Review and Mistakes
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In this lesson, you'll learn about common mistakes students make when finding evidence and how to avoid them. Recognizing these errors will help you become a stronger reader!
Common Evidence Mistakes
- Using your opinion instead of text evidence - Answers must come from the passage, not what you think.
- Choosing evidence that doesn't match the question - Make sure your evidence actually answers what was asked.
- Making inferences without clues - Inferences need support from the text.
- Picking the first answer you see - Read all choices and find the BEST evidence.
- Forgetting to go back to the text - Always check the passage before answering.
Examples
Example: Spotting the Mistake
Passage: "The red fox is a clever hunter. It can hear mice moving under the snow and pounces to catch them."
Question: How does the fox catch mice?
Wrong Answer: "Foxes are red and furry." (This doesn't answer HOW it catches mice!)
Right Answer: "It can hear mice moving under the snow and pounces to catch them." (This directly answers the question.)
Practice Quiz
For each question, identify the mistake or choose the correct evidence. Read the passage first.
Passage for Questions 1-5
Dolphins are mammals, not fish. They breathe air through a blowhole on top of their heads. Dolphins live in groups called pods and communicate using clicks and whistles. They are known for being playful and intelligent. Scientists have observed dolphins using tools, like sponges to protect their noses while searching for food on the ocean floor.
1. Question: Why are dolphins considered mammals?
Student's answer: "Because they are really smart."
What mistake did the student make?
Show Answer
The student chose evidence that doesn't answer the question. Intelligence doesn't make something a mammal. The correct evidence is: "They breathe air through a blowhole" - breathing air is a mammal characteristic.
2. Question: How do dolphins communicate?
Which is the BEST evidence?
A) "Dolphins are mammals, not fish."
B) "Dolphins communicate using clicks and whistles."
C) "They are known for being playful and intelligent."
Show Answer
B) "Dolphins communicate using clicks and whistles." - This directly answers HOW dolphins communicate.
3. Question: What tool do dolphins use?
Student's answer: "Dolphins are very smart so they probably use lots of tools."
What mistake did the student make?
Show Answer
The student used their opinion ("probably") instead of text evidence. The correct answer from the text is: "sponges to protect their noses while searching for food."
4. Question: What is a group of dolphins called?
Show Answer
A pod - Evidence: "Dolphins live in groups called pods."
5. A student says, "Dolphins are mammals because they have fins."
Is this a good evidence-based answer? Why or why not?
Show Answer
No, this is not a good answer. First, fish also have fins, so fins don't make something a mammal. Second, the passage doesn't mention fins at all! The student should use evidence FROM the passage (breathing air).
Passage for Questions 6-10
Thomas Edison was one of the greatest inventors in history. He created the light bulb, the phonograph, and over 1,000 other inventions. Edison worked long hours in his laboratory. He once said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." This means he believed hard work was more important than natural talent.
6. Question: What did Edison invent?
Which answer uses the BEST evidence?
A) "Edison was a hard worker."
B) "Edison created the light bulb, the phonograph, and over 1,000 other inventions."
C) "Edison was one of the greatest inventors."
Show Answer
B) - This directly lists what Edison invented with specific examples from the text.
7. Question: What did Edison believe was more important - hard work or natural talent?
Show Answer
Hard work - Evidence: "This means he believed hard work was more important than natural talent."
8. A student answers: "Edison probably played sports because athletes work hard too."
What mistake did this student make?
Show Answer
The student made an inference without any clues from the text. The passage says nothing about sports. Good inferences must be based on evidence in the passage.
9. What does Edison's quote about "perspiration" mean?
Show Answer
Success comes mostly from hard work (99%), not just being naturally gifted (1%). - Evidence: "This means he believed hard work was more important than natural talent."
10. Question: Where did Edison work?
What evidence from the passage answers this question?
Show Answer
"Edison worked long hours in his laboratory." - The answer is: in his laboratory.
Check Your Understanding
Review your answers. Can you identify the common mistakes and explain why the correct evidence is better?
Next Steps
- Create a checklist of common mistakes to avoid
- Always ask: "Does my evidence actually answer the question?"
- Move on to Lesson 6: Mixed Practice Set