MAIN IDEA
THEME
THEME
Some people think that some holidays celebrating love are nothing but clever ploys by marketers to get consumers to buy candy, flowers, and stuffed animals, but who cares? In America, we celebrate two love-themed holidays: Valentine's Day and Sweetest Day. Valentine's Day is celebrated in the winter, while Sweetest Day is celebrated in the fall. Valentine's Day is more focused on bringing lovers together, while Sweetest Day is for all the friends, relatives, and associates whose kindness we've enjoyed. Both occasions, however, are great times to remember what's most important: the people about whom we care.
What is the main idea of this selection?
In America, we celebrate two love-themed holidays: Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day.
One afternoon as she was walking home from school, Rosalie glanced at her neighbor’s house and noticed Mrs. Johnson lifting a fluffy kitten from a cardboard box. The words “Free Kittens” were written across the side of the box in large block letters. Rosalie squealed with glee and ran home. It had taken a little bit of coaxing and a whole lot of eyelash batting, but Rosalie finally convinced her parents to return to Mrs. Johnson’s house with her. Three years later, JoJo was the most beloved member of their family. None of them could remember life without their bundle of furry fun!
The author most likely wrote this selection to —
The author most likely wrote this selection to describe how JoJo became a beloved member of Rosalie’s family.
Pizza is so old that its origins are not quite clear to historians, but the word pizza comes from the Latin verb pinsere, meaning to press. It may also be related to the Greek word pitta. In any event the word “pizza” was first documented in Italy in 997 AD. Whatever they were eating back then, however, was quite different from the pizza that we know today. Pizza as we know it could not really have been invented until sometime during the 16th century, when tomatoes were brought to Europe from America. This was big, but in my opinion the greatest development in the history of pizza occurred in 1905, when pizza was first sold in America. The rest, as they say, is history.
By using a chronological organizational pattern, the author of the selection is able to —
By using a chronological organizational pattern, the author of the selection is able to emphasize that pizza was a popular food in Europe for more than 900 years before making its way to America.
Identify and explain the following example of figurative language.
These shoes are killing me.
This is hyperbole. The author uses exaggeration to convey the idea that the shoes are very uncomfortable and are making the person’s feet hurt badly.
Otto stuffed another candy bar in his mouth. He lay sprawled on the floor with his back against his bed. Candy wrappers surrounded him. His shirt was caught in the folds of his belly and he had melted chocolate all over his face and hands. "Ugh…" he groaned weakly as he struggled to finish chewing. Suddenly, the front door opened. "Otto, I'm home!" It was his mom. Otto rolled almost gracefully from his sprawled position and began kicking the candy wrappers under his bed. His mother opened the door, took one look at his face, and knew.
Based on Otto’s reaction to his mother returning home, the reader can infer that he—
Based on Otto’s reaction to his mother returning home, the reader can infer that he knows she will be upset at him for eating all that chocolate.
Jimmy didn't have any money, but he wanted to show Jane that she meant a lot to him, so he decided to make her a Valentine's Day card. He cut a piece of red cardstock in the shape of a heart and drew a cherub on the front of it. Then, he wrote a thoughtful message on the inside. When he gave it to Jane, she was so touched that she cried, and her tears stained the front of the card. Thinking the card ruined, Jimmy was so offended that he broke up with her calling her a "crybaby" as he left. Jane was so hurt by Jimmy’s actions that she vowed, then and there, to never love another boy for the rest of her life. Jane died, alone and bitter, at the age of 102. The next year, Jimmy, who had never found true love after Jane, died alone and heartbroken.
What is the author’s main message in this selection?
Misunderstandings can cause life-long bitterness.
In early colonial days, children learned what they could at home from their parents. Their parents, however, often couldn’t read or write. In time, women began teaching in their homes. These first schools were called “dame schools.” In 1647, a law was passed in the New England colonies requiring towns with fifty or more families to set up elementary schools. By the 1700’s one-room schoolhouses were common.
The author most likely wrote this selection to —
The author most likely wrote this selection to explain the evolution of formal education in the United States.
Jimmy’s pizzeria is my favorite pizza place in the city, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that just by looking at the outside. It is an inconspicuous brown brick building. It doesn’t even have a sign, just the name of the establishment in three-inch letters on the storefront window. The inside isn’t much to speak of either. There are some chrome swivel stools along a laminate countertop that makes an L shape, separating the register and kitchen area from the dining area. Booth seating lines the eating area of the restaurant area and a few favorable reviews from local publications are framed and displayed on the walls. Yeah, the aesthetics of the place are a little underwhelming, but forget the scenery. I go to Jimmy’s for the pizza.
The organization of this paragraph contributes to the author’s main idea by —
The organization of this paragraph contributes to the author’s main idea by describing the ordinary appearance of a restaurant that serves amazing pizza.
Identify and explain the following example of figurative language.
Her laughter was like a warm blanket.
This is a simile. The author is comparing the feelings the girl’s laughter creates to the feelings that a warm blanket provides. When the narrator hears the laughter, she feels warm, comfortable, and safe.
When basketball was first invented, players threw the ball into a peach basket mounted to a tall pole. When a player scored a basket, the game stopped and could only resume after someone climbed a ladder and retrieved the ball. It was only later that someone thought of cutting a hole into the bottom of a basket. However, sometimes, players threw the ball with enough force to knock the basket from the pole, causing a pause in the game to allow the basket to be reset. Eventually, someone came up with the idea of the modern-day basketball net, ensuring fewer breaks in the action.
Based on the information in the selection, the reader can conclude that the individual who invented the modern-day basketball net —
Based on the information in the selection, the reader can conclude that the individual who invented the modern-day basketball net was a creative person who recognized the problems with starting and stopping the game continuously.
Some people have a hard time remembering to get their loved ones appropriate gifts on Valentine's Day. This can lead to painfully long talks about "where the relationship stands." Perhaps the best way to avoid these talks is by taking the moral highroad. Instead of forgetting these holidays, choose not to celebrate them. Inform your loved one that you don't want to buy into the materialism and commercialism of these manufactured holidays. Tell that person that you want to have a relationship with them, not the marketers, and that you want to celebrate your love every day, not just one day a year. It's a tough pitch, but if you can make the sale then you'll be in the clear for life.
What is the central idea of this selection?
The best way to avoid forgetting Valentine’s Day is to choose not to celebrate it.
At a time when students have more bottled-up energy than ever before, many schools are doing away with recess in favor of adding valuable minutes to instructional time. Is that additional instructional time really worth anything if students are fidgety and lack focus? Studies show that students who are given a brain break and allowed to engage in short bursts of physical activity are more likely to remain focused and be less antsy during instructional time. Therefore, to get the most value from class-time, students should have at least 15 minutes of recess during the school day.
The author most likely wrote this selection to —
The author most likely wrote this selection to convince the reader that recess is a valuable use of time in school, as it allows students the opportunity to burn off energy and refocus on the learning.
Most people have had red pizza, or pizza covered with red sauce, but have you ever had white pizza? White pizza is made in almost the same way as red pizza: the dough rises and is rolled out, toppings are applied, and it is cooked in an oven—but the key difference is that white pizza does not have any tomato sauce on it. Instead, a white pizza may have olive oil or no sauce at all. I like white pizza more than red pizza because you can really taste the ingredients. Adding some fresh tomatoes to a white pizza will give it that tomato flavor without the completely overwhelming taste of the red sauce that covers most pizzas.
This paragraph is organized in a way that shows —
This paragraph is organized in a way that shows the key differences between red and white pizza.
Identify and explain the following example of figurative language.
His cotton candy words did not appeal to her taste.
This is a metaphor. The author is comparing type of language the boy is using to the sugary sweetness of cotton candy. He is trying to win the girl over by talking sweetly to her, but she isn't listening. She is either mad at him or isn't interested in him.
Troy moved the cloth in a circular direction on his car's fender. Troy loved this car. It wasn't a racecar, but he took really good care of it. Next, he wiped down the trunk with the chamois and then the bumper. He put the chamois down and took a step back, putting his hands on his hips and admiring his work. The chrome bumper shined dazzlingly. Suddenly, Troy felt a cool breeze. He heard a distant crack of thunder and noticed a storm cloud rolling in from the west. Troy kicked the water bucket over and said, "Doggone it!"
Troy’s reaction at the end of the selection helps the reader understand that he —
Troy’s reaction at the end of the selection helps the reader understand that he did not bother to check the weather report before spending time and effort cleaning his car.
Apparently, when people buy candy, confectionary companies make money. In 1921, the National Confectioners Association, a collection of over seventy major candy manufacturers, wanted to increase revenue. This meant they needed to sell more candy. What better way to sell more candy than to create a candy-centered holiday? That is exactly what the organization did. They've since spent millions of dollars trying to convince consumers that Sweetest Day is an actual holiday that should be celebrated by purchasing candy.
What is the main idea of this selection?
In an effort to make more money, The National Confectioners Association created Sweetest Day and promoted it as a holiday.
When you’re scribbling a note with a pencil, do you ever wonder what this handy tool is made from? To get right to the point, a pencil is created using a number of materials. The inside is made of graphite which is made stronger with clay. Its wooden outside comes from cedar trees and is painted with a yellow paint made from minerals. The metal band at one end is aluminum. Should you make a mistake while writing, use the eraser, which is made-up of soybean oil and latex.
The author most likely wrote this selection to —
The author most likely wrote this selection to inform the reader about the materials used in producing pencils.
Cooking the perfect pizza at home can be quite a challenge. You may find that it’s difficult to get your oven to the right temperature. If the oven is too hot the crust will burn, become hard, and taste bad. If your oven isn’t hot enough, the crust may get soggy. Even at the perfect temperature, extra moisture from your ingredients may prevent the bottom of the crust from fully cooking, but don’t let oven temperature stop you from building the pizza of your dreams. Get yourself a pizza stone. A pizza stone will get very hot when preheated and will allow your crust to fully cook without burning it. Then you can pile the ingredients on your pizza and have a crispy crust that isn’t burned. That’s the way to go.
By using the problem-and-solution organizational pattern in this paragraph, the author is able to —
By using the problem-and-solution organizational pattern in this paragraph, the author is able to highlight the difficulties in making pizza at home and explain a kitchen tool that makes the task easier.
Identify and explain the following example of figurative language.
The cactus saluted any visitor brave enough to travel the scorched land.
This is personification. The author gives the cactus the traits of a soldier with the ability to salute to convey the idea that anyone who is brave enough to go into the desert deserves to respect.
"Rebel!" Jenna shouted at the top of her lungs as she bounded through the meadow, "Come on, Rebel!" She was nearly out of breath, but she kept running through the tall grass. "Rebel, my baby, Mommy’s got a treat!" Jenna continued pleading, her voice hoarse from shouting similar expressions all day. “Rebel…please!" She begged one more time before collapsing to the ground and began sobbing uncontrollably.
The information in the selection helps the reader understand that —
The information in the selection helps the reader understand that Rebel has been lost all day and Jenna is afraid she will not find him.
Every Valentine's Day millions of school children slip each other cards—some sloppily assembled for classmates and friends, others more heartfelt and carefully composed—but most students have no idea how far back this practice dates. The earliest Valentine's Day card has been traced to the 1400s. When postage rates dropped in the early 1800s, mailing them grew in popularity. Then, in the 1840s, the first Valentine's cards were mass produced. Today, the Valentine's Day card continues to evolve. In 2010, an estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent.
What is the controlling idea of this selection?
The tradition of sending Valentine’s Day cards has continued to evolve since its inception (beginnings) in the 1400s.
Have you ever been standing in the checkout line at a grocery store and been tempted by the rows of chocolate bars staring up at you, only to skip buying one because you thought chocolate was unhealthy? Studies have shown that dark chocolate is actually good for your health. It can keep you healthy and stop you from getting diseases. Moreover, it can keep your skin from getting damaged by the sun. If these facts haven’t convinced you to buy that dark chocolate bar, think about this: this sweet confection can also help you think clearer. So, the next time you’re in the checkout line, go ahead and grab that dark chocolate candy bar.
The author most likely wrote this selection to —
The author most likely wrote this selection to persuade the reader that dark chocolate is a healthy snack option.
Pizza is often viewed as a junk food, and it is true that some pizzas are high in salt, fat, and calories, but there may also be some benefit to eating pizza. Some studies have found that lycopene, an antioxidant that exists in tomato products that are often used in pizza, may prevent some forms of cancer. Dr. Silvano Gallus, of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmaceutical Research in Milan, studied the eating habits of people who developed cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon. He concluded that people who ate pizza at least once a week had significantly less chance of developing these cancers.
How does the organization of this selection help the reader understand the benefits of eating pizza?
It states the benefit of an antioxidant found in tomatoes and explains the results of a study that suggests eating pizza once a week decreases the chance of developing some cancers.
Identify and explain the following example of figurative language.
Katie’s plan to sneak out to the party was a house of cards built on a crooked table.
This is metaphor. The author is comparing the strength of Katie’s plan to the strength of a house of cards built on a shaky foundation. Katie’s plan is weak and will likely come tumbling down around her. It seems as if she didn’t thoroughly plan it out.
Lance Armstrong is an amazing athlete and person. He is an American cyclist who has won the Tour de France, a bike race over 2,000 miles long, multiple times. However, his greatest victory is winning the battle against cancer. Lance says he ignored signs that there might be something wrong with his body for months. After he finally went to the doctor, the cancer had spread to his lungs and brain. He had a less than 50% chance to survive. Lance successfully underwent cancer treatment with the support of his family and fellow cancer fighters. Recognizing the importance of having a support system, he founded the Livestrong Foundation to help support others with cancer.
Based on the information in the selection, the reader can conclude that Armstrong—
Based on the information in the selection, the reader can conclude that Armstrong is an inspiration to others who are fighting similar battles in life.