Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts : Identify Setting, Main Idea, and Characters

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

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All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

Wolves

A wolf is a wild dog. They do not live in houses like a dog does, but they look alike. 

Body

Like a dog, a wolf walks on four legs and has a lot of fur. The fur keeps the wolves warm. Some wolves live in cold weather and need a lot of fur. The Arctic is a very cold place and many wolves live there.

Food

A wolf does not eat the same food as a dog. A wolf eats other animals. One animal that a wolf eats is called a deer. A wolf can run very fast, so it is able to catch a deer.

Family

A wolf does not live alone. Wolves live in groups called packs. A pack is like a family.  There can be as many as 20 wolves in a pack. 

What is the main point of this text?

Possible Answers:

To learn about deer

To learn about wolves

To learn about dogs

To learn about animals

Correct answer:

To learn about wolves

Explanation:

The title of this text is "Wolves" which gives us a clue to our answer. Also, the text teaches us facts about wolves. Though dogs and deer are talked about in the text, the main point of the text is to learn about wolves.  

Example Question #1 : Reading

The Cats

Pam and Tom are two cats. They live in the park and watch as the days go by. 

Tom likes to watch the birds fly around the park. He watches them fly up in the tree tops and down to the ground. Tom’s favorite bird is the Blue Jay because he loves the color blue. 

Pam likes to watch the kids play in the park. She watches as a boy goes down the slide and a girl swings on the swing set. Pam’s favorite part about the park is the slide. She is too scared to slide down the slide, but she likes to watch the kids slide down.

What is a Blue Jay? 

Possible Answers:

A girl

A cat

A bird

A boy

Correct answer:

A bird

Explanation:

A Blue Jay is a type of bird. We learn this in the passage when Tom is talking about his favorite type of bird. 

Tom likes to watch the birds fly around the park. He watches them fly up in the tree tops and down to the ground. Tom’s favorite bird is the Blue Jay because he loves the color blue.

Example Question #3 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

Fox and Friends

Today, I woke up feeling sad. In a forest full of other animals, I do not have a friend. No one wants to be friends with me because I am a fox. When animals see me coming they run away.

As I walk to the pond, I hear laughing and a lot of splashing. I see a deer and a rabbit playing in the water. The deer is laughing and smiling. He looks very happy.

I decide to hide behind a bush and ask them if I can play. This way they can hear me but not see me. “Can I come play with you?” I yell.

The deer and rabbit look for me, but they cannot see me. The deer says, “Yes, but you have to stop hiding!”

When I come out the rabbit seems scared, but the deer comes straight to me and gives me a big hug. As I play in the pond with my two friends, I feel so happy.

Where does the fox live? 

Possible Answers:

In a house

In a forest 

In a fox-hole 

In a mountain 

Correct answer:

In a forest 

Explanation:

We are told at the beginning of the story that the fox lives in a forest.

Today, I woke up feeling sad. In a forest full of other animals, I do not have a friend. No one wants to be friends with me because I am a fox. When animals see me coming they run away.

 

Example Question #4 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

Dogs are the Best Pets

 

Dogs are the best pets!

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air.

Dogs keep you safe. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Some dogs work on farms. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy.

 

Cats are the Best Pets

 

Cats are the best pets!

Cats love to play. Cats love to chase their toys around the house. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks or give them a bath. Cats lick themselves clean and go to the bathroom in a litter box.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark. Cats make quiet purr sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. When cats purr they are happy.

 

What is the main idea of the text “dogs are the best pet”?

Possible Answers:

Dogs love to play

Dogs are good friends

Dogs are good pets

Dogs are good workers

Correct answer:

Dogs are good pets

Explanation:

Passage 1 gives many reasons why dogs are good pets including how dogs are good friends, dogs are fun, dogs keep you safe and healthy, and dogs are smart.

Example Question #5 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

Dogs are the Best Pets

 

Dogs are the best pets!

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air.

Dogs keep you safe. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Some dogs work on farms. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy.

 

Cats are the Best Pets

 

Cats are the best pets!

Cats love to play. Cats love to chase their toys around the house. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks or give them a bath. Cats lick themselves clean and go to the bathroom in a litter box.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark. Cats make quiet purr sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. When cats purr they are happy.

What is the text “cats are the best pet” mostly about?

Possible Answers:

Ways to take care of cats

Reasons cats are good pets

Sounds cats make

Reasons cats are better pets than dogs

Correct answer:

Reasons cats are good pets

Explanation:

Passage 2 gives many reasons why cats are good pets including how cats are quiet, ways cats take care of themselves, cats are fun, and cats like to cuddle.

Example Question #1 : Reading

Dogs are the Best Pets

 

Dogs are the best pets!

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air.

Dogs keep you safe. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Some dogs work on farms. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy.

 

Cats are the Best Pets

 

Cats are the best pets!

Cats love to play. Cats love to chase their toys around the house. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks or give them a bath. Cats lick themselves clean and go to the bathroom in a litter box.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark. Cats make quiet purr sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. When cats purr they are happy.

What is the topic of passage 1?

Possible Answers:

dog

cats

pets

games

Correct answer:

dog

Explanation:

Passage 1 talks about dogs and the many reasons dogs are good pets.

Example Question #7 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

Dogs at Work

 

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals and nursing homes to keep people happy and comfort people. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people who cannot see or hear. These dogs are called service dogs. Service fogs go everywhere with their owners. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run in to something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

 

What is the main idea of the text?

Possible Answers:

Dogs can help people who are hurt

Dogs are good pets

Dogs can keep people healthy

Dogs can do many kinds of jobs

Correct answer:

Dogs can do many kinds of jobs

Explanation:

The text explains the many different jobs dogs do; such as, helping people who are sick or have a disability, helping find people who are lost or trapped, and helping police find criminals and bombs.

Example Question #8 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

Dogs at Work

 

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals and nursing homes to keep people happy and comfort people. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people who cannot see or hear. These dogs are called service dogs. Service fogs go everywhere with their owners. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run in to something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

Why did the author write this text?

Possible Answers:

To explain how dogs can help people who are sick

To convince people to get a dog as a pet

To teach people about the different jobs dogs can do

To entertain people with a funny story about a dog

Correct answer:

To teach people about the different jobs dogs can do

Explanation:

The text gives the reader information and facts about different kinds of jobs that dogs do; such as, helping people who are sick, who have a disability, finding people who are missing and helping police.

Example Question #1 : Key Ideas And Details

Penguins

 

Penguins are birds.

Like all birds, penguins have feathers and lay eggs.

Penguins live on land and in water. Some penguins live in cold places. Some penguins live in warm places.

Penguins can be different sizes. Some penguins are big. Some penguins are small.

Penguins can be different colors. Some penguins are black and white. Some penguins are blue and white. Some penguins are all black. Some penguins have yellow or orange spots.

Penguins are birds but penguins cannot fly.

Some penguins walk. Penguins can walk on ice.

Some penguins slide. Penguins can slide on snow.

Some penguins hop. Penguins can hop on rocks.

All penguins are good swimmers. Penguins use their wings to help them swim.

Penguins are amazing birds.

 

What was this text mostly about?

Possible Answers:

ways penguins and birds are similar

animals that live in the cold

facts about penguins

ways animals move

Correct answer:

facts about penguins

Explanation:

The text teaches the reader true facts about penguins, including where they live, their size, color, and how they move. “Mostly about” refers to the entire text.

Example Question #10 : Identify Setting, Main Idea, And Characters

African Elephants

 

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa.

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and plants. 

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have big ears. Elephants use their ears to stay cool on hot days. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Elephants have big feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

 

 

What is the text mostly about?

Possible Answers:

The body parts of African elephants

Where African elephants live

The size of African elephants

What African elephants eat

Correct answer:

The body parts of African elephants

Explanation:

Each section of the text describes an African elephant’s body part and how it is used including the trunk, tusks, ears, skin and feet.

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All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources

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