Central Idea
What is the central idea of a text?
The most important idea the author wants the reader to understand.
What does it mean to use text evidence?
Use information or details from the text to support an answer.
An inference combines text evidence with your ________.
Background knowledge/reasoning.
Identify the preposition: The backpack is under the desk
under
What should an informational response clearly state?
A central idea.
A paragraph explains that bees pollinate flowers, help plants reproduce, and contribute to the production of many foods. What is the central idea?
Bees are important because they help plants and food crops grow.
Central idea: Exercise can improve a person's health. Which detail supports it?
A. Gyms can be expensive.
B. Exercise can strengthen the heart.
C. Some people exercise in the morning.
D. Running shoes come in many colors.
Jamal grabbed his umbrella before leaving and put on his rain boots. What can you infer?
It is raining or he expects rain.
Identify the prepositional phrase: We walked through the park.
through the park
What should you use from a passage to support your response?
Specific text evidence/details.
Which is more likely to be a central idea: “Dogs can help people in many different ways” or “Some dogs have brown fur”?
Dogs can help people in many different ways.
If a question asks, “Which sentence BEST supports the central idea?” what should you look for?
The sentence that most directly proves or develops the central idea.
Elena reread her speech several times and practiced it in front of her family before presentation day. What can you conclude about Elena?
She wants to be prepared/do well on her presentation.
Choose the correct word: The students returned ___ the classroom after lunch.
A. to
B. because
C. and
D. quickly
A — to
Put these in the best order: Evidence – Central Idea – Explanation
Central Idea → Evidence → Explanation
A paragraph tells how an athlete practiced every morning, continued training after losing races, and eventually won a championship. State the central idea.
The athlete’s persistence/practice helped lead to success.
A text says Maya practiced the piano every day, asked her teacher for extra exercises, and performed a difficult song at the recital. Give one piece of evidence that Maya worked hard.
She practiced every day OR asked for extra exercises.
A father repeatedly buys his daughter art supplies and displays her paintings around the house. What can you infer about his feelings toward her art?
He supports/values/encourages her interest in art.
Combine these sentences clearly: Maria wanted to improve her grade. She studied every night.
Maria wanted to improve her grade, so she studied every night.
What is missing? “Learning a new skill takes practice. The text says Jordan practiced basketball every afternoon.”
An explanation connecting the evidence back to the central idea.
Explain the difference between a central idea and a supporting detail.
The central idea is the main point, while supporting details provide evidence, examples, or information that develop that point.
Why might a detail be true but still be the wrong answer to a text-evidence question?
Because it may not actually support the specific idea the question asks about.
Why should an inference be supported by evidence instead of being based only on what you think?
A valid inference must be supported by information the author actually provides.
Which revision is most effective?
A. Liam wanted to make the team, practiced every afternoon.
B. Liam wanted to make the team he practiced every afternoon.
C. Liam wanted to make the team, so he practiced every afternoon.
D. Liam wanted to make the team, but he practiced every afternoon.
C. Liam wanted to make the team, so he practiced every afternoon.
Your prompt asks: “Explain how a person’s abilities develop over time.” Name three things you should include in your response.
A clear central idea, evidence showing development over time, and explanations connecting the evidence to the central idea.