Central Idea and Sequence

This text feature is the order in which things or events follow each other.

• compare and contrast

• central idea

• sequence

• main idea

____________________ is the most important thought or point of a text.

• sequence

• central idea

• cause and effect

• vocabulary

What is the text structure of this paragraph?

The first movies, also known as motion pictures, were less than a minute long. They were black and white "living photographs" without any sound. In 1892, Thomas Edison built the first film studio in the United States. It wasn't until the 1920s that movies had sound. These movies were called "talkies." Then, in the 1930s, movies started having color too.

• cause and effect

• compare and contrast

• description

• sequence

What is the central idea of this paragraph?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of history's greatest musical composers. At the age of three, he began to show signs of musical talent. Mozart was performing music and had composed five short piano pieces by the age of six. At the age of eight, he wrote a symphony. By the time he died, he had written more than 600 musical works.

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of history's greatest muscial composers.

• At the age of eight, he wrote a symphony.

• At the age of three, he began to show signs of musical talent.

• By the time he died, he had written more than 600 musical works.

What is the text structure of this paragraph?

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play major league baseball. He began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He always worked hard and he did not let anyone discourage him. Robinson received many honors. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1947 and was voted the Most Valuable Player in 1949. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.

• sequence

• problem and solution

• description

• cause and effect

What is the central idea of this paragraph?

On Saturday, the Greens worked at home. In the morning, Mom planted flowers and Dad mowed the lawn, while Tara and Ben cleaned their bedrooms. In the afternoon, they painted the dining room. Mom and Tara painted the trim, Ben painted the walls and Dad painted the ceiling. At night, they all relaxed and watched a movie together.

• In the morning, Mom planted the flowers and Dad mowed the lawn, while Tara and Ben cleaned their bedrooms.

• On Saturday, the Greens worked at home.

• At night, they all relaxed and watched a movie together.

• In the afternoon, they painted the dining room.

What is the text structure of the paragraph?

On Saturday, the Greens worked at home. In the morning, Mom planted flowers and Dad mowed the lawn, while Tara and Ben cleaned their bedrooms. In the afternoon, they painted the dining room. Mom and Tara painted the trim, Ben painted the walls and Dad painted the ceiling. At night, they all relaxed and watched a movie together.

• problem and solution

• description

• sequence

• compare and constrast

Which are signal words for sequence?

• who, when, why, how

• sometimes, always, often, rarely

• the, go, because, now

• On Friday, then, afterwards, finally

Which answer is in sequence?

• 9:20, 9:30, 9:15, 8:00

• Friday afternoon, Sunday afternoon, Sunday morning

• 2001, 2020, 1989, 1990

• 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023

What is the central idea of the paragraph?

Lola likes to take a blanket outside, lie down, look at the clouds, and use her imagination. She enjoys watching the clouds move and make different shapes in the sky. Sometimes the clouds look like animals. One day, the cloud shapes looked like a duck chasing a poodle. Another day, they looked like a dragon wearing a skirt. Today, Lola saw a dinosaur holding a flower. What fun!

• Lola likes to take a blanket outside, lie down, look at the clouds, and use her imagination.

• Sometimes the clouds look like animals.

• She enjoys watching the clouds move and make different shapes in the sky.

• What fun!