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Central Idea Independent Practice 2-10-25

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 4hrs 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The central idea of nonfiction text is __________________

a)

one word.

b)

what the text is mostly about.

c)

the meaning of an unknown word.

2.

The CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text needs to always be supported with...

a)

The reader's opinion

b)

Author's who are reliable

c)

Supporting Details

d)

Concluding sentences

3.

What is a topic?

a)

The writer's opinion about the text.

b)

The supporting detail.

c)

The retelling of a story.

d)

The general subject of a text.

4.

What is another word for SUPPORTING DETAILS used to

identify the CENTRAL IDEA of a text?

a)

Conflict

b)

Topic

c)

Text Evidence

d)

Text Features

5.

Recycling things like paper, plastic, and metal is beneficial for our environment by cutting down on trash. Yet many people throw away their water bottles, shipping boxes, and cans instead of recycling them. An increased focus on getting more people to recycle is leading people to develop creative ways to make it easier for Americans. One way is to put bright colored recycling containers in more places. Seeing more recycling bins helps people remember to use them. Another idea that has been developed is reverse vending machines. These machines are the opposite of traditional vending machines since you give it a recyclable good and it gives you money or reward in return. Hopefully more places will introduce new and unique ways to get people to start recycling. What is the central idea of the passage?

a)

People need to start recycling in order to protect our environment.

b)

The amount of people who recycle will increase if innovative methods are implemented.

c)

Reverse vending machines that gives money for recyclable goods is a creative recycling solution.

d)

Bright colored collection bins will help encourage people to protect the environment.

6.

Why is it important to identify the central idea?

a)

I do not know.

b)

It is the key to understanding what you read.

c)

It helps you decide if you will like the topic.

7.

When the internet first became popular in the United States, Wi-Fi was not an option. Computers all across the country used phone lines to connect to the internet, which was known as dial-up internet. In hindsight, there were lots of problems with dial-up internet, but at the time it was the only option many people had to access the internet. Dial-up internet required an open phone line, so if someone’s parents were on the phone, then getting on the internet to do homework would have to wait. When someone called, the internet connection was often lost. Once internet service became popular, a lot of people had trouble connecting and would have to wait to log on to the internet. While there were many drawbacks to dial-up internet, the benefits outweighed them at the time.


What is the central idea of the passage?

a)

Wireless internet is popular today.

b)

Dial-up internet had its flaws, but was still useful in its time.

c)

There were many downsides to dial-up internet.

8.

For most American kids, it wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-treating for candy. However, when trick-or-treating first started candy wasn't even an option. In the 1930s and early 1940s, children were given everything from homemade cookies and pieces of cake to fruit, nuts, coins and toys. It wasn't until the 1950s when candy manufacturers began to get in on the act and promote their products for Halloween. As trick-or-treating became more popular, candy was considered an affordable, convenient offering. It wasn’t until the 1970s, though, that wrapped, factory-made candy was viewed as the only acceptable thing to hand out to all the little ghosts and goblins that showed up on people’s doorsteps. What is the central idea of the article?

a)

American kids love receiving candy on Halloween.

b)

Trick-or-treating has a long history that didn't always involve candy.

c)

In the 1930s kids were given toys, cake, and even toys when they went trick-or-treating.

d)

In the 1970s individually wrapped candies were introduced to the market and considered the best thing to pass out to trick-or-treaters.

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

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

14.

Meerkats in Africa live in large groups of 20 to 50 members. The group works together to survive. All members of the group care for the baby meerkats. They take turns babysitting and will protect the young ones from danger. Members of the group also take turns watching out for threats from other animals while the group finds food. If any dangerous animal comes toward the group, the meerkat will bark a warning.

What is the central idea of this passage?

a)

Meerkats like to babysit.

b)

Meerkats live in groups to help each other.

c)

Meerkats come from Africa.

d)

Meerkats are good at finding food.

15.

One of the most mysterious things about the Venus flytrap is that scientists still don't understand how the trap closes. The flytrap does not have the muscles, tendons, or nervous system necessary for movement. Scientists guess that the trap might close using some electrical impulses and pressure changes. The longer they study the Venus flytrap, the more likely scientists are to discover how it functions.

Which sentence from the paragraph best show's the text's central idea?

a)

"One of the most mysterious things about the Venus flytrap is that scientists still don't understand how the trap closes."

b)

"The flytrap does not have the muscles, tensons or nervous system necessary for movement."

c)

"Scientists guess that the trap might close using some electrical impulses and pressure changes."

d)

"It should be no mystery, however, why this unusual plant has captured the imaginations of so many people."

16.

Determine the Central Idea of the following passage

Blooms in Death Valley

In March 2016, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a rare occurrence: thousands of yellow wildflowers covered the region in a "super bloom." Why was this unusual? Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. The area's average yearly precipitation is just two inches, making it a challenging place for flowers to grow. However, in October 2015, the valley had received more than three inches of rain in some areas. As a result of the unusually wet season, wildflower seeds that had been lying dormant underground suddenly began to grow, producing an abundance of golden blooms.

a)

Because of the hot, dry conditions in Death Valley, it is difficult for flowers to grow there.

b)

Because of an unusual amount of rain, thousands of wildflowers grew in Death Valley in 2016.

17.

 

Select the detail that DOES NOT support the main idea that education is important.

a)

Education can lead to success in life.

b)

It helps you understand the world.

c)

Education causes problems.

d)

You make smarter choices in life if you're educated.

18.
Emma desperately wanted the silky baby blue scarf that stared back at her from the shop window. When Mrs. Marple called to ask her to babysit, Emma knew this was her chance to earn the money to buy the scarf. After babysitting, Emma counted out her cash. She had enough to buy the scarf! The next afternoon, she raced to the store and bought the scarf, the perfect gift for her Mom! 
What's the main idea of this passage?
a)
Emma is an excellent babysitter.
b)
Emma babysits regularly for Mrs. Marple.
c)
Babysitting helped Emma buy her Mom the perfect scarf.
d)
Emma was shopping for a gift for her Mom.
19.
For years scientist have wanted to know the spider's secret.  The threads of spider webs are so tiny, yet so strong.  How can these threads be so strong?  Now scientists have found out.  The inside of the spider's thread is soft.  It helps the web stretch without breaking.  The outside of the web is hard and strong.  This paragraph mainly tells:
a)
who makes thread soft
b)
how spiders make strong thread
c)
how scientists make strong thread
d)
why spiders spin webs
20.
School uniforms are far cheaper than the currently popular fashions. Many students work long hours at a paying job instead of doing homework because they feel they have to "keep up appearances." If students wore uniforms, there would be no need for most of them to have jobs that take away from their study time.

This passage is mostly about?
a)
popular fashions being expensive
b)
school uniforms being a good idea.
c)
students working many hours at jobs.
d)
teens enjoying wearing uniforms.
21.
"Are you already done?" his father asked. "It seems like you just got in the water." Jacob was finished with his bath in two minutes. He got his body and hair wet, rubbed  shampoo on his hair, washed his body with soap, and rinsed off. He liked fast baths so to have more time to play. In fact, Jacob never took a long bath. To him, the faster the bath, the better.
What is the central idea of the passage?
a)
Jacob is very clean
b)
Jacob never too showers
c)
Jacob likes to take fast baths
22.

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

23.

For a growing number of kids, an active lifestyle is the exception rather than the rule. The attractions of television, computers, and video games keep children spending far more time sitting at home than running around in the great outdoors.


Which expresses the central idea best?

a)

Children love T.V.

b)

Children are less active than they used to be

c)

An active lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle

24.

The cold, probably the most common illness known, has no safe or effective cure. This is because a cold is produced by any one of more than 200 different viruses, making it nearly impossible for scientists to find a single remedy.


What is the main idea?

a)

the cold is a common illness

b)

there is no cure for a cold

c)

colds are caused by more than 200 viruses

25.

Using credit cards is as American as apple pie. Unfortunately, so is debt. The average American charged more than $4,000 on credit cards last year. For many of us, the convenience of using charge cards instead of cash makes it easy to spend more than we have.


What is the main idea?

a)

Many Americans have credit card debt

b)

Credit cards are convenient

c)

Americans love apple pie