Reading Comprehension Passages with Thesis Statement Questions for 6th Grade

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Thesis Statement: The main argument or point the author is trying to make. Think of it as the heart of the passage!
• ✍️ Location: Often found at the end of the introduction paragraph, but can sometimes appear elsewhere.
• 🧠 Identifying a Thesis: Ask yourself, "What is the author trying to convince me of?" The answer is likely the thesis.
• 📑 Supporting Evidence: The author uses facts, examples, and reasons to support their thesis. Look for these!
• 💡 Inference: Sometimes the thesis isn't directly stated, and you'll need to infer it based on the overall meaning of the passage.
• 🔑 Key Words: Pay attention to words or phrases that are repeated throughout the passage; these often relate to the thesis.
• 📝 Paraphrasing: Try to restate the thesis in your own words to make sure you understand it.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following BEST describes a thesis statement?
   1. A) A minor detail within the passage.
   2. B) The author's favorite word.
   3. C) The main argument or point of the passage.
   4. D) A question posed by the author.
2. Where is the thesis statement MOST likely to be found?
   1. A) In the middle of a supporting paragraph.
   2. B) At the end of the introduction.
   3. C) At the beginning of the conclusion.
   4. D) Scattered throughout the passage.
3. What is the purpose of supporting evidence in relation to the thesis statement?
   1. A) To confuse the reader.
   2. B) To contradict the thesis.
   3. C) To provide examples and facts that back up the thesis.
   4. D) To introduce new topics unrelated to the thesis.
4. If a thesis statement is NOT directly stated, what should you do?
   1. A) Assume there is no thesis.
   2. B) Look for the most complicated sentence and use that.
   3. C) Infer the thesis based on the passage's overall meaning.
   4. D) Only read the first sentence of each paragraph.
5. Which of the following BEST helps you identify the thesis statement?
   1. A) Focusing only on the shortest sentences.
   2. B) Ignoring repeated words or phrases.
   3. C) Asking, "What is the author trying to convince me of?"
   4. D) Skipping the introduction paragraph.
6. What does it mean to paraphrase the thesis statement?
   1. A) To copy the thesis word-for-word.
   2. B) To rewrite the thesis in your own words.
   3. C) To delete the thesis from your memory.
   4. D) To translate the thesis into a different language.
7. Why is it important to understand the thesis statement of a passage?
   1. A) It's not important; you can skip it.
   2. B) It helps you understand the author's main point and the purpose of the passage.
   3. C) It only helps you answer vocabulary questions.
   4. D) It only matters if the passage is about science.