Main Idea 1
Probably the best-known rodeo cowboy in the world is Larry Mahan. Mahan was the national champion six times before he was 30. He was good at every event and was so successful that he had his own plane. When he got too old to be in the rodeo, he didn't stop doing rodeo work. He started a rodeo school.
What is the main idea?
about the most famous rodeo cowboy in the world
The lack of gravity in space makes even simple tasks a challenge. Astronauts have to wear boots that hold their feet to the floor so that they can walk around. Eating is a real chore. Dried and frozen foods are stored in plastic bags. To eat chicken soup, the astronauts cut a hole in one end of the bag and squeeze the soup into their mouths.
What is the main idea?
why easy tasks are challenging in space
The whole team was over the moon when they won the championship.
What is the meaning of this idiom: over the moon?
very happy
You don't have to teach her, she knows the drill.
What is the meaning of this idiom: knows the drill?
knows how
"You built Deb's go-kart all by yourself?" Anthony asked. "Yup!" Brett said. "I had a lot of parts left over, too." Suddenly they heard a loud thud, and saw three wheels go rolling by. "BRETT!" Deb yelled.
We can infer that...
Deb's go-kart fell apart.
For years food chemists have tasted hot peppers used for chili sauce, catsup, and pizza, but people had a hard time figuring out the spiciness of the peppers. After eating two or three, their taste buds were burning. Now a machine can test different kinds of hot peppers. It measures the chemicals that provide the spicy taste of the peppers.
What is the main idea?
how a machine helps the hot-pepper industry
When you take a multiple-choice test, do you ever change your answers? Some scientists think that it is a smart thing to do. They found out that most students who change their answers make the right decision and make better scores on their tests.
What is the main idea?
what scientists think about answers
The test is this week, it's time to hit the books.
What does this idiom mean: hit the books?
study
He was sick for two weeks, I'm glad he is finally back on his feet.
What does this idiom mean: back on his feet?
healthy
Imagine testing glass by throwing chickens at it? Sometimes fast moving airplanes fly through flocks of birds. If the birds hit the windshield of a plane, the glass could shatter and cause a crash. Airplane manufacturers have made a chicken cannon that fires rubber chickens at glass windshields. If the windshield doesn't break when the rubber chicken hits it, the designers know that the glass can withstand the force of a real crash.
What is the main idea?
how a chick cannon tests glass
Some college teachers in Michigan have made a small computer that looks like an orange. It will be picked and handled like real fruit. Since much fruit is damaged on its way to market, this machine will measure shaking and temperature changes. The computerized orange will help people find ways to avoid damaging fruits during shipping.
What is the main idea?
about the purpose of the computerized orange
Because of his injury, he is going under the knife.
What does this idiom mean: going under the knife?
having surgery
She tripped and fell and is now bent out of shape.
What does this idiom mean: bent out of shape?
so upset
It takes more than food to make babies grow up to be healthy and happy. If babies are not patted and hugged, they grow more slowly and are less healthy. Also they will not be as smart or happy when they become adults. Many studies show that love is the most important thing in children's lives.
What is the main idea?
that children need love to grow up healthy
The spots on a fawn's coat let it hide in shady areas without being seen. The viceroy butterfly looks like the bad-tasting monarch, so birds avoid both. The hognose snake hisses and rolls on its back when it fears another animal. When the opossum is attacked, it plays dead. Distressed turtles hide in their shells until they're sure it's safe to come out again.
What is the main idea?
how some animals protect themselves
He studied for hours and is ready to call it a night.
What is the meaning of this idiom: call it a night?
go to bed
It's been a hard day, can you cut me some slack?
What is the meaning of this idiom: cut me some slack?
be a bit more kind
The rare Chinese panda lives on tender, young bamboo shoots. Most bamboo plants die right after flowering. Without the bamboo the pandas starve. Because some people fear that the rare pandas may die out, in some places food is given to the hungry animals. Some pandas are airlifted to places where bamboo is still plentiful.
What is the main idea?
how people are keeping pandas alive
Native Americans dried strips of meat, pounded it into a paste, and then mixed it with fat. Sometimes they added berries and sugar. Then they pressed itinto small cakes. They called thse cakes pemmmican. Pemmican didn't spoil, and it provided lots of energy for people traveling or goint hunting. Today explorers still carry and eat this food.
What is the main idea?
how pemmican was prepared by Native Americans
She's rude to everyone, if she's not careful she will burn all of her bridges.
What is the meaning of this idiom: burn all of her bridges?
ruin relationships
It'll be a cold day in July when I eat fish. I don't like seafood.
What is the meaning of this idiom: cold day in July?
never happen