Text Structure

Text Structure: Main Idea and Chronological Order

 A. Read the passage. Look for clues that tell you what kind of text structure is used to organize the writing.

A Healthy Resolution Many people make a resolution to eat well so they can be healthy. Kim decided to change what she ate. First, she plans her menus for the week. She eats three meals a day, starting with breakfast. Between meals, she has a healthy snack such as nuts. Then for lunch and dinner, she includes a variety of colorful vegetables, such as broccoli, peppers, and spinach, each day. Desserts are always fresh fruits.  

  Chronological Order  Main Idea. Tell me how you know. 

Look for clues that tell you what kind of text structure is used to organize the writing. 

Healthy Diet Plan There are basic things you should do when starting a healthy diet. Make sure to eat a variety of foods. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Limit sugary foods, foods made with white flour, and salty snacks. Drink water and other healthy beverages such as milk.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

In 1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified certain stages of mourning that people go through when they experience a loss. In the first stage, the person denies what has happened. Next comes anger, and then bargaining: "If I promise to do this, then everything will be better." This is often followed by depression—sadness about the loss. The final stage of grief is acceptance. Acceptance isn't the same as happiness, but rather is an acknowledgement of the need to get on with living despite the loss. Kübler-Ross said that these feelings are all a natural part of mourning, but that each person grieves in his or her unique way.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

Experts in emergency preparedness recommend that families practice fire drills at home. Here's what's involved: First, discuss what each family member would do in case of a fire. Make sure that everyone knows the locations of the exits they should use in the event of a fire. Second, make sure that all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in working order, and make sure that someone knows how to use them. Third, practice using fire-escape ladders if you will need them. Fourth, establish a place where family members will meet up in the event of a fire. This could be a neighbor's house or other nearby location. Finally, conduct a complete fire drill, exiting the house and using the equipment you'd need in a real fire.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

A special type of vote called a "popular referendum" gives voters the opportunity to cancel a law passed by their legislature. It's available to voters in twenty-four states. After the state legislature approves a law, voters can circulate a referendum petition. They must collect a specified number of voters' signatures within a certain number of days—generally ninety—and deliver them to a designated state official, usually the secretary of state. The official then must review and verify that the petition contains a sufficient number of valid signatures of registered voters. Once the signatures are certified, the referendum is placed on the ballot in a statewide election. At that point, the voters decide whether to approve or disapprove the law. If they disapprove it, it never goes into effect.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

Bicycles have evolved over many years. In 1818, a heavy two-wheeled device called a "velocipede" was patented in Paris. The rider controlled the direction with a steering wheel and moved it forward by pushing his feet on the ground. It caught on briefly, and many people worked to refine its design. In 1863, pedals were added. A few years later, a new, lighter bike was developed that used a very large front wheel and a small rear wheel. Called the "Ariel," it became popular but was quite accident-prone. Over the next decade, "safety" bicycles were produced, incorporating welcome improvements such as air-filled rubber tires, brakes, and gears. By 1899, about a million bicycles were in use.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

Blooms in Death Valley

In March 2016, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a rare occurrence: thousands of yellow wildflowers covered the region in a "super bloom." Why was this unusual? Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. The area's average yearly precipitation is just two inches, making it a challenging place for flowers to grow. However, in October 2015, the valley had received more than three inches of rain in some areas. As a result of the unusually wet season, wildflower seeds that had been lying dormant underground suddenly began to grow, producing an abundance of golden blooms.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

The Evolving Human Skeleton

Our early ancestors were hunter-gatherers who obtained food by hunting and by searching for edible wild plants. They needed strong bones, including large, strong jaws that enabled them to eat tough, uncooked foods. When our ancestors developed agriculture, however, their diet changed. They began growing plants, such as grains and beans, and raising animals for food; they also started cooking their foods, making them softer and easier to chew. Consequently, the human skeleton underwent radical changes. Over time, the human jaw became smaller and changed shape. Other bones also evolved, becoming lighter, especially in the joints, as a result of both dietary changes and a less active lifestyle.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

The First "Newspaper" War

The Crimean War was fought in the 1850s between Russia on one side and Britain, France, and Turkey on the other. Although it was a major conflict, it is perhaps best remembered as the first war in which journalists were present on the battlefield. News dispatches from William Howard Russell, a reporter for the Times of London, exposed military blunders and revealed the filthy conditions that existed in military hospitals and camps. Photographers such as James Robertson and Roger Fenton made hundreds of photographs of soldiers on the battlefield. These news reports and photographs provided an uncensored look at life on the frontlines. The Crimean War marked the first time in history that people back home were exposed to the horrors of war.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.

When Heidi Transformed Televised Football

On November 17, 1968, football fans across the United States sat glued to their televisions. A close game between two top teams—the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders—was being broadcast. When the Jets pulled ahead with only fifty seconds remaining, viewers went wild. But then, just as the Raiders were bringing the ball across midfield, the game disappeared from the screen! In its place, a previously scheduled children's movie, Heidi, started playing. Callers flooded the TV network's phone lines, but it was too late. The Raiders scored two touchdowns in the very final moments—touchdowns that were unseen by all but West Coast viewers. As a result of the interrupted event, dubbed "the Heidi game," television networks began delaying their regularly scheduled programs until football games had ended.

Chronological Order Main Idea. Tell me how you know.