Elements of Fiction
Figurative Language
Inferences
Nonfiction Text Features/Structure
Central Idea
100
The where and when (or place and time) of a story.
What is setting?
100

She was as cool as an ice cube.

What is a simile?

100

The door opened automatically as I entered. I took a cart and head to the dairy section. I took milk and eggs and went straight to the cashier. Where am I? a) train station b) grocery store c) doctor's office d) cafeteria

grocery store

100
The words that explain what a picture shows.
What is the caption?
100

It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backwards. Some of them wore their t-shirt backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last at lunch. They tried to walk home backward, but they kept bumping into each other and fell down. What is the central idea of this passage?

The author describes how students had a backwards day.

200
The problem of a story.
What is conflict?
200
The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.
What is a personification?
200

"Kenneth!" Mom called out as she opened the front door. "Please help me with my groceries. Kenneth!" mom called out. Still there was no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen and saw the shattered pieces from the window all over the floor and a baseball not far from there. Why do you think Kenneth was not answering to his mom? Why do you think so?

Kenneth accidentally broke a window while he was outside playing baseball. He's not answering because he doesn't want to get into trouble.

200
The part of a nonfiction book that defines words.
What is a glossary?
200

What is the central idea of this passage? The rules for lining up are very clear. Wait until the teacher calls your group, then stand up and push in your chair. Walk to the door and stand in a straight, quiet line. Anyone not following the rules will be told by the teacher to please sit down. This can cause the class to be late for their transition.

The author sequences the rules for lining up.

300
The sequence of events in a story.
What is the plot?
300

Identify the figurative language:

Peter Piper Picked a Pack of Pickled Peppers.

A. Simile   B. Alliteration   C. Metaphor  D. Idiom


What is B. Alliteration

300

Splat! Splat! Splat! Everybody outside was using an umbrella. Though I don't like rain, I sill love the flowers it brings. I'm excited to pick the flowers once the rain stops. When is this? a) daytime/ spring b) daytime/ fall c) nighttime/ spring d) nighttime/ fall

a) daytime/ spring

300

The title at the top of each page.

What is the heading?

300

Which of the following is the central idea sentence in this paragraph? My mother is a veterinarian. She loves animals. When she was younger she had lots of pets. She even teaches classes about how people can help protect animals.

My mother is a veterinarian.

400
The lesson (main message) given in a story.
What is theme?
400

I will freeze to death if I go outside.

What is hyperbole?

400

I pressed the button and after a few seconds the door opened. I stepped inside and pressed a button with the number 10 on it. The door closed. Then, I felt the floor was moving up. Where am I?

Elevator

400

The modern Olympics are very unlike the ancient Olympic games. Individual events are different. While there was no swimming in the ancient games, for example, there were chariot races. There were no female contestants and all athletes competed in the nude. Of course, the ancient and modern Olympics are also like in many ways. Some events, such as the javelin and the discus throws are the same. Some people say that cheating, professionalism, and nationalism in the modern games are a disgrace to the Olympic tradition. But according to the Greek writers there were many cases of cheating, nationalism, and professionalism in their Olympics, too.

What is compare/contrast?

400

What is the central idea of this passage? Sonny watches too much television. A toddler shouldn't spend hours sitting in front of a television screen. Worse yet, some of his wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons he watches. His parents should spend more time reading or playing games with him and pull the plug on the TV! A baby needs more attention than just keeping them occupied and quiet.

The author uses problem and solution to show that watching a lot of television is bad for Sonny.

500

What does a STEAL chart tell you about a character?

Says

Thoughts

Effects on others

Actions

Looks

500

Life is a rollercoaster. 

Metaphor

500

Dad and Anna were finishing up a project in the garage together. "Can we paint the roof red?" asked Anna. "Sure," said Dad. "Then when the paint dries we can find a place to hang it in the backyard high enough for them to eat." What do you think Dad and Anna are making?

A birdhouse

500

There are several reasons why so many people attend the Olympic games or watch them on television. One reason is tradition. The name Olympics and the torch and flame remind people of the ancient games. People can escape the ordinariness of daily life by attending or watching the Olympics. They like to identify with someone else’s individual sacrifice and accomplishment. National pride is another reason, and an athlete’s or a team’s hard earned victory becomes a nation’s victory. There are national medal counts and people keep track of how many medals their country’s athletes have won.

What is cause & effect?

500

What is the central idea of the passage?

Millions of acres of tropical rainforest have been destroyed. Many animals and people lose their homes when the rain forest is cut down. Today, people are destroying the forests so quickly that the animals are unable to adapt. Many of these animals, such as the leopard, need miles and miles of untouched rain forest in order to live. Furthermore, as more of the rainforest is destroyed, the risk of air pollution and loss of oxygen increases.


The author uses cause & effect to explain that cutting tree is causing animals to die and lose their homes in the rainforest.

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