Vocabulary Review
________________ is a wide and open area of land.
expanse
__________________ is the most important concept the writer wants readers to understand.
main idea
What does the R stand for in RACES?
Restate the question
Mila pulled her scarf tighter as the snow fell in soft, cold whispers around her. She trudged through the forest, her boots crunching against the frozen ground, a small bundle of firewood clutched in her arms. The cabin’s glow flickered through the trees, and her pace quickened; warmth and safety were close. Mila paused before going inside, gazing at the untouched snow. It reminded her of the way things could begin again, even when the world seemed cold and still.
How do you think Mila felt about the snow?
She does not like and does not enjoy the snow.
After the snow stopped, the town was very
serene. No cars were driving and no one was talking outside with neighbors. The snow made everything feel still and calm, like the world was holding its breath.
What does the word serene mean?
calm
__________________ means happening now and then and not too often.
occasional
______________________ are facts, reasons, and examples that support or explain the main ideas.
details
What does the A stand for in RACES?
Answer the question
Nina stretched out on the sandy beach. The warm Florida sun was shining on her face. She scrolled through photos of snowy driveways her friends had posted online. While they complained about frozen toes and shoveling, she laughed. Nina was sipping her iced lemonade and feeling the soft breeze off the ocean. She didn’t miss winter one bit. There was a tiny part of her that wondered what it would be like to build a snowman. For now, though, Nina was perfectly content, her flip-flops buried in the sand.
Why do you think Nina laughed at her friends' complaints?
Because she was tanning on the beach, while her friends were complaining about shoveling the snow
The icicles hanging from the roof were glimmering
in the sunlight. They sparkled like tiny diamonds, shining brightly as the light hit them. The whole roof seemed to glow because of the glimmering ice.
What does the word glimmering mean?
Sparkling
________________ means to take great pleasure in; enjoy.
relish
What do we have to pay special attention to when we are trying to identify the main idea?
Title, key details, first paragraph, and last paragraph
What does C stand for in RACES?
Cite evidence
Jose sat by the lodge’s roaring fire, his leg propped up and wrapped in a thick brace. Outside the window, his friends zipped down the slopes, their laughter carried by the wind. He clenched his mug of hot cocoa, the warmth soothing his hands but not his frustration. As he stared into the flames, Jose told himself he’d be out there again next winter. He would be stronger and more careful this time.
What could have happened to Jose to cause him to be inside at the ski
slopes?
He could have fallen off his bike and broke his leg.
The wind was so harsh that it made our faces feel frozen. The cold wind was strong and sharp. We had to hurry inside to get warm and escape the bitter cold of winter.
What does the word harsh mean?
cruel or severe
_______________ means to extend over an area or in a certain direction.
stretch
What was the main idea of the article, "At the Office?"
Albert’s imagination runs wild while he is in his mother’s office.
What does E stand for in RACES?
Explain and elaborate
Ben dragged his shovel down the icy sidewalk, his breath visible in the frigid air. Each driveway he cleared added a few more crumpled bills to his pocket. He mentally calculated how close he was to buying the new video game he wanted. At Mrs. Harper's house, he paused to spread salt carefully. She always tipped extra for a job well done. Wiping his brow, he grinned despite the cold-hard work, he realized, made the reward feel even better.
Why do you think Ben chose to shovel snow as a way to earn money?
Because it was an easy way to earn money to buy the video game he wanted.
The snow slowly transformed the world into a winter wonderland. What used to be green grass was now covered in a white, sparkling blanket. The trees looked different, too, with snow hanging from their branches.
What does transformed mean?
changed
______________ means a change made to fix an error.
Correction
What was one key detail that supported the main idea of "At the Office?"
1. Albert imagines that the strange noises he hears are coming from a monster guarding the elevator.
2. He pictures the monster having “one big eye” and friends like “vampire bats” and “little gnomes” hiding in the stairwell.
3. He even talks to himself, arguing that he’s “too old” to believe in monsters but still feels nervous and hides under a desk.
What does the S stand for in RACES?
Summarize your response
Jace gripped the sled’s reins tightly. He felt the rush of the cold wind as his team of huskies pulled him across the snow. The dogs were strong and fast. Their paws pounded the snowy ground with a rhythmic power, making Jace proud. He leaned forward, urging them on with quiet words of encouragement. He knew that this was more than just a race. It was a bond they had built through countless miles together. The sled glided smoothly across the frozen landscape.
How do you think Jace feels about his dog team?
He trusts his dog sled team.
At sunset, the sky was vibrant with colors of pink and orange. It looked like the whole sky was glowing. The snow below reflected these bright colors, making the world feel alive.
What does vibrant mean?
bright