Asking Questions

A group of friends decided to plant trees in their neighborhood to help the environment. They chose a variety of trees to plant, including oak, maple, and pine. After several years, the trees grew large and provided shade and beauty to the area. What question is best to ask as a reader to identify the main idea?

• Who decided to plant trees?

• What types of trees were planted?

• Where did the friends plant the trees?

• Why did the friends plant trees?

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth. It stretches from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south. It is also home to a vast array of marine life, including whales, sharks, and thousands of species of fish. What question is best to ask as a reader to summarize the information?

• What is the largest ocean on Earth?

• Where does the Pacific Ocean stretch?

• Who lives in the Pacific Ocean?

• Why is the Pacific Ocean important?

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

In 1969, humans landed on the moon for the first time. This historic event was watched by millions of people around the world on television. The astronauts collected samples of moon rock and conducted experiments. What question is best to ask as a reader to identify the main idea?

• Who watched the moon landing?

• What did the astronauts do on the moon?

• Where did the moon landing take place?

• When did humans first land on the moon?

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the cacao tree. The process of making chocolate involves fermenting, drying, and roasting the beans. Afterward, the beans are ground into a paste and mixed with sugar and milk to create the final product. What question is best to ask as a reader to summarize the information?

• Who makes chocolate?

• What is chocolate made from?

• Where are cocoa beans found?

• Why is chocolate sweet?

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

The Amazon Rainforest is often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth" because it produces a significant portion of the world's oxygen. It covers an area of over 5.5 million square kilometers and is home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals. What question is best to ask as a reader to identify the main idea?

• Who calls the Amazon Rainforest the "lungs of the Earth"?

• What is the Amazon Rainforest known for?

• Where is the Amazon Rainforest located?

• Why is the Amazon Rainforest important?

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, marking the United States' independence from Great Britain. This document expressed the colonies' desire for freedom and outlined their grievances against the British crown. What question is best to ask as a reader to summarize the information?

• Who signed the Declaration of Independence?

• What does the Declaration of Independence express?

• Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?

• When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Bees play a crucial role in pollination, which is essential for the production of many fruits and vegetables. They transfer pollen from one flower to another, facilitating the growth of seeds and fruit. What question is best to ask as a reader to identify the main idea?

• Who relies on bees for pollination?

• What role do bees play in nature?

• Where do bees pollinate flowers?

• Why are bees important for pollination?

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, with a peak that reaches 8,848 meters above sea level. It is located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and Tibet. What question is best to ask as a reader to summarize the information?

• Who has climbed Mount Everest?

• What is the height of Mount Everest?

• Where is Mount Everest located?

• Why do people climb Mount Everest?

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

The Great Wall of China was built over several centuries to protect the Chinese empire from invasions. It stretches over 21,000 kilometers and is one of the most impressive architectural feats in history. What question is best to ask as a reader to identify the main idea?

• Who built the Great Wall of China?

• What was the purpose of the Great Wall of China?

• Where does the Great Wall of China stretch?

• When was the Great Wall of China built?

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. It involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct. What question is best to ask as a reader to summarize the information?

• Who discovered photosynthesis?

• What is photosynthesis?

• Where does photosynthesis occur?

• Why is photosynthesis important?

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1