Standard 3

Text Features: Contents, Index and Glossary – Standard 3 English

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What you will learn

  • Use a contents page to find a chapter.
  • Use an index to find a word and its pages.
  • Use a glossary and a simple chart for exact information.

Text features are the parts of a book that help you find information without reading every page. A contents page lists chapters in order, with page numbers. An index is an alphabetical list at the back, showing where a topic appears.

A glossary is a small dictionary of hard words from that book. A chart puts numbers or facts in rows so you can compare them quickly.

You will use a tiny book about the coast. It is original, made for this lesson. Open a section, then answer.

Contents and index

The contents page is in order of the book. If you want the chapter on weather, scan the chapter titles, then go to that page. You do not need the exact word weather if the chapter title is close.

The index is in alphabetical order. Crab comes before mango, and mango comes before rain, because c comes before m, and m comes before r. The index may list more than one page.

Use the contents when you know the big topic. Use the index when you know the word.

Worked example 1

You need every page that mentions a seine. Contents or index?

Show me how

Seine is a word, not a chapter title in our sample.

The index lists seine on pages 4 and 7.

So the index is the faster tool.

Glossary

A glossary defines words as the book uses them. Jetty means a platform built out over the water. You do not need to guess from a story if the glossary tells you.

Glossary words are usually in alphabetical order too. Read the whole meaning, not only the first word of it.

If the glossary and the chapter disagree, look again. In a careful book they match. In this lesson they match.

Worked example 2

Where do you look for the meaning of provisions in this book?

Show me how

Provisions is a hard word the book expects you to learn.

The glossary says supplies for a trip.

The index would tell you pages, not the meaning. The glossary tells the meaning.

Charts

A chart answers “how many” or “which kind” quickly. Read the title first. Fish counted on Saturday tells you the chart is a count, not a story.

Read the row you need. Do not add a row that is not there. The crab row says the crab was returned, so it is not part of the fish for the pot.

Charts and paragraphs can work together. The paragraph explains. The chart counts.

Watch out! A common mistake

A common mistake is to use the index when you need a meaning, or the glossary when you need a page. Match the tool to the job.

Try it

TRY ITBook lab

Let’s practise

Work each one in your copybook. Open Hint if you are stuck, then open Show answer to check.

1. What does a contents page list?

Hint

Think of chapters.

Show answer

Chapters or sections in order, with page numbers.

2. Why is an index usually alphabetical?

Hint

Think of how you search a word.

Show answer

Alphabetical order lets you find a word quickly.

3. In the sample book, which tool gives the meaning of seine?

Hint

Meaning, not pages.

Show answer

The glossary.

4. In the sample book, on which pages is seine mentioned?

Hint

Use the index.

Show answer

Pages 4 and 7.

5. How many kingfish does the chart show?

Hint

Read that row.

Show answer

4.

6. Should you add the returned crab into the fish for the pot? Why?

Hint

Read the note.

Show answer

No. The chart says the crab was returned.

7. You know the big topic is weather, but not a single word. Contents or index?

Hint

Big topic first.

Show answer

Contents. Weather charts is a chapter.

8. Name one mistake when choosing a text feature.

Hint

Tool and job.

Show answer

Using the index for a meaning, or the glossary for a page number.

Quiz

Lesson quiz: 10 questions

Answer every question, then press Check my answers. Score 8 or more to earn the Book Navigator badge.

Recap

  • Contents finds chapters. Index finds words and pages.
  • Glossary finds meanings. Charts find counts.
  • Match the tool to the question.
  • Do not invent a row or a page that is not printed.

Words to know

contents
The list of chapters and their starting pages.
Example: The contents showed Weather charts on page 14.
index
An alphabetical list of topics and page numbers.
Example: The index listed seine on two pages.
glossary
A short dictionary of words used in that book.
Example: The glossary defined jetty.
chart
Facts or numbers set in rows so they are easy to compare.
Example: The chart showed 20 sardines.

Try it at home

  • Pick a library information book. Find one fact using the contents and one word using the index.
  • Copy three glossary meanings into your copybook in your own short words.
  • Make a three-row chart of fruits at home and write one sentence about what the chart shows.

Test tips

Tips for class tests

  • Before you hunt, decide if you need a chapter, a page, a meaning or a number.
  • In an index, find the first letter before you read every line.
  • Read a chart title before you read the numbers.

For parents and teachers

After this lesson, your child should be able to:

  • Choose contents, index, glossary or chart for four different questions.
  • Find a page and a meaning in the sample book.
  • Read one number from the chart and say what it counts.

A real children’s information book is the best extra practice. The sample book in the lesson is enough for the quiz.

Quiz scores and badges are saved only in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere. If the browser data is cleared, or another device is used, the badges will be lost.

Previous: Reading Comprehension
Next: Story Elements and the Plot Mountain
Course: Standard 3 English

Updates

2026/11/06
– Published this lesson and linked the previous and next lessons.
– First draft of this English lesson, with a hands-on lab, practice, quiz badge and worksheet.

Attributions to media used in this post:

No third-party pictures or recordings. The diagrams in the activity are original drawings for this lesson.

© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.

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