PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Reading Main Idea 1

Question 1

Which of the following best describes a supporting detail in a passage?

Accepted Answer

A specific fact or example that backs up the main idea

Answer

Supporting details are specific facts, examples, or explanations that develop and reinforce the main idea rather than stating what the whole passage is about.

Question 2

A student reads a passage about exercise. Each paragraph explains a different health benefit of staying active. What is most likely the main idea of the passage?

Accepted Answer

Regular physical activity improves overall health

Answer

Since every paragraph discusses a different benefit of staying active, the unifying main idea is that regular physical activity improves overall health — the point all the details support.

Question 3

Which sentence in a paragraph is most likely to state the main idea?

Accepted Answer

A broad sentence that the other sentences explain or support

Answer

The main idea is usually expressed in a broad, general sentence — often the topic sentence — while the other sentences provide examples, details, or evidence to support it.

Question 4

After reading a passage, a student cannot find one sentence that states the main idea. What should the student do?

Accepted Answer

Combine the key points from each paragraph to figure out the implied main idea

Answer

When a main idea is implied rather than directly stated, readers must synthesize the key points across paragraphs to infer what the overall passage is about.

Question 5

A passage has the following sentences: 'Wolves hunt in coordinated packs. Each wolf plays a specific role during a hunt. Pack members communicate using howls and body language.' What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Wolves use teamwork and communication to hunt successfully

Answer

All three sentences describe aspects of how wolves cooperate — coordination, roles, and communication — making teamwork and communication during hunting the unifying main idea.

PARCC Practice Test

PARCC Practice Test

PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Reading Main Idea 1