Text Structure | Answer Keys

Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	Compare and Contrast Signal words include "both," "but," "Similarly," "However," "while," "whereas"
2	C. Chronological Order Signal words "First," "Then," "Next," "Finally" and dates show time sequence.
3	Cause and effect structure would help the author show WHY climate change happens (causes) and WHAT results from it (effects). This structure helps readers understand the relationships between human actions and environmental consequences.
4	A = c (chronological - biography shows life events in order); B = d (cause/effect - deforestation CAUSES effects on wildlife); C = b (problem/solution - plastic waste is a problem needing solutions); D = a (compare/contrast - comparing two types of pets)
5	Understanding text structure helps readers follow the author's ideas, predict what comes next, see how information connects, take better notes, and remember information better. It also helps readers understand WHY the author organized the text that way.

Practice Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. Cause and Effect
2	"Because," "as a result," "consequences," "Consequently," "Due to," "therefore" (any three)
3	1) Farmers plowed up native prairie grasses (removing vegetation) 2) Severe drought struck in 1931 (natural conditions)
4	The cause-and-effect structure helps readers understand WHY the Dust Bowl happened and WHAT resulted from it. This organization shows the chain reaction: human actions + drought led to dust storms, which led to migration and economic effects, which led to conservation programs.
5	"During the 1930s," "For decades," "in 1931" - these time references add chronological context within the overall cause/effect structure.
6	C. Compare and Contrast
7	"Similarly," "both," "also" (any two showing similarities)
8	"In contrast," "on the other hand," "differ" (any two showing differences)
9	Compare/contrast is effective because students are transitioning between the two levels and need to understand both similarities (what stays the same) and differences (what to expect). This helps readers make informed decisions and adjustments.
10	C. Problem and Solution
11	Teen sleep deprivation / chronic lack of sleep among teenagers
12	1) Delaying school start times 2) Education about sleep hygiene 3) Screen-free hours before bed / sleep tracking apps 4) Reducing homework load 5) Stress-management resources (any three)
13	Early school start times, homework, extracurricular activities, and screen time are identified as causes of teen sleep deprivation.
14	The problem-solution structure helps the author first establish why teen sleep deprivation matters (the problem is serious) and then show readers that there ARE ways to address it. This organization creates urgency while also providing hope through solutions.
15	Passage 1 (Dust Bowl) focuses primarily on causes and effects - it explains what caused the disaster and what resulted from it. Passage 3 (Sleep Crisis) identifies causes but focuses primarily on SOLUTIONS to the problem. Both discuss causes, but they have different overall purposes: understanding the past vs. taking action for the future.
16	Problem/Solution or Cause/Effect might be more persuasive. The author could present elementary school limitations as "problems" that middle school "solves," or show how middle school "causes" positive effects like independence and more opportunities. Compare/contrast is more objective; these structures would allow the author to make an argument.

FAST Format Quiz Answers

Question	Answer
1	C. Problem and Solution The passage identifies a problem (garbage patch) and discusses solutions (cleanup, prevention).
2	A. Cause and Effect Paragraph 2 explains causes (plastic production, plastic not biodegrading) and effects (accumulation, marine life death).
3	B. "Because" and "Consequently" These are classic cause/effect signal words.
4	B. It helps readers understand both the urgency of the issue and possible actions to address it.
5	C. Compare and Contrast
6	C. "In contrast," "on the other hand," "differed"
7	C. It helps readers understand how two competing nations approached the same goal differently.
8	See rubric and sample response below.
9	See rubric and sample response below.
10	See rubric and sample response below.

Question 8 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Correctly identifies that the passage is NOT primarily chronological and explains that dates/times serve as supporting details within a compare/contrast structure. Shows understanding that the PRIMARY structure is determined by overall organization.
1	Identifies the passage is not primarily chronological but explanation is incomplete or partially accurate.
0	Incorrectly states the passage is primarily chronological, or provides no reasoning.

Sample 2-Point Response:
No, the passage is not primarily chronological even though it mentions dates. The dates (1957, 1961, 1965) are used as examples to support the comparison between the Soviet and American approaches. The overall organization compares and contrasts the two programs across multiple topics: achievements, funding, and tragedies. A chronological structure would follow events in order from start to finish, but this passage is organized by TOPICS being compared, not by time.

Question 9 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Identifies both structures correctly, explains each author's purpose, and uses specific evidence from both passages.
1	Identifies structures but explanation of purposes is incomplete or uses evidence from only one passage.
0	Incorrectly identifies structures or fails to connect structure to purpose.

Sample 2-Point Response:
The garbage patch passage uses problem/solution structure because the author wants readers to understand an environmental crisis AND see that solutions exist. Signal phrases like "Several solutions are being developed" show the author's purpose is to inform and inspire action. The space race passage uses compare/contrast because the author wants readers to understand how two nations approached the same goal differently. Signal words like "in contrast" and "on the other hand" help readers see both similarities and differences. Problem/solution creates urgency; compare/contrast promotes understanding.

Question 10 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Correctly identifies chronological order and provides clear reasoning about why this structure fits the topic (history, development over time).
1	Identifies chronological order but explanation is weak or incomplete.
0	Identifies an inappropriate structure or provides no reasoning.

Sample 2-Point Response:
Chronological order would be most appropriate for writing about smartphone history from 2007 to present. Since the topic is about how smartphones developed OVER TIME, organizing by time sequence makes sense. The author could start with the first iPhone in 2007, then discuss developments like app stores, larger screens, and new features in the order they appeared. Signal words like "first," "then," and "by 2020" would help readers follow the timeline of innovation.

Quick Reference: Text Structures

Structure	Purpose	Key Signal Words
Chronological	Show sequence/timeline	First, then, next, finally, before, after
Cause/Effect	Explain why/results	Because, therefore, as a result, consequently
Compare/Contrast	Show similarities/differences	Similarly, however, in contrast, on the other hand
Problem/Solution	Present issue and responses	The problem is, one solution, to solve this
Description	Detail characteristics	For example, such as, specifically