Authors Claim
Text Features
Text Structures
Central Idea
Summary
100

Show what you do to remember what authors claim is.

fist to hand

100

What does a caption tell you?

A caption tells you about a photograph.

100

What is chronological order?

The sequence that things happen in.

100

Show what you do to remember what central idea is.

Push open hand forward.

100

What strategy do you use to answer a fiction summary question?

What strategy do you use to answer a nonfiction summary question?

Fiction: BME

Nonfiction: Central idea

200

Recycling is an important way to help protect our environment. By recycling, we reduce waste, save energy, and conserve natural resources. If everyone recycled, we could make a big difference in the health of our planet.

What is the author's claim in the passage?

A) Recycling is a waste of time.
B) Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources.
C) Everyone should stop recycling.
D) Recycling is only important for some people.

B) Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources.

200

How do you know words are a heading?

A heading appears above a section of text and usually is bold.

200

Give an example of cause and effect.

What happens

Why it happens

200

What question should you ask yourself to find the central idea of a paragraph?

What is this paragraph mostly about?

200

Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero who was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. His real name is Peter Parker, and he gained his superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. With his new abilities, Spider-Man can climb walls, swing from buildings, and sense danger with his "spider-sense." He uses his powers to fight crime and protect people in New York City. Spider-Man believes that with great power comes great responsibility, and he works hard to keep his identity secret while saving the day.


What is the best summary of the passage about Spider-Man?

A) Spider-Man is a superhero with the ability to fly and defeat villains with super strength.
B) Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker, uses his spider abilities to fight crime and protect people.
C) Spider-Man is a villain who lives in New York City and causes trouble.
D) Spider-Man is a superhero who can control animals and make them do his bidding.

B) Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker, uses his spider abilities to fight crime and protect people.

300

Animals play a crucial role in the balance of nature. Predators help control the population of other animals, while herbivores are important for maintaining plant life. Additionally, insects and small creatures help pollinate flowers, which is vital for the growth of many plants. Without animals, the ecosystem would be out of balance, and many species, including humans, would struggle to survive.

What is the author’s claim about animals in the ecosystem?

A) Animals are only important because they are cute.
B) Animals contribute to the balance of nature by controlling populations and helping plants grow.
C) Animals should be removed from ecosystems to make room for humans.
D) Animals are not needed in ecosystems because plants can survive without them.

B) Animals contribute to the balance of nature by controlling populations and helping plants grow.

300

The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the largest and most important rainforests in the world. It is located in South America and stretches across nine countries, including Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. This rainforest is home to many plants and animals, some of which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The Amazon is often called the "lungs of the planet" because its trees produce oxygen and help absorb carbon dioxide, making it crucial for the health of the planet. However, the rainforest is at risk due to deforestation, which is the cutting down of trees for farming and other activities.

Which of the following text features would help you understand the main idea of the passage about the Amazon Rainforest?

A) A map showing the location of the Amazon Rainforest
B) A chart comparing the Amazon Rainforest with other rainforests
C) A picture of animals in the Amazon Rainforest
D) A table listing the countries the Amazon Rainforest covers

A) A map showing the location of the Amazon Rainforest

300

The Solar System

The solar system is made up of the Sun and all the objects that orbit, or move around, it. The Sun is a giant ball of hot gases, and its gravity keeps the planets in their orbits. There are eight planets in the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets vary in size, with Jupiter being the largest and Mercury being the smallest. Some planets, like Earth, have moons that orbit around them, while others, like Mercury and Venus, do not.

The solar system also contains other objects like dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. Dwarf planets, such as Pluto, are similar to planets but do not have enough gravity to clear their orbits of other objects. Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are icy bodies that travel through the solar system, often developing tails when they get close to the Sun. All these objects, along with the planets, make up the amazing and diverse solar system we live in.

What is the text structure of this passage?

A) Problem and Solution

B) Chronological Order

C) Cause and Effect

D) Description

E) Compare and Contrast

D) Description

300

Sneakers
Sneakers are a type of comfortable shoe that people wear for sports, exercise, or everyday activities. They have soft soles that make walking, running, and jumping easier. Sneakers come in many different styles, colors, and designs, making them popular not only for their comfort but also for fashion. Some sneakers are designed for specific sports, like basketball or running, and provide extra support for athletes. Others are just for casual wear and are worn by people of all ages. Sneakers have become a big part of modern fashion, with many brands creating new styles each year.


What is the central idea of the passage about sneakers?

A) Sneakers are shoes that are only used for sports and exercise.
B) Sneakers are comfortable shoes that come in many styles and are popular for fashion.
C) Sneakers are worn only by athletes for specific sports.
D) Sneakers are shoes that are mostly worn by people who like to run.

B) Sneakers are comfortable shoes that come in many styles and are popular for fashion.

300

Color Guard
Color guard is a performing art that combines dance, flags, and other equipment like rifles and sabers. It is often part of a school’s marching band or is performed in competitions. Color guard members use their equipment to tell a story or express a theme through movement and choreography. The group practices many hours to perfect their routines, and their performances are usually full of exciting spins, tosses, and synchronized steps. Color guard is an exciting activity that requires teamwork, coordination, and practice, and it brings energy and color to parades and shows.


What is the best summary of the passage about color guard?

A) Color guard is a sport where players use equipment to tell a story through dance and movement.
B) Color guard is a group that practices for competitions and performs with flags, rifles, and sabers.
C) Color guard is a group that performs only in parades using musical instruments.
D) Color guard is a sport that only involves tossing flags without any dancing.

B) Color guard is a group that practices for competitions and performs with flags, rifles, and sabers.

400

Deforestation, the removal of trees to make space for buildings and farming, has a negative impact on the environment. Trees are vital to our ecosystem because they absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and provide homes for countless species. When forests are destroyed, the loss of trees contributes to climate change, reduces air quality, and threatens wildlife. Stopping deforestation is crucial to maintaining a healthy planet for future generations.

What is the author’s claim about the effects of deforestation?

A) Deforestation has no effect on the environment.
B) Deforestation helps improve air quality and create more space for humans.
C) Deforestation harms the environment by increasing climate change and endangering wildlife.
 D) Deforestation is necessary for growing more food.

C) Deforestation harms the environment by increasing climate change and endangering wildlife.

400

As students progress through school, the amount of homework they have each week tends to increase. This is because older students are expected to handle more challenging subjects and develop stronger time-management skills.

How does the table support the information in the passage?

A) It tells the reader that students in fourth grade get too much homework.
B) It provides data to show the relationship between grade level and the amount of time spent on homework.
C) Students in fourth grade spend 3 hours on homework each week.
D) It tells the reader why older students handle more challenging subjects..

B) It provides data to show the relationship between grade level and the amount of time spent on homework.

400

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

A butterfly begins its life as an egg. The female butterfly lays her eggs on the leaves of plants. After a few days, the egg hatches, and a tiny caterpillar, or larva, emerges. The caterpillar’s job is to eat as much as it can. It grows quickly by munching on leaves, and during this time, it molts, or sheds its skin, several times.

Once the caterpillar has grown enough, it forms a chrysalis around itself. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar undergoes a transformation called metamorphosis. After a few weeks, the chrysalis opens, and a beautiful butterfly emerges. The butterfly then waits for its wings to dry before flying away. The cycle continues as the butterfly lays eggs, starting the life cycle all over again.

What is the text structure of the passage?

A) Problem and Solution

B) Compare and Contrast

C) Cause and Effect

D) Description

E) Chronological Order

E) Chronological Order

400

Fortnite
Fortnite is a popular online video game where players compete against each other in a battle to be the last one standing. The game is set on an island, and players start by gathering supplies like weapons and building materials. They can build structures like walls and ramps to help them survive and defend themselves. Players also have to avoid a dangerous storm that shrinks the play area. Fortnite is known for its fun graphics, special events, and unique dances. Many people of all ages enjoy playing it, and it has become a big part of pop culture.

Multiple Choice Question:
What is the central idea of the passage about Fortnite?

A) Fortnite is a competitive game where players gather supplies, build structures, and avoid a shrinking storm.

B) Fortnite is an exploration game where players focus on collecting materials to explore the island

C) Fortnite is a game that has no competition between players.
D) Fortnite is a video game about exploring an island without challenges.

A) Fortnite is a competitive game where players gather supplies, build structures, and avoid a shrinking storm.

400

Recess
Recess is a break in the middle of the school day when students can play and relax. During recess, kids can go outside to run, play games like tag or basketball, or just hang out with friends. It’s an important time because it gives students a chance to stretch their legs and have fun before returning to their classrooms to finish lessons. Recess helps students feel refreshed and ready to learn, and it’s something many kids look forward to every day. Some schools have different rules for recess, but it’s always a time for kids to take a break from studying.


What is the best summary of the passage about recess?

A) Recess is a time for students to play and take a break from schoolwork.
B) Recess is the part of the day when students are outside.
C) Recess is when students stay inside and read books.
D) Recess is a time for teachers to relax while students play.

A) Recess is a time for students to play and take a break from schoolwork.

500

Sports offer more than just physical benefits—they play an important role in teaching life lessons. When athletes work together as a team, they learn about communication, cooperation, and handling both success and failure. Sports also encourage discipline, perseverance, and respect for others. These lessons are valuable beyond the game and help build strong, responsible individuals who can contribute positively to their communities.

What is the author’s claim about the role of sports in building character?

A) Sports help people stay physically fit and are not important for character-building.
B) Playing sports teaches important life skills like teamwork, discipline, and respect.
C) Sports are valuable for professional athletes who make a lot of money.
D) Sports are a waste of time because they don’t help with personal growth.

B) Playing sports teaches important life skills like teamwork, discipline, and respect.

500

The Water Cycle

The water cycle is the process that moves water around the Earth. It begins with evaporation, where the sun heats up water in oceans, lakes, and rivers, turning it into water vapor. This vapor rises into the atmosphere and cools, turning into clouds through condensation. The clouds then release water back to Earth as precipitation in the form of rain or snow. The water eventually flows back into bodies of water, and the cycle starts again.


How does the diagram of the water cycle contribute to the passage?

A) It shows the steps of the water cycle in order and helps readers understand how the process works.
B) It explains the types of weather that occur during the water cycle.
C) It tells the reader about different types of precipitation.
D) It describes why rain falls from clouds in the sky.

A) It shows the steps of the water cycle in order and helps readers understand how the process works.

500

How Plants Grow

Plants need sunlight, water, and soil to grow. When a plant gets enough sunlight, it can use the energy from the sun to make food through a process called photosynthesis. If the plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, it will not grow well and may become weak or stop growing altogether. Water is also important because it helps the plant take in nutrients from the soil. Without water, the plant may wilt and die.

Soil is another key factor in a plant’s growth. If the soil is rich in nutrients, the plant can grow strong and healthy. On the other hand, if the soil is poor or doesn’t have enough nutrients, the plant may not grow properly. If a plant doesn’t get the right balance of sunlight, water, and soil, it may not survive. The health of a plant depends on these important factors working together.

What is the text structure of this passage?

A) Problem and Solution

B) Compare and Contrast

C) Cause and Effect

D) Description

E) Chronological Order

C) Cause and Effect

500

Rap music is a popular genre that started in the 1970s in New York City. It features rhythmic speaking or "rapping" over music, and the lyrics often tell stories or express ideas. Many rap songs talk about personal experiences, social issues, or celebrations. The beat, or rhythm, of the music is an important part of rap, and it is often created using drums, samples, or electronic sounds. Over the years, rap has become a major part of pop culture and has influenced music, fashion, and language all around the world.

What is the central idea of the paragraph about rap music?

A) Rap music started in the 1970s and focuses on rhythmic speaking over music.
B) Rap music only focuses on social issues and personal experiences.
C) Rap music is a major part of pop culture.
D) Rap music is created using only electronic sounds and drums.

A) Rap music started in the 1970s and focuses on rhythmic speaking over music.

500

Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a famous leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He worked to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. King believed in peaceful protests and gave many speeches to inspire people to stand up for equality. His most famous speech, "I Have a Dream," shared his vision of a world where everyone, regardless of their skin color, would be treated equally. King’s hard work and dedication helped bring about important changes in laws, and he is remembered as one of the most important figures in American history.What is the best summary of the passage about Martin Luther King Jr.?

A) Martin Luther King Jr. worked only to end slavery in the United States.

B) Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who fought for equal rights and used peaceful protests to inspire change.

C) Martin Luther King Jr. was a famous person who led peaceful protests and gave a speech called "I Have a Dream".


D) Martin Luther King Jr. helped people gain rights by writing books.

B) Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader who fought for equal rights and used peaceful protests to inspire change.

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