Central Idea
What is the central idea?
The most important point the author wants readers to understand.
What are context clues?
Hints in the text that help you understand a word.
Why do authors use descriptive language?
To help readers visualize the story.
What does it mean to cite text evidence?
Use details from the text to support an answer.
What is a supporting detail?
Information that helps explain or prove the main idea.
What two things help you find the central idea?
Repeated ideas, key details
In the sentence:
"The exhausted runner collapsed on the bench."
What does exhausted mean?
Extremely tired.
Why might an author include dialogue?
To show characters’ thoughts or move the story forward.
Which is stronger evidence?
A: “It was hot.”
B: “The temperature reached 102 degrees.”
B: “The temperature reached 102 degrees.”
If the main idea is “Bees are important to plants,” which is a supporting detail?
A Bees fly quickly.
B Bees pollinate flowers while collecting nectar.
C Bees have wings.
B Bees pollinate flowers while collecting nectar.
True or False:
The central idea is always the first sentence of the text.
FALSE (BUT this is always a great strategy to look in that spot!)
What strategy should you try first when you don’t know a word?
Look at the surrounding sentences for clues.
What is the purpose of headings in nonfiction?
To organize information.
Why should you reread the question before answering?
To know exactly what evidence to look for.
True or False:
Every detail in a passage supports the main idea.
False!!!!!!
If a passage explains how animals survive in the desert, what is the likely central idea?
Animals have adaptations that help them survive in the desert.
If the text says:
"The desert was barren, meaning nothing could grow there."
What type of context clue is this?
Definition Clue.
Why might an author include facts or statistics?
To inform readers and support ideas.
True or False:
Your answer should include information from the text.
TRUE!
What question helps you find supporting details?
“What information explains the main idea?”
What question can help you find the central idea?
"What is this mostly about?" or "What is the author trying to tell me about this topic?"
If a word has the prefix re-, what does it usually mean?
Again.
Why might an author repeat a word or phrase?
To emphasize an important idea.
What strategy helps organize short responses?
RACES (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain, Sum it up!) or RADDE (Restate, Answer, Detail, Detail, Explain)
Which is most likely the main idea?
A Some animals store water in their bodies.
B Camels can travel long distances without water.
C Desert animals have special adaptations to survive.
C Desert animals have special adaptations to survive.