Ages 5–8
Book Features and Author's Reasons
Identify front cover, back cover, and title page of a book; identify the reasons an author gives to support points in informational text
16 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 5–8
Characters, settings, and events
Identify characters, settings, and major events in stories; become familiar with key stories, fairy tales, and traditional tales and retell them with key details in sequence
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 5–10
Listening to Texts Read Aloud
Listen to and discuss poems, stories, and non-fiction at a level beyond independent reading; confirm understanding of texts read aloud by asking and answering questions about key details
15 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 5–7
Main Topic of Informational Texts
Identify the main topic and retell key details of informational texts; describe connections between individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information
16 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 6–8
Characters' Viewpoints and Responses
Identify and compare characters' points of view, recognise who is narrating a story, describe how characters respond to events and challenges, and compare characters' experiences across different stories or versions of the same story
13 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 6–9
Expressive and Sensory Language
Recognise recurring literary language in stories and poetry, identify words and phrases that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses, and discuss favourite words and phrases
19 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 6–9
Non-Fiction Text Features
Recognise different non-fiction text structures and features (headings, contents, glossary, index), understanding how texts are organised to present information
34 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 6–8
Retelling Stories with Structure
Retell stories including key details in sequence, describe characters, settings, and major events using evidence from the text, and describe the overall structure of a story (beginning, middle, ending)
15 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–10
Forms of Poetry and Performance
Recognise different forms of poetry (free verse, narrative poetry, haiku) and discuss their features; prepare poems and play scripts to read aloud and perform with understanding through intonation, tone, volume and action
7 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–10
Inferring Characters' Feelings and Motives
Draw inferences from independently-read texts, such as inferring characters' feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence from the text
15 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–8
Story Lessons and Morals
Determine the central message, lesson, or moral of a story, fable, or folktale, explaining what the story teaches the reader and supporting the interpretation with key details from the text
9 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–10
Text Features & Presentation
Identify how language choices, text structure and presentational features (illustrations, diagrams, bold print, layout) contribute to the overall meaning and effect of a text
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 7–10
Themes and messages
Identify recurring themes (good vs evil, friendship, bravery) and conventions (once upon a time, moral at the end, hero's journey) across a wide range of books including fairy stories, myths, legends and traditional tales
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 8–9
Character Traits and Motivation
Analyse character traits, motivations, and feelings using text evidence, and distinguish one's own point of view from that of the narrator or characters
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 8–9
Connecting Ideas in Texts
Describe connections between events, ideas, or concepts in informational text using time, sequence, cause-and-effect, and comparison language, and identify logical connections between sentences and paragraphs
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 8–9
Morals in Fables, Folktales and Myths
Explain how the central message, lesson, or moral of a story is conveyed through key details across diverse text types including fables, folktales, and myths
15 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Cultural Allusions and Word Meaning
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in literary texts, including understanding references to mythology and cultural allusions (e.g., Herculean, Achilles' heel)
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Explaining Events & Ideas
Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in an informational text, including what happened and why, by citing specific textual evidence about causes, effects, and steps in a process
16 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–11
Finding Theme and Summarising
Determine the theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, and provide an objective summary that captures the key events without personal opinions
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts
Compare and contrast a firsthand account (autobiography, diary, letter) with a secondhand account (biography, textbook, news report) of the same event or topic, identifying differences in focus and information provided
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
In-Depth Character and Setting Analysis
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details from the text such as a character's thoughts, words, actions, and interactions
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Interpreting visual information in texts
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively in informational texts (e.g., charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, animations) and explain how it contributes to understanding the text
6 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Poems, Drama & Prose
Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, identifying structural elements unique to each form: verse, rhythm, and meter in poetry; cast of characters, dialogue, and stage directions in drama; chapters and paragraphs in pro…
12 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Recommending Books
Recommend books to peers, giving reasons for choices based on knowledge of a wide range of genres, authors, and themes, and making comparisons within and across books
13 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Structure of information texts
Describe the overall structure of an informational text (chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) and explain how the author's chosen structure helps convey information and ideas
16 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 9–10
Themes Across Cultures and Traditions
Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes, topics, and story patterns (e.g., good vs evil, quest narratives, trickster tales) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Comparing Characters, Settings and Events
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details about how characters interact, settings influence action, or events connect
13 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Comparing Structure in Information Texts
Compare and contrast the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more informational texts, identifying patterns such as chronology, comparison, cause/effect, or problem/solution
19 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Explaining Relationships in Texts
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in historical, scientific, or technical texts based on specific information
11 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
How Language Choices Affect the Reader
Evaluate how authors use language including figurative language, considering the impact of word choices, imagery, and literary devices on the reader
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
How Parts Build a Whole Text
Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a story, drama, or poem, analysing how each part contributes to the whole
16 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 10–11
Multimedia elements in texts
Analyse how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text such as graphic novels, multimedia presentations, or illustrated editions of fiction and poetry
6 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Analysing Text Structure
Analyse how a text's structure — including its overall organisation, use of chapters, stanzas, scenes, paragraphs, or sections — contributes to its meaning, style, and development of ideas
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Critical comparison across texts
Make critical comparisons across texts — comparing themes, characters, settings, styles, or arguments in two or more works, including texts from different periods, genres, or cultures
13 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Evaluating Arguments in Non-Fiction
Evaluate arguments and claims in non-fiction texts — assess whether reasoning is sound, evidence is relevant and sufficient, distinguish between fact and opinion, and recognise bias, propaganda, and rhetorical techniques
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Figurative Language and Literary Devices
Determine the meaning of figurative and connotative language in context, analyse the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, and identify literary devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, allusion, and irony
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Narrative Perspective and Unreliable Narrators
Analyse point of view and narrative perspective — including first person, third person limited and omniscient, and unreliable narrator — and how the author's or narrator's perspective shapes the reader's understanding and creates effects s…
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Plot Structure and Character Development
Analyse how plot structure unfolds through episodes or key events, and how characters develop, respond to challenges, and change over the course of a narrative — including the relationship between character, setting, and plot
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Poetic forms and conventions
Recognise and understand poetic conventions — including form (sonnet, ballad, free verse), metre, rhyme scheme, stanza structure, imagery, and sound devices (alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia) — and analyse how poets use them for effect
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Purpose, audience, and context
Identify the purpose, audience, and context of a text and use this knowledge to support comprehension — recognising how writing aimed at different audiences (academic, popular, persuasive) uses different conventions, register, and tone
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Tracing Theme Across a Text
Determine and analyse the theme or central idea of a text, trace how it develops across the text through key details and events, and provide an objective summary distinct from personal opinion
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Understanding drama and performance
Understand how dramatists communicate meaning through performance — including staging, direction, set design, lighting, and actors' choices — and how different productions can interpret the same script differently
10 verified questions on this shelf
Ages 11–14
Wide Independent Reading Across Genres
Read widely and independently across fiction and non-fiction — including whole novels, short stories, plays, poetry, and non-fiction from different genres, periods, and cultures — building stamina, breadth, and personal taste as a reader
6 verified questions on this shelf