Central Idea and Vocab

What is a topic?

• The writer's opinion about the text.

• The supporting detail.

• The retelling of a story.

• The general subject of a text.

The central idea of nonfiction text is __________________

• one word.

• what the author wants you to know ABOUT the topic.

• the meaning of an unknown word.

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What does the author want me to MAINLY know about this topic?

What is the central idea?

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

• Soccer players learn how to control the ball so they can score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble.

What is the story mainly about?

Microchips provide the power for wristwatches. They are also the brains in our computers, and they control robots. These chips are used in video games and space shuttles. They make our cameras, radios, and televisions small and light.

• How computers work.

• Why televisions are small.

• How microchips are used.

What is the central idea?

“The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.”

• Sloths and tapirs are other creatures that live in the rain forest.

• The rain forest is home to many creatures.

• Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.

What is this passage mainly about?

Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records.

• Why people live to be 70.

• How long you might be expected to live.

• Past records give you information.

Hurricanes occur annually in Florida, usually from late summer to November.

What does "annually" mean?

• yearly

• commonly

• rarely

• constantly

The rain didn't seem like it would stop any time soon, so we concluded we would not go on the bike ride.

What does "concluded" mean?

• figured out by thinking

• got emotional and upset

• took a random guess

It was so cold that I enveloped myself in the blanket.

What does "envelop" mean?

• harm

• remove

• completely surround or cover

• design