Main Idea
Give the definition of main idea.
What is...
What a text is all about
Give the definition of contrast.
What is...
To tell how two or more things are different
Give the definition for inference.
What is...
To make an educated guess using what you know and clues that the author gives in the text.
Which point of view uses these clue words: I, me, my, our, we?
What is...
First person point of view
Give the definition of theme.
What is...
The lesson or moral that the author teaches.
The rain began early in the morning. It fell as hard drops, one after another. The sky was full of dark purple clouds.Thunder began as a soft rumble and became louder and louder. Lightning crashed every few minutes, making the sky a brilliant white.
What is the main idea?
A. The farms needed the rain.
B. The thunder hurt the people’s ears.
C. Lightning made the sky bright.
D. The storm was very strong.
What is...
D. The storm was very strong
Give the definition for compare.
What is...
To tell how two or more things are alike (similar).
Emily and Molly both auditioned for a singing role in a musical. Emily landed a spot in the musical, but Molly did not.
The reader can infer:
a. The directors thought Molly was a better singer than Emily.
b. The directors thought Emily was a better singer than Molly.
c. Neither Emily nor Molly had a chance to sing during the auditions.
What is...
B. The directors thought Emily was a better singer than Molly.
Which point of view is from a narrator who knows all characters thoughts and feelings?
A. second person
B. 3rd person limited
C. 3rd person omniscient
What is...
C. 3rd person omniscient
True or False: Theme involves giving specific details in the text, like character names and setting.
What is...
False
During recess, I always go to the library because there are a lot of amazing books there. I love reading. As it is quiet, it lets me concentrate and think about different things. The librarian is really nice and friendly too. She gives me candies all the time.
What is the main idea?
What is...
The narrator likes going to the library.
or
The narrator's favorite place is the library.
" Emil has been studying all week long, and he finally scored a 98 on Mrs. Jones' math test. Ricky has been playing video games every night, so he did not spend any time studying. Ricky failed Mrs. Jones' test with a score of 52."
Which statement contrasts Emil and Ricky?
A. Emil and Ricky both take tests
B. Emil and Ricky both go to school
C. Emil and Ricky are both in Mrs. Jones' class.
D. Emil was responsible and studied, while Ricky was irresponsible and did not study, as he should have.
The answer is...
D. Emil was responsible and studied, while Ricky was irresponsible and did not study, as he should have.
The Canadian province of Quebec was originally settled by French fur traders. Eventually, cities grew to support the fur trade. As a result, other industries (such as logging) became the main source of income for residents.
Based on this passage, you can infer that some residents of Quebec may speak which language?
a. French
b. Spanish
c. English
What is...
A. French
True or False: Third person objective point of view is when the narrator does NOT know the inner thoughts of any of the characters.
What is...
True!
Which is NOT an example of theme?
A. Treat others how you would like to be treated.
B. Always be grateful for what you have.
C. Apples and oranges are both fruit.
D. Always make time for the people you love.
What is...
C. Apples and oranges are both fruit.
Inside the volcano, there are hot liquid rocks called magma. It becomes lava when it comes out of the volcano. The lava that flows out of some volcanoes can reach up to 1100 degrees. It’s hot enough to burn you and in some cases, it can kill you. Other than lava, gases coming out of the volcano are poisonous to us.
What is the main idea?
a.Volcanoes are really dangerous.
b.Lava is hot.
c.Gases emitted from volcanoes are poisonous.
What is...
a. Volcanoes are really dangerous.
Contrast theme and main idea.
What is..
Theme is the lesson you can learn from a story. It is the real world advice you can get from a story. There are no specific details given from the text. However, the main idea is what the text is about. The main idea would involve specific details from the text.
Martin’s little brother looked at the new bike a bit apprehensively. “Are you sure I won’t get hurt?” he asked Martin. Martin replied, “Oh, you might fall once or twice, but you’ll be okay. Just wear your helmet.” Martin’s little brother looked up at him, “And you will hold onto it so it doesn’t fall over?”
Martin nodded.
What can the reader infer?
a. Martin’s little brother doesn’t trust him.
b. Martin is learning to ride a bicycle.
c. Martin’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle.
What is...
c. Martin’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle.
It has been said that to feel well, you must eat well. That is true, but you also need to get adequate amounts of exercise. The combination of a nutritious diet and an exercise program is the best thing you can do for yourself and those that love you. With a proper diet, you will more easily maintain the proper weight and get the nutrients your body needs to function properly.
What point of view is this written from?
What is...
Second Person
There once was a tiny fish that was tired of being in the school of fish all of the time. He picked a fight with a couple of the other fish, and said "I don't need you; I'm leaving." So he swam away, and without the protection of the group, he was soon eaten by a bigger fish.
What is the theme?
A. The fish got what he deserved for being so rude.
B. Don't be lazy.
C. We are all capable of improvement.
D. United we stand, divided we fall.
What is...
D. United we stand, divided we fall.
Beverley Cleary may be known by many as a famous author, but she was once a struggling reader. When in elementary school, Cleary was often placed in the low reading circle. She has said that after she got over being embarrassed about not being able to read well, she became determined to be a great reader. By the third grade, Cleary had conquered her reading problems. She became an avid reader with the dreams of someday writing. After finishing college, she became a librarian working with children. She later decided to try her hand at writing. Her book, Dear Mr. Henshaw, won a Newberry Medal in 1984. It is about a little girl who struggles with reading and is helped by a caring teacher. She said this book is very close to her heart. Her other books such as Romona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 also won Newberry Honor Awards. One of her best loved characters is Ralph in the series written about a boy and a mouse. She has said that she writes the kind of books she wanted to read as a child but was unable to find. Her books are loved by boys and girls alike around the world.
The main idea of the passage is that Cleary became an author, even though she had trouble reading as a child. Which sentence best supports the main idea?
A. "Her books are loved by boys and girls alike around the world."
B. "She has said that after she got over being embarrassed about not being able to read well, she became determined to be a great reader."
C. "Her other books such as Romona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 also won Newberry Honor Awards."
What is...
B. "She has said that after she got over being embarrassed about not being able to read well, she became determined to be a great reader."
The history of surgery is fascinating. When we think of surgeons today, we think of highly educated doctors who have trained for years in their specialty area. Surgeons of today are very skilled and have a very high success rate. They operate in sterile conditions and with the aid of imaging such as x‐ray, CT scans, or MRIs. But this wasn't always the case. In fact, in the Middle Ages, the barbers in a community were also the surgeons. Can you imagine that? Going to the same place for surgery that you would to get your hair cut. Seems strange to us today, but it was the common practice in those days. They also knew nothing about sterile techniques and even operated without gloves. They also used rudimentary tools such as saws and pliers.
Compare surgeons today and surgeons in the Middle Ages.
What is...
Possible answers:
Both perform surgery on people who were ill.
Both use tools to perform surgery.
Carrots are an excellent source of retinol. Retinol is a pure form of vitamin A and is essential for good vision and strong teeth. It is often found in foods such as eggs, liver, and fish. For vegetarians, the best source of retinol is carrots.
Based on this passage, what can you infer about the amount of retinol in eggs, liver, and fish?
a. It is the same or greater than the amount in carrots.
b. It is less than the amount in carrots.
c. Eggs, liver, and fish do not contain retinol.
What is...
a. It is the same or greater than the amount in carrots.
Simone and Alyssa were sitting at the lunch table when the new student, Marie, asked if she could sit down. Alyssa wanted to say, "yes," but she was nervous that Simone wouldn't want the new kid to sit with them. Alyssa waited for Simone to answer first, but she did not respond. Alyssa said, "Sure?," immediately glancing at Simone for a reaction.
What is...
3rd person limited
The teacher told the children to clear everything but a pencil from their desks. She then began handing out tests. Thomas look startled. “Wait! Ms. Smith? The test is today? Are you sure? I thought it was tomorrow!”
Which statement gives a possible theme for this story?
A. Thomas didn't study for his test.
B. It is important to pay attention to important dates. If you don't, you may forget to prepare!
C. Ms. Smith is giving a test, and she did not make the class aware of the test date beforehand.
D. Don't hang out with the wrong crowd, because you might find yourself in trouble.
What is...
B. It is important to pay attention to important dates. If you don't, you may forget to prepare!