PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Reading Main Idea 8

Question 1

A passage has several paragraphs. The first paragraph introduces recycling, and the remaining paragraphs explain how recycling conserves energy, reduces landfill waste, and protects natural resources. Which of the following is most likely the main idea of the passage?

Accepted Answer

Recycling provides multiple important environmental benefits.

Answer

The main idea covers what all the paragraphs share. Since every paragraph supports a different benefit of recycling, the main idea must be a broad statement that recycling is environmentally beneficial — not just one specific benefit.

Question 2

Which of the following is the best definition of the main idea of a passage?

Accepted Answer

The central point the entire passage is written to communicate

Answer

The main idea is the central point or message the author wants to communicate across the whole passage. It is not necessarily the first sentence, the most interesting fact, or a repeated detail.

Question 3

A student reads a passage titled 'How Weather Affects Mood.' The passage describes studies showing that sunshine improves happiness, rainy days reduce energy, and extreme heat increases irritability. What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Weather conditions can influence how people feel emotionally.

Answer

Each piece of evidence in the passage supports one central idea: weather affects mood. The other options are either too narrow (only one weather type), off-topic (brain studies), or an unsupported conclusion not stated in the passage.

Question 4

A student identifies the following sentence: 'Monarch butterflies can travel up to 3,000 miles during migration.' This sentence is most likely a —

Accepted Answer

supporting detail, because it explains one specific fact about the topic

Answer

A supporting detail provides specific information that backs up the main idea. A single statistic about one butterfly behavior is too narrow to be the main idea of a whole passage — it is evidence that supports a broader point.

Question 5

After reading a passage about the history of the Internet, a student wants to write a one-sentence summary. Which summary best captures the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The Internet developed over several decades through the work of many scientists and organizations.

Answer

A summary of the main idea must cover the passage as a whole. Options A and B are specific details, and Option D is a present-day use that likely falls outside a history passage. Option C reflects the broad sweep of the entire history described.

PARCC Practice Test

PARCC Practice Test

PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Reading Main Idea 8