Name:

Encircle the cause and underline the effect in each sentence.

Read the paragraphs below. Highlight the main idea of each paragraph, and
number the supporting details.
1. Though one billion people do not have access to drinking water, it does not
mean that the earth is running out of water. In fact, 70 percent of its surface is
covered with it. Of this water, about 96 percent is made up of oceans and seas,
while the rest is ground water, vapor and glaciers. Freshwater is only a very
small amount of it, consisting of less than 0.3 percent. Some of this freshwater,
unfortunately, is not sanitized. This is why there are still man people who do not
have drinking water.
2. Some may think that the ground beneath our feet is simply made up of dirt and
rocks. Although it may seem like it, the earth’s internal structure is in fact very
complex. What we see is only its outer layer or crust, which is around eight to
forty kilometers thick. If we dig deeper, we can find the earth’s mantle, then its
 outer core, and finally its inner core. The deeper we go, the higher the
temperature, and the more rock minerals are found.
3. The shape of the Earth had been a puzzle for ancient thinkers for so long.
Before there were airplanes and ships, people thought of the earth as flat. This is
because no matter where they stood, it always appeared that way. But in the 6 th
century, when Greek astronomers like Pythagoras theorized that the Earth is
actually round, people started changing their views. However, there were still
those who did not believe. It was until 2000 years later, after Ferdinand
Magellan’s circumnavigation of the world, that real proof was given. This
discovery laid to rest any arguments about the Earth shape.
4. Rain falls on Earth at different times of the year. Once this happens, the water
ends up in a quite a number of places. Some of it sinks below the soil, some
flows above the ground, and some blends with the atmosphere and experiences
evaporation. Regardless of where they go, they affect the Earth in many ways.
For example, the water that seeps into the soil nourishes it and the water that
evaporates becomes rain. The water that flows over the ground, however, has
the greatest effect because it causes erosion. This erosion can alter the
landscape over time and hence change its appearance.
5. The earth’s inner core may be 6,000 kilometers away from the surface, but it
does not mean that it cannot affect us. Once the magma rises up, it is pushed
upward to the crust’s cracks and openings. We know this as a volcanic eruption,
which can either be quiet or violent. Because the inner core’s temperature is very
high, most of the magma exceeds 1000 degrees Celsius. Such activities are
dangerous to humans and all living things. For this reason, scientists keep track
of volcanoes so that people can avoid the disasters they bring.
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that
started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each
other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of
humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

1. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan.
b. Sumo wrestling takes place in a ring.
c. The robot that scores the most points wins.
d. Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests.

2. The best definition of supporting details would be…

a. Important information that tells more about the overall idea of a piece of
writing.
b. Sentences that make the main idea stronger and clearer.
c. The sentences that make up the bulk of a paragraph in a piece of writing.
d. Details that support other details.
 3. The best definition of main idea would be…
a. Important information that tells more about the overall idea of a piece of
writing.
b. What a piece of writing is mostly about.
c. What someone is primarily talking about.
d. A vague idea that is supported by very specific details.

4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?

a. Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests.
b. Robot sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.
c. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.
d. Watching robot sumo is boring.

On a summer night you might see the light of a firefly. This light is a mating
message to other fireflies. Some ocean creatures also have lights. For example, the
light on an angler fish helps it catch food. Other sea creatures with glow lights include
jellyfish and shrimp. On land there are glow-in-the-dark creatures such as earthworms.
Many kinds of animals have built-in lights.
Main idea:

Supporting details:
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

Goats help prevent fires in California. In parts of the state, the fall season is very
dry. Hot winds blow over the land. The smallest spark can start a fire. The fires spread
easily through grasses and bushes. So people use goats to eat the plants as a form of
fire control. The goats eat anything, even plants with thorns. Many people rent the goats
until the rains come and the danger is over.
Main idea:

Supporting details:
a.

b.
 c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

Many U.S. presidents have had nicknames. James Madison was sometimes
called Jemmy. Honest Abe was a popular name for Abraham Lincoln. Dwight
Eisenhower was known as Ike, and Theodore Roosevelt was Teddy. Several presidents
have been called by their initials. John F. Kennedy was JFK, while Lyndon B. Johnson
was LBJ.
Main idea:

Supporting details:
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.