Show:
Main Idea
Inference
Cause and Effect
Context Clues
Author's Purpose
100
Steel is a very important metal which is used for many things. In the United States, the automobile industry uses the most steel. Steel is used in putting up buildings. Cans and containers are made from steel. Steel is usde to make farm and factory machines. What is the main idea? a) The auto industry is the most important. b) Steel is used for many purposes. c) The United States produces the most steel in the world.
What is b) Steel is used for many purposes.
100
Bob, Jim and Kathy pedaled slowly up the hill. They could see the schoolhouse just at the crest of the hill. The sight seemed to make them pedal even slower. On the way, they passed many students. Soem they played with every day, but others they had not seen since the last day of school. Finally, Bob, Jim, and Kathy got to the schoolyard. They parked their bikes and locked them. They didn't have any books to carry into school yet. But, they would be bringing books home. Teachers always give out the books right away. A mean teacher might even give you homework immediately. It is likely that: a) It is the first day of school. b) It is a fFriday. c) It is the day after a long holiday.
What is a) It is the first day of school.
100
Jack was alone in the house. He heard a strange sound upstairs. He tiptoed up the stairs and peeked into his bedroom. A big moth was fluttering against the window. EFFECT: Jack tiptoed upstairs. What was the CAUSE? a) He heard a strange sound. b) He wanted to go to bed. c) A moth was on the stairs.
What is a) He heard a strange sound.
100
I played a game with my sister. When she used the spinner, it landed on high numbers. She was able to ADVANCE in the game very quickly, and she won. The context shows the all caps word in the passage means: a) get ahead b) fall behind c) stay in the same place
What is a) get ahead.
100
The water cycle has no real beginning or end. Water in oceans, lakes, and plants changes into water vapor and seems to vanish from the earth. This is called evaporation. The water vapor cools into tine droplets which then form clouds. this is called condensation. When the clouds become heavy with these droplets, they fall back to the earth as rain, snow, or sleet. Precipitation is the name for this part of the cycle, which then continues.
What is INFORM.
200
Jean finally had the money for something she had wanted to buy for a long time. Today after school, Jean would buy her own skateboard. She was pretty good at using skateboards, becuase she used those of friends to practice. She was looking forward to having her own to use whenever she wanted. What is the main idea? a) Jean will get a new skateboard. b) Jean is an expert at skateboarding. c) Jean borrows a skateboard.
What is a) Jean will get a new skateboard.
200
Ms. Petke tapped the lectern with a long stick and said, "That is better, but still not perfect. We've got to practice so that two weeks from now, when the show goes on, you'll sound perfect. Absolutely perfect." She tapped the stick again. "Now, let's try it one more time," she said. "I want those bass notes to be reall bass, boys. I want those soprano notes to be crystal clear, girls. Tenors, I expect you to come through full and clear. Now you sound like a bunch of birds with sore throats!" The students laughed, then shuffled their feet and cleared their throats. They were ready to try again. It is likely that: a) The students are studying birds. b) Ms. Petke is teaching the students how to play the piano. c) Ms. Petke is leading a singing class.
What is c) Ms. Petke is leading a singing class.
200
Bruce dared Katy to go into the dark cave. Katy wanted to seem brave. She crawled in and looked around. It really wasn't so scary after all. CAUSE: Katy wanted to seem brave. What was the EFFEECT? a) She saw Bruce in the cave. b) She went into the cave. c) She thought the cave was scary.
What is b) She went into the cave.
200
I could see Neal and Jeffrey from a block away. They walked in my direction. As they APPROACHED, I could see from the looks on their faces that they were happy. The context shows the all caps word in the passage means: a) walked farther away b) skipped c) moved nearer
What is c) moved nearer.
200
Buy this DVD now and learn to play the guitar in less than a month. We guarantee that after using our six-step program you will be performing for all your friends. They will want you to entertain at all the parties. So, hurry before our offer ends, and we'll send you a free guitar pick with the DVD.
What is PERSUADE.
300
There are about 2,000 kinds of bats. They come in many sizes. Bats are rather strange looking animals. They are soft and furry with large ears. Bats cannot run or walk. They usually eat insects. Bats are the only mammals that fly. What is the main idea? a) Bats are unusual mammals. b) Bats move by running and flying. c) Bats look like many other animals.
What is a) Bats are unusual mammals.
300
At one time in American history, students went to school in a one-room schoolhouse. This schoolhouse was a small building, maybe just 15 feet by 20 feet. Inside the schoolhouse was a slate board on which the teacher wrote, a teacher's desk, and rows of benches. The students sat on the benches. If they were lucky, they also had desks. All the students were taught by the same teacher no matter which grade they were in. The teacher helped one student, perhaps a first grader, with his or her lesson. Then while the first grader was working on the lesson, the teacher helped the children in the next grade. Then while those students worked on their lessons, the teacher helped those in the next grade. It is most likely that: a) In a one-room schoolouse the teacher talked to some students while other students worked on their lessons. b) In a one-room schoolhouse, there was silence while each student worked. c) Boys and girls sat on seperate benches in a one-room schoolhouse.
What is a) In a one-room schoolouse the teacher talked to some students while other students worked on their lessons.
300
Looking through the trees, we saw a campfire. We were surprised. "That's strange," said Stu. "Nobody ever comes here but us!" CAUSE: We saw a campfire. What was the EFFECT? a) Nobody comes to the woods. b) We were surprised. c) We ran through the trees.
What is b) We were surprised.
300
My grandfather got very sick last week. My parents called the doctor at eleven o'clock at night. The doctor said to rush my grandfather to the hospital IMMEDIATELY. We went to the hospital very quickly. The context shows the all caps word in the passage means: a) tomorrow b) in a few hours c) as soon as possible
What is c) as soon as possible.
300
The three boys walked up to the deserted house. It was a dark night and all three were scared, but would not admit it. They timidly walked up the steps. All of a sudden, they heard a loud noise. They turned and ran home. They would never try that again.
What is ENTERTAIN.
400
The largest bird is the ostrich. This bird is unable to fly. It can run as fast as a horse. The ostrich makes use of its feet and legs to protect itself. It kicks its enemies. Ostriches eat insects, mice, and snakes. What is the main idea? a) To describe the smallest bird. b) To describe why the ostrich can't fly. c) To describe the largest bird.
What is c) To describe the largest bird.
400
Jenny looked at her sister, Martha. Martha was riding her bike to school today! Just because Martha wa older, why shcould she get to ride her bike when Jenny still had to walk? Martha, should wait until Jenny was old enough to ride, too! Jenny stuck out her lip at the breakfast table. "Stop pouting," said her father. "You can't rider your bike to school until next year. You just aren't old enough." Jenny pushed her plate away. "No," she said. "I won't eat! It won't eat until I can ride my bike to school!" It is likely that: a) Martha thinks that Jenny is spoiled. b) Jenny thinks she can get her father to change his decision. c) Jenny still rides a tricycle, which is why she can't ride her bike to school.
What is b) Jenny thinks she can get her father to change his decision.
400
It is a good idea to lock your door at night. Mr. Griswold forgot to lock his door last Monday. When he returned home, he found that his new T.V. set had been stolen. EFFECT: Mr. Griswold's T.V. was stolen. What was the CAUSE? a) He went to a show every Monday. b) He forgot to lock his door. c) It was very late.
What is b) He forgot to lock his door.
400
The puppy was very little. When my mother picked it up, the puppy was frightened. It began to WRIGGLE. After a while, it felt safer and lay still. The context shows the all caps word in the passage means: a) eat b) sleep c) twist and turn
What is c) twist and turn.
400
The platypus is a different looking animal that lives in the rivers and coastal regions of Eastern Australia. It is a furry mammal, but it lays eggs. It lives near the water and uses its webbed feet to swim. Its nose resembles a duck's bill which helps it as it gathers food such as shrimp. When the platypus swims underwater it closes both its eyes and ears.
What is INFORM.
500
One of the oldest and most important jobs in the world is that of a farmer. We all depend on the farmer for our food. Modern farming is very different than it was years ago. Today's farmer has many machines to help do the work faster and better. What is the main idea? a) Because of machines, we do not need farmers. b) Everyone should be a farmer so we would have more food. c) Farming is still an important job.
What is c) Farming is still an important job.
500
Mindy started whistling as soon as she jumped out of bed and looked out the window. There was snow everywhere! There couldn't possibly be school on a day like today! Quickly, Mindy put on a shirt, sweater, socks, pants, and boots. She washed her face and combed her hair. Then she brushed her teeth. At last, she ran down the stairs. She turned on the radio and put it on the breakfast table. That way, she could listen for a list of school closings! Oh boy, Mindy thought, I can ride my pony all day if there's no school. I can ride out to Sara's house, and we can ride together! Maybe we can get my Mom to hitch the ponies to a sleigh! That would be great! It is likely that: a) Mindy will be disappointed if she has to go to school today. b) Sara and Mindy live in a city that doesn't have snow plows. c) Sara is Mindy's pony.
What is a) Mindy will be disappointed if she has to go to school today.
500
The clock struck 12. "Come in," said the doctor. He had a low scary voice. I began to feel frightened. I wanted to leave, but it was too late. CAUSE: The docotor had a low, scary voice. What was the EFFECT? a) I began to feel frightened. b) The clock struck 12. c) The doctor wanted to leave.
What is a) I began to feel frightened.
500
We have had our cat for six years. He is soft, and he lets us play with him. He is a good pet, and we ARE FOND OF him. The context shows the all caps words in the passage means: a) dislike b) like c) punish
What is b) like.
500
Fishing can be fun. The first thing you need to do is bait the hook. Different types of bait are used depending on what you want to catch. They you either cast the line or drop it into the water. The third step, which can be the most difficult, is to wait until you feel a tug on the line. They you try to reel or pull in the line. If you do this all successfully your reward will be waiting on the end of the line.
What is EXPLAIN.