ISEE Primary 3 flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea

The most important point a whole passage makes about its topic. It is broad enough to cover every paragraph, while details support it rather than replace it.

Supporting detail

A fact or example in the text that backs up the main idea. A correct answer restates information actually written in the passage, adding nothing new.

Inference

A conclusion the text strongly suggests without stating it directly. The reader combines clues in the passage with common sense, not outside facts.

Sequence words

Words such as first, next, then, after, and finally that show the order of events. They let a reader build a timeline of what happened and when.

Cause and effect

A cause explains why something happened; an effect is the result. Signal words include because, so, since, therefore, and as a result.

Context clue

A word or phrase near an unfamiliar word that hints at its meaning. Nearby sentences, examples, and opposites often reveal what the unknown word means.

Fact versus opinion

A fact can be proven or checked, such as a date or measurement. An opinion is a personal judgment, often signaled by words like best, worst, or should.

Author's purpose

The reason a writer created the text: to inform with facts, to persuade by convincing the reader, or to entertain by telling a story. Structure and word choice reveal it.

Character trait

A word describing what a character is like inside, such as brave, patient, or selfish. Readers infer traits from the character's actions, words, and choices.

Compare and contrast

Finding how two things are alike and how they differ. Signal words include both, alike, similarly, but, however, unlike, and in contrast.

Prediction

A reasonable guess about what will happen next, based on clues already given in the text. A good prediction can be checked against later pages.

Story elements

The parts of a narrative: characters, setting, problem, key events, and solution. Naming these parts helps a reader summarize the story in order.

Text features

Parts of a book that help readers find information, such as headings, captions, labels, bold words, a table of contents, and an index.

Dialogue

The words characters say to each other, shown in quotation marks. Dialogue moves the story forward and reveals how characters feel and think.

Summarize

To retell the most important ideas or events in a few sentences, in order, using your own words and leaving out small details.

Theme

The lesson or big idea a story shares about life, such as honesty matters or friends help each other. It is not the same as the topic.

Place value

The value a digit has because of its position in a number. In 4,706 the 7 sits in the hundreds place, so it is worth 700.

Standard form and expanded form

Standard form writes a number with digits, like 3,052. Expanded form shows the value of each digit: 3,000 + 0 + 50 + 2.

Rounding rule

To round, look at the digit to the right of the place being rounded. If it is 5 or more, round up; if it is 4 or less, keep the digit the same.

Regrouping

Trading ten ones for one ten, or one hundred for ten tens, when adding or subtracting. It is needed when a column sums past 9 or the top digit is too small.

Commutative property

Changing the order of numbers in addition or multiplication does not change the answer: 3 + 8 = 8 + 3 and 4 × 6 = 6 × 4.

Array model

A rectangle of rows and columns that shows multiplication. An array with 4 rows of 6 dots shows 4 × 6 = 24.

Fact family

A group of related facts using the same three numbers, such as 3, 5, and 15: 3 × 5 = 15, 5 × 3 = 15, 15 ÷ 3 = 5, and 15 ÷ 5 = 3.

Division and remainder

Division splits a number into equal groups. Any remainder left over must be smaller than the divisor; 17 ÷ 5 = 3 remainder 2.

Numerator and denominator

In a fraction, the denominator below the bar counts the equal parts in one whole, and the numerator above counts how many parts are taken.

Equivalent fractions

Fractions that name the same amount, such as 1/2 and 2/4. Multiplying or dividing both numerator and denominator by the same number keeps the value.

Comparing fractions

With the same denominator, the larger numerator is the larger fraction. With the same numerator, the smaller denominator gives the larger fraction.

Perimeter

The distance around a shape, found by adding all side lengths. For a rectangle, perimeter equals 2 × (length + width).

Area of a rectangle

The number of square units that cover a rectangle, found by multiplying length by width. A 5 by 3 rectangle has area 15 square units.

Elapsed time

The amount of time between a start and an end. Count forward in hours, then minutes; from 9:40 to 10:15 is 35 minutes.

Estimate to check

Rounding numbers before computing gives an approximate answer. If the exact answer is far from the estimate, an error was likely made.

Two-step word problem

A problem needing two operations in order, such as multiplying groups and then subtracting. Decide what is asked before choosing each operation.