OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Identifying the Main Idea Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following paragraph and identify the main idea.

Community gardens are becoming increasingly popular in urban areas for a multitude of reasons. They provide a space for residents, many of whom live in apartments without yards, to cultivate fresh produce, which can lead to healthier eating habits. These gardens also serve as social hubs, strengthening community bonds as neighbors work together towards a common goal. Furthermore, they beautify neighborhoods, transforming vacant lots into vibrant green spaces. The process of gardening itself is also a valuable form of physical activity and stress relief for many participants.

Accepted Answer

Community gardens are popular because they offer a variety of benefits to urban residents.

Answer

Gardening is a good way to relieve stress.

Answer

Urban residents often lack space for private gardens.

Answer

Transforming vacant lots into green spaces beautifies neighborhoods.

Question 2

A news report details the recent implementation of a new city-wide recycling program. It describes the new blue and grey bins, lists the types of materials accepted in each, and quotes a city official who explains that the goal is to reduce landfill waste by 50% over the next five years. The article also mentions a public information campaign designed to educate residents on the changes. Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of this news report?

Accepted Answer

The city has launched a new recycling program aimed at significantly cutting landfill waste.

Answer

The public information campaign is crucial for the program's success.

Answer

The new recycling bins are blue and grey.

Answer

Residents must learn which materials go into each new bin.

Question 3

Read the passage below.

Volunteering offers significant advantages, not just for the community, but for the volunteer as well. For young people, it can be a pathway to developing valuable job skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. It also provides an opportunity to explore potential career paths. For seniors, volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and a way to stay socially connected and active. For everyone, giving back to the community fosters a sense of personal satisfaction and can improve mental well-being.

Accepted Answer

Volunteering is beneficial for people of all ages for various reasons.

Answer

Seniors find a sense of purpose through volunteering.

Answer

Volunteering is a good way to gain job experience.

Answer

Giving back to the community makes people feel good.

Question 4

A student is writing a report about the negative effects of sleep deprivation on teenagers. The report includes sections on decreased academic performance, increased health problems, and impaired driving ability. What is the main idea of the student's report?

Accepted Answer

A lack of sleep negatively impacts teenagers in several critical areas of their lives.

Answer

Teenagers often have trouble with time management.

Answer

Driving while tired is dangerous for teenagers.

Answer

Schools should consider later start times to help students get more sleep.

Question 5

Read the following paragraph:

The dodo bird, a flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius, became extinct in the late 17th century. Its extinction is primarily attributed to human activities. Sailors who arrived on the island found the dodo to be an easy source of food because the bird was not afraid of humans. Additionally, the non-native species that sailors brought with them, such as dogs and pigs, preyed on the dodos and destroyed their ground nests. The combination of over-hunting and predation by invasive species quickly led to the dodo's demise.

Accepted Answer

The extinction of the dodo bird was caused by human influence, both direct and indirect.

Answer

The dodo bird was a flightless bird that lived in Mauritius.

Answer

Sailors brought invasive species like dogs and pigs to the island.

Answer

The dodo was not afraid of humans, which made it easy to hunt.

Question 6

Which of the following sentences would best serve as the main idea for a paragraph about the importance of bees?

The paragraph discusses how bees pollinate a vast majority of the world's food crops, which is essential for agriculture. It also mentions their role in pollinating wild plants, which supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. Finally, it touches on the production of honey and other products.

Accepted Answer

Bees are crucial to both agriculture and the health of natural ecosystems through their role as pollinators.

Answer

Honey is a natural and delicious sweetener produced by bees.

Answer

Many of the world's food crops would fail without pollination.

Answer

Wild plants are an important part of a healthy ecosystem.