Ask/Answer 4 W's in Text - 2nd Grade Reading

What does a "what" question help you identify in an informational text?

The main topic, event, or thing being explained. What questions identify the central subject or action being discussed.
What does a "when" question help you identify in an informational text?

The time something happens (date, season, or order). When questions identify time-related details in the text.
What does the question word "how" ask you to find in an informational text?

The way something happens or is done. "How" identifies methods or processes.
Identify the best "when" question for this sentence: "The festival begins on Saturday."

When does the festival begin. "Saturday" is a time word, so ask "when."
What is a key detail in an informational text?

An important fact that supports the main topic. Key details help readers understand the main idea.
What does the question word "where" ask you to find in an informational text?

The place or location. "Where" identifies locations in the text.
Identify the best "how" question for this sentence: "Bees make honey by collecting nectar."

How do bees make honey. "By collecting nectar" is a method, so ask "how."
Which text feature helps you find the meaning of an important word: caption, glossary, or table of contents?

Glossary. Glossaries define important vocabulary words.
What does the question word "what" ask you to find in an informational text?

The thing, idea, or event being explained. "What" identifies objects, concepts, or actions.
Which question word best helps you find the main person or group: who, what, where, when, why, or how?

Who. "Who" specifically asks about people or characters.
Identify the best "why" question for a text about recycling: "Why should people recycle?" or "Where is red?"

Why should people recycle. This question asks for the reasons to recycle.
What does a "who" question help you identify in an informational text?

The person, people, or animal the text is mainly about. Who questions focus on identifying the main characters or subjects.
Which answer best fits the "where" question: "Where can you find the index in a book?" A) Front B) Back

B) Back. The index is typically found at the book's end.
Which question word best helps you find steps in a process: who, what, where, when, why, or how?

How. "How" specifically asks about methods or processes.
Identify the best "what" question for a text about bees: "What do bees make?" or "Where is the moon?"

What do bees make. This question asks about what bees produce or create.
Identify the best "where" question for this sentence: "Penguins live in Antarctica."

Where do penguins live. "Antarctica" is a place, so ask "where."
What does the question word "who" ask you to find in an informational text?

The person or group the text is about. "Who" identifies people or characters in the text.
Identify the best question word for this sentence: "Dr. Lee invented a new tool."

Who. Dr. Lee is a person, so "who" identifies people.
What does a "how" question help you identify in an informational text?

The way something happens or how to do something. How questions explore processes or methods described in text.
Which word best signals a reason and helps answer a "why" question: because, next, first?

because. "Because" introduces reasons, answering why something occurs.
Which question word should you use to ask about a reason in a text: why, who, where?

why. "Why" specifically asks for reasons or causes.
Which answer best fits the "why" question: "Why do plants need sunlight?" A) To make food B) To make noise

A) To make food. "To make food" explains the reason plants need sunlight.
Which text feature most often explains a picture and can include a key detail: caption or index?

Caption. Captions describe and add details to images.
Identify the best "who" question for this sentence: "Dr. Lee discovered the new plant."

Who discovered the new plant. "Dr. Lee" is a person, so ask "who."
Identify the best "where" question for a text about penguins: "Where do penguins live?" or "Why read?"

Where do penguins live. This question asks about the habitat or location of penguins.
Which question word should you use to ask about a location in a text: who, where, why?

where. "Where" specifically asks about places or locations.
Which detail best answers "why" in this sentence: "Bears eat a lot because they need energy."

because they need energy. This phrase explains the reason bears eat a lot.
What does a "where" question help you identify in an informational text?

The place or location where something happens. Where questions pinpoint specific locations mentioned in the text.
What does a "who" question ask about in an informational text?

The person, animal, or group the text is about. Identifies the main character or subject in the text.
Which question word best helps you find a location: who, what, where, when, why, or how?

Where. "Where" specifically asks about places.
Which detail best answers "where" in this sentence: "Frogs live in ponds."

in ponds. "In ponds" tells the location where frogs live.
What is the main purpose of asking and answering "who, what, where, when, why, how" questions?

To show understanding of key details in the text. These questions help readers comprehend the text.
Which word best signals a time and helps answer a "when" question: yesterday, under, blue?

yesterday. "Yesterday" indicates a specific time, answering when questions.
Identify the best question word for this sentence: "Penguins live in Antarctica."

Where. Antarctica is a place, so "where" asks about location.
What does a "what" question ask about in an informational text?

The topic, event, or thing being described. Identifies the main subject or action being discussed.
What does a "when" question ask about in an informational text?

The time, date, or order when something happens. Identifies timing or sequence of events.
Which question word best helps you find a reason: who, what, where, when, why, or how?

Why. "Why" specifically asks about causes or reasons.
Identify the best "when" question for a text about plant growth: "When do seeds sprout?" or "Who is tall?"

When do seeds sprout. This question asks about the timing of seed germination.
Identify the best "what" question for this sentence: "A seed needs water to grow."

What does a seed need to grow. "Water" is a thing the seed needs, so ask "what."
Identify the best question word for this sentence: "Plants need sunlight to grow."

Why. "To grow" gives a reason for needing sunlight.
Which word best signals a place and helps answer a "where" question: inside, later, quietly?

inside. "Inside" indicates location, answering where questions.
What does a "why" question ask about in an informational text?

The reason or cause something happens. Identifies explanations or causes behind events.
Identify the best "who" question for a text about firefighters: "Who helps during fires?" or "When is dinner?"

Who helps during fires. This question asks about the people who perform an action.
What does a "where" question ask about in an informational text?

The place or location something happens. Identifies the setting or location of events.
What does a "how" question ask about in an informational text?

The way, steps, or process something happens. Identifies methods or procedures described.
Identify the best question word for this sentence: "A volcano is an opening in Earth's crust."

What. The sentence defines what a volcano is.
What does the question word "when" ask you to find in an informational text?

The time or date. "When" identifies time-related information.
Identify the best question word for this sentence: "The class visited the museum on Friday."

When. Friday is a time, so "when" asks about timing.
Which question word should you use to ask about a time in a text: when, what, how?

when. "When" specifically asks about time or timing.
What does a "why" question help you identify in an informational text?

The reason something happens. Why questions seek explanations or causes for events.
Identify the best question word for this sentence: "Bees make honey by collecting nectar."

How. "By collecting nectar" describes a process.
Identify the best "how" question for a text about handwashing: "How do you wash hands?" or "Who is Tuesday?"

How do you wash hands. This question asks about the steps or process of handwashing.
What does the question word "why" ask you to find in an informational text?

The reason or cause. "Why" identifies explanations and causes.
What are "key details" in an informational text?

Important facts that support the main topic. These details help readers understand the main idea.
Which text feature usually tells you what the section will be about: heading, index, or glossary?

Heading. Headings preview the content of each section.
Which question word best matches this answer: "In the desert" (who, where, when, why, how)?

Where. "In the desert" describes a location.
Which question word best helps you find a time: who, what, where, when, why, or how?

When. "When" specifically asks about time or dates.
How should an answer show understanding of key details from the text?

Use information from the text, not guesses. Answers must be based on text evidence, not opinions.
Identify the best "why" question for this sentence: "Bears hibernate to save energy."

Why do bears hibernate. "To save energy" is a reason, so ask "why."

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