Question

Alyssa woke with a start, the smell of smoke filling her nose. She placed her

hand on her bedroom door, making sure it was cool to the touch before
opening it. The orange light coming from downstairs told her that the fire was
in the kitchen. As she raced down to the porch, she could see her mom and
brother through the small window in the back door. The sound of the fire
engine whined in the distance, and for the first time, Alyssa considered the
idea that she could lose everything she owned. Her favorite sweater, a tin
filled with photos, the beaded necklace she made at camp that she wore
whenever she was in a good mood. Suddenly, she felt her mother's hand
grab for her hand. She looked up and, even though her mother's face was
filled with worry, Alyssa knew that everything was going to be okay. All of the
important things had made it out of the fire just fine.
1. What is the central idea in the story?
I
2. Is the central idea directly or indirectly expressed? Explain.
3. Which words in the passage helped you identify the central idea of the text?

Answer 1

1. The central idea in the story is the realization that in the face of a house fire, material possessions are not as important as the safety and well-being of loved ones.

2. The central idea is indirectly expressed through the events and emotions described in the story. It's not explicitly stated but is conveyed through Alyssa's thoughts and actions.

3. The words and phrases that helped identify the central idea of the text include "the smell of smoke," "raced down to the porch," "for the first time," "could lose everything she owned," "important things had made it out of the fire just fine." These phrases emphasize the contrast between material possessions and the safety of loved ones in a crisis, hinting at the central idea.