PARCC Reading Main Idea 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage gives many details but never states the main idea in one sentence. This main idea is:
- Implied, so the reader must infer it from the details (Correct answer)
- Impossible to find
- Located only in the title
- The same as the first detail
Correct answer: Implied, so the reader must infer it from the details
An implied main idea is inferred by combining the details the author provides.
Question 2: Which statement is too broad to be a passage's main idea about 'the migration of monarch butterflies'?
- Animals do many interesting things (Correct answer)
- Monarchs travel thousands of miles each year
- Monarchs migrate to escape cold weather
- Migration helps monarchs survive
Correct answer: Animals do many interesting things
A main idea should match the passage's scope, not be overly general.
Question 3: Which statement is too narrow to be the main idea of a passage about a city's public transit system?
- One bus route stops at the library at noon (Correct answer)
- The transit system serves the whole city
- Public transit reduces traffic
- The system includes buses and trains
Correct answer: One bus route stops at the library at noon
A single specific detail is too narrow to capture the full main idea.
Question 4: A summary should mainly include:
- The main idea and key supporting points (Correct answer)
- Every single sentence word for word
- Only your personal opinion
- Just the last paragraph
Correct answer: The main idea and key supporting points
A good summary captures the main idea plus the most important details.
Question 5: How can a passage's repeated words or ideas help you find the main idea?
- Repetition often signals what the author considers most important (Correct answer)
- Repeated words should be ignored
- Repetition only shows poor writing
- Repeated words are always off-topic
Correct answer: Repetition often signals what the author considers most important
Authors often repeat key ideas, which points to the central message.
Question 6: A passage compares two inventions and concludes both changed daily life. The main idea is:
- Both inventions had a major impact on everyday living (Correct answer)
- One invention is blue
- Inventions are made of metal
- The author likes history class
Correct answer: Both inventions had a major impact on everyday living
The conclusion that both changed daily life ties the comparison together.
Question 7: Which choice best restates this main idea: 'Reading every day strengthens vocabulary, focus, and imagination'?
- Daily reading benefits the mind in several ways (Correct answer)
- Books are heavy to carry
- Some people dislike reading
- Vocabulary lists are long
Correct answer: Daily reading benefits the mind in several ways
The restatement captures the multiple mental benefits of daily reading.
PARCC Reading Main Idea 3
A passage gives many details but never states the main idea in one sentence.
This main idea is: