Theme, Main Idea, Author's Purpose, Text Features

Which selection best supports the central idea that being nocturnal has important advantages?

You may think it's normal to be awake during the day and sleep at night, but that's not true for all animals. Humans are diurnal, the scientific term for tending to be up and about during the hours when the sun is up. Being awake in daytime has some obvious advantages: It's warm, it's easy to see, and, at least for humans, sunshine provides much-needed vitamin D and also makes us feel good.

But for many animals, being up at night, or being nocturnal, is a great arrangement. Small animals who are in danger from predators can gather food more safely in the dark. And some animals can find their way around by using senses other than sight — bats, for example, use their sense of hearing to navigate. In hot climates, it can also be a good thing to avoid the bright sun and spend the day curled up in a cozy cave or den.

• You may think it's normal to be awake during the day and sleep at night, but that's not true for all animals.

• But for many animals, being up at night, or being nocturnal, is a great arrangement.

• Being awake in daytime has some obvious advantages: It's warm, it's easy to see, and, at least for humans, sunshine provides much-needed vitamin D and also makes us feel good.

• In hot climates, it can also be a good thing to avoid the bright sun and spend the day curled up in a cozy cave or den.

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If you want to make a difference in your community, one option to consider is running for office. Most cities and towns have many elected positions, from school board to city council to mayor, and any citizen over 18 years old can run. Once you're elected, you'll have the opportunity to help solve problems and make decisions to improve people's lives. Plus, you can consider running for higher offices, like state representative, governor, or even president!

Of course, getting elected is usually not easy. Even local positions are highly competitive, and you'll need to be organized and hardworking to run a successful political campaign. Before you run, you should be prepared to raise money, give speeches, and have a well-thought-out plan about what you want to accomplish once elected. But the most important thing you can do is to get to know as many people as you can in your community, because your friends and neighbors may well become your greatest supporters.

Which statement best summarizes two central ideas of the text?

• If you want to be president, you should start by running in a local election; even a local election is not necessarily easy to win.

• More people should consider getting involved with local politics; the best way to get ahead in local politics is to get to know your neighbors.

• Running for office is a great way to get involved with local affairs; a lot of work and detail goes into a successful election campaign.

• Politicians are usually motivated by the desire to help others; even with the best intentions, you might not win a political election.

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When the invitation arrived in the mail, Abbie became frustrated. She had already promised to spend the day with her new friend Emma, celebrating Emma's upcoming birthday. Now, she had an invitation from Lana, her best friend since 4th grade, for a party that was scheduled for the same day. Abbie desperately wanted to go to both, but she knew she had to choose. Since she had accepted Emma's invitation first, she knew she needed to decline Lana's invitation. Lana would understand, and besides, time spent making a new friend is never wasted.

Which statement best describes the theme or author's purpose of this text?

• The author's purpose is to entertain readers by telling a story about friendship.

• The author's purpose is to inform readers why it is important to make new friends.

• The theme of the text is that it's important to value all friends, both old and new.

• The theme of the text is that new friends are more important than old friends

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Most schools in the United States start in late August and finish the first of June. However, a small number of schools are experimenting with a year-round school calendar. Although students are not usually excited about the idea of giving up lazy summer days, many come to appreciate the increased learning opportunities a continuous school year can bring.

Which statement best describes the theme or author's purpose of this text?

• The author's purpose is to inform readers about the movement toward year-round schooling.

• The theme of the text is that it is more important to prepare for one's future than to have fun.

• The theme of the text is that learning opportunities are important for all students.

• The author's purpose is to inform readers about the advantages of a traditional school year.

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Read the following text summary:

In her article "Tweens in the Kitchen: Teaching Your Big Kid to Cook," Jolène Bouchon suggests parents show tweens how to cook because it teaches them how to make healthy food choices, eat on a budget, and develop independence.

What is most likely the author's purpose for writing this text?

• To entertain readers with a personal story about a cooking adventure

• To inform readers about the advantages of healthy eating and exercise

• To persuade parents that tweens should learn to cook

• To persuade the reader to purchase a cookbook for tweens

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Read the following text summary:

In her essay "Buying Grades," Madison Garner argues that parents should reward their students when they get good grades.

What is most likely the author's purpose for writing this text?

• To persuade parents to offer reasons to encourage their children to work hard in school

• To inform readers about the types of rewards parents can give their children when they do well in school

• To entertain with a story about how her parents rewarded her with money each time she got an A

• To persuade school board officials to give cash bonuses to kids who graduate from high school

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Julia wants to write an essay about how her aunt Caroline taught her to love the outdoors and appreciate nature.

Which detail would best support Julia's purpose?

• Julia learned the fastest ways to start a campfire, during her outdoor survival course.

• Julia admired Aunt Caroline for her independent adventurous spirit.

• Aunt Caroline recounted her scariest camping adventure and taught Julia a valuable lesson on fire safety.

• Aunt Caroline took Julia on her first overnight camping trip and taught her to identify different types of bird calls.

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