"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 guess or infer about Violet?

Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal helpers. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to listen and answer! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.

What is this selection mainly about?

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.

It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. I got a new basketball! I had a great day.

The main idea is Charles had a great birthday. Which of the sentences below is a detail that supports the main idea?

What does non-fiction mean?

It was raining outside. Sue got out of bed and got dressed for school. Then, she ate breakfast and grabbed her backpack. Before Sue left the house, she probably ___________________.

Lucy was furious about her spelling grade. She kicked her desk and ran out of the classroom.

What does furious mean?

People do not really use music to charm snakes. Snakes have no ears, so the snake can't hear a flute. The snake charmer startles or surprises the snake by waving a flute near it. The snake lifts its head to look around. The charmer then sways back and forth or moves the flute. The snake moves its head to keep an eye on the movement. This paragraph mainly tells:

Ted was anxious to try out for the basketball team. He had practiced and knew he was ready. Tryouts made him a little nervous, but when he found out he made the team he knew that all the work had paid off.

What is the author's purpose?