Theme
Central/Main Idea
Context Clues
Persuasion and Logic
Summarizing and Paraphrasing
100
The life lesson your characters learn. Sometimes called the moral.
What is "theme"?
100
What a story is mostly about.
What is "main idea"?
100
Julia was always magnanimous, forgiving those who wronged her and turning the other cheek at the rude things others sometimes said. What does magnanimous mean? A. Able to ignore insults or put downs. B. Quick to become angry and confrontational. C. Miserable and depressed. D. Wealthy.
A. Able to ignore insults or put downs.
100
To convince someone.
What is "persuade"?
100
What is "paraphrasing"?
Saying something in your own words.
200
How can you figure out the theme of a story?
Ask yourself what the characters learn.
200
Support your main idea and provide more information.
What are "supporting details"?
200
2. Heather was an astute, or intelligent, student who always did her best in school. What does astute mean? A. Ignorant B. Angry C. Old D. Intelligent
D. Intelligent
200
What is a fact?
Information that is always true for everyone.
200
How long should a summary be?
Shorter than the original.
300
What is the theme of this fable? ONE hot summer’s day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. “Just the things to quench my thirst,” quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: “I am sure they are sour.” a. Don’t hike without water. b. It’s easy to dislike what you can’t have. c. Temptation is easy to resist. d. If you try and try again, you will succeed.
b. It’s easy to dislike what you can’t have.
300
What is the main/central idea of the paragraph? What was my incentive for reading The Hunger Games? I was inspired by hearing my roommates and friends talk about how wonderful the book was! I couldn’t wait to read it. The book encompasses a great deal of information about the life of the main character, Katniss, and the violent new world she lives in. In one pivotal scene, everything in Katniss’ life changes when her sister is selected to participate in a fight to the death. Ultimately, Katniss becomes a martyr for her people, or a hero they can look up to in the face of a dangerous society.
Information about "The Hunger Games"
300
3. Apathy is one thing I have no patience for. It irritates me to no end when people don’t care or don’t try to succeed. What does apathy mean? A. Anger, rage B. Lack of interest, indifference, or care. C. Being overly emotional or passionate. D. Lateness
B. Lack of interest, indifference, or care.
300
What does it mean if something is Relevant?
It is related to the subject you're discussing.
400
What is the theme of this fable? Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad situation in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that held the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse. a. Big or small, we can all be helpful to each other. b. Don’t trust anyone. c. Hunting is wrong. d. Mice are not trustworthy.
a. Big or small, we can all be helpful to each other.
400
What is the central/main idea of the paragraph: The wooly spider monkey, or muriqui, is the largest New World monkey. The muriqui faces extinction because its natural habitat, the Brazilian rainforest, is being cut down. In addition, hunters are further reducing the already small population of muriquis. No one is sure how to preserve this rare animal. Plans include protection of the rain forest and a ban on hunting. Also, an attempt may be made to start muriqui colonies.
Muriquis are facing extinction and people are trying to protect them.
400
4. Sophie was lackadaisical, spending the whole afternoon lounging and sleeping in the sunshine. What does lackadaisical mean? A. Scared B. Playful and energetic C. Lazy D. Loud and annoying.
C. Lazy
400
Which statement is an opinion? A. The human body is composed mostly of water. B. Water is important in many biological processes. C. Water tastes better than anything else you can drink. D. Water is H2O.
C. Water tastes better than anything else you can drink
500
The ants worked all summer long gathering food. The grasshopper, on the other hand, spent all his days singing. When winter came, the ants had plenty to eat, but the grasshopper had nothing. The grasshopper went to the ants and begged them for some food. They laughed and said to him, “You were foolish enough to sing all summer while we worked, and now you must live with the result. You will have no food from us.” Which of the following best describes the theme of this piece? A. Ants are rarely nice, especially to other insects. B. People who like to sing deserve whatever happens to them. C. Hard work pays off in the end, procrastination does not. D. It’s a good idea to make friends with people before you try asking them for food.
C. Hard work pays off in the end, procrastination does not.
500
What is the main idea of the paragraph: Dogs are good for children because they teach children to be responsible. Children who have to feed the dog, give the dog water, and to walk the dog learn to be responsible for the life of another being. Cats also teach children responsibility, and along with this, children who own a cat learn about independence since cats are quick to teach this. Rabbits teach children about having babies because as anyone who has owned more than one rabbit knows, they have a lot of babies. Snakes, rats, fish and gerbils are also good to teach children about cleanliness and proper bathing habits. Most pets teach children valuable lessons.
Animals teach children responsibility.
500
5. My schedule is definitely not mundane; each day is varied and unique. What does mundane mean? A. Boring, the same. B. Unique, different C. Hectic, stressful. D. Early
A. Boring, the same.
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