Unlocking Comprehension: A Guide to Non-Fiction Text Structures

Questions: 5

Grade: 9

Words: 185

Text

Text & Questions

Text, Questions & Answers

Ever wondered why some texts are easier to understand than others? The secret lies in the structure. Non-fiction text structures, defined as the ways information is organized in a text, can greatly improve comprehension and recall.
Let's explore through a popular non-fiction book, 'Hidden Figures' by Margot Lee Shetterly. The story of African American women mathematicians who played a vital role at NASA during the Space Race is structured in various ways for effective storytelling.
First, there's 'description', where the author vividly describes the women, their work environment, and the era. 'Sequence', is used to chronologically detail their journeys from being 'human computers' to leading scientists. 'Comparison' is evident when Shetterly contrasts the women's work at NASA with societal norms. 'Cause and Effect' elucidates how their contributions led to successful space missions. Finally, 'Problem and Solution' is used when addressing the racial and gender issues they faced and how they overcame them.
So, the next time you pick up a non-fiction book, try to spot these structures. Understanding them will not only enhance your reading experience but also your comprehension and memory of the content.

Question 1

What structure does the author use to vividly describe the women, their work environment, and the era in 'Hidden Figures'?

Comparison

Problem and Solution

Sequence

Description

Explanation. 'Description' is the structure used by the author to vividly describe the women, their work environment, and the era

Cause and Effect

Question 2

According to the text, why are non-fiction text structures important?

They make the book longer

They are required by law

They greatly improve comprehension and recall

Explanation. Non-fiction text structures improve comprehension and recall by organizing information in a way that aids understanding and memory.

They make the book more interesting

They help the author organize their thoughts

Question 3

How does the author use 'Cause and Effect' in the book 'Hidden Figures'?

To detail the women's journey from 'human computers' to leading scientists

To describe the racial and gender issues they faced

To elucidate how their contributions led to successful space missions

Explanation. 'Cause and Effect' is used in the book to elucidate how the contributions of the women led to the successful space missions.

To contrast their work at NASA with societal norms

To describe the women and their work environment

Question 4

What does the structure 'Comparison' highlight in 'Hidden Figures'?

The racial and gender issues the women faced

The women's journey from 'human computers' to leading scientists

The contrast between the women's work at NASA and societal norms

Explanation. 'Comparison' is used in the book to contrast the women's work at NASA with societal norms at the time.

The vivid descriptions of the women, their work environment, and the era

How their contributions led to successful space missions

Question 5

What 'Problem and Solution' does 'Hidden Figures' address?

The difficulties of working at NASA

The challenge of becoming leading scientists

The racial and gender issues the women faced and how they overcame them

Explanation. 'Hidden Figures' uses the 'Problem and Solution' structure to address the racial and gender issues the women faced and how they overcame them.