Rise Placement Test Identifying Main Ideas 2

Question 1

A paragraph begins: 'Despite advances in renewable energy, fossil fuels still account for over 80% of global energy consumption. Coal, oil, and natural gas remain dominant due to existing infrastructure and lower upfront costs.' What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels continue to dominate global energy use.

Answer

The paragraph's central point is that fossil fuels remain dominant despite progress in renewables.

Question 2

Which technique best helps a reader identify the main idea of an expository passage?

Accepted Answer

Finding the sentence that most other sentences support or explain

Answer

The main idea is the claim or statement that the other sentences in the passage support, explain, or elaborate on.

Question 3

A passage discusses the history of jazz, its African American origins, its influence on rock and roll, and its global spread. What is most likely the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Jazz has had a broad and lasting impact on music worldwide.

Answer

The passage covers multiple aspects of jazz's influence, so the main idea encompasses its broad and lasting global impact.

Question 4

Read: 'Smartphones have transformed communication, entertainment, and commerce. Today, billions of people use them for everything from banking to streaming movies.' The supporting detail is:

Accepted Answer

Billions use smartphones for banking and streaming.

Answer

The first sentence states the main idea; the second provides specific examples that support it.

Question 5

In a multi-paragraph article, where is the thesis (main idea of the whole piece) most commonly located?

Accepted Answer

In the introduction, often at the end of the first paragraph

Answer

Writers typically state their thesis near the end of the introductory paragraph to orient the reader.

Rise Placement Test Practice Test

Rise Placement Test Practice Test

Rise Placement Test Identifying Main Ideas 2