RI.02 Central Idea

It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true. Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations. 
Which statement best describes the central idea of the paragraph?

• "It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true."
• "Go ask the forest rangers."
• "Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations." 

Costs were low that year and the output high. There was a good person for each job and the market remained firm. There were no losses from fire. All in all it was the best years in the history of the company. 

Which statement best describes the central idea of the paragraph?

• "All in all it was the best years in the history of the company."
• "There were no losses from fire."
• "There was a good person for each job and the market remained firm."
• "Costs were low that year and the output high."

There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is great country for hunters and fishermen. There are bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. To the east there are streams full of trout, and there are ducks and geese. 

Which statement best describes the central idea of the paragraph?

• "This whole area is great country for hunters and fishermen."
• "There are great numbers of deer around here."
• "There are bears, mountain lions, and coyotes."
• "To the east there are streams full of trout, and there are ducks and geese." 

Advertising affects our lives everyday. Brand names are common household words. We start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising. 

Which statement best describes the central idea of the paragraph?

• "Advertising affects our lives everyday." 
• "Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are swayed by ads."
• "Ads have made the cars we drive signs of our success."
• "Brand names are common household words."

Penicillin is one of the greatest of the wonder drugs. It has saved thousands of lives already and will save many more in the future. Unfortunately it has no effect at all on most of the ills of mankind. Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all. 

Which statement best describes the central idea of the paragraph?

• "Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all." 
• "Unfortunately it has no effect at all on most of the ills of mankind."
• "It has saved thousands of lives already and will save many more in the future."

Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning. 

Which statement best describes the IMPLIED central idea of the paragraph?

• Wearing glasses means you are smart.
• Adjusting glasses costs money, so fix them yourself.
• Scratched glasses are useless.
• There are many steps to taking care of your glasses.