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Main Idea and Text Structure

Total questions: 35

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following passages has a description text structure?

a)

Rhesus monkeys and baboons are part of a group called old world monkeys. Like rhesus monkeys, baboons have tails. However, baboons usually weigh more than rhesus monkeys.

b)

Scientist were preparing to send the first humans to outer space. However they didn't yet understand the effects that space would have on the human body. As a solution, they started sending the monkeys

c)

Rhesus monkeys are primates with brown bodies and red faces. They come from Asian countries, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan & India. They are very intelligent, and some have even adapted to live near humans.

d)

In 1947, scientists first discovered the Zika virus in a rhesus monkey in Uganda. A year later, they learned that Zika was spread by mosquitoes. In 1952, the first cases of Zika in human were found.

2.

Which of the following has a sequential text structure?

a)

The Olympic Games started in Greece 3000 years ago. They took place every 4 years. The modern form of the Olympic Games started in 1896. In 2016, the Summer olympics were held in Brazil.

b)

Only men were allowed to compete in the original games in Greece 3000 years ago. The men had to be greek, and not slaves. Slaves, women and people from other countries couldn't participate.

c)

It takes a lot of food to feed the athletes for the Olympic Games but it also creates leftovers. To reduce food waste, some famous chefs came up with a plan. They fed the leftovers to the homeless.

d)

The Olympic Games always begin with an opening ceremony, a big shoe that often includes music and dancing. In the 1900's all of the countries participated in the ceremonies.

3.

Which of the following paragraphs are written to convey a compare and contrast text structure?

a)

In a rural community, there are not many lights from buildings to block the stars. As a result, you can see many stars when you look up at the night sky.

b)

Urban and suburban communities both have stores, schools, banks, libraries and buildings. However, these things are more spread out in the suburbs than they are in urban communities.

c)

The tallest skyscraper in the world is Burj Khalifa in a city called Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Its had 163 stories and us 2723 feet tall.

d)

People may move to the suburbs so that they can have more space but still enjoy the city. Suburbs are usually so close to a city that you can get to the city and back in the same day.

4.

This type of writing considers similarities and differences.

a)

description

b)

compare & contrast

c)

order & sequence

d)

cause & effect

5.

In this type of writing, the reader will see words/phrases such as: because, as a result of, and due to.

a)

cause & effect

b)

problem & solution

c)

order & sequence

d)

compare & contrast

6.

In this type of writing the reader will find words/phrases such as: problem, solve, or solution.

a)

cause & effect

b)

problem & solution

c)

order & sequence

d)

compare & contrast

7.

This type of writing gives information step-by-step.

a)

cause & effect

b)

problem & solution

c)

order & sequence

d)

compare & contrast

8.

This type of writing includes chronological order.

a)

cause & effect

b)

problem & solution

c)

order & sequence

d)

compare & contrast

9.

Choose the clue words that indicate chronological order.

a)

first, next, finally, 8:30, after

b)

cause, effect, as a result of, because

c)

problem, solution, promise, struggle

d)

compare, contrast, similar, different

10.

Choose the clue words that indicate compare and contrast.

a)

therefore, cause, effect, consequently

b)

later, then, next, Monday

c)

similar, different, common, on the other hand

d)

possibility, struggle, hope, problem

11.

Choose the clue words that indicate cause and effect.

a)

next, after, then, first, last

b)

struggle, promise, problem, solution

c)

consequently, as a result of, so, therefore

d)

similar, common, compare, contrast

12.

When farmers use fertilizer to fertilize their crops, the left over fertilizer can run into nearby ponds, streams, and rivers. The result is that the nutrient-rich fertilizer causes way too much algae to grow. All that algae is detrimental to plants and animals that live there.

--

What words signal the author's organizational pattern?

a)

When, the, all

b)

Fertilizer, crops, algae

c)

Use, run, grow

d)

Result, causes

13.

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

a)

Who is the main character?

b)

What is the main event?

c)

What is one important detail?

d)

What did I learn from this text?

14.

Maybe you mislaid the keys in a cabinet, instead of putting them where they belong.

Choose the best definition for the word mislaid.

a)

lost

b)

found

c)

mixed

d)

looked for

15.

Luis pondered the idea, remaining deep in thought for half a minute or so.

What does pondered mean?

a)

rejected

b)

laughed at

c)

agreed with

d)

thought about

16.

However, without a known cause or cure, CCD remains a conundrum.

A conundrum is a-

a)

cost of food.

b)

known cause.

c)

puzzling problem.

d)

cure for a disease.

17.

She offered a feeble excuse for her late work and they could tell that she wasn’t telling the truth.

What does feeble mean?

a)

Weak

b)

Good

c)

Strong

d)

Believable

18.

The garrulous boy rambled on continuously as he told his mother about his day at school.

What does garrulous mean?

a)

Quiet

b)

Secretive

c)

Talkative

d)

Exhausted

19.

What is text structure?

a)

Information organized by time

b)

How the information within a written text is organized

c)

A difficulty described and an answer is offered

d)

Hints found near a word that can help you determine the meaning

20.

Context Clues are

a)

Hints found near a word that can help you determine the meaning

b)

Words that connect ideas in a text; these words are determined by the text structure.

c)

The information throughout the text that helps explain the main idea

d)

A statement that defines what the text is saying

21.

What are supporting details?

a)

Discussions about an action and its results

b)

Words that connect ideas in a text; these words are determined by the structure

c)

The information throughout the text that helps explain the main idea

d)

A statement that defines what the text is saying

22.
If I wanted to teach someone how to tie their laces what text structure would I use?
a)
Description
b)
Sequence
c)
Cause & Effect
d)
Problem Solution
23.
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?
a)
Weekends are times to travel.
b)
The author enjoys spending time with her family.
c)
The author's grandparents live far away.
d)
The author is sad to leave her cousins.
24.
"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.
What can you infer about Violet?
a)
She is energetic
b)
She is shy
c)
She is mean
d)
She hates people
25.
Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?
a)
Tom finds enough food for his family.
b)
Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
c)
Tom didn't catch anything.
d)
Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.
26.
Mary has a new pet.  Her pet is a baby kitten.  It is soft and cuddly.  The kitten likes to sleep a lot.  Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed.  Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake.  She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?
a)
The kitten sleeps a lot.
b)
Mary plays with her kitten
c)
Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
d)
Mary want a new pet.
27.

There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.

What is the main idea?

a)

There are many fun things to do at the beach.

b)

It is also fun to look for shells.

c)

Some people simply like to sunbathe.

d)

Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

28.

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.

What is the main idea?

a)

They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.

b)

Soccer players learn how to dribble.

c)

They learn how to work together as teammates.

d)

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

29.

Due to their incredible force and unpredictability, floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.

Based on what you have read, you can INFER that:

a)

Floods only occur along the coast.

b)

Cleaning up after a flood can be expensive and take time.

c)

Floods are not that dangerous.

d)

After flood waters dry up then the problem is over.

30.
Expository text 
a)
 is fiction that entertains
b)
is nonfiction explains
c)
can be both fiction and nonfiction
31.
What do you call the sentences located under the topic sentence in a paragraph?
a)
main ideas
b)
extra information
c)
supporting details
32.
The supporting details in a paragraph 
a)
 "support" the topic sentence
b)
 can be specific examples
c)
are necessary to "prove" the topic sentence
d)
All of these
33.
A summary of expository text does not include opinion--only facts.
a)
True
b)
False
c)
Can be true or false
34.
Why is the text structure important?
a)
It makes the story go faster
b)
It gives you the summary of the text
c)
It serves no purpose
d)
It reveals the author's purpose for writing the text
35.
If a writer's purpose is to explain how Houston cleaned up and rebuilt after Hurricane Harvey, he/she would use what text structure?
a)
sequence/chronological
b)
cause and effect
c)
problem and solution
d)
description