Comprehension Skills: Establishing Purpose For Reading Assigned And Self-Selected Texts (TEKS.ELA.6.5.A)

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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Comprehension Skills: Establishing Purpose For Reading Assigned And Self-Selected Texts (TEKS.ELA.6.5.A)

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1

Last month, the city council proposed restricting electric scooters on Main Street during business hours. Supporters argue that scooters weave through crowds, startling pedestrians and blocking shop entrances. One shop owner recorded three near-collisions in a week and says deliveries get delayed when scooters cluster at the curb. Opponents counter that scooters reduce traffic and pollution. They point to a student survey reporting shorter commute times and fewer parked cars near school. A local health group notes that riders get light exercise and that scooter companies have agreed to add bell alerts and lower speed limits downtown. The council's draft rule would create slow zones and designated parking. It would also fine riders who block ramps. Before the final vote, members will hold a public forum. If you plan to speak, consider which safety fixes matter most and whether restrictions should be temporary or permanent. Classroom task: Prepare for a debate.

Which reading purpose best fits the task and text?

Read for enjoyment and relaxation.

Read to write a brief summary of the article's main idea.

Read to identify claims, reasons, and evidence on both sides to use in a debate.

Skim quickly to get the general gist.

Explanation

The task is to prepare for a debate, so you should read to gather claims, reasons, and evidence from the editorial-style text. This text presents arguments and examples you can cite. Simply summarizing the main idea would miss the specific support needed for strong arguments.

2

At the first rehearsal, Maya stood at the edge of the stage, clutching her script so tightly it crinkled. When the director called for volunteers to try the opening scene, Maya stared at her sneakers, wishing to disappear. She knew her lines by heart, but her voice shrank to a whisper whenever eyes turned her way. After a week of missed chances, she stayed late to practice alone. The empty auditorium echoed when she tried the first speech, and she startled at the sound. The custodian paused, listening, then flicked on one more work light and nodded as he left. The next day, during a scene that required her to interrupt, Maya felt her pulse race. She remembered the echo and the nod. She lifted her chin and stepped forward. Her entrance was early, and she stumbled over a phrase, but she didn't retreat. By the final rehearsal, she was marking cues in pencil and asking questions about pacing. Classroom task: Analyze character change.

Which reading purpose best fits the task and text?

Read to track how Maya's thoughts, actions, and dialogue change from the beginning to the end of the scene.

Read for enjoyment and relaxation.

Memorize dates and names mentioned in the story.

Skim quickly to get the gist of what happened.

Explanation

The task is to analyze character change, so you should focus on how Maya's actions, thoughts, and dialogue shift across the narrative. These text details show her growth. Reading just for enjoyment would overlook the evidence needed to explain her change.

3

To model erosion in tomorrow's lab, you'll compare how water moves sand across different slopes. Scientists describe erosion as the process that transports soil and rock from one place to another. Two key variables in your setup are slope steepness and water flow rate. When the tray is tilted, gravity pulls water faster, increasing its energy to pick up and carry particles. A gentle slope may let water soak in, while a steep slope can create narrow channels called rills. Your task is to keep all factors except one constant so you can observe cause and effect. Use the same amount of sand, pour water from the same height, and measure time carefully. After each trial, look for patterns: the length of channels, the cloudiness of runoff, and how much sand collects at the bottom. These observations will help you explain which conditions cause more erosion and why. Classroom task: Build background for lab.

Which reading purpose best fits the task and text?

Read for enjoyment and relaxation.

Read to write a short summary of erosion.

Skim for the main idea only.

Read to learn key concepts, variables, and cause–effect relationships you will apply in the lab.

Explanation

The task is to build background for a lab, so you should read to understand variables and cause–effect details described in the informational text. Those structural cues help you apply the concepts in procedures. A quick summary would miss the precision needed for accurate setup and observation.

4

Some schools are considering replacing printed textbooks with tablets. Advocates say digital books update faster and weigh less, sparing students' backs. They add that interactive diagrams can clarify complex systems and that built‑in dictionaries help readers tackle tough words without leaving the page. Critics worry about screen time and distraction. One teacher reports that students are tempted to switch apps during quiet reading. Others note that tablets can break, need charging, and cost money to repair. In a recent pilot, the library saved on storage but had to expand outlets and add protective cases. A compromise plan would keep a small set of printed copies for home with limited internet access. Any change would roll out in phases over the school year. As your class prepares to present recommendations to the principal, consider which costs and benefits carry the most weight and how the school might support all learners. Classroom task: Prepare for a debate.

Which reading purpose best fits the task and text?

Read for enjoyment and relaxation.

Read to evaluate claims and weigh pros and cons to choose evidence for your recommendation.

Read to write a brief summary of the passage.

Skim quickly to get the general idea.

Explanation

To prepare for a debate, you should evaluate claims and select evidence from the informational passage, which presents pros, cons, and examples. A brief summary would not help you judge which points are strongest for your recommendation.