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What is the central idea of the passage?

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.

• Leopards are losing their homes

• The destruction of the rain forest is harming humans and animals.

• Forests provide oxygen for humans and animals

What is the central idea of the passage?

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.

• The light bulb was an important invention

• Thomas Edison was an important inventor

• Thomas Edison was an excellent student

What is the central idea of the passage?

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.

• Apollo 11’s landing was an important moment in history

• People were surprised about Apollo 11's success

• Millions watched the Apollo 11 moon landing

What is the central idea of the passage?

The law was not exactly fair in the Middle Ages in Europe. 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.

• Laws were unfair in the Middle Ages

• Fighting is a good way to decide guilt or innocence.

• Most people lied about crime in the Middle Ages.

What is the central idea of the passage?

In training to be a knight, a person was expected to study hard and learn good manners. They were taught to play musical instruments, sing, and recite poetry. They also studied reading, writing, geometry, and strategy games. Another knight would then teach the person to shoot a bow and arrow, fight with a sword, and ride a horse. To say the least, knights had a well-rounded education.

• Knights learned a variety of subjects while training

• Knights were very hard working

• Sword fighting was the most important subject a knight learned

What is the central idea of the passage?

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. Many beautiful three-dimensional creations are made with this art. Starting with only one square of paper, you can fold and fold and fold, until you’ve created amazing models. With practice, you can learn to make abstract designs or recognizable animals such as cranes (a type of bird) or even dinosaurs.

• Origami is an interesting and beautiful art form

• The art of origami came from Japan

• Origami is three-dimensional art

What is a topic?

• the subject (1 or 2 words)

• the details that explain the text
• a retelling of the most important ideas

We often let others know what we are thinking without using words. The name that we give for this kind of communication is body language. Body language includes gestures, facial expressions, and posture. Body language does not always mean the same thing to everyone.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• Body language may not mean the same thing to everyone.
• We use body language to communicate with others.
• Body language includes gestures, facial expression, and posture.

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.

The average school day for kindergarteners is getting longer, and it's paying off in improved reading skills.  This improvement will continue from elementary school to high school.  These children will be able to get better jobs when they are adults.  What is the author's viewpoint about full-day kindergarten?

• Hates kindergarten
• Favors full-day
• Never went to kindergarten