Main Idea
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
If a dog is sad or wants something, it may whine.
One or two high barks are a dog's way of saying hello.
Growling can mean that the dog does not feel safe.
Choose the main, or central, idea that ties all the details together.
a. Whining can mean that a dog is sad.
b. A dog moves its tail in different ways to tell how it feels.
c. The sounds that dogs make tell information.
c. The sounds that dogs make tell information.
What is the suffix in arrangement?
-ment
Use the text to put the events in order.
During the Industrial Revolution, many important inventions appeared. These inventions made everyday life much easier. In 1769, James Watt invented a steam engine that sped up iron and coal production. About twenty years later, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. This machine made it much easier to separate cotton seeds from the fiber, or lint. Then, in the 1830s, Cyrus McCormick invented a mechanical reaper for cutting grain.
events: a. McCormick invents his reaper. b. Watt invents a steam engine. c. Whitney invents the cotton gin.
b. Watt invents a steam engine.
c. Whitney invents the cotton gin.
a. McCormick invents his reaper.
Read the following myth from the Yoruba people of West Africa.
Eshu's Hat
The god Eshu, who loved to play tricks, walked down the main road in a small village. He wore a hat that was red on one side and white on the other.
Two friends stood on opposite sides of the road. One saw the red side of the hat. The other saw the white side. Later, the two friends talked about the strange man in the hat.
"The hat was red," said the first friend.
"No, you are wrong. The hat was white," said the second friend.
"Do you think I'm lying?" asked the first friend. "The hat was as red as blood!"
"Do you think I'm blind?" cried the second friend. "The hat was as white as milk!"
The friends got into a fight, both believing they were right.
The tricky Eshu had been watching them. Laughing, he went up to the angry friends.
"Look, you fools!" he said. "My hat is red on one side and white on the other."
What is the main theme or lesson of the myth?
a. people can see things differently and both be right.
b. You may lose friends if you lie to them.
a. people can see things differently and both be right.
Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?
My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog.
From Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn-Dixie. Copyright 2000 by Kate DiCamillo
1st Person
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
Though most chopsticks are made from wood, some are made of bamboo.
Chopsticks can also be made of metal, such as silver or brass.
Some chopsticks are made of precious stones.
Choose the main, or central, idea that ties all the details together.
a. Chopsticks can be made out of more than just wood.
b. Metal and stones can be used to create chopsticks.
c. Chopsticks are sometimes made of ocean coral.
a. Chopsticks can be made out of more than just wood.
What does misunderstand mean?
understand incorrectly
Use the text to compare and contrast a soldier and a warrior.
The words soldier and warrior are considered synonyms, but they have somewhat different meanings. Soldier usually describes someone who is paid to be part of an army. A soldier fights against another army in a war. A warrior also fights in a battle or a war. However, a warrior is usually not part of an army. The word warrior can be used to describe anyone who fights and has courage.
Fights in a war (a soldier) (a warrior)
Usually not in an army (a warrior)
Read the following Filipino folktale.
The Man with the Coconuts
One day a man gathered dozens of coconuts to sell in the village. He loaded all the coconuts onto his horse. On his way, he met a boy.
"How long do you think it will take for me to reach the village?" the man asked the boy.
The boy looked at the huge pile of coconuts packed on the horse.
"If you go slowly, you will arrive very soon," the boy said. "But if you go quickly, it will take you all day long."
This boy doesn't make sense! the man thought to himself. I shouldn't listen to him.
The man hurried his horse along. Soon, though, the coconuts fell off the horse. The man had to stop and pick them up again.
He wanted to make up for lost time, so he made his horse go even faster. The coconuts fell off again, and once more the man had to gather them. It was late at night before he reached the village.
What is the main theme or lesson of the folktale?
a. If you are lazy and waste time, you might not get where you need to go.
b. Sometimes rushing can make a task take longer than it needs to.
b. Sometimes rushing can make a task take longer than it needs to.
Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?
One Sunday afternoon after dinner, about a week after John's bicycle was smashed, he and Roger rode out to the Centerville dump. They liked to go to the dump once in a while to see if there was any interesting trash.
From John Bibee, The Magic Bicycle. Copyright 1983 by John Bibee
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
African violet plants do best if they are given warm water at the roots.
African violets need sunlight, but their leaves will turn brown if they get too much.
In order to bloom, African violets should get eight hours of darkness each night.
Choose the main, or central, idea that ties all the details together.
a. The African violent plant needs special care.
b. The flowers of the African violent plants come in a range of colors.
c. African violets should be given warm water.
a. The African violent plant needs special care.
Complete the sentence with the best prefix.
Marie __spelled the word on the test, so she lost a point.
mis-
Read the text.
Not everyone likes to cook or even has the time to do so. Engineers in Britain have developed a robot that can make a meal. The robot is able to imitate the movements of human hands as a result of several different motors and sensors. Because it can also be programmed with daily directions, it can have breakfast or dinner ready just when you want it.Match causes with their effects.
Cause: The robot has special motors and sensors.
Cause: The robot can be programmed with directions.
Effect: The robot can make meals whenever you want them.
Effect: The robot can move like a person.
Cause: The robot has special motors and sensors.
Effect: The robot can move like a person
Cause: The robot can be programmed with directions.
Effect: The robot can make meals whenever you want them.
Read the text.
Fred began a long explanation of what had happened at the school assembly. As he chattered on, Abby kept her eyes on her book. Sometimes she nodded and made comments like, "Yes, it is cold today."
Based on the text, which sentence is more likely to be true?
a. Abby has never been to an assembly.
b. Abby is not paying attention to Fred.
b. Abby is not paying attention to Fred.
Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?
I scoop tea leaves into a pot and pour boiling water over them. I take the teapot and four cups to the table.
I ladle rice into a large bowl. I take the bowl and four plates to the table.
From Lois Sepahban, Paper Wishes. Copyright 2016 by Lois Sepahban
1st Person
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
To be prepared for problems in space, astronauts have to take many classes.
In life-size models of spacecraft, astronauts practice how they'll move in space.
To get used to working while feeling weightless, astronauts train in a large pool.
a. Astronauts have certain tasks to do when they are in space.
b. Astronauts practice feeling weightless before going into space.
c. Astronauts complete a lot of training before going into space.
c. Astronauts complete a lot of training before going into space.
What does restless mean?
Without rest
Read the text.
Studies have found that many children are not well rested. Of course, some children are simply staying up too late. One way to prevent this is to have children go to bed earlier. Yet there is another issue. Some children are not sleeping well because they use their tablets and phones right before bed. These devices put out light that keeps people awake, making it hard to both fall asleep and stay asleep. To improve sleep, experts say children should stop looking at screens at least thirty minutes before bedtime.
Match the problems with their solutions.
Problem: Children aren't getting enough sleep.
Problem: Children are sleeping poorly.
Solution: Children can stop using devices half an hour before bed.
Solution: Children can go to bed earlier.
Problem: Children aren't getting enough sleep.
Solution: Children can go to bed earlier.
Problem: Children are sleeping poorly.
Solution: Children can stop using devices half an hour before bed.
Read the text.
Tim stood on the ridge, looking at the forest below. I must be the only one here, Tim thought to himself. Then he turned and something caught his eye—smoke rising from a camping area.
Based on the text, which sentence is more likely to be true?
a. Campers aren't allowed in the forest.
b. Tim is not alone.
b. Tim is not alone.
Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?
You slip the money out of the wallet and shove it into your pocket. You close the wallet and lay it down, just so, beside the loaded toothbrush. Then you breathe a bit, like you're remembering how.
From Tim Wynne-Jones, Blink & Caution. Copyright 2011 by Tim Wynne-Jones
2nd person
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
Robots are used in many factories that produce cars.
In hospitals, robots help doctors and nurses by carrying medicine and other supplies.
Some people use robots in their homes to help keep their houses clean.
Choose the main, or central, idea that ties all the details together.
a. In some stores, robots are used to prepare boxes for shipping.
b. Robots have many jobs in today's world.
c. In hospitals, doctors sometimes use robots.
b. Robots have many jobs in today's world.
What is the suffix in wasteful?
-ful
Read the text.
You've probably heard of Yellowstone National Park, but how much do you know about it? Did you realize, for example, that Yellowstone was the world's first national park? In addition, this park is enormous. It's larger than the state of Delaware! People visit Yellowstone to see animals such as moose and bears. They also enjoy beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and more. It's well worth a visit.
Which text structure does the text use?
sequential
descriptive
cause-effect
Descriptive
Read the story.
Moshe used his magic wand to light the way past shelves of dusty old books.
"I didn't know the Wizard's Library went back this far," his sister Liu said, her voice shaking. "Are we even supposed to be back here?"
Moshe ignored her and stood on his tiptoes to reach for an ancient volume. "Are you ready?" he asked.
Liu gulped. "I guess."
Moshe placed the book on the floor and opened it to a special page. A door suddenly appeared, and Liu saw a deep green forest on the other side. Moshe pointed toward the magical doorway.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Liu asked, without moving.
Which statement about Liu is most likely true?
a. She usually loves to explore new places around her.
b. She thinks all libraries are dull and boring.
c. She tends to hesitate before doing something new.
c. She tends to hesitate before doing something new.
Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?
Lily sank back on her heels to look around at the blue walls and ceiling, and the gold stars pasted on here and there. Then she stretched up again, working with Poppy's paint scraper, to peel off a star that was almost beyond her reach.
From Patricia Reilly Giff, Lily's Crossing. Copyright 1997 by Patricia Reilly Giff
3rd Person