Central Idea
True or False: The central idea of a nonfiction text is one or two words long.
False
True or false: There can be multiple central ideas found in one nonfiction text.
True
What does the R stand for in RACE?
Restate the question into a statement.
What is evidence?
Information/exact words from the text to support one's ideas.
Give it food and it will live; give it water and it will die.
Fire
A central idea is found in nonfiction texts. What is the message called in fiction texts?
Theme
Is this a good example of a central idea? Explain your answer.
The central idea is tornadoes.
No, because a central idea is what you are learning about a topic and should never be one word.
What does the C stand for in RACE? What do I need to do for that?
Cite evidence or information from the text. If copying down the text, make sure to put that in quotation marks.
What evidence from the passage best supports the central idea that a dog's sense of smell is important?
When dogs meet, they sniff each other. Dogs use their sense of smell to learn about each other. Dogs can smell many things that people cannot smell. They explore the world with their noses. They can learn a lot through their sense of smell.
Answers may vary.
The more there is, the less you see.
Darkness
True or false: The central idea should be about a sentence long.
True
Is this a central idea? Explain your answer.
The Titanic was a luxurious ship that did not follow safety protocols.
Yes, because the central idea is what you are learning about a topic.
How would you restate this question into a statement: What is the central idea in Chew on This by Charles Wilson and Eric Schlosser?
The central idea in Chew on This by Charles Wilson and Eric Schlosser is...
What evidence from the passage best supports the central idea that Ashrita Furman has done amazing, record-breaking things?
Ashrita Furman has set or broken more than 79 records listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Two of his feats include race-walking the fastest mile while twirling a hula hoop, and walking 81 miles with a milk bottle on top of his head. He has also held the record for balancing 75 glasses on his chin and for going up and down Mt. Fuji in Japan on a pogo stick. Why? Furman feels these activities bring him inner peace.
Answers may vary.
What is a bunny’s favorite kind of music?
hip hop
What is a central idea?
The central idea is what the author is teaching you about a topic.
What is the central idea in this passage?
Tornadoes are spinning tubes of air that touch both the ground and a cloud above. Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 100 miles per hour, but extreme tornadoes reach speeds over 300 miles per hour! Tornadoes cause an average of 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries in the U.S. each year.
Answers may vary. Example: Tornadoes are very dangerous and damaging.
What needs more work in this RACE response?
The central idea is salmon. In the text, the FDA says that salmon “is no different than other farm-raised Atlantic salmon.” This evidence proves the central idea because the FDA, a trustworthy source, approved the salmon, so it has to be safe. Also, if the genetically modified salmon is no different and similar to natural salmon then it should pose no health risks. Regular salmon does not poison the body so modified salmon should not either. Therefore, the modified salmon is safe to eat.
The R and A in RACE.
What evidence from the passage best supports the central idea that Ashrita Furman likes to break records?
Ashrita Furman has set or broken more than 79 records listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Two of his feats include race-walking the fastest mile while twirling a hula hoop, and walking 81 miles with a milk bottle on top of his head. He has also held the record for balancing 75 glasses on his chin and for going up and down Mt. Fuji in Japan on a pogo stick. Why? Furman feels these activities bring him inner peace.
Furman feels these activities bring him inner peace.
What room do ghosts avoid?
The living room
What is one way you can find a central idea in a text?
Preview the text, review subtitles/repeated words, take note of important details, ask how do all of these important details fit together?, ask what am I learning about the topic overall?, etc.
What is the central idea in this passage?
George Washington was a great president. Washington's head can be found on a quarter and one dollar bill. There is also a tall stone structure in Washington, D.C. called the Washington Monument. George Washington even has a picture of his face carved on the side of a mountain! Schools and street names have been named after him, too. With all of those things to remind us, there's no way we can forget about our first president.
Answers may vary. Example: There are many ways that people celebrate and honor George Washington's life.
What is missing from this RACE response?
A central idea in the book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser is that fast food companies take advantage of people like kids and low income workers. One piece of information that supports the central idea is “Selling more soda to kids has become one of the easiest ways to meet sales projections.” Another piece of information that supports the central idea is “a low minimum wage has long been a crucial part of the fast food industry’s plan.”
Explaining how the pieces of evidence show the central idea.
What evidence from the passage best supports the central idea that a simple change can save water in the home?
As important as water conservation is, it is also very easy. A few simple habits can significantly reduce the water consumption of a household. One way to save water is to turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Also, don't allow faucets to drip; one drip can waste a large amount of water over a short period of time. Baths require less water than showers, so you can reduce the amount of water your home uses. In the kitchen, running a dishwasher when it is full, rather than half full, can save up to 20 gallons a day.
Answers may vary.
How many months have 28 days?
All of them