Educational Software Cooperative 4

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Educational Software Cooperative 4 / Educational Software Cooperative 4.iso / dpr / mainidea < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1993-10-05 | 87.6 KB | 2,269 lines

carrots tomatoes celery socks Which item does NOT belong? 4 socks carrots celery tomatoes Carrots belong to the class of items that correctly make up this list. Think about how carrots are used. Celery belongs to the class of items that correctly make up this list. Think about how celery is used. Tomatoes belong to the class of items that correctly make up this list. Think about how tomatoes are used. 3 M soccer history football baseball Which item does NOT belong to the list? 4 history baseball soccer football Baseball fits among the related words on this list. Think about what baseball is. Soccer fits among the related words on this list. Think about what soccer is. Football fits among the related words on this list. Think about what football is. 3 M I am white. I am a liquid. I am good to drink. What am I? 4 I am milk. I am soda. I am paint. I am water. Soda is not white. Although paint can be white, it is not good to drink. Although water is good to drink, it is not white. 3 M car train bus boat Which word does NOT fit? 4 boat car bus train Car fits among the related items on this list. Think about where a car goes. Bus fits among the related items on this list. Think about where a bus goes. Train fits among the related items on this list. Think about where a train goes. 3 M Cutting the lawn can be a dull job. Besides cutting row after row of grass, you must trim the edge of the grass afterwards with a special cutter. If the grass is high, you may have to rake the grass clippings off the cut grass. The best name for this paragraph would be: 4 The Boredom of Lawn Mowing Your Lawn and You How to Keep Your Lawn Green Your Lawn Can Be Fun This title does not show the feeling behind the paragraph. There is nothing in the paragraph about keeping one's lawn green. Read the first sentence again, and you will see that the author thinks caring for the lawn is a dull job. 3 V cat hamster bear dog Pick the word that does NOT fit. 4 bear dog cat hamster Dog fits among the related words on this list. Think about where you might see a dog. Cat fits among the related words on this list. Think about where you might see a cat. Hamster fits among the related words on this list. Think about where you might see a hamster. 3 M pigeon toad robin blue jay Pick the word that does NOT belong to the list. 4 toad robin pigeon blue jay Robin has something in common with the other creatures that correctly belong on this list. Think about how a robin gets from place to place. Pigeon has something in common with the other creatures that correctly belong on this list. Think about how a pigeon gets from place to place. Blue jay has something in common with the other creatures that correctly belong on this list. Think about how a blue jay gets from place to place. 3 M Police officers are very helpful people. If you are lost, you can ask a police officer for directions. If you are hurt, a police officer will get you help. Whenever you are in trouble, always think of your neighborhood police officer. The best title for this would be: 3 Your Friendly Police Officer Happy Police Officer Neighborhood Police Officers We are not told how police officers feel about their activities. Read the first sentence again. It will help you choose a good title for the paragraph. Although this point is mentioned, it is not the main point of the paragraph. Read the first sentence again. It will help you choose a good title. 3 M It has four wheels. It needs gas. It can carry five or six people. Mom and Dad use it to get to work. What is it? 3 a car a bicycle a bus A bicycle has two wheels and needs no gas. A bus has more than four wheels and carries a lot more than five or six people. 3 M meat fish bread pizza Choose the best title for this list. 4 Food Seafood Italian Food Wheat Products Although fish is a type of seafood, there are other items on the list that aren't seafood. Although pizza is an Italian dish, there are other items on the list that could fit most ethnic groups. Although bread is a wheat product, there are other items on the list that aren't wheat products. 3 M petunia maple redwood pine Which word does NOT fit? 4 petunia maple redwood pine Maple fits among the related words on this list. Think about the kind of plant a maple is. Redwood fits among the related words on this list. Think about the kind of plant a redwood is. Pine fits among the related words on this list. Think about the kind of plant a pine is. 3 M shirt shoes socks sandals What would be the best title for this list? 3 Clothing Words Beginning With S Footwear While all of these words do indeed begin with S, they are related in a more important way, namely the category they all fit into. Although three of these items are indeed types of footwear, there is one exception. Therefore, this title doesn't fit. 3 M Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering America in 1492. However, there is considerable evidence that the Vikings sailed to America about A.D. 1000. Other accounts tell of Phoenician voyagers coming to America as early as ten thousand years ago. The main idea of the paragraph is: 3 Christopher Columbus did not necessarily discover America. Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. The Phoenicians discovered America. Read the second sentence, and you will see that it begins with "However". This is a clue that the author has a different idea on the subject. Although this possibility is mentioned, it is only a detail, not the main idea. 4 M Arkansas California Florida New York Ohio What would be the best title for this list? 3 States Cities Countries Although New York can also be the name of a city, this list does not represent cities. Think about how all these words are related. The list does not contain the names of any countries. Think about how these words are related. 4 M Most pets have short lives. Cats, for example, rarely live more than 15 years. An exception to this is any large talking bird. Certain kinds of macaws can live over 100 years. Parrots can live to be 50, and myna birds can live to be 80. People have passed these pets from generation to generation. The main idea of the paragraph is: 3 Some birds can live to be very old. Parrots can live to be 50. Most pets have short lives. This is a detail. Read the last sentence of the paragraph again and think about the pets which are the topic of the text. This is a general introduction. Read the last sentence of the paragraph again and think about the pets which are the topic of the text. 4 M A Venus' fly trap is a carnivorous plant. A carnivorous plant eats insects or other types of meat. The Venus' fly trap uses hand-like leaves to capture its prey, usually flies. It stays open until a fly lands on it. Then the 'hands' close quickly, trapping the fly. It takes about three days for the plant to fully digest the fly. Finish this sentence with the main idea of the paragraph: The Venus' fly trap ------------. 4 is carnivorous has hand-like leaves stays open is dangerous This is a detail. Read the first sentence again to find the main idea. This is a detail. Read the first sentence again to find the main idea. This is not true, except for its prey. Even from the fly's point of view, this is not the main idea of the paragraph. 4 M (1) A good place to hunt for rocks is a quarry. (2) A quarry is an open pit where large rocks are dug out of the earth. (3) This digging leaves a big hole. (4) Often you can find interesting fossils and other rocks in a quarry. The main idea of the paragraph is in sentence number ----. 4 (1) (2) (3) (4) This sentence provides a detail about the main idea. This sentence provides a detail about the main idea. This sentence reinforces the main idea, but does not state the main idea. 4 M Battle of Gettysburg Boston Tea Party World War II Election of President Roosevelt Choose the best title for this list: 3 Historical Events Wars Battles Look for a title that will relate to the entire list. Look for a title that will relate to the entire list. 4 M Paris Rio de Janeiro New York City Los Angeles What is the best name for this list? 3 Large Cities American Cities Cities Not all of these cities are American. There is another category which better describes this list. Although all of these are cities, there is a more specific title for this list. 4 M Many states have nicknames based on plants that grow there. Ohio, for example, is the Buckeye State, while Connecticut is the Nutmeg State. Others are more general, like New Jersey, the Garden State. The best title for this paragraph is: 4 States Nicknamed After Plants States and Their Nicknames The Buckeye State The Garden State Although this is indeed the paragraph's topic, it is not specific enough to be the best title. ALthough the paragraph mentions this, it is a detail. Read the first sentence again to find the main idea. Although this is mentioned in the paragraph, it is not its main idea. 4 M ant ladybug bee robin Which word on the list does NOT fit? 4 robin ant ladybug bee Ant belongs to the class of items that correctly makes up this list. Think about the kind of creature an ant is. Ladybug belongs to the class of items that correctly makes up this list. Think about the kind of creature a ladybug is. Bee belongs to the class of items that correctly makes up this list. Think about the kind of creature a bee is. 4 M The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France for the United States' Centennial in 1876. It was transported piece by piece to Liberty Island, where it was reassembled and where it still stands. Millions of people visit the Statue every year. It stands as a symbol of America's welcome to immigrants. What is the main idea of this paragraph? 3 The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom. The Centennial was in 1876. The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. This is a detail. Read the last sentence to find out what the paragraph is about. This is a detail. Read the last sentence again to find out what the paragraph is about. 4 M It is important to be careful if you bank at an automatic cash machine. If your card is stolen by someone who knows your code, all of your money could be withdrawn. This can be avoided by keeping your code secret and not letting anyone else see you punch your code into the machine. What would be a good title for this passage? 3 Automatic Banking Requires Caution Cash Machines Thefts at Automatic Cash Machines This title is too general. Read the first sentence again to find out what the paragraph is about. The paragraph cautions people about this subject. Read the first sentence again to find out what the paragraph is about. 4 M Taking the bus to another city can be complicated. You should check the prices to see which bus line is cheapest. It is also important to know where in town the bus stops as well as what time it arrives. If you have to make a transfer, it becomes even more complex. The best title for this paragraph would be: 3 Taking the Bus: Harder than You Think Prices in the Bus Industry Going for a Bus Ride Although this topic is mentioned, it is not the main idea of the paragraph. This is too general a title. Read the first and last sentences again. They will help you find a better title. 4 M The Panama Canal was one of the world's greatest feats of engineering. Several countries worked on it. Many workers died building it, mostly of heat exhaustion or malaria. After years of construction and millions of dollars, the canal was completed, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The main idea of this paragraph is: 3 The Panama Canal was an enormous project. Several nations participated in building the canal. The canal was expensive. This is a detail. Read the first sentence again to find out what this paragraph is about. This is a detail. Read the first sentence again to find out what this paragraph is about. 5 M airplane pigeon glider mailbox Which of the following does NOT belong on the list? 4 mailbox pigeon airplane glider All but one of the items on this list have one common quality. Pigeons have this quality. All but one of the items on this list have one common quality. Airplanes have this quality. All but one of the items on this list have one common quality. Gliders have this quality. 5 M mop nails hammer drill What would be the best title for this list? 3 Things You Can Buy in a Hardware Store Things You Use When Building a Wooden Box Things That You Keep in a Toolbox You would not need a mop. Think about where you would see these items together. A mop is too long for a toolbox. Think about where you would see all these things together. 5 M The Crossing of the Delaware is a great historical painting at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. It depicts the raid on Hessian mercenaries by General George Washington's troops on Christmas Day, 1776. The battle was significant because it was one of the first American victories against the British during the American Revolution. A good title for this paragraph would be: 4 The Crossing of the Delaware The American Revolution Christmas Bloodshed Christmas Day, 1776 This title is far too vague. The paragraph only deals with a small segment of the Revolution. There is no graphic description of bloodshed here. Read the first sentence to find the main idea. This is a detail. Read the first sentence to find the main idea of the paragraph. 5 M apple pie cheese cake ice cream strawberries and cream chocolate pudding What is the best name for this list? 4 desserts fruits foods fattening foods Although fruit is mentioned, there are items on the list that are not fruits. Although all the items on the list are food, there is a more specific category into whch they all fit. Although all these foods might very well be fattening, there is a more specific category into which they all fit. 5 M The great stock market crash occurred in October of 1929, when artificially high stock prices in New York suddenly collapsed. Millions of dollars were lost, and thousands of businesses closed. This plunged the nation into the Great Depression. Now there are safeguards to ensure that the fickle stock market will not cause the collapse of the economy. The main idea of the paragraph is: 4 It is important to limit the stock market's influence on the economy. The nation was plunged into a Great Depression in 1929. There are now safeguards on the stock market. In 1929 thousands of businesses closed. This is a detail. Read the last sentence again to find the main idea of the paragraph. This is a detail. Read the last sentence again to find the main idea of the paragraph. This is a detail. Read the last sentence again to find the main idea of the paragraph. 5 M geraniums daffodils tulips marigolds Choose the best title for this list: 4 Garden Flowers Plants House Plants Red Flowers Although all the items on this list are plants, there is a more specific category into which they all fit. Although some of the plants here can be grown inside, some of them cannot. Although some of these flowers are red, not all of them are red. 5 M Certain insects have life spans of only a few days, or even hours for some species. The mayfly, for example, is a larva for months. When it emerges from its cocoon in the spring, it lives only for about a day. It dies due to starva- tion, because it has no way to eat. A good title for this paragraph would be: 4 The Short Life of the Mayfly The Life and Death of Certain Insects Certain Insects The Mayfly There is a more specific title than this. Read the third sentence again. It will tell you the main subject of the paragraph. This title only relates to the general introduction. Read the third sentence again to see the main idea of the paragraph. There is a more specific title than this. Read the third sentence again. It will tell you what to add to the title. 5 M If you drive, it is important to know the differences in laws from state to state, and even among different cities. For example, some places allow turning right at a red light after a full stop; others do not. Some places have much higher speed limits than other places. What is the main idea of the passage? 4 You should know traffic laws everywhere you drive. Turning right on red can result in a ticket. Speed limits vary from place to place. Different states have different traffic laws. This is inferred from the text, the main idea can be found in the first sentence. This is a detail. Reread the first sentence to find the main idea. This is a detail. Reread the first sentence to find the main idea. 5 M firefighter post office worker street cleaner Social Security advisor Pick the best title for this list: 4 Public Service Workers Poorly Paid People Jobs Nice People This is a matter of opinion. Some people might believe that these people are well-paid. These are jobs, but there is a more specific answer. This is a matter of opinion. If you don't like these people, this title doesn't fit. 5 M Living in a big city has certain disadvantages. One of the most obvious is that there is more crime there. That is why it is important to take certain precautions to protect one's apartment. Metal bars or gates on the windows, strong locks, and burglar alarms are just a start. For true protection, one must have a doorman 24 hours a day. What is the best title? 4 Security in the Big City Crime in the Big City Living in a Big City 24 Hour a Day Doormen Reread the third sentence. The emphasis is on protection, not crime. A more specific title would be better. Reread the third sentence. This is a detail of the text. Read the third sentence again. It will tell you the main idea. 5 M John Philip Sousa's two favorite sports were horseback riding and baseball. Next to these he liked trapshooting best. He entered the national shoots regularly and shot well over 15,000 targets some seasons. In 1916 he was elected president of the American Ama- teur Trapshooters Association. The following year he became chairman of the National Association of Shotgun Owners. What is a good title for this paragraph? 3 Sousa: A Man Who Liked to Shoot Sousa's Two Favorite Sports Sousa Wins Elections The paragraph is mainly about his third favorite sport which is named in the second sentece. This is a detail. Reread the second sentence. It will help you choose a good title for the text. 5 M There is a great deal of disagreement over who is the world's oldest man. There is a man in China who claims to be 142 years old, a man in Russia who claims he is 161 years old, and numerous people who claim to be at least 120. The documented oldest per- son died at age 113. Many old people have trouble with arthritis. Which of the above sentences does NOT belong? 4 Many old people have trouble with arthritis. There is a man in China who claims to be 142 years old. Numerous people claim to be 120 years old. There is a man in Russia who claims to be 161 years old. This is a detail that supports the main idea of this text, which can be found in the first sentence. This is a detail that supports the main idea of this text, which can be found in the first sentence. This is a detail that supports the main idea of this text, which can be found in the first sentence. 6 M We can only guess at how man learned to make fire. Perhaps some people came across a fire started by lightning in a storm and saw a way to keep and spread it. Perhaps they noticed that rubbing certain rocks together results in sparks that kindle fire. In any case, it is clear that the taming of fire was one of the most important advances made by man. A good title for this paragraph would be: 3 The Discovery of Fire Evolution of Man Fire and Lightning Although this general topic applies to the paragraph, it does not specifically relate to it. The connection between fire and light- ning is a detail that supports the main idea of this text, which can be found in the first sentence. 6 M June February July August Choose the word that does NOT fit: 4 February June July August June fits among the months on this list that have something in common. Think about which months belong to to which seasons. July fits among the months on this list that have something in common. Think about which months belong to which seasons. August fits among the months on this list that have something in common. Think about which months belong to which seasons. 6 M Political cartoonists are artists who lampoon, or make fun of, politicians and political events. Their work usually appears on the editorial page of the newspaper. Many great cartoonists started by becoming friends with cartoonists when they were children. There are fewer than 100 people in the United States who can make a living by editorial cartooning, so it's not for everyone. A good title for this would be: 3 Editorial Cartooning: Not for Everyone How Political Cartoonists Confront the Issues Politicans and Political Events The text mentions what political cartoonists do, not how they do it. Read the last sentence again. It tells you what the text is about. This is a detail. Read the last sentence again. It tells you what the text is about. 6 M sweater woolen socks shorts gloves Which of these does NOT belong on the list? 4 shorts sweater woolen socks gloves Sweater relates to the other items that properly belong on this list. Think about when you might wear a sweater. Woolen socks relates to the other items that properly belong on this list. Think about when you might wear woolen socks. Gloves relates to the other items that properly belong on this list. Think about when you might wear gloves. 6 M During the time of the Roman Empire, the reigning Caesar would be honored by a chariot parade through Rome after a great victory in battle. Riding in the chariot next to the Caesar was a slave, who was ordered to whisper repeatedly, "You are mortal, you are mortal," into Caesar's ear. The idea was that Caesar should not start to believe that he was a god. Choose a good title for this passage. 3 A Lesson in Humility The Role of Slaves in the Roman Empire Return from the Battle The slave is mentioned as a detail to support the main idea of the text. Reread the last sentence. It will help you choose a good title for this text. This does not deal with the key concept in the paragraph. Reread the last sentence. It will help you choose a good title for this text. 6 M Freshly baked bread is far tastier and healthier than bread bought at the supermarket. This is because the ingredients are natural and there are no chemicals or preservatives. You can even make it on top of the stove instead of inside the oven if you want. Choose a good title for this passage. 3 The Advantages of Home-Made Bread Baking Bread Baking Bread Without an Oven This title is too vague. Reread the first sentence. It will help you choose a good title for the text. The paragraph only mentions this. Reread the first sentence. It will help you choose a good title for the text. 6 M Various customs in Japan are unfamiliar to Americans. While Americans prefer soft pillows for sleeping, the Japanese like hard ones. We lower our heads to pray; they raise theirs. When arriving at a house, the Japanese remove their shoes while Americans remove their hats. We open gifts in front of the giver; they never do. We wear black for mourning; they wear white. Choose a good title for this paragraph. 3 Different Cultures Customs in the United States Customs in Japan The paragraph does not deal with American customs exclusively. Reread any sentence to help you choose a good title for the text. The paragraph does not deal with Japanese customs exclusively. Reread any sentence to help you choose a good title for this text. 6 M Trees are very important. Their roots hold soil together and prevent erosion. They produce nuts and fruits and provide kindling and timber. They provide shade and keep water in the ground. The world would probably be a desert without trees. The best title for this paragraph would be: 3 The Value of Trees Trees As a Food Source How Trees Prevent Soil Loss Although this is mentioned in the text, it is only a detail. Both the first and last sentences provide a clue to a better title. Although this is mentioned in the text, it is only a detail. Both the first and last sentences provide a clue to a better title. 6 M The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station in the middle of town is the last reminder of the days when trains stopped frequently to take passengers to places like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York. Now the station sits abandoned and run-down. Every morning at five, a freight train en route to the coal yards speeds past the old station. What is the main idea of the story? 3 The days of the railroad are over. There is a B and O Railroad station in the middle of town. A freight train speeds past the station every morning. This is a detail that supports the main idea of the text. Reread the last half of sentence one for a clue to a more appropriate title. This is a detail that supports the main idea of the text. Reread the last half of sentence one for a clue to a more appropriate title. 6 M Toll bridges were first established under the premise that the tolls would repay the costs of building the bridges. The tolls were supposed to stop after repayment was completed. However, local governments soon realized that they could easily make more money from the tolls, so they continue to collect them even though most of the bridges are long paid for. Choose a good title for this paragraph. 3 Money-Making Bridges The Interstate Toll Structure The Cost of Building a Toll Bridge The paragraph does not deal with specific tolls. Reread the second and third sentences to help you choose a good title for the text. The paragraph does not deal with a specific cost. Reread the second and third sentences to help you choose a good title for the text. 6 M shopping center schoolyard your home public park Which word in the list does NOT fit? 4 your home schoolyard public park shopping center Schoolyard fits among the related words on this list. Think about who has the use of these places. Public park fits among the related items on this list. Think about who has the use of these places. Shopping center fits among the related items on the list. Think about who has the use of these places. 6 M Manhattan, the main part of New York City, is an island. Because of that, land in Manhattan is limited. The building of the subways helped to enlarge the size of Manhattan at the beginning of the century. Digging subway tunnels under the streets left thousands of tons of dirt. The dirt was dumped into the Hudson River, adding more land to Manhattan. A good title for this would be: 3 How the Subways Helped Manhattan Grow Manhattan Is an Island Real Estate in New York City Although this is true, it is a detail of a larger subject. Read the second sentence again for help in choosing a good title for this text. Real estate is a general topic. Read the second sentence again for help in choosing a good title for this text. 7 M In many large cities, people living on the first floor of apartment buildings have permanent bars on their windows to keep burglars out. However, in case of fire this can be very dangerous, as it could trap the occupants inside the burning building. Instead, it is a good idea to have bars attached by a lock that opens from the inside to allow for escape. A good title for this paragraph is: 3 Keep Security Measures Safe The Need for Window Bars The Problem of Urban Fires This paragraph only touches on this subject. To help choose a good title, reread the last sentence. This paragraph only touches on this subject. To help choose a good title, reread the last sentence. 7 M Living in the country has its advantages. However, many people prefer the city because of its proximity to stores, theaters, and offices. If you live in the country, you have to drive for miles just to buy postage stamps, groceries, or newspapers and books. In the city, you can get these things on your block, often even at night. A good title for this paragraph: 3 The Advantages of Living in the City The Advantages of Living in the Country Driving for Miles in the Country The paragraph does not mention the advantages of country living. To help you choose a good title, reread the second sentence. This is a detail which helps develop the main idea. To help you choose a good title, reread the second sentence. 7 M (1) The accident happened suddenly. (2) Mrs. Smith was on her way to visit her sister. (3) She turned left without checking side traffic and was sideswiped by a man in a pickup truck. (4) Luckily no one was hurt, and Mrs. Smith's car was intact. (5) The man's truck, on the other hand, was badly damaged when he skidded into a bridge support. Which sentence does NOT relate to the main idea of the story? 3 Sentence 2 Sentence 1 Sentence 4 This sentence fits into the paragraph very well. In fact, it provides a clue to the main idea which is in sentence 3. This sentence provides a detail that relates to the main idea which is in sentence 3. 7 M (1) Tom wanted a cat. (2) He took his parents to several pet stores to shop for a cat. (3) Three hours later, they realized that they would have to spend a lot of money to buy a cat. (4) Then, they remembered that at the animal shelter cats were free. (5) Some cats have orange and brown stripes. Which sentence does NOT develop the main idea of the paragraph? 3 Sentence 5 Sentence 2 Sentence 4 The main idea is contained in sentence 1. This sentence helps to develop the main idea. This sentence contributes to the logical development of the paragraph. Reread sentence 1 for the main idea. 7 M accountant student salesperson telephone operator Which of these items does NOT fit with the others? 4 student accountant salesperson telephone operator Accountant fits among the related items on this list. Think about what the person does. Salesperson fits among the related items on this list. Think about what the person does. Telephone operator fits among the related items on this list. Think about what the person does. 7 M The police car flew past Mrs. Ray's car. Mrs. Ray thought to herself, "There must have been some terrible accident." A few minutes later, she drove past the doughnut shop, where three policemen sat in the same police cruiser, laughing and eating. "Small-town cops with nothing to do," she thought to herself. The paragraph mainly describes: 3 a woman's observation how the police drove hungry police at a doughnut shop This helps the woman develop her opinion which is found in the last sentence. This helps the woman develop her opinion which is found in the last sentence. 7 M As Susan and Felicia drove through a small Western town, Susan said, "These small towns make all of their money from speeding tickets. That's why I always have radar-detection equipment and a CB radio when I drive." With that, a policeman pulled up next to them and motioned to Susan to pull over. Felicia couldn't help laughing. A good title for this passage would be: 3 A Lesson in Overconfidence. Getting a Speeding Ticket. Susan's and Felicia's Car Trip. This is only part of the main idea. Think about what Susan said before this happened. The text is about a small part of their trip. Therefore, a more specific title would be better. 7 M Peter had taken French in school. When he went to Paris for the first time, he spent most of his time driving around town in his rented car, buying cheap souvenirs in gift shops. He visited all the tourist traps, such as the Eiffel Tower. When he came home, he was upset when he realized that he had not made any effort to speak to any people and practice his French. This paragraph is mostly about: 3 a man who was upset after his trip to Paris a man who studied French the sights of Paris Although this is mentioned, it is not the primary topic. To find the primary topic reread the last sentence. Although these are mentioned, they are not the main idea of the passage. To find the main idea reread the last sentence. 7 M It is a good idea to check foreign currency exchange rates before travel- ing. Try to visit countries that offer favorable rates, i.e., that give more of their currency for your currency. The better the rate is, the more you can buy. Be aware, however, that these rates change frequently. This paragraph decribes: 3 the importance of knowing exchange rates traveling abroad shopping in other countries This is too general. To find the main idea reread the first sentence. This is only briefly touched upon in this paragraph. To find the main idea reread the first sentence. 7 M Connecticut Colorado Massachusetts Rhode Island Choose the word that does NOT fit: 4 Colorado Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut This fits among the related states named here. Think about where Massachusetts is located. This fits among the related states named here. Think about where Rhode Island is located. This fits among the related states named here. Think about where Connecticut is located. 7 M robbery murder theft vandalism Choose the best title for this list: 3 Crimes Property Crimes Discourtesies Look for a more general category for the items. The items on this list are more serious than discourtesies. Think about how they relate to each other. 7 M Seeing Eye dogs play an important role in society. For most of their lives, they are responsible for leading a blind person. To do this job, they must be intelligent, gentle, and teachable. Guide dogs undergo months of training, and for this reason they are usually quite expensive. This paragraph mainly describes: 3 the significance of Seeing Eye dogs the cost of Seeing Eye dogs the training of Seeing Eye dogs This is a detail. Reread the first sentence to find the main idea. This is a detail. Reread the first sentence to find the main idea. 8 M When under great stress, the human brain triggers the release of certain hormones, such as adrenalin, into the bloodstream. These hormones can cause a person to gain unusual strength. For example, a twelve-year-old boy who found his father trapped under the wheels of his car when the jack slipped was able to lift the car off his father. This paragraph is MAINLY about: 3 the effects of stress hormones trapped parents lifting cars off people Although this is mentioned, it is a detail. Reread the second sentence to find the main idea. This is an example. Reread the sentence to find the main idea. 8 M Neil Armstrong was the first human being to walk on the moon. He did it on the American Apollo II mission during the summer of 1969. Although he could have made a lot of money in advertising afterward, he chose to return to Ohio, his home state, and become a professor of aeronautical engineering instead. A good title for this passage would be: 3 Return of an Ohio Boy The Life and Times of Neil Armstrong The American Apollo II Mission The paragraph does not go into the depth necessary to use this title. Reread the last sentence for a clue to a more appropriate title. This is a detail, not the main idea. Reread the last sentence for a clue to a more appropriate title. 8 M Soccer has long been the national pastime of most European and South American nations. Recently it has become quite popular in the United States, especially among students. However, it is unlikely that it will replace baseball or football as the most popular American sport. What is the main idea of this paragraph? 3 Soccer is becoming more popular in the U.S.A. Soccer is popular among students in the United States. Soccer is popular in Europe and South America. This is a detail. Read the second sentence again to find the main idea. This is background information. Reread the second sentence to find the main idea. 8 M automobile motorcycle roller skates van Which item does NOT belong on the list? 4 roller skates automobile motorcycle van Automobile fits among the related items on this list. Think about what powers the wheels. Motorcycle fits among the related items on this list. Think about what powers the wheels. Van fits among the related items on this list. Think about what powers the wheels. 8 M "Looking for a job is an impossible task," Randy thought to himself. He had been all over town and now his feet hurt. He had essentially worked an 8-hour day, answering newspaper ads and filling out applications even for jobs he probably wouldn't want. As Randy unlocked his front door the phone rang. It was someone offering him a job. A good title would be: 3 Persistence Pays Off Looking for a Job Impossible Task This is part of the main idea. Reread the next to last and last sentences for the other part of the main idea. Reread the last sentence. It shows that this title simply isn't true. 8 M There is no way to tell for sure how much money some Americans really earn. Some of it is paid out in cash for small private services or to small businesses, and never reported to the government. This flow of untaxable cash is called the subterranean or underground economy. The Internal Rev- enue Service, which collects taxes, is trying to find ways to tax this income, but it is virtually impossible. The best title for this paragraph is: 3 The Underground Economy Untaxable Cash American Earnings ALthough the story involves this topic, this is too narrow a title. Read the third sentence again to help you choose the best title. This is too broad a title. Read the third sentence again to help you choose the best title. 8 M The political process is vital to the dynamics of any nation. In democratic countries this process allows for all ideas to be taken into consideration before decisions are made. To enjoy a free exchange of ideas it is impor- tant, then, to allow the expression of even the most fringe opinions. This paragraph is MAINLY about: 3 free expression politics decisions This is too general, even though the paragraph relates to it. Reread the second sentence to help you find the main idea. Decisions are the final step in the political process. Reread the second sentence and you will see what comes before. 8 M Live TV transmissions overseas were not possible before the 1960s. Now special communications satellites launched by rocket and placed in orbit about the earth make this possible. Because the earth is also turning, the satellite remains in the same place over the earth. The TV signal is beamed to the satellite and back down to its destination. What is a good title for this paragraph? 3 How Satellites Make Live Transmissions Possible How to Put Large Objects in Orbit Space and Television This is too general. Look for a title that concerns the specific objects launched in space. This is too general a title. Look for one that relates more specifically to the main idea found in the first and last sentences. 8 M telegram postage stamp postcard letter Which of the items does NOT fit with the others? 4 postage stamp telegram postcard letter Telegram does have something in common with the other items that belong on this list. Think about the purpose of a telegram. Postcard does have something in common with the other items that belong on this list. Think about the purpose of a postcard. Letter does have something in common with the other items that belong on this list. Think about the purpose of a letter. 8 M We are ignorant about an entire class of exploring ships, the caravels. A supreme engineering achievement, the caravels made possible the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th cen- turies. No plans of them exist, and drawings from the time favored esthetics over accuracy and detail. No confirmed caravel wrecks have ever been found. The paragraph discusses: 3 the lack of information about a class of ship the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries the effect of the caravel on exploration This is a detail. Reread the first sentence for help in finding the main idea. This is a detail. Reread the first sentence for help in finding the main idea. 8 M Daily commuting from the suburbs to a large city is a headache. In New York, for example, if you live on Long Island and work in Manhattan, you must drive a car to a Long Island Railroad station and leave it there. Then, there is a train ride into Manhattan, usually costing three or four dollars. Often the commuter next has to take the subway. In the evening, it all goes in reverse. The main idea is: 3 commuting is an annoyance many people commute daily commuting is expensive While this is implied, it has nothing to do with the main idea of the paragraph. Reread the first sentence for help in finding the main idea. This is a detail. Reread the first sentence to help in finding the main idea. 8 M