Diary of a Young Girl: Central Idea and Style

Researchers are finding that eating dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate or white

chocolate can help lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate is an antioxidant, which means

that it helps attack molecules in the body that can lead to heart disease. Of course, eating

dark chocolate is a great idea—but watch out for the extra calories! Balance them by

exercising more.

What is the central idea of the passage?

• Dark chocolate is good for your health.

• Exercise more if you are going to eat chocolate.

• Chocolate lowers blood pressure.

Researchers are finding that eating dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate or white

chocolate can help lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate is an antioxidant, which means

that it helps attack molecules in the body that can lead to heart disease. Of course, eating

dark chocolate is a great idea—but watch out for the extra calories! Balance them by

exercising more.

Which detail supports the central idea?

• Eating dark chocolate is a great idea.

• Dark chocolate is an antioxidant.

• Watch out for extra calories.

The islands of Hawaii were formed by volcanoes that began at the bottom of the ocean.

Over millions of years, these volcanoes erupted many times, spewing out melted rock

called lava. As the lava hardened and piled up, it gradually formed huge hills above the

surface of the sea. These hills became the Hawaiian Islands. Some volcanoes in Hawaii

are no longer active, but others, such as Kilauea, still erupt from time to time, forming

new land. Many tourists to Hawaii are fascinated to see the results of these earthshaking

natural wonders. It is amazing to see that cities have sprung up around the crater of an

ancient volcano.

Which sentence best states the central idea of the passage?

• The Hawaiian Islands are a

  major tourist attraction.

• The Hawaiian Islands were

  formed by volcanic activity.

• Lava is melted rock that erupts

  out of volcanoes.

• Kilauea is an active volcano.

The islands of Hawaii were formed by volcanoes that began at the bottom of the ocean.

Over millions of years, these volcanoes erupted many times, spewing out melted rock

called lava. As the lava hardened and piled up, it gradually formed huge hills above the

surface of the sea. These hills became the Hawaiian Islands. Some volcanoes in Hawaii

are no longer active, but others, such as Kilauea, still erupt from time to time, forming

new land. Many tourists to Hawaii are fascinated to see the results of these earthshaking

natural wonders. It is amazing to see that cities have sprung up around the crater of an

ancient volcano.

Which of these is an important detail that supports the central idea?

• As the lava hardened, it

  gradually formed huge hills.

• Some volcanoes in the

  Hawaiian Islands are no longer

  active.

• Many tourists come to see the

  results of the volcanoes.

• Kilauea still erupts from time to

  time.

The islands of Hawaii were formed by volcanoes that began at the bottom of the ocean.

Over millions of years, these volcanoes erupted many times, spewing out melted rock

called lava. As the lava hardened and piled up, it gradually formed huge hills above the

surface of the sea. These hills became the Hawaiian Islands. Some volcanoes in Hawaii

are no longer active, but others, such as Kilauea, still erupt from time to time, forming

new land. Many tourists to Hawaii are fascinated to see the results of these earthshaking

natural wonders. It is amazing to see that cities have sprung up around the crater of an

ancient volcano.

Which of these is an unimportant detail in the passage?

• Undersea volcanoes erupted

  over millions of years.

• Melted rock called lava

  hardened and piled up.

• Hardened lava gradually

  formed hills above the water.

• Cities around volcano craters

  are amazing sights.

She took a deep breath, feeling the wind in her hair as she rushed down the

hill on her bike. It was exhilarating, to feel such freedom! She had never

moved so fast, and the feeling was powerful. She could be a bird, or a rocket.

She felt like she was flying!

Which answer choice best describes the writer’s diction?

  

• formal and difficult  

• simple and plain  

• descriptive and playful

• humorous and unclear

She took a deep breath, feeling the wind in her hair as she rushed down the

hill on her bike. It was exhilarating, to feel such freedom! She had never

moved so fast, and the feeling was powerful. She could be a bird, or a rocket.

She felt like she was flying!

Which answer choice best describes the writer’s syntax?

   

• short and straightforward  

• energetic and exclamatory

• flat and steady

• complicated and mellow

She took a deep breath, feeling the wind in her hair as she rushed down the

hill on her bike. It was exhilarating, to feel such freedom! She had never

moved so fast, and the feeling was powerful. She could be a bird, or a rocket.

She felt like she was flying!

Which answer choice best describes the writer’s style?

  

• humorous and sarcastic  

• formal and sophisticated   

• informal and light-hearted

• proud and practical