Text Structure Quiz

Grade 5 · English · Quiz

Test your ability to identify and use the five nonfiction text structures.

Questions

1. Which structure explains why something happened and what resulted from it?

   1. Sequence
   2. Description
   3. Cause and Effect
   4. Problem and Solution
   Show answer

   Answer: Cause and Effect

   Cause and effect structures show the relationship between events — what happened and why.

2. The words 'however' and 'on the other hand' are signal words for which structure?

   1. Sequence
   2. Compare and Contrast
   3. Cause and Effect
   4. Description
   Show answer

   Answer: Compare and Contrast

   These words signal that differences between two things are being discussed.

3. A biography lists events in a person's life from childhood to adulthood. What is the text structure?

   1. Description
   2. Sequence
   3. Problem and Solution
   4. Compare and Contrast
   Show answer

   Answer: Sequence

   Events listed in order of time use a sequence (or chronological) structure.

4. Which signal word fits best in a problem and solution passage?

   1. Similarly
   2. First
   3. One solution is
   4. For example
   Show answer

   Answer: One solution is

   'One solution is' directly points to an answer being offered for a stated problem.

5. A passage uses 'for instance,' 'in fact,' and 'in addition' throughout. What structure is most likely being used?

   1. Sequence
   2. Cause and Effect
   3. Description
   4. Compare and Contrast
   Show answer

   Answer: Description

   These signal words are common in descriptive passages that add details about a topic.

6. A passage that explains how two animals are similar and different uses the _______ and _______ structure.

   Show answer

   When a text highlights likenesses and differences, it uses compare and contrast structure.

7. Which text structure is best for writing a recipe?

   1. Description
   2. Sequence
   3. Compare and Contrast
   4. Cause and Effect
   Show answer

   Answer: Sequence

   A recipe lists steps in order, making sequence the most logical structure.

8. A student reads: 'Because of heavy rain, the river flooded. As a result, many homes were damaged.' What structure is this?

   1. Sequence
   2. Description
   3. Problem and Solution
   4. Cause and Effect
   Show answer

   Answer: Cause and Effect

   'Because of' and 'as a result' are cause-and-effect signal words.

9. Which text structure would describe the features of a rainforest?

   1. Problem and Solution
   2. Sequence
   3. Description
   4. Cause and Effect
   Show answer

   Answer: Description

   Listing features and details about a topic is the description structure.

10. A passage explains that many students struggle with reading and then suggests after-school programs as a fix. What structure is this?

    1. Sequence
    2. Compare and Contrast
    3. Description
    4. Problem and Solution
    Show answer

    Answer: Problem and Solution

    The passage identifies a problem (reading struggles) and suggests a solution (programs).

Get a personalized course on Text Structure built around your child.