ELA - Central Ideas Text

School uniforms are far cheaper than the currently popular fashions. Many students work long hours at a paying job instead of doing homework because they feel they have to "keep up appearances." If students wore uniforms, there would be no need for most of them to have jobs that take away from their study time.

This passage is mostly about?

• popular fashions being expensive
• school uniforms being a good idea.
• students working many hours at jobs.
• teens enjoying wearing uniforms.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

Shuttle Endeavour will thunder into orbit this week with an American flag on its right wing. The ship will carry its most international crew ever launched. The spaceship is headed for the International Space Station. Four Americans are on board, along with Russian, Canadian, and Italian astronauts. This multinational crew will be symbolic of those who will work and live on the growing outpost. The station is a joint project of 16 nations on four continents.

This passage is mostly about?

• the American flag on the space shuttle's wing.
• the brand new International Space Station.
• the Russian aboard the American space shuttle.
• the cultural crew aboard the space shuttle.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

Before weight machines, stationary bikes, and step aerobics, people practiced yoga for spiritual and physical health. Yoga's origins predate written history. Archaeologists have found stone carvings that show figures in yoga positions. These stones, from the Indus Valley, are at least 5,000 years old! Yoga can still contribute plenty to your weight loss program in the 21st century.

This passage is mostly about?

• Aerobics is very similar to yoga.
• Yoga has existed for centuries.
• Yoga came from the Indus Valley.
• Everyone needs to try yoga.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

It's no surprise that exercise increases energy. The physical challenge prepares your body in a variety of ways. Blood sugar is more quickly converted to fuel, more oxygen is supplied to your cells, and fight-or-flight hormones are released. Instead of leaving you exhausted, exercise energizes. Do it in the morning for an all-day high or later in the afternoon for a pick-me-up.

This passage is mostly about?

• Exercise increases your energy.
• Exercise is easier than it looks.
• Everyone should exercise daily.
• Exercise makes you live longer.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

Camp David is a secure location where the President can get away from it all. Established in 1942 by President Roosevelt, Camp David is located in Maryland, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C. in a heavily wooded area. U.S. Marines patrol the area providing optimal security. The Marines are part of the Navy. Because Camp David is so close to Washington, the president can be back at the White House very quickly in the event of a crisis.

This passage is mostly about?

• U.S. Marines
• The president
• Washington, D.C.
• Camp David

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

Carl was the most miserable he'd ever been. For a split second after the bullet struck, the deer stood motionless. Then his body shot straight upward, twisting in pain, then fell silently to the ground. Carl ran to the deer. The moment he thought would be so exciting, turned out to be one of the saddest moments of his life. To this day, it still haunts him.
This passage is mostly about?

• Deer hunting is illegal.
• Hunting as a sport is old fashioned.
• The sadness of death makes hunting easy.
• Killing a deer has forever affected Carl.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

During World War I, many soldiers died because their wounds became infected. Antibiotics had not been discovered at that time. During World War II, many more soldiers died while in combat. Antibiotics are used to treat infections because they kill bacteria in the body. They are easily the most widely prescribed drug in the world.

What is this passage mainly about?

• bacteria
• soldiers
• World War I
• antibiotics

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

Most people want to think that they are in control of their pets. However, a study by Karen McComb at the University of Sussex found that cat owners are controlled by their cats. Cat owners probably won’t have too much trouble believing this. Cats make a fairly loud noise by mixing a purr with a cry. The sound seems to be less annoying to humans than straight meowing. Using this sound, cats tell humans when they want to eat and when they want the door opened. The purr part of the sound keeps humans from becoming too annoyed, so the cat gets exactly what he or she wants.

Which sentence from the paragraph supports the idea that cats have a smart way of getting what they want? 

• "Most people want to think that they are in control of their pets."
• "The purr part of the sound keeps humans from becoming too annoyed."
• "Cat owners probably won't have too much trouble believing this."
• "Cats make a fairly loud noise by mixing a purr with a cry."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.5

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a $1.35 trillion tax cut package. This is the biggest reduction in twenty years. The measure lowers all income tax rates. The package now goes to a House-Senate conference committee. In the committee, Congressional and White House negotiators will quarrel over the size and timing of the tax cuts. In the final tally, 62 senators voted for the bill and 38 voiced against it. All 50 Republicans and 12 Democrats joined in support of the package.
What is this news story mainly about?

• The vote on the tax cut was 62 to 38.
• Negotiators will argue about the timing.
• The Senate passed a large tax cut.
• Taxes are way too high in America.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

In the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," a brother and sister find a house made of candy in the forest. They are invited inside by an old woman. They are almost cooked and eaten by the woman, who turns out to be a witch. In "Little Red Riding Hood," a little girl is on her way through the forest to see her grandmother and tells a wolf where the grandmother lives. The wolf races ahead of the little girl and eats her grandmother.

What recurring theme is present in both stories?

• Do not trust strangers.
• Always be prepared.
• Wolves and witches are mean.
• The forest is a dangerous place.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2