wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Central Idea / Predicting / Context Clues Quiz

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 7hrs 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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.

a)

Leopards are losing their homes

b)

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

c)

The destruction of the rain forest is an interesting subject

d)

Forests provide oxygen for humans and animals

2.

What is the central idea of the passage?


Thomas Edison’s life span is known as “The age of Edison.” If it wasn’t for Thomas Edison, we might not have electric lights, telephones, movie cameras, or computers! Think of all the ways these great products affect our lives today. Edison held over 1,000 patents and received dozens of awards during his lifetime for his inventions and contributions to science.

a)

The light bulb was an important invention

b)

Thomas Edison was an important inventor

c)

Thomas Edison was an excellent student

d)

Creating inventions is a difficult process

3.

What is the central idea of the passage?


In 1969, Apollo 11’s successful landing on the moon was seen on TV all around the world. At last, men had walked on the moon for the first time ever! Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became famous American heroes. This mission was a great achievement for the U.S. space program, and led to six more Apollo flights in the years to come. The mission's success also led to further deep space explorations by the United States and other countries around the world.

a)

Apollo 11’s landing was an important moment in history

b)

Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin are heroes

c)

People were surprised about Apollo 11's success

d)

Millions watched the Apollo 11 moon landing

4.

What is the central idea of the passage?


The law was not exactly fair in the Middle Ages in Europe. Back then, you could blame someone in your town for committing a crime. The “criminal” could then challenge you to a fight to prove his guilt or innocence. If you lost the fight, you were charged as a liar and the criminal was believed to be innocent. If you won, the criminal was believed to be guilty.

a)

Laws were unfair in the Middle Ages

b)

Fighting is a good way to decide guilt or innocence.

c)

Most people lied about crime in the Middle Ages.

d)

Those who were innocent of crimes often won

5.

What is the central idea of the passage?


In training to be a knight, a person was expected to study hard and learn good manners. They were taught to play musical instruments, sing, and recite poetry. They also studied reading, writing, geometry, and strategy games. Another knight would then teach the person to shoot a bow and arrow, fight with a sword, and ride a horse. To say the least, knights had a well-rounded education.

a)

Knights learned a variety of subjects while training

b)

Knights were very talented individuals

c)

Knights were very hard working

d)

Sword fighting was the most important subject a knight learned

6.
We often let others know what we are thinking without using words. The name that we give for this kind of communication is body language. Body language includes gestures, facial expressions, and posture. Body language does not always mean the same thing to everyone.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?
a)

We sometimes use words to express ourselves.

b)

Body language may not mean the same thing to everyone.

c)

We use body language to communicate with others.

d)

Body language includes gestures, facial expression, and posture.

7.

What is the central idea of the passage?


There are a lot of myths flying around about bats. One of these myths is that bats are blind. Bats can actually see quite well, some even better then people! Another myth is that bats are dirty. This is also untrue, as bats are very clean animals. Like cats, they spend lots of time grooming themselves.

a)

Bats are misunderstood animals

b)

Bats are interesting animals.

c)

Bats can be very dangerous animals

d)

Bats live in caves

8.

What is the central idea of the passage?


In 1981, a new television channel was introduced to showcase musicians performing their songs in music videos. This channel was called MTV, or Music Television. Since the channel first went on the air, viewership has increased, and the channel has expanded to countries all over the world. Today, MTV not only shows music videos, but a variety of other television programming as well.

a)

MTV has been a ground-breaking TV channel

b)

MTV offers interesting videos

c)

Watching MTV is a great way to see musicians

d)

MTV is a channel that is broadcasted around the world

9.

What is the central idea of the passage?


Jackie Robinson did something nobody had ever done before. He was not only a three-sport athlete at UCLA. He was the first African-American to play on a Major league baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson had to deal with racism all over the country. He was treated very poorly by the by other players and fans in the stadiums he visited. But, whenever things got difficult, his courage and determination kept him going. Today his number 42 is retired on every team in major league baseball, and he is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

a)

Jackie Robinson is an important figure in American History

b)

Jackie Robinson played many different sports

c)

Jackie Robinson is in the Baseball Hall of Fame

d)

Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers

10.

What is the central idea of the passage?


Before the Industrial Revolution, most cloth was hand-made in people’s homes. They used spinning wheels and weaving looms to make their own clothes. This took a lot of time and hard work! But during the Industrial Revolution, machines were built that made great quantities of cloth very quickly. Before long, machines were built to make other products, such as paper and even cars! This saved people much time and energy.

a)

The Industrial Revolution allowed goods to be made faster and easier

b)

Cloth was difficult to make before machines

c)

The Industrial Revolution helped the world prosper

d)

Spinning wheels were used to make cloth before machines

11.

What is the central idea of the passage?


William Shakespeare was a very prolific writer. By the time of his death at 52 years of age, he had written 37 plays, 154 poems, and two long, narrative poems. No other writer of his time produced as many high-quality works as Shakespeare. Among his most popular works are Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. His words have inspired many writers to this day!

a)

Shakespeare was a talented writer

b)

Many people enjoyed Shakespeare’s plays

c)

Shakespeare would have created many other works if he hadn’t died so young

d)

Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet

12.

What is the central idea of the passage?


Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. Many beautiful three-dimensional creations are made with this art. Starting with only one square of paper, you can fold and fold and fold, until you’ve created amazing models. With practice, you can learn to make abstract designs or recognizable animals such as cranes (a type of bird) or even dinosaurs.

a)

Origami is an interesting and beautiful art form

b)

The art of origami came from Japan

c)

Origami is three-dimensional art

d)

Origami is a good way to show creativity

13.

What is the central idea of the passage?


Leonardo da Vinci was born in Italy long ago in the year 1452. Besides being a great artist, he is well-known for his many inventions. He kept notes on all of his ideas. Among his notes were designs for parachute, a diving suit, and a flying machine similar to today’s helicopter.

a)

Da Vinci was a great artist.

b)

Da Vinci was a man ahead of his time.

c)

Da Vinci was a better artist than inventor.

d)

Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa

14.
Macey's mom noticed that she was squinting as she read her book, which was only a few inches away from her face. She scheduled a doctor's appointment for the next week, and when the doctor said Macey needed glasses, she tried on every single pair in the office. After spending an hour looking at glasses, mom suggested that perhaps she should sleep on it and come back and decide in the morning. Macey agreed, but she kept talking about the pros and cons of each pair all night long. 
What can you infer about Macey?
a)

She likes to waste her mom's time. 

b)

She is picky because she doesn't want glasses. 

c)

She liked some of the glasses, but she has trouble making decisions. 

d)

She wants her mom to pick the glasses for her. 

15.
As the teacher lectured the class about how important it was to pay attention, Brian found himself staring out the window again. Suddenly, a little boy came up to the window and peeked in. The boy blew a bubble with his gum and it exploded all over his face and the window. Brian began laughing so hard he fell out of his seat. The rest of the class silently stared at him as the teacher walked to his desk. 
What can you infer about how the teacher will react?
a)

She will help him up and give him a piece of gum. 

b)

She will scold him for not paying attention in class because she never saw the boy in the window. 

c)

She will think it is funny that he is on the ground and laugh at him.

d)

She will pretend she doesn't see him and ignore his behavior.

16.
Before the 1800's people didn't have right or left shoes.  They had shoes of just one shape that they used for both feet.  When people first saw right and left shoes, they laughed.  They called them "crooked shoes."  "What a silly idea," they said.  You can tell that shoes before 1800:
a)

were pretty

b)

didn't look alike

c)

didn't fit very well

17.
His mother understood then how Tyerell felt just by looking at him. She saw that he wanted to stay in the house forever because of all the memories he had at this old place. They still had to leave, but she wanted to help her son feel better about what was going to happen in a few days.
The author assumes the reader most likely knows-
a)

Tyerell is too sentimental and needs to get over it.

b)

Tyerell & his mom are moving.

c)

Tyerell's mom is making her son upset on purpose.

d)

Tyerell & his mom are going on vacation.

18.
Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.
Topic Sentence: My cat is afraid of everything.
a)

He hides under the couch when you turn the microwave on.

b)

He sleeps all day long.

c)

He runs away when you sweep the floor.

d)

He jumps every time the doorbell rings.

19.
Which supporting detail best supports this topic sentence?
Dora the Explorer is an educational show for kids.
a)

She has a really cute monkey named Boots.

b)

Dora's purple backpack holds all of her tools.

c)

Dora helps teach kids Spanish words.

d)

She usually stops Swiper from swiping. 

20.
Which supporting detail best supports this topic sentence?
It takes a lot of hard work to become a professional athlete. 
a)

The pros live the good life.

b)

People like professional football players make a lot of money.

c)

Professional athletes spend countless hours practicing their sports.

d)

All of us can be professional athletes. 

21.
Mr. Johnson looked up at the sky. It was clear as far as the eye could see, except for the cruel sun. The insatiable sun drained the land of all moisture. He cursed the sun. Mr. Johnson ran his fingers through one of the rows of dirt and grabbed a handful. It was bone dry, almost powdery. He let the dirt sift through his fingers and it turned to dust in the wind. Mr. Johnson put his hands on his hips and surveyed the field. It was well seeded, that he knew. He seeded it himself, yet nothing sprang from the dirt. "Well, there's only one thing left to do," he said to himself. Mr. Johnson headed to church.
What does Mr. Johnson do for a living?
a)

He is a priest.

b)

He stays at home.

c)

He is a scientist who observes crops.

d)

He is a farmer.

22.

Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. The dogs keep the flock from being attacked by animals such as wolves. Sheepdogs are known for their loyalty and gentleness. Based on the text, you can infer that:

a)

Sheepdogs are not very smart.

b)

There are many breeds of dogs.

c)

Sheepdogs are trusted because of their loyalty.

d)

Wolves are afraid of sheepdogs.

23.
Willem looked at the sky and kept on biking. He knew he would have to stop soon to put on his jacket, but he wasn't going to turn around just yet. As the wheels spun quickly beneath him and his heart rate increased, he began to feel drops of water on his head. He reached up to wipe the moisture away and checked the sky once more. No rain yet. He pushed on. 
What can you infer about the setting?
a)

Willem is far away from his home, and a storm is coming.

b)

Willem is riding his bike at the park. 

c)

Willem is riding his bike in the middle of a rainstorm. 

d)

Willem has never ridden his bike in rain before.

24.
Mom had been late picking up the kids from school because she had to get gas on the way home from work. The gas station was in the opposite direction of the grocery store, she she didn't have anything to cook for dinner, either. As the kids argued in the back seat, mom looked at the clock and knew it was way past dinner time. She came to the stop light and eyed the Pizza Hut down the street. 
How might mom solve the problem she faces?
a)

Mom can turn the car around and go back to the grocery store.

b)

Mom can go home and hope there is food in the pantry. 

c)

Mom can go pick up some pizza for dinner.

d)

Mom can tell the kids they are going to make sandwiches from dinner at home.

25.
Wyatt's dog was very picky about his food, but he was determined to get him to eat only dog food. No more scraps from the table, and no more fancy wet dog food mixed in with the dry dog food. For days and days, Wyatt gave the dog only dog food, and the dog just barely nibbled on it. Wyatt became concerned, so he knew he had to do something. When the dog wasn't looking, Wyatt buried a piece of crispy bacon in the bottom of the food dish and set it down. The dog went crazy sniffing and whining for the bacon. Suddenly, he realized that the only way to get to the bacon was to eat the dog food...
What can you infer about the success of Wyatt's solution?
a)

The dog will be mad that Wyatt tried to trick him and he won't eat the food.

b)

The dog will want only bacon from now on. 

c)

The dog will finally eat the food because he wants the bacon.

d)

The dog will eat the bacon only, and leave the food in the bowl. 

26.
Lexi's heart was racing and the palms of her hands were sweaty. The teacher began to pass out the tests and Lexi put her office space up. How can you infer that Lexi is feeling?
a)

happy

b)

proud

c)

nervous

d)

confident