There is no debate regarding which building is the world’s tallest skyscraper, but there is debate as to which building was actually the first skyscraper. One building that many consider to be the first skyscraper is the Home Insurance building in Chicago, Illinois. It was built in 1884 and was ten stories tall when it was first built, but later additions made it twelve stories. It was built after the Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed many buildings in Chicago. In response to the fire, the Home Insurance building had a fireproof frame made of metal and it was that unique frame that is the reason many consider it to be the world’s first skyscraper. Unfortunately, the historic building is not still standing today because it was demolished 47 years after it was built. What is the central idea of this passage?

Practical jokes played on April Fools’ Day have been tricking people for years. On April 1, 1957, a news channel in England played a short special that featured a family in Switzerland who grew spaghetti on trees. Video footage showed people removing the spaghetti from trees and laying it out to dry. At the time, spaghetti was not a popular food in England and few people actually knew how it was made. Many people didn’t realize the story wasn’t real. Hundreds of people called in to ask if the story was true. Some people even called in to ask how they could grow their own spaghetti trees.

What is the central idea of the passage?

Practical jokes played on April Fools’ Day have been tricking people for years. On April 1, 1957, a news channel in England played a short special that featured a family in Switzerland who grew spaghetti on trees. Video footage showed people removing the spaghetti from trees and laying it out to dry. At the time, spaghetti was not a popular food in England and few people actually knew how it was made. Many people didn’t realize the story wasn’t real. Hundreds of people called in to ask if the story was true. Some people even called in to ask how they could grow their own spaghetti trees.

What inference can be made about the passage?

If a story's main idea is about the importance of honesty, what kind of problems might the characters face?

After reading a story about a girl who spends her afternoons after school helping at an animal shelter, feeding the animals, and learning how to care for them, what can you infer is the main idea of the story?

In a story about a boy who learns to bake bread from his grandmother, spending days measuring ingredients, kneading dough, and waiting for it to rise, what is the main idea?

A narrative describes a character who overcomes their fear of public speaking by joining the debate team, practicing speeches, and eventually winning a competition. What is the main idea?

In a story about a drought affecting a small farming community, with farmers working together to conserve water and support each other's crops, what is the main idea?

In a narrative where a character always procrastinates and the story focuses on the consequences of this behavior, what is the main idea?

What is the main idea of a story where a group of friends work together to clean up a polluted beach?

In an article about the history of the local library and its role in the community, from a simple book collection to a modern center for learning and events, what is the main idea?

In a story about a marathon runner who trains for months, facing challenges like injuries and bad weather, but ultimately completes the race, what is the main idea?

A passage describes a community coming together to clean up a local park, with people of all ages picking up trash, planting flowers, and painting benches. What is the main idea?

In a story where two characters start a business but face many challenges along the way, what can we infer about their relationship?

In a story about a scientist who studies the stars and planets, spending nights at an observatory and days analyzing data, what is the main idea?

An article talks about a group of students who start a recycling program at their school, collecting paper, plastic, and cans, and educating their peers about the importance of recycling. What is the main idea?

It was hard to miss the videos in the summer of 2014. All over social media networks, people posted videos of themselves being soaked by a bucket of ice water. It was referred to as the Ice Bucket Challenge. At the end of each video, participants challenged a number of their friends to either perform the challenge within 24 hours or make a donation to an organization dedicated to treatment and research for ALS. ALS is an acronym for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the United States, ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a disease that attacks neurons and for which there is no cure. The Ice Bucket Challenge quickly went viral. Some critics said that it did little to raise awareness of the disease. Later, studies showed that the majority of people who participated in the challenge did not actually donate, but many did. Over $100 million was raised in the United States. The majority of that money went to fund research for treatments for the devastating disease. Money also went to help support patients currently suffering from the disease. What is a central idea of this passage?

During the hottest days of summer, many people wouldn’t consider setting foot inside a building that did not have a working air conditioner, but the air conditioner is a relatively recent invention. Throughout history, people have used a variety of techniques to make themselves more comfortable during the heat of the summer. Ancient Romans pumped cool water through interior walls in their homes to make rooms more comfortable. The Chinese used small fans for thousands of years. In many cultures, houses were built with more windows that could be opened during the heat of the summer. Some people even slept outside on their porches on the hottest summer nights.

What is the central idea of the passage?

The amount of trash that people throw away is a growing problem. In countries all over the world, government officials must determine how and where to dispose of garbage. Landfills are rapidly filling up and the cost of removing trash is rising quickly. Switzerland has developed a way to minimize the amount of trash that is thrown away while encouraging their citizens to recycle. In Switzerland, residents must pay a special fee for trash bags in order for their trash to be collected. Swiss households that produce a lot of trash will pay more in order to have their trash removed, while households that recycle more will not have to pay as much. What is the central idea of the passage?

Mary has a new pet.  Her pet is a baby kitten.  It is soft and cuddly.  The kitten likes to sleep a lot.  Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed.  Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake.  She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?

The earth's surface is constantly changing.  All over the world everyday there are earthquakes, floods and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see.  Others cause tremendous damage and costs millions of dollars to clean up.
What is the main idea? 

What is the main idea of a story where a young girl learns the importance of teamwork while playing on a soccer team?

In a passage about a boy who discovers a hidden talent for painting, what can be inferred about his character development?

What is the main idea of a narrative where a community garden brings neighbors together to grow vegetables and share harvests?