Academic Vocabulary
Main Idea
Text Features
Context Clues
RACES
100
A kind of title that identifies the topic of the content that follows it. They often appear at the top/beginning of a chapter or article.
Heading
100
Pen pals learn about each other's lives. They may share ideas about their families, pets, and favorite foods. They also may tell each other about special places and events in their towns. Through words and pictures, pen pals make each other's worlds a little bit bigger.
What is the main idea?
Having a pen pal is a good way to learn.
100
why are headings important in an article?
headings are important because they tell us what the entire article will be about
100
What does the word remorse mean in the sentence below:
Bill felt remorse, or shame, for his harsh words.
shame
100
What does the C in RACES stand for?
Cite Evidence
200
A kind of title that usually indicates the beginning of a new topic or section within a chapter or article. It helps you identify the main idea of the text.
Subheading
200
You may have seen pictures of bats sleeping upside down in caves. Bats have other resting places, too. They sleep in trees, in old buildings, and even under bridges. More than a million bats sleep under one bridge in Austin, Texas.
What is the main idea?
Bats sleep in many different places.
200
why is a sidebar helpful?
sidebars give us extra information about a text
200
What is the definition of the word feral in the sentence below?
The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat
unfriendly
200
Name a transition phrase that you could use for your RACES paragraph to show that you are writing your last sentence (summary)
Examples:
In conclusion...
In summary...
As you can see...
300
The most important idea the author wants the reader to know. It can apply to a whole text, to a section, or to a paragraph.
main idea
300
Seven is thought of as a lucky number in many countries. Some people think their birth date is a lucky number. To some people, a favorite athlete's shirt number can be lucky. Who know if this is true! It doesn't stop people from believing though.
What is the main idea?
Some people believe that numbers bring good luck.
300
why are headings important in an article?
headings are important because they tell us what the entire article will be about
300
What does the word skirmish mean in the sentence below:
During the demonstration, a skirmish broke out so the police were called to restore order
a fight
300
What needs to be fixed in this sentence? Think grammar & punctuation.
The text states, “She lunged at me with her talons. I slashed up my sword, heard a sickening shlock!, then a hiss like wind rushing out of a cavern--the sound of a monster disintegrating.” (Riordan 191)
There needs to be a period AFTER the parenthesis
(Riordan 191).
400
information that explains, defines or proves the main idea
supporting details
400
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first woman to be elected as the leader of an African country. As president of Liberia, she made huge improvements in peoples' lives. Before Johnson Sirleaf became president in 2005, Liberia was in debt, and most people didn't have jobs. The country had also been divided by a long war. After Johnson Sirleaf entered office, she asked other countries for help with the debt. She made it possible for more girls to go to school. She also worked for peace in Liberia. Because of the important work she did in Liberia, she won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
What is the main idea?
Johnson Sirleaf's work made the lives of many people in Liberia better.
400
Why are subheadings important?
Subheadings are important because they hint at what the main idea will be of a specific paragraph or section
400
What is the meaning of the word celestial below?
Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the
objects found in the sky & heavens
400
Restate this question:
What is your favorite television show?
My favorite television show is...
500
Design elements that highlight the organization and important info in a text
Text features
500
In 2016, Vallecito Elementary School in San Rafael, California, became the first U.S. school to replace all of its ordinary desks with raised desks that students stand at. Speaking to a reporter from TIME for Kids magazine, one student at the school gave the standing desks high praise. "You feel happier, you're less tired, and you're more active," she said. According to several studies, children working at standing desks burn more calories and are more focused on tasks. However, some teachers and parents are opposed to the change. They are concerned that standing for long periods of time could cause fatigue, strain on the legs and feet, or posture problems. In addition, standing desks are more expensive than seated desks. Only time will tell whether standing desks will prove to be the next big trend or a failed experiment.
What is the main idea?
Some people believe standing desks are positive, but other people do not agree.
500
find the technical term in this sentence:
The Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site is one of the most important collections of ancient rock carvings in North America. These carvings, called petroglyphs, can tell us much about the people who made them, how they lived, and what they may have believed.
petroglyphs
500
Find the meaning of the word "nostalgia" below
During those first few weeks of college, the thoughts of a college freshman drift back to high school where he was “in,” knew everyone, and felt at home. A feeling of nostalgia sweeps over him.
when you look back on the past in a positive way
500
What do all of the letters in RACES stand for?
R-restate
A-answer question
C- cite evidence
E- explain evidence
S- summarize