Main Idea Quiz

Police depend on evidence to solve crimes. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of cases, including robberies, missing persons, and even murders. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tinybits of material, which help them, determine the individual who committed the crime. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person.

The main idea of this passage is -

• evidence is how crimes are solved, as seen on C.S.I..

• scientists are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to

  a specific person.

• examining the crime scene with precise methods, scientists collect hair, fibers, trash, and many

  other tiny bits of material.

• forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies,

  missing persons, and murders.

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Did you know Key West, Florida is like the Winter White House? Several U.S. presidents have visited Key West. Harry Truman visited for 175 days on 11 visits during his presidency and visited several times after he left office. Key West was in a down cycle when Franklin D. Roosevelt visited in 1939. The buildup of military bases on the island occurred shortly thereafter. In addition to Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower stayed in Key West following a heart attack. In November 1962, John F. Kennedy visited Key West a month after the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jimmy Carter held a family reunion in Key West after leaving office.

The main idea of this passage is -

• The Winter White House is located in Key West.

• Key West is a favorite vacation destination for many U.S. presidents.

• Key West has the biggest military base in the United States.

• Key West ignited the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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To this day, Cleopatra remains a popular figure in Western culture. Her legacy survives in numerous works of art and the many dramatizations of her story in literature and other media, including William Shakespeare's tragedy Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra’s death remains a mystery with two possible scenarios: (1) that she applied a toxic ointment, or (2) that she was bitten by an asp or a cobra. Scholars remain unsure if Cleopatra poisoned herself or was murdered.

The main idea of this passage is -

• Everyone knows Antony and Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s best play.

• Cleopatra had a tragic death that remains unsolved to this day; although it’s obvious she was murdered.

• Cleopatra was a heroine and prominent figure of the Egyptian dynasty.

• Cleopatra leaves a dramatic legacy, including that of her mysterious death, as depicted in art and literature.

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Astronomer Carl Sagan was born on November 9, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from the University of Chicago, where he studied planets and explored theories of extraterrestrial intelligence. He was named director of Cornell’s Laboratory for Planetary Studies in 1968 and worked with NASA on several projects. An anti-nuclear activist, Sagan introduced the idea of “nuclear winter” in 1983. He wrote one novel, several books and academic papers and the TV series Cosmos, which was reborn on TV in 2014, before his 1996 death.

The main idea of this passage is -

• The University of Chicago owes much to astronomer, Carl Sagan.

• Carl Sagan knows secret theories about aliens and extraterrestrial life.

• Carl Sagan was a pacifist who warned against nuclear proliferation.

• Prominent astronomer Carl Sagan explored many planetary theories and projects.

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The Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid who reputedly inhabits Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is similar to other supposed lake monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, though its description varies from one account to the next, with most describing it as large in size. Popular interest and belief in the animal's existence has varied since it was first brought to the world's attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is anecdotal, with minimal and much-disputed photographic material and sonar readings. The creature has been affectionately referred to by the nickname Nessie since the 1940s.

The main idea of this passage is -

• Scotland is rife with lake monsters that look like aquatic dinosaurs.

• The Loch Ness Monster truly exists as evidenced through photographs and sonar readings.

• You would be insane to swim in any kind of Scottish lake.

• The Loch Ness Monster is a Scottish cryptid whose evidence of existence is skeptical.

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Starbucks Coffee is an American global coffee company and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 21,160 stores in 63 countries and territories, including 12,067 in the United States. Starbucks locations serve hot and cold beverages, whole-bean coffee, microground instant coffee, full-leaf teas, pastries, and snacks. Most stores also sell pre-packaged food items, hot and cold sandwiches, and items such as mugs and tumblers. Starbucks-brand ice cream and coffee are also offered at grocery stores.

The main idea of this passage is -

• Starbucks is overpriced coffeehouse chain for hipsters.

• Offering many beverages and food items, Starbucks is the largest coffee company in the world.

• Starbucks offers teas, pastries, and ice cream, but mostly coffee.

• One can now buy Starbucks items at the grocery store, but only in Seattle.

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Few of us could swim in the ocean comfortably after seeing filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s terrifying movie Jaws. In his hit movie E.T. the Extraterrestrial, Spielberg created a sweet, funny film about a being from outer space. In 1985, he gave us The Color Purple, a moving picture that earned him a Best Director nomination. Steven Spielberg has created some of the most successful and popular films of the 1970s and 1980s.

The main idea of this passage is -

• Sharks are predators that eat people.

• Steven Spielberg is a visionary filmmaker who makes blockbuster films.

• Steven Spielberg is an underrated filmmaker who makes sleepers.

• The Color Purple was the best movie of 1985.

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The Olympic Games are the leading international sporting event in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games are considered to be the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating. TheOlympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart. Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.

The main idea of this passage is -

• The Olympic Games started in Greece and remain the preeminent sporting competition.

• Everyone knows the winter games are more interesting than the summer games.

• More than 200 nations participate in the Olympics.

• The Olympic Games promote world peace and physical fitness.

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The Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it was initially criticized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design, but has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.98 million people ascended it in 2011. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

The main idea of this passage is -

• The Eiffel Tower was erected as an entrance to the World’s Fair.

• No one would ever visit Paris and not go to see the Eiffel Tower.

• The Eiffel Tower is both a global and Parisian cultural icon.

• Gustave Eiffel is the most talented engineer to have created the Eiffel Tower.

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Fire ants are painful and destructive pests. The fire ant earned its name because of its venom. The insect uses a wasp-like stinger to inject the venom, which causes a painful burning sensation and leaves tiny, itching pustules. The ants will swarm over anyone or anything that disturbs their nests. In addition to causing pain, fire ants damage many crops by eating the plants and by protecting other insects that damage crops. Fire ants are attracted to soybeans, eggplant, corn, okra, strawberries, and potatoes.

• Fire ants have a wasp-like stinger.

• Fire ants swarm.

• Fire ants are pests to farmers.

• Fire ants are painful, pesky, and destructive.

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