shape.

Context Clues

Quiz

I. Read each sentence below and write down the closest meaning type of context clue (contrast/antonym, restatement/synonym, example or general knowledge) that helps you define the meaning of the key term.

1. Joan loves to buy exotic foods: vegetables and herbs from China, spices from India, olives from Greece, and cheeses from France.

expensive

seasonings

rare

from other places

2. Emotionally disturbed people may be troubled by morbid thoughts. For instance, they may often think about suicide or murder.

disturbing

dealing with death

psychologically ill

scary

3. At first, the surgery seemed to be successful. But several hours later, the patient’s condition began to deteriorate, and it continued to worsen over the next few days.

stabilize

surprise everyone

change

decay or decline

4. In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits who changed him into a generous man.

cheapskate

single and elderly

unhappy

wealthy

5. Raul is an indulgent father. For instance, he lets his daughter stay up as late as she likes and he never insists that she does her homework.

lazy and caring

stupid and kind

strict and mean

lenient and tolerant

6. Languages evolve over time, as you can see if you open a page of The Canterbury Tales, written about six hundred years ago by the English poet Chaucer. It is barely recognizable as English today.

develop

age

increase complexity

regress

7. The decision Veronica made to study instead of going out for pizza with her friends was prudent. She got an A on the exam, while her friends all got D’s.

anti-social

careful and wise

selfish

calculating

8. Whenever something bad happens to Jane, she ways it’s the fault of destiny. But I prefer to take charge of my own life rather than simply blaming fate.

bad luck

evil caused by someone

poor planning

event that happens regardless

9. My father died when I was a baby, but Mom told me so many stories about him that I feel I knew him well. For example, one anecdote was about how he cried with joy when I was born.

medicine or cure

biographical account

example

joke

10. Ivan is a wonderful piano player. But Jerri is more versatile; she sings, acts, paints and writes poetry, and also plays the piano.

talented

show off

superior skills

many abilities

11. This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read at two and another could do algebra at age 6.

backward

active

ahead

pretty

12. I expected truthfulness from a doctor; I was shocked by his mendacity.

duplicity

meanness

candidness

knowledge

13. When my grandfather meets someone with that much knowledge in a field, he finds that their erudition frightens him and he is inclined to withdraw.

rudeness

scholarliness

illiteracy

age

14. When going to an office party you should show your best decorum, for example, dress your best, drink and eat moderately, and be sure to thank the host before you leave.

civility

decorations

party moves

rudeness

15. We thought that the mother would be very distraught at hearing of her husband's accident; however, she took the news quite calmly.

tranquil

angry

disgusted

anxious

16. It is refreshing to see students so excited, so zealous in doing their homework.

zany	dedicated	indifferent	jealous

Context Clues

Quiz-Answer key

1. Joan loves to buy exotic foods: vegetables and herbs from China, spices from India, olives from Greece, and cheeses from France. EXAMPLE

from other places

2. Emotionally disturbed people may be troubled by morbid thoughts. For instance, they may often think about suicide or murder. EXAMPLE

dealing with death

3. At first, the surgery seemed to be successful. But several hours later, the patient’s condition began to deteriorate, and it continued to worsen over the next few days. RESTATEMENT

decay or decline

4. In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits who changed him into a generous man. CONTRAST

cheapskate

5. Raul is an indulgent father. For instance, he lets his daughter stay up as late as she likes and he never insists that she does her homework. EXAMPLE

lenient and tolerant

6. Languages evolve over time, as you can see if you open a page of The Canterbury Tales, written about six hundred years ago by the English poet Chaucer. It is barely recognizable as English today. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

develop

7. The decision Veronica made to study instead of going out for pizza with her friends was prudent. She got an A on the exam, while her friends all got D’s. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

careful and wise

8. Whenever something bad happens to Jane, she ways it’s the fault of destiny. But I prefer to take charge of my own life rather than simply blaming fate*. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE/RESTATEMENT*

event that happens regardless

9. My father died when I was a baby, but Mom told me so many stories about him that I feel I knew him well. For example, one anecdote was about how he cried with joy when I was born*. RESTATEMENT/EXAMPLE*

biographical account

10. Ivan is a wonderful piano player. But Jerri is more versatile; she sings, acts, paints and writes poetry, and also plays the piano. EXAMPLE

many abilities

11. This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read at two and another could do algebra at age 6. EXAMPLE

active

12. I expected truthfulness from a doctor; I was shocked by his mendacity. CONTRAST

duplicity

13. When my grandfather meets someone with that much knowledge in a field, he finds that their erudition frightens him and he is inclined to withdraw. RESTATEMENT

scholarliness

14. When going to an office party you should show your best decorum, for example, dress your best, drink and eat moderately, and be sure to thank the host before you leave. EXAMPLE

civility

15. We thought that the mother would be very distraught at hearing of her husband's accident; however, she took the news quite calmly. CONTRAST

anxious

16. It is refreshing to see students so excited, so zealous in doing their homework. RESTATEMENT

dedicated

Context Clues

Test

I. Choose the best answer:

1. The unsubstantial story was as if she were retelling a dream.
Using the comparison clue, the word unsubstantial in this sentence means

unreal

true

realistic

2. Equestrian items would include saddles, horseshoes, and reins.
Using the example clue, the word equestrian in this sentence means

having to do with hair
having to do with horses

having to do with royalty

having to do with the equator

3. Ann's room was beautiful and reflected her personality while George's room was the opposite, so nondescript.
Using the antonym clue, the word nondescript in this sentence means

of no recognized type
descriptive

recognized
decorated

4. The girls languidly put on their jackets as if they had no energy at all.
Using the comparison clue, the word languidly in this sentence means

energetically
energy-less

actively
quickly

5. Although the director thought the play was exciting, the audience found the plot to be insipid.
Using the contrast clue, the word insipid in this sentence means

moving
bland

stirring
thrilling

6. Mr. Battles allowed us to choose our science project, so Eric chose to concoct, or invent, a product that would keep ice from melting in your glass.
Using the explanation clue, the word concoct in this sentence means

include
perform

diagram
invent

7. This summer we needed to move the pigs to their new pen. The old sow stubbornly refused to move. The old aphorism, "pig-headed," sure described her.
Using the example clue, the word aphorism in this sentence means

untruth
forgery

falsehood
saying

8. My younger sister can be an irritating nuisance when I am doing my homework.
Using the synonym clue, the word nuisance in this sentence means

pleasure
delight

help
annoyance

9. Famous conquistadors include Cortes, who conquered Aztec Mexico and Pizarro, who conquered Inca Peru.
Using the example clue, the word conquistadors in this sentence means

losers
victims

geographers
conquerors

10. The first performer couldn't capture the attention of the audience, but the second singer captivated them.
Using the comparison clue, the word captivated in this sentence means

disillusioned
lost

disappointed
captured

11. Jill's capricious behavior shows up when she speaks out of turn.
Using the comparison clue, the word capricious in this sentence means

steady
careless

careful
stable

12. After the driver lost control of her automobile, the vehicle careened off the road. It went down a bank and slammed into a tree.
Using the explanation clue, the word careened in this sentence means

tidied
straightened

arranged
zigzagged

13. A melancholy sadness fell over the crowd after hearing the shocking news.
Using the synonym clue, the word melancholy in this sentence means

depressed or sad
quiet

calm
good

14. Instead of climbing into bed, she decided to take a nap on the chaise.
Using the comparison clue, the word chaise in this sentence means

sleeping bag
chair

floor
bed-like furniture

15. The man who lives next door spoke brusquely to the young children, unlike his wife who is always polite.
Using the contrast clue, the word brusquely in this sentence means

courteously
calmly

kindly
gruffly or impolitely

16. The science project was easy, but the math homework was arduous.
Using the contrast clue, the word arduous in this sentence means

difficult
easy

simple
wet

17. I felt sorry for the poor pathetic dog after he was dropped off along the road in the rain.
Using the synonym clue, the word pathetic in this sentence means

sad
cheerful

joyful
happy

18. Mom and Dad used fans to ventilate the attic.
Using the explanation clue, the word ventilate in this sentence means

paint
create an air flow

tighten
close

Context Clues

Test-Answer key