Finding Evidence in Informational Text
Basics on the topic Finding Evidence in Informational Text
Finding Evidence in Informational Texts
You may be asked to answer questions to show understanding when reading informational texts. When answering questions, we find evidence to make sure our responses are accurate. Text evidence is proof used to justify answers, and support ideas, or opinions. Evidence consists of facts, examples, data, or expert opinions. Sometimes the evidence is directly stated in the text... other times, you will use the evidence to infer beyond the text.
To find evidence that supports your answer:
1)Read the questions and highlight keywords that build background knowledge about the topic.
2)Then, read the text thoroughly highlighting and making notes of key details connected to the question.
3)Before answering a question, reread it, and refer back to the text to locate the supporting evidence.
Transcript Finding Evidence in Informational Text
Finding Evidence in Informational Texts "We need to find out what's going on!" "I've written some questions down, let's find some answers!" When reading informational texts, you may be asked to answer questions to show understanding. When answering questions, we find evidence to make sure our responses are accurate. Text evidence is proof used to justify answers, support ideas, or opinions. Evidence consists of facts, examples, data, or expert opinions. Sometimes the evidence is DIRECTLY stated in the text... other times, you will use the evidence to make an inference beyond the text. To find evidence that supports your answer,... read the questions and highlight keywords that build background knowledge about the topic. Then, read the text THOROUGHLY,... highlighting and making notes of key details connected to the question. BEFORE answering a question, read it again... and refer back to the text to locate the supporting evidence. Let's practice answering the questions with the article Pearl has about submarine volcanoes." Her first question is, 'what causes submarine volcanoes?' Here, we highlight ''causes' and "submarine volcanoes". This tells us what to think about as we read. The next question is, 'how could the earth's surface change over time?' Here, we highlight 'could' and 'earth's surface change over time'. Could tells us we have to INFER. We need to pay attention to details that show how volcanoes may affect the earth's surface. Now we will read the passage, highlighting the text as we come across evidence for what causes submarine volcanoes and how the earth's surface can change over time. Submarine volcanoes are found beneath the surface of the oceans and formed along the boundaries of tectonic plates. As these plates shift, cracks are created that allow hot magma, or lava, to erupt from the earth’s mantle. When the magma rises to the ocean floor, it collides with cold water. This creates basalt rock, called "pillow lava" due to its appearance. It cools and settles down into tall structures of various shapes. As these submarine volcanoes continue to erupt, they build layers of lava that may eventually break the water’s surface. This is one-way islands are formed. Researchers estimate there are about one million submarine volcanoes. Think about what that could mean for the earth’s future. The first question asks, 'what causes submarine volcanoes'. Remember, we go back into the text and refer to our evidence BEFORE answering. We highlighted 'tectonic plates' and 'plates shift, cracks are created'. Is the answer, (...) Magma colliding with cold water... or shifting tectonic plates. Based on the text evidence, the answer is , shifting tectonic plates. The next question asks, 'how COULD the earth's surface change over time?'. The text says, 'build layers of lava that may eventually break the water's surface', 'this is one-way islands are formed', and 'there are about one million submarine volcanoes'. Is the answer (... ) The earth's surface will no longer change... or , one day there may be more islands on earth. (...) The correct answer is . Based on text evidence we can INFER that as the volcano layers build, they will break the water's surface and make new islands. As the volcanic ash settles, let's review. Remember,... when answering questions about a text, we find evidence to make sure our responses are accurate. Text evidence is proof used to justify answers, support ideas, or opinions. Evidence consists of facts, examples, data, or expert opinions. Sometimes, the evidence is DIRECTLY stated in the text... Other times, you will use the evidence to make an inference beyond the text. "Wow! Our very own island!" "Yes, we will call it ...."
Finding Evidence in Informational Text exercise
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Identify types of text evidence.
HintsWhat is the chart below used to show?
There are four correct answers.
Facts are one type of text evidence that you can use to demonstrate understanding.
SolutionText evidence can be: facts, examples, data, and expert opinions.
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Recall how to answer a question using text evidence.
HintsRereading a question is always a good idea!
Look in the text for answers to the question.
SolutionMake sure to read a question again before answering. Then, look back at the text. This will help you to locate supporting evidence to show you've understood the text.
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Find evidence to support the questions.
HintsQuestions 1 and 2 ask about how frogs and toads move. Some types of movement are running, walking, jumping, or crawling.
Questions 3 and 4 ask about where frogs and toads live.
SolutionTo find textual evidence for Questions 1 and 2, look for details supporting the key word move. Then, highlight the answers found near that word.
To find textual evidence for Questions 2 and 3, look for details supporting the key word live. Then, highlight the answers found near that word.
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Highlight text evidence in a paragraph.
HintsThere are five green highlights to support Question 2.
All highlightable text needs to be used.
To identify text evidence:
*First, read the questions and identify the key topics to look for in the text.
*Next, read the text.
*Look for answers that connect back to the key topics from the questions.SolutionThe text evidence to support the answer to each question is as follows:
1) What is a flock of birds?
This text should be highlighted in yellow:- groups of individual birds flying together
2) Why do birds flock together?
This text should be highlighted in green:- guide migration to warmer weather
- protection from predators
- confuse a predator
- enable the flock to attack the predators with stronger force than if the bird was on its own
- tell one another where to find prey
3) What causes birds in a flock to fight?
This text should be highlighted in violet:- if they are stressed
- overcrowding, lack of food and proper nutrition, as well as boredom
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Explain how to find text evidence.
HintsHighlighting can identify key details and help build knowledge.
You should always read the question first.
SolutionWhen looking for text evidence, you should:
- Read the question.
- Read the text thoroughly.
- Highlight key words that build background knowledge around a topic.
- Highlight the text for key details that connect to the question.
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Match text evidence with a question.
HintsTides are when the ocean expands or shrinks from the beach.
Earth is not made of just oceans. Land will impact tides as well.
SolutionThe text evidence is matched to the questions as follows:
What causes high tides?
*The moon's gravitational pull causes water to swell on the side of the Earth closest to the moon.How might the presence of continents affect tides?
*The Earth is not a perfectly smooth ball. Of course, tides are affected by land masses and the depth of the ocean at certain points.Will the location of the sun have any impact on tides?
*When the Earth, moon, and sun line up twice a month. This causes a spring tide which creates incredibly high tides at some places on earth, and very low tides in other places.What is the effect of climate change on the tides?
*As the Earth grows warmer, sea levels are rising. This will cause tides to reach further and further inland.
