Reading Fluency and Comprehension: Glossary
174 words, listed in the order you meet them in Courseversity lessons.
Full explanations
All words in this topic
Grade 1
line
From Grade 1
a row of words
Learn it in: Print direction (Grade 1), Letter formation (Grade 1), Simple poems (Grade 1)
capital letter
From Grade 1
a big letter
Learn it in: Words and sentences (Grade 1), Words and sentences (Grade 1), Capital letters (Grade 1)
space
From Grade 1
a gap between words
Learn it in: Words and sentences (Grade 1), Spacing between words (Grade 1)
smooth
From Grade 1
even and easy
Learn it in: Reading decodable sentences (Grade 1), Reading connected sentences (Grade 2)
by heart
From Grade 1
so you know it without sounding out
Learn it in: Common irregular words (Grade 1)
irregular word
From Grade 1
a word that does not follow the usual sound rules
Learn it in: Common irregular words (Grade 1)
tricky part
From Grade 1
the part that is not as it sounds
Learn it in: Common irregular words (Grade 1), Common irregular words (Grade 2)
text
From Grade 1
words that are written down
Learn it in: Reading connected texts (Grade 1), Text-based comprehension questions (Grade 2)
expression
From Grade 1
using your voice to show feeling
Learn it in: Reading with phrasing (Grade 1), Acting out stories (Grade 1), Reading with expression (Grade 2)
full stop
From Grade 1
a dot that ends a sentence
Learn it in: Reading with phrasing (Grade 1), Full stops (Grade 1), Reading connected sentences (Grade 2)
pause
From Grade 1
stop for a moment
Learn it in: Reading with phrasing (Grade 1), Full stops (Grade 1), Punctuation and phrasing (Grade 2)
phrase
From Grade 1
a small group of words
Learn it in: Reading with phrasing (Grade 1), Reading connected sentences (Grade 2), Reading fluently (Grade 3)
improve
From Grade 1
get better
Learn it in: Repeated reading (Grade 1), Revising simple sentences (Grade 1), Repeated reading (Grade 2)
mistake
From Grade 1
something not right
Learn it in: Repeated reading (Grade 1), Basic sentence correction (Grade 1)
character
From Grade 1
a person or animal in a story
Learn it in: Reading familiar stories (Grade 1), Identifying characters (Grade 1), Story characters (Grade 1)
retell
From Grade 1
tell again
Learn it in: Reading familiar stories (Grade 1), Retelling stories (Grade 1), Retelling stories (Grade 1)
story
From Grade 1
a tale of what happens
Learn it in: Reading familiar stories (Grade 1), Listening to stories (Grade 1)
event
From Grade 1
something that happens
Learn it in: Understanding story events (Grade 1), Story sequencing (Grade 2), Setting and plot (Grade 3)
kind
From Grade 1
nice to others
Learn it in: Identifying characters (Grade 1), Character traits (Grade 3)
place
From Grade 1
where something is
Learn it in: Identifying settings (Grade 1), Naming words (Grade 1)
setting
From Grade 1
where and when a story happens
Learn it in: Identifying settings (Grade 1), Story settings (Grade 1), Comparing stories (Grade 2)
problem
From Grade 1
something that needs fixing
Learn it in: Beginning, middle, and end (Grade 1), Retelling stories (Grade 1), Story problems and solutions (Grade 2)
key details
From Grade 1
the important parts
Learn it in: Retelling stories (Grade 1), Retelling stories (Grade 1)
own words
From Grade 1
not the exact words
Learn it in: Retelling stories (Grade 1), Retelling information orally (Grade 2), Summarising short texts (Grade 2)
detail
From Grade 1
a small fact or piece of information
Learn it in: Identifying important details (Grade 1), Describing words (Grade 1), Writing complete sentences (Grade 1)
fact
From Grade 1
something true
Learn it in: Identifying important details (Grade 1), Gathering simple facts (Grade 1), Expressing opinions (Grade 2)
important
From Grade 1
matters a lot
Learn it in: Identifying important details (Grade 1), Summarising short texts (Grade 2)
main idea
From Grade 1
what a text is mostly about
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Identifying important details (Grade 1), Main ideas (Grade 2), Topic sentences (Grade 2)
evidence
From Grade 1
proof from the text
Learn it in: Answering basic comprehension questions (Grade 1), Supporting details (Grade 2), Predictions (Grade 2)
full sentence
From Grade 1
a whole idea with a capital and end mark
Learn it in: Answering basic comprehension questions (Grade 1), Text-based comprehension questions (Grade 2)
predict
From Grade 1
guess what will happen next
Learn it in: Making predictions (Grade 1), Predictions (Grade 2), Academic vocabulary (Grade 2)
reason
From Grade 1
why you think something
Learn it in: Making predictions (Grade 1), Story characters (Grade 1), Expressing opinions (Grade 2)
connection
From Grade 1
a link between two things
Learn it in: Connecting stories to experiences (Grade 1), Responding to literature (Grade 2), Literary response (Grade 3)
experience
From Grade 1
something that happened to you
Learn it in: Connecting stories to experiences (Grade 1), Writing personal experiences (Grade 1), Presenting personal experiences (Grade 1)
similar
From Grade 1
almost the same
Learn it in: Connecting stories to experiences (Grade 1), Synonyms (Grade 2)
Grade 2
accurate
From Grade 2
correct with no mistakes
Learn it in: Accurate word recognition (Grade 2), Evaluating spoken information (Grade 4), Evaluating explanations (Grade 5)
passage
From Grade 2
a short piece of writing
Learn it in: Reading short passages (Grade 2), Informational passages (Grade 2)
dialogue
From Grade 2
the words characters say
Learn it in: Reading with expression (Grade 2), Dialogue in stories (Grade 2), Dialogue (Grade 3)
tone
From Grade 2
the feeling in your voice
Learn it in: Reading with expression (Grade 2), Reading expression (Grade 4), Persuasive speaking (Grade 5)
comma
From Grade 2
a mark that means a short pause
Learn it in: Punctuation and phrasing (Grade 2), Commas and apostrophes (Grade 2), Combining sentences (Grade 2)
punctuation
From Grade 2
marks that help us read and write
Learn it in: Punctuation and phrasing (Grade 2), Punctuation and expression (Grade 3)
fluency
From Grade 2
reading smoothly and well
Learn it in: Repeated reading (Grade 2), Reading fluently (Grade 3), Reading fluency (Grade 4)
repeated reading
From Grade 2
reading the same text again and again
Learn it in: Repeated reading (Grade 2)
reread
From Grade 2
read again
Learn it in: Self-correction (Grade 2), Revising writing (Grade 2), Independent reading strategies (Grade 6)
self-correct
From Grade 2
fix your own mistake
Learn it in: Self-correction (Grade 2), Monitoring reading accuracy (Grade 3), Reading fluency (Grade 4)
reading log
From Grade 2
a record of what you read
Learn it in: Independent reading routines (Grade 2), Longer literary texts (Grade 5), Extended literary texts (Grade 6)
example
From Grade 2
one case that shows something
Learn it in: Supporting details (Grade 2), Supporting details (Grade 2), Supporting details (Grade 3)
supporting detail
From Grade 2
a fact or example that tells more about the main idea
Learn it in: Supporting details (Grade 2), Supporting details (Grade 3), Supporting details (Grade 3)
motivation
From Grade 2
the reason a character acts
Learn it in: Character actions and motivations (Grade 2), Character motivations (Grade 3), Character development (Grade 4)
infer
From Grade 2
work out something not directly stated
Learn it in: Simple inferences (Grade 2), Making inferences (Grade 3), Literary interpretation (Grade 4)
inference
From Grade 2
a conclusion from clues
Learn it in: Simple inferences (Grade 2), Monitoring comprehension (Grade 4), Textual evidence (Grade 5)
both
From Grade 2
the two of them
Learn it in: Comparing stories (Grade 2), Compare and contrast (Grade 3), Comparing literary works (Grade 5)
contrast
From Grade 2
find how things are different
Learn it in: Comparing stories (Grade 2), Antonyms (Grade 2), Comparing literary texts (Grade 2)
summary
From Grade 2
a short retelling of the important parts
Learn it in: Summarising short texts (Grade 2), Summarising narratives (Grade 3), Summarising informational texts (Grade 3)
heading
From Grade 2
a title above a section
Learn it in: Informational texts (Grade 2), Titles and headings (Grade 2), Text features (Grade 3)
informational text
From Grade 2
a text that gives true facts
Learn it in: Informational texts (Grade 2)
Grade 3
climax
From Grade 3
the most exciting part
Learn it in: Setting and plot (Grade 3), Plot development (Grade 3), Plot structure (Grade 4)
support
From Grade 3
to give evidence for an idea
Learn it in: Main idea and theme (Grade 3), Themes (Grade 4)
theme
From Grade 3
the lesson or message of a story
Learn it in: Main idea and theme (Grade 3), International folktales (Grade 3), Themes (Grade 4)
claim
From Grade 3
a statement you say is true
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 3), Using evidence orally (Grade 4), Logical reasoning (Grade 4)
paraphrase
From Grade 3
to say it in your own words
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 3), Summarising informational texts (Grade 3), Simple note-taking (Grade 3)
similarity
From Grade 3
a way things are alike
Learn it in: Comparing characters (Grade 3), Comparing literary texts (Grade 4)
alliteration
From Grade 3
repeated starting sounds
Learn it in: Literary language (Grade 3), Rhythm and imagery (Grade 4), Figurative language (Grade 5)
imagery
From Grade 3
words that make pictures in the mind
Learn it in: Literary language (Grade 3), Poetry (Grade 3), Rhythm and imagery (Grade 4)
literary language
From Grade 3
special words authors use to make writing vivid
Learn it in: Literary language (Grade 3)
simile
From Grade 3
a comparison using like or as
Learn it in: Literary language (Grade 3), Descriptive vocabulary (Grade 3), Similes (Grade 3)
glossary
From Grade 3
a list of important words and their meanings
Learn it in: Text features (Grade 3), Technical vocabulary (Grade 5), Technical vocabulary (Grade 6)
cause
From Grade 3
why something happens
Learn it in: Cause and effect (Grade 3), Cause and effect (Grade 4), Cause-and-effect writing (Grade 6)
effect
From Grade 3
what happens as a result
Learn it in: Cause and effect (Grade 3), Cause and effect (Grade 4), Personification (Grade 4)
result
From Grade 3
what follows from something
Learn it in: Cause and effect (Grade 3), Cause and effect (Grade 4)
signal word
From Grade 3
a word that shows a link, such as because
Learn it in: Cause and effect (Grade 3), Text structures (Grade 4), Text organisation (Grade 5)
chronological order
From Grade 3
the order in which things happen in time
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 3)
life cycle
From Grade 3
the stages of a living thing’s life
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 3)
time word
From Grade 3
a word that shows when, such as then
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 3), Sequencing events (Grade 3)
timeline
From Grade 3
a line showing events in order
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 3), Chronological organisation (Grade 4), Research planning (Grade 5)
reliable
From Grade 3
can be trusted
Learn it in: Factual information (Grade 3), Finding information (Grade 3), Evaluating spoken information (Grade 4)
key detail
From Grade 3
an important fact that supports the main idea
Learn it in: Summarising informational texts (Grade 3), Listening for essential information (Grade 4), Main ideas and evidence (Grade 4)
Grade 4
exposition
From Grade 4
the start that shows characters and setting
Learn it in: Plot structure (Grade 4), Plot and narrative structure (Grade 6)
character development
From Grade 4
how a character changes in a story
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 4), Character development (Grade 6)
atmosphere
From Grade 4
the mood or feeling of a scene
Learn it in: Setting and atmosphere (Grade 4), Descriptive techniques (Grade 5), Tone and mood (Grade 6)
sensory detail
From Grade 4
a detail about what is seen, heard, felt, smelt or tasted
Learn it in: Setting and atmosphere (Grade 4), Descriptive settings (Grade 4), Descriptive techniques (Grade 5)
first person
From Grade 4
narration using I and we
Learn it in: Point of view (Grade 4), Narrative voice (Grade 4), Narrative perspective (Grade 5)
third person
From Grade 4
narration using he, she and they
Learn it in: Point of view (Grade 4), Narrative voice (Grade 4), Narrative perspective (Grade 5)
hyperbole
From Grade 4
extreme exaggeration
Learn it in: Figurative language (Grade 4), Figurative language (Grade 5), Figurative language (Grade 6)
metaphor
From Grade 4
a comparison saying one thing is another
Learn it in: Figurative language (Grade 4), Similes and metaphors (Grade 4), Figurative language (Grade 5)
personification
From Grade 4
giving human actions to a non-human thing
Learn it in: Figurative language (Grade 4), Personification (Grade 4), Figurative language (Grade 5)
cite
From Grade 4
to name where the evidence comes from
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 4), Research reports (Grade 4), Textual evidence (Grade 5)
textual evidence
From Grade 4
details from the text that support your answer
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 4), Textual evidence (Grade 5), Literary analysis (Grade 6)
interpret
From Grade 4
to explain the meaning of something
Learn it in: Literary interpretation (Grade 4), Character interpretation (Grade 4), Academic vocabulary (Grade 5)
interpretation
From Grade 4
your explanation of a text’s deeper meaning
Learn it in: Literary interpretation (Grade 4), Evidence-based literary interpretation (Grade 6), Poetry interpretation (Grade 6)
symbol
From Grade 4
a thing that stands for an idea
Learn it in: Literary interpretation (Grade 4), Symbolism (Grade 5)
text structure
From Grade 4
the way a text is organised
Learn it in: Text structures (Grade 4), Text organisation (Grade 5), Text structure (Grade 6)
Venn diagram
From Grade 4
two circles showing likenesses and differences
Learn it in: Compare and contrast (Grade 4), Comparing literary works (Grade 5)
biography
From Grade 4
the story of a real person’s life
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 4)
chronological
From Grade 4
in the order events happened
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 4)
time-order word
From Grade 4
a word such as first, next, later, finally
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 4)
author’s purpose
From Grade 4
the reason an author writes a text
Learn it in: Author’s purpose (Grade 4), Author’s choices (Grade 5)
entertain
From Grade 4
to amuse or interest the reader
Learn it in: Author’s purpose (Grade 4), Author’s purpose (Grade 5), Author’s purpose (Grade 6)
inform
From Grade 4
to give facts
Learn it in: Author’s purpose (Grade 4), Author’s purpose (Grade 5), Author’s purpose (Grade 6)
verify
From Grade 4
to check that something is true
Learn it in: Facts and opinions (Grade 4), Facts and opinions (Grade 5)
firsthand account
From Grade 4
an account by someone who was there
Learn it in: Comparing information sources (Grade 4)
condense
From Grade 4
to make shorter without losing meaning
Learn it in: Summarising complex information (Grade 4)
Grade 5
character arc
From Grade 5
how a character changes across a story
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 5)
character trait
From Grade 5
a quality that describes a person
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 5)
turning point
From Grade 5
the moment that changes a character
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 5), Plot structure (Grade 6)
external conflict
From Grade 5
a struggle with another person or force
Learn it in: Conflict and resolution (Grade 5), Conflict (Grade 6)
internal conflict
From Grade 5
a struggle inside a character
Learn it in: Conflict and resolution (Grade 5), Conflict (Grade 6)
perspective
From Grade 5
the view from which a story is told
Learn it in: Narrative perspective (Grade 5), Cultural perspectives (Grade 5), Perspective and bias (Grade 6)
structure
From Grade 5
how a text is arranged
Learn it in: Author’s choices (Grade 5), Formal presentations (Grade 6)
word choice
From Grade 5
the particular words an author selects
Learn it in: Author’s choices (Grade 5)
reflection
From Grade 5
careful thinking about meaning and feeling
Learn it in: Literary responses (Grade 5), Reflective communication (Grade 6), Publishing original narratives (Grade 6)
minor detail
From Grade 5
a small fact that is interesting but not essential
Learn it in: Main ideas (Grade 5), Central ideas (Grade 6)
statistic
From Grade 5
a number used as evidence
Learn it in: Supporting evidence (Grade 5), Identifying claims and evidence (Grade 6), Evidence and opinion (Grade 6)
cause and effect
From Grade 5
what happens and why
Learn it in: Text organisation (Grade 5), Transitions (Grade 5), Text structure (Grade 6)
argument
From Grade 5
a claim supported by reasons and evidence
Learn it in: Claims and reasons (Grade 5), Summarising spoken arguments (Grade 6), Comparing arguments (Grade 6)
counterclaim
From Grade 5
an opposing view
Learn it in: Claims and reasons (Grade 5), Comparing arguments (Grade 6)
concise
From Grade 5
brief but complete
Learn it in: Summarising arguments (Grade 5), Summarising complex texts (Grade 6)
reasoning
From Grade 5
the thinking that links evidence to a conclusion
Learn it in: Evidence-based conclusions (Grade 5)
Grade 6
central idea
From Grade 6
the most important point of a text
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Central ideas (Grade 6), Central ideas (Grade 6)
problem and solution
From Grade 6
describes a problem and ways to solve it
Learn it in: Text structure (Grade 6)
expert testimony
From Grade 6
a statement from a specialist in the field
Learn it in: Evidence and opinion (Grade 6)
loaded language
From Grade 6
words chosen to stir strong feelings
Learn it in: Perspective and bias (Grade 6)
justify
From Grade 6
to give reasons for a judgement
Learn it in: Comparing arguments (Grade 6), Critical thinking (Grade 6)
corroborate
From Grade 6
to confirm with another source
Learn it in: Synthesising information (Grade 6), Evidence and unsupported claims (Grade 6)
synthesise
From Grade 6
to combine information from several sources
Learn it in: Synthesising information (Grade 6)
overgeneralisation
From Grade 6
claiming too much from too little
Learn it in: Evaluating conclusions (Grade 6)