R.2
Description:
Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
1B, 2A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2C, 3C, 5B, 7C, 7C
Exemplars
2A: Determining Main Idea
2A: Determining Main Idea
Description:
Determining Main Idea and Themes
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-15
HiE-15
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1733 words
Author: Diane Lang and Mike Buchanan
Synopsis: At a time when many diseases still had no cure, a young girl is sent away from her family to live her life in an unusual, but hopeful, place.
Excerpt:
No excerpt is available for this question.
Question:
This selection is mostly about a young girl who
- creates a happy life for herself in a place that often has much sadness.
- works with the man who changed the lives of people with leprosy.
- becomes a nun who spends her life helping very sick people.
- refuses to forgive her parents for sending her to a leper colony.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Use a graphic organizer to show the relative importance of information in a text.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect
3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect
Description:
Analyzing Cause and Effect
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-24
HiE-24
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1707 words
Author: Anonymous
Synopsis: In this classic Norse myth, the gods need someone to build a strong stone fortress. Out of nowhere, a very strong stranger says he'll do the job. Sounds good -- right?
Excerpt:
"I ask but a small price," the stranger replied. "I ask you to give me Freia for my wife, and those two sparkling jewels, the Sun and Moon."
At this demand the gods looked grave. Freia was their dearest treasure. She was the most beloved maid, the light and life of heaven. If she should leave their beautiful city, joy would go with her. And the Sun and Moon were the light and life of the men who lived in the world below.
At this demand the gods looked grave. Freia was their dearest treasure. She was the most beloved maid, the light and life of heaven. If she should leave their beautiful city, joy would go with her. And the Sun and Moon were the light and life of the men who lived in the world below.
Question:
Why were the gods doubtful about agreeing to the stranger's price to build the fortress?
- They were afraid they might lose Freia, the Sun, and the Moon.
- They were afraid that they would have no money left after they paid the stranger.
- They thought the stranger might know other people who could help him build.
- They thought the fortress, even though it was going to be huge, should not cost that much.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Write a new, different ending for a selection that changes the lesson (or theme) of the selection.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
5B: Examining Sequence
5B: Examining Sequence
Description:
Examining Sequence of Ideas and Events
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
E-18
E-18
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1705 words
Author: Anonymous
Synopsis: In this classic myth, the gods need someone to build a strong stone fortress. A very strong stranger says he'll do the job.
Excerpt:
First, the gods built a house with a silver roof, where there were seats for all twelve chiefs. In the midst, high above the rest, was the wonder-throne of Odin the All-Father. Afterwards, the gods built separate houses for all those who dwelt in the city. They saved Father Odin's palace until last, for they meant this to be the largest and most splendid of all.
Odin's house was built of gold and set in the midst of a wood. For the safety of All-Father, it was surrounded by a roaring river and high picket fence.
Odin's house was built of gold and set in the midst of a wood. For the safety of All-Father, it was surrounded by a roaring river and high picket fence.
Question:
Identify the order in which the gods built their city, from first step to last step.
- They built the house with the silver roof with seats for all 12 chiefs.
- They built individual houses for all city dwellers.
- They built Odin's house and Valhalla.
- They built a fortress to protect the city from giants.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Think about a narrative you read. Re-write the story in reverse order, but make sure it still has the same lesson or theme.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
7C: Interpreting Images
7C: Interpreting Images
Description:
Intepreting Images and Maps
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-18
HiE-18
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1708 words
Author: Anonymous
Synopsis: A Knight of the Round Table sets off on an adventure that will change his life.
Image:
Question:
What does the animal shown in this picture have to do with the selection?
- Sir Ivaine saved a lion that was almost killed by a serpent.
- Sir Ivaine was attacked by a lion when he returned to fight the Black Knight.
- Sir Ivaine fought a lion that had tried to bite his noble wife.
- Sir Ivaine was tricked by a lion that was really the Black Knight in animal form.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
In what ways can maps help you to better understand the main idea and supporting details of a selection?
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
1B: Analyzing Implicit Details
1B: Analyzing Implicit Details
Description:
Drawing Conclusions, Making Inferences from information in text
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
E-2
E-2
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1433 words
Author: Nancy McConnell
Synopsis: The Hubble telescope is our doorway to the wonders of the universe.
Excerpt:
The Hubble also has taken pictures that may show how a new planet is born. These pictures show that dust, in the shape of a disk, forms around stars. Scientists believe these disks may become planets. Because of the Hubble's data, scientists think that new planets may form in many parts of the universe. Hubble also has sent us images of new stars being born.
Question:
Based on what you read in this selection, which is correct?
- Hubble has confirmed that the universe is always growing and changing.
- Hubble has shown us water exists on many other planets in the universe.
- Hubble has warned us that the universe will soon be too crowded.
- Hubble has proven that Earth is the only planet in the universe.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe the clues in a selection that helped you determine the selection's main idea.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
2A: Determining Main Idea
2A: Determining Main Idea
Description:
Determining Main Idea and Themes
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
E-8
E-8
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1530 words
Author: Kate Carter
Synopsis: Writer Ray Bradbury's science fiction shows a future in which we might not want to live.
Excerpt:
No excerpt is available for this question.
Question:
This selection is mainly about Ray Bradbury and his
- ideas and achievements.
- support for public libraries.
- ability to predict the future.
- failure as an actor.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe parts of a selection that held important clues to help you understand what was happening.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
2C: Summarizing
2C: Summarizing
Description:
Summarizing
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-19
HiE-19
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1550 words
Author: Aaron Palmer and Claire O'Connell
Synopsis: Did the ancient city of Atlantis really exist? Some people think so. Their searches have led to some amazing discoveries.
Excerpt:
The empire of Atlantis controlled its part of the world and beyond, into Africa. If we are to believe the tale told by Plato, then all of this is true. According to Plato, it lies at the bottom of the ocean. The city was pulled under by a tragic and deadly event. This event has kept Atlantis hidden ever since.
Question:
According to Plato, what happened to Atlantis?
- It was pulled under the sea by a deadly natural event.
- It was captured by an ancient Greek ruler.
- It was set on fire by a huge lightning storm.
- It was destroyed by thieves looking for treasure.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Write one paragraph that describes the main information about a selection you read.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
7C: Interpreting Images
7C: Interpreting Images
Description:
Intepreting Images and Maps
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-12
HiE-12
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1627 words
Author: Randi Bender
Synopsis: Believe it or not, insects can help reduce world hunger.
Image:
Question:
Based on what you read about insects that have bright colors, what do you know about this insect?
- It is harmful to people and birds if eaten.
- It is one of the healthiest insects to eat.
- It tastes best if it is fed special food.
- It tastes sweet, like sugar or honey.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
In what ways can maps help you to better understand the main idea and supporting details of a selection?
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
2C: Summarizing
2C: Summarizing
Description:
Summarizing
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
E-31
E-31
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1655 words
Author: Adapted from a story by Horace E. Scudder.
Synopsis: This classic legend tells about Dutch sailors who must spend eternity sailing the ocean.
Excerpt:
Now, while they were talking, the man at the ship's wheel listened. This was not a man of good character. As he heard of the bags of gold Otto was transporting home, his evil heart began to desire the gold. As he steered the ship, and later when his shift was over, he thought and thought about how he could get that gold. He knew it would be impossible for him alone to seize it. So he whispered about it to one and another and another of the sailors on the ship.
The crew included not one man who had a good and decent character. Every member of that crew had committed some crime at one time or another. When the sailor told them of the gold on board, they were ready for anything. They did not fear or respect the authority of the captain.
The crew included not one man who had a good and decent character. Every member of that crew had committed some crime at one time or another. When the sailor told them of the gold on board, they were ready for anything. They did not fear or respect the authority of the captain.
Question:
Read this excerpt from the selection. Which two of the following statements best summarize the author's description of the crew of The Flying Dutchman?
- The crew members were willing to defy the captain's orders to get what they wanted.
- The crew members were all criminals.
- The crew members were all loyal to the captain.
- The crew members were all loyal to Otto.
- The crew members had all worked with one another on The Flying Dutchman for many years.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Write one paragraph that describes the main information about a selection you read.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
2B: Analyzing Relative Importance
2B: Analyzing Relative Importance
Description:
Determining Relative Importance
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
E-43
E-43
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1419 words
Author: Erica Cirino
Synopsis: Swamps, mangroves, and alligators are all part of the Florida Everglades. In some ways this wetland environment has changed over time, but in other ways it has not.
Excerpt:
One kind of tree you would see in Ten Thousand Islands is the mangrove. The mangrove tree has long roots that look like skinny legs. The roots stick up high above the land. If the land is covered with water, a little section of the root can stick out of the water.
These long roots help the tree to live in a place where there is a blend of ocean water and fresh water. The roots take in ocean water and fresh water from the swamp. Then, they get rid of much of the salt in the ocean water. The roots get rid of the salt so it does not hurt other sections of the tree.
Mangrove trees grow near one another and the roots from different mangrove trees twist together. The roots twist together so much that they form a thick wall. The wall of twisted roots is so thick that you would have a hard time walking through a mangrove forest.
These long roots help the tree to live in a place where there is a blend of ocean water and fresh water. The roots take in ocean water and fresh water from the swamp. Then, they get rid of much of the salt in the ocean water. The roots get rid of the salt so it does not hurt other sections of the tree.
Mangrove trees grow near one another and the roots from different mangrove trees twist together. The roots twist together so much that they form a thick wall. The wall of twisted roots is so thick that you would have a hard time walking through a mangrove forest.
Question:
Three of these statements about mangrove trees are correct. Which one is NOT correct?
- Mangrove tree roots never touch one another.
- Mangrove trees have roots that are long and thin.
- Mangrove tree roots stick up above the land.
- Mangrove tree roots take in fresh and ocean water.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe two important details that support the main idea of a selection and two other details that are not important to the main idea.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions