Choose the two words that best complete the sentence.
During the introduction, it is important to introduce the ________ and the ________.

The conflict of the story is the 

The setting tells us

Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He  wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the main idea?

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
What is the main idea?

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?

The sad student sat silently in the room. 

BAM!  The door shut behind me. 

The rain ran down the road. 

That fat cat weighs a thousand pounds! 

A comparison between 2 unlike things using 'like' or 'as'

The last day of school is like a day at the beach - easy and relaxing. 

What's the meaning of this metaphor?
"After all the fans left the stadium, the bleachers were a disaster area."

What's the meaning of this hyperbole?
"Shawn would move mountains for Angela."

"I sang like a bird" is an example of what?

"As straight as an arrow" is an example of what?

What is the effect in this sentence?
Due to peanut allergies, students aren't permitted to bring in baked goods.

Mark went on a fishing trip with his father.  His father caught three fish.  Mark caught two fish.  Mark's fish were so little that he had to throw them back.
CAUSE: Mark's fish were very small
What was the EFFECT?

It is a good idea to lock your door at night.  Mr. Griswold forgot to lock his door last Monday.  When he returned home, he found that his new T.V. set had been stolen.
EFFECT: Mr. Griswold's T.V. was stolen.
What was the CAUSE?

Someone rang my doorbell last night.  He must have run away, though.  I got up when I heard the bell.  But when I opened the door, there was nobody there.
CAUSE: Someone must have run away.
What was the EFFECT?

John gave a surprise party for Kenny. John had the party at his house. All of their friends came to the party. Kenny was very surprised when he opened the door. 
What happened first in the passage?

It was spring. Cathy decided to plant seeds in her garden. First, she planted the seeds. Then, she watered them everyday. Soon the seeds grew into beautiful flowers. 

What happened right before she watered the plants? 

Rob and Henry were throwing a frisbee in Henry's backyard. Rob accidentally threw the frisbee too hard. It landed on the roof of Henry's house. When Henry's father got home from work, he used a ladder to get the frisbee down. 
What happened second? 

The Gainesville city zoo just received its first three animals. The first animal it received was a deer. The second animal it received was a monkey. The third animal it received was a lion. Children in Gainesville are excited about the opening of the zoo. 
What happened right before the Gainesville City Zoo received a monkey?

What is a gaggle?  You probably know it is a group of geese.  Gaggle is a collective noun because it names a group.  Many collective nouns name groups of animals.  For example, a string is a group of ponies, and a troop is a group of kangaroos.  What is a knot?  If you're talking about toads, then a knot is a group of them.  Have you ever found foxes together?  Then you saw a skulk.  And if a group of elk crosses in front of you, you're looking at a gang.  A supporting detail is

Isabel's soccer team cheered.  The coach gave them a trophy.  What do you think happened?

Tim looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Tim's father put the last suitcase in the trunk and started up the car. Thor, his dog, put his head on Tim's lap, like he understood how  Tim was feeling. "It's okay Thor," he said, "Dad says we will like California." What is happening?

Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. The dogs keep the flock from being attacked by animals such as wolves. They also keep sheep from wandering off. Sheepdogs are known for their loyalty and gentleness. Based on your reading of the text, you can INFER that:

What can you "infer" by reading the passage below?

"I hate the idea of having all those people out there watching me...I just don't like it when I'm around so many people. I wish I just could hide somewhere," whispered Violet.

The blackpole warbler is a tiny bird that takes an epicallylong trip. This little songbird lives in the forests of NorthAmerica in the summer. However, when the weather turnscold in North America, the blackpole warbler takes flight.These small birds fly all the way to the Caribbean, wherethey spend the winter on warm tropical beaches. How fardoes the warbler fly for this tropical getaway? Scientistshave tracked the blackpole warbler and say these amazingbirds can fly over 1,700 miles!
Which is the best summary of this text?

Mr. Jingles was having a bad day. When he wentoutside in the morning for his daily walk, he discoveredthat it was raining. But when he turned around to go backinside, the front door wouldn’t open. Mr. Jingles ranaround in the rain for a few minutes before he wascompletely soaked. Next he went searching in the bushesfor a snack. But all of the sparrows in the bushes pecked athim and drove him away. Finally Mr. Jingles let out a longsad howl.“Oh Mr. Jingles!” Betsy Bemire opened the front doorand found her poor cat, Mr. Jingles, soaking wet andhungry on the front steps. “Come inside and have somefood. You can curl up by the fire and take a nap.”
Which sentence should go first in a summary of this text?

Mr. Jingles was having a bad day. When he wentoutside in the morning for his daily walk, he discoveredthat it was raining. But when he turned around to go backinside, the front door wouldn’t open. Mr. Jingles ranaround in the rain for a few minutes before he wascompletely soaked. Next he went searching in the bushesfor a snack. But all of the sparrows in the bushes pecked athim and drove him away. Finally Mr. Jingles let out a longsad howl.“Oh Mr. Jingles!” Betsy Bemire opened the front doorand found her poor cat, Mr. Jingles, soaking wet andhungry on the front steps. “Come inside and have somefood. You can curl up by the fire and take a nap.”
Which is the best summary of this story?

The signal word both is…

What are similar transitions? 

Identify the signal word: Dogs and cats are animals, however, cats meow and dogs bark. 

Identify the key word: Fish have scales, on the other hand birds have feathers. 

There is a legal battle raging and the judges are concerned that time is running out. Lawyers are being asked to expedite the matter by getting their paperwork in early. What does “expedite” mean?

We have rather lofty expectations for you, son. You will attend college. You will become rich and famous. You will be elected president of the United States before you turn forty.
Which word is a synonym of “lofty”?

No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like any normal citizen. When his covert activity was discovered and announced to the world, we were all shocked. What does covert mean?

Mr. Burke stood before his employees. They had never seen him in such a serious mood. “I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that your future with this company depends on how hard you work,” he stated firmly. What does remiss mean?

What does inactive mean?

What is the meaning of the following?
FORE in forecast

What is the meaning of the root word "auto"?