Context Clues and Main Idea and Supporting Details

A

100

After Lily left home for college, her dad tried to sell the computer games she had played when she was little. However, he soon discovered they were OBSOLETE. The word OBSOLETE means: a) too easy b) out of date c) boring

b) out of date

200

Mrs. Jones was nervous about flying on an airplane. She had never flown before. Her daughter REASSURED her by telling her that planes are very safe. What does REASSURED mean? a) comforted b) reminded c) forced

a) comforted

300

The meadow was full of wildflowers. There were not many large plants, and tress were SPARSE. What does SPARSE mean? a) many b) few c) large

b) few

400

The artist had used VIVID colors in the painting, which made it stand out in the otherwise drab room. What does VIVID mean? a) dull b) tinted c) bright

c) bright

500

Adrian liked his new laptop computer because it was light and PORTABLE. He took it with him everywhere! What does PORTABLE mean? a) small b) movable c) high-tech

b) movable

B

100

The children danced to the music with merry JUBILATION. What does JUBILATION mean? a) delight b) distress c) surprise

a) delight

200

The substitute teacher felt EXASPERATED because she could not get the students to stop talking and listen. What does EXASPERATED mean? a) lonely b) frustrated c) depressed

b) frustrated

300

Arnold approached the snake CAUTIOUSLY. He thought it was dead, but he didn't know for sure. What does CAUTIOUSLY mean? a) quickly b) carefully c) carelessly

b) carefully

400

Susie could smell the AROMA of freshly baking bread as soon as she walked into the kitchen. What does AROMA mean? a) scent b) sound c) stink

a) scent

500

Luke was COMPENSATED for the yard work he had done over the summer. He spent the money he had earned on a new bike. What does COMPENSATED mean? a)thanked b) complimented c) paid

c) paid

C

100

The principal DICTATED that all students would be required to follow the school dress code. What word would be a synonym for DICTATED? a) asked b) knew c) commanded

c) commanded

200

The full moon ILLUMINATED the sky so much that we did not need our flashlights. What would be a synonym for ILLUMINATED? a) lit b) darkened c) filled

a) lit

300

Even though Paul was excited about the project, he wanted the other kids to think he was cool, so he answered the teacher's question in a NONCHALANT tone. What would be a synonym for NONCHALANT? a) relaxed b) enthusiastic c) angry

a) relaxed

400

Mrs. Olsen used to love to play the piano. But since she started to lose her hearing, she SELDOM plays anymore. What would be a synonym for SELDOM? a) often b) usually c) rarely

c) rarely

500

Tanya's mother drives slowly when she gets close to the school and is careful to watch for PEDESTRIANS. What would be a synonym for PEDESTRIANS? a) people walking b) pretty scenery c) fruit stands

a) people walking

D

100

What is a main idea?

A main idea is the most important part of a paragraph.

200

What is the main idea of this passage?

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well.

A. Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother. 

B. Her grandmother was in the hospital.

C. Jenny got sick.

D. Jenny wants to be a nurse.

D. Jenny wants to be a nurse.

300

What is the main idea for this passage?

Mary has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten that is soft and cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Mary put a soft blanket in a box for his bed. Mary plays with her kitten and feeds him.

A. Mary has a baby kitten that she takes care of.

B. Mary wants a new pet.

C. Mary's kitten has a bed.

D. The kitten sleeps a lot.

A. Mary has a baby kitten that she takes care of.

400

What is the main idea of this passage?

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball and they also learn how to control the ball to eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

A. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.

B. Soccer players learn how to control the ball.

C. Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. 

D. Soccer players learn how to work together.

C. Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

500

What is the main idea of this passage?

Rabbits and hares are not the same. Rabbits live together in burrows. Their babies are born blind and without fur. Hares live alone above ground. Their babies are born with fur and are not blind. In addition, hares are usually bigger than rabbits.

A. Hares are bigger than rabbits.

B. Hares and rabbits are not the same.

C. Rabbits live together in burrows.

D. Hares' babies are born with fur.

B. Hares and rabbits are not the same.

E

100

What is a supporting detail?

a detail that supports the main idea and proves what the main idea is.

200

The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot statue of a woman holding a book and a torch. It is located on an island in New York Harbor. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become a universal symbol of freedom.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

The Statue of Liberty is an important monument in NYC and is visited by a lot of people each year.

300

Our new house was a dump.                             

Which sentence could be a supporting detail for this main idea?

A. I was not excited to move.

B. It was on a busy street

C. All of the windows and doors were broken.

D. My dad was excited to work on it.

C. All of the windows and doors were broken.

400

I am afraid of the dark.                                        

Choose a supporting detail for that main idea:

A.  I imagine all sorts of scary things are under my bed.

B. When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

C. My sister likes being in the dark.

D. I sleep with my parents.

A. I imagine all sorts of scary things are under my bed.

500

I was frantic when I lost my baby brother.    

 Choose a supporting detail for that main idea:

A. I was watching tv.

B. I was in tears as I searched the entire house. 

C. My baby brother can be a pain sometimes. 

D. My baby brother's name is Samuel.

B.  I was in tears as I searched the entire house.