Main Idea Reading Practice

Front

Main character resembled her new friends’ look and attitude.

Back

C

Answer explanation

The story ends before we know what happens, so option A cannot be correct. Nicole thinks she may be neglected, but the key word in option B is purposely, suggesting the mom’s two jobs are an excuse to avoid her daughter, which is likely not true. The passage suggests the mom is just too busy to be involved in her life. For option D, the character rejects the friendship from those at her first lunch table, but accepts the girls she didn’t know (the word all makes this choice incorrect). Lines 62-63 state that Nicole would imitate her new friends’ style, and proof of that lies when she uses a gruff voice (lines 69-70) and wears a hoodie (line 82).

Front

The word 'assimilate' in paragraph six most nearly means:

Back

D. conform.

Answer explanation

Lines 63-64 provide EXAMPLE clues to the meaning of assimilate. She wishes to conform to her new friends.

Front

Reactions of the main character during her meeting with new friends, EXCEPT:

Back

B. nervous trembling

Answer explanation

She was not trembling. Line 2 clearly states that she was “on the edge of shaking.” Evidence for option A is in line 86. The key cannot sweat, so it was obviously from her hands. Evidence for option C is at the end of paragraph 3. Line 24 provides information about her reduced pace.

Front

Main point of the passage: Attractions of making new friends and feeling wanted can lead teens to act out of character.

Back

Attractions of making new friends and feeling wanted can cause teens to do things out of character.

Answer explanation

Options F and J explore only parts of the story (teen rejection & teen mischief), while option G only deals with the aspect of divorce and its impact on kids. These are all too narrow and do not reveal the true point of the story as shown in option H.

Front

Word 'rupturing' in line 81 means:

Back

C. disrupting.

Answer explanation

The GENERAL IDEA here is that the night is quiet and calm until the bass disrupts it. Disperse and disintegrate mean similar things, but you need to choose the most precise word meaning.

Front

Purpose of paragraphs 2, 4, and 6:

Back

Background info on the main character's life.

Answer explanation

Options G and H provide supporting details that exist only in specific paragraphs. While option J suggests past events that have shaped her character, the primary purpose of the paragraphs in question is to provide background information about her life and not just about the events that shaped her character.

Front

Reasons for the main character’s lack of friends EXCEPT: A. antisocial nature, C. concern about others’ opinions, D. own opinion of others.

Back

B. poor grades.

Answer explanation

Paragraph 4 mentions options A, C, and D, and even though it is stated that the character’s grades are bad, there is nothing to suggest this has anything to do with a lack of friends.

Front

Main character's after school routine excludes:

Back

Completing her homework.

Answer explanation

At first glance, all of the options may seem correct, but looking back at paragraph 2 reveals that she only makes it look like she does her homework by opening her books.

Front

Main idea of the last paragraph (lines 80-87):

Back

The main character is uncomfortable about her next step.

Answer explanation

Options A and C are only details in the paragraph. Option B argues for rhetorical questions, and though they are used in the paragraph, do not lead to the main point.

Front

Main character described as 'a closed door' means she:

Back

Consistently refuses to let others get to know her.

Answer explanation

This is a metaphor EXAMPLE, so use the information around it as well as the literal meaning of a closed door to put the pieces together. A closed door stops people from coming in freely, which is similar in nature to the character’s rejection of others. She refuses to let people into her life