1. 3RC2.6: find problems and solutions 3RL3.2: fairy tales, myths, folktales, legends, and fables 3RL3.4: determine theme or author’s message (6 questions on CST) www.elatestprep.com

2.  Many authors will explain a problem and how it is solved.  Good readers can identify the problem and solution(s) to the problem. Problem  the car has a flat tire Solution  I installed the spare www.elatestprep.com

3. Austin’s toys kept disappearing from his room. His sister insisted that she wasn’t taking them. Who could it be? He set up a video camera to record what happened in his room while he was away. To his great surprise, he caught his dog, Buddy, taking the toys. What is Austin’s problem? His toys are disappearing, and he doesn’t know why. How was Austin’s problem solved? He set up a video camera, and caught his dog in the act. www.elatestprep.com

4.  Short stories that contain magical characters such as: fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, or dwarves  Fairy tales contain magic.  Fairy tales could not possibly happen in real life.  “Once upon a time...”  Famous Fairy Tales:  Cinderella  The Emperor’s New Clothes  Jack and the Beanstalk  Little Red Riding Hood  Rapunzel  Rumpelstiltskin www.elatestprep.com

5. MYTHLEGEND  Myths tend to be old stories of gods, goddesses, and heroes  Myths frequently explain natural occurrences  Myths describe the origin of the world or of a people  They often have a theme or moral lesson  Legends are made-up stories that are told as if they might have actually happened.  Famous legends are:  Robin Hood  King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table www.elatestprep.com

6. FOLKTALESFABLES  short stories about ordinary people  they have been passed along by people in a similar culture  they point out cultural values  they often explain natural occurrences  fables have animals that speak like people  fables have morals or lessons about how to live life www.elatestprep.com

7.  The THEME is what the writer wants you to REMEMBER MOST  You may have to do some detective work to find the theme. The author leaves clues that you have to put together.  Use the following 3-step plan to find the theme. www.elatestprep.com

9. A fly bit the head of a bald man. He tried to kill the fly by giving his head a very hard slap. The fly escaped, and said, “You tried to kill me for giving you a little bite, but instead you hurt yourself.” The bald man said that the fly was a terrible, blood-sucking creature. He would be willing to have slapped himself even harder if it would’ve killed the fly. www.elatestprep.com

10. What is the man’s problem in this passage? (A) He is bald. (B) He was bitten by a fly. (C) He needed directions. (D) He couldn’t find the bug spray. www.elatestprep.com

11. What did the man do to try and solve his problem in this passage? (A) He went to the doctor. (B) He asked his neighbor for help. (C) He slapped his head. (D) He bought a fly trap. www.elatestprep.com

12. At the end of the story, why didn’t the man kill the fly? (A) He wasn’t fast enough. (B) He felt sorry for the fly. (C) He and the fly became friends. (D) He didn’t believe in killing anything. www.elatestprep.com

13. Which of these is a theme in this fable? (A) Bald is beautiful. (B) Family is very important. (C) Freedom is worth fighting for. (D) We hurt ourselves when trying to get revenge on others. www.elatestprep.com