English Proficiency for Teachers (ELP)

Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

Introduction

Reading is essential in the higher level education such as college. You need to achieve extra mile
of developing your comprehension skills for you to learn and discover new things. The primary
mode of knowledge and information acquisition and learning is through reading. You have to
read more for you to learn more.

In such case then, there is a need to develop your skills in reading. These skills are
interconnected. Mastery of these skills facilitates easier comprehension of the different reading
texts. These skills are not imbibed and acquired overnight. It is gained through practice, practice,
and more practice.

Thus, in this unit, you will be given to the chance to help yourself develop and acquire some of
the needed skills in reading, and reading strategies as well.

Instructional Objectives

After learning this unit, I am able to:

1. Decipher meaning of a word using context clues;

2. Comprehend reading text by identifying the main idea of the text;

3. Read text comprehensively by noting to details;

4. Comprehend text by inferencing; and

5. Make sense of meaning using prediction.

Activating Prior Knowledge

Before going farther, complete the activity below.

Direction: Supply the missing word in each statement.

1. "Once you learn to read, you will be forever ________." — Frederick Douglass

2. "To learn to read is to _______ a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a _______."
— Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

3. "Today a reader, tomorrow a _________." — Margaret Fuller

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 Answers: (1) free (2) light, spark (3) leader

Did you get them right? It’s alright if did not get them all.

Analyzing the meaning of the above statements, they convey one message and that is –
what good things reading could give us. Do you agree?

Expanding Knowledge

At this point, we will enrich what you have gained in reading. Make now yourself ready.

Lesson 1: Sensing Meaning through Context Clues

One thing that is ringing in your mind right away is – what are context clues?

Let me share to you the meaning of it from dictionary.com:

Context clues are hints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word
within a book. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it
refers or it may follow in the next sentence. Because most of our vocabulary is gained
through reading, it is important that we are able to recognize and take advantage of
context clues.

There will always be many situations wherein learning support materials such as
dictionaries and the like are not within your reach due to some reasons. So you have to figure out
the meaning of particular word or statement based on the hints (technically, in reading we call it
redundancies) available as given by the author or writer.

Let me use this example:

The researchers discovered several specie of crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, and
shrimp.

In the statement above, the word crustaceans is clarified by giving examples of it, which
are crabs, lobster, and shrimps.

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 There are several types of context clues:

Context Clues Meaning Example

Definition Outright statement of the Law is the set of rules that we
meaning of a word. have established to make it
easier for us to live with one
another.
Restatement Giving the meaning of a word He was a hirsute individual,
in a less precise form than a with long hair streaming down
dictionary definition. his back.
Synonym A word having the same or Euthanasia or mercy killing
nearly the same meaning as is a debatable issue.
another word in the text.
Simile A figure of speech in which Her eyes are like bright stars
essentially two unlike things that glistened in the sky.
are compared using like and
as.
Comparison Noting similarities between a Like other reference books in
word in question with other the library, the thesaurus is a
more familiar words. helpful guide for writers.
Example/Illustration One that represents the group A crime or offense such as
or whole to illustrate the rape, forgery, kidnapping, and
meaning of a word. treason is punishable by law.
Appositive A construction in which a Arson, a malicious burning
noun or noun phrase is placed of another person’s property,
with another as an is widely recognized as a
explanation. serious crime.
Antonym A word meaning the opposite When there is a problem, her
of another word. father is silent, but her mother
is too garrulous that the
whole neighborhood knows
about it.
Structural Analysis Word parts that give direct The manager did not get the
clues to meaning. These are money in the envelope which
roots, prefixes, suffixes, proves that he is
compounds that are broken incorruptible.
down into parts and analyzed.
Source: Personal collection of instructional materials

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Synthesizing Knowledge

Activity Lesson 1: Context Clues

Source: Personal collection of instructional materials

Directions. Choose the letter of the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the meaning of
the word in bold letters. Then, identify the type of context clue used.

1. Clichés are hackneyed expressions.

A. clever B. intelligent C. habitual D. commonplace

Type:_______________________________

2. Like her gregarious sister, Anne likes going to parties and making new friends.

A. introvert B. active C. sociable D. confident

Type:_______________________________

3. Although the topic of his lecture was esoteric, the neurosurgeon tried to make it

comprehensible to everyone in the audience.

A. invincible B. susceptible C. hard to use D. understood only by few

Type:_______________________________

4. The masquerade bordered on frightening because of the grotesque masks some party-

goers were wearing.

A. original B. bizarre C. beautiful D. expensive

Type:_______________________________

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5. One of our psychology instructor’s idiosyncrasies is sticking a piece of chalk behind his

ear as he lectures.

A. faults B. major problems C. oddity D. tricks

Type:_______________________________

6. The fishing village looked desolate after the typhoon.

A. deserted B. changed C. haunted D. homely

Type:_______________________________

7. In an economic crisis, there is no time for frivolities.

A. visiting relatives B. listening to lectures C. feeling sorry

D. unimportant things

Type:_______________________________

8. We cannot expect outstanding achievement from mediocre students.

A. intelligent B. ordinary C. smart D. talented

Type:_______________________________

9. His weak character surfaces every time he succumbs to whims of his unreasonably

jealous wife.

A. rebels B. marvels C. yields D. delights

Type:_______________________________

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10. The mushrooming of night spots is a menace to peace and order in the community.

A. help B. boast C. threat D. support

Type:_______________________________

11. In many countries, Richard Burton was acknowledged as a fine thespian.

A. painter B. singer C. actor D. pianist

Type:_______________________________

12. The company records show a precipitous drop in sales for one quarter.

A. gradual B. abrupt C. steady D. staggered

Type:_______________________________

13. An overdose of depressant sent him into a deep lethargy.

A. slumber B. dream C. sleep D. apathy

Type:_______________________________

14. All Filipinos must face their country’s problems with fortitude.

A. complaints B. curiosity C. refute D. accept

Type:_______________________________

15. The instructor expounded the pros and cons of the issues for the students to ruminate on.

A. ponder B. digest C. refute D. accept

Type:_______________________________

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Lesson 2: Reading Comprehension: Getting the Main Idea

Expanding Your Knowledge

Another important skill in reading is pinning down the central idea of a paragraph.

Some important points to bear in mind about main idea (MAINIDEASrevised815.doc):

1. The main idea is the central, or most important, idea in a paragraph or passage. It states
the purpose and sets the direction of the paragraph or passage.

2. The main idea may be stated or it may be implied.

3. When the main idea of a paragraph is stated, it is most often found in the first sentence
of the paragraph. However, the main idea may be found in any sentence of the paragraph.

4. The main idea may be stated in the first sentence of a paragraph and then be repeated
or restated at the end of the paragraph.

5. The main idea may be split. The first sentence of a paragraph may present a point of
view, while the last sentence presents a contrasting or opposite view.

6. To find the main idea of any paragraph or passage, ask these questions:

1. Who or what is the paragraph about?

2. What aspect or idea about the ‘who’ or ‘what’ is the author concerned with?

Thus, when you work on deciphering the main idea, you do skimming of the reading selection.

Let me show this example:

Example 1

It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t
true. Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell
you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations.

In this paragraph, the main idea is contained in the first sentence: It is often said that lightning never
strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true.

Example 2

Costs were low that year and the output high. There was a good person for each
job and the market remained firm. There were no losses from fire. All in all, it was the
best years in the history of the company.

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In paragraph 2, the main idea is in the last sentence: All in all, it was the best years in the history of
the company.

Example 3

There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is great country
for hunters and fishermen. There are bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. To the east
there are streams full of trout, and there are ducks and geese.

For paragraph 3, the main idea is present in the second sentence: This whole area is great country
for hunters and fishermen.

Example 4

Advertising affects our lives every day. Brand names are common household words. We
start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have
made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are
swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising.

For paragraph 4, the main idea is initially stated at the beginning sentence (Advertising affects our lives
every day.) and then restated in the last sentence (Not one aspect of American life is untouched by
advertising.).

Example 5

Penicillin is one of the greatest of the wonder drugs. It has saved thousands of lives
already and will save many more in the future. Unfortunately it has no effect at all on most of the
ills of mankind. Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all.

In paragraph 5, the main idea is split into sentences: the beginning sentence (Penicillin is one of the
greatest of the wonder drugs.) which tells positive point about penicillin; and the last sentence: (Penicillin
is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all.) which tells its limitation.

Example 6

Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye
level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place
you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent
scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.

For paragraph 6, the main idea is implied. All the sentences give details about the main idea which is:
There are several ways to take care of your eyeglasses.

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Synthesizing Knowledge

Activity Lesson 1: Getting the Main Idea

Part 1 (taken from MAINIDEASrevised815.doc)

Directions: Each paragraph is followed by four statements. Select the statement that best
expresses the main idea. Circle the letter of that statement.
1. People often refer to taxes in terms of their being much too high. In reality, they are probably
even higher than you think, because in addition to the federal income tax we are now studying,
there are many other Federal, State, and local taxes, including sales taxes, inheritance taxes, state
income taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, and others.

These are just some of the most obvious ones.

a. Taxes are much too high.

b. We pay more taxes than we may realize.

c. Inheritance taxes and real estate taxes are unfair.

d. Some taxes are hidden.

2. The fact that electronic computers are now used for data processing has led the general public
to believe that it is a mysterious, complicated science and that the computers are giant brains.
Both of these ideas are false. A computer is basically just a high-speed adding machine that
performs the functions it is told to. If the input data are varied even a little, the computer is
unable to operate until it is programmed to accept the variations. The business operations it
performs are impressive only because of the extremely high speed of manipulation, but most of
these operations have been used for decades. Unlike man, the computer performs repetitive
calculations without getting tired or bored.

a. A computer is a high-speed adding machine.

b. A computer is a mysterious giant brain.

c. A computer is impressive because of its high speed.

d. A computer is superior to man in many ways.

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3. The Louisiana Purchase proved to be one of the shrewdest business pacts in the entire history
of the United States. The purchase doubled in the area of the country and provided territory from
which fourteen new states were created either wholly or in part. It also gave us control over the
mouth of the Mississippi River and opened up the way to foreign trade. Prior to the purchase, the
waterway had been blocked by the Spanish, probably with the approval of Napoleon. The land
that was bought was rich in timber, minerals, and natural resources of many kinds. Finally, the
cost of the transaction was unbelievably low; the total of $15 million amounted to about four
cents an acre.

a. The Louisiana Purchase was a very good business deal for the U.S.

b. The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was rich in minerals.

c. The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was very cheap.

d. Most Americans were very pleased with the purchase.

4. There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst
enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he hunts
at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is sometimes wise
to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the coyote will often free
the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to crops and certain trees. He is
especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population. Where coyotes have been allowed
to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit growers have found them so valuable
that they would no more shoot them than they would shoot their dogs.

a. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.

b. The coyote is feared because of his fondness for small animals

c. Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.

d. The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.

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5. In earlier days those who had overseas business which they believed should be discussed
personally, took ship and set out across the briny deep. Once aboard they transacted their affairs,
engaging in commercial and social matters or conducting government business. Today ships and
passengers continue to sail the seven seas, and airplanes soar overhead. But above them all,
words speed through the sky – telephone conversations quickly bring together in the most
personal fashion people who are separated by thousands of miles.

a. Overseas telephone service today is ruling out all need for overseas travel.

b. Nothing can take the place of person-to-person conversation in settling business,

social, and government problems.

c. Many conversations which once required overseas travel can now be conducted by
telephone.

d. Even with modern overseas telephone service people continue to travel abroad by ship
or by plane.

6. The attitudes of Americans toward gambling are amazingly contradictory. You may find, for
example, that horse racing is legal in your state, but that you cannot legally play poker for money
on your front porch; bookies may be prosecuted by state law, but they are supposed to purchase a
federal license nonetheless; one church condemns gambling, while another raises money by
sponsoring Bingo games. Gambling laws are inconsistent from state to state or even from town
to town and are very difficult to enforce.

a. Americans have negative attitudes toward gambling.

b. Gambling laws are difficult to enforce

c. Gambling laws are inconsistent from community to community.

d. Churches do not have uniform ideas about gambling.

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Part 2 (whsmrjackson.weebly.com)

7. As important as water conservation is, it is also very easy. A few simple habits can
significantly reduce the water consumption of a household. One way to save water is to turn off
the faucet when brushing your teeth. Also, don’t allow faucets to drip; one drip can waste a large
amount of water over a short period of time. Baths require less water than showers, so by taking
a bath instead of a shower, you can reduce the amount of water your home uses. In the kitchen,
running a dishwasher when it is completely full, rather than half full, can save up to 20 gallons a
day. These simple changes will save water and save money

A. Water conservation is important.

B. Consumers can save money by conserving water.

C. A few simple changes can save water in the home.

D. Baths take less water than showers.

8. One the most popular musical instruments is the piano. In the traditional musical instrument
classification system of string, woodwind, percussion and brass, the piano falls into two
categories. It is considered a string instrument because the sound comes from the strings inside
the piano. It is also considered a percussion instrument, since the player strikes the keyboard,
which signals an internal hammer to strike the strings.

A. The piano is both a string and percussion instrument.

B. The piano is a string instrument.

C. The piano is a popular instrument.

D. The strings of a piano make the sound.

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9. Irish immigration to the U.S. began during the early development of the American colonies. It
is estimated that 200,000 Irish came to the U.S. in the 17th and 18th centuries. The numbers
swelled from 1820 to 1850 to almost 2 million Irish immigrants. Most of these were fleeing the
potato famine from 1845 until 1852. Steady numbers continued to arrive during the late 19th and
20th centuries. Today, over 36 million Americans claim some level of Irish ancestry.

A. The potato famine caused many Irish to immigrate to the U.S.

B. The U.S. is a country of immigrants.

C. The Irish are coming to the U.S. still today.

D. The Irish came in large numbers to the U.S.

Lesson 3: Reading Comprehension: Noting Details

Expanding Your Knowledge

For this time, you will explore comprehension by focusing on the details of the reading
selections.

The main idea of a story is what the whole story is mostly about. The details are small pieces of
information that make the story more interesting (learning.com).

According to Janovsky (n.d), whenever you are reading a text, you should be constantly noting
the important details. When discussing reading comprehension, think of details as the individual
features, facts or particulars in the text. These details are essential to develop reading
comprehension (.

One way to locate and remember these details (study.com) is to run through the five Ws: who,
what, where, when, and why. By using details of the passage to answer these questions, you can
understand and remember the main points of the reading, which is excellent reading
comprehension practice.

Here is an example:

Samantha was coughing and feeling very tired. She was sick. She wanted her mother to take her
to the doctor’s clinic.

“Mom, I am feeling very sick,” she said.

“I think I need to take you to the doctor,” her mother said.

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They got in the car and drove to the doctor’s clinc. The doctor examined her throat. He also
asked her some questions about how she was feeling.

“It looks like you have a bad cold. You will need some medicine to make you healthy
again.”

“Ok, thank you doctor,” said Samantha.

Then Samantha and her mom went to the pharmacy to get the medicine. She took the medicine
when they got home. In a few days she felt better.

Questions:
1. What was wrong with Samantha?
Answer: __________________________________________________

2. What did Samantha’s mother decide to do about Samantha?

Answer: __________________________________________________

3. What did Samantha get at the pharmacy?

Answer: __________________________________________________

All the questions above solicit specific details about the reading selection. Thus, when you are
attending to details, what you employ is scanning. You look for details that would clarify or
support the main idea.

Synthesizing Knowledge

Activity Lesson 1: Noting Details

1. While majority of women of reproductive age are receptive to the use of safe contraceptive
methods, techniques and devices, family planning services and supplies are lamentably
inaccessible; hence, the prevalence of induced abortions which the UP Population Institute
estimates to be close to 400,000 annually.

According to the UP Population Institute, exactly how man induced abortions are
committed annually?
A. We do not know. C. Approximately 400,000
B. Close to 400,000 D. 400,000

2. The bill that Rep. Edcel Lagman proposes prohibits abortion, but the provision that would
encourage – not require – couples to limit the number of their children to two has sparked a
controversy, and the culprit is the ignorant press, which insists on calling the provision “two-
child policy”.

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What does the bill provide?
A. “Two-child policy” C. A controversy
B. Prohibition of abortion D. Ignorance of the press

3. The tattered record book owned by Abdullah Hassani, one of the few Iraqis whose business is
booming as victims of gangs, thieves and suicide bombers are filling his cemetery faster than
ever, is a stark barometer of the violence that has racked Iraq since a US-led invasion toppled
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003.

What is reflected in Abdullah Hassani’s book?

A. His gross income.
B. The US-led invasion that toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003.
C. The victims of gangs, thieves and suicide bombers.
D. Extent of violence in Iraq since the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein.

4. Arturo Tolentino never achieved the dream of every politician, the presidency, because his
noted charm with women gained him the mistrust and enmity of the Catholic Church; however,
he persevered, maintaining, for most of the martial law years, a reputation for candor and
intellectual independence that made him useful, yet mistrusted, by the dictator Ferdinand E.
Marcos.

Why did the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos mistrust Arturo Tolentino?

A. Because Arturo Tolentino persevered for the presidency
B. Because Arturo Tolentino was noted for his charm with women
C. Because Arturo Tolentino possessed candor and intellectual independence
D. Because Arturo Tolentino was mistrusted by the Catholic Church

5. As Ninotchka Rosca, internationally acclaimed Filipino novelist now based in New York,
puts it, Jose Maria Sison “based his leadership on changing the way people look at the world,
look at themselves, and their relationship to that world. He has done this and does it through his
poetry and political analyses and through the way his own life has been lived: in the organizing
of, and in leading and guiding, every significant Filipino activist group, as well as the entire
revolutionary movement itself.”

What does Ninotchka Rosca say about Jose Maria Sison’s leadership?
A. It is shaped by his poetry and political analyses.
B. It is exercised in his own life.
C. It is determined by the change in the way people look at the world, themselves and their
relationship to that world.
D. It is caused by organizing, leading, and guiding activist groups as well as the entire
revolutionary movement itself.

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Lesson 4: Reading Comprehension: Inference and Restatement

Expanding Your Knowledge

Foe the last part of this unit, you will deal on inference and restatement. What do we mean about
inference?

Some questions in the Reading Comprehension section will ask you to make an inference about
information in the passage. The answer may not be explicitly stated in the passage, but it will
be supported by the content of the passage. In other words, you’re being tested on your ability
to ‘connect the dots’ or ‘read between the lines’ and determine what is implied (Khan Academy,
n.d.).

How about restatement?

Restatement generally takes the form of a summary, paraphrase, or précis. Restatements should
avoid the same language as much as possible to avoid plagiarism and to show understanding
(Kurland, 2000).

To illustrate it, here is an example:

If the government does not move quickly to address what experts describe as a looming
crisis in medical education, only underqualified personnel will be left to provide health
care in this country.

1. Only underqualified personnel are left to provide health care in this country.
2. According to experts, there is a looming crisis in medical education.
3. The government has never moved quickly to address the looming crisis in
medical education.
4. Only underqualified personnel may be left to provide health care in this country.
5. The government should do something about the looming crisis in medical
education.

 Statement 1 is a partial restatement of the given sentence

 Statement 2 is another partial restatement of the given sentence
 Statement 3 is also partial restatement of the given sentence
 Statement 4 is again a partial restatement of the given sentence
 Statement 5 is an inference. It impliedly tell an urgent action should be enforced
to solve a problem that will result to a disaster that could happen to the country.

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Synthesizing Knowledge

Activity Lesson 1: Inference and Restatement

Part 1

Directions: Each statement below is followed by four statements. The statements are of four
kinds: (A) some restate the main idea or parts of it, (B) some may be correctly inferred, (C) some
misstate the ideas in the sentence, and (D) some contain ideas that are not included. Write the
letter of the corresponding type of statement.

Sentence 1

If everybody says, our land is rich in natural resources, our human resources are superb,
our professionals and technicians are wonderful, why then are we poor?

a. Most claim that we have rich natural and manpower resources.

b. Our human resources are academically and technically equipped.
c. We are economically progressing.
d. The writer disagrees with the claim.
e. Many are still poor.

Sentence 2

People depend on the soil for food, so they change large areas of the earth’s surface by
farming, which causes changes in climate, vegetation, water supply, and erosion.

a. We are all dependent on soil for food.

b. Such dependence on soil contributed changes in our environment.
c. Most foods are produced by farming.
d. If we are not mindful of these changes, it may further bring catastrophe.
e. People are abusive.
f.
Sentence 3

Recent technical advances have enabled us to enjoy a much easier life than our ancestors
did, but this good life has almost exhausted our natural resources and has resulted in air
and water pollution.

a. Technological breakthroughs made our lives more comfortable.

b. Our ancestors had a better life compared to us today.
c. The comfort that we have paved the way to exploitation of our natural
resources.

d. Air and water pollution are prevented in spite of technological advancement.

e. Technical advances and natural resources are equally important.

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 Sentence 4

Some of the earth’s resources such as water and plants are renewable, but other resources,
such as mineral deposits, cannot be replaced after they are used up and are therefore gone
forever.

a. Water, plants, and mineral deposits are earth’s resources.

b. Some of the earth’s resources are renewable while others are not.
c. We need to conserve the use of earth’s resources.
d. People are not aware of the dwindling earth’s resources.
e. We can find alternatives even such resources are gone forever.

Part 2

Direction: Choose the letter of each statement that gives the best meaning.

1. Mrs. Valera is loved by all, for she is gifted with the milk of human kindness.
a. Mrs. Valera has natural kindness.
b. Mrs. Valera has many children.
c. Mrs. Valera pretends to be kind to children.

2. Lita was a competent leader, but Marissa would not play second fiddle to her.
a. Marissa would not play the violin for Lita.
b. Marissa would not be subordinate to Lita.
c. Marissa did not know how to play the fiddle.

3. When she is asleep, she is not awakened even if a cow is slaughtered beside her.
a. She sleeps very soundly.
b. She doesn’t sleep well.
c. She sleeps lightly.

4. The honorable - looking man dropped a large sum of money in the lap of the mendicant
who looked up with wide – open eyes, murmured incoherent words of gratitude, and
pressed the money to his breast.
a. The mendicant was angry.
b. The mendicant was pleased.
c. The mendicant was ungrateful.

5. When she saw the next visitor, the old maid’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes
sparkled, and her voice was sweeter than honey when she spoke.

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 a. She was pleased.
b. She was surprised.
c. She was not pleased.

Part 3

7. All Pam could think about was her family and her cats. When she closed her eyes to go to
sleep, tears rolled down her cheeks. She rolled over so her friend wouldn’t see her crying. She
didn’t know it would be so hard to stay at camp for two weeks. She thought camp was fun, but
she still wanted to go home.

The main idea of the paragraph is:

a. Pam is homesick.

b. Pam cries at night.

c. Pam doesn’t like camp.

d. Pam’s friends like camp.

8. Melinda was scared to show her mother her grade. She knew she would be very disappointed
with her. Her teacher had even drawn a sad face beside the grade. She really wished that she had
studied last night. How was she ever going to pull up her grades now?

The main idea of the paragraph is:

a. Melinda’s test was hard.

b. Melinda’s mother was mean.

c. Melinda didn’t like sad faces.

d. Melinda had made a bad grade.

9. “You must stop talking and settle down,” said Mrs. Henry. Nobody in the class could sit still.
Time was dragging this morning. Soon, we would get on the bus and go to the pep rally. “Class,
you are acting like you have ants in your pants,” said our teacher as she chuckled. No matter how
many times she asked us to settle down, we just couldn’t. It was almost time to leave.

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 The Main idea of the paragraph is:

a. The pep rally is today.

b. Mrs. Henry was strict.

c. There were ants in the room.

d. The class was excited about the pep rally.

References

1. https://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/quotable

2. https://www.dictionary.com/e/context-clues/

3. https://www.mdc.edu/kendall/collegeprep/documents2/main%20ideasrevised815.pdf

4.https://whsmrjackson.weebly.com/uploads/2/2/8/1/22813322/find_the_main_idea_day_1_work
sheet.pdf

5. https://study.com/academy/lesson/finding-specific-details-in-a-reading-selection.html

6. http://www.criticalreading.com/restatement.htm

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