1. Standard I:The student will demonstrate literal understanding of passages taken from textual, functional, and recreational reading material.

2.  Ideas that support the main ideas of a paragraph or passage  Based on the 5 W’s and H (who, what, where, why, and how)  May include illustrations, descriptions, facts, reasons, statements, or examples

3. A Choosy Yorkie Breeder A friend of mine breeds and raises Yorkies. Although she raises them to sell, she is very particular about he kind of people who buy the dogs. Because her dogs are so small and weigh only between three and five pounds when they are fully mature, she does a background check on the prospective owners. She won’t allow people with young children to purchase the dogs because they are too fragile to be handled by children younger than ten years old.

4.  Stated Main Idea: (directly stated in one of the sentences) “Although she raises them to sell, she is very particular about the kind of people who buy the dogs.”

5.  What are the details that support the main idea? (Sentences in the paragraph that gives details that support the main idea) 1. Why does the breeder sell her dogs only to certain people? The dogs are very small when mature. 2. How does the breeder ensure good owners for her dogs? She does background checks on prospective buyers. 3. Who is not permitted to buy the breeder’s dogs? She won’t allow people with young children to purchase the dogs. 4. What reason does the breeder give for not selling her dogs to people with children younger than ten years? The dogs are too fragile to be handled by children younger than ten years old.

6. Yorkie Characteristics Originating in Yorkshire, England, Yorkshire terriers are special little dogs. Known as “Yorkies,” then were bred to catch mice in the coal mines. They are extremely energetic and love to bark. Sometimes they bark at every little sound they hear. Yorkies are extremely loyal to their owners. Early in their lives, they will often bond with their owners and fiercely defend them. Yorkies love other people, too. As they get older, they usually love to be petted by everyone.

7. Implied Main Idea: (Central message of paragraph that is not directly stated but suggested) “Yorkshire terriers are bred to be energetic and protective, and they make loving and loyal companions.”

8.  What are the details that support the main idea?  Sentences in the paragraph that give details and tell how Yorkshire terriers are energetic, loyal, protective, and loving. 1. They were bred to catch mice. (Gives information on the purpose of the dog) 2. They love to bark. (Supports the idea that Yorkies are energetic and protective) 3. They bark at every little sound. (Supports the idea that they are protective) 4. They bond with their owners and fiercely defend them. (Show how Yorkies are loyal, protective, and loving) 5. They love other people, too. As they get older, they usually love to be petted by everyone. (Show that Yorkies are loving)

9. Although many people celebrate Valentines' Day on February 14 every year, the origin of the holiday is still a topic for debate. No one really knows the reason for celebrating it. Legend links it to ancient Rome, and Valentines has been proclaimed a patron saint, a priest, and a martyr. Despite its origin, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in America since the 1800s, and the tradition will most likely continue due to commercialization. Candy, flowers, lingerie, cards, stuffed animals, and jewelry are the order of the day on February 14, and people of all ages participate in the tradition. Some schools promote the holiday by allowing students to give and receive cards, flowers, and other Valentine gifts. Whatever its origin, Valentine’s Day is based on good will, and that is still its main representation today.

10. 1. Which statement BEST expresses the main idea of this paragraph? A. Despite its mysterious origin, Valentine’s Day is based on the tradition of good will. B. Legend links it to ancient Rome, and Valentine has been proclaimed a patron saint. C. The tradition will most likely continue due to commercialization. D. Schools promote the holiday by allowing students to give and receive Valentine gifts. Answer: A

11. 2. According to the paragraph, Valentines Day is celebrated by A. a patron saint. B. a priest and a martyr. C. Only students. D. People of all ages. Answer:D

12. I met Nancy on the front of my grandmother’s house one summer, and I didn’t know then that she would become so important to me. At first, she lived two houses down the street, and she had two children, an husband, and a garden full of big tomatoes. She gave me tomatoes; we became friends; we talked as if we had know each other forever. In future years, she moved several times, but we always stayed in touch and shared so much. We shared births, deaths, happiness, sadness, despair, and heartache. We were like sisters. Although we both lived with our respective families, we shared a bond that hasn’t been broken even by death.

13. 1. What is the main idea of this paragraph? A. She lived two houses down the street. B. We both lived with our respective families. C. She gave me tomatoes. D. Nancy and I were best friends. Answer:D

14. 2. Nancy gave the narrator A. A necklace. B. Despair. C. Tomatoes. D. Her grandmother’s secrets. Answer:C

15. My first little Yorkie was named Little Bo Peep. She was the best and sweetest dog I ever had. I called her “Peep.” She was special to me for many reasons, but the most important reason was that she was born deformed. She had three long legs that were about the length and size of a pencil instead of having the short, sturdy legs most Yorkies have when they are born. Peep’s one short leg made her sort of hop when she walked. Her legs didn’t slow her down though. She looked like a silver streak the first time I saw her because she could move so quickly.

16. 1. Which sentence contains the main idea? A. Her legs didn’t slow her down though. B. She was special to me for many reasons, but the most important reason was that she was born deformed. C. My first little Yorkie was named Little Bo Peep. D. She looked like a silver streak the first time I saw her because she could move so quickly. Answer:B

17. 2. Why was the dog special to its owner? A. She was born deformed. B. She ran like a streak. C. She was sweet. D. She was named Little Bo Peep. Answer: A