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Text Structure
Topic or Main Idea
Topic, Main Idea, or Detail
Find the Main Idea
More Main Idea and Topic
100

To surprise her mother on her birthday, Samantha got up early and make coffee. First, she filled the pot with water. Then she cleaned and replaced the filter. Next, she got fresh coffee, measured just the right amount, and poured it into the filter. Finally, she pressed the "on" button and within seconds, the aroma of the fresh-brewed coffee filled the house. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . 

What is sequence?

100
green monster
What is topic--this is too short to be a main idea
100
helmets
What is topic--it's one word
100
The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was very still. His green color made him hard to see. A bug flew near him. His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was still again. He waited for the next bug. The main idea in this passage is: Frogs are green. Frogs eat bugs. Frogs do not move. Frogs live in ponds.
What is frogs eat bugs.
100
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. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures. The topic of this paragraph is A) scary dogs B) passing fears C) two-to-four year olds' fear of animals D) common fears
What is B) passing fears
200

Willow Creek is very different from New York City. There are no tall skyscrapers in Willow Creek. All you can see are fields and sky. Instead of taxicab horns and fire truck sirens, it is so quiet at night that you can hear the crickets chirping. The MAIN text structure used in this paragraph is . . .



What is compare and contrast?

200
A green ogre must rescue a princess to reclaim his land.
What is main idea of Shrek.
200
Helmets have padding.
What is detail to support main idea.
200
It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down. The main idea in this passage is: Dessert is supposed to come last. The students had a backward day. It is hard to do things backward. Students failed their tests.
What is the students had a backward day.
200
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. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures. The stated main idea of this paragraph is A) Passing fears are common in early childhood. B) Many 2- to 4-year olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. C) By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. D) Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.
What is A) Passing fears are common in early childhood.
300

When Tim woke up, he didn’t want to go to school. His mom took him anyway. He went to school, but he didn’t do any work. The days passed, and Tim still didn’t do any work. Mr. Morton called Tim’s house, but Tim still wouldn’t do any work. Finally the report cards came out, and Tim failed his classes. Tim was sad.


What is cause and effect?

300
Sleeping dogs barking
What is topic.
300

Wearing a motorcycle helmet can save your life.

What is main idea. This is what it's all about.

300
The St. Lawrence Seaway was a joint project of the United States and Canada. Together, the two countries built a series of canals, locks, and channels. They connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean by way of the St. Lawrence River. The seaway opened up the central part of North America to shipping to and from Europe. It had been in use since 1959. The main idea in this passage is: the Atlantic Ocean the St. Lawrence Seaway Europe the St. Lawrence River
What is the St. Lawrence Seaway
300
Congratulations! 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. The point is, in order to negotiate the best possible salary, you must convince both yourself and the employer of the value that you will bring to the job. The topic of this paragraph is A) congratulations B) job offer C) new job D) negotiating salary
What is D) negotiating salary
400

One problem with every modern Olympics is that is has become very big and expensive to operate. The city or country that hosts the games often loses a lot of money. A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the athletic events and housing is needed for the athletes who come from around the world. And all of these facilities are only used for two weeks! In 1984, Los Angles solved these problems by charging a fee for companies who wanted to be official sponsors of the games. Companies like McDonald’s paid a lot of money to be part of the Olympics. Many buildings that were already being built in Los Angeles were also being used. The Coliseum where the 1932 games were held was used again and many colleges and universities in the area became playing and living areas. The main structure of the passage...

What is problem and solution?

400
Running from home
What is topic
400
Helmets must be fastened with the chin strap.
What is detail to support main idea
400
The musicians in an orchestra are often arranged in groups. The woodwinds sit together. The strings sit together. So do the brass and the percussion players. This way it is easier for the musicians to play together. Usually, the percussion is in the back. In front of them may be the brass section. The woodwinds and the strings are often seated nearest to the front. This produces a good, even sound for the audience to enjoy. The main idea in this passage is: How many instruments are in an orchestra? Why is percussion always in the back? How is an orchestra arranged? How do the people in an orchestra all play together?
What is how is an orchestra arranged
400
Don't wait for your company to send you to school. Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. If they don't have one, sign up for classes at a local college. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Put a high priority on learning new skills and on personal growth and professional development. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills. The topic of this paragraph is A) waiting for your company to send you to school B) the company's training program C) being a lifelong learner D) new software technology
What is C) being a lifelong learner
500

There are many theories about why the dinosaurs vanished from the planet. One theory that many people believe is that a gigantic meteorite smashed into the Earth. Scientists believe that the meteorite was very big and that the impact may have produced a large dust cloud that covered the Earth for many years. The dust cloud may have caused plants to not receive sunlight and the large plant eaters, or herbivores, may have died off, followed by the large meat eaters, or carnivores. This theory may or may not be true, but it is one explanation as to why these giant reptiles no longer inhabit the Earth. The way this text is organized...

What is cause and effect?

500
Syrian refugees flee the war in their country and head to Europe.
What is main idea.
500
Helmets should be approved by the Federal Transportation Safety Administration.
What is detail that supports the main ide
500
The best selling albums have sold millions of copies. The best seller of all was Michael Jackson's Thriller. The second best seller was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Albums by the Beatles, the Eagles, and Mariah Carey are also in the top ten. So are some movie soundtracks, including Grease. Each of these albums has sold over 20 million copies. The main idea in this passage is: best albums most famous rock stars pop albums best-selling albums
What is best selling albums
500
Don't wait for your company to send you to school. Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. If they don't have one, sign up for classes at a local college. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Put a high priority on learning new skills and on personal growth and professional development. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills. The stated main idea of this paragraph is A) Don't wait for your company to send you to school. B) Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. C) When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. D) Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills.
What is A) Don't wait for your company to send you to school. (All other options are details in the paragraph. This main idea is stated as the first sentence of the paragraph.)