Theme
Grace had waited a long time for this moment. She had finally earned her spot on her country’s Olympic basketball team. This was a goal that she did not easily achieve. She sighed as she remembered all the trials and challenges she had faced. First, there was the broken wrist at age 15, which had taken months and months to heal. She had been afraid the injury would keep her from being becoming a great basketball player. Then, she had not been chosen to be on the team twice during national tryouts. Each time, she felt like giving up, but realized she needed to keep trying and work harder. Finally, after eight years, here she was, ready to become an Olympic basketball player and realize her dream!
Which statement best describes the theme of this passage?
It takes eight years to become an Olympic athlete.
When you have perseverance and work hard, you can reach your dreams.
Grace became an Olympic basketball player.
B. When you have perseverance and work hard, you can reach your dreams.
Tanisha and Leann both enjoy celebrating their birthdays. Both girls dress in their favorite outfits, curl their hair, and decorate with balloons.
Tanisha always eats her favorite meal of tacos and enchiladas, while Leann feasts on pizza and breadsticks. Tanisha goes to a movie with her family each year on her birthday, and Leann stays home to play games with her grandma and grandpa.
How is the text of this passage organized
chronology
compare and contrast
cause and effect
problem and solution
What is Compare and Contrast?
Wolf spiders are known for their unique hunting abilities. Unlike other spiders, most wolf spiders don’t build webs to catch their prey, but instead hunt them down just like the wolves for which they are named. Sprinting across the forest floor, a small spider pounces on a beetle, injects it with some venom and waits for it to take effect. Then, the spider sucks up the liquefied insides of the beetle and runs off to hide again. In addition to insects, wolf spiders may also eat animals as big as frogs and toads!
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Wolf spiders can eat animals as big as frogs and toads.
Wolf spiders are known for their unique hunting abilities.
Most wolf spiders don’t build webs to catch their prey.
Wolf spiders are known for their unique hunting abilities.
Bees busily buzzed through the blossoms.
Which type of figurative language is this sentence?
simile d) alliteration
metaphor e) personification
hyperbole f) onomatopoeia
What is alliteration?
This sentence contains two errors. Rewrite the sentence correctly.
did you like the ending of the movie
Did you like the ending of the movie?
Jacob excitedly hurried home after school. He ran into the house, grabbed a quick snack, and then grabbed his bat and glove. The weather was beautiful, and his friends were all gathering at the field to play baseball. Just as he was ready to leave for the field, he remembered that he had promised his mom that he would vacuum the living room and bedrooms. He knew if he took the time to do the chores, he most likely would miss a lot of time playing ball with his friends. Jacob also did not want to disappoint his mom by not keeping his promise. He grabbed the vacuum and got to work. Later that night, Jacob’s mom was so thankful that he had helped with the vacuuming. She knew she would always be able to count on him.
Which statement best describes the theme of this passage?
Being responsible shows people that they can trust you.
Helping with chores is not fun.
Vacuuming is always more important than baseball.
Being responsible shows people that they can trust you.
In Scenic City, there is a beautiful golden tower. Sadly, most people in the city couldn’t even see a tower because of all the pollution in the air. Jaren had a plan. He created a machine, powered by solar energy, which vacuumed all the pollution from the sky, cleaned it, and returned the newly-fresh air to the sky. As the sky began to clear, Jaren and his neighbors looked up and saw the beautiful golden tower.
How is the text of this passage organized?
chronology
compare and contrast
cause and effect
problem and solution
What is problem and solution?
Born in Puerto Rico on August 18, 1934, Roberto Enrique Clemente grew to be one of baseball’s biggest stars on and off the field. The son of a sugarcane worker, Roberto began playing professional baseball just after he finished high school. He first played for the Montreal Royals, a minor league team. In 1955, Clemente made his major league debut, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Roberto Clemente grew to be one of baseball’s biggest stars.
Roberto Clemente was born in Puerto Rico on August 18, 1934.
In 1955, Clemente made his major league debut.
Roberto Clemente grew to be one of baseball’s
biggest stars.
After a long day of hiking, he slept like a log.
Which type of figurative language is this sentence?
simile d) alliteration
metaphor e) personification
hyperbole f) onomatopoeia
What is a simile?
Correctly capitalize the title of the book.
my side
of the
mountain
My Side
of the
Mountain
Building a tiny house is not an easy task. The Sharp family knew they could do it, though, if they all worked together. They each had a special job and took turns with smaller tasks. While Mr. Sharp built the frame, Mrs. Sharp prepared the windows and doors to be added. Kya worked on sanding and painting, and Seth added shingles to the roof. Within three months, the family had built a beautiful tiny home, complete with a loft and outside deck. It was the perfect house!
Which statement best describes the theme of this passage?
Tiny homes are difficult to build.
The Sharp family members are hard workers.
With cooperation and teamwork, you can do difficult things.
With cooperation and teamwork, you can do
difficult things.
When Elsa and her mother were baking cookies for the summer party, they first mixed all the dry ingredients. Then, they added the eggs and vanilla. After that, they rolled out the dough and cut circle-shaped cookies. Finally, they baked and frosted the treats.
How is the text of this passage organized?
chronology
compare and contrast
cause and effect
problem and solution
What is Chronological Order?
What snake do you think of when you hear the word “deadly”? The black mamba is often said to be the world’s deadliest snake. It is poisonous, fast, and aggressive when threatened. Even though they do have a dangerous reputation, most black mambas are relatively shy. Before attacking, they usually try to escape danger. However, if the snake feels cornered, it will strike several times. Each time, the snake injects poison into its prey, and death can occur in just 20 minutes.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
A black mamba’s poison can kill its prey in just 20 minutes.
Most black mambas are relatively shy.
The black mamba is often said to be the world’s deadliest snake.
The black mamba is often said to be the
world’s deadliest snake.
The cereal popped and crackled in my bowl.
Which type of figurative language is this sentence?
simile d) alliteration
metaphor e) personification
hyperbole f) onomatopoeia
What is a onomatopoeia?
Is this a sentence or a sentence fragment?
As they toured
the pretzel factory.
Yes, this is a fragment.
Kenia had been waiting for this day for so long. For over five months she had worked every chance she had to earn money. She had saved every cent so that someday she would have enough money to buy a puppy. Today was the day! She opened her bank and stuffed all her hard-earned money into her pocket. Her mom opened the door for her, and Kenia ran the four blocks to the house where the puppy was being sold. The owner brought the puppy to the door while Kenia reached into her pocket for the money. Her stomach sank. Instead of money, all Kenia found was a large hole in her pocket. She had lost every dollar. The owner realized what had happened. He couldn’t bear to see Kenia so sad and knew how much she wanted the puppy. He gently reached down and patted Kenia’s shoulder and handed her the puppy. “It’s my gift,” he said. Kenia was forever grateful to that man.
Which statement best describes the theme of this passage?
Being kind is not difficult to do and can bring joy to others.
Having a puppy can help people to feel happy.
You should not have holes in your pockets.
Showing kindness is not difficult to do and can bring joy to others.
Liam wanted to make a special present for his aunt. He spent a great deal of time cutting, sanding, and nailing pieces of wood to create the perfect birdhouse. Because he had taken his time and worked so hard, the house was beautiful. His aunt was grateful for the thoughtful gift.
How is the text of this passage organized?
1. chronology
2. compare and contrast
3. cause and effect
4. problem and solution
What is Cause and Effect?
Imagine biting into a creamy chocolate bar. You can get almost whatever kind you’d like. You can have milk chocolate, dark chocolate, hot chocolate, or even chocolate with caramel in it. You can find it in cakes, cookies, candy bars, and ice cream. Ever since chocolate was discovered in 1900 BC, people have been finding ways to use this delicious food. Chocolate has long been a favorite candy of many people.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Chocolate has an interesting history.
Chocolate has long been a favorite candy of many people.
You can find chocolate in cakes, cookies, candy bars, and ice cream.
Chocolate has long been a favorite candy
of many people.
The warm sun peeked out from behind the grey clouds.
Which type of figurative language is this sentence?
simile 4) alliteration
metaphor 5) personification
3 hyperbole 6) onomatopoeia
What is a personification?
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
a)“I like reading,” said Lisa.
b)“I like reading, said Lisa.”
c) I like reading, “said Lisa.”
d) “I like reading.” said Lisa.
“I like reading,” said Lisa.
Gabe couldn’t understand why nobody would believe him. Sure, he had told a few small lies and tall tales every now and then, but who didn’t? He laughed as he thought of some of the stories he had made up. A UFO floating over his house, the huge werewolf in the forest, and a glowing rock were just a few of the great stories he had told his friends. Now, here he was, telling the truth, and nobody believed him. He HAD seen a ghost. He really, truly had. As he had walked from his house to the barn, a bright ghostly figure appeared out of nowhere. It floated toward Gabe. As it approached him, Gabe realized it was an actual ghost. The figure looked into Gabe’s eyes, circled him, and then disappeared into the shadows. How sad it was that nobody was willing to believe him. Gabe blinked back his tears as he realized he should have never told those other lies and tall tales.
Which statement best describes the theme of this passage?
1. It is not fun to make up stories.
2. UFOs, glowing rocks, and ghosts are not real.
3. When you are honest, people will be more likely to believe you.
When you are honest, people will be more likely
to believe you.
Carl and Troy had both baked cookies for a picnic. Each boy had made delicious sugar cookies and had carefully frosted them.
Carl’s cookies were frosted green, while Troy’s were blue. Carl’s treats were also large and dinosaur-shaped, while Troy’s were small and star-shaped.
How is the text of this passage organized?
chronology
compare and contrast
cause and effect
problem and solution
What is Compare and Contrast?
Looking down, a swimmer notices a lumpy piece of coral sitting on the ocean floor. However, it’s not coral. It's a camouflaged venomous fish. Noticing the swimmer, the fish erects its 13 sharp dorsal spines, ready to release a lethal venom should the swimmer come any closer. Luckily, the swimmer moves on to another area, not realizing they’ve come very close to meeting a stonefish. It’s a good thing, as the stonefish is a dangerous and sometimes deadly creature.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
People should not swim near coral.
A stonefish looks like coral and has 13 sharp spines.
The stonefish is a dangerous and sometimes deadly creature.
The stonefish is a dangerous and sometimes deadly
creature.
The cookies were so delicious, I think I ate
a million of them!
Which type of figurative language is this sentence?
simile 4) alliteration
metaphor 5) personification
3.hyperbole 6) onomatopoeia
What is a hyperbole?
Rewrite this sentence correctly.
david asked when are we going to the movie theater
David asked, “When are we going to the movie theater?”