Main Idea + Supporting Details
Inferences + Evidence
Unknown Words
Comparing Texts
Test Taking Strategies
100
What does main idea mean?
The main idea is what the text is MOSTLY about, or what is most important.
100
Take a look at "Anthropologist's Journal." Based upon the tone of the journal entry, how would you describe this anthropologist? What seems to be her attitude toward the subject? Select all that apply.

A) Boastful
B) Educated
C) Confused
D) Excited
E) Curious
BDE
100
Read the following excerpt from "Anthropologist's Journal."
"We already knew that the Olmecs were advanced. They built cities and gathering places. They built San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, a large urban center that had water and drainage systems."

What does urban most likely mean?
A) city
B) fun
C) exciting
D) rural
A
100
1) Jimmy’s pizzeria is my favorite pizza place in the city, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that just by looking at the outside. It doesn’t even have a sign, just the name of the establishment in three-inch letters on the storefront window. Inside, there are some chrome swivel stools along a laminate countertop that makes an L shape, separating the register and kitchen area from the dining area. A few favorable reviews from local publications are framed and displayed on the walls. Yeah, the look of the place is a little underwhelming, but forget the scenery. I go to Jimmy’s for the pizza.

2) Most people have had red pizza, or pizza covered with red sauce, but have you ever had white pizza? White pizza is made in almost the same way as red pizza: the dough rises and is rolled out, toppings are applied, and it is cooked in an oven—but the key difference is that white pizza does not have any tomato sauce on it. Instead, a white pizza may have olive oil or no sauce at all. I like white pizza more than red pizza because you can really taste the ingredients. If you have not had a white pizza, I recommend that you order or make one today.

Which of the following describe the text structures of the two texts?
A) The first text is chronological, but the second is description.
B) The first text is description, but the second is compare/contrast.
C) They are both description.
D) They are both compare/contrast.
B
100
How many pieces of evidence should you write in your constructed responses on the SBAC?
2 (unless the question says more)
200
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA:
It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year. Brach’s, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end. That’s a lot of candy corn, but that’s nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production. Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day! But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product, chocolate. Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year. Now that’s a mouthful!

A) There is a lot of candy produced and sold in the US every year.
B) Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day.
C) More Tootsie Rolls produced every year than candy corn.
A
200
Take a look at "Anthropologist's Journal." Which statements from the journal entry show that the writer already knows something about the Olmecs? Select all that apply.

A) "This tells us that hallmarks of modernity existed in Mesoamerica, just as they did in ancient Rome."
B) "If we can decode what the symbols mean, it will be like learning a new language."
C) "The existence of this written language is exciting all on its own."
D) "They built cities and gathering places."
AD
200
Read the following excerpt from "Anthropologist's Journal."
"The writing shows us that at least some Olmecs were literate people. So they weren't only building cities. They were also communicating. They were passing on knowledge through writing."

What does literate most likely mean?
A) hard-working
B) unlettered
C) educated
D) distant
C
200
Take a look at "A Really Old Notepad" and "Anthropologist's Journal." Which of the following describe the point of view of the two texts?

A) The first text is a firsthand account, but the second is a secondhand account.
B) The first text is a secondhand account, but the second is a firsthand account.
C) They are both firsthand account.
D) They are both secondhand account.
B
200
What do you do to show your work for ELA?
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
300
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA:
Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking and make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients. Next, use good tools and utensils. By using good tools you can minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Lastly, you should use top quality ingredients. If you use poor quality materials, you’ll create an inferior product. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available.

A) The process of making cookies is fun!
B) The process of making cookies is important.
C) The process of making cookies requires precision.
C
300
It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year. Brach’s, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end. That’s a lot of candy corn, but that’s nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production. Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day! But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product, chocolate. Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year. Now that’s a mouthful!

Which inference is best supported by the paragraph?
A) Americans believe candy is overpriced.
B) More people like candy corn than Tootsie rolls.
C) Chocolate is the most popular candy in the US.
D) The amount of candy eaten will probably increase.
C
300
Read the following excerpt from "Anthropologist's Journal."
"If we can decode what the symbols mean, it will be like learning a new language."

What is the antonym of decode?
A) solve
B) confuse
C) interpret
D) run
B) confuse
300
Take a look at "A Really Old Notepad" and "Anthropologist's Journal." Which of the following describe the authors' MAIN purpose for the two texts?

A) The author of the first text wants to inform the reader that an event happened. The author of the second text wants to explain to the reader why the event is important.
B) The authors of both texts want to inform the reader why an event happened.
C) The author of the first text wants to persuade the reader to do more research on a topic. The author of the second text wants to entertain the reader.
D) The authors of both texts want to persuade the reader to help solve a problem.
A
300
Name the strategy: When you break up the text into pieces and write down the main idea of each one.
Chunking
400
Take a look at "A Really Old Notepad." Why is the discovery of the stone slab exciting to anthropologists?

A) The meanings of the symbols on the slab have already been decoded.
B) The slab helps explain why the Olmecs carved giant stone heads.
C) The slab contains the first, clear evidence of writing in the New World.
D) The writing on the slab is harder to understand than other people's writings.
C
400
Take a look at "Anthropologist's Journal." In the journal entry, the anthropologist writes, "I'm on the edge of my seat!" What does this suggest?

A) The anthropologist feels that this study is more advanced than others.
B) The anthropologist is excited about future discoveries.
C) The anthropologist has a great deal of energy and does not want to sit down.
D) The anthropologist is the main scientist in this study.
B
400
Ladies, please stop the name calling. There is no reason to act uncivil. Let's discuss the problem.

What does uncivil mean?
A) impolite
B) respectful
C) strange
D) mature
A
400
Passage 1) Beginning in the decade after the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, many men and women came to the colonies to live as indentured servants. In exchange for their passage overseas and room and board, these men and women agreed to work for a period of between four and seven years. They had to fulfill their contracts by working very hard. Their lives were harsh and restricted. People who tried to run away could be punished by having their contracts extended. If they survived the hard labor, however, indentured servants received freedom packages which sometimes included at least 25 acres of land.

Passage 2) Father and Mother,
There is nothing here to comfort me. Since I left the ship, all I have eaten is watery porridge and peas. Early until late I work and work, awarded for my labor with yet more porridge. Four men have to share a meager serving of bread, so it’s little wonder that so many have fallen ill. I am still miserable and hungry. I want nothing more than to go home. I do beg you, good Father, to release me from my great grief. I know you would cry if you saw my pathetic state.
-Richard

How is the author’s perspective in Passage 1 different from that in Passage 2?
A) The author in Passage 1 feels negative toward indentured servitude while the author in Passage 2 feels positive toward indentured servitude.
B) The author in Passage 1 feels positive toward indentured servitude while the author in Passage 2 feels negative toward indentured servitude.
C) The author in Passage 1 feels neutral toward indentured servitude while the author in Passage 2 feels negative toward indentured servitude.
D) None of these are true.
C
400
What 2 things should you do if you encounter a word you don't know?
Read around the world, read inside the word (or look for context clues and morphology)
500
Take a look at "A Really Old Notepad." Imagine you were writing a summary of this article. Which of the following details is the least important to include in your summary?

A) the slab is the oldest piece of writing ever found
B) the stone has 28 different symbols
C) scientists believe the Olmec's created the slab
D) a stone with symbols on it has been discovered
B
500
Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking and make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients. Next, use good tools and utensils. By using good tools you can minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Lastly, you should use top quality ingredients. If you use poor quality materials, you’ll create an inferior product. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available.

What inference can be made when the author says "the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision"?
A) The author doesn't know how to make cookies well, but wants to get better
B) The author thinks making cookies is difficult
C) The author dislikes cookies
D) The author cares about making cookies well
D
500
It is incredible that thousands of years ago, people were able to build immense structures like the pyramids.

What does immense mean?
A) average
B) microscopic
C) enormous
D) wilting
C
500
Passage 1) Beginning in the decade after the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, many men and women came to the colonies to live as indentured servants. In exchange for their passage overseas and room and board, these men and women agreed to work for a period of between four and seven years. They had to fulfill their contracts by working very hard. Their lives were harsh and restricted. People who tried to run away could be punished by having their contracts extended. If they survived the hard labor, however, indentured servants received freedom packages which sometimes included at least 25 acres of land.

Passage 2) Father and Mother,
There is nothing here to comfort me. Since I left the ship, all I have eaten is watery porridge and peas. Early until late I work and work, awarded for my labor with yet more porridge. Four men have to share a meager serving of bread, so it’s little wonder that so many have fallen ill. I am still miserable and hungry. I want nothing more than to go home. I do beg you, good Father, to release me from my great grief. I know you would cry if you saw my pathetic state.
-Richard

Which of the following is true? Select all that apply.
A) The first text is a firsthand account and the second is a secondhand account.
B) Both texts discuss the challenges indentured servants faced.
C) The purpose of the first text is to inform and the purpose of the second is to persuade.
D) None of these are true.
BC
500
What four things can you annotate for in a nonfiction text?
main idea, inference, connection, question
M
e
n
u