Central Idea & Theme
What is the central idea?
The most important part of the story
If a word is unfamiliar, what should you look at first?
The words and sentences around it (context clues).
What text structure explains how things are alike and different?
Compare and contrast.
What is the author’s purpose if they are trying to convince you of something?
Persuade
“Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Simile
A story about a girl who studies hard and wins a spelling bee—what’s the theme?
Hard work leads to success.
What is a prefix?
A group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
A passage lists reasons why recycling is important. What structure is this?
cause & effect
What is the author’s purpose if they are trying to teach you something?
Inform
“The wind whispered through the trees.” What device is used?
Personification
True or False: A theme is always directly stated in the text.
False (it is often implied).
What does the word “transportation” mean based on its prefix, root, and suffix?
The act of carrying or moving something from one place to another (“trans-” means across, “port” means carry, “-ation” means the act of).
Which text feature lists chapters or sections in a book and helps the reader find information quickly?
Table of contents
What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?
First-person uses “I/we”; third-person uses “he/she/they” and can be limited or omniscient.
“The classroom was a zoo.” What type of figurative language is this?
Metaphor
What is the difference between a central idea and a theme?
Central idea is what the text is mostly about; theme is the universal message or lesson .
Unlike his timid sister, he was bold, what does timid mean?
shy
Why is identifying text structure important when reading?
It helps you understand how information is organized and makes comprehension easier.
What are the three main purposes an author writes?
Persuade
Inform
Entertain
What is irony?
A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
What is an implied theme?
A theme that is suggested through actions, dialogue, and events rather than directly stated.
What does the prefix “bene-” mean in words like beneficial or benevolent?
Good, well, or positive.
What are the different types of text structure?
Description, sequence, compare & contrast, cause & effect, problem & solution and chronological order
What is third-person limited?
The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character.
Identify the rhetorical device used in this statement: “If we don’t act now, who will?”
Rhetorical question.