Main Idea/Gist
Character Traits
Inferences
Theme
Point of View
100

Southern California is known for its tourist attractions and its theme parks. People come from all over the world to get a look at Hollywood, and such things as the "Walk of Fame" where many celebrities’ names are found on gold stars on Hollywood Boulevard. Tourists are also attracted to the area with hopes of catching sight of the movie stars who live in the hills surrounding Los Angeles. Many visitors come to shop in the glamorous shops on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Among the theme parks that attract visitors are Disneyland in Anaheim, Knott’s Berry Farm, Magic Mountain Amusement Park, and Raging Waters park. Folks who want to combine tourist attractions and theme parks can visit Universal Studios which offers both. Which of the following statements best states the main idea of this passage? a. Disneyland is famous all over the world. b. Have you ever been to Southern California? c. Most tourists enjoy Southern California. d. Southern California has both tourist attractions and theme parks for visitors. e. Many movie stars live in the Southern California area.

What is d? Southern California has both tourist attractions and theme parks for visitors.

100

I like showing concern for others through words and actions. Which character trait am I showing?

What is Caring

100

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was "presentable," as Alice had often said. What kind of person is Alice?

What is someone who likes things to be neat and clean? I know this because she requires Paul to follow a cleaning procedure and she inspects him.

100

True or false? Theme is the same thing as main idea?

What is false

100

I could hear a low roar coming from far away. I ran to the window. I wondered why the birds weren't singing. "Do they know a tornado is coming?" I thought.

What is first person?

200

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700’s. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people to read better. What is the main idea? a. Benjamin Franklin thought reading was important. b. Benjamin Franklin was not afraid of fire. c. Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor. d. A Franklin stove can heat a whole room.

What is c? Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.

200

I manage my behavior in a positive way. Which character trait am I showing?

What is self control

200
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped on the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice in on his belly and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside of a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down and relocated garbage from other parts of the can, arranging over the soup can. He then plopped down on the couch and picked up his controller. Why is Kyle distraught (upset)?
What is he probably got bad grades? I know this because he balls up his report card and hides it.
200

True or false? Theme is always a moral about right and wrong?

What is false

200

In this point of view pronouns are used such as he, she, they, and their.

What is third person

300
Farmers in Japan have a problem. There is not much land to farm, and there are many people to feed. Some farmers cut rows in the hillsides and grow crops there. This helps a little, but many kinds of food are shipped to Japan. They can choose anything they want to eat! What is the main idea? a. There is little land to farm in Japan; so many kinds of food are shipped to Japan. b. Growing food on the hillside in Japan is hard work. c. The Japanese like getting food from different countries. d. You can choose anything you want to eat in Japan.
What is a? There is little land to farm in Japan; so many kinds of food are shipped to Japan.
300

Martin helped an elderly woman carry her groceries home. What does this action tell you about the character?

What is kind, helpful and compassionate 

300
Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. "9:48," she shouted, "Holy cow!" Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door. What problem is Cassie having?
What is Cassie is late for school? I know this because she grabs her books.
300

Theme is A. True for every story B. Universal truth or C. Something an author directly states

What is universal truth

300

Behind me, I heard my mother come into the room. She looked worried. "Adam," she said in a steady voice, "get away from that window right now."

What is first person

400
Babies use both hands. But babies use one hand more than the other. This hand may become the preferred one. How can you tell? Lay a baby on its back. Notice which side the baby faces. If the baby looks to the right most of the time, it will probably be right-handed. What does it mean if the baby faces left more often? The baby will most likely be left-handed. What is the main idea? a. there are more left-handed babies b. babies are so cute and lovable to everyone c. babies use their hands for many things d. how to tell right- from left-handed babies
What is d? How to tell right- from left-handed babies
400

"The character always spoke their mind, even when it made others uncomfortable. What trait does this suggest?"

What is honest

400
Kelvin was waiting in front of the corner store at 3:56. His muscles were tense and he was sweating a bit more than usual. The other kids gathered in front of the little storefront were much more relaxed, even playful. They joked back and forth lightly to each other but for Kelvin, time slowed. 3:57. "Don't worry, Kelvin. He ain't even gonna show up." Kelvin hoped that he wouldn't. A black four-door Camry with tinted windows pulled up and parked across the street. Kelvin gulped. 3:58. A group of teenagers piled out of the car. James was in the front. "Hi-ya, Kelvin. Glad you could make it," James said. Kelvin felt smaller. Why is Kelvin so nervous?
What is Kelvin doesn't want to fight or is worried about the fight? I know this because the text says, "He hopes that James won't show."
400

Theme is Implicit or Explicit?

What is Implicit

400

The narrator uses pronouns he, his, she, her, they, their. From what point of view the story is being told?

What is third person point of view

500
Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records. By the way, females can expect to live about six years longer than males. That’s taken from past records too! What is the main idea? a. why people live to be 70 b. females can expect to live about 6 years longer c. how long you might expect to live d. about the health of females
What is c? how long you might expect to live.
500

Liam often teases his friends, even when they tell him to stop. What character trait does this suggest?

What is mean, insensitive, inconsiderate.

500

Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and wearing all black. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: "Oh... John..." And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, "I need to get my jacket back from you." Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing. Why is Anastasia sad?

What is John and She are breaking-up? I know this because John wants to get his belongings back.

500

How many themes can a story have?

What is more than one theme

500

Joanne went shopping with her friend and found a dress that her friend might like. The next day she went back and was very surprised her friend was buying the same dress. What is the point of view?

What is third person

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