Non-Fiction Text Types

Non-Fiction Text Types

Practice

The following questions are practice for identifying non-fiction text types.

• Read each question and choose the best answer

• Use your notes to help you

• Read the follow up slide to explain the answer

Multiple Choice

1. The Diaphragm

The diaphragm almost always works perfectly. When you inhale, it pulls down to help pull air into the lungs. As a result of exhaling, the diaphragm relaxes and air flows out of the lungs back out through the nose and mouth. But sometimes the diaphragm becomes irritated. When this happens, it pulls down in a jerky way, which makes you suck air into your throat suddenly. Consequently, the rushing air hits your

voice box. This results in your vocal cords closing suddenly, and you're left with a big hiccup. WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Description

• B. Sequence and Order

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

It is cause and effect because it talks about if something happens to the diaphragm, there is a reaction. There was a cause (irritation), there was an effect (reaction of the diaphragm).

Multiple Choice

2. The World’s Largest Primate

All gorillas are primates, and they are the largest primates found in the world. There are two types of gorillas, the mountain gorilla and the lowland gorilla. There are distinct differences between them; the mountain gorilla is larger, with longer hair and shorter arms than their lowland gorilla cousins. Lowland gorillas are much more likely to be seen in the trees, and prefer a more heavily forested, flatter habitat than the mountain gorilla.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Description

• B. Sequence and Order

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

The article is comparing and contrasting the two types of gorillas. The lowland and mountain gorillas. Though it may seem like description, it is comparison and contrast.

Key phrase: distinct differences

Multiple Choice

3. Tornadoes

A tornado is a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of causing tremendous destruction with wind speeds of up to 300

mph. They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards. They can also drive straw into trees. Their effects can result in damage paths in excess of one mile wide to 50 miles long. In an average year, 1000 tornadoes are reported nationwide.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Sequence and Order

• B. Problem and Solution

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Description

WHY?

The text talks about tornados. They give a description of what they are and what they do. They talk about how many there have been. They do not talk about tornadoes as being a problem or how they function in their destruction.

Multiple Choice

4. How Tornadoes Form

Most tornadoes form from thunderstorms. It all starts with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from Canada. When these two air masses meet, they create instability in the atmosphere. Then the wind direction changes and the wind speed increases with increasing height. It creates an invisible, horizontal spinning movement in the lower atmosphere. Next, rising air within the updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical. Finally, it reaches an area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide. Most strong and violent tornadoes form within this area of strong rotation.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Description

• B. Sequence and Order

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

This text discusses the process for tornadoes forming. The title even mentions that this is an event with steps.

It uses these transition words:

It all starts, then, next, finally.

Multiple Choice

5. Climate Change

Scientists know that carbon emissions produced from technology damages the ozone layer and is also altering the climate of the planet. While this problem seems daunting, there are some solutions that could diminish the effects of climate change. One possible solution is to place a carbon tax on businesses in order to reduce their carbon footprint. Another is for people to reduce their own everyday carbon footprint by doing things such as carpooling and taking their bikes to work.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Sequence and Order

• B. Problem and Solution

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

This article says the words problem and solution. It talks about carbon emissions being a problem and then offers solutions to fix it.

Multiple Choice

6. Extreme Sports of the 11th Century

When most of us think of extreme sports, modern activities like snowboarding, BMX, and surfboarding come to mind. However, historically speaking, extreme sports have always been a part of

our culture. For instance, jousting was a fairly extreme sport in medieval times, wherein two people riding horses gallop towards each other at full speed while attempting to knock the other one off their horse. Originally, jousting was simply a military tactic utilized by heavy cavalry. Members of the nobility, especially knights, eventually adopted jousting as a sport, allowing them to display their courage and

skills. Jousting was quite a dangerous activity, and injuries were common. In fact, it was eventually discontinued in France when King Henry II died in a jousting accident during the 16th century.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Description

• B. Sequence and Order

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

This is description because it is simply offering a description of jousting and its history and uses examples of jousting through history.

Multiple Choice

7. Snowboarding

Learning how to snowboard can be a fairly intimidating process, but it is easy to prepare in terms of equipment. First, one should purchase some suitable gear, including a good windproof

jacket, goggles, thermal layers, snow pants, and other winter clothing; be sure to check that everything fits. Next, you should purchase a snowboard, taking into consideration factors such as

experience level, weight, and board width; it is recommended to start with a used board if taking cost into consideration. Then, determine which foot you would like to lead with on your snowboard.

A good way to do this is by sliding on a smooth floor; the foot that ends up further out than the other should be used as the leading foot. After that, one may wish to contact an instructor to safely learn

the basics. Snowboarding is a very enjoyable activity when one is outfitted and trained properly.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Sequence and Order

• B. Problem and Solution

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

This is sequence and order because it is discussing the steps for snowboarding from finding the right equipment to taking lessons. It uses transition words like:

First, next, then, after that

Multiple Choice

8. The Birth of Monsters

The popular Pokémon franchise actually began in 1996, when the first

games were released for the Nintendo Game Boy. Since then, millions of people around the world have played the games, collected cards, and watched the animated shows. The franchise reached new heights in July 2016, when creators, Niantic and the PokémonCompany, released Pokémon GO, an app for smartphones. Before long, Pokémon GO became a worldwide phenomenon. The game’s popularity grew so rapidly that it had already reached more than 15 million downloads by January 2017.

WHAT IS THE TEXT STRUCTURE?

• A. Description

• B. Sequence and Order

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Cause and Effect

WHY?

This paragraph has dates that go in order. It is discussing the popularity of Pokemon over time (from 1996-2017).

Words like since then and the dates help you see this is sequence and order.

Multiple Choice

9. Read this sentence:

“For example, Charizard is a fire-breathing dragon-like creature, while Pikachu is an electric mouse-like Pokémon.”

The word “while” introduces an element of which text structure?

• A. Description

• B. Cause and Effect

• C. Compare and Contrast

• D. Problem and Solution

WHY?

They are comparing Charizard and Pikachi. Using the word "while", they are separating the two Pokemon and pointing out differences between them. Therefore, that word signals this is a compare and contrast structure.

Multiple Choice

10. Imagine you are assigned to write a feature article called "A Day in the Life of a Pokémon Go Player", in which you follow the player around and explain what their experiences are.

Which organizational structure would you be likely to use?

• A. Compare and Contrast

• B. Problem and Solution

• C. Cause and Effect

• D. Sequence and Order

WHY?

Since you would be documenting what someone is doing for their whole day while looking for Pokemon, it would be sequence and order. This happened first, then this, etc.