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Reading for Meaning Flashcards

7 cards from real ICAS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. A nonfiction article uses a table comparing the speeds of different animals. What is the main purpose of including this table?

    Answer: To allow readers to compare information quickly and clearly

    Tables organize comparative data visually, making it easier for readers to identify and compare information at a glance.

  2. Read: 'She had a heart of gold but a spine of steel.' What does this sentence suggest about the character?

    Answer: She is generous and compassionate but also firm and determined

    'Heart of gold' means she is very kind, while 'spine of steel' means she is strong-willed and resolute.

  3. Which question would help a reader identify the THEME of a story?

    Answer: What lesson can be learned from the events in the story?

    Theme is the central message or lesson of a story, so asking what lesson can be learned directly targets the theme.

  4. A passage says: 'Scientists estimate that approximately 8.7 million species exist on Earth.' What does 'approximately' signal?

    Answer: The number is a rough estimate, not a precise count

    'Approximately' indicates the number is an estimate rather than an exact, confirmed figure.

  5. What is the best way to identify supporting details in a paragraph?

    Answer: Look for sentences that provide evidence, examples, or facts about the main idea

    Supporting details are facts, examples, or evidence that explain or prove the main idea of a paragraph.

  6. An author ends a story with: 'As she closed the door, she finally understood what her grandmother had meant all along.' What technique is the author using?

    Answer: Providing a circular ending that connects back to an earlier idea

    A circular or reflective ending ties the conclusion back to something established earlier, giving the story a sense of resolution.

  7. Read: 'The coach's pep talk before the final game was the catalyst for the team's victory.' What does 'catalyst' mean here?

    Answer: Something that caused or triggered a result

    A catalyst is something that triggers or brings about a result—the pep talk sparked the team's successful performance.