Main Idea, Theme and Context Clues

Main Idea and Theme

100

What is another way to describe the main idea?

The main idea is what the passage or reading section is mainly about.

200

What is the theme of a story?

The theme of a story is the lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember and apply in our own lives.

300

What two things is needed to find the Main Idea?

A. supporting points and details 

B. clues and prior knowledge 

C. paper and pencil 

D. comparing and contrasting  

A. supporting points and details

400

The main idea is not always stated clearly in the passage?

A.True 

B.False  

A. True

500

What is the difference between the main idea of a story and the theme of a story?

The main idea is mostly what the story is about (a short summary). The theme is the life lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember. It may have nothing to do with the details of the story itself.

Context Clues

100

The restaurant was formal, so I bought a new suit. What does "formal" mean?

upscale, dressy

200

The student strives to get an A on the test. What does "strives" mean?

try or tries

300

The girl had a very distinct way of dressing. She did not dress like the rest of the crowd. What does "distinct" mean?

different

400

The continuous pounding of the hammers gave me a headache. It seemed like they had been working on the new ramp for days. What does "continuous" mean?

non-stop

500

The town is so rural that most of the residents are cows! What does "rural" mean?

country

Context Clues

100

The boy lingered in the stands after the concert. He was hoping to watch the band members pack up. What does "lingered" mean?

stayed

200

My objective was to get to work on time each day, so I would not get fired. What does "objective" mean?

goal

300

Our hockey team was far superior than any other team in the league. We had not lost a game yet! What does "superior" mean?

the best

400

The gymnast was so agile. I was amazed at the graceful way she moved during the floor routine. What does "agile" mean?

flexible, able to bend and move in many ways

500

Keep your speech concise to save time. We have many students who need to present their reports. What does "concise" mean?

short

Context Clues

100

The three students decided to collaborate on the project, since they all had different talents to share. What does "collaborate" mean?

work together

200

This school has a lot of diversity. We have students from many races, religions and cultural backgrounds. What does "diversity" mean?

different kinds of things or people together

300

Cheerleaders are a boisterous group. They spend a lot of time jumping and shouting to energize the players and the fans. What does "boisterous" mean?

loud, noisy, energetic

400

The auditorium looks like it is filled to capacity. I don't think we will find an empty seat. What does "capacity" mean?

The largest amount possible

500

Nina was completely inept at cooking. She seemed to burn everything she tried to cook. What does "inept" mean?

have little or no skill

Context Clues

100

The snow was a marvel to look at as it glistened in the bright sun. What does "marvel" mean?

an awesome sight

200

Joe felt anguish when his dog died. He'd had his dog for 13 years. What does "anguish" mean?

extreme pain, sadness and suffering.

300

Joe pledged his allegiance to his new team, even though, he missed many members of his old team. What does "allegiance" mean?

loyalty or devotion

400

We had to make a chronological time line during Social Studies when we studied the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. What does "chronological" mean?

going in order of time

500

To satisfy the nervous new parents, the doctor performed a painstaking exam of the baby, to ensure it was healthy. What does "painstaking" mean?

careful, thorough, taking a lot of care