Key Ideas

Figure out the author’s main point or message about a topic

• topic

• inference

• summarizing

• central idea

Find important details that the author uses to develop the central idea and communicate them in your own words

• topic

• summarizing

• central idea

• supporting details

Which statement best supports the idea that the Dust Bowl made it difficult for families to survive?

• "With a sigh, she took the milk from Edwin, eyeing the familiar dust that she would try to skim off before serving the milk to her family."

• "Although it was early morning, the dust storm outside made the small farmhouse dark and dismal."

• "He was weary of the dust, too, but he was smiling inside because tomorrow his father was coming home."

• "Edwin swept the house while his mother worked in the yard, rescuing her daffodils from the dust that had drifted against the foundation of the house like gritty snow."

Which statement best expresses the theme of this story?

• Don't rely on others for help.

• You can't make a person change.

• Try to find the good in every situation.

• Be content with what you have.

When you ​ ​ (a)   , you ​ (b)   the most ​ (c)   ideas from a text. This will include the​ (d)   and some ​ (e)   .

• Claim

• Main Idea

• Supporting details

• summarize

• restate

• important

• main idea

• supporting details

The family in the story demonstrates the idea that people are adaptable, or willing to change when needed. Which sentence from the passage best shows this idea?

• "Annie and Jewel were giggling as they played in the hayloft above him when one of the girls began to wheeze."

• "Although it was early morning, the dust storm outside made the small farmhouse dark and dismal."

• "Most farmers knew their animals could not survive another winter, so they accepted the offer in exchange for some much-needed cash."

• "He returned home with 16 dollars in his pocket and a little relief knowing that Nelly would be cared for."

• Ocean

• River

• Lake

• Stream

• morning

• night

• afternoon

• evening

• He lived close to Bob

• He wanted to spend Easter with Bob

• He had never met Bob

• It was Bob's birthday

• Before school

• After school

• During school

• In the middle of the night