o c .",

"" .~ 0. o U

NGSSS

Evaluating Text LA.S.6 .2.2: Assess, organi ze, and

evaluate the validity and reliability of information in tex t, using a variety of techniques by exam ining several sources of information ... .

Florida

• I.I.I ••• I ••• I.II~

In th is lesson, you will learn how to evaluate text. When evaluating, you will read, think about, and form opinions about different aspects of a text or texts.

One aspect of evaluating is analyzing. When you analyze information in one or more texts, you examine separate parts to understand how the parts work together to create meaning as a whole. Examples of analyzing include: comparing, contrasting, deducing or inferring, and categorizing.

Another aspect of evaluating is synthesizing. When you synthesize information, you identify relationships between two or more ideas in text. You put together the ideas or information from two or more places or sources. As part of synthesizing, you might combine information from one part of a text with information from another part of the same text. Or you might integrate information from one text source with information from two or more different text sources.

As part of evaluating text, you determine the validity (correctness or soundness) and reliability (dependability) of information in the text by identifying supporting facts or other kinds of details that the author provides and by analyzing any arguments the author makes.

Evaluating Text What It Means

analyzing exam ine parts of a text to determine how they work together as a whole

synthesizing identify relationships between two or more different ideas or two or more different texts

determining determine the correctness and dependability of

va lidity and an author'S facts or arguments reliability

NGSSS lA.S.6.2.2

III]I[]I[]I[]I[I]I[IIIII

Read this passage about the early history of a town. Then answer the question.

The Bone Collectors

1 Abi lene, Texas, is a modern town today. But long ago, for a brief period of lime, an unusual industry flourished in Abilene: selling buffalo bones. Before the 1870s, buffa lo freely roamed the region , and their bones littered the landscape. Fertilizer companies used the bones. They would grind the bones into bone meal , which is high in phosphorus, and use the meal to improve their fertilizer.

2 Bone collecting became big business in Abilene. People would collect the bones and then cart them to a bone pile in town near the railroad. In those days, a load of wood sold for $1.50, but a load of bones sold for $3.00. In 1881, 1,635 tons of buffalo bones were shipped out of Abilene. (That's 109 railcars worth of bones!) Over time, however, the landscape was cleared of buffalo bones. By the 1900s, cattle bones were being used in fertilizer in the place of buffalo bones.

What evidence from the passage best supports the idea that many people in Abilene collected buffalo bones?

~ Does the passage directly state that many people in Abilene collected buffalo bones? No. But the passage has evidence lhat strongly supports that idea.

~ What information in the passage would lead to the conclusion that many people in Abilene collected buffalo bones? Look for this kind of evidence in the passage.

~ The passage says that bone collec ting was big business. This is important evidence. If only a few people collected bones, bone collecting would not be a big business.

~ The passage also says that 1,635 lons of buffalo bones were shipped out of Abilene in one yea r. It would take many people to gather that quantity of bones.

ANSWER: Bone collecting became big business in Abilene. In 1881, 1,635 tons of buffalo bones were shipped out of Abilene.

NGSSS LA.S.6.2.2

Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that selling bones was more profitable than selling wood?

"I

!

Florida

Think About It What are the main characteristics of the piranha, as described in the passage?

Hint Which information leads to the conclusion that the piranha is dangerous to swimmers?

CORRECT ANSWER

Read the passage. Use the Think About It to guide your reading. Then answer the question. Use the Hint to help you.

The Piranha

Theodore Roosevelt, traveling in South America during 1914, describes the piranha, a type of fi sh: "The razor-edged tee th are wedge-shaped like a shark's, and the jaw muscles possess great power. The rabid, furious snaps drive the teeth through flesh and bone. The actions of the fish exactly match its looks. I never witnessed an exhibition of such impotent, savage fury as was shown by the piranhas as they fl apped on deck. When fresh from the water and thrown on the boards, they uttered an extraordinary squealing sound. As they flapped about they bit with vicious eagerness at whatever presented itself. One of them flapped onto a cloth and seized it with a bulldog grip ... another snapped at a piece of wood and left the teeth-marks deep therein ."

Which phrase from the passage best supports the idea that the piranha is dangerous to swimmers?

A "I never witnessed an exhibition of such impotent, savage fu ry" B "they uttered an extraordinary squealing sound" C "they bit with vicious eagerness at whatever presented itse lP' D "One of them flapped onto a clo th"

Answer choice C is correc t.

SUPPORTING DETAILS The author says that piranhas bite anything that comes near them. For this reason, a swimmer is most likely in danger of being attacked if he or she gets close to a piranha.

INCORRECT ANSWERS A is not correc t because the fury of the fi sh is impotent, or powerless, since it is out of water, on the elecle

B is not correct because the sound made by the fi sh is unlikely to present danger to swimmers.

D is not correct because a flapping fish is not li ke ly to be dangerous to a swimlner .

~~-------------------------------"'tl#"'----------------------~~~~~~ Florida _____ NGSSS lA.8 .6.2.2

Think About It Begin to evaluate a text by thinking about the title.

How does the author describe the Everglades? How do the individual descriptions work together to create an overall impression?

From information in the passage, what is one thing that all skunk ape sighters seem to mention?

What might provide a valid form of evidence for the existence of the skunk ape? In what way might such evidence fail to be convincing or reliable?

Read this passage, Use each Think About It to guide your reading,

1

2

3

4

5

The Florida Skunk Ape Bigfoot, the legendary creature sa id to roam the forests of the

Pacific Northwest, is known from coast to coast. But few people outside Florida know of a similar creature ca lled the skunk ape.

The Everglades, a swampy and largely uninhabited area covering thousands of square miles, is home to poisonous snakes, alligators, and clouds of mosqui toes. It ta kes a boat and a guide just to get around in parts of it. It's just the kind of difficult place where an unknown creature could elude capture and identification even in the modern era. The skunk ape is just such a c reature. Those who've seen one describe it as ape- like, standing 7 feet tall, and we ighing as much as 450 pounds. And they always mention the strong smell of it. Some say the creature's smell is a cross between skunk spray, rotten eggs, and cow manure. Others say it's like an overstu ffed trash can on a hot day.

The firs t modern skunk ape sighting was near Lakeland in 1947. Sightings were frequem in the 1960s, although the numbers dropped off in the 1970s. For 30 years, interest in the skunk ape was limited to a few enthusiasts in south Florida, includ ing Dave and Jim Shealy, who run Skun k Ape Research Headquarters alongside their campground near Ochopee. But in 2000, the skunk ape blasted back in to the headlines.

It sta rted when somebody mailed a set of photos to the Sarasota County sher iff's department. The anonymous photographer claimed to have taken them in her back yard. They seem to show a creature that looks a lot like an orangutan. Like other skunk-ape s ighters, the photographer had reported that the creature "had an awful smell." -ci

Loren Coleman, a scientist who studies "hidden animals" such as the ~ "§

skunk ape, believes the creature in the photos is neither an escaped zoo ~ "-

animal nor a person in an ape sui t. Precisely what it is, however, there's not enough evidence to say. Because the identity of the photographer is unknown , there's no way for anyone to follow up on the s ighting.

Since 2000, there have been several other sightings of the skunk ape (o r something) in south Florida. Dave Shealy has a plaster cast of a foo tprint and some reddish hair, both of which he says are from a skunk ape. Park range rs in the Everglades will tell you that the skunk ape isn't rea l. But Shealy wo nders if authorities know more than what they're telling. Shealy told a website that features unusual tourist attractions, "There are things here in the Everglades, I can assure you-and I would not lie to you-that a re sec ret."

o c ,~ on c ';;' "­o U

~~~~~~---------------------,,'II"----------------------------~~ NGSSS LA.B.6.2 .2 ___ _ Florida

III ••••••••• I •••••••••••••••

" ~ "§ ~ w Q.

0 c

.~

'" c .~

0 u ~ ~

" 'u 0 ~ ~

< .§ c u ." ~

c u •

Hints

Which information best explains why "hidden animals" might actually exist in the Everglades?

Which answer choice has information that represents the strongest and most convincing probable origin or reason for the name "skunk ape"?

Would talking to the photographer be one important way in which to verify the validity of photographs?

I2AIR SAARf

WiLli your partner, s/Jare and discuss your answers and supporting details .

Florida

Use the Hints to answer the questions below. Circle the correct answers and provide supporting details from the passage.

1 What informat ion fro m the passage provides the best evidence that a "hidden animal" li ke the skunk ape might live in the Everglades?

A Few people outside Florida have ever heard the stories about the skunk ape.

B The Everglades is a vast, mostly uninhabited area that is difficult to explore and study.

C The creature Sighted in 2000 probably did not escape from a zoo. D Park rangers in the Everglades say that the skun k ape is not real.

Supporting detail s: _ ____ _ _ _ _______ _ __ _

2 Which information from the passage best emphasizes how the skunk ape probably got its name?

3

A "Some say the creature's smell is a cross between skunk spray, rotten eggs, and cow manure,"

B "Dave and Jim Shealy . . . run Skunk Ape Research Headquarters alongside their campground near Ochopee."

C "Like other skunk-ape sighters, the photographer had reported that the creature 'had an awful smelL'"

D "Dave Shealy has a plaster cast of a footprint and some reddish hair, both of which he says are from a skunk ape,"

Supporting detail s: _ _______ _ ________ _ _

Which statement from the passage best explains why photographs taken in 2000 do not prove that the skun k ape really exists?

A "They seem to show a creature that looks a lot like an orangutan ."

B "Loren Coleman . .. believes the creature in the photos is neither an escaped zoo animal nor a person in an ape sui t."

C "Because the identity of the photographer is unknown, there's no way for anyone to follow up on the sighting."

D "Park rangers in the Everglades will tell you that the skunk ape is n't rea l."

Supporting detail s: ________ _ _ ________ _

NGSSS lA.B.6.2. 2

................ ~ Read the passage "Thundersnow Hits Denver" before answering Numbers 1 through 4.

Thundersnow Hits Denver by Carrie SprLngs

DENVER March 26 - Last night, a rare weather event known as thundersnow rattled the Denver area. The late winter storm dumped more than a foot of wet, heavy snow. At roughly 9:30 P. M., numerous residents reported fa int rumbles of thunder and periodic flashes of lightning.

A local meteorologist explains that thundersnow occurs in cold weather in much the same way that thunderstorms do in warm weather. Thundersnow happens when a layer of warm, moist air rises above a layer of colder air. This creates turbulence in the atmosphere.

As the unstable air churns, it mixes the fin e snow crystals at the top of a storm cloud with the larger snowflakes at the bottom. The fr iction created by the meeting of these negatively and positively charged forms of precipitation causes static electricity. Lightning and thunder happen when the static elec tricity is discharged.

According to the meteorologist, "Hearing a snowstorm burst with thunder is completely unexpected. We usually think of thunderstorms with rain in the warmer months, yet thundersnow does happen, usually in mountainous or coastal areas."

Thundersnow has been recorded in Colorado in the past and will occur again in the future. A former scientist w ith the National Weather Service said, "If cond itions are right in late winter or early spring, then there is always a chance of thundersnow. Thundersnow will definitely happen again in Denver. That said, this phenomenon happens about as often as an ice storm on the Fourth of July."

As a result of last night's storm, there were sca ttered power in terruptions. Local highway departments plowed major and secondary roadways, but schools were closed today. No serious injury or property damage has been reported.

7N~G~S~S~S7L~A~.8~.6~.72~.2------------------------~------------------------------~F~· l-or~id~a

E " "3 u ·c ;; U •

Reader Reactions to this Story Driving horne from my night shift last night at

the height of the storm, I inched along as snow blanketed the freeway, and then I saw a flash in the sky. You know, I figured it was headlights from a big truck, not lightning, and thought I was about to hit an oncoming snowplow.

- Manny Ramon

When I was a little girl many years ago, I remember seeing thundersnow, and my dad told me that the thunder was the sound of elves bowling in winter. I haven't thought about that experience in years. Thanks for explaining what causes it.

- Mrs. Peggy Kruk

Come on- thundersnow? You must think we will believe anything! I didn't hear a thing last night, and I am usually a very light sleeper. Save your jokes for April Fools' Day!

- Watchdog256

When I heard the thunderous noise last night, I was so petrified that I hid in my closet until the storm passed. I thought someone had crashed a plane because of low visibility, so I'm glad to find out what actually caused the commotion.

- Ginny Peterson

Why do weather forecasters always miss the big stuff? I never heard anyone predict thundersnow beforehand. Because of the storm, I had to shovel my sidewalks this morning by myself and strained my back. Can't the weather report be on target once in a while?

-Fed Up

Whoa! That was a freak storm. I've never seen thundersnow before. The muffled thunder sounded like the drums in a marching band off in the distance. Getting a foot of snow stinks, but I sure liked the sound effects and the light show in my neighborhood.

- Pete Samuels

~~-----------------------------~I"'--------------------~~~~~~ Florida _ __ NGSSS LA.8.6.2.2

o

.,

Whlch pair of statements from the article best supports the idea that thundersnow is infrequent?

A. "1 didn't hear a thing last night, and 1 am usually a very light sleeper." "Save your jokes for April Fools' Day!"

B. "Last night, a rare wea ther event known as thundersnow rattled the Denver area ." "That said, this phenomenon happens abo ut as often as an ice storm on the Fourth of July."

C. "Thundersnow will definitely happen again in Denver. " "Lightning and thunder happen w hen the static electricity is discharged."

D. "The late winter storm dumped more than a foot of wet, heavy snow. " "Thundersnow occurs in cold wea ther in much the same way that thwlderstorms do in warm weather."

Which sentence fro m the article offers the most valid explanation of what initially causes thundersnow?

F. "Thundersnow happens when a layer of warm, moist air rises above a layer of colder air."

G . "'If conditions are right in late winter or ea rly spring, then there is always a chance of thwldersnow.'''

H. "When I was a little girl many years ago, 1 remember seeing til wldersnow, and my dad told me that the thunder was the sOLUld of elves bow ling in winter."

I. "According to tl, e meteorologist, ' ... We usually think of thwlderstorms with rain in the warmer mon ths, yet thundersnow does happen, usually in mountainous or coastal areas.'"

NGSSS LA.S.6.2.2

o

Whlci1 sta tements from the article best describe the effect of experiencing thundersnow firsthand ?

A. "Whoa! That was a freak storm. I've never seen thwldersnow before."

B. "'Hearing a snowstorm burst with thunder is completely wlexpected.' ''

C. "Wh y do weather forecas ters always miss the big stuff? 1 never heard anyone predict thundersnow beforehand. Because of the storm, 1 had to shovel my sidewalks this morning by myself ... "

D. "When 1 heard the thLUlderous noise last nigh t, 1 was so petrified tha t 1 hid in my closet until the storm passed. 1 though t someone had crashed a plane because of low visibility, so I'm glad to find out what actually caused the commotion."

Which statement about thLUldersnow is LEAST accurate?

F. Thundersnow may cause power outages and school closures.

G. Thundersnow is usually unexpected and is not easily predicted.

H. Thundersnow never results in more than a couple of inches of snow.

I. Thundersnow usually happens in mountainous areas or coastal areas.

Answer Form

1 ® @ © ® 2®®®CD 3 ® @ © ® 4®®®CD

Number Correct

Florida