Theme

What is the main idea?
Tsunamis, large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, can be deadly and destructive. For example, in December 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered a massive tsunami throughout the Indian Ocean. The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and caused billions of dollars of damage to the coasts of numerous Southeast Asian countries.

• Tsunamis.
• Tsunamis, large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, can be deadly and destructive.
• The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and caused billions of dollars of damage to the coasts of numerous Southeast Asian countries.
• Disaster. 

What is the main idea?
Even today, the U.S. Supreme Court does not reflect the U.S. population. It was 1967 before the first black justice was appointed. It was 1981 before the first woman was appointed to the Court. It was 1986 before the Court had its first justice of Italian descent. No person of Hispanic or Asian descent has yet been appointed as a member of the Court.

• Even today, the U.S. Supreme Court does not reflect the U.S. population.
• It was 1967 before the first black justice was appointed.
• No person of Hispanic or Asian descent has yet been appointed as a member of the Court.
• History.

What is the main idea?
In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors. There is spontaneous music making as well as performances by social and music groups at ceremonies and feasts. There is no musical notation (written music). African music tradition, like folklore and history, is transmitted orally. Music is a social activity in which almost everyone participates. Clearly, African music has several interesting characteristics.

• In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors.
• There is no musical notation (written music).
• Clearly, African music has several interesting characteristics.
• Music. 

What is the main idea?
High achievement motivation affects people's choice of occupation and job success. (High achievement motivation refers to the psychological need for success in school, sports, occupations, or other competitive situations.) People with high achievement motivation often go into occupations that provide rewards for individual achievement, such as sales, engineering, architecture, or law. Moreover, people with high achievement motivation tend to go into occupations that realistically match their abilities. For this reason, they have little anxiety or fear of failure. And when success is achieved, they enjoy the fruit of their labor more than the average person.

• High achievement motivation affects people's choice of occupation and job success.
• Moreover, people with high achievement motivation tend to go into occupations that realistically match their abilities.
• For this reason, they have little anxiety or fear of failure.
• Education. 

What is the main idea?
Democracy comes from the Greek word demos, which means "the people," and kratia, meaning "to rule." The term democracy refers to a form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives. In other words, it is a set of rules for determining who will exercise the authority of government.

• The term democracy refers to a form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.
• The meaning of the term democracy.
• In other words, it is a set of rules for determining who will exercise the authority of government.
• Government. 

What is the main idea?
Some believe that Americans have become merely consumers of material goods who no longer care about helping others. This image is false, however. An estimated 90 million Americans volunteer, and the monetary value of their volunteer time is estimated at $200 billion a year. Many of these volunteers serve on committees, baby-sit, sing in church choirs, coach, and lead scout troops. More than 1.5 million of these volunteers provide fire protection and ambulance service without pay.

• Some believe that Americans have become merely consumers of material goods who no longer care about helping others.
• This image is false, however.
• An estimated 90 million Americans volunteer, and the monetary value of their volunteer time is estimated at $200 billion a year.
• Friendship.

What is the main idea?
Is it an ant, you wonder, or a termite? Ants resemble termites, but they are quite different and can be easily distinguished. In contrast to termites, ants are usually dark in color, are hard bodied, and have constriction between the thorax and abdomen. Also, ants and termites belong to different orders.

• Is it an ant, you wonder, or a termite?
• Ants resemble termites, but they are quite different and can be easily distinguished.
• Also, ants and termites belong to different orders.
• Animals. 

What is the main idea?
When you listen to a speech, can it help you to focus on the speaker's strengths and weaknesses? By closely observing and listening to people when they give speeches, you can learn a great deal that will make you a more successful speaker. If the speaker is not effective, try to determine why. If he or she is effective, try to pick out techniques you can use in your own speeches. If the speaker is ineffective, avoid the errors the person made.

• When you listen to a speech, can it help you to focus on the speaker's strengths and weaknesses?
• By closely observing and listening to people when they give speeches, you can learn a great deal that will make you a more successful speaker.
• If the speaker is ineffective, avoid the errors the person made.
• Weaknesses. 

What is the theme?
A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life. 

• If at first you don't succeed, try, and try again. 
• Nobody is perfect. 
• You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. 
• Physical activity will help you when you least expect it. 

 What is the theme?
Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed.  First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat.  Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean's white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread.  Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy's sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor.  Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave.  The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself.  After explaining her situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone.  Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she spilled grape soda all over her assignment.

• Choose your partners carefully.
• Respect other peoples' property.
• Friendship.