Prefixes
The meaning of "pre"
Before
The big message of an article or nonfiction text.
The definition of theme.
the message or life lesson of a text
Read the following: As I sat in class, I read the book. I was a bit confused while reading, but I was able to make some inferences that helped me understand the story better.
The definition of inference.
an assumption? (answers may vary: educated guess, conclusion, guess based on evidence, etc.)
Hinting at something that will occur later in a story.
foreshadowing
The meaning of "re"
Do again/redo
The information that helps you understand the main idea.
supporting evidence or details
The way a theme is written.
a theme statement that is a complete sentence
Read the following: Even though the snake only grazed the leg of my pants, I was still extremely frightened and upset.
The meaning of grazed.
lightly/gently touched
The events leading up to the climax of a story.
rising action
The meaning of "bio"
life or living
True or false: Authors might have a bias if they are writing nonfiction.
true
True or false: Theme is usually directly stated in the text.
false
Read the following: Although the other children were regaled by the musician, Terry found him dull.
The meaning of regaled.
entertained (Answers may vary)
The end result of a story.
resolution/conclusion
The meaning of "auto"
self
The definition of summary.
a short description of all the important parts of a text or story. It covers not just the central idea but also the most important details that support that idea. This may be one or a few sentences long.
The theme of "The Tortoise and the Hare"
slow and steady wins the race? (answers may vary)
Read the following: As Sade was about to bungee jump off the bridge, she had a fleeting thought of getting hurt. Luckily, the thought was gone as quickly as it came.
The meaning of fleeting.
quick/passing
The overall message or life lesson of a story.
theme
The meaning of "anti"
against
Identify the central idea: In recent years, the use of reusable shopping bags has become more popular. This is because people have become more aware that single-use plastic bags can harm the planet. Reusable shopping bags are often made from materials like canvas or recycled plastic. By using reusable bags, individuals can reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and oceans. This helps to protect the environment and wildlife.
"eco-friendly shopping bags are a good alternative to disposable garbage bags"? Answers may vary.
Theme of "Red Scarf Girl."
Loyalty to family is more important than fitting in with a group. (answers may vary)
Still, there was something that was bothering Sam. The tryouts for the tennis team were on the same day as his mom’s birthday, and he knew his family was planning a huge surprise party for her. He didn’t want to miss his shot just because the tryouts were on his mom’s birthday. He was in a quandary; he didn’t know what to do.
The meaning of quandary.
a state of confusion or indecisiveness (answers may vary)
Something that has a deeper meaning in a story, show, or movie; the thing stands for something else.
symbolism