What is the Main idea of this passage? Human Activity and Earthquakes When Americans think of earthquakes, they tend to think of California, a state known for its frequent seismic activity. In recent years, however, people in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas have been feeling the ground shake more often. An increase in oil and gas drilling in these states has led to "human-induced" earthquakes—those resulting from human activity. When wastewater is disposed of during gas and oil drilling, the water is forced deep underground. The resulting buildup of pressure can cause fault lines (cracks in the earth's crust) to shift. According to Mark Petersen, head of the U.S. Geological Survey's earthquake hazard mapping project, "In the past five years, the USGS has documented high shaking and damage in areas of these six states, mostly from induced earthquakes."

An increase in oil and gas drilling has caused a corresponding increase in earthquakes in six states.

Residents of six U.S. states have experienced an increase in earthquake activity in recent years.

"In the past five years, the USGS has documented high shaking and damage in areas of these six states, mostly from induced earthquakes."

What is the main idea of this passage? There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he hunts at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is sometimes wise to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the coyote will often free the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to crops and certain trees. He is especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population. Where coyotes have been allowed to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit growers have found them so valuable that they would no more shoot them than they would shoot their dogs.

Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.

The coyote is feared because of his fondness for small animals.

Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.

The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.

What is the main idea? Although many people think a koala is a bear, it is not. The koala is a type of mammal called a marsupial. A kangaroo is also a marsupial. These mammals carry their babies in a pouch. The kangaroo’s pouch is on her stomach, but the koala’s pouch is on her back. Both feed their babies milk and keep them secure in their pouch until they are strong enough to survive on their own.

Kangaroos and Koalas are marsupials.

The kangaroo and koala are nothing alike.

What is the central idea? There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Males carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs that incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. What this means is that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. The platypus neither sees, hears, nor smells its prey while hunting but, rather, pursues it through electroreception. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. The platypus is an odd creature indeed.

The platypus is an odd, poisonous creature.

Platypus males have a poison ankle spur.

Find the central idea The term "machine gun" is commonly applied to any gun that is designed to fire repeatedly and in rapid succession for as long as the trigger is held down. During the course of warfare, the trigger of some machine guns may be held down almost continuously for hours to create suppressant fire (rounds fired not necessarily to kill an enemy, but to prevent them from attacking). All of this firing can generate a lot of heat, which may cause the weapon to overheat and malfunction. But this situation has been addressed in a number of ways. For one, practically all machine guns fire from an open bolt, which allows air to cool the breach between bursts of fire. Additionally, some machine guns have removable barrels, which allow hot barrels to be replaced. And some advanced machine guns even have sophisticated barrel cooling systems, which maintain a functional heat level within the weapon. As you might have concluded, a lot of brain power has gone into keeping those guns firing.

Machine guns overheat and there are different ways to address the issue.

Machine guns are powerful weapons.

Machine guns fire rapidly and repeatedly.

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

What point is the author trying to make?

What does the explanation do for the central idea?

Explains how the evidence supports the central idea

Talks about a random part of the text.

Which sentence is a supporting detail.

In the cell nucleus, chromosomes are separated into two identical sets.

Mitosis is a process of cell division.

Which is a topic sentence?

The state of Hawaii is a great vacation destination.

Many come to experience the rich culture and ocean waves.

The natural beauty, warm climate, and surrounding waters make it a popular tourist destination.

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit. Topic Sentence: Candy is not a healthy treat.

Candy contains high amounts of sugar.

You can find many artificial additives in candy.

Eating too much candy can give you cavities.

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit. Topic Sentence: Reading class is really interesting.

We learn interesting facts from the things we read.

Our teacher gives us new ways to look at things.

Sometimes we do dramatic readings of the text that are super engaging.

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit. Topic Sentence: There are many reasons people find clowns scary.

Clowns makes fun balloon animals.

Their face paint hides their true identity.

People often think of the creepy clowns they've seen on movies such as "It."

There have been some bad clowns in the news lately.

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit. Topic Sentence: Schools should eliminate summer vacation.

During summer classes, the school should be air-conditioned.

Year-round school can better prepare students for year-round work in the adult world.

Students will learn more and forget less if they have school all year.

It costs too much money for school buildings to remain empty in the summer months.

Select the best topic sentence for the paragraph. When you bake cookies, you first have to make sure you have all the ingredients. Then you have to mix them together. Finally, you have to put them in the oven.

There are a few steps you must follow when making cookies.

Baking cookies is really easy to do.

My grandma has the best cookies recipe.

Cookies are easier to make than cake.

Central Idea - pretest Quiz

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What does the term analyze mean?

Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure

a statement or sentence that states the purpose of a paper or essay

the author's method of organizing text

unbiased; no opinions

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

Define: Supporting Details

The reason the author has for writing. ( Inform, persuade, express, & entertain)

These are facts, statistics or explanations that help develop and support the central idea or topic.

A sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs.

The most important or main idea of a paragraph or larger section of text, which tells the reader what the text is about.

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Define: Central Idea/Main idea

particular and exact

These are facts, statistics or explanations that help develop and support the central idea or topic.

Get attention, thesis statement at the end, tells what your topic is, how you feel about the topic and the main points of the essay.

The most important or main idea of a paragraph or larger section of text, which tells the reader what the text is about.

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the difference between central idea and main idea?

They are the same thing because you are still looking at the main thing

Main idea is different because there are more than one main idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which word correctly matches the following definition: The most important point the author makes.

Objective Summary

Supporting Details

Central Idea

Topic

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which word correctly matches the following definition: Who or what the text is about.

Central Idea

Objective Summary

Supporting Details

Topic

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Which is the correct definition for the following vocabulary word: SUPPORTING DETAILS

Based on or influenced by personal feelings

A brief statement or account of the main points of something

What or who the text is about

Details that explain the central idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

8.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

Most people think that gorillas are mean, but actually they are shy. It seems that such a huge animal with very large teeth would be aggressive. Hollywood movies help convey this image of the scary, ferocious gorilla. In fact, gorillas only attack if they are provoked.
This author belives that:

Gorillas are misunderstood as vicious animals.

Gorillas are mean animals

Gorillas don't like other animals.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

9.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

The Importance of Japan's Cherry Blossoms

In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

Americans appreciate the colorful leaves of fall, but the Japanese view the cherry blossoms of spring as part of their culture.

Japan's spring cherry blossoms often serve as symbols of change or new beginnings in works of Japanese art or literature.

Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life.

The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

10.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Summarize this into one central idea sentence:
A penny for your thoughts? If it’s a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars. In 1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War II, so the 1943 copper penny is ultra-rare. Another rarity is the 1955 double die penny. These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have overlapping dates and letters. If it’s uncirculated, it’d easily fetch $25,000 at an auction. Now that’s a pretty penny.

Now that's a pretty penny.

Some pennies are rare others are worth money.

Some pennies are made of steel.

Central Idea - pretest