Informal Assessment: Main Idea and Supporting Details

What is the main idea of this passage? Choose the best answer.

• Europa is the coldest moon in the solar system.

• Scientists believe life might exist in Europa’s underground ocean.

• Volcanoes on Earth are dangerous and powerful.

• The sun does not shine on Europa’s surface.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which detail best supports the main idea?

• Europa is one of Jupiter’s moons.

• Europa’s ocean may be warmed by hydrothermal vents.

• The sun cannot reach Europa’s surface.

• Volcanoes are found on other planets, too.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

What do hydrothermal vents do on Europa (according to the text)?

• Break the ice covering Europa’s surface.

• Provide sunlight to organisms.

• Heat the ocean beneath the ice.

• Make the moon spin faster.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Why do scientists think life might exist on Europa?

• It has thick clouds like Earth.

• Europa has many volcanoes.

• There is oxygen on its surface.

• It has liquid water, like Earth’s oceans where life began.

Which of these sentences is a key detail and NOT the main idea?

• Europa may have life in its oceans.

• Scientists are studying Jupiter’s moon.

• Heat from vents might allow life to survive.

• Life began in Earth's oceans.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

In your own words, explain how the details in the passage support the idea that life might exist on Europa.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1