1. Aim: 7th Grade ELA
Strategies and Preparation!
This year the ELA will be held on April 17,
18, & 19, 2012.
2. Context Clues
What does it mean?
When readers come to an unfamiliar word, they should first
try to use context clues to figure out the meaning.
Context clues are the words in the same sentence or in the
sentences around the unknown word.
3. Context Clues
Example
Volcanoes can erupt without warning. Scientists monitor
volcanoes so that they may predict eruptions. Scientists
use equipment to watch the volcanoes.
MONITOR most likely means...
4. Context Clues
Example
Volcanoes can erupt without warning. Scientists monitor
volcanoes so that they may predict eruptions. Scientists use
equipment to watch the volcanoes.
MONITOR most likely means...
Answer:
“To check” or “to keep track of.”
5. Drawing Conclusions
What does it mean?
When readers form an overall opinion after reading, they
draw a conclusion.
Conclusions are based on text details.
6. Drawing Conclusions
Example
The National Weather Service issues tornado watches and
tornado warnings. The service also has storm spotters who
report what they see in the sky.
What can you conclude about the National Weather
Service?
7. Drawing Conclusions
Example
The National Weather Service issues tornado watches and
tornado warnings. The service also has storm spotters who
report what they see in the sky.
What can you conclude about the National Weather
Service?
Answer:
The National Weather Service provides the public with
information about tornadoes.
8. Author's Purpose
What does it mean?
Writing may have different purposes.
An author may write to entertain or to inform or teach
readers.
Writers may also write to persuade readers to think or
act in certain ways.
Sometimes authors write for more than one reason.
9. Author's Purpose
Example
Flu season is here. How can you protect yourself? Get
plenty of rest. Wash your hands often. Eat healthy foods,
drink lots of liquids like water, juice, and Fluless. Fluless
tastes great and is good for you! Everyone should drink it.
What is the author's purpose?
10. Author's Purpose
Example
Flu season is here. How can you protect yourself? Get
plenty of rest. Wash your hands often. Eat healthy foods,
drink lots of liquids like water, juice, and Fluless. Fluless
tastes great! Everyone should drink it.
What is the author's purpose?
Answer:
To inform readers about ways to protect themselves
from the flu, and/or to persuade readers to drink
Fluless.
11. ELA Listening Section Strategies
● Don't worry about grammar, spelling, and
punctuation when note taking.
12. ELA Listening Section Strategies
● Don't worry about grammar, spelling, and
punctuation when note taking.
● Focus on the information you are listening
to, not on the proper presentation (use
abbreviations, not full sentences).
13. ELA Listening Section Strategies
● Don't worry about grammar, spelling, and
punctuation when note taking.
● Focus on the information you are listening
to, not on the proper presentation (use
abbreviations, not full sentences).
● You can add bullet points or a dash mark to
indicate the start of a new note. This may
help you to not repeat information.
14. ELA Listening Section Strategies
Two-Column Note Taking:
Fold a piece of paper in half.
Use the left side to take notes while you listen
the first time.
Use the right side to add anything you missed
as you listen again.
16. Question 1: What often happens to horses
after they are past their prime?
A. They retire.
B. They are abandoned or sold to slaughter houses.
C. Jockeys run the horses until they die naturally.
D. They are used to breed more racing horses.
17. Question 1: What often happens to racing
horses after they are past their prime?
B. They are abandoned or sold to slaughter
houses
18. Question 2: Read the following excerpt from the
passage.
“It’s one thing to hunt and fish for food. Although some
people oppose this as well, animals do provide people with
SUSTENANCE.”
The word SUSTENANCE MOST LIKELY means?
A. Companionship
B. Warmth
C. Nourishment
D. Entertainment
19. Question 3: The word SUSTENANCE MOST
LIKELY means?
C. Nourishment
20. Question 3: Read the following excerpt from
the passage.
“Occasionally, a horse will break a leg during the race and
have to be EUTHANIZED."
Which word or phrase MOST CLOSELY means EUTHANIZED?
A. Killed painlessly
B. Healed
C. Left injured
D. Carried off
21.
Question 3: Which word or phrase most closely
means EUTHANIZED?
A. Killed painlessly
22. Question 4: What is the author’s
purpose for writing this passage?
A. Provide a brief history of animal abuse through the
ages.
B. Compare how different countries use animals for sport
and entertainment.
C. Convince readers to stop buying tickets to sporting
events and circuses.
D. Persuade readers that animals should not be used for
sport or entertainment.
23. Question 4: What is the author’s
purpose for writing this passage?
D. Persuade readers that animals should not be used for
sport or entertainment.
24. Question 5: What is the author’s main
idea regarding hunting and fishing?
A. Only select cultures have a legitimate right to hunt or
fish.
B. They should not be done under any circumstances.
C. They are acceptable as a sport, but not for
entertainment.
D. They are acceptable if done for food, but never for
sport.
25. Question 5: What is the author’s main
idea regarding hunting and fishing?
D. They are acceptable if done for food, but never for
sport.
26. Question 6: An alternate title for this passage
could be?
A. "Animals Are Treated Fairly"
B. "Humans Are Smarter Than Animals"
C. "Animal Treatment Must Be Improved"
D. "No More Fishing Or Hunting!"
27. Question 6: An alternate title for this passage
could be?
C. "Animal Treatment Must Be Improved"
28. Question 7: What conclusion can be made
about the author of "Animals Deserve Better?"
A. The author thinks people are justified when they hunt
or fish for sport
B. The author believes that animals should NOT be used
for sport and entertainment
C. The author believes circuses and zoos are proper
habitats for animals
D. The author thinks people are NOT justified when
hunting or fishing for food
29. Question 7: What conclusion can be made
about the author of "Animals Deserve Better?"
B. The author believes that animals should NOT be used
for sport and entertainment
30. Question 8: Which new detail would BEST
make the argument more convincing?
A. Statistics proving that many horses get hurt in sports.
B. A quote from a child who enjoys going to the circus.
C. Examples of cultures that traditionally hunt for sport.
D. A list of television programs about sport fishing.
31. Question 8: Which new detail would
BEST make the argument more
convincing?
A. Statistics proving that many horses get hurt in sports.
32. Short Response:
Using one detail from the article for
each box, complete the chart below to
describe how the author believes
bullfighting and horse racing are cruel.
How bullfighting is cruel? How horse racing is cruel?
