Main idea and theme
Context Clues 1
Context Clues 2
Context Clues 3
Context Clues 4
100

What is another way to describe the main idea? a) What the passage or reading section is mainly about b) the moral of the story c) boring

a) What the passage or reading section is mainly about

100
The children danced to the music with merry JUBILATION. What does JUBILATION mean? a) delight b) distress c) surprise
a) delight
100

This school has a lot of DIVERSITY. We have students from many races, religions and cultural backgrounds. What does "DIVERSITY" mean? a) Different cultures b) Same kinds of things or people together c) Different kinds of things or people together

c) Different kinds of things or people together

100
The snow was a MARVEL to look at as it glistened in the bright sun. What does "MARVEL" mean? a.) An awesome sight b.) A comic book c.) a disgusting sight
a.) An awesome sight
100
Joe felt ANGUISH when his dog died. He'd had his dog for 13 years. What does "ANGUISH" mean? a) Extreme excitement, joy, and wonder b) Extreme pain, sadness and suffering c) Nothing
b) Extreme pain, sadness and suffering
200

What is the theme of a story? a) The theme of a story is what the story is about. b) The theme of a story is the lesson or moral of the story. c) The theme of the story is the characters in the story.

b) The theme of a story is the lesson or moral of the story.

200

The substitute teacher felt EXASPERATED because she could not get the students to stop talking and listen. What does EXASPERATED mean? a) lonely b) frustrated c) depressed

b) frustrated

200
The full moon ILLUMINATED the sky so much that we did not need our flashlights. What would be a synonym for ILLUMINATED? a) lit b) darkened c) filled
a) lit
200
Cheerleaders are a BOISTEROUS group. They spend a lot of time jumping and shouting to energize the players and the fans. What does "BOISTEROUS" mean? a.) loud, noisy, energetic b.) quiet, subdued, depressed c.) awesome, wonderful, great
a.) loud, noisy, energetic
200
Dad thought the spaghetti sauce was too BLAND, so he added more garlic. What does BLAND mean? a) salty b) spicy c) mild
c) mild
300

We read a short Native American story about a stork getting caught in a net with some crows who were stealing a farmer's corn. What is the theme of this story? a) many b) Crows are not smart animals c) You should be careful when choosing your friends.

c) You should be careful when choosing your friends.

300

Arnold approached the snake CAUTIOUSLY. He thought it was dead, but he didn't know for sure. What does CAUTIOUSLY mean? a) quickly b) carefully c) carelessly

b) carefully

300
Even though Paul was excited about the project, he wanted the other kids to think he was cool, so he answered the teacher's question in a NONCHALANT tone. What would be a synonym for NONCHALANT? a) relaxed b) enthusiastic c) angry
a) relaxed
300
The girl had a very DISTINCT way of dressing. She did not dress like the rest of the crowd. What does "distinct" mean? What does DISTINCT mean? a.) same b.) alike c.) different
c.) different
300
The black plague swept through Europe in the Middle Ages killing millions of people. In some villages, half the population PERISHED. What does PERISHED mean? a) got sick b) died c) escaped
b) died
400
We read a story about a selfish emperor who hired some tailors to make him some special clothes that would be invisible to stupid people. The tailors cheated him and stole his wealth. What is a theme for this story? a) Never trust anyone b) We should treat all people with respect and not act like we are better than others. c) If you are selfish you will get what is coming to you
b) We should treat all people with respect and not act like we are better than others.
400

Susie could smell the AROMA of freshly baking bread as soon as she walked into the kitchen. What does AROMA mean? a) scent b) sound c) stink

a) scent

400

The town is so RURAL that most of the residents are cows! What does "RURAL" mean? a) city b) suburb c) country

c) country

400

The CONTINUOUS pounding of the hammers gave me a headache. It seemed like they had been working on the new ramp for days. What does "CONTINUOUS" mean? a.) slowly b.) non-stop c.) quickly

b.) non-stop

400
That movie had an INTENSE effect on me. I could not stop thinking about it! What does INTENSE mean? a.) powerful b.) mild c.) bad
a) powerful
500

What is the difference between the main idea of a story and the theme of a story? a) Main idea--what story is about; Theme--Life lesson or moral b) Main idea--Life lesson or moral; Theme--what the story is about c) Main idea--characters in story; Theme--climax in the story

a.)Main idea--what story is about; Theme--Life lesson or moral

500
Luke was COMPENSATED for the yard work he had done over the summer. He spent the money he had earned on a new bike. What does COMPENSATED mean? a)thanked b) complimented c) paid
c) paid
500

Tanya's mother drives slowly when she gets close to the school and is careful to watch for PEDESTRIANS. What would be a synonym for PEDESTRIANS? a) people walking b) pretty scenery c) fruit stands

a) people walking

500

Keep your speech concise to save time. We have many students who need to present their reports. What does "CONCISE" mean? What does CONCISE mean? a.) short b.) exact c.) long

a.) short

500
Angela knew that there were NUMEROUS reasons why she should take the job, but she just did not want it. What does NUMEROUS mean? a) a few b) many c) none
b) many
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