Main Idea & Details
True or False: The main idea is always the first sentence in a passage
False
Is the passage, "In 1885, seatbelts were invented. In 1956 laws were made. Today, seat belts are required." an example of cause/effect, chronological order, or problem/solution?
Chronological Order
In the sentence, "The new rule made helmets mandatory for all bikers," what does "mandatory" mean?
Required.
The “u” in “tumble” sounds like the “u” in which of these: “cut,” “cute,” or “cup”?
“Cut” or “cup.” The “u” in “tumble” makes the short /ŭ/ sound.
Why do authors write nonfiction texts?
To give true facts or to teach something
How do titles, headings, or bold words help you understand the text?
Details help explain or prove the main idea. They give you the facts.
What type of text structure is used when the passage describes events in the order they happened?
Chronological Order
What strategy should you use to figure out the meaning of an unknown word in a sentence?
Look for clues in the surrounding sentences.
What word has the same vowel sound as “deaths”? Options: “beat,” “belt,” “bread”?
“Bread.” All have the short “eh” sound.
How can you tell if the author is trying to entertain you?
The story is fun, exciting, or funny, and not just giving facts.
Can a paragraph have more than one main idea? Why or why not?
Usually, one main idea per paragraph. Too many would be confusing.
Give an example of a sentence that shows chronological order.
Teachers Discretion
Use context clues to determine the meaning of "advocate" in the sentence: "The advocate worked hard to make roads safer."
Someone who supports and promotes something.
What vowel sound is in the word “seat”? Is it long or short?
Long vowel /ē/ sound (as in “see”).
How can connecting what you read to your own life help you understand it better?
It helps you understand the characters or ideas better because you’ve felt the same way.
Why is it important to pay attention to key details when reading?
Key details support the main idea and help explain or prove it. Without them, the text wouldn't make sense or be convincing.
Explain how understanding the text structure helps you understand the passage better.
It helps you follow the sequence of events or understand the relationships between ideas.
Explain how context clues can help you understand domain-specific words.
Context clues provide hints about the meaning of specialized terms.
Which prefix means “not”: pre-, re-, or un-?
“Un-” means “not.”
How does making connections while you read help you become a better reader?
It helps you focus, remember more, and understand the message or main idea better.
How do you find the main idea in a multi-paragraph passage? Explain your strategy.
Look for repeated ideas or key points in the title, first & last sentences, and support details. Summarize what the whole text is mostly about.
*Teachers Discretion*
Compare and contrast chronological order with cause/effect text structures.
Chronological order presents events in sequence, while cause/effect shows how one event leads to another.
Describe a situation where using context clues is essential to understanding a text.
When reading scientific or technical texts with unfamiliar terms.
*Teachers Discretion*
What are two ways to figure out how to pronounce a new word you’ve never seen?
1. Break the word into syllables. 2. Look for familiar prefixes or roots. 3. Use a dictionary or ask for help.
Can an author have more than one purpose? Give an example.
Yes! A book can inform and entertain—for example, a funny book about sharks.