When the first rail lines were put in place across the United States in 1869, officials had a problem. Each town along the way set its clock by the noonday sun. So the time was never the same fom place to place. It was hard to have a reliable railroad schedule with this system. So in 1883, railroad owners, scientists and business men came up with four time zones across the country. This new system was called the Standard Railway Time. Today, these are the time zones in use across the United States. Which of the following is the main idea of this paragraph?

In the 1860's an American named Henry Bergh was in Russia working for the U. S. government. He was horrified when he saw local peasants beating their horses in the streets. Soon after that, Bergh founded an organization in the United States to help animals. It was called the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). As the first president, Bergh worked hard to keep people from abusing aimals. He even started an ambulance service for horses. It began two years before there was one for people. Which of the following is the main idea of this paragraph?

The Smithsonian opened in Washington, D. C., in 1855. It is the world's largest museum and covers 19 acres. It was founded because of the generosity of an Englishman named James Smithson. When Smithson died in 1829, he left his money to a nephew. If the nephew had no heirs, the money was to go to the U. S. government to start a museum. The nephew died in 1835, leaving no children. And, sure snough, 105 bags of gold arrived in the United States for the museum. Curiously, Smithson never actually visited this country. Which of the following is the main idea of this paragraph?

Many words have interesting stories about their origins. For example, the Cesar Ritz was a fancy hotel in Switzerland. So, the word "ritzy" came to mean, "very fancy." In Greek mythology, Atlas was a giant who had to hold the world on his shoulders. Today, an atlas is a book of maps. A vandal is someone who destroys things on purpose. This word comes from the Vandals who were known for attacking and robbing their neighbors in ancient Europe. Which of the following is the main idea of this paragraph?

When the first English settlers arrived in America, they were amazed at the foods they found. The Indians had developed techniques for growing corn, squash, watermelons and other crops. The settlers also found blueberries, cranberries, wild rice and pumpkin. They learned to eat lobster and crab as well as cod and striped bass. Still, other foods included nuts such as cashews, black walnuts, hickory nuts and pecans. Wild turkeys were also a first for the settlers. Which of the following is the main idea of this paragraph?

As you read this story, try to think about what the main idea of each separate paragraph would be.

A Woodcutter was hard at work beside a river. He chopped down a tree and chopped off the branches, one by one. He stacked the small branches in one pile and the large branches in another pile. It was hard work, and he grew tired. By accident, he dropped his axe into the deep river. He sat down on the river bank, and put his his head in his hands.

The Woodcutter heard a sound in the nearby bushes. He lifted his head and was amazed to see a strange little man dressed all in green. He thought perhaps it was one of the Wood Gnomes of the fairy tales, and he was quite correct. “Why are you so upset?” asked the Wood Gnome. The Woodcutter explained what had happened, and the Wood Gnome walked closer to the bank of the deep river and dived right in headfirst. In moments he climbed out, carrying a golden axe. “Is this your axe, sir?” asked the Wood Gnome. The Woodcutter shook his head with sorrow. The Wood Gnome dived back into the river, and came up with a silver axe. “Is this your axe?” he asked. Again, the woodcutter shook his head, and again the Wood Gnome dived into the river.

This time, the Wood Gnome came out of the river with the Woodcutter’s own axe, and the Woodcutter shouted out with joy. The Wood Gnome told the Woodcutter that he must keep the gold and silver axes as well as his own, as a reward for his honesty. The Woodcutter went home and told all of his friends what had happened, and showed them the gold and silver axes.

The next day, one of those friends went to the place by the river that the Woodcutter had described. He threw his axe into the river, and sat down on the riverbank and cried. The Wood Gnome appeared, and asked the man why he was crying. The man said that he had dropped his axe into the river by mistake, and the Wood Gnome quickly dived into the river, and came up with a golden axe. “Is this your axe?” the Wood Gnome asked, and the man reached for it greedily, saying that it was the very axe he had lost. The Wood Gnome kept the golden axe, and left without going back into the river for the axe that the dishonest man had thrown there on purpose.

What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

The Woodcutter heard a sound in the nearby bushes. He lifted his head and was amazed to see a strange little man dressed all in green. He thought perhaps it was one of the Wood Gnomes of the fairy tales, and he was quite correct. “Why are you so upset?” asked the Wood Gnome. The Woodcutter explained what had happened, and the Wood Gnome walked closer to the bank of the deep river and dived right in headfirst. In moments he climbed out, carrying a golden axe. “Is this your axe, sir?” asked the Wood Gnome. The Woodcutter shook his head with sorrow. The Wood Gnome dived back into the river, and came up with a silver axe. “Is this your axe?” he asked. Again, the woodcutter shook his head, and again the Wood Gnome dived into the river.

What is the main idea of the second paragraph of the story which is shown above?

This time, the Wood Gnome came out of the river with the Woodcutter’s own axe, and the Woodcutter shouted out with joy. The Wood Gnome told the Woodcutter that he must keep the gold and silver axes as well as his own, as a reward for his honesty. The Woodcutter went home and told all of his friends what had happened, and showed them the gold and silver axes.

What is the main idea of the third paragraph which is shown above?

Beth likes to swim with her friends at the beach. The best part of going to the beach is collecting shells. She likes to use shells to make jewlery.

Lisa's birthday is soon. She wants to have a party. She will ask six friends to come. They will play games. they will eat cake and ice cream. It will be fun.

Jim's family bought a new car. Jim is very excited about it. His father and mother will take him for a ride in it tomorrow. Jim hopes it will be a long ride.

The clock rang. John pulled the covers over his head. He did not want to get up. His eyes were shut. In a few minutes John heard Mother call him. He had to get up.

Ginny will move to a new house. The new house is not far from the old house. Ginny will go to the same school. She can keep her old friends. She can make new friends, too.