Reading USA

Reading USA

Main Idea - What the entire passage or paragraph is about

• Main idea can be found in the title

• Main idea can be found in the heading

• Main idea can sometimes be the first sentence

• Main idea must have details.

Multiple Choice

The ring you sometimes see around the sun or moon is called a halo. It is believed to be caused by the scattering of sunlight by tiny ice crystals very high in the sky. High clouds of ice crystals in the sky are called cirrus clouds or cirrostratus if they form a layer. These often form in front of warm fronts that bring rain. That means a halo around the sun or moon is often a warning that rain may come.

The passage is mainly about

• the reasons the sun rises.

• how halos are formed.

• a warning that rain may come.

• warm fronts that bring rain.

Multiple Choice

Do you know where to find Italy on a map? Italy juts out from the European continent. It sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea. It is shaped like a high-heeled boot. The toe is pointed to the island of Sicily. Other important islands to its west are Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba. To the north are France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Some countries lie to the east. They are across the Adriatic Sea. Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina are found across the water.

Which sentence from the passage supports the idea that Italy is surrounded by water?

• It is shaped like a high-heeled boot.

• The toe is pointed to the island of Sicily

• Do you know where to find Italy on a map?

• It sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea.

Multiple Choice

Killer whales are sometimes called the "wolves of the sea." They are predators; they need to eat other animals to live. Like wolves, they work together in groups. If you're a porpoise or a big fish, a killer whale looks mean because it wants to eat you. If you're a killer whale, then you hope that the porpoise or big fish doesn't get away. If it does, then you have to go hungry.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• Killer whales chase big fish.

• Killer whales are harmless.

• Killer whales are predators.

• Killer whales live in groups.

Multiple Choice

Come hear Granger Smith at Wildcats Stadium on April 8 from 5-7 p.m. Granger is a Lake Highlands High School graduate who is a rising country music star. Smith is best known for his top ten single "Don't Listen to the Radio." Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy the show. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds go to benefit the cheerleading squad and drill team.

What is this passage mainly about?

• a benefit concert at the high school

• a rally against listening to the radio

• a drill team contest at the school

• a graduation concert at the stadium

Context Clues - clues around a word that can help you to determine the meaning of the word

• Context clues can be examples

• Context clues can be synonyms or words with similar meanings

• Context clues can be antonyms or words with opposite meanings

Multiple Choice

The demure girl sat in the back of the room and read a book while everyone else laughed and played.

In this paragraph the word demure means?

• quiet

• happy

• loud

• fast

Multiple Choice

“Eww, that rice is bland! It tastes like cardboard” yelled Sandy. "Try putting some gravy or sauce on it to increase the flavor" replied her mom.

In this paragraph the word bland means?

• delicious

• plain

• yummy

• colorful

Multiple Choice

Several days elapsed before the teacher noticed that her pencils were missing.

In this paragraph the word elapsed means?

• to pass by

• to go out

• to prepare

• to make calm

Multiple Choice

“I appreciate your candor. Everyone else lied to me and said my dress was pretty” said Jessica.

In this paragraph the word candor means?

• being friendly

• being honest

• being sarcastic

• being awkward

Theme/Central Message

The lesson that you are suppose to learn from the story

Multiple Choice

Mrs. Smith was doing a unit on healthy living with her students. All week she taught her students about eating the correct foods like fruits and vegetables. Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Smith's students were at the mall and saw her eating pizza, a milkshake, and candy. Mrs. Smith's student Molly was going to order a salad, but now decided to order junk food too.

What is the theme?

• Actions speak louder than words

• Never eat pizza at the mall

• Vegetables are good for you

Multiple Choice

Julia wanted to become a doctor for as long as she could remember. In college when her friends were out at the mall or going out with friends, Julia spent all of her time studying. At graduation, Julia graduated with high honors and was offered a job shortly after.

What is the theme?

• Studying is important

• It is important to go to college

• Hard work pays off

Multiple Choice

Growing up, Sally was always in the shadow of her older sister Mary. Mary always got better grades, was better at sports, and seemed to even be prettier. Sally spent a lot of time in the family's garden feeling sorry for herself. Then one day Mary needed help on a science project about plants. Due to all of her time in the garden, Sally knew a lot about plants and was able help Mary with the project. Sally was shocked that she was better at something than her sister.

What is the theme?

• You can learn a lot from plants.

• Sports are not important

• Accept yourself for who you are.

Multiple Choice

One winter, a monkey found a snake stiff and frozen. The monkey felt sorry for the snake and so he picked the snake up and held it to his chest to try to warm it. The snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and because of its instincts, bit the monkey with all its might.

What is the theme?

• Snakes are dangerous.

• Don't hold snakes close to your chest.

• Even though you have good intentions, others may not