To master this common core standard, students must learn to infer the author's reasoning for the use of a word or phrase, placement of a sentence or paragraph, or implementation of an organizational structure. Additionally, students must learn to infer the meaning of a specific word in the passage using context. Vocabulary specific questions may involve finding the best synonym, antonym, or definition of a word. In addition, they may involve understanding word groups, word parts, or how to properly apply the word in other, related contexts. Remember that, like all our reading comprehension questions, everything necessary to infer the meaning of a vocabulary word is supplied in the passage. We'll never require students to know the meaning of a vocabulary word absent the use of contextual clues.

Examples:
• "As used in paragraph 5, the word noxious most nearly means..."
• "Based on its use in paragraph 2, it can be understood that the word deleterious belongs to which of the following word groups?"
• "If the following piece of information were added to this passage, into which paragraph would it fit best?"

Goals:
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
• Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
• Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.