The main idea of a paragraph is stated in the sentence.

1. clincher
2. topic

Consider tim o’brien’s story "ambush." what differences do you see between how o’brien dealt with killing an enemy soldier in the moment of battle compared to looking back on the moment later in life? what might this contrast reveal about the effects of war?

Read the dialogue from act ll scene iv of romeo and juliet. which word from the conversation best the reader understand the mood of the scene?

Read this passage: byron and mitch are co-captains of the mathletes, their high school's academic team. they are backstage with the five other team members, preparing to compete in the state math quiz. byron sits on the floor with his eyes closed and his earbuds in, listening to classical jazz, which him focus his mind and energy. suddenly, he feels a presence beside him. he opens his eyes to see mitch staring at him. "mathletes! mathletes! " mitch chants loudly. mitch gives byron a thumbs-up and then proceeds to strut around like a peacock, high-fiving the other team members, as byron shuts his eyes again and does his best to refocus his mind which statement best summarizes the passage?