Main Idea & Details
What is the main idea of paragraph 8?
The main idea is that Michelle Obama had many jobs that helped to make the community a better place. She helped in a hospital, reaching out to poor and rich people. She worked for the mayor.
How does the author begin the article? Why?
The author probably chose to begin with the day Michelle Obama became First Lady to show us why she is important. The author may have chosen to begin with this to get readers interested.
In the beginning of the article, the author uses the word "historic" in the subheading. What does this word mean?
In the section "A Historic Day", the word historic means an event that was special and will be remembered through time. For example, in paragraph two, it says that Barack Obama became the first African American president, and Michelle Obama became the first African American First Lady.
In Paragraph 3, why does the author mention the small apartment Michelle grew up in as a child?
The author mentions the small apartment to show that even if you live in a small apartment and have humble beginnings you can still become someone great, like the First Lady.
OR
The author wants readers to understand that Michelle was a regular person who worked hard to accomplish her goals, such as going to selective universities like Princeton and Harvard.
The text says, “[Her parents] taught Michelle and her brother to work hard at everything they tried.” Find details in the text that support this main idea.
Throughout her life, Michelle Obama has worked hard in everything she does. For example, she graduated with honors from Princeton University. After she had kids, she continued to work at her own job while volunteering in her daughters’ school and attending their events. As First Lady, she gave many speeches, she helped families of soldiers, and she taught people about healthy food and the importance of exercise.
How is the information in this article organized?
The text is organized with subheadings that break up the information into main ideas and details. These smaller sections also follow a chronological structure: telling the story of Michelle’s life.
In paragraphs 4 and 5 the author says that Michelle was on the “honor roll” and “graduated with honors.” What does this mean?
The words “honor roll” and “graduated with honors” show that Michelle did very well in school--she was recognized for her good work by being given ‘honors.’
Why did the author write this article?
The author most likely wrote this article to show that if you work hard, you can accomplish your goals. Michelle worked hard in school. For example, in the section called “A Hard Worker,” Michelle’s parents taught her to try her best. She skipped second grade and was on the honor roll in high school. The article also said she graduated second in her class. Michelle helped Barack run for president by giving speeches and helping him raise money.
What is the main idea, or central idea, of the article? Give details to support it.
The central message is that Michelle Obama is a hard-working and loving woman who wants to help others. When she was at Harvard, she joined protests to get more people of color hired as professors. In her many jobs, such as working for the mayor or at a hospital, she tried to make the community a better place. As First Lady, she taught about healthy food and invited children to help her tend the White House vegetable garden.
Where in the article does the author share the main/central idea?
The author shares the main/central idea in the section titled "A Hard Worker." Michelle was taught to work hard at everything she tried, and the author shows she continued to work hard throughout her life.
In the article it says that Michelle Obama studied Social Sciences at Princeton. What does Social Sciences mean and how do you know?
Social sciences means “how communities of people live together.” The author tells us this by using the word or after social sciences. This tells us the definition of social sciences.
How does the author show that Michelle Obama is a "special lady?"
The author uses many descriptive words to describe how special she is, like hardworking, helpful, smart, and loving. The author also gives examples of things Michelle did throughout her life to show how special she is.
The text mentions Sasha and Malia in every section. How do they relate to the main idea of the article?
The author includes Sasha and Malia to help show how Michelle Obama had to work hard to take care of her family and fulfill her job of being the First Lady.
How does the conclusion of the article relate to the beginning?
The end of the article concludes with information about Michelle Obama’s life as First Lady. This relates back to the beginning that told about the day she became First Lady.
The last section of the article is called "The Road to the White House." What does that mean? Is this an actual road?
This section is about Barack Obama’s campaign to become president. This is not an actual road. Instead, the author is teaching about the Obamas’ campaign journey.
In the section The Road to the White House the text says, “Michelle wanted to help.” How does the author develop this idea?
The author develops the idea that Michelle wanted to help Barack Obama by listing several ways she helped her husband’s campaign: she gave speeches, she raised money, she traveled with her husband, and she supported her daughters.