Show:
Character Traits
Context Clues
Main Idea
Theme
Making Predictions
100
Jake is Cassie's older brother. One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier. What trait does Jake demonstrate?
What is kind, considerate, or loving?
100
Ladies, please stop the name calling. There is no reason to act uncivil. Let's discuss the problem. Word: uncivil
What is impolite, distasteful, or showing poor manners?
100
A penny for your thoughts? If it's a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars. In 1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War II, so the 1943 copper penny is ultra-rare. Another rarity is the 1955 double die penny. These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have overlapping dates and letters. If it's uncirculated, it'd easily fetch $25,000 at an auction. Now that's a pretty penny. Which title best expresses the main idea? A) More Than Meets the Eyes: Two Rare and Valuable Pennies B) The 1943 Copper Penny: The World's Most Valuable Penny C) Pocket Change: How Pennies are Made D) Copper Use by Nation States During World War II
What is A) More Than Meets the Eyes: Two Rare and Valuable Pennies
100
All Victor ever wanted to do with his life was be a singer. He didn't pay attention in school and he spent all of his time at home watching music videos online and impersonating his idols. His mother tried to teach him the value of getting an education and having a backup plan, but Victor would respond the same way every time, "Mom, I won't need to know any of that boring old stuff when I'm famous. You'll see." But there was one major problem with Victor's plan: he wasn't any good at singing. Victor wanted to be a singer so badly, that he didn't notice the pained look on the faces of those who endured his singing. Because he wanted to be a singer so badly, when honest people told him to find something else to do with his life, he accused them of being "jealous haters" and ignored their advice. After Victor dropped out of high school to focus on his music career, the years passed and the doors never opened. What is the theme of this story?
What is have a back up plan, don't put all of your eggs in one basket, sometimes you should listen to other's advice, etc.?
100
Vince Thunder waved to the crowd one more time before he put on his motorcycle helmet. The crowd cheered uproariously. Vince looked down the ramp and across the 17 school busses that he was about to attempt to jump. It was a difficult trick and everything would need to go right for him to nail it. His cape blew in the wind. As Vince hoped on his motorcycle and started down the ramp, he noticed something that he had not seen before. There was large oil slick at the end of the ramp. He attempted to stop the bike, but it was too late. He had already built up too much momentum... What event will most likely happen next?
What is Vince is likely to fall off his bike or otherwise fail in his attempt.
200
Craig is a football player training over the summer for next season. The coach demands that all players come in at 6:00 AM and lift weights until 8:00 AM, when practice begins. Craig gets there at 5:00 AM to begin his training. What trait does Craig demonstrate?
What is dedicated, hardworking, or overachiever?
200
A dog whistle makes a high-pitched sound that is only audible to dogs. Word: audible
What is able to be heard?
200
When one hears the term "reality" applied to a television show, one might expect that the events portrayed occurred naturally or, at the least, were not scripted, but this is not always the case. Many reality shows occur in unreal environments, like rented mansions occupied by film crews. Such living environments do not reflect what most people understand to be "reality." Worse, there have been accusations that events not captured on film were later restaged by producers. Worse still, some involved in the production of "reality" television claim that the participants were urged to act out story lines premeditated by producers. With such accusations floating around, it's no wonder many people take reality TV to be about as real as the sitcom. Which title best expresses the main idea? A) Unreality: Reasons Why Reality Television Isn't Real B) Acting the Part: Professional Actors in Reality Television C) Where the Line Stops: Comparing Reality Television and Sitcoms D) Definitions of Reality: What It Means to Be Real
What is A) Unreality: Reasons Why Reality Television Isn't Real
200
Kyle liked Lucy more than any other girl in the school, but he had an odd way of showing it. When she walked ahead of him in line, he kicked at her shoe. When she passed him on the school yard, he called her "lame Lucy." He even wrote a mean word on her homework during the bus ride to school. But what puzzled Lucy the most was receiving an invitation to Kyle's birthday party. Figuring that he was just planning a mean trick on her, Lucy decided not to go, and while Kyle eagerly awaited Lucy's arrival, Lucy talked on the phone to Jacob. When Kyle finally realized that Lucy was not coming to his party, he was crushed. What is the theme of this story?
What is share your true feelings, if you like someone then tell them, every action has a reaction, etc.?
200
Rex sat at the mouth of the alley and chewed the bone that he had found by the dumpster. It was a meaty bone that had belonged to a larger animal, perhaps a state fair prize winning pig. Rex was attracted to the bone by its strong scent. Apparently, he was not the only one who could smell it. He heard the jangle of tags behind him and turned to see a larger dog. Rex released the bone and began growling at the other dog. The other dog began growling at Rex. The two dogs inched toward one another, maintaining eye contact. Each began growling louder as the other approached within striking distance... What event is most likely to happen next?
What is the two dogs are probably going to fight?
300
Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna. What trait does Kylie demonstrate?
What is bossy, unappreciative, perfectionist?
300
The mood in the church became very solemn when the bride began to walk down the aisle. Word: solemn
What is formal, serious, or dignified?
300
Screech! When a driver pushes on the brake pedal, it initiates a process that causes the vehicle to stop in motion. You literally trust automotive braking systems with your life every time you get into a vehicle or cross at a busy intersection, but how does this process work? It begins when the pedal is pushed. At this moment brake fluid is released into the area where the breaking mechanisms are. As the fluid collects, this creates a leverage, which causes a friction to be applied. If the breaking system is functioning properly, this friction will create a force that will cause the wheels to stop and allow you to reach your destination safely. Which title best expresses the main idea? A) Oh Stop It: How Automotive Brakes Work B) Mind Over Matter: How the Forces of Physics Affect Our Lives C) Pedestrian Safety: Crossing the Street the Right Way Everytime D) Planes, Trains, and Automotives: How We Stop Our Machines
What is A) Oh Stop It: How Automotive Brakes Work
300
The little grey mouse that lived in my wall prospered for many days on nibbles of my lunch. I'd pack a meal before bed and, while I slept, he would take small bites of my lunch, which I left on the counter. He'd take a cracker crumble here, and a bread crumb there, but he wouldn't take too much and he'd always clean up after himself. Things were going quite well for him and I didn't even know he existed, until he got sloppy. One night while I slept, he ate all of my chips and left behind a big mess. When I awoke to this sight, I knew what had happened to my chips. So the next night when he returned for another snack, he found a nice, delicious piece of cheese... lightly balanced on a mouse trap. Now I don't have to share my chips anymore. What is the theme of this story?
What is you can sheer a sheep many times but you can only skin it once, don't be greedy, don't be sloppy, clean up after yourself, etc.?
300
John sat in the classroom and drew pictures of the Tatakai Fighting Warriors in his notebook while his teacher lectured about biology or something. He didn't really know for sure. The last thing he remembered her saying was that there would be a test tomorrow. His heart jumped. He went home to study for the test, but he was soon drawn to his Game Box. He played Tatakai Fighting Warriors long into the night. When his alarm clock rang the next day, he was too tired to hit the snooze button, so he let it beep for about 20 minutes before he got up and went to school. As she had promised, the teacher has prepared a test. She reviewed the testing procedures and directions with the class and then passed out the test. John looked at his test and scratched his head... What event is like to happen next?
What is John is probably going to fail his test?
400
Kelvin found a wallet on the ground. He opened up the wallet and saw an old woman's ID card. Kelvin took the ID out of the wallet, walked to the woman's house, and returned the wallet to her. What trait does Kelvin demonstrate?
What is honest, compassionate, honorable
400
John felt bad about hitting his little sister, but he was so vexed when he saw her playing with his only Lance Power action figure that he lost his temper. Word: vexed
What is to make someone angry or annoyed?
400
There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Males carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs that incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. What this means is that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. The platypus neither sees, hears, nor smells its prey while hunting but, rather, pursues it through electroreception. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. The platypus is an odd creature indeed. Which title best expresses the main idea? A) Electrorecption: A Shocking Mode of Perception B) The Platypus: Strange and Endangered by Man C) Strange Birds: The Peculiar Features of the Platypus D) From Egg Onward: The Life Cycle of the Platypus
What is C) Strange Birds: The Peculiar Features of the Platypus
400
Ulysses spent all of his free time reading books and felt that he was very intelligent. One day a nice student from his class asked him if he wanted to go sledding and Ulysses responded, "I've read about sledding in books, and it sounds miserable. No, thank you." On another day, a different friendly student asked Ulysses if he wanted to go out for hotdogs after school. Ulysses responded, "I've read that hotdogs are filled with rat parts and pig bellies. No, thank you." Nobody asked Ulysses to hang out again, but he did read about friends in his books. What is the theme of this story?
What is learning from books is no substitute for real life experience, etc.?
400
Angela threw the bedspread over the bed and fussed with it until it was free of wrinkles. She dusted her dresser and straightened the knickknacks. As she was leaving the room, she noticed that a picture frame on the nightstand was slightly crooked. She went back into the room and straightened the picture frame. She examined her bedroom one more time and gave it a satisfied nod, and then she went to vacuum the living room. As she was running the vacuum, her three-year-old son Jason walked into Angela's bedroom. He was drinking a glass of grape juice and playing with his cars. Angela's bedspread fell as he raced his cars off the bed. While hitting an imaginary jump with his cars, he bumped into the nightstand and knocked over Angela's picture frame. Then, while he lined his cars up at the starting line of a pretend race, he kicked over the grape juice and it spilled all over Angela's white carpet. Jason didn't notice. After Angela finished vacuuming the living room, she tied the cord around the vacuum and went to return it to her bedroom... What event is likely to happen next?
What is Angela is probably going to be very upset or angry. She will probably try to clean up the grape juice, realizing that this is the most serious damage that Jason has inflicted?
500
Jonathan invited a bunch of friends over to his house. He then talked to them for hours about all the trophies that he had won, his rare comic book collection, and how much money his dad makes. His friends did not enjoy their time at Jonathan's. What trait does Jonathan demonstrate?
What is boastful, ungracious, selfish, oblivious?
500
I am disappointed, but I have nothing more to say. I will leave you to contemplate how your mother will react to this news. Word: contemplate
What is to think about something, usually for a long time?
500
Ansel Bourne was a preacher, carpenter, and most likely an inspiration for the name "Bourne" in the movie and novel series, "The Bourne Identity." Up until 1857, Bourne had been a carpenter, until he was called to religion. After 1858, he worked as an evangelical preacher, until 1887. He set up shop in Norristown, Pennsylvania, as a candy maker using the name A.J. Brown. Three months later he woke up not knowing where he was, with no memory of the previous months. The case of Mr. Bourne has fascinated psychologists, and some film makers, for years. Which title best expresses the main idea? A) Ansel Bourne: Preacher, Carpenter, and Secret Agent B) Jack of All Trades: Learning to Master Many Skills C) Forgive and Forget: Overcoming the Mistakes of the Past D) Ansel Bourne: A Case of Forgotten Identity
What is D) Ansel Bourne: A Case of Forgotten Identity
500
Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean's white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy's sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After explaining her situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she spilled grape soda all over her assignment. What is the theme of this story?
What is respect other peoples' property. Choose your partners carefully?
500
Lance didn't cook much but he wanted to do something nice for his wife's birthday, so he decided to make her dinner. He was preparing a meal of steak and potatoes by following a recipe that he had found on the Internet. He put the steaks on the grill on low heat and quartered the potatoes. Then he threw the potatoes in a skillet with a little bit of oil and cooked them over medium heat. After browning the potatoes, he grabbed the skillet by the metal handle and put it into the oven at 400 degrees. Twenty minutes later he grabbed the steaks off of the grill and began preparing the plates. The last thing that he needed to do was take the potatoes out of the oven. He thought about using a potholder to remove the pan, but didn't want to bother with getting one out of the drawer. He reached into the hot oven, his hand nearing the metal handle of the skillet. He wrapped his hand around the handle and clenched tightly... What event is likely to happen next?
What is Lance is going to badly burn his hand?