Levels of Language: A Framework for Description · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Describing a text level by level

English · Grammar & Punctuation · ages 16-18
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which term fits the words the big dog in The big dog barked?

    • Noun phrase
    • Verb phrase
    • Subordinate clause

  2. Which of these is an observation about word choice?

    • The note is an imperative sentence
    • It uses please to soften a command
    • The note has four lines

  3. A good description mixes all the levels together in one paragraph.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Grammar shows the sentence structure. What must you still add?

    • A longer list of grammar terms
    • What the words imply beyond what they say
    • A second copy of the same labels

  5. At which level does It is an imperative sentence belong?

    • Word choice
    • Sound
    • Grammar

  6. A syntax tree lets you attach any label to any word.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Which ending best finishes a level-by-level description?

    • A new claim that mixes every level at once
    • A quote of the whole text with no comment
    • What the grammar level misses that the meaning level catches

  8. A learner writes: The soft sounds make it an imperative. What went wrong?

    • Sound evidence was used for a grammar claim
    • Too many levels were described
    • The sentence has no words
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_affit49cOP-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Describing a text level by level W1-mt_affit49cOP-s1

  1. Noun phrase · The words form a phrase built around the noun dog.
  2. It uses please to soften a command · Word choice is about the words picked, and please is a word pick.
  3. False · Keep one set of observations per level so each can be checked.
  4. What the words imply beyond what they say · Grammar reveals structure but not effect, so add the meaning level.
  5. Grammar · Sentence type is about how the sentence is built.
  6. False · Every label must sit on visible evidence in the sentence.
  7. What the grammar level misses that the meaning level catches · The contrast between levels is the whole point of the framework.
  8. Sound evidence was used for a grammar claim · Sound can suit a mood, but sentence type needs grammar evidence.
Worksheet · LightMySky