Main Idea & Details
What is the main idea of a passage?
The most important point the author is making.
What are context clues?
Words or phrases around a word that help explain its meaning.
What is chronological order?
Events told in time order.
A story is written to make readers laugh and enjoy the characters and events. What is the author’s purpose, and how do you know?
To entertain
In the sentence, “I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!” what type of figurative language is used?
Hyperbole
Which detail best supports a main idea?
A detail that clearly explains or proves the main idea.
In the sentence “She was spent after the long day,” what does “spent” most likely mean?
Very tired.
What is cause and effect?
One event causes another to happen
An article explains how volcanoes form and includes facts, diagrams, and definitions. What is the author’s purpose?
To inform
In the sentence, “The classroom was a zoo,” what type of figurative language is used and what does it mean?
Metaphor; it means the classroom was loud, wild, or chaotic
How can you find the main idea if it is not stated?
Look for repeated ideas and important details.
In the sentence, “The puppy was timid, hiding behind its owner and avoiding eye contact,” what does the word “timid” most likely mean? What context clues helped you?
Timid means shy or fearful; the clues are “hiding behind its owner” and “avoiding eye contact”
Why might an author use more than one text structure in a passage?
To better explain ideas and show different relationships between information.
A passage gives reasons why students should have longer recess and includes the author’s opinions. What is the author’s purpose?
To persuade
In the sentence, “Time flew by during the fun trip,” what does the figurative language suggest about the experience?
That time seemed to pass very quickly because the experience was enjoyable
Which is the best summary?
A. Includes every detail
B. Focuses on the main ideas only
C. Includes opinions
D. Adds new information
B. Focuses on the main ideas only
In the sentence “The desert was arid, with barely any rainfall all year,” what does “arid” most likely mean and which clue helped you?
Very dry; the clue is the description of little rainfall.
A passage describes a problem in a community and then gives several ways people are trying to fix it. What text structure is used?
Problem Solution
How does first-person point of view affect the reader’s understanding?
It allows the reader to see the story through the narrator’s personal thoughts and feelings.
How does figurative language help readers better understand a text?
It creates clearer images and helps readers connect to ideas and feelings.
Why are supporting details important?
They help explain and give evidence for the main idea.
In the sentence, “The athlete was exhausted after the grueling race,” why did the author choose the word “grueling” instead of a simpler word like “hard”?
To emphasize that the race was extremely difficult and physically demanding, creating a stronger image for the reader
A passage explains how a storm formed, what happened during the storm, and the damage it caused afterward. What text structure is used, and how do you know?
Chronological order; it shows events in the order they happened over time
How can an author’s purpose affect the way information is presented?
It influences whether the author uses facts, opinions, or examples to achieve their goal.
In the phrase “The wind whispered through the trees,” what type of figurative language is used and what does it suggest?
Personification; it suggests the wind is soft and gentle.