Daily Reading Practice

Day 10 of 10
Grade 6 ELA | Comparative Analysis | Part A/Part B Format
FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.6.R.3.3 - Compare and contrast how authors from different time periods address the same or related topics.
IXL Skills: Compare and contrast in informational texts; Analyze multiple accounts of the same topic
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Directions: Read the two passages below carefully. Both discuss the importance of education but were written in different time periods. Then answer the questions that follow, comparing and contrasting how the authors approach this topic.
Two Perspectives on Education Across Time

Passage A: From Frederick Douglass's Autobiography (1845)

Learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing, my master often said. It would make me unfit for slavery. The more I read, the more I understood the true horror of my condition. Yet I would not trade this knowledge for anything. Reading opened my eyes to the possibility of freedom, gave me words to name my suffering, and planted in my heart the unshakeable belief that I was meant for something more than chains.

I learned wherever I could, from whatever scraps of newspaper or book I could find, from the white boys on the street who traded lessons for bread. Education was forbidden fruit, and I devoured it hungrily, knowing that each word was a step closer to liberation.

Adapted from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)

Passage B: From a Modern Education Advocate (2023)

In today's digital age, access to information has never been easier. Students can learn virtually anything with a few clicks. Yet this abundance presents its own challenges. How do we teach young people to navigate endless streams of content? How do we help them distinguish fact from fiction, quality from noise?

The fundamentals of education remain unchanged: critical thinking, curiosity, and the courage to question. But we must adapt our methods. Today's students need not just access to information but the skills to evaluate, synthesize, and apply it. Education in our era is less about memorizing facts and more about developing the judgment to use knowledge wisely.

From "Education in the Information Age" by Dr. Maya Richardson (2023)

Questions 1-2: Comparing Perspectives
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
What is a KEY DIFFERENCE in how the two authors view the challenges of education?
A
Douglass believes education is important, while Richardson does not.
B
Richardson focuses on physical access to schools, while Douglass focuses on digital access.
C
Douglass faced barriers to accessing education itself, while Richardson's challenges involve managing an overabundance of information.
D
Both authors face identical challenges in their different time periods.
Part B
Which pair of quotations BEST illustrates the difference identified in Part A?
A
Douglass: "Reading opened my eyes" / Richardson: "The fundamentals of education remain unchanged"
B
Douglass: "Education was forbidden fruit" / Richardson: "access to information has never been easier"
C
Douglass: "I learned wherever I could" / Richardson: "developing the judgment to use knowledge wisely"
D
Douglass: "I would not trade this knowledge" / Richardson: "critical thinking, curiosity, and courage"
Practice this skill on IXL: Compare and contrast in informational texts
Questions 3-4: Analyzing Common Ground
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
Despite their different time periods, what belief do BOTH authors share about education?
A
Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives and requires active effort to use effectively.
B
Education should be restricted to certain groups of people.
C
Technology has made education easier for everyone.
D
Schools are the only place where real learning can happen.
Part B
Which detail from BOTH passages supports the shared belief identified in Part A?
A
Both mention that learning requires money and resources.
B
Both describe education as something that should be avoided.
C
Both focus primarily on teaching methods in schools.
D
Both emphasize that learners must actively engage with and apply knowledge, not just receive it passively.
Practice this skill on IXL: Compare information from two texts
FAST Success Kit | Grade 6 Daily Reading Practice | Day 10
FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.6.R.3.3 | Lexile: 990L-1030L
Practice questions mirror Florida FAST assessment Part A/Part B format
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Answer Key (Teacher Reference)

Question 1 Part A: C - Douglass faced barriers to accessing education itself, while Richardson's challenges involve managing an overabundance of information.
This captures the fundamental difference: scarcity vs. abundance of access.
Question 1 Part B: B - Douglass: "Education was forbidden fruit" / Richardson: "access to information has never been easier"
These directly contrast the lack of access vs. overwhelming access.
Question 2 Part A: A - Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives and requires active effort to use effectively.
Both authors view education as transformative and requiring engagement.
Question 2 Part B: D - Both emphasize that learners must actively engage with and apply knowledge, not just receive it passively.
Douglass "devoured" learning; Richardson emphasizes "evaluate, synthesize, and apply."