Main Idea

1. Adults tend to eat a lot of pre-made food, but it's not always healthy. For instance, a Big Mac has 530 calories with 28 grams of fat and a large order of fries has 450 calories and 22 grams of fat. Add a large soda and a meal comes close to 1,000 calories. What is the main idea?

1,000 calories is a lot

Pre-made food is not always healthy

Adults eat a lot of premade food

The main idea of the passage is that pre-made food is not always healthy. This is supported by the example of a Big Mac and fries, which have high calorie and fat content. The mention of adults eating a lot of pre-made food further emphasizes the point that this is a common dietary choice among adults.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that pre-made food is not always healthy. This is supported by the example of a Big Mac and fries, which have high calorie and fat content. The mention of adults eating a lot of pre-made food further emphasizes the point that this is a common dietary choice among adults.

2. In contrast to western medicine, alternative approaches to healing emphasize the treatment of the whole person: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the patient. What is the main idea?

Alternative medicine treats the whole person

Alternative medicine treats the spirit

Western medicine has a good track record

The main idea of the passage is that alternative approaches to healing, unlike western medicine, focus on treating the whole person. This includes addressing not only the physical aspects of the patient but also their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that alternative approaches to healing, unlike western medicine, focus on treating the whole person. This includes addressing not only the physical aspects of the patient but also their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

3. Parents who have parents to help with childcare are lucky. But the two generations may have very different ways of thinking about the proper way to raise a child. These differences can lead to tension, stress, and family fights. Which is the main idea?

There are generational differences when it comes to childcare

Parents are lucky to have help with childcare

Generational differences often lead to family fights

The main idea of the passage is that there are generational differences when it comes to childcare. This is supported by the statement that parents who have parents to help with childcare may have very different ways of thinking about the proper way to raise a child, which can lead to tension, stress, and family fights. The passage does not focus on the idea that parents are lucky to have help with childcare or that generational differences often lead to family fights, so these options are not the main idea.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that there are generational differences when it comes to childcare. This is supported by the statement that parents who have parents to help with childcare may have very different ways of thinking about the proper way to raise a child, which can lead to tension, stress, and family fights. The passage does not focus on the idea that parents are lucky to have help with childcare or that generational differences often lead to family fights, so these options are not the main idea.

4. People like to make plans: for a party, a vacation, or a family reunion. But when it comes to planning our financial future, many of us don't know where to start. Fortunately, a little discipline and a sharp pencil are all you need to get on the road to financial security. Which is the main idea?

People love dinner parties

Financial planning isn't hard

The road to financial security is bumpy

The main idea of the passage is that financial planning is not difficult. It states that many people do not know where to start when it comes to planning their financial future, but with a little discipline and a sharp pencil, they can achieve financial security. This suggests that financial planning is not a complex or challenging task.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that financial planning is not difficult. It states that many people do not know where to start when it comes to planning their financial future, but with a little discipline and a sharp pencil, they can achieve financial security. This suggests that financial planning is not a complex or challenging task.

5. The traditional household with a stay-at-home mom and working dad has become the exception rather than the rule. Increasingly, Americans are waiting longer to marry and have children, and many are not marrying at all. What is the main idea?

A traditional household has a stay-at-home mom

Americans are postponing marriage

The traditional household is no longer the norm

The main idea of the passage is that the traditional household with a stay-at-home mom and working dad is no longer the norm. This is supported by the statement that Americans are waiting longer to marry and have children, and many are not marrying at all. This suggests a shift away from the traditional household structure.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that the traditional household with a stay-at-home mom and working dad is no longer the norm. This is supported by the statement that Americans are waiting longer to marry and have children, and many are not marrying at all. This suggests a shift away from the traditional household structure.

6. 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?

Many Americans have credit card debt

Credit cards are convenient

Americans love apple pie

The main idea of the passage is that many Americans have credit card debt. This is supported by the statement that the average American charged more than $4,000 on credit cards last year and that the convenience of using charge cards instead of cash makes it easy to spend more than we have. The passage does not mention anything about Americans loving apple pie, so that option can be eliminated. The focus of the passage is on credit card debt and its prevalence among Americans.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that many Americans have credit card debt. This is supported by the statement that the average American charged more than $4,000 on credit cards last year and that the convenience of using charge cards instead of cash makes it easy to spend more than we have. The passage does not mention anything about Americans loving apple pie, so that option can be eliminated. The focus of the passage is on credit card debt and its prevalence among Americans.

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

Children love television

An active lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle

Children are less active than they used to be

The main idea of the passage is that children are less active than they used to be. This is supported by the statement that an active lifestyle is now the exception rather than the rule for kids, as they spend more time sitting at home with television, computers, and video games. The passage highlights the contrast between the attraction of sedentary activities and the lack of physical activity in children's lives.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that children are less active than they used to be. This is supported by the statement that an active lifestyle is now the exception rather than the rule for kids, as they spend more time sitting at home with television, computers, and video games. The passage highlights the contrast between the attraction of sedentary activities and the lack of physical activity in children's lives.

8. 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. Which is the main idea?

The cold is a common illness

There is no cure for the cold

Colds are caused by more than 200 viruses

The main idea of the passage is that there is no cure for the cold. This is because the cold is caused by over 200 different viruses, making it difficult for scientists to find a single remedy. The passage emphasizes the lack of a safe and effective cure for the common cold.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that there is no cure for the cold. This is because the cold is caused by over 200 different viruses, making it difficult for scientists to find a single remedy. The passage emphasizes the lack of a safe and effective cure for the common cold.