Identifying Key Details & Main Ideas

1. Read the passage and select the main idea which best fits. "There are many good reasons to learn a second language. A second language can improve your understanding of your native language, open the door to new job opportunities, and help you learn about other cultures. Yet American students are less likely than European students to study foreign languages in school. To address this gap, several states have begun doing more to encourage biliteracy—the ability to read and write in two languages. California, New York, and Illinois are among the states that have passed laws establishing a state "Seal of Biliteracy." A Seal of Biliteracy shows that a student has achieved proficiency in a second language. Supporters of the seals say that they honor the importance of second-language learning. The seals also provide colleges and future employers with evidence of students' abilities."

Learning a new language is difficult.

Americans are not as smart as Europeans, because they do not know as many languages.

The passage discusses the reasons for learning a second language and highlights the fact that American students are less likely to study foreign languages compared to European students. To address this gap, some states have implemented laws promoting the study of foreign languages and have established a "Seal of Biliteracy" to recognize students' proficiency in a second language. The main idea of the passage is that fewer Americans are learning a second language compared to European countries, and as a result, some states are taking steps to promote the study of foreign languages.

Explanation

The passage discusses the reasons for learning a second language and highlights the fact that American students are less likely to study foreign languages compared to European students. To address this gap, some states have implemented laws promoting the study of foreign languages and have established a "Seal of Biliteracy" to recognize students' proficiency in a second language. The main idea of the passage is that fewer Americans are learning a second language compared to European countries, and as a result, some states are taking steps to promote the study of foreign languages.

2. The main idea of a story is a statement that summarizes the author's point using key details from the reading.

True

False

The main idea of a story is indeed a statement that summarizes the author's point using key details from the reading. This statement captures the central theme or message that the author is trying to convey to the reader. By understanding the main idea, readers can grasp the overall meaning and purpose of the story.

Explanation

The main idea of a story is indeed a statement that summarizes the author's point using key details from the reading. This statement captures the central theme or message that the author is trying to convey to the reader. By understanding the main idea, readers can grasp the overall meaning and purpose of the story.

3. Review the details below.

To recycle a broken umbrella with metal parts, remove the shaft, runner, stretchers, and ribs so that they can be processed with other scrap metal.
Older electronics can often be recycled at local drop-off locations and even at some electronics stores.
Rinsed-out metal cans can be recycled by the local sanitation department or a steel-can recycling facility.

Choose the sentence which best summarizes this information:

Recycling will help reduce the earth's greenhouse gas effect.

It's possible to recycle many common household items if you know how to go about it.

Recycling is something we should all do a little more often.

The information provided suggests that it is possible to recycle many common household items if you know how to do it, such as broken umbrellas with metal parts, older electronics, and rinsed-out metal cans. Therefore, the sentence "It's possible to recycle many common household items if you know how to go about it" best summarizes the information given.

Explanation

The information provided suggests that it is possible to recycle many common household items if you know how to do it, such as broken umbrellas with metal parts, older electronics, and rinsed-out metal cans. Therefore, the sentence "It's possible to recycle many common household items if you know how to go about it" best summarizes the information given.

4. Read the passage. Making Towers Bird-Friendly "The lights on tall communication towers warn pilots to avoid the towers when flying at night. Unfortunately, the steady red lights often used on towers have the opposite effect on birds: the bright beams attract and confuse them. Instead of avoiding the lights, the birds fly directly toward them, crashing into the towers or becoming entangled in power lines. Millions of birds have died this way. However, there is a solution. Unlike steady lights, flashing or blinking lights don't attract birds. In response to demands from conservation groups, the Federal Aviation Administration in 2016 began requiring communication towers in the U.S. to use blinking lights instead of steady ones." What is the main idea of the passage?

Birds are attracted to the blinking lights on communication towers.

The FAA and conservation groups do not get along.

To save birds from hurting themselves, the Federal Aviation Administration has started to use blinking lights on their communication towers.

The main idea of the passage is that the Federal Aviation Administration has started using blinking lights on communication towers to save birds from hurting themselves. The passage explains that the steady red lights often used on towers attract and confuse birds, causing them to crash into the towers or become entangled in power lines. In response to demands from conservation groups, the FAA made the decision to switch to blinking lights, which do not attract birds.

Explanation

The main idea of the passage is that the Federal Aviation Administration has started using blinking lights on communication towers to save birds from hurting themselves. The passage explains that the steady red lights often used on towers attract and confuse birds, causing them to crash into the towers or become entangled in power lines. In response to demands from conservation groups, the FAA made the decision to switch to blinking lights, which do not attract birds.