7th Grade Comprehension Skills
Prior Standards Implementation

The standards listed below have been replaced by a newer set of standards.

Please go to Current 7th Grade Language Arts Standards for current resources.

Comprehension
Read a passage and answer questions to show comprehension.	Inflation in Russia - read and answer questions Looking for the Fine Print - students read advertisements to practice reading critically Read a Contract - and answer questions Reading Comprehension stories - Interactive quizzes online for 5 stories - Each text is followed by a grammar exercise and summary writing exercise. Reading Comprehension Quiz - Online quiz Reading Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing Seventh Grade Reading - Read the introduction and the passage that follows. Then read each question and mark the circle next to the correct answer.
Derive information from the following text features: timelines, graphs, headings and subheadings. 7.1.1 T	Captions Help Tell the Story - students look at three pictures and try to determine which caption fits best Dust Bowl Timeline - (from PBS) Use this timeline to practice this SPI. Other Timelines at Internet4Classrooms Reading Headlines - students read eight headlines and try to determine what the article is about
Determine the meaning of unknown words and/or multiple meaning words through the use of context clues. 7.1.2 V	Words with multiple meanings - students fill in the blanks from a word list Context is the Key - students use context clues to determine the meaning of a word Using Multiple Meanings - students decide which sentences use a word correctly
Replace unknown words in context with appropriate synonyms and/or antonyms. 7.1.3 V	Synonym.com - type a word in the box and find a synonym, or antonym, of the word. Synonym & Antonym Word Encounters - Level 1 words | Level 2 words | Level 3 words Say it Another Way - Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word. Synonymical: The Synonym Game - click to select the letters (one at a time) that spell the proper synonym. The Thesaurus - a reference book that lists words and their synonyms - Drag and drop the words to the right thesaurus entry.
Make predictions about the outcome of a given passage. 7.1.4 MG	Guess What Comes Next - students read a passage and predict what would happen next Predictions - Good introductory quiz on making predictions. The World's Greatest Contralto by Babette Albin - As you read the story, write your questions and ideas about it on another sheet of paper. Then complete the next page.
Formulate clarifying questions for use before, during, or after reading. 7.1.5 MG	Asking Questions - the types of questions depend on the answer to that first important question: Why am I reading this? Once you establish a purpose for yourself, you can then ask which questions will help you achieve that goal. This page asks students to rank a set of questions on a scale of one to five. Questioning Toolkit - seventeen types of questions from the educational journal, FNO
Identify the main idea/central element in a reading selection. 7.1.6 MG	How are They Selling It? - students read three advertisements and evaluate the type of persuasive writing being employed Main Idea - building blocks of comprehension - exercises to print included Main Idea - The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. Read the paragraph and ask, "What�s your point?" Reading Comprehension - free reading comprehension worksheets for teachers and parents - includes original stories, poems, essays, and articles Summarize as You Read - When you summarize, eliminate unnecessary details. Focus on the main idea of the whole passage. What are They Selling - students critically evaluate six advertisements What's the Big Idea? Exercise 1 - Write the common subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list." - a worksheet to print, not interactive What's the Big Idea? Exercise 2 - Write the common subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list." - a worksheet to print, not interactive What's the Big Idea? Exercise 3 - a bit harder than 1 & 2 - Write the common subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list." Then add another example that could be included in that group. Be as specific as you can. - a worksheet to print, not interactive
Distinguish between fact and opinion within context. 7.1.7 MG	Fact or Opinion Quiz - Decide which of these statements are fact or opinion from the drop-down list, then click on the "Finished" button to obtain your score out of ten. Fact or Opinion ? (quiz 1) - a Quia quiz Fact or Opinion ? (quiz 2) - a Quia quiz Fact, Habit, Opinion or Schedule ? - an English-Zone quiz Fact or Opinion ? - select fact of fiction for each statement Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion Fact and Opinion Self-Test Martin Luther King Jr.: Fact or Opinion ? (a worksheet to print) A mix of factual information and the opinions of the author . Often the opinions are disguised as fact, to make the author's argument seem more believable.
Decode unknown grade level words in context, using previously learned strategies, such as analysis of affixes, as aids in determining meaning. 7.1.8 V	Vocabulary University - acquire and retain vocabulary. Rooty's Weekly Root - Three Rootonym puzzles per week with 4 words per puzzle
Recognize first person point of view. 7.1.9 C	Point of View Quiz - Read each group of sentences. Decide if it is written in first person or third person point of view.
Recognize and use grade appropriate and/or content specific vocabulary within context. 7.1.10 V	Match the Definition Exercises : - Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 (These activities are not interactive, but the answers are at the bottom of this page) Word Meaning Jigsaw Game One - match words with their meanings Game Two ; Game Three ; Game Four ; Game Five; Game Six.
Identify plot elements in the proper place on a graphic organizer. 7.1.11 C	Concept Maps Explained - Concept maps and story webs are visual ways to structure ideas. (sample included Five main types of organizers - links showing examples of many types Short Story Elements - Online Quiz
Locate information using key words and headings. 7.1.12 T	Looking for the Fine Print - students read advertisements to practice reading critically
Distinguish between poetry and prose and between biography and autobiography. 7.1.13 C	An Overview of Poetry - a comprehensive show on the topic of rhythm and rhyme
Select the correct word or phrase to complete an analogy. 7.1.14 V	Fact Monster Analogy of the Day Analogy Quiz which requires students to type the word to complete the analogy Analogy Lesson from Diana Dell Analogy quiz 1 at Quia posted by Diana Dell Analogy quiz 2 at Quia posted by Diana Dell Awesome Analogies for one or two players - posted at Quia Discovery School Analogy Quizzes AnalogyQuiz8 AnalogyQuiz9 AnalogyQuiz10 Puzz.com has a quiz with 152 analogies - pick one or two a day and practice this valuable skill Analogy PowerPoint Show template - you make modifications to use with your students
Identify commonly used foreign phrases (e.g., bon voyage; mi casa es su casa, bon jour, hasta la vista). 7.1.15 V	Foreign Words and Phrases - The English meanings given are not necessarily literal translations.
Draw inferences from selected passages. 7.1.16 MG	Drawing Conclusions - Read the story and select the letter of the correct response. Drawing Inferences - how to be a critical reader How are They Selling It? - students read three advertisements and evaluate the type of persuasive writing being employed Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions - descriptions of the various ways to aid you in reaching a conclusion Teaching Students to Make Inferences
Identify the author�s purpose for writing and the reader�s purpose for reading. 7.1.17 C	Author's Purpose and Point of View - pre test ; answers on next webpage Author's Purpose and Point of View - post test; answers on next webpage
Analyze cause and effect relationships in a given passage. 7.1.18 MG	Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing Cause-and-Effect Writing Challenges Students - The cause-and-effect relationship is both a way of thinking and a format for writing. Teachers who emphasize cause-and-effect writing say that they are helping students learn to think critically as well as write cogently. Read what three experienced teachers have to say about this teaching approach, which can be used with students of all ages. This is an article from Education World magazine .
Identify examples of propaganda techniques (i.e., bandwagon, loaded words, testimonials). 7.1.19 T	Text Types- Online game helping learn about the different text types such as persuasion, informative, descriptive, or instructive. Analyzing Political Ads - Students will view current political ads and learn how they make use of various commercial ad appeals. Students will also develop familiarity with basic videography terms. Affluenza: A PBS Program - Lessons such as "Be an Adbuster!" and "What are Advertisers Selling?" are based on Affluenza, a one-hour television special that explores the high social and environmental costs of materialism and over consumption. The lessons can be used without the video.
Determine the common characteristics of short stories, novels, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. 7.1.20 C	Elements of Drama - A graphic organizer to fill in the elements of a drama An Overview of Poetry - a comprehensive show on the topic of rhythm and rhyme Writing in a Specific Literary Form - short story
Identify similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole within context. 7.1.22 T	A one-page handout giving examples of each poetic device A concept map to use when you work with your students on these topics A Fun Way to Teach Similes - a lesson idea from Bruce Lansky Alliteration or Simile ? - Choose whether each statement is an alliterative phrase, simile or neither. Bud, Not Buddy - quizzes on similes & metaphors Matching | Flashcards | Concentration Chasing Metaphors - students explore the figurative language of metaphors by turning a series of objects, concepts, events, or characters into metaphors, first in written form and then by creating a video with images, text, and sound [Quick Time required] Do you know your metaphors ? - drag words to make a metaphor Do you know your similes ? - drag the nouns to complete a Simile (Refresh the page to get a new set.) Figurative Language - terms, definitions, and an example Figurative Language Quiz - alliteration, similes and metaphors, personification, connotation and imagery Literary Devices Quizzes - similes, metaphors, personification, slang/dialect and allusions - Matching | Concentration | Flashcards Literary Terms quiz - Choose whether the line from a poem is an example of alliteration, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, or simile. Metaphor Lists - a selection of metaphors by category, complete with sample usage and interpretation Metaphor Battleship Quiz - Quia quiz using the Battleship game format Metaphor Quiz - a five-question quiz at Quia Metaphor Quiz - a ten-question quiz at Quia Metaphor Quiz to print Poetic Devices - a classroom sign about the forms of poetic devices Poetry writing practice web . Practicing onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, simile and metaphor Word Play 1 | Word Play 2 | Word Play 3 | Word Play 4 | Word Play 5 | Word Play 6 Simile lesson with a printable quiz Simile Quiz to print Similes and Metaphors - Identify the comparison in each sentence as a simile or a metaphor [ignore the email address blank].
Identify words that serve as clues to reveal time periods and cultures. 7.1.24 V	"The Diary of Anne Frank" - Students will learn how diversity creates bias which leads to conflict, where students confront their bias and practice tolerance Battling for Freedom - "By examining two speeches by Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee alongside Henry's speech, students develop a new respect for the Native Americans' politically effective and poetic use of language."
Identify symbolism, flashback, and foreshadowing, within context. 7.1.26 C	Dictionary of Symbolism - students look up objects of symbolism and see how it is used in literature. Writing a Flashback and Flash-Forward Story Using Movies and Texts as Models - Students are introduced to examples of these devices through the film The Sandlot and/or illustrated books. Students are then asked to create a story that contains both flashback and flash-forward.
Rank a given set of resources according to reliability. 7.1.27 T
Identify examples of sound devices (e.g., rhyme, alliteration, slant rhyme, repetition, and internal rhyme). 7.1.28 T	A concept map to use when you work with your students on these topics. Poetic Devices - a classroom sign about the forms of poetic devices Shakespearean alliteration insults - have fun while reinforcing the concept of alliteration
Review Help
Released tests	FCAT Sample Reading Test - [2008] sample questions and test taking tips FCAT Sample Answer Book - [2008] Texas end-of-year reading test from 2003
FCAT Sample Test Book	The FCAT Sample Test Books are designed to help students become familiar with FCAT (Florida) by providing helpful hints and offering practice answering questions in different formats. Half of this document is math and half is reading.

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