IXL | Determine the main idea of a passage

Read the passage.

Spiders on Board

In 2015, scientists discovered that a type of East Asian spider had settled in Georgia. How did these spiders make their way to North America? Most likely, they crossed the ocean in ships. Worldwide trade has made it easy for insects and spiders to move to new places. Spiders usually make their new homes near the ports where they first come off ships. However, these spiders were found far from ports. How did they get there? There may have been spider eggs hidden on a truck carrying goods on interstate highways. The baby spiders probably hatched after the shipment arrived.

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

An East Asian spider was found in Georgia in 2015.

Trade between countries helps spiders move around the planet.

Spiders often come off ships and settle in ports.

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question

Read the passage.

Asthma

Asthma is a common disease of the lungs. When people have asthma, their airways, or breathing tubes, swell up and get sore. When the airways swell, smoke and dust can easily bother them. As a result, the muscles of the airways get tighter. The tight muscles cause the breathing passages to become narrower, so air can't get through. Thus, it can sometimes be difficult for people with asthma to breathe. Luckily, there are medicines that open the airways and help people feel better.

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

In asthma, problems with people's airways lead to difficulty with breathing.

Medicines help people with asthma by opening airways that have swelled up.

Smoke and dust can be a problem for people with swollen airways.

key idea

A main, or central, idea is what a text is mostly about. Usually, it is the key point that the author wants the reader to remember. The details in a text support, prove, or show the main idea.

solution

The main, or central, idea of the passage is In asthma, problems with people's airways lead to difficulty with breathing.

Notice the words as a result, cause, and thus. They suggest that the text is describing causes and their effects. Here, the main idea is about what causes breathing trouble for people with asthma.

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

A.1Use key details to determine the main idea

Q.5Organize information by topic

A.2Determine the main idea of a passage

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