CAEL Reading: Identifying Main Ideas 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CAEL passage argues: 'Despite widespread skepticism, remote work has proven to be as productive—if not more so—than traditional office environments.' The rest provides research data and case studies. The main idea is best described as:
- Remote work is at least as productive as office work, contrary to skeptics' assumptions. (Correct answer)
- Many people are skeptical about the value of working from home.
- Research studies are necessary to evaluate workplace productivity.
- Traditional office environments will eventually be replaced by remote work.
Correct answer: Remote work is at least as productive as office work, contrary to skeptics' assumptions.
The main idea challenges skepticism and asserts remote work's productivity—everything else supports this claim.
Question 2: A student reads a passage and selects 'Canada's immigration history' as the main idea. The teacher says this is too vague. What correction is needed?
- The student identified a topic, not a main idea—a complete claim about the topic is needed. (Correct answer)
- The student should add more details about specific immigrants.
- The student should focus only on the most recent paragraph.
- Topics and main ideas are the same thing, so the answer is correct.
Correct answer: The student identified a topic, not a main idea—a complete claim about the topic is needed.
A topic is a subject; a main idea is a complete statement making a specific claim about that subject.
Question 3: A paragraph contains mostly examples and statistics, with no explicit topic sentence. How should a CAEL reader identify the main idea?
- Infer the main idea by determining what general point all the examples collectively illustrate. (Correct answer)
- Skip the paragraph since it has no topic sentence.
- Choose the first example as the main idea.
- Assume the main idea is stated in a different paragraph.
Correct answer: Infer the main idea by determining what general point all the examples collectively illustrate.
When no topic sentence is present, readers must synthesize the examples to infer the implied main idea.
Question 4: An author writes about the benefits of bilingualism across four paragraphs: cognitive, economic, cultural, and social. Which statement best captures the passage's main idea?
- Bilingualism offers significant advantages across cognitive, economic, cultural, and social domains. (Correct answer)
- The cognitive benefits of bilingualism are greater than its economic benefits.
- Learning a second language is difficult but worthwhile for some people.
- Bilingualism is more common in Canada than in other countries.
Correct answer: Bilingualism offers significant advantages across cognitive, economic, cultural, and social domains.
The main idea must encompass all four aspects discussed, presenting bilingualism's broad value.
Question 5: In a CAEL passage, the author presents an opposing view in paragraph two and then spends three paragraphs refuting it. What is most likely the main idea?
- The author's position, which the refutation paragraphs defend. (Correct answer)
- The opposing view presented in paragraph two.
- The idea that both perspectives have equal merit.
- The passage has no main idea because it presents multiple views.
Correct answer: The author's position, which the refutation paragraphs defend.
When an author presents and then refutes an opposing view, the author's own position is the main idea being argued.
Question 6: Which of the following best represents a main idea sentence for a CAEL passage about antibiotic resistance?
- The overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture has accelerated the global crisis of antibiotic resistance. (Correct answer)
- Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928.
- Hospitals in Canada reported 5,000 antibiotic-resistant infections last year.
- Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics for viral infections.
Correct answer: The overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture has accelerated the global crisis of antibiotic resistance.
A main idea sentence makes a broad, arguable claim about the topic that the passage as a whole develops.
Question 7: A passage's title is 'The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion.' Which main idea is most consistent with this title?
- Fast fashion imposes serious environmental, social, and economic costs that consumers rarely consider. (Correct answer)
- Buying fashionable clothes quickly is becoming more popular among young people.
- Fashion designers are creating new styles at a faster pace than ever before.
- Fast fashion stores are opening in Canadian cities at a rapid rate.
Correct answer: Fast fashion imposes serious environmental, social, and economic costs that consumers rarely consider.
The title signals the author's focus on overlooked negative consequences, making a critical claim the likely main idea.
CAEL Reading: Identifying Main Ideas 4
A CAEL passage argues: 'Despite widespread skepticism, remote work has proven to be as productive—if not more so—than traditional office environments.' The rest provides research data and case studies.
The main idea is best described as: