Analyze How People, Events, Or Ideas Are Presented In Text

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Everywhere around us, there are millions of tiny living things called germs. They are so tiny that they can be seen only under the most powerful microscope. SOme of these germs are no wider than twenty-five thousandths of an inch!

Louis Pasteur, the great French scientist, was the first to prove that germs exist. The germs in the air can be counted. The number of germs around us, especially in croded rooms, is tremendous. Certain scientists counted 42,000 germs in approximately one cubic meter of air in a picture gallery when it was empty. But when the gallery was crowded with people, they found nearly 5,000,000 germs in the same place. In the open-air germs are less abundant. There are fewer germs in the country air than in town air. We see at once how important it is, therefore, to live as much as possible in the open air and for the rooms we live in to always be well ventilated by fresh air.

Question: What is the central idea of the above passage?

• Louis Pasteur was a great French Scientist.

• Germs are everywhere.

• Germs are small.

• Germs can be counted.

Answer explanation

Three of the choices present minor detail related to the bigger, overall topic that germs are everywhere.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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Everywhere around us, there are millions of tiny living things called germs. They are so tiny that they can be seen only under the most powerful microscope. SOme of these germs are no wider than twenty-five thousandths of an inch!

Louis Pasteur, the great French scientist, was the first to prove that germs exist. The germs in the air can be counted. The number of germs around us, especially in croded rooms, is tremendous. Certain scientists counted 42,000 germs in approximately one cubic meter of air in a picture gallery when it was empty. But when the gallery was crowded with people, they found nearly 5,000,000 germs in the same place. In the open-air germs are less abundant. There are fewer germs in the country air than in town air. We see at once how important it is, therefore, to live as much as possible in the open air and for the rooms we live in to always be well ventilated by fresh air.

Question: Which of the following TWO details support the central idea of the passage?

• Germs are tiny and can only be seen using powerful microscopes.

• There are fewer germs in open air.

• Germs are living things.

• Germs are not a cause for concern.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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George Washington was the first and most popular U.S. President. He was the only one elected by a unanimous vote. It is often siad of him that he was "first in war, first peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Washington led comparatively untrained and ill-equipped American soldiers to vicorty over the well trained British in the Revolutionary War. As soon as the Constitution was ratified, he was chosen to be President.

Many of the generals who had fought under Washington did not believe that the 13 colonies could cooperate to form a single country without the strong leadership of a king. They approached him, saying that they would support support him as King George I of the United States. Washington was dismayed at the idea and asked the generals to promise never to mention it again. He served two terms as President and refused a third term, retiring to his farm in Virginia. When English's King George heard that Washington had voluntarily given up the power of the presidency, he said, "If that is true, he is the greatest man in history."

Question: What is the central idea of the above passage?

• George Washington refused a third term as president.

• King George said that Washington is a great man.

• George Washington was also known as King George I of the United States.

• George Washington was a general and the first president of United States of America.

Answer explanation

The main passage was about George Washington was a great general and president.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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George Washington was the first and most popular U.S. President. He was the only one elected by a unanimous vote. It is often siad of him that he was "first in war, first peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Washington led comparatively untrained and ill-equipped American soldiers to vicorty over the well trained British in the Revolutionary War. As soon as the Constitution was ratified, he was chosen to be President.

Many of the generals who had fought under Washington did not believe that the 13 colonies could cooperate to form a single country without the strong leadership of a king. They approached him, saying that they would support support him as King George I of the United States. Washington was dismayed at the idea and asked the generals to promise never to mention it again. He served two terms as President and refused a third term, retiring to his farm in Virginia. When English's King George heard that Washington had voluntarily given up the power of the presidency, he said, "If that is true, he is the greatest man in history."

Question: Based upon the story about George Washington, which of the following words best describe him?

• Popular

• Power hungry

• Strong leader

• Cruel

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When Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls, they had one winning season after another. He scored more than 100 points in 1,108 games, won two Olympic gold medals and was ranked #1 by ESPN Magazine. Chosen for the NBA All-Stars 14 times, Jordan was ten times the scoring champ, five times the Most Valuable Player, and six times the scoring champ of the NBA. When he began losing his hair, he shaved his head completely and started a fashion trend for other players. He was chosen to make an animated movie called "Space Jam" with Bugs Bunny. No other palyer has come close to those achievements.

Question: Which of the following would be the best introductory, or topic sentence, for the above passage?

• Michael Jordan is often considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time.

• Michael Jordan loves playing basketball.

• When Michael Jodran isn't playing basketball he is starring in movies.

• Michael Jordan won games, medals, and awards as a basketball player.

Answer explanation

Only one answer choice completely identifies who Michael Jordan is and why.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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When Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls, they had one winning season after another. He scored more than 100 points in 1,108 games, won two Olympic gold medals and was ranked #1 by ESPN Magazine. Chosen for the NBA All-Stars 14 times, Jordan was ten times the scoring champ, five times the Most Valuable Player, and six times the scoring champ of the NBA. When he began losing his hair, he shaved his head completely and started a fashion trend for other players. He was chosen to make an animated movie called "Space Jam" with Bugs Bunny. No other palyer has come close to those achievements.

Question: Which of the following sentences best supports the central idea of the passage?

• Michael Jordan was scoring champ of the NBA six times.

• Michael Jordan scored more than 100 points in 1,108 games.

• Michael Jordan is best friends with Bugs Bunny.

Answer explanation

Only two of the choices support the central idea of the passage that Michael Jordan is a great basketball player.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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When Westinghouse, the inventor of the air brake, was working on his great invention, he made an application for a trial of his device to the New York Central Railroad. Vanderbilt, the president of the railroad, thought the inventor's claims were absurd. In comparison witht he hand brake then in use, Westinghouse stated that one man instead of two could operate his brake and that his brake would stop a fifty-car train in fifty yards, compared to a sixty-fie car train in two hundred yards with hand brakes.

It is said that Vanderbilt roared with laughter. The idea of stopping a train of cars by wind appeared to him to be a joke. So he returned the letter, with these words scribbled at the bottom: "I have no time to waste on fools."

The young inventor next turned to the head of another railroad. He was younger and more progressive than his New York rival. He sent for Westinghouse, listened to his explanations, and even advanced him money to continue his experiments. Best of all, he tested the new brake and gound that Westinghouse was on the right track. Vanderbilt, hearing of the test, regretted his curt dismissal of the idea. He wrote a courteous note to the inventor, fixing a time for an interview. The note came back with the brief inscription: "I have no time to waste on fools," George Westinghouse.

Question: What is the above passage mostly about?

• Railroads during the 1800s

• Vanderbilt and his dislike for fools

• Air brakes

• George Westinghouse's invention

Answer explanation

While the passage does talk about railroads, Vanderbilt, and air brakes, it is actually about George Westinghouse's ivention of the air brake.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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When Westinghouse, the inventor of the air brake, was working on his great invention, he made an application for a trial of his device to the New York Central Railroad. Vanderbilt, the president of the railroad, thought the inventor's claims were absurd. In comparison witht he hand brake then in use, Westinghouse stated that one man instead of two could operate his brake and that his brake would stop a fifty-car train in fifty yards, compared to a sixty-fie car train in two hundred yards with hand brakes.

It is said that Vanderbilt roared with laughter. The idea of stopping a train of cars by wind appeared to him to be a joke. So he returned the letter, with these words scribbled at the bottom: "I have no time to waste on fools."

The young inventor next turned to the head of another railroad. He was younger and more progressive than his New York rival. He sent for Westinghouse, listened to his explanations, and even advanced him money to continue his experiments. Best of all, he tested the new brake and gound that Westinghouse was on the right track. Vanderbilt, hearing of the test, regretted his curt dismissal of the idea. He wrote a courteous note to the inventor, fixing a time for an interview. The note came back with the brief inscription: "I have no time to waste on fools," George Westinghouse.

Question: How did Westinghouse react to Vanderbilt's dismissal of his idea?

• Westinghouse gave up.

• Westinghouse kept trying.

• Westinghoue got mad at Vanderbilt.

• Westinghouse decided to try inventing something else.

Answer explanation

Even though Vanderbilt felt Westinghouse was a fool, Westinghouse kept trying. The passage specifically states that Westinghouse went on to try another railroad that listened to his ideas and tested his air brake.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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When Westinghouse, the inventor of the air brake, was working on his great invention, he made an application for a trial of his device to the New York Central Railroad. Vanderbilt, the president of the railroad, thought the inventor's claims were absurd. In comparison witht he hand brake then in use, Westinghouse stated that one man instead of two could operate his brake and that his brake would stop a fifty-car train in fifty yards, compared to a sixty-fie car train in two hundred yards with hand brakes.

It is said that Vanderbilt roared with laughter. The idea of stopping a train of cars by wind appeared to him to be a joke. So he returned the letter, with these words scribbled at the bottom: "I have no time to waste on fools."

The young inventor next turned to the head of another railroad. He was younger and more progressive than his New York rival. He sent for Westinghouse, listened to his explanations, and even advanced him money to continue his experiments. Best of all, he tested the new brake and gound that Westinghouse was on the right track. Vanderbilt, hearing of the test, regretted his curt dismissal of the idea. He wrote a courteous note to the inventor, fixing a time for an interview. The note came back with the brief inscription: "I have no time to waste on fools," George Westinghouse.

Question: What kind of person does the passage illustrate George Westinghouse to be? Select all that apply.

• Foolish

• Smart

• Determined

• Courteous

Answer explanation

George Westinghouse was both smart and determined.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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Books were hard to get for the mountain men among the western settlers. Sometimes a mountain man would carry a single battered book with him for years. Some of the men had Bibles, and even more had Shakespeare's plays. Shakespeare was a favorite with mountain men, even if they could not read. When they found someone who could read, he was often aske to read one of Shakespeare's plays to a group over a campfire. There were mountain men who could not sign their own names but could quote passages of Shakespeare by heart.

Question: How does the author of the above passage show that books were important to the mountain men?

• Books were hard for mountain men to get.

• Some mountain men had Shakespeare's plays.

• Some mountain men could quote Shakespeare.

• Not all mountain men could read.

Answer explanation

While all of the answer choices are true, only on answer choice illustrates how books were important to the mountain men and that was because they were hard to get.