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Summarizing and Main Idea

Total questions: 47

Worksheet time: 4hrs 55mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
In the SWBST (somebody wanted but so then) strategy, what word tells you who the main character is? 
a)
Somebody
b)
Wanted
c)
Bus
d)
So
2.
In the SWBST (somebody wanted but so then) strategy, what word tells you about what the character wanted? 
a)
Somebody 
b)
Wanted
c)
But
d)
So
3.
In the SWBST (somebody wanted but so then) strategy, what word tells you about the problem in the story? 
a)
Somebody
b)
Wanted
c)
But
d)
So
4.
In the SWBST (somebody wanted but so then) strategy, what word tells you about what the character tried to do? 
a)
Wanted
b)
But
c)
So
d)
Then
5.
In the SWBST (somebody wanted but so then) strategy, what word tells you about what happens in the end? 
a)
Wanted
b)
But
c)
So
d)
Then
6.

True or false, a summary should be written in your own words.

a)

True

b)

False

7.

In SWBST what does the first S stand for?

a)

Somebody

b)

Wanted

c)

But

d)

So

e)

Then

8.

In SWBST what does the W stand for?

a)

Who

b)

Wanted

c)

Where

d)

When

e)

Why

9.

In SWBST what does the B stand for?

a)

Somebody

b)

Wanted

c)

But

d)

The conflict

e)

Then

10.

In SWBST what does the second S stand for?

a)

Somebody

b)

Wanted

c)

But

d)

So

e)

Then

11.

In SWBST what does the T stand for?

a)

Somebody

b)

Wanted

c)

But

d)

Then

e)

Too much

12.

What is a summary?

a)

When you tell the whole book.

b)

When you tell the most interesting ideas of any text using your own words.

c)

When you ask questions about a text.

d)

When you tell the most important ideas of any text using your own words.

13.
Somebody - Who is the main character in Cinderella?
a)
Cinderella
b)
Fairy Godmother
c)
The Mice
d)
Cinderella's Stepsisters
14.
Wanted - What did the character want in Cinderella?
a)
To stop cleaning.
b)
To go shopping.
c)
To go to the ball.
d)
To have people stop calling her Cinderella.
15.
But - What is the conflict, or problem Cinderella faces?
a)
She can't go the party because of her evil stepmother and stepsisters.
b)
She doesn't have a boyfriend.
c)
She hates her shoes.
d)
She dislikes pickles.
16.
So - How did Cinderella try to solve her problem?
a)
She complained a lot.
b)
She ate her feelings.
c)
She got help from her fairy godmother.
d)
She kept cleaning.
17.
Then - What was the resolution, or final outcome of the story of Cinderella?
a)
She died.
b)
She ate pickles.
c)
She went back to cleaning for the rest of her life.
d)
She went to the ball and married the prince.
18.

Squids are one of the oceans coolest creatures. They protect themselves in a very unique way. Rather than using venom, teeth, or strength, squids use black ink. When this creature feels as if it is being threatened by predator, it simply releases this ink. The ink makes the water around it cloudy and dark. The murky water allows the squid to escape its predator by using their arms and siphon to propel itself.


What is the best summary of the selection?

a)

When a quid feels threatened, they let out dark stuff that helps hide them. When they are hidden, they cannot be eaten by their predators.

b)

Squids are the coolest ocean animal. Unlike most other ocean animals, these creatures use a different method of escaping their predators.

c)

Squids do not use venom or teeth to escape their predators. They use black ink.

d)

Squids are unique by the way they protect themselves from predators. They use black ink that makes the water cloudy and hard to see. While the water is cloudy, the squid swims away.

19.

What is the best summary of these directions?

a)

This project takes a lot of time and materials.

b)

It is simple to build a bottle rocket with only a few household items.

c)

Bottle rockets are fun to make.

d)

It can be difficult to build a bottle rocket.

20.

What is the best summary for the materials?

a)

This bottle rocket is the easiest to make

b)

There are only 6 needed materials to make the bottle rocket

c)

You need to have the rocket launcher before you make a bottle rocket

d)

This bottle rocket is dangerous to make

21.

What is this website mostly about?

a)

Where Bodie State Historic Park is located

b)

Why Bodie State Historic Park became a park

c)

The history of the Bodie State Historic Park

d)

How to visit the Bodie State Historic Park

22.

What is the best summary for the caption?

a)

You can stay in one of the original cabins at the park.

b)

The history of the park is lengthy.

c)

There are still original buildings at the park.

d)

There's no more buildings at the park.

23.

What is the best summary for the Ingredients section of this recipe?

a)

The recipe makes 24 servings

b)

This recipe is highly rated

c)

It is only 5 steps to make this recipe

d)

You only need 6 ingredients to make this recipe

24.

What is the best summary of the directions section of the recipe?

a)

The oven should be preheated, all ingredients mixed together, and cooked.

b)

The recipe only calls for 6 ingredients

c)

The recipe is only 5 steps to make

d)

this recipe is rated highly

25.
What did the character want?
a)
To have all his teeth.
b)
To meet the Tooth Fairy!
c)
He wants to lose some teeth.
d)
Have a burger from Hamburger Heaven
26.
Who is the somebody in the story?
a)
Jill
b)
Jack
c)
Steve
d)
The Tooth Fairy
27.
It started when they got to the bears. Peter felt tired and his stomach hurt. He dragged himself over to see the elephants, which were eating from a stack of hay. Normally, the elephants were his favorite. Without much interest, Peter followed his classmates to the camels, which were busy swatting flies with their tails. Peter knew he should be having fun at the zoo, but he just felt terrible and all he wanted to do was lie down and rest. Even the lions and tigers did not interest him now. 
The Summary of this passage is:
a)
Peter's favorite animals were the elephants.
b)
The camels were swatting flies with their tails.
c)
 It was really hot at the zoo.
d)
Peter didn't enjoy the zoo because he felt really bad.
28.

Tomorrow is Jill's birthday. She is excited because she gets to pick where she will eat dinner. Will it be Mexican food at the Big Enchilada House? Or will it be fried chicken at the Chicken Shack, or a big cheeseburger at Al's Hamburger Palace? She just couldn't decide. Then there was always the Pizza Shop with that great pepperoni pizza. How would she ever decide? Maybe she would just flip a coin.


The Summary of this passage is:

a)

Jill has many restaurants to choose from for her birthday.

b)

Jill loves Mexican food.

c)

The Pizza Shop has the best pizza in town.

d)

Jill will choose a place by flipping a coin.

29.

As soon as she arrived at grandmother's house, Kaithlyn ran into her bedroom to look at the blue quilt. It covered her grandmother's bed and was Kaithlyn's favorite. It had patches of dark blue, medium blue, and light blue, with pictures of birds and flowers on every other patch. Kaithlyn liked to take naps with the quilt wrapped around her. She loved the way it felt so soft and warm against her skin. Whenever she was visiting grandma, just looking at the quilt made Kaithlyn happy.

The Summary of this passage is:

a)

Kaithlyn's grandmother has a pretty blue quilt.

b)

Kaithlyn loved her grandmother's quilt.

c)

Kaithlyn took naps at her grandmother's house.

d)

The quilt was warm.

30.

"Are you already done, son?" his father asked. "It seems like you just got in the water." Darren was finished with his bath in less than two minutes. He got his body and hair wet, rubbed some grape flavored shampoo on his hair, washed his body with soap, and quickly rinsed it off. He liked to take fast baths so he would have more time to play. In fact, Darren never took a long bath. To him, the faster the bath, the better.

The Summary of this passage is:

a)

Darren is very clean.

b)

Darren uses grape flavored shampoo.

c)

Darren likes to take fast baths.

d)

Darren never took showers.

31.

Jayelle had a birthday party at her house. She invited lots of friends. They all brought her a present to open. She was excited to share cupcakes with her friends. She thanked everyone for coming before they went home. What is the best summary for this paragraph?

a)

Jayelle opened presents.

b)

Jayelle ate cupcakes with her friends.

c)

Jayelle had a birthday party with her friends.

d)

Jayelle thanked her friends for coming.

32.

Tyrone really wanted an adventure. He borrowed his friend's bike and explored the world. He saw many amazing things and had a lot of fun. Tyrone was so glad he went on his trip! What is the best summary for this paragraph?

a)

Tyrone saw amazing things.

b)

Tyrone went on a fun bike adventure.

c)

Tyrone was glad he went on a trip.

d)

Tyrone wanted to explore.

33.
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.
34.

The range of a bird refers to the area over which it flies.  Some birds are able to fly great distances, and range over almost the whole world.  Other birds have a very small range.  they travel over areas smaller than one hundred miles.  What is the main idea?

a)
Where to find a bird range
b)
Why birds like to travel
c)
How bird ranges differ
35.
Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?
a)
Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
b)
Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way
c)
Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short
d)
They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area
36.
Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and held a golden scepter. His vest was embroidered with golden thread and even his shoes had golden ornaments. He had a golden box filled with gold coins. He named his daughter Marigold.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a)
King Midas loved gold.
b)
King Midas sold lots of gold.
c)
King Midas had a heart of gold.
d)
King Midas hated gold.
37.
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.
38.
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.
39.
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.
40.
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?
a)
Sometimes people feel sad.
b)
You should do good things for others.
c)
We're not always happy.
d)
There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 
41.
One dinosaur had a brain that weighed about as much as three pencils.  Its body weighed ten tons and was over twenty feet in length.  As you can guess, this dinosaur did not think too clearly.  It wasn't the world's brightest dinosaur!  What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a)
How big one dinosaur was
b)
What one dinosaur's brain was like
c)
Why one dinosaur had a small brain
42.
When we think of seaweed, we usually picture brown or green plants a foot or so in length.  Seaweeds are also of other colors.  Some are red.  Some kinds grow to lengths of a hundred feet!  These form giant seaweed forests, where many kinds of fish take shelter.  What is the main idea?
a)
Why some seaweed grows so large
b)
What seaweed is like
c)
Why seaweed is red
43.
Not all animals that live in the water are fish.  Frogs and tadpoles, for example, spend part of their lives in water.  They are amphibians, not true fish.  Whales and seals are warm-blooded mammals.  Some snakes live partly in water too.  What is the main idea?
a)
Why just fish live in water
b)
Why whales live in water
c)
Which animals live in water
44.
There are about 13,000 wild horses in our country.  Most are in the high lands of the Southwest.  The horses find great difficulty in getting food during the winter months.  Snow covers the grass and small bushes that they feed on.  Their numbers grow smaller each year.  What is the main idea?
a)
Where wild horses live
b)
Why grass and bushes can't be seen
c)
What is happening to our wild horses
45.
Great waves that sweep in from the ocean are known as tidal waves.  Actually a tidal wave has nothing to do with the tides.  It is caused by an undersea earthquake called a seaquake, or by storms far out to sea.  A tidal wave may rise over fifty feet high.  What is the main idea?
a)
How high tidal waves may be
b)
How to start a tidal wave
c)
What tidal waves are like
46.

An octopus isn't fast enough to swim after a fish. The octopus must wait for a fish to swim by. When the fish comes within reach, the octopus whips out his long arm to grasp it. Then the octopus has a tasty meal. What is the main idea?

a)

How much fish an octopus eats

b)

Why the octopus likes to eat

c)

How an octopus gets its food

47.
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.

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