Context Clues
Inferencing
Author's Purpose
Main Idea
Point of view
100

The restaurant was formal, so I bought a new suit. What does "formal" mean?

dressy, upscale, fancy

100

Steven often has to walk outdoors even in heavy rains, snow storms, and even extreme heat. His job is very important. Many people depend on him to get their important documents to places in a timely manner.

Mail man, postal worker

100

Dogs are wonderful pets. Unlike cats, dogs can play fetch and learn commands, like sit and lay down. Walking your dog outside will give you exercise. If you want a pet, a dog is the best!

Persuade 

100

Farming allowed Native American people to grow more food. However, they had to stay in one place to tend their gardens. As a result, people began living in larger, permanent villages. Populations grew and developed more complicated governments. Because they lived in large groups, people could also develop more specific skills.

Farming had many effects for Native American people.

100

I hit a game winning three pointer at my basketball game yesterday. I felt so accomplished, and my entire team was so proud of me. 

What point of view is this?

First person point of view

200

The student strives to get an A on the test. What does "strives" mean?

try or tries 

200

Lydia loves to read books. Her favorite genre are ones that give lots of clues in order to solve a problem. Lydia loves to make inferences to solve the cases in each story. 

What is Lydia’s favorite genre of books to read?

Mystery

200

There are eight phases of the moon. They are: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent.

Inform 

200

There are many trillions of cells in your body. There are several hundred types of cells, each with its own job. Nerve cells send signals through your body. Sensory cells help you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell the world around you. Blood cells carry oxygen and fight infections. Without these many cells, your body would not work.

The cells in your body have many different functions.

200

The words he, she, it, they you will hear in a story that has what point of view?

Third person

300

The girl had a very distinct way of dressing. She did not dress like the rest of the crowd. What does "distinct" mean?

different, unique

300

Paul looked at the rest of the group on the wagon train. They had walked for days. Faces looked weary and dry. When the group took a rest by a river, Paul splashed everyone with water. Everyone laughed and splashed back. 

Why did Paul act so playful?

Paul wanted to cheer up everyone.

300

George Washington was the first President of the United States. He was elected in 1789 and is the only US President that did not lived in the White House!

Inform 

300

While erupting volcanoes are beautiful to watch, they can disrupt air travel. For example, a 2001 eruption of Mount Etna sprayed ash high into the atmosphere and closed nearby airports. The grainy ash covered the land and made runways dangerous. The wind also carried the ash and made it difficult to avoid in the air.

Volcanic eruptions can cause trouble for air traffic.

300

What is third person limited point of view?

A narrator telling the story and only knows the feelings and thoughts of the main character.

400

The continuous pounding of the hammers gave me a headache. It seemed like they had been working on the new ramp for days. What does "continuous" mean?

non-stop
400

Many have wondered if humans could live on Mars in special domes. The atmosphere on Mars is full of toxic gases. It can also get very cold there as well. No life lives on Mars today. 

What don’t humans live on Mars?

Getting what humans need for survival would be difficult on Mars

400

We should have ten more minutes of recess during the school day. It would help students get out all of their energy, making them more focused in class and behave better. With extra recess, both students and teacher win!

Persuade 

400

Tomatoes are a great addition to your garden. They come in many types, from tiny tomatoes the size of marbles to huge ones the size of grapefruits. They also come in different colors, from the usual red to green, purple, yellow, orange, and even striped! Tomato plants need some care to grow, but even a new gardener can grow a crop.

Tomatoes are a good addition to a vegetable garden.

400

What words might you see in a story that tells you it's first person point of view?

I, me, mine, we

500

The town is so rural that most of the residents are cows! What does "rural" mean?

country, outside the city

500

Each year is a little longer than 365 days. It actually takes 365.256 days for Earth to travel around the Sun. Every four years, an extra day is added in February. Years with the extra day are called leap years. 

Why were leap years added?

This is an easier way of balancing out the yearly calendar.

500

BUMP! Marcy jumped. “Did you hear that thump?”, she asked her sister. They were staying home alone for the first time and were both a bit scared. They slowly opened the closet door. BAM! Out jumped Trouble, the family cat. He looked up at the two petrified girls and opened his mouth to say, “Meow."

Entertain 

500

The United States sent seven manned missions to the moon, but only six made it. The Apollo 13 mission was over halfway to the moon when one of its oxygen tanks exploded. The astronauts had to come up with creative ways to fix their ship and return to Earth. Their courage has been an inspiration to others who followed in their footsteps.

The Apollo 13 mission was almost a disaster, but made it back safely.

500

As the campers settled into their tents, Zara hoped her eyes did not betray her fear, and Lisa silently wished for the dark night to end quickly. 

What point of view is this example written in?

Third person omniscient