To use some of the tips and tools we reviewed, let's examine
several examples of questions about making comparisons within
a poem or story, and also about cause and effect. We'll start
with a poem about a famous eight legged creature of the deep.
Instruction:
Read "The Octopus,"a
poem by David McCord. You might remember
this poem from the Rubrics section of this
course. If so, you already have a place in your
brain all set up and ready to gather even more
descriptive details about this creature. Keep
the poem open while we go through the question
and explanations.
Question:
According to the poem, how are a spider and
an octopus alike?
Look for descriptions in the poem to help you identify
similar characteristics of a spider and an octopus.
Before you select an answer, go back to the poem and
find the detail to prove it! Always always always
find the support for your answers right in the poem or
the story!
Think:
What are the key
words in this question? (how,
spider and octopus, alike)
Which choices can you eliminate right
away, and which are possibly correct answers? Remember
the "YES, NO, MAYBE" tool.
Multiple Choice Answers:
Yes
No
Maybe
Answers
A.
Both grab food with their legs.
Go
back and gather info from the poem:
Spider:
No legs mentioned in the poem, just the web to
catch food.
Octopus: Yes,
poem says, "the one (leg)
that grabbed his victim on the run"
You
have to eliminate this answer. It can't be
supported by the poem.
B.
Both dislike bright light.
Go
back and gather info from the poem:
Spider:
No, poem says, "He's
shy the way a spider is:
the web is hers, the cave is his; A web
could be in bright light
Octopus: Yes,
poem says, "sun dancing
on the breaking wave
can't reach him deep down in his cave."
You
have to eliminate this answer. It can't be
supported by the poem.
C.
Both hide, then surprise their prey.
Go
back and gather info from the poem:
Spider:Yes, poem says, "and each does better
out of sight
of fly or fish, to catch them."
Octopus: Yes,
poem says, "and each does better
out of sight
of fly or fish, to catch them."
This
is it! Two YES answers that are supported in the
poem.
D.
Both have eight legs.
Go
back and gather info from the poem. Be sure the information
can be found in the text. Even if you know it is true,
it must be found in the text for this answer to be
correct.
Spider:
No legs mentioned in the poem.
Octopus: Yes,
poem says, "spelled oktopous,
eight-footed one:
Eight feet to move with, not to run,"
You
have to eliminate this answer. It can't be
supported by the poem.
A small chart like this will work in with any question
asking about similarities. If the question asks
about differences, you would want to look for one
Yes, one No. And always always always find
the support for your answers right in the poem or
the story!
