Chapter 1 Questions
True or False: The main idea is a specific statement or detail in a paragraph or text.
False. The main idea is a general statement.
Which one of these sentences is the main idea?
A. By age 14, 81% of young people have tried drinking.
B. In the United States, teenage drug and alcohol use is especially common.
C. More than 43% of teenagers have experimented w/ illegal drugs by the time they graduate HS.
B. In the United States, teenage drug and alcohol use is especially common.
Passing fears are common in early childhood. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark, thunderstorms, doctors, & imaginary creatures. What is the topic?
A. fear
B. passing fears
C. Children 2-4 years old
B) Passing fears
What are key words?
Verbal cues that are easy to recognize.
Which one of these sentences is the main idea:
A. Women are less likely than men to become full professors.
B. Women who become professors are generally paid less than their male counterparts.
C. Women often face discrimination in the field of education.
C. Women often face discrimination in the field of education.
Halloween is often associated with ancient pagan festivals or with the Catholic observance of All Saints' Day. But the truth is Halloween as we celebrate it today is an American invention.
What's the topic?
A) American inventions
B) Holidays
C) Halloween
C) Halloween
What are the three strategies to help you find the main idea? (Hint. pg. 26)
1. Look for general versus specific ideas. 2. Use the topic to lead you to the main idea. 3. Use key words to lead you to the main idea.
Which one of these sentences is the main idea?
A. Winning the lottery can create as many problems as it solves.
B. Other lottery winners report squandering their money to help out friends and family.
C. Some lottery winners invest large sums on business ventures they know nothing about.
A. Winning the lottery can create as many problems as it solves.
Social psychologists have found that almost everyone gossips. Male or female, young or old, humans love to talk about one another. All too often, gossip is viewed as a waste of time.
What's the topic?
A) It's bad to gossip.
B) Gossip
C) Gossip is a waste of time.
B) Gossip
Where does the main idea appear in a passage?
At any point within a paragraph.
Which one of these sentences is the main idea?
A. The old saying that lighting strikes twice is far from true.
B. The Empire State Building was struck 15 times in 15 minutes.
C. Most tall buildings in the U.S. are struck 100x per year.
D. One forest ranger was struck by lightning 7x.
A. The old saying that lighting strikes twice is far from true.
Since 1883, schools have used the A-F grading system. But many experts believe the current letter grading system is bad for students. One problem is that letter grades are too simplistic.
What's the topic?
A) The grading system is bad for students
B) Letters are inaccurate
C) The A-F grading system
C) The A-F grading system
Addition words such as first, second, also, and finally often introduce key supporting ___________s for a main idea.
details
What's the main idea?
A. In Scottish, the hesitation before introducing someone because you forgot their name is "tartle."
B. Many languages have different words for subtle ideas that are not easily translated into English.
C. "Tingo" in the Polynesian language is borrowing objects one at a time.
B. Many languages have different words for subtle ideas that are not easily translated into English.
You have been offered a job. The time has come to negotiate your salary. The question to ask yourself is: "How much am I worth?" Your answer will likely affect the outcome of your salary negotiation.
What is the topic?
A. Negotiating your salary
B) Money
C) Getting offered a job
A. Negotiating your salary