Main Idea

Animals

100

Ghost crabs are the color of white, sandy beaches. They like to walk the beaches when it is dark. Ghost crabs move quickly and stop suddenly.Their color blends in with the color of the sand. This paragraph tells mostly about

a) how to find ghost crabs

b) what ghost crabs are like

c) where ghost crabs live

b) what ghost crabs are like

200

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300

Bluefish weigh as much as fifteen pounds and eat huge amounts of food. When bluefish chase schools of small fish, they snap their powerful jaws. If the chase comes close to a crowded beach, some swimmers might become frightened. They might even think sharks are attacking!
This paragraph tells mostly about
a) why bluefish might be mistaken for sharks
b) how large a bluefish can be
c) what kinds of fish bluefish eat

a) why bluefish might be mistaken for sharks

400

Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day, and usually not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique, and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live. The main idea of this passage is: a. Giraffes don’t sleep very much. b. Giraffes are unique animals. c. There are many animals in the world. d. No animal is taller than a giraffe.

 b. Giraffes are unique animals.

500

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Places

100

Boston, Massachesetts is often called the city of baked beans, or "Beantown." In the early days, baked beans and brown bread were often served in homes on Saturday night. They were also served for breakfast on Sunday mornings. This custom still exists, though it is not as common as it once was. This paragraph tells mainly
a) bow Bostonians like to eat
b) how Boston got its nickname
c) why people eat beans

b) how Boston got its nickname

200

Where is the longest straight line in the world? Australia has a railroad track that runs in a perfectly straight line for 297 miles. The track crosses a flat plain. Trains that use this track must have two engineers. One keeps the other from falling asleep on the long, boring run!

This paragraph tells mainly

a) what the longest straight line is

b) where the Australian track goes

c) why the engineers must stay awake

a) what the longest straight line is

300

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400

The news reports that Dr. Richard B. Hoover, an astrobiologist at NASA, believes that he has found the fossils of bacteria in meteorites. In other words, he claims to have found traces of life from outer space. Not surprisingly, his claim is controversial; many scientists do not accept that Dr. Hoover has come to the correct conclusion from what he has observed. Therefore, he has invited over 5,000 scientists to review his work and to publish their comments.
What is the Main Idea?
a. The News does not believe Dr. Hoover's story
b. Dr. Hoover believes he has found traces of life from outer space.
c. 5,000 scientists have agreed that there are forms of life in outer space

b. What is Dr. Hoover believes he has found traces of life from outer space?

500

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People

100

Harriet Tubman was an African American who was born into slavery in Maryland in the early 1800s. In 1849, when she was about 30 years old, Mrs. Tubman escaped from slavery. She traveled by foot from Maryland to Philadelphia. During the 1850s, she led hundreds of other slaves to freedom on the underground railroad.
This paragraph tells mainly
a) what an underground railroad is
b) who Harriet Tubman was
c) where Harriet Tubman lived

b) who Harriet Tubman was

200

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300

The Cahokian civilization of Native Americans lived near St. Louis on the Mississippi River. According to items found in their cities, they were widespread traders. Archaeologists have found arrowheads from Oklahoma, shells from the Gulf of Mexico, stone objects from Wyoming, and salt from Illinois among many other things.

This paragraph tells mainly

a) where the Cahokians got salt

b) how widely the Cahokians traded

c) what the Cahokians used shells for

b) how widely the Cahokians traded

400

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500

Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success. The main idea of this passage is: A. The Wright Brothers worked hard. B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people. C. Inventors build kites and bicycles. D. The first flight was in 1903.

B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.

Food

100

The American hamburger got its name from the German city of Hamburg. Many years ago, the people of Hamburg used to eat these chopped meat patties. Now the hamburger has returned to Hamburg. Two famous American fast-food hamburger companies have opened eating places in Hamburg and other German cities.
This paragraph tells mainly
a) how old hamburgers are
b) what hamburgers are shaped like
c) how hamburgers have come "home"

c) how hamburgers have come "home"

200

Potatoes are a healthful food, but potato chips are not. This is because potato chips contain too much fat and salt. Small amounts of fat and salt are necessary for good health. Eating too much fat or salt, however, can result in serious health problems.
This paragraph tells mainly
a) why potato chips are not healthful food
b) how fat and salt affect our health
c) why potatoes are a healthful food

a) why potato chips are not healthful food

300

That favorite American food, ice cream, was first made in the Far East. Centuries ago, an Italian explorer returned from the Far East and told Europeans how to make ice cream. The French kings and queens liked ice cream so much that they kept it a secret from the common people. It didn't stay a secret for long!
This paragraph tells mainly
a) why Americans like ice cream
b) how ice cream has come to us
c) why the common people found the secret

b) how ice cream has come to us

400

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500

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Long ago

100

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200

Long ago, people had many superstitions about dreams. Some said that if people dreamed of the same thing three nights in a row, the dream would come true. Others believed that if a person told about the dream before breakfast, it would bring bad luck.
This paragraph tells mainly
a) how to make your dreams come true
b) what people believed about dreams
c) why people dream

b) what people believed about dreams

300

Long ago, people thought a sneeze cleared the mind. Four hundred years ago, people wanted to sneeze. It became the thing to do. The more people sneezed, the more important they were thought to be. People often bought snuff to help them sneeze.
This paragraph tells mainly
a) how sneezing helps us
b) what people once thought about sneezing
c) why snuff is important

b) what people once thought about sneezing

400

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500

In 1860, it took more than three weeks for mail to travel from the Mississippi River to California by stagecoach or boat. This prompted Senator William M. Gwin and William H. Russell to establish an express mail service between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. This service became known as the pony express. Young men would each ride about 75 miles a day. The riders exchanged horses at every station spaced about ten miles apart. Sending a letter by pony express from Missouri took ten days or less to reach California.
The main idea of this paragraph is that
a. communication across America has changed dramatically since the 19th century.
b. In its time, the pony express was a new and much faster way to send mail.
c. E mail is better than sending a letter.
d. Mr. Starner's dad is a mailman

b. In its time, the pony express was a new and much faster way to send mail?

Mix

100

There are many different kinds of mice. Some are good swimmers; others like to swing from trees by their tails. And one kind, the white-footed mouse, is not only a good swimmer and tree climber, but it's also quite musical! What is the main idea of this selection?

a.There are many different kinds of mice.

b.The white-footed mouse taps its paws in a drumming sound.

c.The woods of North America are full of mice.

d.Scientists study the habits of mice.

a.There are many different kinds of mice?

200

Miami, Florida is known as the "Magic City." It was given this name in 1895 by a magazine editor who believed Miami had a future as a great city. Three other US cities - Billings, Montana, Birmingham, Alabama and Barberton, Ohio - also have the nickname "Magic City."

This paragraph tells mainly

a) how Miami got its nickname

b) which four cities have the same nickname

c) why Billings, Montana was called the "Magic City"

a) how Miami got its nickname

300

Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings.

What is the main idea?

a. Ben Franklin was once 22 years old

b. Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books

c. Poor Richards Almanac was important

d. Ben Franklin is an important person

b. Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

400

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500

Eric gripped the bat in his hands. His palms were sweaty but he took a deep breath as he stepped up to the plate. He had to score a run or his team would lose the game. When the pitcher threw a fastball, Eric’s reflexes took over and he heard the “Crack!” of the bat hitting the ball. His heart raced with excitement as he ran to first base. He was safe! The main idea of this passage is: A. Eric plays baseball. B. Eric scores a homerun. C. How to play baseball. D. Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.

D. Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.