What is the Main Idea?
True or False
Author's Purpose
Test-Taking Strategies
Summarizing
100
John's favorite sport is basketball. He practices every day after school to improve his skill. He won player of the year last year for his impeccable talent up and down the court. One day, John hopes to enter a basketball competition (and of course win). What is the main idea of this paragraph? A. He practices everyday after school. B. He won player of the year last year. C. John is devoted to the sport of basketball. D. None of the above
C. John is devoted to the sport of basketball.
100
True or False? The main idea is ALWAYS the first sentence of the paragraph.
False
100
An author writes a story of a young athlete who takes steroids and his life and future fall apart. Is his purpose to entertain, persuade, or inform?
To inform
100
Before reading a passage, you should read the _________________ first.
Questions
100
What does it mean to summarize?
To give a brief statement of the main points of your reading.
200
Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way. Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph? A. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. B. Pictures help weather reporters get information out in an efficient way. C. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short with pictures. D. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area.
B. Pictures help weather reporters get information out in an efficient way.
200
True or False? The main idea is not always stated clearly in the passage.
True
200
The purple aliens landed with a crash and a boom. The residents of the small Iowa town ran in all directions as the multi-fingered creatures got off their spaceship. They landed right in front of the local cell phone store and appeared to be eager to check out Earth's communication technology. Fortunately, the salesman kept his head and showed the aliens many kinds of cell phones. The friendly purple creatures soon discovered that cell phones were cool. And lo and behold, the salesman had never seen anyone learn how to text so quickly. Maybe friendly aliens would do well on Earth after all. What is the author's purpose? To inform To express personal feelings To persuade To entertain
To entertain
200
Give three examples of effective annotations.
Possible answers: -Underlining important information -Circling unfamiliar words/phrases -Highlighting/differentiating between cause and effect -Drawing arrows to emphasize connections -Question marks by questions -Comments to summarize, ask questions, etc.
200
Catie and Katie had the same name. It sounded the same when anyone said it. But one day, Catie started with the letter "C" and the other with the letter "K." How could they know who was being called? They decided that "Catie" would stay the same and "Katie" would shorten her name to "Kate" to avoid confusion. What is the summary of this paragraph? A. Catie didn't want to change her name to "Cate." B. Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names. C. "Catie" looked prettier in print than "Katie." D. Catie and Katie thought it was fun to have the same-sounding name.
B. Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names.
300
All members of the Miller family are busy this morning. Mom is putting the sandwiches and drinks into the cooler. Dad is locking all the windows in the house. Rick is packing his suitcase and making sure his younger sister, Angela, packs her socks and shoes. In a few minutes they will take the cooler out to the car and load it in the back. They'll put books, tapes, and pillows in the car. Then, they'll all get in the car and start their trip to Grandpa Miller's house—well before the sun rises. What is the main idea of this paragraph? A. Mom made the sandwiches the night before to help with time. B. The Millers take books and tapes on car trips. C. Always start a long trip before dawn because there are many tasks to do. D. The Miller family is getting ready for a long car trip.
D. The Miller family is getting ready for a long car trip.
300
True of False? The main idea of a paragraph is the point of the passage, minus all the details.
True
300
The targeted group that an author intends to persuade, entertain, or inform is their __________________.
audience / reader(s)
300
Name an advantage to reading the passages out of order when taking the Reading portion of the test.
-The third passage may be less difficult than the second one. -There may be easier questions that you can answer later in the test before time is called.
300
Name one benefit to summarizing while you're reading.
Possible answers: -Reduces confusion -Strengthens reading comprehension -Increases reading speed
400
Society, though not perfect, is a working group of people trying to live together in peace. For the most part, people tend to obey the laws set before them and abide by societal codes. However, some people believe the government has made desperate errors, and they wish to change the status quo only to bring peace again in a different way. Those people begin what are known as social movements. These are small groups within societies that seek change. These social movements can rally around anything from saving eagles to saving trees and once a social movement is in motion, it either is inculcated into society or fizzles out. Either way, society will emerge from the social movement and will stabilize again into peace. What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Social movements can disrupt society's peace, but only momentarily.
400
True or False? An inference requires textual evidence AND a logical generalization
False. An inference requires textual evidence AND background knowledge.
400
What does it mean when an author's purpose is to "suggest" something?
Author wants to propose an idea
400
When you come across a word/phrase that you don't know while you're reading, what should you do?
Possible answers: -Find out if the word has a positive, negative, or neutral connotation -Plug in answer choices to see which makes the best fit -Skip over the word to get the overall gist of the sentence
400
Your heart normally beats 70 to 80 times a minute, but the rate changes depending on your activity level. When you exercise, your body needs more oxygen than when you remain still. Your heart automatically responds to these changing needs. When you need more oxygen, your heart beats faster to increase the flow of blood to your body. Which of the following best summarizes the passage above? A. Your heart usually beats about 70 to 80 times in one minute. That is more than one heart beat for each second. That is pretty fast! B. Your heart makes blood flow throughout your body. It also allows oxygen to move into your muscles, lungs, and even into your bloodstream. C. Your body needs a lot of oxygen when you exercise. That is why you breathe heavier when you are running or shooting hoops with friends. D. Your heart rate is dependent on your level of activity. Your heart beats faster when you are exercising and slower when you are still.
D. Your heart rate is dependent on your level of activity. Your heart beats faster when you are exercising and slower when you are still.
500
Because the Internet exists in a world that is already regulated with policies and laws, government officials, upholders of current laws, should be the people responsible for the regulation of the Internet. With this responsibility comes the enormous task of managing the protection of First Amendment rights, and honoring social and public interests across the world. That being said, the ultimate responsibility still rests in the hands of Internet users who vote – they, along with the officials elected to serve them, make up the global community. Voters have the ability to elect responsible individuals to the appropriate posts, and the elected officials have the responsibility to act on the will of the people. What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Elected governmental officials should regulate the Internet, acting on the will of the people.
500
It's Saturday morning and Joan's gone to the bank:- Joan: I'd like to open a bank account, please. Cashier: Certainly. Do you have some form of identification? Joan: Yes, I bought my passport. Is that OK. Cashier: Yes. We also need proof of your current address. Do you have a utility bill or your driver's licence with you? Joan: I've got my driver's licence. Cashier What kind of account did you want? Joan: Well I want a deposit account and a savings account. Cashier: That's fine, we do both. Do you have any proof of income? Joan: Yes, I bought my pay slips for the last three months. Cashier: Good. You could also apply for a credit card at the same time, if you like. Joan: Yes, that would be great. Cashier: OK. If you would just like to fill out these forms... True or False? Joan has been working for three months.
False. Although she has pay slips for three months, it doesn't say how long she has been in work.
500
Give one example of each: To inform To entertain To persuade To describe
Possible answers: To inform- newspapers To entertain- comic book To persuade- advertisements To describe- meal recipe
500
What should you do when you hear "30 more seconds" from your teacher and you have not completed the Reading test?
Bubble in every answer, making sure not to leave any answer choice blank.
500
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil. It will be the 20th year of the World Cup. Brazil was chosen in October of 2007 to host the competition. Earlier in the year, South America had been chosen as the continent for the contest. Brazil was the only country to put in a bid. This is the second time Brazil will host the World Cup. The country hosted it in 1950. It is the first World Cup to be held in South America since 1978. Argentina hosted then. No other South American country has hosted the World Cup more than once. Which of the following best summarizes the passage above? A. In October 2007, Brazil was chosen to host the 20th World Cup. Brazil has already hosted the World Cup before. 1978 was the last time a South American country hosted the World Cup. B. The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil. It is the second time Brazil has been chosen to host the World Cup. Brazil is the only South American country to host the World Cup twice. C. Early in 2007, South America was chosen as the continent for the 20th World Cup. Brazil was the only country that put in a bid. Brazil hosted the World Cup before in 1950. D. The 20th World Cup will take place in 2014. In 2007, it was decided that the competition would be held in South America. It is the first World Cup in South America since 1978.
B. The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil. It is the second time Brazil has been chosen to host the World Cup. Brazil is the only South American country to host the World Cup twice.
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