Central Idea

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. They often leave mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.

What is the central idea?

• Floods cause mudslides.

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.

• Floods damage houses.

• Floods damage roads.

Soccer is known in some countries as football. It is a popular sport across the world, with over 200 countries playing the sport. It is estimated that over 250 million people, both men and women, play soccer. The sport has been part of the Olympic games for many years. What is the central idea?

• Soccer is important at the Oolympics.

• Soccer is also called football.

• Soccer is a popular sport worldwide.

• Soccer is played by men and women.

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.

• The destruction of the rain forest is a controversial subject

• Forests provide oxygen for humans and animals

Read the following paragraph:

"Recycling is an important way to help our planet. When we recycle, we reduce the amount of waste in landfills. It also helps conserve natural resources by reusing materials. Recycling can save energy and reduce pollution too. Everyone can make a difference by recycling at home and school."

What is the central idea of this paragraph?

• a. Landfills are full of waste
  

• b. Natural resources are limited
  

• c. Recycling is beneficial for the environment
  

• d. Schools should have recycling programs

  
  

Hurricanes are large, intense storms that begin over the ocean, where they gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes move slowly toward land, usually moving 10-20 miles per hour for more than one week. The most dangerous part of the hurricane is the storm surge, when it reaches land and causes flooding. Wind and waves also contribute to the damage caused by these surges.

What is the main idea?

• Hurricanes are dangerous storms.

• Hurricanes begin over the ocean

• One type of storm is called a hurricane

• Hurricanes are different from other storms.

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

What is the central idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• We're not always happy.

• You should do good things for others.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

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.

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700's. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people read better.

What is the main idea of the text?

• Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod.

• Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin stove.

• Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocals.

• Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.

Giant pandas are losing their habitats. Giant pandas live in bamboo forests in China. The average giant panda eats about 30 pounds of bamboo each day. Unfortunately, the forests are being cut down and the giant panda is endangered.

What is the main idea of the text?

• Giant Pandas

• Giant Pandas are huge.

• Giant Pandas are becoming endangered because they go to zoos.

• Giant Pandas are becoming endangered because they're losing their habitats.

Steel is a very important metal which is used for many things. In the United States, the automobile industry uses the most steel. Steel is used in putting up buildings. Cans and containers are made from steel. Steel is used to make farm and factory machines.

The Main Idea Is:

• The auto industry is the most important.

• Steel is used for many purposes.

• The United States produces the most steel in the world.