Main Idea Practice

Zebras live in the plains and savannas of eastern and southern Africa, where the climate swings between wet and dry seasons. Zebras can migrate up to 1800 miles for food and water. Although they travel vast distances for food, Zebras are not particular eaters. Their food consists of a wide variety of grasses and young trees, which vary by location and season. Zebras are constantly searching for water as well, which is vital to their survival.

What is the main idea?

• Zebras live in east and southern African plains and savannas.

• Zebras travel vast distances for food and water.

• The climate swings between wet and dry seasons.

• Water is important to the survival of zebras.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Chelsea Clinton is very intellectual. Chelsea is the daughter of Hillary Rodham Clinton and the former President Bill Clinton. She was born on February 27, 1980. Chelsea received four degrees from various postsecondary institutions. She went to college at Stanford University and received a bachelor’s degree in history. She received her master’s degree in international studies at University of Oxford, which is in England. She also received her second master’s degree from University of Columbia in public health. Her last degree was a doctorate degree from University of Oxford.

Which detail supports the main idea that Chelsea Clinton is intellectual?

• She is the daughter of Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton.

• Chelsea has received four degrees from various postsecondary

  institutions.

• She was born on February 27, 1980.

• She studied public health.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Stingrays can be found in many different habitats. There are around 220 species of stingrays. Stingrays are mostly found in shallow coastal waters throughout tropical and subtropical climates, but some stingrays live very differently. For instance, the deepwater stingray lives nearly a half mile under the waves of the open ocean. Eagle rays live in the open ocean, but closer to the surface. Other types of stingrays, like the whiptail stingray, live in freshwater rivers and flats. Stingrays are common in many different places.

What is the main idea?

• There are around 220 species of stingrays.

• Stingrays are mostly found in shallow coastal waters.

• The deepwater stingray lives nearly a half mile under the waves

  of the open ocean.

• Stingrays can be found in many different habitats.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

Erosion is the process of the earth’s surface changing over time. Erosion occurs whenever surface material is moved from one place to another. Erosion can be caused by environmental forces, like water, wind, and ice. Animals can cause erosion when walking across a landscape. Plant roots resist erosion by holding soil in place. Herds of animals can kill the plants that prevent erosion. Human activity can also cause erosion through activities like farming, mining, and urban development. Erosion has many different causes.

What is the main idea?

• Erosion is the process of the earth’s surface changing over time.

• Erosion can be caused by environmental forces, like water, wind,

  and ice.

• Plant roots resist erosion by holding soil in place.

• Erosion has many different causes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

Georgia O’Keefe was an influential artist that contributed to the 20th century art movement known as American Modernism. She was known for her paintings of flowers, cityscapes, and landscapes. She created over 150 oil paintings and 700 sketches. She received the Presidential Medal of Honor for her artwork, which is considered the highest civilian award in the United States. She was also inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame in 1993. All her artwork is at Georgia O’Keefe Museum located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

What is the main idea?

• Georgia O’Keefe was known for her paintings of flowers, cityscapes, and landscapes.

• Georgia O’Keefe was an influential artist.

• Georgia O’Keefe received the Presidential Medal of Honor for

  her artwork.

• Georgia O’Keefe contributed to American Modernism.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

The Venus flytrap is a fascinating plant. Native to the wetlands of the Carolinas on America’s east coast, it uses a hinged lobe that grows at the end of its leaves to trap and eat prey. When insects or anchariids stimulate tiny hairs inside these lobes, the sides close like a trap. Here is where it gets even more interesting. The lobes will stay closed only if the hairs continue to be stimulated. This saves the plant energy by ensuring the trapped object is alive and digestible. If the object continues to move inside the lobe, the plant will seal the edges of the lobe to form a stomach and release digestive enzymes. There’s no doubt the Venus flytrap is among the most interesting of plants.

What is the main idea?

• Venus flytraps eat insects and anchariids.

• Venus flytraps live in the coastal Carolinas.

• Venus flytraps are interesting plants.

• Venus flytraps form stomachs using its leaves.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

On a cold, December 16th morning in 1773, a group called the Sons of Liberty threw crates of tea off the sides of merchant ships into Boston Harbor. The event was planned in response to the Tea Act. Enacted in May of 1773, the Tea Act allowed the British East India company to sell tea without paying taxes. American colonists who imported tea were required to pay taxes. Americans were upset about the Tea Act because it gave the British East India company an unfair advantage over the colonists. The colonists were already upset because they were being taxed by the British government but did not have any representatives in the British Parliament. The Boston Tea Party was the culmination of the now infamous protest, “no taxation without

representation”.

What is the main idea?

• The British East India company didn’t pay taxes on tea.

• The Boston Tea Party was a response to unfair taxes.

• The Tea Act allowed the British East India company to avoid taxes.

• The Tea Act was unfair for the American colonists.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

Manifest destiny significantly expanded the borders of the United States. Manifest destiny was the concept that America was destined to span across North America. The idea started in the early 1800s with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the Florida Cession in 1819. The doctrine became even more popular during the middle and late 19th century. It spurred great westward migrations into west coast states like Oregon, Washington, and California. The migrations coincided with various land annexations. Between 1845 and 1848, the United States added Oregon Country, Texas, and California. Manifest destiny changed the United States border forever.

What detail supports the main idea that manifest destiny expanded the borders of the United States?

• It became more popular during the middle and late 19th century.

• The idea started in the early 1800s.

• Manifest destiny was the concept that America was destined to span

  across North America.

• Between 1845 and 1848, the United States added Oregon Country,

  Texas, and California.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

The Federalist Papers were a series of articles written to promote support for ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Drafted between May and September of 1787, the U.S. Constitution wasn’t adopted until May 29, 1790, when it was finally ratified by all 13 states. During the time between its drafting and ratification, the document was highly scrutinized. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay all contributed to writing articles supporting the Constitution. A total of 85 articles were published between October of 1787 and August of 1788. The articles convinced many people that the Constitution should be adopted.

What is the main idea?

• The Federalist Papers played an important role in the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

• The U.S. Constitution wasn’t adopted until May 29, 1790

• A total of 85 articles were published between October of 1787 and

  August of 1788.

• The US Constitution was highly scrutinized.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

Spider monkeys live in tropical forests from Mexico to Brazil. They were named spider monkeys because of their disproportionately long limbs and long, agile tail. Their arms are so long that they drag on the ground when they walk. When swinging through the jungle canopy, they can cover up to 40 feet with one arm stride. Their average weight is less than 25 pounds. Although they are rather small, their tails can grow up to three feet long. Known as a prehensile tail, their tails have a hairless tip with grooves similar to fingerprints. They can use their tails as a 5th limb, using it to grasp tree limbs and balance their body when they walk.

Which detail supports the main idea that spider monkeys were named after their long arms and long, agile tails?

• Spider monkeys live in tropical forests from Mexico to Brazil.

• Their arms are so long that they drag on the ground when they walk.

• Their average weight is less than 25 pounds.

• Their tails have a hairless tip with grooves like fingerprints.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.3.1