Cookies! Central Idea and Supporting Details

What is the central idea of this passage?

• Ruth Wakefield owned a restaurant called the Toll House Inn.

• Ruth Wakefield accidentally invented the chocolate chip cookie.

• Chocolate must be melted slowly so it doesn’t burn.

• Homemade cookies taste better than store-bought cookies.

Answer explanation

The passage focuses on how Ruth Wakefield accidentally created chocolate chip cookies when she was in a hurry and didn’t melt the chocolate. Her mistake led to a delicious invention that became popular. The other choices are supporting details or opinions, not the main idea.

Which detail best supports the central idea that chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident?

• Ruth and her husband opened a restaurant in Massachusetts.

• The Toll House Inn could hold 30 guests.

• Ruth put chunks of chocolate into the batter instead of melting them.

• Candy makers made chocolate chips easier to break into small pieces.

Answer explanation

This action was the “accident” that led to the creation of chocolate chip cookies, which supports the central idea. The other choices are background details or events that happened later.

Why did Ruth Wakefield not melt the chocolate like the recipe said?

• She didn’t know how to melt chocolate.

• She wanted the cookies to taste different.

• She didn’t like following recipes.

• She was in a hurry and didn’t have time.

Answer explanation

The passage says Ruth was rushing to feed all her guests, so she skipped melting the chocolate. This explains why she made the change that led to the invention. The other answers are not mentioned in the passage.

Which sentence from the passage helps show how people reacted to Ruth's new cookie invention?

• "She figured that the chocolate would just melt into the rest of the batter."

• "She could never serve these to her guests!"

• "Her guests agreed."

• "Ruth greeted the guests when they arrived."

Answer explanation

This sentence shows that Ruth's guests also thought the cookies were delicious, which supports how well people reacted to her accidental invention. The other choices are about her actions or thoughts, not the reaction of others.

How did Ruth Wakefield’s mistake lead to a new invention? Use details from the passage to support your answer.

Answer explanation

Here's an example of an acceptable response:

Ruth Wakefield’s mistake led to the invention of the chocolate chip cookie. She was in a hurry and didn’t have time to melt the chocolate like the recipe said. Instead, she broke the chocolate into chunks and mixed them into the dough. When the cookies came out of the oven, the chocolate hadn’t melted all the way. Even though she thought they were ruined, the cookies tasted really good. Her guests liked them too, and that’s how chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident.