Context Clues
Main Idea
Inference
Cause and Effect
Logic and Reasoning
100
The police officers held her hand out. The cars halted. The children crossed the street. Then the police officer waver her hand. All the cars started to move again. Halted means…
What is stopped?
100
Years ago, baskets were very important. Women had to learn to weave baskets so that firewood, fruits, fish, and other things could be carried from place to place. The baskets were easy to carry as they were so light. Many baskets had pretty designs woven in them. What is the main idea?
What is baskets were more important long ago?
100
The young girl held the pole in the air. Then she saw some younger children. She held them back from the street with her arm. She looked both ways. Then she lowered the pole. A white flag with red letters was on the pole. The letters spelled STOP. While the pole was down, the children crossed the street. When they were on the other side, the girl raised the pole. It is likely that the girl’s job is…
What is the girl is on the safety patrol?
100
Superman was the strongest man in the world. He used his powers to help people. When people were in trouble, they called Superman. They could count on him to save the day. What caused people in trouble to call Superman?
What is Superman was strong and always helped people or What is people could count on him to save the day?
100
When something if found at a site, several things have to be done before it can be sent to the lab. First, it has to be measured. Next, it has to be entered into the daily records, and a picture of it is drawn on a special form. After that, a photo is taken of the find and lastly, it is bagged and labeled. Why do you think all of this is done before the find is moved?
What is it makes sure that the information is all in one place?
200
There are many people in the city who sell things. Some merchants sell food. Some sell clothes. I like the merchants who sell toys best. Merchants means…
What is people who buy things?
200
Fish come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Some fish live in fresh water and some live in salt water. There are more than 20,000 kinds of fish. Most fish hatch from eggs. Fish have backbones and breathe underwater through gills. What is the main idea?
What is there are many kinds of fish?
200
Dear Colleen , I like college. Mom and Dad can’t tell me when to wake up. I sleep all morning. My first class starts at one o’clock in the afternoon! Isn’t it wonderful? Of course, my last class ends at five o’clock. That’s kind of late. Tell Mom and Dad I said hello. I’ll write to them tomorrow. Love Jim Who is Colleen?
What is Colleen is Jim’s sister?
200
Mountain climbers wear special shoes. The shoes have sharp spikes. These spikes dig into the ice. This makes climbing easier. It makes slipping or falling less likely. What happens as a result of the spikes digging into the ice?
What is climbing becomes easier?
200
One of Louisa May Alcott’s most famous novels was based on her own family. Written more than 100 years ago, it is a tale about a mother and four sisters. It tells of the family’s struggle to survive in hard times. This book was a big hit when it was first published in 1869. It is still read and enjoyed by many young people today. What do you think the title of this book was – Charlotte’s Web, Little Women, or Uncle Tom’s Cabin?
What is Little Women?
300
At the circus the clowns were so tall! They were walking on stilts. They looked so funny so high up in the air. I thought they would all fall. Stilts means…
What is tall sticks?
300
One of the poisonous snakes that lives in the United States is the copperhead. It gets its name from the color of its head. The snake is about three feet in length. Copperheads will not attack if left alone. Copperheads eat frogs, small birds, and rodents. What is the main idea?
What is describe the copperhead?
300
Some colleges divide the school year into parts. These two parts are called “semesters.” Each semester is about four months long. The first semester starts in September. It ends in January. Then the students get a short vacation. After the vacation, it is time to start the second semester. When does the second semester end?
What is the second semester ends in May?
300
Eva visited the Grand Canyon. She wanted to drive to the bottom of the canyon. "It's too steep for a car," said the guide. "You will have to ride a donkey to the bottom." What happened as a result of the canyon being too steep for a car?
What is you must ride a donkey to the bottom of the canyon?
300
Sherlock Holmes looked at the footprint in the snow. He saw something very interesting there. The famous detective took out his magnifying glass and leaned in even closer. “I’ve got it, Watson!” he said. “I put all of the clues together and I know exactly who the robber is! It is perfectly clear!” What do you think Holmes will do next?
What is contact the police?
400
I like hot soup on cold days. I put my nose near the bowl. I sniff the aroma. I love that smell. I wish the soup was already in my mouth! Aroma means…
What is good smell?
400
One of the most amazing birds is the hummingbird. This tiny bird is usually no longer than four inches long. It does not sing, but it squeaks. Hummingbirds move their wings about 50 times a second. The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards. What is the main idea?
What is hummingbirds are unusual birds?
400
Doug counted his money. He had less than $10. And today was just Monday! He wouldn’t get another $25 from his parents until Saturday! How could he make it through the whole week on less than $10? He couldn’t buy hamburgers every night! He couldn’t buy pizza every night! He couldn’t have milkshakes every day! He would have to eat in the cafeteria, because those meals were already paid for. Ugh! Doug kicked the desk. What do you infer Doug will do?
What is Doug will still have food to eat all week long from the cafeteria?
400
King Richard was being held in prison. Cruel King John was running the country. Robin Hood wanted to raise money to get Richard out of prison. He and his men began stealing from the rich friends of King John. What happened as a result of Robin Hood wanting to get King Richard out of prison?
What is he stole money from rich people?
400
One of the things archeologists look for in a dig is a feature. This is also man-made, but it is a place. Features are good clues as to where things happened. Posthole spots, for example, may show where a home once stood. What do you think an example of a modern feature would be?
What is a cemetery?
500
It was a hot day. I went by a garbage truck. A foul smell came from the truck. I held my nose. The garbage was full of old food. Foul means…
What is bad?
500
Ed had promised to meet Wayne at the skating pond after school. They were going to have a race. Everyone from school was going to be there. Ed knew Wayne could skate fast, but he was sure he could beat him. He just hoped he would skate his very best against Wayne. What is the main idea?
What is Ed and Wayne planned to race against each other?
500
“Okay, Sandra,” said Mrs. Waverly. “Try it again.” Sandra walked back to the door. Then she turned and walked to the front of the stage. A big X was taped on the floor. She was supposed to stop at the X. Sandra walked up to the X very quickly. She kept looking behind her. “Help!” she yelled. “Help! Help me!” What is Sandra doing?
What is Sandra is practicing for a play?
500
Mrs. Moore was planting flowers in the yard. Her shovel hit something hard. "Howard, come here!", she called. "I've found something peculiar!" What caused Mrs. Moore to call Howard?
What is she hit something hard with her shovel or What is she found something peculiar?
500
Joshua watched the store clerk scan each item he was buying. He was fascinated by how the store computer knew how much every item cost. He knew that every item had a special series of black and white stripes on it. But what did they mean? Joshua spent the week doing some research. He found out that the stripes were based on a math system. What do you think Joshua is learning about?
What is bar codes?
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