Theme & Central Idea
What is the difference between a Theme and a summary?
A theme is the message/lesson; a summary tells what happens in a story.
What does it mean to cite text evidence?
Use details from the text to support an answer
What is an inference?
An educational guess based on clues + prior knowledge
What are context clues?
Words or phrases that help define a word
What are the 3 main author’s purposes? Hint. Easy as P.I.E
Inform, persuade, entertain
A story shows a character learning to never give up. What is the theme?
Perseverance / Don’t give up
Which is better evidence: a guess or a quote from the text?
A quote from the text
If a character is shivering and wearing a coat, what can you infer?
It is cold
If a sentence gives a definition, what type of clue is it?
Definition clue
If an author is trying to convince you, the purpose is…
persuade
Why is the word “friendship” NOT a good theme?
It’s just a topic, not a message.
What is the sentence Starter : “This shows that…” used for what?
Explaining evidence
A character slams the door and crosses their arms. What can you infer?
They are angry/upset
What kind of context clue is given here: The desert was arid, unlike the wet rainforest.
Antonym clue
What is perspective?
How the author feels or thinks about a topic
What must you include to prove a theme?
Text evidence
What does R.A.C.E stand for?
Restate the question
Answer the question
Cite evidence
Explain how the evidence supports the answer
Why doesn’t the author always tell you everything directly?
: So readers can infer / think deeper
The boy was elated, or very happy. What is the clue type?
Definition
Can two authors have different perspectives on the same topic?
Yes
Jordan had been practicing for weeks for the school track race. Every afternoon, he ran laps while his friends played video games. Sometimes he felt like quitting, especially when he came in last during practice.
On the day of the race, Jordan lined up with the other runners. When the whistle blew, he pushed himself harder than ever before. He didn’t win first place, but he finished the race faster than he ever had before. Smiling, he realized his hard work had paid off.
Question Part A:
Which theme is developed in the passage?
A. Winning is the most important part of competition.
B. Hard work can lead to personal success.
C. Practicing is only important for athletes.
D. Losing means you should give up.
Question Part B:
Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?
A. “His friends played video games.”
B. “He came in last during practice.”
C. “He finished the race faster than he ever had before.”
D. “The whistle blew.”
B & C
Lena stared at the puzzle on the table. She had been trying to solve it for over an hour. At first, she felt frustrated and pushed the pieces away. After taking a short break, she came back and started again, this time focusing more carefully. Slowly, the picture began to come together.
Which sentence best explains why Lena was successful?
A. Lena did not like puzzles at first.
B. Lena worked quickly without thinking.
C. Lena took a break and tried again with focus.
D. Lena asked someone else to finish the puzzle.
C. Lena took a break and tried again with focus.
Marcus checked the clock for the third time in one minute. His foot tapped quickly against the floor, and he kept glancing at the door. When it finally opened, he let out a long breath and smiled.
What can the reader infer about Marcus?
A. He is bored.
B. He is nervous or anxious.
C. He is angry.
D. He is tired.
B. He is nervous or anxious.
The kitten was timid, hiding behind the couch whenever someone entered the room. Even the smallest noise made it jump and run away.
What does the word timid most nearly mean?
A. Playful
B. Hungry
C. Loud
D. Shy or easily frightened
D. Shy or easily frightened
Recycling is one of the easiest ways people can help protect the environment. By simply sorting your waste, you can reduce the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. Everyone should make an effort to recycle every day.
What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A. To entertain readers with a story
B. To describe a personal experience
C. To persuade readers to recycle
D. To explain how landfills are built
C. To persuade readers to recycle