Author's Purpose
Context Clues
Prefix/Suffix
Inference
Mixed Bag
100

Tommy was not happy one little bit. His sister, Susan was making honor roll... again! His parents would let her do anything she wanted to do. Tommy was not making honor roll this time and he was not going to be allowed to do all the things he wanted to do. Poor Tommy! He decided he would just have to study harder and get back on the honor roll. He’d show them!

  a)persuade b) inform c) entertain d) describe

c) entertain

100

Many people wear black as a sign of mourning. In China the color for death is white. People in Turkey wear purple. But everywhere people follow special customs when someone dies. 


 mourning means a. seeing dawn b. feeling sick c. showing joy d. showing sadness

d. showing sadness

100

What does the prefix re- mean

again

100

 Sam looked through the window at the city far below. The light came on informing all those on board to fasten their seat belts. They were about to land. Where was Sam?

In an airplane

100

Any person, animal or figure the story is about

Characters

200

 HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Humble Pet Store, in the mall: We have a large selection of hamsters for sale this week. They are interesting pets, and you will enjoy having one! They are only $17.99 this week!! Come and buy yours today! 

a) entertain b) persuade c) inform d) share feelings

b) persuade

200

England has been ruled by monarchs for hundreds of years. The youngest was Henry VI, who became king at age one. Queen Victoria ruled the longest. 

In this paragraph a synonym for monarch would be: 

 a. type of butterfly b. rulers c. a queen d. children

b. rulers

200

What does the suffix -ful mean

full of

200

David through the yellow ball above his head and whacked it with the racket. The ball landed in the middle of the net 'Fault', said the umpire. What was David doing?

Playing Tennis

200
The lesson or message of the story

Theme

300

Matt was ready to do his homework. "I am going to ace my math test," he said. Matt opened up his math book and grabbed his notebook. "Uh oh," Matt said as he looked in his pencil case. His pencil was not there. "Where is my pencil?" Matt asked. "I need my pencil to do my homework." Matt looked in his book bag. His pencil was not there. Matt looked around his desk. He did not see his pencil. Matt looked at the floor. His pencil was nowhere to be found! "Mom, I cannot find my pencil," Matt yelled. Mom walked into his room and pointed to the mirror. She said, "Look over there." "What? My pencil is not over there," Matt said. When Matt looked in the mirror, he blushed. His pencil was behind his ear! 

 a) inform b) persuade c) entertain 

c) entertain 

300

Once a man checked out a book from a library. He neglected to return it. The book was finally returned by his great-grandson 145 years later. Although the fine came $2,264, the great grandson did not have to pay it. 

neglected means a. failed b. hurried c. borrowed d. remembered

a. failed

300

What does the prefix un- meand

not

300

Josh woke up early on Saturday morning and looked outside the window. The sun was out and it was hot. His dad called to Josh and said, “It is a perfect day, don’t forget to bring a towel!” Josh grabbed a towel and they left the house. Where do you think Josh and his dad were going?

The pool

300

The time and place a story takes place

Setting
400

What are those little green lights on the grass and flying in the yard? Are they monsters? Are they UFOs? No, they aren’t monsters and they aren’t UFOs. They’re fireflies. Fireflies are little insects that glow with a cool green light. If you touch one it won’t burn you. Some fireflies glow to warn other animals that they don’t taste good. Frogs, bats, and birds do not like to eat animals that glow. The glow helps keep fireflies safe. 

a) to inform b) to entertain  c) to persuade 

a) to inform 

400

Mustard doesn't originate in a jar. It starts out as tiny seeds. They are inside the leaves of the mustard plant. The seeds are dried and made into powder. The powder is mixed with water and spices. 

originate means a. end b. continue c. begin d. heal 

c. begin

400

What does the prefix bi- mean

two

400

Lisa carefully examined the bug sitting on the leaf. She noticed that it had six legs and a hard shell. Lisa had never seen a bug like this before. She grabbed her magnifying glass and camera. 

What do you know about Lisa? A. She is helpful. B. She is afraid of bugs. C. She is very curious. D. She likes to play soccer.

C. She is very curious.

400

The problem of the story

Conflict

500

Without the creativity of one man, there would be no “happiest place on earth,” also known as Disneyland. Walt Disney was a creative genius who looked out on a huge orange grove and imagined building a “magic kingdom.” Disney was born in 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, he enjoyed drawing and even sold his pictures to neighbors. When he was sixteen, he joined the Red Cross and drove an ambulance in France during World War One. After the war ended, Disney started making short cartoons in Kansas City, but soon ran out of money. He decided to find his fortune in Hollywood. He came to California with a suitcase and $20 in his pocket. It was in the 1940's that Walt Disney first had his brainstorm about a fun park for families.  

a) to entertain b) to inform c) to persuade 

b) to inform 

500

Purple dye was rare long ago. Since it was hard to get, it costs a lot. As a result purple became the imperial color. It was only used by kings and queens. 

imperial means a. royal b. special c. inside d. best 

a. royal

500

What does the suffix -able mean

capable

500

Abby has her backpack on her bed. She is packing for a trip. She lays out a waterproof jacket and rain hat, extra socks, a flashlight, compass, binoculars, and water bottle. She hunts for extra batteries and decides to bring her camera. She checks on her sleeping bag and helps her parents bring out the tent. 

Where are Abby and her parents are going?

Camping

500

The feeling you get while reading a story

Mood