Mastering Main Ideas

Read the paragraph below and choose the sentence that best represents the main idea. "Many animals have unique ways of communicating. For example, dolphins use a complex system of squeaks and whistles to talk to each other. Bees perform a special dance to tell other bees where to find food. Even trees can communicate through their roots with the help of fungi."

• Dolphins communicate with squeaks and whistles.

• Animals and plants have their own ways of communicating.

• Bees use a dance to show where food is.

• Trees communicate through their roots.

Choose the sentence that best summarizes the main idea of the paragraph. "Photosynthesis is a process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy. This energy is stored in the form of glucose, which plants use to grow and thrive. Without photosynthesis, life on Earth would be very different because plants are the base of the food chain."

• Photosynthesis converts light energy into glucose.

• Plants use glucose to grow and thrive.

• Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth.

• Plants are the base of the food chain.

Determine the main idea of the paragraph below. "Technology has transformed the way we live and work. Smartphones, for example, allow us to communicate instantly with people across the globe. They also give us access to an endless amount of information and entertainment."

• Smartphones let us communicate instantly.

• Technology has changed our lives and work.

• We can access a lot of information and entertainment.

• Smartphones are a type of technology.

Read the paragraph and choose the main idea. "Global warming is causing significant changes to our planet. Ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, and weather patterns are becoming more extreme. These changes can have devastating effects on wildlife and human populations."

• Ice caps are melting due to global warming.

• Global warming is changing our planet.

• Sea levels are rising.

• Weather patterns are becoming more extreme.

Which sentence represents the main idea of the paragraph? "Reading is a fundamental skill that benefits everyone. It can improve your vocabulary, enhance your imagination, and provide a source of knowledge and entertainment. Moreover, reading can reduce stress and improve memory and concentration."

• Reading can reduce stress and improve memory.

• Reading is a source of knowledge and entertainment.

• Reading is beneficial in many ways.

• Reading can enhance your imagination.