Main Idea Practice Test

Read the passage.

A desert kangaroo rat came out at night. The sand still held some warmth. During the day, the sun made the ground too hot. The kangaroo rat stayed in a cool burrow then. At night it searched for seeds and small plants. It packed seeds into its cheek pouches. Later, it carried them back to store for dry times. The kangaroo rat rarely drank water. Instead, it got moisture from the food it ate. Its body also saved water in another way. It made very little urine, so it did not waste liquid. When an owl swooped down, the kangaroo rat leaped in a quick zigzag. This sudden movement made it harder to catch. By being active at night and saving water, the animal lived well in a harsh desert.

What is the central theme of the passage?

Read the passage.

A meerkat lived with its group on a dry plain. Each morning, the group left its burrow to search for food. One meerkat climbed a rock and stood very still. It looked in every direction and listened closely. This meerkat acted as a guard while others dug for insects. When a hawk circled above, the guard gave a sharp bark. The group rushed back to the burrow at once. After the danger passed, the guard climbed down. Another meerkat took its place on the rock. The guards switched jobs many times each day. That way, no one got too tired or hungry. The group stayed safer because someone always watched. Even young meerkats learned to look up and listen. Over time, the group became faster at hiding. This simple habit helped the meerkats survive in a place with many predators.

What is the main idea of the passage?