TSI Reading
main idea - answer the author's central thought; what an author wants to say about a
topic
topic - answer overall subject of a text
compare (verb) - answer to find similarities
contrast (verb) - answer to find differences
context clue - answer a word, phrase, or sentence in the text around an unfamiliar
word that helps you identify the word's meaning
text evidence - answer evidence from the reading selection that proves the answer to
a question about the text
author's purpose - answer the author's intent either to inform, to entertain, or to
persuade
inference - answer a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
simile - answer a direct comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"
supporting details - answer facts or details that help develop and support the main
idea
author's argument - answer the position/stance the author puts forward, supported
by reasons or assumptions
analogous (adj.) - answer comparable to; like
metaphor - answer a direct comparison that is literally false; does not use "like" or
"as"
personification - answer the treatment of something inanimate as if it were alive;
giving human qualities to something or someone non-human
hyperbole - answer deliberate exaggeration or overstatement
, exaggeration - answer a statement that represents something as better or worse
than it really is; overstatement
irony - answer the use of words to express the opposite of their literal meaning
paradox - answer a seeming contradiction; seems untrue at first, but upon reflection,
can be true
primary (adj.) - answer most important
author's attitude - answer how the author feels about their topic
mood - answer how the reader feels about the text while reading
author's tone - answer the author's attitude toward their topic
paraphrase (verb) - answer to restate in other words
ambivalent (adj.) - answer having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about
something or someone
analytical (adj.) - answer intending to understand the nature of something by analysis
or logical reasoning
apathetic (adj.) - answer showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern;
indifferent
baffled (adj.) - answer confused
condescending (adj.) - answer possessing an attitude of superiority; patronizing
contemptuous (adj.) - answer showing disdain; disrespectful; scornful
cynical (adj.) - answer doubtful or distrustful of the goodness or sincerity of human
motives
defiant (adj.) - answer boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
detached (adj.) - answer emotionally removed; calm and objective; indifferent
didactic (adj.) - answer instructive; designed to teach
disdainful (adj.) - answer showing contempt or lack of respect
dismayed (adj.) - answer struck with fear, dread, or consternation; discouraged
main idea - answer the author's central thought; what an author wants to say about a
topic
topic - answer overall subject of a text
compare (verb) - answer to find similarities
contrast (verb) - answer to find differences
context clue - answer a word, phrase, or sentence in the text around an unfamiliar
word that helps you identify the word's meaning
text evidence - answer evidence from the reading selection that proves the answer to
a question about the text
author's purpose - answer the author's intent either to inform, to entertain, or to
persuade
inference - answer a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
simile - answer a direct comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"
supporting details - answer facts or details that help develop and support the main
idea
author's argument - answer the position/stance the author puts forward, supported
by reasons or assumptions
analogous (adj.) - answer comparable to; like
metaphor - answer a direct comparison that is literally false; does not use "like" or
"as"
personification - answer the treatment of something inanimate as if it were alive;
giving human qualities to something or someone non-human
hyperbole - answer deliberate exaggeration or overstatement
, exaggeration - answer a statement that represents something as better or worse
than it really is; overstatement
irony - answer the use of words to express the opposite of their literal meaning
paradox - answer a seeming contradiction; seems untrue at first, but upon reflection,
can be true
primary (adj.) - answer most important
author's attitude - answer how the author feels about their topic
mood - answer how the reader feels about the text while reading
author's tone - answer the author's attitude toward their topic
paraphrase (verb) - answer to restate in other words
ambivalent (adj.) - answer having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about
something or someone
analytical (adj.) - answer intending to understand the nature of something by analysis
or logical reasoning
apathetic (adj.) - answer showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern;
indifferent
baffled (adj.) - answer confused
condescending (adj.) - answer possessing an attitude of superiority; patronizing
contemptuous (adj.) - answer showing disdain; disrespectful; scornful
cynical (adj.) - answer doubtful or distrustful of the goodness or sincerity of human
motives
defiant (adj.) - answer boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
detached (adj.) - answer emotionally removed; calm and objective; indifferent
didactic (adj.) - answer instructive; designed to teach
disdainful (adj.) - answer showing contempt or lack of respect
dismayed (adj.) - answer struck with fear, dread, or consternation; discouraged
