Inference
Main Idea ad Detail
Character
Setting
Theme
100
The basketball team could not win a game. It did not make any sense. They had many good players. They had a lot of experience. When Coach Grimley watched the Falcons play their first game, he immediately understood why they could not win. Everyone wanted to be a star. At the next practice, the coach explained that no one would be a star if they did not show some team spirit and support each other. In practices during the next week, all the team members did was pass the ball to other players who were in a better position to score points. When the next game came around, the Falcons won! Why could the Falcons not win? Explain your response.
What is they didn't know how to work as a team.
100
Medicine helps us improve the quality of our lives. If you have a headache, you can take medicine to ease the pain. If you have an infection, a doctor can give you medicine to heal it. Without medicine, your infection could be deadly. In addition, doctors and researchers help people fight diseases with the help of vaccinations and antibiotics. Measles, tuberculosis, and polio are not nearly as threatening as they were 100 years ago because of medicine. What is the main idea of this passage? What sentence supports your main idea?
What is Medicine helps us improve the quality of life. "If you have a headache, you can take medicine to ease the pain. If you have an infection, a doctor can give you medicine to heal it. Without medicine, your infection could be deadly. In addition, doctors and researchers help people fight diseases with the help of vaccinations and antibiotics."
100
"I don't think we should ski today," Ben said to his sister Ellen. He moistened a finger by sticking it in the wet snow and then held it up. "The wind is coming from the north, which means it's about to snow again. Besides, it's too warm to ski," he said. "You always have a ridiculous theory that spoils my fun," Ellen said. "Now it's the wind and weather. Today is my birthday, and for my celebration I want to go skiing. You canceled our ski trip last month, so today we are going skiing. I'll go alone if I have to!" Worried, Ben pulled his ski hat down over his ears before he and Ellen set off down the hill. He did not think she should go alone. The cold wind made their cheeks glow. The kids enjoyed the crisp air and the quiet. "I feel like we’re all alone in the world!" Ellen yelled. Ben agreed, but he did not feel as comfortable about it. How would you describe Ben at the beginning of the passage? How do you know?
What is he was worried about the weather.
100
It was dark when I woke up. I was so cold. At first, I didn’t know where I was. I started to panic. I couldn’t move my arms or legs. What was happening to me? Then I remembered. I had been skiing. I had heard a really loud noise, like a freight train. When I had looked behind me, all I had seen was a wall of snow coming my way—fast! “I must be buried in that snow,” I said to myself. Talk about panic! Now I had a good reason. To make myself feel better, I thought about all the TV shows I had watched about people being rescued. I drifted in and out of consciousness. Meanwhile, I learned later, the rescue teams were gathering, just like on TV! Several skiers were missing after the avalanche. Luckily, I had been skiing on a marked path. The rescue teams would know where to look for me. After what seemed like forever, I heard voices. I tried to scream, but the snow covering me blocked any noise. At last, I felt something touch my legs. A dog was digging me out. I had been rescued! Where is the story set? How do you know?
What is on a snow covered mountain.
100
The ground was shaking from the earthquake as Melvin stood outside his apartment building at the end of the street. His mother stood next to him and silently grabbed his hand. Melvin looked at her and realized they were totally unprepared. What should they do? Where could they go? Melvin had no idea. He looked back into the apartment building and then at his mother. He realized that everything they had—all their furniture, pots and pans, and clothing—meant nothing unless he and his mother lived through this awful day. He turned back to her and said, “We can run very fast if we take nothing.” What is the theme and how do you know? A.) When trouble comes, people reach out to help each other. B.) When trouble comes, people realize what they value most in life.
What is B.) When trouble comes, people realize what they value most in life. because "He realized that everything they had—all their furniture, pots and pans, and clothing—meant nothing unless he and his mother lived through this awful day."
200
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sobs. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed. Why is Max upset? How do you know this?
What is there is a thunderstorm and he couldn't fly his kite. "thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand"
200
The Florida Everglades are home to many birds, reptiles, and mammals. The Everglades provide a variety of habitats. They are vital to the wildlife they support, supplying particular environmental conditions that can be found only in the Everglades. Birds and other animals are protected by the sawgrass prairies. Crocodiles and alligators live together in the swamps and water. People must protect and preserve this land in order to nurture and protect the wildlife that make the Everglades their home. What is the main idea of this passage? What is a sentence that supports the main idea?
What is the Florida Everglades are home to many animals. "Birds and other animals are protected by the sawgrass prairies. Crocodiles and alligators live together in the swamps and water."
200
“How does a whole city get lost?” Todd asked his mother. “It isn’t actually lost,” she explained. “It’s more like people forgot it was there.” Todd was very excited. He and his mother were on their way to visit Machu Picchu. It was the first time Todd and his mother would be going to Peru. The tour guide explained that Machu Picchu, or at least what was left of it, was discovered by a man named Hiram Bingham. Todd listened intently as the tour guide described the dangers Bingham and his crew faced while trying to reach the city—a city they were not sure even existed! “At least we don’t have to cut our way through the forest to get there,” Todd said. His mother agreed. When the tour guide finished, both Todd and his mother settled into their train seats to take in the view of the rain forest. Todd tried to imagine the way Bingham had felt as he climbed the mountain. Todd could hardly wait to see the actual city. It was going to be one of the best times of his life, he was sure. When he finally arrived, he was not disappointed. How does Todd feel about seeing Machu Picchu?How do you know.
What is he is excited because the passage states that "it was going to be one of the best times of his life.
200
Alex shut the lid to his laptop with a loud clap. Some of the people sitting at the tables near him looked up from their books and gave him annoyed looks. Alex realized that he had disturbed them and held up his hand apologetically. The librarian turned toward him and shushed him loudly, perhaps louder than the noise that he had made. Alex put the laptop in his bag and began walking toward the door. He held his head down low. Where is this story taking place? How do you know?
What is the library. "The librarian turned toward him and shushed him loudly, perhaps louder than the noise that he had made."
200
Wesley often found new ways of doing things that he liked better than the ordinary ways. Some of Wesley’s ideas helped him prove himself to the other children in the neighborhood. Before Wesley founded Weslandia, the children in the neighborhood had teased him because they did not understand him. Instead of fitting in by imitating the others, Wesley made friends by being himself. What is the theme of this passage and how do you know?
What is be yourself, Don't change who you are just to fit in.
300
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller. Why is Kyle distraught and upset? How do you know?
What is he got bad grades on his report card. "He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller."
300
Astronauts must go through difficult training because just about everything is done differently in space. Astronauts must learn how to walk and work without gravity. They must practice wearing spacesuits. They must even learn how to eat and sleep while weightless. Many different machines help the astronauts prepare for space travel. Some machines are simulators, or machines that recreate some of the conditions of outer space here on Earth. The 1/6 Gravity Chair simulates the moon’s weaker gravity. On the moon a person weighs one-sixth of what he or she weighs on Earth. In the Multi-Axis Trainer (MAT), astronauts experience what it is like to be in a tumbling spacecraft. The Five Degrees of Freedom (5DF) Chair simulates the challenges of floating weightlessly. What is the main idea of this passage? What is a sentence that supports your response?
What is Astronauts must go through difficult training because just about everything is done differently in space.
300
Tuesday I caught a bad cold and had to stay home from school. The next day was Wednesday, and Mrs. Mandle always assigned an essay that day. That afternoon I called my best friend, Roberto. He is a great writer and listens carefully to Mrs. Mandle’s essay questions. However, when I called Roberto, his voice was muf ed and what he said wasn’t very clear. “Mike,” Roberto said, “the essay is on ‘what makes blueberry pies’?” “What?” I said. “The essay is on ‘what makes blueberry pies’?” “Yes,” he said. “I hope you feel butter. I have to go to digger now.” That night I wrote about blueberry pies and how to make them. The next day I felt better and went to school. I saw Roberto and talked about my blueberry pie essay. “Blueberry pies?” Roberto asked. “We didn’t have to write about blueberry pies. Our essay was about ‘what makes blue skies.’ ” Why does Mike call Roberto for the essay question? How do you know?
What is he was sick and didn't go to school and missed the assignment. "Tuesday I caught a bad cold and had to stay home from school."
300
"I want Sugar Loops!" Tommy screamed at his mother. She shook her head in distress and then responded, "Look, Tommy. That's not how you ask for anything, and we've already gone over this. You can have Bran Flakes or Dry Os. No Sugar Loops." Tommy shook his head back and forth violently. He then laid down on floor and started kicking his feet and screaming. Clearly he did not accept this answer. Mom grabbed her phone out of her purse. "Tommy, if you stop this tantrum and get back in the cart, I'll let you watch Tatakai Fighting Warriors on my phone." Tommy looked up excitedly and began gathering himself off of the floor. Mom put the box of Sugar Loops back on the shelf and tossed the Dry Os into the cart. Where is this story taking place? How do you know?
What is the grocery store. "Mom put the box of Sugar Loops back on the shelf and tossed the Dry Os into the cart."
300
Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After explaining her situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she spilled grape soda all over her assignment. What is the theme of the story? What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?
What is it's hard for 2 opposite people to work together. "Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself."
400
Kelvin was waiting in front of the corner store at 3:56. His muscles were tense and he was sweating a bit more than usual. The other kids gathered in front of the little storefront were much more relaxed, even playful. They joked back and forth lightly to each other but for Kelvin, time slowed. 3:57. “Don’t worry, Kelvin. He ain’t even gonna show up.” Kelvin hoped that he wouldn’t. A black four-door Camry with tinted windows pulled up and parked across the street. Kelvin gulped. 3:58. A group of teenagers piled out of the car. James was in the front. “Hi-ya, Kelvin. Glad you could make it,” James said. Kelvin felt smaller. Why is Kelvin waiting at the corner store? How do you know this?
What is to fight James. "A group of teenagers piled out of the car. James was in the front. “Hi-ya, Kelvin. Glad you could make it,” James said. Kelvin felt smaller."
400
Rattlesnakes have a bad reputation. No wonder! They look mean. They sound spooky. And you know about their nasty bite. But mostly they’re misunderstood. So here is all you ever wanted to know about rattlesnakes. They are a group of snakes that have what no other snakes have: rattle-tipped tails. They also have thick bodies, wide heads, cat-like eyes, and long, hollow fangs that fold away when they’re not needed. Their dull colors and patchy patterns help them blend with their surroundings. After reading the paragraphs, what is the main idea of “Rattlers!” and how do you know? a. Rattlesnakes are poisonous snakes that eat other animals. b. Rattlesnakes have a bad reputation because they are misunderstood.
What is b. Rattlesnakes have a bad reputation because they are misunderstood.
400
Jake is Cassie's older brother. One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier. What character trait does Jake demonstrate? Explain your answer by referencing the text.
What is kind, loving, selfless. "He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier."
400
The party stopped at a small brook. The woman who was leading the party whispered, "Ok, if anybody's thirsty, this be a good time to drink. We keep moving from here to the next station." This wind blew through the thick trees. A young boy in the back of the party looked up at an older man and asked, "Is we really gonna be free?" The old man sighed, as if he could not believe it himself. "You see that star up dere? Dat's the North Star. We keep following that, and Miss Tubman up dere," he said gesturing to the woman leading the party. He continued, "We'll be free alright." The boy smiled, and then something else occurred to him. He looked up at the old man and said, "Well, what if we run into dem slave catchers?" The old man scratched his head and said, "Don't let'em catch you." Where is this story taking place? How do you know?
What is forest/woods. "The party stopped at a small brook." "This wind blew through the thick trees"
400
Mr. Pig and Mr. Dog were hanging out at the food court of the animal shopping mall. Mr. Pig was eating a huge feast of pizza and drinking a large jug of fruit punch and Mr. Dog was watching him eat. “Hey, Mr. Pig. If you give me a slice of your pizza, I’ll let you have the next bone I find.” Mr. Pig declined, even though it hurt his stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dog,” Mr. Pig said, “but I paid for this pizza and it’s all mine.” Mr. Dog sighed and waited for Mr. Pig to finish, and then they left the animal mall together. On the way out, a hunter spotted them and gave chase. Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter but since he was weighed down by such a large meal, Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter killed him. Mr. Dog easily escaped. Later that night while returning to the scene, Mr. Dog caught the scent of something delicious and began digging around a trash can. He found a large ham bone with lots of meat and marrow still stuck to the bone. Mr. Dog happily ate. What is the theme of the story? What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?
What is don't be greedy. "Mr. Pig declined, even though it hurt his stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza." "Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter but since he was weighed down by such a large meal, Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter killed him."
500
Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and her clothing was disheveled. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: “Oh... John…” And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, “I need to get my jacket back from you.” Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing. What relationship do John and Anastasia have? How do you know? Why is Anastasia sad? How do you know?
What is They were boyfriend and girlfriend. "And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John." They broke up. "She opened up the message and read the few bare words, “I need to get my jacket back from you.” Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing. "
500
Maya Lin is an architect who has designed several important monuments and memorials in the United States. She has a special talent for creating spaces that touch people’s emotions. Lin’s works honor people who were part of history. Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall has become the most visited monument in Washington, D.C. The memorial is a large black granite wall with names carved into the stone. Not everyone liked the memorial at first. However, it eventually helped many veterans and their families by honoring those who served. What is the main idea? What is a sentence that supports your main idea?
What is Maya Lin is an architect who has designed several important monuments and memorials in the United States. Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall has become the most visited monument in Washington, D.C.
500
Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. TAnna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna. What character trait does Kylie demonstrate? Explain your answer by referencing the text.
What is bossy and inconsiderate. "Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna. "
500
Vance Powers grabbed the control stick. Up until now he had been a prisoner on this spaceship, but even the captain knew that Vance was the only one who could navigate through an asteroid belt. "Quick! Take these laser cuffs off!" The captain and the guard looked at one another hesitantly. Boom! The ship skidded off a large asteroid. "Now! Take the cuffs off! There's no time!" Vance shouted at the men. The captain gave the guard a slight nod. The guard waved the magnetic key over the laser cuffs on Vance's wrists. The cuffs powered down and fell off of Vance's wrists. Suddenly Vance had full control of his arms again. Vance tested the movement of his arms by disarming the guard and slapping the laser cuffs on him in one swift motion. Vance Powers was back. Where is this story taking place? How do you know?
What is in space. " Up until now he had been a prisoner on this spaceship, but even the captain knew that Vance was the only one who could navigate through an asteroid belt."
500
In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history. What is the theme of the story? What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?
What is never give up. "Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history. "
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