OAR Reading Comprehension: Main Idea Flashcards
7 cards from real OAR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 OAR Reading Comprehension: Main Idea flashcards as text
Read: 'The officer selection process in the Navy involves academic achievement, physical fitness testing, and leadership assessments. Candidates are evaluated over multiple stages, with each phase eliminating those who do not meet standards. The goal is to identify individuals who can lead under pressure.' The main idea is:
Answer: Navy officer selection is a rigorous multi-stage process designed to identify capable leaders.
The passage describes the entire process and its purpose — finding leaders — making that the central idea.
A passage has three paragraphs: one about ocean pollution causes, one about effects on marine life, and one about cleanup efforts. What is the most likely main idea?
Answer: Ocean pollution is a serious problem with wide-ranging effects that requires active solutions.
A main idea that spans all three paragraphs — causes, effects, and solutions — best represents the whole passage.
Read: 'Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing feelings of fatigue. It also increases dopamine signaling, which improves mood and alertness. However, regular consumption leads to tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effect.' What is the main idea?
Answer: Caffeine affects the brain through multiple mechanisms but can lead to tolerance over time.
The passage covers caffeine's positive mechanisms and the downside of tolerance, making the balanced overview the main idea.
Which of the following best describes a 'stated' main idea?
Answer: A main idea expressed directly as a topic sentence in the passage.
A stated main idea appears explicitly as a sentence (often a topic sentence) within the passage.
Read: 'Voter turnout in local elections is consistently lower than in national elections. Local governments, however, make decisions about schools, roads, and public safety that directly affect daily life. Civic groups argue that increased local participation would produce more responsive governance.' The main idea is:
Answer: Low local election turnout is unfortunate given how directly local decisions affect residents.
The contrast between low turnout and high local impact is the central tension and message of the passage.
A supporting detail differs from the main idea because a supporting detail:
Answer: Provides specific evidence, examples, or facts that back up the main idea.
Supporting details exist to explain, prove, or illustrate the main idea, not to serve as the central point themselves.
Read: 'Climate models predict more frequent and intense hurricanes as ocean temperatures rise. Coastal communities face increased flood risk, requiring updated infrastructure and evacuation planning. Insurance companies are already adjusting rates to reflect growing climate liability.' The main idea is:
Answer: Climate change is driving increased hurricane risk that demands practical responses from communities and industries.
The passage ties the scientific prediction to real-world consequences and responses, making the broader impact statement the main idea.