Main Ideas from Paragraphs
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: The Pennsylvania Railroad Company was set up in 1846. Originally, it was supposed to run between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. At first, it only had freight trains which carried goods and supplies. Then in 1848, it began running a passenger train. By 1856, the Pennsylvania Railroad went to Chicago, Illinois. After the Civil War, it went to Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Missouri, New York City, and other large cities.
The main idea is: The Pennsylvania Railroad Company grew over time. (or something similar)N
Not a Correct Option:
How the Pennsylvania Railroad Company grew over time.
When Leonardo was about 30 years old, he was invited to work for the Duke of Milan. While he lived in Milan, Leonardo continued to make works of art, but the Duke also employed him as a military engineer. Although Leonardo called war “beastly madness,” he designed some very dangerous weapons, including an armored cart that resembled a tank.
What are all the details in this paragraph that suggest Leonardo was a talented man? (2)
He continued to make words of art
He worked as a military engineer by designing dangerous weapons.
The man who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Who is Michelangelo?
What did the author want you to know about Isabella D'Estes?
She was a powerful woman who went beyond the expectations for wealthy women by becoming educated, a ruler of a city-state, and a patron of the arts. (or something similar)
The name of someone who pays for an artist to be able to focus on their work rather than where they might find their next meal.
What is a patron?
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year. Brach’s, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end. That’s a lot of candy corn, but that’s nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production. Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day! But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product, chocolate. Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year. Now that’s a mouthful!
The main idea is: A lot of candy is produced in the United States each year. (or something similar)
Not a Correct Option:
How a lot of candy is produced in the United States each year.
Leonardo explored almost every field of science, including optics, geology, botany, physics, and engineering. He made great advances in the study of anatomy. His notebooks are filled with highly detailed drawings of human bodies—not just the outside, but the inside, too.
Which are the details in this paragraph that show da Vinci as a scientist? Mark all that apply.
__Leonardo explored almost every field of science, including optics, geology, botany, physics, and engineering.
__He made great advances in the study of anatomy.
__His notebooks are filled with highly detailed drawings of human bodies—not just the outside, but the inside, too.
All three
The name of the technique used to show depth on a flat surface.
What is perspective?
What did the author want you to understand about the Northern Renaissance?
The Northern Renaissance happened after Northern countries were influenced by the art in Italy. Artists and patrons were in Germany, Flanders and other northern countries. (or something similar)
The person who was in charge of the Catholic Church. He often was also a patron of the arts.
Who is the pope?
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking and make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients. Next, use good tools and utensils. By using good tools you can minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Lastly, you should use top quality ingredients. If you use poor quality materials, you’ll create an inferior product. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available.
The main idea is: Making perfect cookies takes preparation and precision. (or something similar)
Not a Correct Option:
How you can make the perfect cookie.
(1)The Medici family was powerful and influential. (2)They were involved in trade and banking. (3)While staying with the Medici household, Michelangelo discussed art and literature with the finest minds of the time. (4)He studied the old masters in sculpture and painting. (5)His stay with the Medici family launched his career in the art world. (6)Cosimo de' Medici made generous gifts to charity. (7)Business in Florence was booming. (8)When Cosimo de’ Medici died at the age of 76, the grateful people of Florence gave him the title “Father of Our Country.”
Which sentences give evidence that the Medici's supported the arts?
3 and 5
Michelangelo's work of art that is described as a "strong, muscular human form"
What is David?
What did the author want you to understand about the Medici family?
The Medici family was an important family in Florence because they were wealthy and huge patrons of the arts. (or something similar)
A title for a person who is first learning a skill, trade or art.
What is an apprentice?
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. He is one of America's most famous writers. He was born in Missouri in 1835. When he was eighteen, Mark Twain left Missouri and worked as a printer in different cities. He wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The main idea is: Mark Twain is one of America's most famous writers. (or something similar)
Not a Correct Option:
How Mark Twain wrote some famous books.
(1)Although Renaissance men believed they could do almost anything, they didn’t think the same of women. (2)Men of the Renaissance believed that a young woman born into a noble, wealthy family had three duties: she should marry a rich man from an important family; she should be loyal to that husband; and she should give him sons. (3)Fathers preferred that their daughters marry rich and powerful men from other city-states or countries. (4)There was a good reason for this. (5)When the daughter of a prince in one city-state married the son of a ruler in another city-state, the two families would be much less likely to go to war. (6)With a son, daughter, and grandchildren between them, the two rulers would have too much in common to fight each other.
Which sentences prove that women could bring peace to a region?
2, 5, 6
The most important patron in Rome.
Who is the pope?
How should this main idea be improved?
During the Renaissance a book was written for the common people that told them not to smell their food or eat too fast.
***Daily Double***
This is not a main idea sentence because it is only talking about two facts. It could be improved by rewriting it possibly like this:
During the Renaissance a book was written for the common people that told them how to behave politely.
The people who would 'hang around' with royalty. They were supposed to behave a certain way.
Who are courtiers?
IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA: Solar ovens use energy from the sun. When a family uses a solar oven to cook their food, they do not have to collect wood for fuel or spend money to buy fuel. Because of these reasons solar ovens are a good option for many families in developing countries.
The main idea is: Solar ovens can help many people, especially in developing countries. (or something similar)
Not a Correct Option:
How solar ovens work and help people.
During the Middle Ages, impressive castles were constructed across the European landscape. Kings battled each other for land, and nations were born. People thought a lot about the path to heaven. Art was created to honor God, or to communicate stories from the Bible, which was important because few people were able to read during this time. To express religious devotion, medieval artists created stylized religious figures and moved away from the natural human form common in ancient Greek and Roman art.
Which events happened during the Middle Ages, according to this paragraph? Mark all that apply
1. There were many conflicts over territory. 2. Most people were educated so they could understand the Bible. 3. Art was made to tell religious stories. 4. Art was made modeled after Greek and Roman Art.
1 and 3
The artist who created paintings of the Madonna while in Florence.
Raphael
How can this main idea be improved?
The main idea is how da Vinci got his start in art.
You don't use question words (how) in informational/explanatory sentences. It doesn't give a reader a good big idea about how he got started.
Could be: Da Vinci started his art career by working as an apprentice.
Who was the inspiration for many of the artists and architects of the time? (Hint: 2 groups of people)
***Daily Double***
Who are the Ancient Romans and Ancient Greeks