Fixing Broken Comprehension

If you don't understand whatyou're reading, don't just sit there.

DO SOMETHING TO SOLVETHE PROBLEM!

News Flash!

Reading is supposed to make sense!

Monitoring:Stopping to see if you

understand what you're reading.

If you don't understand, you need to solve the problem, because

News Flash!Reading is supposed

to make sense!

If your strategies fail, then you need to

look it up in the dictionary

or

ask somebodyfor help

Writers use three methods to help you understand difficult words.

Mr. Spudley noticed an ABBA-ZABBA—a terrible smell—and asked the school cook to stop serving burritos for lunch.

Method #1: put the definition in the same sentence.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a bad smell b. a person who breaks windc. an open windowd. a new kind of burritoe. the school cook

The scientist found an ABBA-ZABBA, the front tooth of a meat-eating dinosaur.

Method #1: put the definition in the same sentence.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a balloon b. a new kind of dinosaurc. one of the Iron Chefsd. a kind of toothe. a dinosaur-hunting scientist

Method #1: put the definition in the same sentence.

Susie put on ABBA-ZABBA, her favorite CD.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a medical tool b. the back end of a carc. a CDd. a singere. a CB

Method #1: put the definition in the same sentence.

Bob’s doctor decided to use an ABBA-ZABBA, a tool made especially for looking into belly buttons.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a nurse b. a doctor’s telephone numberc. the title of a medical bookd. the belly buttone. a medical tool

Method #2: put the definition in the next sentence.

I pulled my ABBA-ZABBA out of its holster. With this weapon, I knew nobody could defeat me.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a weapon b. a kittenc. a bottle of medicined. sagging pantse. a broken knee

Method #2: put the definition in the next sentence.

I whistled, and ABBA-ZABBA came immediately. “Good dog,” I said.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a leash b. some catsc. a dogd. sagging pantse. a little brother

Method #2: put the definition in the next sentence.

Mom brought me a huge bowl of ABBA-ZABBA. It was the best ice cream I've ever had.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. cream soda b. créme fraishec. creme rinsed. clotted creame. ice cream

Method #2: put the definition in the next sentence.

Stinky looked into the ABBA-ZABBA. As everyone knows, this is the place where the flea circus performers rest between shows.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. a resting place for circus fleas b. a toiletc. a telescoped. a sewer gratee. the index of a book

Method #3: define the word by giving its opposite.

Smedley's new gold-plated underwear was very ABBA-ZABBA, but the rest of his outfit was inexpensive.

In this sentence, ABBA-ZABBA is:a. amazing

b. expensivec. newd. old-fashionede. school-inappropriate

Method #3: define the word by giving its opposite.

Look for these key words and phrases that signal a contrast:

• although• but• however• in contrast• instead of• on the contrary• on the other hand• while

Method #3: define the word by giving its opposite.

While Bobbo's breath smelled quite ABBA-ZABBA, Justine's breath was pleasant.

In this sentence, ABBA-ZABBA is:a. long

b. painfulc. on the last paged. infested with hornetse. unpleasant

Method #3: define the word by giving its opposite.

The things you bought with your birthday money are very ABBA-ZABBA. On the other hand, my choices are thoughful.

In this sentence, ABBA-ZABBA is:a. great ideas

b. illegalc. coldd. sillye. pus-filled

Method #3: define the word by giving its opposite.

Instead of being small like the rest of his pimples, this one was ABBA-ZABBA.

In this sentence, an ABBA-ZABBA is:a. oozingb. hot to the touchc. crusted overd. hugee. tasty

fin