Main Idea & Details
This is what a text is mostly about.
What is the main idea?
These are hints in the text that help you understand unknown words.
What are context clues?
These support the main idea and give more information.
What are supporting (or key) details?
If a sentence says, "The desert is arid or very dry," this type of clue is used.
What is a definition clue?
If a paragraph talks about the process of bees making honey, the main idea is likely this.
What is how the bees make honey?
If a sentence compares something using "like" or "as," it's this type of clue.
What is a simile clue?
If details include "rain, wind, and lightning," the main idea is likely about this.
What is a storm?
If the sentence gives an opposite meaning to help define a word, it's this.
What is an antonym clue?
This strategy helps you find the main idea by asking, "What is this mostly about?"
What is summarizing or identifying key details?
In the sentence, "She was exhausted after the race," exhausted most nearly means this.
What is very tired.