Author's Purpose
Why do people wear coats in winter? People wear coats in winter to stay warm. Coats help trap heat
and protect the body from cold air.
What is the author’s purpose? Answer, Describe, or Explain?
The author is answering a question.
Very little rain falls in this place.
The weather is hot, and the soil
is dry. Plants that live there have
special parts that help them store
water so they can survive.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Desert plants are adapted to survive with very little water.
Frogs
Frogs live near water and can jump
very far. They have strong legs
and smooth skin.
Why did the author include the heading “Frogs”?
The heading tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
The shoes were untied, so she had to stop and fix them before running.
The word “untied” has the prefix un-. What does the prefix un- tell you about the word “untied”?
The shoes were not tied.
The puppy was joyful when it saw its owner.
Write a synonym for joyful.
happy, excited, etc
To make a peanut butter sandwich,
first spread peanut butter on one
slice of bread. Next, place another
slice of bread on top. Finally,
cut the sandwich in half.
What is the author’s purpose?
Answer, Describe, or Explain?
Some dogs are trained to help people
in special ways. They can guide
people who cannot see or alert
others when help is needed. Dogs
can also protect homes and help
police officers. These animals work
closely with humans every day.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Some dogs help people by working in special jobs.
How Plants Grow
Plants need sunlight, water, and
soil to grow. Sunlight helps plants
make their own food.
What does the heading help the reader understand?
The heading helps the reader know that the paragraph will explain what plants need to grow.
Sam felt unhappy when it started raining on his birthday.
The word “unhappy” has the prefix un-. What does the prefix un- tell you about the word “unhappy”?
Sam was not happy
Liam felt very tiny compared to the huge elephant at the zoo.
Write a synonym for tiny.
small, little
A tulip is a type of flower. Tulips come in many different colors like red, yellow, purple, white, and pink. Tulips are not grown from seeds but from bulbs buried under soil.
What is the author's purpose? Answer, Describe, or Explain?
The author is describing the topic of tulips in detail.
Trash that is not reused often ends
up in landfills. This can cause
pollution and harm animals. Items
like paper, plastic, and metal can
be reused instead. Doing this helps
keep the Earth cleaner.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Recycling helps reduce pollution and protect the Earth.
Penguins live in cold places like
Antarctica. They have thick feathers
that keep them warm.
(Picture of a penguin standing on ice)
How does the picture help the reader?
The picture helps the reader see what a penguin looks like and understand the text better.
The cat moved quietly across the room so it would not wake the baby.
The word “quietly” has the suffix -ly. What does the suffix -ly tell you about the word “quietly”?
The cat moved in a quiet way
The teacher asked the students to be silent during the test.
Write a synonym for silent.
quiet
A dolphin is a sea animal. Dolphins are smooth and gray. They swim quickly and often jump
out of the water. Dolphins are
very smart and playful.
What is the author’s purpose? Answer, Describe, or Explain?
The author is describing how dolphins look and act.
Running, jumping, and playing
sports help your muscles grow
stronger. These activities also
help your heart work better and
give you more energy during the
day.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Exercise helps keep your body healthy.
Bees help plants grow by moving
pollen from flower to flower.
This process is called pollination.
Pollination: the movement of
pollen that helps plants make seeds
Why did the author include the glossary definition?
The glossary definition helps the reader understand what a new or difficult word means.
She finished her homework carefully, making sure every answer was correct.
The word “carefully” has the suffix -ly. What does the suffix -ly tell you about the word “carefully”?
She did it in a careful way, or with care.
The mountain was tall, but the hill nearby was not.
Write an antonym for tall.
short
To wash your hands the right way,
first turn on the water and wet
your hands. Next, add soap and
scrub for 20 seconds. Finally,
rinse and dry your hands.
What is the author’s purpose? Answer, Describe, or Explain?
The author is explaining how to wash your hands.
Large eyes help this animal see in
the dark. Soft feathers allow it to
fly without making noise. Because
of these features, it can hunt when
most other animals are sleeping.
What is the central idea of this passage?
Some animals are adapted for nighttime hunting.
Parts of a Castle
• tall towers
• thick walls
• large gates
How does the list help the reader?
The list helps the reader see the main parts of a castle quickly and clearly.
The classroom was very untidy after art class.
The word “untidy” has the prefix un-. What does the prefix un- tell you about the word “untidy”?
It was not tidy
Ella felt brave when she tried the new ride at the amusement park.
Write an antonym for brave.
scared, afraid