Main Idea
Organizational Pattern
Context Clues
Inferences
Figurative Language
100
Someone took a cookie from the cookie jar. The lid was off the jar. Crumbs were on the table. Who ate a cookie? Mrs. Baker will find out!
Someone stole a cookie.
100

Butterflies and moths are both flying insects.  Both have wings and antennae.  They have similar life cycles that include the egg and caterpillar stages.  However, they are different in several ways.  Butterflies are usually active during the day, while moths tend to be active at night.  Butterflies have knobs at the end of their antennae but moths do not.  Butterflies hold their wings up when they land, whereas moths keep their wings flat when they land.

Compare/Contrast

100
Birds that migrate, such as some ducks and geese, leave their home in the winter. Using the example clue, the word migrate in this sentence means
A - swimming B - flying C - to move
100
Every student in class had to take a state reading and writing test in the spring. From the beginning of the school year, the teacher taught many language arts lessons. The children read and wrote a great deal in class and at home. In the springtime, the results were amazing.
A - old-fashioned good luck B - didn't take the right test C - lots of preparation D - easy test
100
James' mother was as proud as a peacock when he became a doctor. The simile as proud as a peacock:
A - James' mother was upset. B - James' mother was disappointed. C - James' mother was proud of him
200
Cinderella and Snow White aren't the only fairy tales ever told. The library has ethnic fairy tales from all around the world! There you can find fairy tales from other countries such as Russia, China, Sweden, and Africa. You won't believe all the different stories!
The library has ethnic fairy tales from all around the world.
200

Monarch butterflies are considered the king of the butterflies, hence the name "monarch."  Monarch butterflies are orange and black, with white spots appearing on the areas of black.  Monarch butterflies are poisonous to frogs, birds, mice and lizards.  A male monarch butterfly has a black spot on each hind wing.  Monarchs eat milkweed and nectar from flowers.

Description

200
John liked to go on expeditions such as ski trips, rock climbing, and mountain climbing. Using the example clue, the word expeditions in this sentence means
A - trips B - heights C - classes D - jobs
200
The maiden was trapped in a tower. She waited and waited. One day a friendly dragon flew to the window. The maiden smiled. She jumped out the window and onto his back. Soon her feet touched the ground. She hugged the dragon. How can we tell that the maiden was happy?
A - She hugged the dragon. B - Her feet were on the ground. C - She jumped out the window. D - She said so.
200
On the cold winter day, under the covers, I kept as snug as a bug in a rug. The simile as snug as a bug in a rug:
A - There were bugs in my bed. B - I was cozy in my bed. C - I was too cold to stay in bed.
300
Ann used her chalk to draw lines on the sidewalk. She marked them into blocks. Then she put numbers in the blocks. Jan and Jill came to play. The three girls played hopscotch on the sidewalk.
The three girls played hopscotch on the sidewalk.
300

Hand sanitizer and soap are both effective at killing germs.  Doctors recommend that you use one of these products to clean your hands.  However, there are some differences between soap and hand sanitizer.  Hand sanitizer is alcohol based and does not need to be washed off with water.  In fact, your hands should be dry when you apply sanitizer.  Soap, on the other hand, requires water to be added.  Unlike hand sanitizer that actually kills the micro-organisms, soap does not kill germs.  Soap makes your hands slippery so that the germs slide down the drain when rinsed with water.  Doctors don't care which you use, just use either soap or hand sanitizer regularly!

Compare/Contrast

300
We know Katrina is apprehensive about many things because she is so afraid of petting large animals, seeing spiders on the wall, ad walking through the tall grass. Using the example clue, the word apprehensive in this sentence means
A - thin B - hopeful C - fearful D - likeable
300

Tom packed his clothes in the suitcase. His family was going on vacation. It would take many days for them to get there. He had a bag of books and puzzles to help pass the time. How was Tom traveling?

A - train B - plane C - car D - spaceship

300
Walter is a real couch potato. The metaphor couch potato:
A - Walter is always busy with some activity. B - Walter is lazy. C - Walter likes to go outside and play.
400
Polar bears live in the Arctic. That is the area around the North Pole. They live in the coast and on islands. They also live on pack ice and in the water. Pack ice is their favorite place to live. That is because it is the perfect location for their favorite activity. It is the perfect place to hunt seals.
Polar bears live in the Arctic.
400

Butterflies have one of the most interesting life cycles of all insects.  It begins when a butterfly attaches an egg to a leaf.  When the egg hatches, a caterpillar emerges.  Caterpillars feed and grow.  As the caterpillar grows, it sheds its skin four more times.  Next, the caterpillar changes into a chrysalis, or pupa.  In this transformation stage, the caterpillar tissues break down and the adult insect's structures are formed.  Lastly, an adult butterfly emerges.

Sequence/Chronological

400
Julie bought a gift for her mom at a cart in the mall. The kiosk sells special chocolate candies. Using the example clue, the word kiosk in this sentence means
A - car B - cart C - office D - department
400
Dave Smith was an astronaut. He loved outer space. He trained hard. On one mission he went around Earth on its orbit. On another mission he landed on the moon. What do you think Dave Smith had to study a lot in order to become an astronaut?
A - knitting B - science C - art D - history
400
Sean created a recipe for disaster in the actions he took. The metaphor recipe for disaster:
A - Sean made a terrible recipe for dinner. B - Sean's actions could cause a major problem. C - Sean was the class clown.
500
I can't wait until Saturday. We are going to a party. It is a family reunion. I have a big family. So, there will be a lot of people there. My grandparents will be there. Four aunts and uncles will be there, too. I have twelve cousins and ten can make it. We will have a ball playing while the adults eat. There is always great food. Everyone brings something to share.
We are going to a party. It is a family reunion.
500

Have you ever heard the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away?"  Apples are definitely healthy foods.  There are many positive outcomes to eating apples.  First, apples contain Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and keeps you healthy.  Ripe apples contain 80% water and are low in calories, making them a great snack.  Apples provide energy to the body.  Apples help prevent heart disease, some cancers, and tooth decay.  Obviously, apples are excellent foods to eat.

Cause & Effect

500
Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly. Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means
A - troubled or confused B - at ease C - calm D - relaxed
500
Kim's baby brother kept crying. It had been a busy day and now it was very late. The baby was fed and had a clean diaper. Still he cried. Kim's mom rocked him until he fell asleep. Why was Kim's baby brother crying?
A - He had a dirty diaper. B - He was hungry. C - He was tired and cranky. D - Kim had hit him.
500
Jasmine is always behind us because she is as slow as molasses. The simile slow as molasses:
A - Jasmine has molasses on her shoes. B - Jasmine has a bottle of molasses weighing her down. C - Jasmine walks very slowly.
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