Show:
Main Idea and Theme
Context Clues
Context Clues
Context Clues
Context Clues
100
What is another way to describe the main idea?
The main idea is what the passage or reading section is mainly about.
100

The student's lack of comprehension showed the teacher his weakness. What does "comprehension" mean?

The ability to understand something.

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
100
The three students decided to collaborate on the project, since they all had different talents to share. What does "collaborate" mean?
work together
100
The snow was a marvel to look at as it glistened in the bright sun. What does "marvel" mean?
an awesome sight
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.
200

The student remembered to use text evidence on her response. What is "text evidence"?

details from the text that a reader can use to support his or her ideas and opinions about the text

200
My objective was to get to work on time each day, so I would not get fired. What does "objective" mean?
goal
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
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

We read a short Native American story about an old man who told a story about a community that failed to punish a murderer in their midst. What is the theme of this story?

Sometimes the greater good prevails over evil.

There will be various answers.

300

The girl had to infer what the meaning of the word was using context clues. What does "infer" mean?

to determine something not stated directly by using reasoning and evidence from the text

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
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
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 read a story about a young ruler of an African village who literally used his fists to rule. What is a theme for this story?

Not every family has the same dynamic. 

Answers may vary.






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 is "theme"?

non-stop

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
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
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

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.

500
The town is so rural that most of the residents are cows! What does "rural" mean?
country
500
Keep your speech concise to save time. We have many students who need to present their reports. What does "concise" mean?
short
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
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