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Worksheet5th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 5th Grade Organizing Informational Writing: Text Structures and Signal Words Worksheet

A 5th grade informative writing worksheet on text structure. Students learn five ways to organize information (description, sequence, compare and contrast, cause and effect, and problem and solution) and the signal words that go with each. They identify the structure of short informational paragraphs, match signal words to structures, choose the best structure for a writing topic, and write a paragraph organized as compare and contrast or cause and effect.

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Grade
5th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Informative Writing
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
30 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
12
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • identifying common informational text structures
  • using signal words that match a structure
  • choosing a structure that fits the topic and purpose
  • organizing a paragraph by compare and contrast or cause and effect

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Organizing Informational Writing: Text Structures and Signal Words

  1. 1Writing Introductions and Conclusions for Informational Essays
Study guide

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

5th Grade students (typically ages 10–11) working on informative writing. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 30 minutes for 12 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Writing Introductions and Conclusions for Informational Essays.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets5th Grade · English · Informative Writing

Organizing Informational Writing: Text Structures and Signal Words

Name

Date

Score /

Choose a structure before you write. Signal words show your reader how your ideas fit together.

Part A: Signal words

Signal words tell the reader how ideas are connected. Match each structure to its signal words.

1.Match each text structure to its signal words.
  • description
  • sequence
  • compare and contrast
  • cause and effect
  • problem and solution
  • one way to fix, the answer is, to solve this
  • because, as a result, therefore
  • both, similarly, however, unlike
  • for example, such as, has, looks like
  • first, next, then, finally

Part B: Name the structure

Read each paragraph. Circle its text structure.

2.Alligators and crocodiles are both large reptiles with powerful jaws. However, an alligator has a wide, U-shaped snout, while a crocodile's snout is narrower and more pointed. What is the structure?
  1. Asequence
  2. Bcompare and contrast
  3. Cproblem and solution
  4. Ddescription
3.Heavy rain fell for days. As a result, rivers rose over their banks, and many roads flooded. What is the structure?
  1. Acause and effect
  2. Bsequence
  3. Cdescription
  4. Dcompare and contrast
4.Many birds fly into large glass windows because they see the sky reflected in them. One way to solve this problem is to put stickers or patterns on the glass so birds can see it is there. What is the structure?
  1. Adescription
  2. Bcompare and contrast
  3. Cproblem and solution
  4. Dsequence
5.To make paper by hand, first tear scrap paper into small pieces. Next, soak the pieces in water and blend them into pulp. Then spread the pulp on a screen. Finally, press out the water and let the sheet dry. What is the structure?
  1. Acause and effect
  2. Bsequence
  3. Cproblem and solution
  4. Dcompare and contrast

Part C: Choose a structure

Writers choose a structure that fits their topic and purpose.

6.Topic: how a seed grows into a plant. Which structure fits best?
  1. Asequence
  2. Bcompare and contrast
  3. Cproblem and solution
  4. Ddescription
7.Topic: how living in a city is different from living on a ranch. Which structure fits best?
  1. Asequence
  2. Bcause and effect
  3. Ccompare and contrast
  4. Dproblem and solution
8.Topic: why some beaches lose sand each year. Which structure fits best?
  1. Adescription
  2. Bcause and effect
  3. Csequence
  4. Dcompare and contrast
9.Write a topic that would work well as problem and solution. (answer space)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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