Main Idea
Inferencing
Name The Strategy # 1
Name The Strategy #2
Context Clues
100
Lester was lost. He didn't know where he was, or how to get where he was going. He had left the directions at home and he didn't have a map. Now, he was in a strange neighborhood and he was confused. If he could find a familiar landmark, he might figure things out. Which of these choices best sums up what the story is about? A. Wanting a map B. Lester was lost C. Getting directions D. On his way to a party
What is B. Lester was lost?
100
"Troy stuttered, blushed and shook as he addressed the crowd." What can you infer about Troy from this statement? A. Troy enjoys public speaking. B. Troy is nervous. C. Troy is an actor.
What is B. Troy is nervous
100

Your teacher tells you to preview the novel she assigned. Which of these things should you do?

a. Read ahead of your classmates—so that you finish the book first.

b. Read the chapter titles and look at any illustrations before you begin reading.

C. Look up any words you find that are unfamiliar to you.

Ask someone who has read the book to summarize it for you

b. Read the chapter titles and look at any illustrations before you begin reading.

100
Using clues in the story and what you already know to tell what might happen next
Predicting
100
When Harry's boss went on a maternity leave, Harry became the interim department head. He handled employee payroll for the three months she was away. Interim most likely means: A. temporary B. new C. professional
What is A. temporary?
200
Farming has changed a lot since 1800. Half the people in America worked on farms 200 years ago. Today, less than 2% of the population does. Animals used to do the bulk of the work on farms. Now machines, such as tractors, are used. Another change in American agriculture is the amount of land used for farming; today's farmers produce more food, using much less land. A summary is a short retelling of a story or article. Which of these choices best sums up what this story is about? A. Changes in farming B. Less land in farming C. Tractors and farming D. Hard work on farms
What is A. Changes in farming?
200
The sun was low in the sky. Kay's body ached. Blisters had formed on her hands. She set the rake down on the big pile of leaves and headed for home. What can you infer from this passage? A. Kay had worked a long time. B. Kay had been feeling sick. C. Kay dislikes raking leaves.
What is A. Kay had worked a long time?
200

Your friend recommends that you visualize as you read. What is she talking about?

She means you should take lots of breaks when you read.

She thinks you should try to see the story in your mind as you read it.

She is suggesting that you say the words out loud.

She thinks you should try to see the story in your mind as you read it.

200
How the text relates to your life, another book, or the world.
What is making connections
200
Employees from all five divisions convened in the auditorium to hear the company president speak. Convened most likely means A. sat B. spoke C. gathered together
What is C. gathered together
300
Cats are affectionate, cuddly, and independent. Unlike dogs, cats can stay on their own if you go away overnight. They do not need to be walked, and can monitor their own food so they don't overeat. Also, cats do not bark, so your neighbors won't have any noise to complain about. If someone wants to have a pet, a cat is a great choice! Which of these choices best sums up what this story is about? A. Cats are independent B. Dogs are a lot of work C. Cats are great pets D. Pets are hard work
What is C Cats are great pets?
300
Dad and Anna were finishing up a project in the garage together. "Can we paint the roof red?" asked Anna. "Sure," said Dad. "Then when the paint dries we can find a place to hang it in the backyard." What do you think Dad and Anna are making? Why do you think so?
What is a bird house
300

Your teacher tells you that you have good decoding skills. What does she mean?

A. You know how to preview a text for important information.

B. You're good at sounding out words—even words you have not seen before.

B. You're good at sounding out words—even words you have not seen before.

300
Make mental pictures as you read
What is visualizing
300
From experience Ellen knows that the more she studies, the better she does in school. Her marks on exams attest to many hours of hard work. Attest most likely means A. give proof of B. argue C. study
What is A. give proof of
400
Plenty of people try to fool unsuspecting customers. To protect yourself, read the fine print before you sign a document. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is! Make sure you know what you're agreeing to, how much you're paying, and what you're getting in return. If you feel uncertain, do nothing until you've had time to study and understand the agreement. A summary is a short retelling of a story or article. Which of these choices best sums up what this story is about? A. Unsuspecting consumers B. Protection from scams C. Too good to be true D. Being uncertain
What is B. Protection from scams?
400
Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!” Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her bag and ran out the door. What problem is Cassie having?
She is running late
400

Which of these is an example of prewriting?

A. checking for spelling mistakes

B. creating a list of ideas for a story

C. rearranging paragraphs in an essay

B. creating a list of ideas for a story

400
Tell in your own words what the story is about
What is summarizing
400
At the end of each workday, Daniel arranged his papers into neat piles, dusted his computer, and tucked his chair under the desk. He was equally meticulous at home. Meticulous most likely means A. Mean B. Careful about details C. Weird
What is B. careful about details?
500
Baseball has been a part of American life for more than 100 years. There are 29 professional teams in 27 American cities and hundreds of minor league teams throughout the 50 states. More Americans attend major league baseball games than any other professional team sport in the United States. Baseball is a part of American slang, fashion, music, and movies. A summary is a short retelling of something, for example, a story or article. Which of these choices best sums up what the story is about? A. Baseball stadiums B. Baseball in America C. Minor league baseball D. Baseball slang
What is B. Baseball in America?
500
By the time Amy arrived at the café, Juan was drinking his third cup of coffee. "I'm so sorry," she called out when she saw him and gestured to her naked wrist where her watch used to be. What can you infer from this passage? A. Juan is patient. B. Amy is late. C. Juan loves coffee.
What is B Amy is late.
500

How does retelling the story to someone else help you?

It helps you remember the story parts and how all the events fit together

500
What is specifically being said about a topic.
What is the main idea
500
The lawyers were poorly prepared. The defendant was late. The jurors talked during the trial. The judge declared the case to be a travesty of justice. Travesty most likely means A. mockery B. example C. sad
What is A. mockery?
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