Reading Comprehension Flashcards

When a reader identifies the 'main idea' of a passage, what are they determining?

Answer: The central point the author wants to convey

The main idea is the central point or argument the author wants readers to take away from the entire passage.

What does it mean to make an 'inference' while reading?

Answer: Drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning

An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the text combined with background knowledge, not directly stated by the author.

Which text structure is a passage using when it describes events in the order they occurred?

Answer: Chronological order

Chronological order arranges events by the sequence in which they happened, often using signal words like 'first,' 'then,' and 'finally.'

A reader encounters the word 'benevolent' in a sentence: 'The benevolent principal donated her own money to buy school supplies.' What does 'benevolent' most likely mean?

Answer: Kind and generous

Context clues — the principal donating her own money — indicate that 'benevolent' means kind and generous.

What is the difference between a text's 'theme' and its 'topic'?

Answer: Topic is a one-word subject; theme is a universal message or lesson

The topic is the general subject (e.g., friendship), while the theme is the broader insight or message about that subject (e.g., true friendship requires sacrifice).

Which of the following best describes an 'author's purpose'?

Answer: The reason the author wrote the text

Author's purpose refers to the reason or goal behind writing a text, commonly to inform, persuade, or entertain.

When a student uses 'context clues' to determine word meaning, they are relying on:

Answer: The words and ideas surrounding an unfamiliar word

Context clues are hints found in the surrounding text — including nearby words, phrases, and sentences — that help readers determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.