2. First things first…
• Read the question, and then read it again
to determine exactly what is being asked.
• One comprehension question will often
have several questions built into it. Make a
checklist of how many questions are really
being asked, so that you are sure to
answer everything!
• Then, follow these steps:
3. the three-part strategy
1. Begin your answer with a topic sentence
that restates the question.
2. Use a concrete detail from the text to
support your answer.
3. Provide commentary (explain the
importance of) the concrete detail as it
relates to your answer.
Continue to use support and commentary until all
parts of the question are answered.
4. What are three reasons that prove
Kennedy High is a great school?
Kennedy High is a great school for many reasons. For
one thing, Kennedy has excellent teachers who
genuinely care about the success of their students (1).
That means that you can always find teachers here
before and after school willing to offer help. Another
reason Kennedy is so great is that it offers a variety of
activities to get involved in (2). Students can join a
sport, band, choir, ASB, FBLA, and many other groups
on campus. Additionally, Kennedy has lots of school
spirit, which makes attending school each day much
more fun (3)!
5. three-part answer
Kennedy High is a great school for many reasons. For
one thing, Kennedy has excellent teachers who
genuinely care about the success of their students.
That means that you can always find teachers here
before and after school willing to offer help. Another
reason Kennedy is so great is that it offers a variety of
activities to get involved in. Students can join a sport,
band, choir, ASB, FBLA, and many other groups on
campus. Additionally, Kennedy has lots of school
spirit, which makes attending school each day much
more fun!
1. Topic Sentence
2. Concrete Detail
3. Commentary (explanation)
6. Practice #1 - CARS
Successful rookie racer Lightning
McQueen has just won a 3-way tie
with elder rival Chick Hicks and
champ "The King", for the coveted
Piston Cup, but due to his bad
attitude, his ignored pit-crew desert him. Accidentally lost en route
to California for the tie-breaker race, he crashes through Radiator
Springs on Route 66, destroying the road and some property.
Forced to remain in town until he repairs the damage, Lightning is
stuck in a small community whose tight-knit inhabitants accept
neither his selfishness nor bad attitude. Initially refusing to respect
them, he eventually returns the friendship of redneck Mater, a tow
truck, and falls in love with Sally, a feisty Porsche. Lightning learns
that there is more to life than winning, and that true friendship is
the real prize.
7. Question:
How does the character of Lightning McQueen
change throughout the movie CARS? Consider
his attitude when he first arrives in Radiator
Springs and how his behavior toward the
community changes as he gets to know them
better. What does Lightning McQueen learn
during his stay in Radiator Springs?
8. Read the question again!
This question has 3 tasks built in, and you must
answer all of them!
• How does the character of Lightning McQueen change
throughout the movie CARS?
• Consider his attitude when he first arrives in Radiator
Springs and how his behavior toward the community
changes as he gets to know them better.
• What does Lightning McQueen learn during his stay in
Radiator Springs?
Take a few minutes to brainstorm – we’ll answer the
question together in a minute…
9. Brainstorm
• Topic Sentence: ____________________
• Concrete Details: ___________________
• Commentary:_______________________
• Did you address all 3 parts of the question?
10. three-part answer
Lightning McQueen undergoes a personality change for the
better throughout the movie CARS. McQueen arrives in
Radiator Springs, or as he calls it, “hillbilly hell,” sullen and selfcentered, thinking he is better than others because he is a race
car. He sees no problem in criticizing the townsfolk and putting
down their town. As he spends time fixing the road, however,
he sees how the other cars help and depend on one another,
and in the process befriends Mater, who takes him tractor
tipping, and Sally, who shows him that it is fun to slow down
once in a while. Their willingness to accept McQueen and like
him despite his faults, teaches McQueen that relationships are
much more important than winning races. McQueen’s
transformation is obvious when at the final race, he forgoes the
win in order to help an injured race car, proving that he has
learned the lessons of friendship, loyalty, and respect.
