Central Ideas & Details Practice Test

Read the text and answer the question:

A researcher explains that some desert seeds remain dormant for years, waiting for a rare sequence of conditions. A brief rain may be insufficient if it is followed by hot winds that dry the soil within a day, but a longer storm that keeps the ground moist for several days can trigger germination. The researcher adds that temperature matters too: certain seeds sprout only when cool nights follow warm days, a pattern common in early spring. Although animals can disperse the seeds, dispersal alone does not determine when plants appear. The text emphasizes dormancy as a strategy for surviving unpredictable rainfall.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Read the text and answer the question: A city transportation report argues that painting protected bike lanes is not a “cosmetic” change but a safety intervention that alters driver behavior. It cites a pilot corridor where turning speeds fell and where conflicts at intersections decreased after flexible posts were added. The report also notes that ridership rose, though it warns that growth may reflect a mild winter as well as the new design. Critics focus on lost parking spaces, but the report’s conclusion is that predictable separation reduces collisions more reliably than education campaigns alone.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?