Literary Themes
Central Ideas
Vocabulary in Context
Root Words & Stems
Summary
100

This common theme in fairy tales teaches that good behavior is rewarded while bad behavior is punished.

What is justice or what is good always wins

100

This term describes the main point an author is trying to make in an informational text.

What is Central Idea or Main Idea?

100

In the sentence "The delicate flower wilted in the hot sun," context clues tell us this word means fragile or easily damaged.

What is delicate?

100

This Latin root meaning "to carry" appears in words like transport, export, and portable.

What is "port"?

100

Mountains are formed by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. Over millions of years, these plates push against each other, causing the Earth's crust to fold and rise, creating mountain ranges. Some mountains, like volcanoes, are formed when magma from beneath the Earth erupts and cools. Mountains are important because they provide habitats for wildlife, influence weather patterns, and offer resources like minerals and timber. What should be included in the summary?

what is mountains are formed by the movement of tectonic plates and volcanic activity, and they are important for wildlife habitats, weather patterns, and natural resources?

200

In "Charlotte's Web," this theme is shown through Charlotte's sacrifice to save Wilbur.

What is the power of friendship?

200

In a text about climate change, this would be a key concept supported by facts about rising temperatures and melting ice caps.

What is Global Warming?

200

 In "After studying for hours, Jamal was exhausted and fell asleep immediately," this word means extremely tired.

What is exhausted? 
200

The Latin prefix ___ meaning "between" appears in words like international, interact, and interrupt.

What is "inter"?

200

he internet has changed the way people communicate, access information, and do business. It connects people from all over the world instantly, making it easier to share ideas, learn new things, and stay in touch with others. However, the internet also presents challenges, such as privacy concerns, cyberbullying, and the spread of misinformation. It is important for users to be aware of these issues and use the internet responsibly. What would be included in the summary?

What is the internet has transformed communication and business, but it also brings challenges that require responsible use?

300

In "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, this theme is expressed through the quote "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind."

What is kindness? or What is never judge a book by its cover?

300

Bees play a crucial role in our environment by pollinating plants, which helps produce fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Without bees, many of the foods we eat would become scarce. Unfortunately, bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Scientists and environmentalists are working to protect bees by creating bee-friendly gardens, reducing pesticide use, and raising awareness about their importance.


What is bees are essential for pollination, which supports food production, and their populations are declining due to various environmental factors?

300

 In "The archeologist meticulously brushed away dirt from the ancient artifact," this word suggests careful, thorough attention to detail.

What is meticulously? 

300

The Greek root ____ meaning "time" appears in these words: chronological, synchronize, and chronic.

What is "chron"?

300

Plants are essential to life on Earth because they produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which is necessary for the survival of most living organisms. They also provide food, shelter, and medicine for humans and animals. Unfortunately, deforestation, pollution, and climate change are threatening plant life. Protecting and conserving plants is crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and supporting biodiversity.

What would be a good summary?

What is plants are vital to life on Earth, but they are under threat, and it is important to protect and conserve them?

400

When Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his staff and says, “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”

What is accepting responsibility? 

400

Recycling is a simple but effective way to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. When materials like paper, plastic, and metal are recycled, they can be turned into new products, which reduces the need for raw materials. This process helps save energy, reduces pollution, and decreases the amount of waste in landfills. Recycling also supports the economy by creating jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries.

What is recycling is good for the economy?

400

 In "Despite her trepidation, Maya volunteered to give the first presentation," What does trepidation mean?

What is fear or anxiety?

400

The Latin root ____ meaning "to speak" appears in words like dictate, predict, and contradict.

What is "dict"?

400

The Amazon Rainforest, which spans across nine countries in South America, is known for its immense biodiversity. The forest contains thousands of plant and animal species, many of which are still undiscovered. The Amazon also helps regulate the global climate by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide. Sadly, deforestation has become a major threat to this vital ecosystem, largely due to agricultural expansion and illegal logging. In 2019 alone, approximately 3,000 square kilometers of the forest were destroyed. The forest's biodiversity is incredibly rich, with species like jaguars, sloths, and colorful parrots living among the trees. Efforts to combat deforestation include creating protected areas and supporting sustainable farming practices. 

What information should NOT be included in a summary?

What is 

  • The specific fact about how much land was destroyed in 2019 ("approximately 3,000 square kilometers").

or

  • The specific species mentioned, such as "jaguars, sloths, and colorful parrots," unless they are directly relevant to the overall topic.
500

Cindy Lou Who shows kindness to the Grinch, even when everyone else fears or dislikes him. She believes in his potential to be good, which plays a big role in changing his heart.

What is Be Kind?

500

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, located off the coast of Australia. It is home to a diverse range of marine life, including fish, turtles, and sharks. However, the reef is facing serious threats due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Rising sea temperatures cause coral bleaching, which weakens the reef. Conservation efforts are being made to protect the reef, including marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices.

What is we need to protect the coral reef?

500

 "The politician's equivocal response left reporters unsure of his actual position on the issue," this word suggests ambiguity or uncertainty.

What is equivocal? 
500

The Greek root "photo" meaning _____ is found in these words: photograph, photosynthesis, and photocopy.

What is light?

500

The human body is made up of several complex systems that work together to keep us alive and healthy. One of these systems is the circulatory system, which consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. It is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Without the circulatory system, our cells would not receive the oxygen they need to function properly. For example, when you run or exercise, your heart pumps more blood to supply oxygen to your muscles. It’s crucial to keep the circulatory system healthy by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. 

What should NOT be included in the summary?

What is

  • The example about running or exercising ("For example, when you run or exercise, your heart pumps more blood...")

or

  • Details about maintaining the circulatory system, like "eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly." (While helpful, these details are not essential to the basic understanding of the circulatory system's function.)