Theme, Central Idea, Inferences
Lena walked into the room with her shoulders slumped and her gaze fixed on the floor. When her teacher handed back the test papers, Lena didn’t look up. She slid her paper into her notebook without a word.
Question:
What can be inferred about Lena's feelings?
A. She is excited about her test score.
B. She is nervous about being late.
C. She is disappointed with her test result.
D. She is angry at her teacher.
C. She is disappointed with her test result.
Jared stared at the broken trophy on the floor. His hands trembled as he heard his father’s footsteps approaching. He had promised to be careful, but now the evidence lay in pieces around him.
What type of conflict is Jared experiencing?
A. Character vs. nature
B. Character vs. self
C. Character vs. society
D. Character vs. character
D. Character vs. character
The old house groaned under the weight of the snow, its timbers creaking as if whispering secrets from the past.
Question:
What does the word "groaned" most likely mean in this sentence?
A. Spoke loudly
B. Made a deep, heavy sound
C. Asked for help
D. Broke apart
B. Made a deep, heavy sound
The article explains how plastic pollution affects marine animals and describes how students can reduce plastic waste by using reusable containers and bottles.
Question:
What is the author’s main purpose in writing this passage?
A. To entertain readers with ocean stories
B. To persuade readers to take action against plastic pollution
C. To describe the history of plastic
D. To compare different types of plastic
B. To persuade readers to take action against plastic pollution
Schools should start later in the morning to help students succeed. Research shows that students who get more sleep perform better in school and have improved mental health.
Question:
What is the main claim the author is making?
A. Students like to stay up late at night.
B. Students should eat a healthy breakfast.
C. Schools should begin earlier so students can finish sooner.
D. Starting school later can help students do better in school.
D. Starting school later can help students do better in school.
Over the past decade, researchers have studied the effects of screen time on teenagers. The studies show that too much screen time can lead to sleep problems, decreased physical activity, and even mood changes. Experts recommend balancing digital activities with time spent outdoors and face-to-face interaction.
Question:
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Teenagers should avoid using screens entirely.
B. Experts want teenagers to use more social media.
C. Excessive screen time may harm teens, so balance is important.
D. Sleep problems in teenagers are caused only by video games.
C. Excessive screen time may harm teens, so balance is important.
Both wolves and coyotes are wild canines, but they differ in size, habitat, and behavior. Wolves typically live in colder climates and hunt in large packs. Coyotes are more adaptable, often living near urban areas and hunting alone or in small groups.
What text structure us used?
Compare and contrast
The hallway was as silent as a tomb after the principal made the announcement.
Question:
What does the simile "as silent as a tomb" suggest?
A. The hallway was spooky.
B. The hallway was very quiet.
C. The hallway was locked.
D. The hallway was filled with students.
B. The hallway was very quiet.
Ella looked at the crowded cafeteria and sighed. She clutched her tray, hoping she could find a seat where she wouldn’t feel invisible. No one looked her way as she passed the tables.
Question:
How does Ella likely feel in this situation?
A. Excited to eat lunch with friends
B. Nervous and left out
C. Angry at her classmates
D. Embarrassed because she forgot her lunch
B. Nervous and left out
A new recycling program could reduce waste by 40%, according to the city’s environmental report. Other towns that have used similar programs report cleaner streets and lower trash collection costs.
Question:
Which statement best describes the evidence the author uses to support the argument?
A. The author uses personal opinions.
B. The author uses facts and examples from other towns.
C. The author compares recycling to composting.
D. The author lists every recycling item.
B. The author uses facts and examples from other towns.
In the heart of the bustling city, a small park offered a peaceful retreat. Children played, couples strolled, and the elderly found solace on the benches. The park, though modest, was a sanctuary amidst the urban chaos
What is the central idea?
The central idea is that the small park serves as a peaceful sanctuary amidst the bustling city life.
Students were constantly forgetting their homework. As a solution, the teacher implemented a new system: a reminder board at the front of the class. Within a week, missed assignments dropped by half.
Question:
What is the text structure of this passage?
Problem & Solution
Time is a thief that steals our best moments without warning.
Prompt:
What type of figurative language is used in this sentence? What does the phrase mean?
The sentence uses personification because time is described as a thief. It means that time passes quickly and takes away important moments before we realize it.
Read the sentence below and explain the author’s purpose:
“Did you know that nearly 500 billion plastic bottles are used every year? If we each use one less bottle a week, we can make a huge difference!”
Question:
What is the author’s purpose in writing this, and how do you know?
The author’s purpose is to persuade. They use a surprising fact and encourage the reader to take action by using fewer plastic bottles
Read this sentence:
“Banning junk food in schools will improve student health by lowering the risk of obesity and diabetes.”
Question:
What is the author’s claim, and what evidence supports it?
The claim is that schools should ban junk food. The evidence is that it will lower the risk of obesity and diabetes.
As Malik packed up his science fair project, he overheard a judge say, "That display showed real innovation." Malik’s eyes lit up and he straightened his posture. He walked out of the room smiling and humming a tune.
Question:
What does Malik’s reaction suggest, and which part of the text best supports this inference?
He’s proud; "his eyes lit up and he straightened his posture" supports this.
The positive body language and facial expressions show pride and satisfaction.
After weeks of training, Maria stepped onto the track for the championship race. The crowd roared as the starter raised his arm. The race began, and Maria pushed harder than ever, crossing the finish line just inches ahead of her opponent.
Question:
Which part of the plot is shown in this passage?
Even after several failed attempts, Kayla remained resolute in her decision to keep trying.
Prompt:
Using context clues, what does the word resolute mean in this sentence? Explain how you figured it out.
"Resolute" means determined or not giving up. The clue is that Kayla kept trying even after failing, showing she was strong in her decision.
Imagine a character in a story refuses to ask for help even though they are struggling with their homework.
Question:
What might this tell you about the character’s perspective or point of view? Support your answer.
This shows the character might feel embarrassed or want to be independent. They may believe asking for help means they’re not smart, even though that’s not true.
A writer says students should wear uniforms because it helps them focus more on learning. They say a study found that schools with uniforms had fewer behavior problems.
Question:
Is this a strong argument? Why or why not? Use the claim and evidence in your answer.
Yes, it’s a strong argument because the author makes a clear claim and supports it with a study that shows positive results, like fewer behavior problems.