Central Idea Test

Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and held a golden scepter. His vest was embroidered with golden thread and even his shoes had golden ornaments. He had a golden box filled with gold coins. He named his daughter Marigold.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• King Midas loved gold.

• King Midas sold lots of gold.

• King Midas had a heart of gold.

• King Midas hated gold.

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What point is the author trying to make?

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way

• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

What is the central idea here
A penny for your thoughts?  If it's a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars.  In 1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War II, so the 1943 copper penny is ultra-rare.  Another rarity is the 1955 double die penny.  These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have overlapping dates and letters.  If it's uncirculated, it'd easily fetch $25,000 at an auction.  Now that's a pretty penny.  

• The 1943 penny is worth 50 thousand dollars.

• the 1943 penny is more rare than the 1955 penny.

• Some pennies are rare and worth a lot of money.

• None of these options

Nutrias are causing major problems in Louisiana. Someone brought the rodents to the state 40 years ago, hoping to make a fortune from the furs. Nobody wanted to buy the furs, and now the animals roam freely. They're destroying the wetlands. They eat the roots of the water plants along the canals. The plants die, and the banks of the canals begin to erode. The animals are costing the state millions of dollars, and no one seems to know what to do with them.
What sentence from the passage best describes the main idea?

• Someone brought the rodents to the state 40 years ago.

• No one seems to know what to do with them

• They eat the roots of the water plants along the canals.

• Nutrias are causing major problems in Louisiana.

Find the central idea
 Being a clown isn't all fun and games.  Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform.  When cowboys dismount or are bucked off of bulls at riding competitions, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention.  In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider.  So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business

• Being a clown isn't all fun and games.

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• Rodeos are exciting.

• Clowns are good at riding bulls.

Read the passage and find the central idea. What is the central idea of the text ?

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

• Forests provide oxygen for humans and animals

• Leopards are losing their homes

• The destruction of the rain forest is an interesting subject

What is the central idea of the passage?

• Creating inventions is a difficult process

• The light bulb was an important invention

• Thomas Edison was an excellent student

• Thomas Edison was an important inventor

What is the central idea of the following passage? 'The internet has revolutionized the way we communicate. Emails, social media, and instant messaging have made it easier to stay in touch with people across the globe. However, this ease of communication has also led to concerns about privacy and data security.'

• A) The internet has made communication easier.

• B) The internet has raised privacy concerns.

• C) The internet has changed communication and raised privacy concerns.

• D) The internet is only beneficial for communication.

Identify the central idea of this sentence: 'Despite the challenges, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are becoming more popular as people seek sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.'

• A) Renewable energy is challenging to implement.

• B) Renewable energy is becoming more popular.

• C) Fossil fuels are the best energy source.

• D) People are not interested in renewable energy.