Identifying Central Ideas and Supporting Details

Good work continuing. Your first five questions included a main idea, a stated detail, an inference, and two editing questions. This set focuses only on central idea and details stated directly in the passage. For main idea, choose the answer that covers the whole passage—not one small fact.

Questions 6–7: Read the passage

The Riverton Recreation Center noticed that many adults wanted to exercise but could not attend classes during regular work hours. In response, the center began offering low-cost fitness classes at 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. It also provided shorter, 30-minute classes for people with busy schedules. After three months, enrollment in the center’s exercise programs increased by 40 percent.

6. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Most adults prefer exercising early in the morning.
B. The recreation center changed its fitness programs to make them easier for busy adults to attend.
C. Thirty-minute exercise classes are better than longer classes.
D. The recreation center plans to stop offering daytime classes.

7. Which detail is directly stated in the passage?

A. The center hired new fitness instructors.
B. The center offered free memberships to adults.
C. Enrollment in exercise programs increased by 40 percent.
D. Most participants attended classes with friends.

Questions 8–9: Read the passage

To reduce food waste, Lincoln High School began collecting unopened milk, fruit, and packaged snacks that students did not want during lunch. The school placed the items on a sharing table where other students could take them. At the end of the day, extra food that was still safe to eat was donated to a local food pantry. School officials reported that the amount of cafeteria food thrown away decreased after the program began.

8. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Lincoln High School created a program to reduce food waste.
B. Students are required to take milk with every lunch.
C. The local food pantry provides all food for the school cafeteria.
D. Most students dislike the meals served at Lincoln High School.

9. Which detail is directly stated in the passage?

A. The school sold extra cafeteria food to local stores.
B. Students could take unopened food from a sharing table.
C. Teachers brought food from home for the food pantry.
D. The cafeteria stopped serving fruit and snacks.

Question 10: Read the passage

The town of Fairview planted trees along several busy streets last year. The trees provide shade for people walking on sidewalks, and their roots help absorb rainwater that might otherwise collect in the streets. The town also expects the trees to make the neighborhoods more attractive over time.

10. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Fairview planted trees only because the streets often flood.
B. Tree roots are more important than tree leaves.
C. Planting street trees can provide several benefits to a community.
D. Fairview plans to remove sidewalks from busy streets.

Reply with your answers in this format: 6B, 7C, 8A, 9B, 10C.

Next, you’ll do five questions on choosing evidence that supports an inference.