Main Idea & Inferencing
Leo started waking up thirty minutes early every morning to jog around the neighborhood. At first, his legs felt like lead, but after two weeks, he noticed he had more energy throughout the workday. He even started choosing fruit over donuts for his afternoon snack.
What is the main idea?
Leo is making lifestyle changes to improve his health
"The slippery snake slithered silently through the soft sand." Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?
Alliteration
Now that the misunderstanding was cleared up, Chloe and Sam sat on the porch sharing a bowl of popcorn. The two best friends laughed about how a simple text message had caused so much drama, happy that their friendship was stronger than ever.
Where on the plot diagram would this part of the story most likely take place?
Resolution
You are reading a non-fiction book about sharks and want to find every page that mentions "Great White Sharks." Which text feature should you look for at the very back of the book to find a list of specific topics and their page numbers?
Index
pru·dent (adj.) 1. Acting with or showing care and thought for the future. 2. Guarded or settled in conduct; cautious. 3. Economical; thrifty in managing resources.
Sentence: "Given the unpredictable weather, it would be prudent to pack an umbrella and an extra layer of clothing."
Which definition of "prudent" is used in the sentence above?
Definition # 1
The air grew heavy and still, and the birds suddenly stopped chirping in the trees. Dark, greenish clouds began to rotate rapidly as the town’s sirens started their long, steady wail. Families quickly grabbed their emergency kits and headed for the basement.
What is the main idea?
A dangerous storm is coming
The classroom was a zoo during the indoor recess period." Which type of figurative language is this?
Metaphor
The detective stared at the two suspects, his heart racing as he realized the missing diamond wasn't in the safe at all. Just as the lights flickered out, he lunged across the room and grabbed the butler's umbrella, shaking it until the brilliant blue gem fell onto the floor for everyone to see.
Where on the plot diagram would this part of the story most likely take place?
Climax
Why do authors most likely use bolded words in passages?
To signal important key words or vocabulary words
ad·ver·si·ty (n.) 1. A state of misfortune or affliction. 2. An instance of serious or continued difficulty. 3. A stroke of ill luck; a calamitous event.
Sentence: "The team showed incredible resilience, overcoming great adversity to win the championship despite their many injuries."
Which definition of "adversity" is used in the sentence above?
Definition # 2
As the soccer game reached the final few minutes, the wind began to howl and the sky turned an eerie shade of charcoal gray. Suddenly, a bright flash of light streaked across the sky, followed immediately by a loud, bone-shaking boom. The referee reached for his whistle and began waving his arms toward the parking lot.
What is the most likely inference about what will happen next?
A) The players will start a new game.
B) The referee will call for a timeout to discuss a foul.
C) The game will be canceled or delayed due to a dangerous thunderstorm.
D) The fans will begin to cheer louder for their favorite team.
C) The game will be canceled or delayed due to a dangerous thunderstorm.
The morning sun peeked over the horizon and smiled down on the sleepy valley." Which type of figurative language is being used?
Personification
Once there was a small, lonely robot named Pip who lived in a massive scrap metal yard. He spent his days collecting shiny nuts and bolts, dreaming of one day building a friend of his own.
Where on the plot diagram would this part of the story be?
Exposition
These are the three primary reasons an author writes a text, often remembered by the acronym P.I.E.
To Persuade, Inform, and/or Entertain
Benevolent (adj.): well-meaning and kindly.
In the sentence: "The billionaire was known for his benevolent nature, donating millions to local food banks."
Which of the following is a SYNONYM for benevolent?
A) Malicious
B) Compassionate
C) Hostile
D) Indifferent
B) Compassionate
When the school announced the talent show, Marcus stayed quiet, even though he practiced card tricks for hours every night in his room. On the night of the show, his best friend convinced him to go on stage, and the audience gasped as he made a coin disappear into thin air. He left the stage with a huge smile, clutching a first-place trophy.
What is the main idea?
Marcus gained confidence by sharing his hidden talent with others
Before her big piano recital, Mia’s teacher told her to "break a leg." Which type of figurative language is being used?
Idiom
While exploring the woods behind his house, Leo found an old, moss-covered map hidden inside a hollow log. He followed the trail for hours, crossing a rushing stream and climbing a steep rocky hill as the sun began to set, certain he was getting closer to the "X" on the paper.
Where on the plot diagram would this part of the story be?
Rising Action
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 1,400 miles along the coast of Australia. It is home to thousands of unique species, including sea turtles, sharks, and colorful mollusks. Scientists study the reef to understand how rising ocean temperatures affect marine ecosystems.
What is the author’s primary purpose for writing this passage?
A) To persuade the reader to buy a plane ticket to Australia.
B) To inform the reader about the size and inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef.
C) To entertain the reader with a story about a brave shark.
D) To describe how it feels to swim in cold ocean water.
B) To inform the reader about the size and inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef.
abstract (adj.) 1. Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. 2. Relating to art that does not attempt to represent external reality. 3. (verb) To extract or remove something.
Sentence: "Truth and justice are abstract concepts that people have debated for centuries."
Which definition of "abstract" is used in the sentence above?
Definition # 1
Maya was so focused on her science project that she didn’t notice the timer ticking down to zero in the kitchen. A few minutes later, a sharp, bitter smell began to waft down the hallway, and a thin trail of gray smoke started curling out from under the kitchen door. Maya’s eyes widened as she remembered the tray of cookies she had put in an hour ago.
Based on the clues, what can you infer will happen when Maya opens the oven?
A) She will find a tray of perfectly golden-brown cookies.
B) The cookies will be burnt to a crisp and the kitchen will be full of smoke.
C) The dough will still be raw because she forgot to turn the oven on.
D) She will decide to share her delicious snacks with her neighbors.
B) The cookies will be burnt to a crisp and the kitchen will be full of smoke.
"The golden bread was warm to the touch, smelling of sweet yeast and honey as it crunched loudly with every bite." Which type of figurative language is being used here?
Imagery
After the massive forest fire was finally extinguished, the local rangers began walking through the blackened trees to check on the wildlife. They set up temporary feeding stations and began clear-cutting the dead brush to make room for new seeds to be planted in the spring.
Where on the plot diagram would this part of the story most likely take place?
Falling Action
Our school cafeteria should stop using plastic trays and switch to reusable ones immediately. Plastic waste stays in landfills for hundreds of years, harming our local environment and wildlife. If every student made this small change, we could significantly reduce our school's carbon footprint and lead the way for other districts.
What is the author’s primary purpose for writing this passage?
A) To inform the reader about how plastic is manufactured in factories.
B) To entertain the reader with a funny story about a lunch lady.
C) To persuade the school to switch to more environmentally friendly trays.
D) To explain the steps of how to clean a cafeteria tray.
C) To persuade the school to switch to more environmentally friendly trays.
mal·e·dic·tion (noun) 1. A magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing about evil; a curse. 2. The act of calling down evil or misfortune upon someone; slander or evil talk. [Late Middle English from Latin maledictio(n-), from maledicere ‘speak evil of’]
The word "malediction" comes from a root word that means:
A) To speak kindly
B) To speak evil
C) Magic words
D) A curse
B) To speak evil