CELSA Reading For Main Ideas 2

Question 1

A paragraph discusses how urban gardens reduce food insecurity, provide fresh produce, and strengthen community bonds. What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Urban gardens benefit communities in multiple ways

Answer

Urban gardens are expensive to maintain

Answer

Community bonds are more important than food production

Answer

Fresh produce is unavailable in cities

Question 2

Which sentence from a passage would MOST LIKELY serve as the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Soil erosion near riverbanks has worsened due to increased flooding, deforestation, and poor land management.

Answer

The river flooded twice last year.

Answer

Some farmers use sandbags.

Answer

Water levels rose by three feet.

Question 3

After reading a business memo, a reader summarizes it as: 'Sales declined because of rising costs and weak demand.' This summary reflects the passage's:

Accepted Answer

Main idea

Answer

Conclusion only

Answer

Supporting evidence only

Answer

Title

Question 4

A passage opens with: 'Despite its benefits, remote work creates significant challenges for managers.' The rest of the passage discusses coordination, oversight, and team cohesion issues. The opening sentence is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

The main idea statement

Answer

A counterargument

Answer

A conclusion

Answer

An anecdote

Question 5

A reader encounters a passage with no clear topic sentence. How should the reader identify the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Identify what most details have in common

Answer

Use the passage's title alone

Answer

Read only the first sentence

Answer

Count which word appears most often

Question 6

A passage about a hurricane includes details on wind speed, storm surge, evacuation orders, and property damage. What is the implied main idea?

Accepted Answer

The hurricane had widespread and severe effects

Answer

Wind speed determines hurricane category

Answer

Evacuation orders are always followed

Answer

Property insurance covers all storm damage

Question 7

A student underlines this sentence: 'Lack of sleep affects concentration, mood, and physical health.' The surrounding paragraph gives examples of each effect. The underlined sentence is:

Accepted Answer

The main idea

Answer

A transition sentence

Answer

A supporting detail

Answer

A definition