Chapter 3 reading strategies

Sailing is an exciting sport. People love to sail their boats in sunny, breezy weather. It is important that all on-board know safety rules and how to behave when there is a problem. One day, Jill and her father were caught in a storm. Jill helped her father. She put on her life vest and stayed inside the cabin. Luckily, the storm passed quickly. It had been an exciting and safe trip because Jill had known what to do. What is the main idea?

• For boating safety it is important to know what to do before a problem happens.

• Jill's father taught her how to steer a boat in stormy weather.

• Storms can come up quickly when sailboats are near.

• Sailing is not a very safe sport.

When hot air rises and mixes with cold air, tiny little drops of water form and appear like clouds. The four main types of clouds are: cirrus, stratus, nimbus, and cumulus. It is possible for you to forecast the weather by looking at clouds. When cumulus clouds appear, it may mean that there will be fair weather for a few days. Large, black nimbus clouds usually appear before a thunderstorm. What is the main idea?

• Clouds can be used to forecast the weather.

• Clouds are made from little drops of water that float in the sky.

• Big, dark clouds may mean a thunderstorm in coming.

• Cumulus clouds mean fair weather.

Jack was alone on the lake fishing. Suddenly, foggy weather began to creep across the lake. "I wonder if monsters really do attack in the fog," Jack said out loud. Suddenly, there was a loud noise that came from the forest. Jack jumped and nearly knocked over his boat. "Oh, I guess I'll go back home now," said Jack quickly to himself. He got ready to row home in a real hurry. What is the main idea?

• Jack becomes frightened while fishing on a lake in the fog.

• Jack learns to fish in good weather but not in foggy weather.

• Jack should know not to fish alone.

• Jack heard a monster in the forest.

Hurricanes are storms with strong winds of about 74 miles per hour. They begin over water and rotate around an "eye" or center of the hurricane. Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage. Trees can become uprooted. Buildings can be destroyed. People have died in some of the worst hurricanes. Property damage can be in the millions of dollars. What is the main idea?

• Hurricanes are storms that start over land.

• Hurricanes have eyes.

• People find safe places to go during the worst hurricanes.

• Hurricanes can destroy life and property.

Constellations are groupings of the stars in the sky. Long ago, people gave names to these grouping of stars. They even made up stories about them. The names of some of the stars are Cancer the Crab, Leo the Lion, Taurus the Bull, Orion the Hunter, the Big Dipper, and the Little Dipper. Not all constellations can be seen at all times from most places on Earth. What is the main idea?

• Coyote made constellations in the sky.

• The Big Dipper is the most famous constellation.

• Constellations are grouping or stars in the sky.

• All constellations can be seen from the equator.

The most important idea of a passage or reading selection is called

• the main idea

• a sentence fragment

• the reading story

• a supporting detail

The following sentences are not in order. Read the sentences to determine which one is the main idea. Flour, beans, and coffee are in the wagon. A chuck wagon holds many things. The trail boss keeps papers and maps there. There is a place for tin plates, cups, and forks.

• There is a place for tin plates, cups, and forks.

• Flour, beans, and coffee are in the wagon.

• A chuck wagon holds many things.

• The trail boss keeps papers and maps there.

The following sentences are not in order. Which of the following is the main idea? Years ago, mail was carried on horseback. Horses can pull wagons and carts. People ride horses. Horses are useful animals.

• Horses can pull wagons and carts.

• Horses are useful animals.

• People ride horses.

• Years ago, mail was carried on horseback.

Sometimes, the main idea is not stated. You will have to infer or read between the lines to find out what the main idea is. Read the three details that support the main idea. (1) Shells, pebbles, and beads have been used as money in some places. (2) So have cows and horses. (3) People have even used dog's teeth as money. After reading the three supporting details, what could be the main idea?

• Everyone likes money.

• Money is cash only.

• Money is fun to have.

• People have used different things for money.

Which of the following answer choices would NOT help to give more information about the main idea?

• supporting details

• fragmented sentences

• closing sentences

• topic sentences