Central Idea
What is the central idea of a text?
The main point or theme of the text.
What is the meaning of theme in the story?
the moral/message of the story
Laura Ingalls Wilder was born February 7, 1867 in Pepin, Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. She met and married Almanzo James Wilder in 1885. She published many books based on her travels to the west. Her writing became the basis for the “Little House” series. She died in 1957.
To inform
Amy was on a diet, but the chocolate cake at the birthday party was her Achilles' Heel.
What was her "Achilles' heel"?
Chocolate cake
Identify the text structure
While painting and sketching are each a form of art, their results are quite different. Paintings are often more vibrant. Sketches are usually softer. Still, both painting and sketching can be relaxing activities, and they are fueled by creativity.
Compare/Contrast
Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.
Topic Sentence: Schools should eliminate summer vacation.
A. Students will learn more and forget less if they have school all year.
B. It costs too much money for school buildings to remain empty in the summer months.
C. Year-round school can better prepare students for year-round work in the adult world.
D. During summer classes, the school should be air-conditioned.
D. During summer classes, the school should be air-conditioned.
Which of the following could be a theme of a story?
A. A 35-year-old woman named Essie and her brother.
B. A small apartment in Marfa, Texas.
C.Telling the truth may cause you pain, but in the end, it's better than lying.
D. Essie lied to her brother about her identity for two years, but she finally decided to tell him the truth.
C.
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To persuade
I wanted to just set the table and be done with it, but my mother scrupulously arranged each napkin, dish, and utensil until they were in perfect alignment.
giving too much attention to detail
Every morning, the cat would jump on the counter and knock over glasses or water. Removing the cat didn't solve the issue. The spray bottle didn't help. Finally, trying tin foil across the countertops scared the cat enough to get him to stop.
Problem/Solution
Select the best topic sentence for the paragraph.
When the teacher walks in, we are always ready for class. We don't talk when the teacher is talking, and we are always respectful. No one ever gets in trouble.
A. The other class is way worse than our class.
B. Our class is always well behaved.
C. School is awesome.
D. Our teacher likes our class the most.
B. Our class is always well behaved.
Unlike the topic of literature, a theme ...
cannot be one word
Rosie had the best time making Valentine cards for her classmates. She used red and white paper, heart stickers, markers, and anything else that she could find. It was great. Her friends are planning a Valentine party on February 14th at school. The card that she made for her best friend is funny. Funny Valentines are nice to get.
To entertain
Jake asked his mother for permission to go to his friend Rodney’s dance party, stating that his grades had improved, and he was quite pleased when she consented.
agreed
What is the author's argument? What does argument mean?
A. a set of reasons an author give to explain why something is correct/incorrect
B. to explain why the author agrees
C. to have a disagreement with the author
D. when the characters don't agree on something in the text
A. a set of reasons an author give to explain why something is correct/incorrect
Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.
Topic Sentence: Reading class is really interesting.
A. Our teacher gives us new ways to look at things.
B. It's my least favorite class.
C. Sometimes we do dramatic readings of the text that are super engaging.
D. We learn interesting facts from the things we read.
B. It's my least favorite class.
You and your friend found two different themes. You can both be right if...
you both have supporting evidence
What is the author’s purpose? Do you want to be an artist? Just enroll in the “The Awesome Artists” program. Don’t let this opportunity or your talent slip away. We guarantee you will be painting like the masters in two weeks for the low cost of $59.95.
to convince you to attend an art program
If bio means "life" and logos means "study of," what does biology mean?
the study of life
If the question includes the word suggests, I know that this is a or an _____________ question.
A. right there
B. vocabulary
C. inference
D. theme
C. inference
Microchips provide the power for wristwatches. They are also the brains in our computers, and they control robots. These chips are used in video games and space shuttles. They make our cameras, radios, and televisions small and light. What is the story mainly about?
How microchips are made
"Simba has to face his past" is NOT a good theme because
It doesn't apply to everyone
Beth and her mom went to the circus. This was a special day because she had never been to a circus before. They bought peanuts and went to their seats. She saw clowns, jugglers, and people on trapezes. There were elephants, lions, and tigers. It was a very exciting day for Beth.
to tell a story about a girl who enjoyed the circus
I want you to weigh his words carefully. He seems sincere and presents his arguments well. There is, however, something that doesn’t quite ring true about the candidate.
What does “weigh” mean in the context of the selection?
To think about
How does the setting advance the plot?
What is this question asking you to do?
A. To choose the answer choice that explains how the conflict is causing the plot of the story to move forward.
B. To choose the answer that shows how the character's actions are causing the plot of the story to move forward.
C. To choose the answer choice that shows how the mood is causing the plot of the story to move forward.
D. To choose the answer choice that explains how the setting of the story is causing the plot to move forward.
D. To choose the answer choice that explains how the setting of the story is causing the plot to move forward.