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Praxis Core · Reading (5713)

Praxis Core: Craft, Structure, and Language Skills Concepts

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Overview

This chapter looks at how a passage is written, not only what it says. You will judge the author's purpose and tone, see how the passage is organized, work out word meanings from context, and tell facts apart from opinions.

Purpose is why the author wrote the passage, such as to inform, to persuade, or to describe. Tone is the author's attitude, which shows through word choice. Organization is the pattern the ideas follow, and transition words are the signposts that show it.

For vocabulary questions, the sentences around the word are your best tool, because a common word can have an unusual meaning in a specific passage. For fact and opinion questions, ask whether the statement could be checked. A fact can be proven; an opinion is a belief or judgment.

Key concepts

  • Author's purpose

    The reason the author wrote the text, such as to inform, to persuade, to explain, or to entertain. A passage may have a main purpose and smaller ones for each paragraph.

    Memory tipLook at the verbs in the answer choices: argue, describe, compare, criticize.

  • Tone

    The author's attitude toward the topic, shown through word choice. Tone can be neutral, approving, critical, doubtful, hopeful, and so on.

    Memory tipFind the loaded words; they reveal the attitude.

  • Meaning in context

    The meaning a word has in the specific sentence where it appears. Use nearby words, examples, contrasts, and definitions to figure it out.

    Memory tipSwap each answer choice into the sentence and see which one keeps the meaning.

  • Fact vs. opinion

    A fact can be checked and proven true or false. An opinion expresses a belief, feeling, or judgment and often uses words like best, should, or unfortunately.

    Memory tipCan you look it up or measure it? Then it is a fact.

  • Organizational patterns

    Common ways to arrange ideas: cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, chronological order, and claim with support.

    Memory tipName the pattern first, then answer structure questions.

  • Transition words

    Words that show how ideas connect. However and but show contrast; therefore and as a result show cause and effect; for example shows illustration; also and in addition show addition.

    Memory tipTransitions are road signs telling you which way the ideas turn.

Often tested

  • Use the sentences around a word to find its meaning in context.
  • A fact can be checked; an opinion states a belief or judgment.
  • Transition words show how ideas are related.
  • Tone comes from word choice, so look for words with strong positive or negative feelings.
  • The most common meaning of a word is often not the answer in vocabulary-in-context questions.

Easy to confuse: Purpose vs. tone

IdeaQuestion it answersExamples
PurposeWhy did the author write this?inform, persuade, explain
ToneHow does the author feel about it?critical, neutral, enthusiastic

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedReading (5713) › Craft, Structure, and Language Skills★★★★☆

Question 1. The new manager was known for her candid feedback. When an employee's report was confusing, she told him so directly, explaining exactly which sections needed work rather than hiding her opinion behind vague compliments. Most of the staff came to appreciate this approach, because they always knew where they stood. As used in the passage, "candid" most nearly means

  1. ① gentle and kind
  2. ② angry and harsh
  3. ③ slow and careful
  4. ④ honest and direct
  5. ⑤ brief and unclear
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ honest and direct

Key point: The sentences around a word explain its meaning.

The next sentence explains the word: she "told him so directly" instead of "hiding her opinion." So candid means honest and direct.

Wrong choices

  • "gentle and kind": She avoided vague compliments, so the point is honesty, not gentleness.
  • "angry and harsh": Nothing suggests anger; the staff appreciated her approach.
  • "slow and careful": The passage stresses her directness, not her speed.
  • "brief and unclear": She explained "exactly which sections needed work," which is clear, not unclear.
Practice questionReviewedReading (5713) › Craft, Structure, and Language Skills★★★★☆

Question 2. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opened to traffic in 1937. Its main span is about 4,200 feet long, and its towers rise about 746 feet above the water. The bridge is painted a color known as "International Orange." It is the most beautiful bridge in the world, and every visitor to California should walk across it. Which statement from the passage expresses an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. ① The bridge is painted a color known as "International Orange."
  2. ② It is the most beautiful bridge in the world.
  3. ③ Its towers rise about 746 feet above the water.
  4. ④ Its main span is about 4,200 feet long.
  5. ⑤ The bridge opened to traffic in 1937.
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ② It is the most beautiful bridge in the world.

Key point: A fact can be checked; an opinion is a judgment.

"Most beautiful" is a personal judgment that cannot be proved. The other statements can be checked by measuring or looking at records.

Wrong choices

  • "The bridge is painted a color known as "International Orange."": The paint color can be checked, so it is a fact.
  • "Its towers rise about 746 feet above the water.": A height can be measured, so it is a fact.
  • "Its main span is about 4,200 feet long.": A length can be measured, so it is a fact.
  • "The bridge opened to traffic in 1937.": A date can be checked in records, so it is a fact.
Practice questionReviewedReading (5713) › Craft, Structure, and Language Skills★★★★☆

Question 3. To keep a battery-powered smoke alarm working, test it once a month by pressing the test button until it beeps. Replace the battery at least once a year, or sooner if the alarm makes a short chirp every minute or so. When you put in the new battery, wipe dust from the vents and press the test button again to make sure the alarm sounds. The primary purpose of the passage is to

  1. ① explain how to keep a smoke alarm in working order
  2. ② persuade readers to buy a new type of smoke alarm
  3. ③ compare battery-powered and wired smoke alarms
  4. ④ describe the history of smoke alarms
  5. ⑤ warn readers about the dangers of kitchen fires
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ① explain how to keep a smoke alarm in working order

Key point: Instructions are written to inform, not to persuade.

The passage gives step-by-step instructions: test monthly, replace the battery, clean the vents, test again. Its purpose is to inform readers how to maintain the alarm.

Wrong choices

  • "persuade readers to buy a new type of smoke alarm": No product is recommended; the passage gives care steps.
  • "compare battery-powered and wired smoke alarms": Only battery-powered alarms are discussed.
  • "describe the history of smoke alarms": No history is given.
  • "warn readers about the dangers of kitchen fires": Kitchen fires are not mentioned.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →