Main Idea 1
Main Idea 2
Details
Topic
Fact and Opinion
100
What is the main idea?

On October 11, 1910, Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to fly in a plane. The flight took place after Roosevelt's last term as president. The plane had been built by the Wright brothers. The plane was flown by Arch Huxley for about four minutes. Roosevelt and Huxley took off from Kinloch Field in St. Louis, Missouri. Today, that field is home to that city's major airport.
Roosevelt being the first president to fly in a plane.
100
What is the main idea?

Some insects can go without food for half a year. Others can stay under water for a week and not be harmed. Some can be frozen stiff and then be all right. One bug was known to live for a year after its head was cut off.
Insect can withstand a lot without dying.
100
Which detail supports the main idea?
Adopting a dog should be as carefully considered a decision as having a child.
A. Both need loving companionship, food, shelter, medical care, exercise and stability. Both are totally dependent on you.
B. Cats are easy to take care of and don’t demand a lot of attention. On the other hand, dogs are more friendly and loyal.
C. Dogs are great companions for children and teach children a sense of responsibility. A dog will also protect your child from strangers.
D. Some dogs are better behaved and easier to get along with than some children are.
A. Both need loving companionship, food, shelter, medical care, exercise and stability. Both are totally dependent on you.
100
What is the topic?

The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot statue of woman holding a book and a torch. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become the universal symbol for freedom.
The Statue of Liberty
100
Which statement expresses an opinion?
A. "It was normal for him to eat 2 lbs of metal and glass a day."
B. "He claimed that they made him sick."
C. "Michel Lotito holds the most interesting record in the Guinness Book of World Records."
D. "During his lifetime, he had eaten 18 bicycles, 7 TV sets, 2 beds, several shopping carts, an airplane, and a computer."
C. "Michel Lotito holds the most interesting record in the Guinness Book of World Records."
200
What is the main idea?

The next time you come face to face with a mouse, take a good look at it. Isn't the mouse a sleek and beautiful little creature? Look at it's bright and lively eyes! How well formed it is! How quickly it moves!
Mice have very attractive features.
200
What is the main idea?

One of the best ways to lock a door is with a time lock. The lock is set for a certain time. It will not open before the time that has been set. It won't open when that time has passed. Banks find that time locks help keep your money safe.
Time locks are a great form of security.
200
Which detail supports the main idea?
Dandelions are an underrated flower.
A. Dandelions grow almost everywhere. Dedicated gardeners spend much time and energy to remove them.
B. Dandelions don’t have as lovely a fragrance as a rose. They are not so fragile as violet is either.
C. They do not require a lot of dedicated care to bloom, and children can make them into happy bouquets for moms.
D. Dandelions were so named because the petals are shaped like the teeth of a lion.
C. They do not require a lot of dedicated care to bloom, and children can make them into happy bouquets for moms.
200
What is the topic?

Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagara River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagara Falls is located on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high.
Niagara Falls
200
Which of these is a fact?
A. "Even so-called quality television is nothing more than sugar for the brain."
B. "Television is robbing our children of their brains."
C. "Weekend viewing should be kept to a maximum of four hours each day."
D. "Other studies have found a connection between kids' ability to learn and TV habits."
D. "Other studies have found a connection between kids' ability to learn and TV habits."
300
What is the main idea?

Flush toilets were first used in India and Pakistan over 2,700 years ago. There were also toilets in ancient Egypt and China. In the Roman Empire, toilets were part of some public bath houses for men and women. Then, in 1775, Alexander Cummings invented part of the flush toilet called the S-trap. This part used standing water to seal the outlet of the bowl. This kept the smell from the sewer from escaping. The S-trap is still used today.
Flush toilets have been around for a long time.
300
What is the main idea?

All living things have a beginning and an ending. Life begins with birth and ends with death. Between life and death, living things grow and mature. For example, tadpoles are born and then grow and change into frogs. Before the frogs die, they reproduce and make more tadpoles, which completes the cycle of life. What would happen if no new frogs were born to replace those that died? The answer is simple. There would be no more frogs in the world. They would become extinct. The goal of all living things is to survive. Because all living things eventually die, they must reproduce to keep the species alive.
Reproduction is a necessary part of life.
300
Which sentence does not belong?
There was music in the park this month. A different band played everyday. Children played on the swings. Many people listened to the music. The music was very relaxing.
A. The music was very relaxing.
B. Many people listened to the music.
C. A different band played everyday.
D. Children played on the swings.
D. Children played on the swings.
300
What is the topic?

The doctor is a person who looks after the sick people and prescribes medicines so that the patient recovers fast. In order to become a doctor, a person has to study medicine. Doctors lead a hard life. Their life is very busy. They get up early in the morning and go to the hospital. They work without taking a break. They always remain polite so that patients feel comfortable with them. Since doctors work so hard we must realize their value.
Doctors
300
Hurricane Katrina hit land in the U.S. in August of 2005. It was the third-strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the U.S. 1,836 Americans lost their lives in the storm. It was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. in nearly 80 years.
This paragraph includes
A. all opinions.
B. all facts.
C. mostly opinions.
D. mostly facts.
B. All Facts
400
What is the main idea?

Nutrias are causing major problems in Louisiana. Someone brought the rodents to the state 40 years ago, hoping to make a fortune from the furs. Nobody wanted to buy the furs, and now the animals roam freely. They're destroying the wetlands. They eat the roots of the water plants along the canals. The plants die, and the banks of the canals begin to erode. The animals are costing the state millions of dollars, and no one seems to know what to do with them.
Nutrias are causing major problems in Louisiana.
400
What is the main idea?

Mad cow disease has received a lot of news attention lately. It is a brain disease in cattle. It causes odd behavior, difficulty walking, and eventually death. Scientists believe this disease came about recently. It comes from feeding cattle extra vitamins that have parts from sick sheep.
Mad cow disease affects cattle after they eat infected vitamins.
400
Which does not belong?
Topic: educational subjects
a.___ I am taking Algebra this year.
b.___ My neighbor is Ms. Walters.
c.___ A good writing course will help me communicate more effectively.
d.___ History is one of my favorite subjects.
b.___ My neighbor is Ms. Walters.
400
What is the topic?

The United States is a large country. It is the third largest in the whole world! It is located in a continent called North America. Parts of the United States touch three different oceans. The United States has tall mountains, wide plains, deserts, hills, rivers, lakes, volcanoes, and even rainforests! People from all over the world have come to live in the United States.
The United States
400
Which of these is an opinion?
A.The word "marathon" comes from a fabled Greek battle.
B. The marathon was one of the events in the 1896 Olympics.
C. Marathons are difficult to complete.
D. A marathon is a 26-mile foot race.
C. Marathons are difficult to complete.
500
What is the main idea?

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface.
Several events can change the Earth's surface.
500
What is the main idea?

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.
Floods can cause a lot of damage.
500
Which sentence does not belong?
Topic: modes of transportation
a.___ I mow the lawn every week with my father.
b.___ Spaceships travel through space.
c.___ My two feet will take me about anywhere I wish to go.
d.___ A unicycle is tricky but fun to ride
a.___ I mow the lawn every week with my father.
500
What is the topic?

Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical theater an actor's dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is presented using the primary elements of theater such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.
Opera
500
19. Which of the following statements is a fact?
A. Jarvis is a kind and appreciative student. B. Jarvis got an A on his social studies test last week.
C. Ms. Tinkle is the best teacher in the world.
D. Ms. Tinkle deserves to win the Teacher of the Year prize.
B. Jarvis got an A on his social studies test last week.