Main Idea
Read this short passage: "Sara packed a sandwich, water bottle, and a map. She put on her hiking boots and left for the trail." What is the main idea?
100 — Sara is going hiking or preparing for a hike.
In the sentence "The kitten was timid and hid under the blanket," what does timid most likely mean?
Shy
What is a theme in a story?
The main message or lesson of a story.
Which two words describe a character who always tells the truth and helps others? (Pick two simple adjectives.)
Honest, helpful.
If Sam leaves his umbrella at home and comes back dripping wet, what can you infer?
It likely rained; Sam forgot umbrella.
What is the main idea of this paragraph? "Many people enjoy reading at bedtime. Books help them relax, imagine new places, and learn new words."
People enjoy reading at bedtime because it relaxes them and helps imagination/learning.
In this sentence: "The old trunk was ancient, with cracked leather and rusty locks," what does ancient mean?
Very Old
Read this idea: "A girl helps her neighbor and later learns that kindness can make a difference." What theme does this suggest?
Kindness matters / kindness makes a difference.
Read: "Mia rushed to help her sister with homework and stayed late to finish chores." Describe Mia using two traits and one short sentence that shows evidence.
Traits: helpful, responsible. Evidence: she helped her sister and finished chores.
Read: "The lights were off and the house was quiet when Ana arrived." What can you infer about where the family might be?
Family might be out (at work, store, or asleep).
Identify the main idea: "Recycling paper saves trees, reduces trash in landfills, and uses less energy than making new paper."
Recycling paper helps the environment by saving trees and energy and reducing landfill waste.
Use context clues to find the meaning: "Maya felt elated after getting the award; she could not stop smiling." What does elated mean?
Very Happy
Identify the theme: "A boy practices every day and keeps trying even when he fails, and finally wins the race."
Perseverance / never give up
Give three adjectives for a character who is brave. Then write one short sentence from a story that could show one of those traits.
Example adjectives: fearless, patient, curious. ."
"Jamal scored the winning point and his teammates lifted him on their shoulders." What can you infer about how important the game was to the team?
The game was important and exciting to the team.
Read this: "After school, Luis practiced the piano for 30 minutes, finished his homework, and watered the plants. He did these things before watching a TV show." What is the main idea?
The paragraph shows Luis’s after-school routine of chores before TV.
Determine the meaning of the word from context: "The explorers traversed the rough terrain for days until they reached the calm valley." What does traversed mean?
Crossed or traveled across.
Choose the theme for a short summary: "A family works together to rebuild a garden after a storm and grows stronger because of it."
Working together / community and teamwork.
Read this short description: "He helped a classmate when they fell, stayed calm during a fire drill, and cheered on classmates during games." List three character traits and cite one action as evidence.
Traits: helpful, calm, supportive; evidence: helped up, stayed calm, cheered.
"Nora glanced at the clock and hurriedly packed her backpack, skipping breakfast." What can you infer about Nora's schedule?
She was late or rushed to get somewhere (probably school).
Determine the main idea for a longer paragraph: "City parks provide spaces for exercise, playgrounds for children, and areas for families to have picnics. The parks also host community events and help make neighborhoods more beautiful."
City parks offer recreation, events, and beautify neighborhoods (main idea: parks help communities in many ways).
From this sentence: "The detective deduced the solution from the smallest clue and solved the puzzling mystery," what does deduced mean?
Figured out, Concluded
Read this brief summary: "Two friends disagree but talk honestly, forgive each other, and stay friends." What theme is shown and how do you know? (Require a one-sentence explanation.)
Forgiveness or friendship; explanation should mention disagreement, honest talk, forgiveness, and staying friends.
Provide a paragraph (2–3 sentences) describing how a character changed from selfish to generous.
Example paragraph showing change with actions
Read this short scene: "After the phone call, Mr. Ruiz sat down slowly, stared at the letter for a long time, then folded it carefully and placed it in his drawer." What can you infer about the letter and how it made Mr. Ruiz feel? Provide two supporting details from the scene.
The letter likely contained surprising or upsetting news; Mr. Ruiz felt emotional or thoughtful (support: sat down slowly, stared long, folded carefully and put away).