Central Idea Quiz

Millions of acres of tropical rainforest have been destroyed. Many animals and people lose their homes when the rain forest is cut down. Today, people are destroying the forests so quickly that the animals are unable to adapt. Many of these animals, such as the leopard, need miles and miles of untouched rain forest in order to live. Furthermore, as more of the rainforest is destroyed, the risk of air pollution and loss of oxygen increases. What is the CENTRAL IDEA of the passage?

• The destruction of the rainforest is harming humans and animals.

• Leopards are losing their homes.

• The destruction of the rainforest is a controversial subject.

• Forest provide oxygen for humans and animals.

Thomas Edison’s life span is known as “The age of Edison.” If it wasn’t for Thomas Edison, we might not have electric lights, telephones, movie cameras, or computers! Think of all the ways these great products affect our lives today. Edison held over 1,000 patents and received dozens of awards during his lifetime for his inventions and contributions to science. What is the CENTRAL IDEA?

• Thomas Edison worked until he perfected his invention.

• The lightbulb has become an essential invention.

• Thomas Edison's inventions still impact society today.

• The process of inventing is never-ending.

The law was not exactly fair in Europe during the Middle Ages. Back then, you could blame someone in your town for committing a crime. The “criminal” could then challenge you to a fight to prove his guilt or innocence. If you lost the fight, you were charged as a liar and the criminal was believed to be innocent. If you won, the criminal was believed to be guilty. What is the CENTRAL IDEA?

• Laws of the Middle Ages were unfair.

• Fighting was a good way to determine guilt or innocence in the Middle Ages.

• Individuals that were innocent of crimes often won the fighting challenges.

• Most people lied about crime in the Middle Ages.

In 1969, Apollo 11’s successful landing on the moon was seen on TV all around the world. At last, men had walked on the moon for the first time ever! Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became famous American heroes. This mission was a great achievement for the U.S. space program, and led to six more Apollo flights in the years to come. The mission's success also led to further deep space explorations by the United States and other countries around the world. What is the CENTRAL IDEA?

• Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin are heroes.

• Apollo 11's landing was an important moment in history.

• Millions watched the Apollo 11 moon landing.

• People were surprised about Apollo 11's success.

Jackie Robinson did something nobody had ever done before. He was not only a three-sport athlete at UCLA. He was the first African-American to play on a Major league baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson had to deal with racism all over the country. He was treated very poorly by other players and fans in the stadiums he visited. But, whenever things got difficult, his courage and determination kept him going. Today his number 42 is retired on every team in major league baseball, and he is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. What is the CENTRAL IDEA of the passage?

• Jackie Robinson is an important figure in American History.

• Jackie Robinson is in the baseball hall of fame.

• Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers

• Jackie Robinson played many different sports.

The CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text always needs to be supported with...

• supporting details

• the reader's opinion

• reliable authors

• concluding sentences

Which text feature can give you clues about the central idea?

• titles

• headings

• pictures

• all of the above

What is the CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text?

• What the text is mostly about.

• The type of CONFLICT used throughout a text.

• A full paragraph SUMMARY of a text.

• The universal truth, a moral lesson, or message that the author intends for the audience.

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 the TOPIC of the above paragraph?

• bacteria

• soldiers

• World War I

• Antibiotics

The subject or what a text is about is called...

• central idea

• topic

• summary

• supporting details