Main Idea
Fish come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some fish live in freshwater and some live in saltwater. There are more than 20,000 kinds of fish. Most fish hatch from eggs. Fish have backbones and breathe underwater through gills.
The main idea is:
Some fish are very beautiful.
There are many kinds of fish.
Most fish live in saltwater.
2.There are many kinds of fish.
When you go into your hut during the day, it seems very dark, and you cannot see much. When night comes, you light your fire and cook your meal with very little light, and you do not have to struggle as much to see.
It is likely that:
You don’t need sunlight
You can see because your eyes adjust to the darkness.
You can see because of moonlight.
2.You can see because your eyes adjust to the darkness.
Mrs. Straus was taking attendance.
“Gabby?”
“Here.”
“Emma?”
Two girls said “here” at the same time. Mrs. Straus continued.
“Max?” There was no response. A few kids turned around and saw that Max’s seat was empty.
It is likely that:
The class included two girls named Emma.
No one in the class was named Max.
Mrs. Straus did not know all her students’ names.
1.The class included two girls named Emma.
One type of mountain climbing is ice climbing. Climbers use various sharp tools to move up the ice. They kick boots outfitted with spikes into the ice. Then they use ice axes to pull themselves up. With these tools they can climb an ice surface that is completely vertical.
Cause: Ice is difficult surface to climb.
What is the Effect?
Climbers climb only melting ice.
Climbers use axes and spiked shoes to climb ice.
Climbers throw a rope around icicles and pull themselves up.
2.Climbers use axes and spiked shoes to climb ice.
Gwen was in the line at the cafeteria. Gretchen cut in line. Gwen took it as an affront. “All these people behind you were here first,” Gwen said. Gretchen blushed. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I was in a hurry and wasn’t thinking properly.” She went to the back of the line.
What does affront mean?
Invitation
Fact
Insult
3.Insult
Jane wants to be a world famous swimmer. She wants to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal. She knows that this means she will have to practice five to six hours every day until she goes to the Olympics. To help her be an even better swimmer, she has a coach watch her and see how she can swim faster.
What is the main idea of the story?
It takes much practice to be an outstanding swimmer.
Jane has a swimming pool in her backyard.
Jane has won a medal at the Olympics.
1.It takes much practice to be an outstanding swimmer.
You are about to fall asleep when you hear a loud crash outside, and notice that a squirrel knocked something over. When you realize that you are not in any danger, you go back inside. You can still feel your heart beating quickly, and are not tired anymore.
It's most likely that:
Your body reacted to being scared.
Your body reacted to being tired.
Your body reacted to being hungry.
1.Your body reacted to being scared.
The Pledge of Allegiance first appeared in 1892 in a children’s magazine. Soon after, students began reciting it in schools. The wording has changed slightly several times over the years, but not since 1954. Today kids say the pledge with their right hands over their hearts. There is no law stating that people must say the pledge. It is up to each school and individual.
It is likely that:
The Pledge of Allegiance is said in every school.
No changes were made to the pledge in the 1990s.
Teachers do not say the pledge with kids.
2.No changes were made to the pledge in the 1990s.
One wrong step and mountain climbers could get hurt or even killed. They wear special footwear called crampons, which are metal spikes attached to the soles of boots. As a person walks, the spikes stick into ice. That reduces the chance of slipping.
Effect: the climber is less likely to fall on ice.
What was the Cause?
The climber wears crampons.
The climber wears boots.
The climber wears shoes with flat soles.
1.The climber wears crampons.
Al was giving his book report on a biography of a baseball player. At one point, he talked about a basketball player. “I think you’ve begun to digress,” his teacher said. Al said, “Actually not!” Then he explained that the baseball player and basketball player became best friends.
What does digress mean?
Slow down
Get off the subject
Get dressed
2.Get off the subject
Lynn’s first trip in an airplane was exciting. She was flying from California to New York to see her grandparents. The plane was a 747 jumbo jet. Lynn liked the inside of the plane. It was very comfortable. Lynn enjoyed the trip but was glad to get back down on the ground.
The main idea is:
Lynn disliked the airplane trip.
The airplane trip was enjoyable to Lynn.
Airplane trips are always fun for everyone.
2.The airplane trip was enjoyable to Lynn.
Animals are split into three groups according to what they eat. Carnivores eat mostly meat and herbivores eat only plants. Omnivores have adapted so they can eat both meat and plants.
It is likely that:
Humans are carnivores
Humans are herbivores
Humans are omnivores
3.Humans are omnivores
Bullying is a problem in schools today. Some kids pick on other kids because it makes them feel strong. Other kids start bullying because they think it will make them fit in. There is no excuse for bullying. Kids who are bullied are sometimes too upset or scared to tell anyone. Any student who sees bullying should tell an adult.
It is likely that:
Bullies are always boys.
Bullies tease only younger kids.
You should report a bully to a teacher even if you’re not the one being bullied.
3.You should report a bully to a teacher even if you’re not the one being bullied.
The higher a person climbs, the less oxygen there is to breathe. Sometimes climbers develop altitude sickness because of this. Symptoms can include a headache, nausea, or pain. Past a certain level on a mountain, climbers breathe from bottled oxygen.
Cause: Air is thinner at higher altitudes.
What was the Effect?
People climb faster.
It does not snow.
Climbers may get sick.
3.Climbers may get sick.
The travelers had walked on the rough road since dawn. Most of the day had been cold, and it had also been raining the last few hours. The group saw a small inn up ahead. “That will be our haven for the night,” the leader said.
What does haven mean?
Safe place
Storage facility
Headquarters
1.Safe place
Did you ever wonder how a newspaper reporter gets a story? A reporter goes to many places to get stories. The reporters talk to people to get information wanted. This information is written down in note form. Back at the newspaper office, the reporter uses the notes to write up the story.
The main idea is:
To describe how a newspaper office works.
To describe how a reporter writes a story.
To describe why reporters are important.
2.To describe how a reporter writes a story.
Absolute location is the exact spot in the world where you are. This could be your address or latitude and longitude. Relative location is where you are compared to the things that are around you.
It is likely that:
“20 miles west of Springfield” is an absolute location.
“Across the street from the park” is a relative location.
“615 Jackson Street” is a relative location
2.“Across the street from the park” is a relative location.
Many schools are making their students’ health a top priority. They are changing what is available in vending machines at school. They will remove soda, sweetened juices, and sugary snacks such as candy. Instead, they are offering water, unsweetened juices, milk, and other healthier options. They hope this will help prevent children from gaining too much weight.
It is likely that:
Soda and candy can be bad for you.
Juice does not contain sugar.
Students cannot afford vending machine snacks.
1.Soda and candy can be bad for you.
In 1865, a British artist named Edward Whymper became the first known person to climb to the peak of the Matterhorn in the Alps. Previously, he had failed six times with others hikers. They descended the mountains, four of the hikers slipped and fell to their deaths. Whymper never forgot them.
Effect: Edward Whymper always kept the fallen climbers in his mind.
What was the Cause?
Whymper did not want to bring so many people with him.
Whymper saw four of his climbing group die.
Whymper was first to reach the top of the Matterhorn.
2.Whymper saw four of his climbing group die.
At the zoo, Alex pretended every glass wall separating the people from the animals was a mirror. He would mimic what the animals did. His family laughed. When they got to the gorillas, Alex was in for a treat. The gorillas began to emulate him!
What does emulate mean?
Copy
Scare
Amuse
1.Copy
A very important food for a large number of people is bread. Bread is made from many different kinds of grains. Americans eat bread mostly made from wheat. Bread is important to us because it is a good source of energy.
The main idea is:
There are few kinds of bread.
The best kind of bread is made from wheat.
Bread is important.
3. Bread is important.
There are many things that you can learn about the world from a map. You can learn the names of different countries. You can learn about cities inside the countries. You can also learn about bodies of water and mountain ranges. Sometimes you can even learn what time it is in another country!
It is likely that:
Some maps include clocks.
Maps don’t show rivers.
Some maps include time zones.
3.Some maps include time zones.
Recess is a time for kids to take a break from sitting at their school desks. If the weather allows, they go outside to get some exercise. Running around and playing sports gets their blood pumping. For many students, it is a chance to recharge. When they go back to their schoolwork, they are able to concentrate easier.
It is likely that:
Recess is the school subject where kids learn the history of sports.
Recess is healthy for kids.
Recess is not as good for kids as studying.
2.Recess is healthy for kids.
The Himalayan Mountains in Asia contain the highest peaks on the planet. The highest is Everest. In 1924, two British men, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, attempted to reach the peak of Everest, but died on the mountain. Climbers found the frozen body of Mallory in 1999.
Cause:Two British men tried to reach the peak of Everest but failed to return.
What was the Effect?
One of their bodies was found 75 years later.
Both of their bodies were found in 1999.
Everest is no longer considered the world’s tallest mountain.
1.One of their bodies was found 75 years later.
Tim was preparing to leave for summer camp. For the campers’ safety, the camp had to impel all campers to get certain shots, so Tim went to the doctor. He also had to buy a sleeping bag and some mosquito spray.
What does impel mean?
Suggest
Trick
Force
3.Force