Determine and Analyze Central Ideas - 7th Grade Reading
Card 1 of 25
Identify the best central-idea statement: “Pollution harms rivers” or “River pollution is rising.”
Identify the best central-idea statement: “Pollution harms rivers” or “River pollution is rising.”
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“Pollution harms rivers.”. First makes a claim; second just states a fact.
“Pollution harms rivers.”. First makes a claim; second just states a fact.
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Identify the most objective phrasing: “The author foolishly argues…” or “The author argues…”
Identify the most objective phrasing: “The author foolishly argues…” or “The author argues…”
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“The author argues…”. Removing "foolishly" eliminates the biased judgment.
“The author argues…”. Removing "foolishly" eliminates the biased judgment.
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Which option is a supporting detail rather than a central idea: “Many bees died” or “Pesticides threaten bees.”
Which option is a supporting detail rather than a central idea: “Many bees died” or “Pesticides threaten bees.”
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“Many bees died.”. First is specific evidence; second is the broader claim.
“Many bees died.”. First is specific evidence; second is the broader claim.
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Identify the best objective-summary word choice: “unfair” or “unequal.”
Identify the best objective-summary word choice: “unfair” or “unequal.”
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“Unequal.”. "Unfair" shows bias; "unequal" states fact neutrally.
“Unequal.”. "Unfair" shows bias; "unequal" states fact neutrally.
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Which option is NOT appropriate to include in an objective summary?
Which option is NOT appropriate to include in an objective summary?
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Personal opinions, emotional reactions, or unrelated background knowledge. Summaries must remain neutral and text-based only.
Personal opinions, emotional reactions, or unrelated background knowledge. Summaries must remain neutral and text-based only.
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Which kind of sentence is most likely to state a central idea directly?
Which kind of sentence is most likely to state a central idea directly?
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A thesis-like claim in the introduction or a topic sentence in a section. These sentences often state the main point explicitly.
A thesis-like claim in the introduction or a topic sentence in a section. These sentences often state the main point explicitly.
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What is the purpose of tracking central ideas by section or paragraph?
What is the purpose of tracking central ideas by section or paragraph?
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To see how each part adds new support or shifts emphasis. Tracking by section reveals how ideas build and change.
To see how each part adds new support or shifts emphasis. Tracking by section reveals how ideas build and change.
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What is a reliable method for identifying two or more central ideas quickly?
What is a reliable method for identifying two or more central ideas quickly?
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Note repeated concepts and what each section mainly explains about them. Repetition and section focus reveal what matters most.
Note repeated concepts and what each section mainly explains about them. Repetition and section focus reveal what matters most.
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What is the definition of a key detail in informational text analysis?
What is the definition of a key detail in informational text analysis?
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A fact, example, or explanation that supports a central idea. Key details provide evidence that develops the main ideas.
A fact, example, or explanation that supports a central idea. Key details provide evidence that develops the main ideas.
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What does it mean to analyze a central idea’s development over a text?
What does it mean to analyze a central idea’s development over a text?
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Trace how the idea is introduced, expanded, and refined by details. Development means tracking how an idea evolves through the text.
Trace how the idea is introduced, expanded, and refined by details. Development means tracking how an idea evolves through the text.
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What is the definition of an objective summary?
What is the definition of an objective summary?
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A neutral restatement of key ideas and details without opinions. Objective means factual and unbiased, not influenced by feelings.
A neutral restatement of key ideas and details without opinions. Objective means factual and unbiased, not influenced by feelings.
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What is the difference between a topic and a central idea?
What is the difference between a topic and a central idea?
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Topic is the subject; central idea is what the text says about it. Topic names what it's about; central idea makes a claim about that topic.
Topic is the subject; central idea is what the text says about it. Topic names what it's about; central idea makes a claim about that topic.
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What is the definition of a central idea in an informational text?
What is the definition of a central idea in an informational text?
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A main message the author develops with key details across the text. Central ideas convey the author's main points, not just the topic.
A main message the author develops with key details across the text. Central ideas convey the author's main points, not just the topic.
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Which option best shows development of an idea: “Introduced then supported” or “Repeated once”?
Which option best shows development of an idea: “Introduced then supported” or “Repeated once”?
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“Introduced then supported.”. Development requires progression, not just repetition.
“Introduced then supported.”. Development requires progression, not just repetition.
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Choose the best summary focus: include “major points” or include “minor examples.”
Choose the best summary focus: include “major points” or include “minor examples.”
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Include major points. Summaries prioritize main ideas over small details.
Include major points. Summaries prioritize main ideas over small details.
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Identify the best central-idea claim: “Schools should start later” or “One student was tired.”
Identify the best central-idea claim: “Schools should start later” or “One student was tired.”
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“Schools should start later.”. First is a general claim; second is one specific instance.
“Schools should start later.”. First is a general claim; second is one specific instance.
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Which revision makes this more objective: “This proves the plan is terrible” to what?
Which revision makes this more objective: “This proves the plan is terrible” to what?
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“This suggests the plan may have drawbacks.”. "May have" is neutral; "terrible" shows strong bias.
“This suggests the plan may have drawbacks.”. "May have" is neutral; "terrible" shows strong bias.
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Which option best shows two central ideas rather than one: “Causes and effects” or “Only effects”?
Which option best shows two central ideas rather than one: “Causes and effects” or “Only effects”?
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“Causes and effects.”. Two distinct concepts show multiple central ideas.
“Causes and effects.”. Two distinct concepts show multiple central ideas.
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Which statement best describes how a summary should treat minor details?
Which statement best describes how a summary should treat minor details?
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Omit minor or repetitive details unless they are essential to meaning. Focus on main ideas, not every small detail.
Omit minor or repetitive details unless they are essential to meaning. Focus on main ideas, not every small detail.
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What should you avoid including in an objective summary of a text?
What should you avoid including in an objective summary of a text?
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Personal opinions, judgments, and unsupported interpretations. Stay neutral and stick to the author's actual claims.
Personal opinions, judgments, and unsupported interpretations. Stay neutral and stick to the author's actual claims.
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What is the best way to confirm that a proposed central idea is valid?
What is the best way to confirm that a proposed central idea is valid?
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Check that multiple key details across the text support it. Central ideas have widespread textual support.
Check that multiple key details across the text support it. Central ideas have widespread textual support.
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What is a common sign that an idea is only a supporting detail, not central?
What is a common sign that an idea is only a supporting detail, not central?
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It appears briefly and does not shape the text's overall message. Central ideas recur and connect to the whole text.
It appears briefly and does not shape the text's overall message. Central ideas recur and connect to the whole text.
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Which option best states an objective summary rule in one sentence?
Which option best states an objective summary rule in one sentence?
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Include central ideas and key evidence, and keep a neutral tone. This formula captures all key summary elements.
Include central ideas and key evidence, and keep a neutral tone. This formula captures all key summary elements.
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Identify the best central idea statement: 'Pollution' or 'Pollution harms rivers and communities.'
Identify the best central idea statement: 'Pollution' or 'Pollution harms rivers and communities.'
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Pollution harms rivers and communities. Central ideas make complete claims, not just name topics.
Pollution harms rivers and communities. Central ideas make complete claims, not just name topics.
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Which phrase is most objective for a summary: 'shockingly unfair' or 'unequal access'?
Which phrase is most objective for a summary: 'shockingly unfair' or 'unequal access'?
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Unequal access. Avoid emotional language in objective summaries.
Unequal access. Avoid emotional language in objective summaries.
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