Main Idea Passages 1

It all started in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair when an ice cream vendor out of dishes for his ice cream. A man named Ernest Hamwi was selling waffles in the booth next door. He helped his neighbor out by making cone-shaped waffles to hold the ice cream. The rest, as they say, is history.

• The ice cream cone was invented in 1904.

• They ran out of ice cream at the World's Fair.

• Ice cream is a yummy treat.

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CCSS.RI.4.2

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Extreme sports are very popular. Some extreme sports, such as snow skiing or surfing, have been around for many years. Other extreme sports, such as snowboarding or windsurfing, have become popular in recent years. One thing all extreme sports have in common is the thrill of competing. Extreme sports athletes are always looking for new challenges-a bigger wave, a higher mountain, or a steeper hill.

• Extreme sports are dangerous.

• Extreme sports are new.

• Many people are interested in extreme sports.

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CCSS.RI.5.2

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A pocketknife is useful when camping. You might need it to cut a rope when setting up your campsite. If you are missing a tent stake, you can use your knife to make one from a stick. When you go fishing, a pocketknife is helpful for cutting bait and fishing lines. If you use your knife to sharpen one end of a long stick, you can cook hot dogs or marshmallows over the campfire.

• It is difficult to set up a campsite.

• A pocketknife is a helpful tool when camping.

• Children shouldn't play with knives.

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CCSS.RI.4.2

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Pets depend on their owners for many things. Pet owners must give their pets food, water, and shelter. Some pets, such as dogs, need attention from their owners every day. Pet owners must be careful so their pets do not run away or get injured. When a pet is ill or injured, its owner must take the pet to the vet.

• Dogs make the best pets.

• Children cannot be responsible for taking care of pets.

• Pet owners have a lot of responsibility.

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CCSS.RI.4.2

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Grocery shopping is not an easy chore. There are many different brands and types of food that it can be hard to make a choice. Do we want smooth peanut butter or chunky, regular or low fat, plain or swirled with grape jelly, large or small container, glass or plastic jar? And which brand do we prefer? With so many choices for each item, no wonder it takes so long to shop!

• More people buy smooth peanut butter than chunky.

• People must make many decisions when buying groceries.

• If you want to shop quickly, don't buy peanut butter.

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CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

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Strong magnets are put into some rollercoasters. They are also put into the end of the track. As the rollercoaster approaches, the end of the track, the attracting forces of the magnet bring the coaster to a gentle stop.

• Rollercoasters are fun.

• Some rollercoasters use magnets to stop.

• Rollercoasters stop at the end of a track.

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CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

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Many people find it hard to wake up in the morning. We groan and reach for the snooze button when the alarm goes off. Busy days and late nights make it hard to get enough sleep. Even when we do get to bed on time, unfinished business from the day or worries about tomorrow's events can keep us from falling asleep. Our ancestors would laugh at the thought of being unable to fall asleep. After toiling in the fields or factories from early morning until evening, they had no problem falling asleep. But they, too, probably groaned at the sound of the rooster crowing early in the morning.

• Many people have difficulty falling asleep and waking up in the morning.

• If we worked harder, it would be easier to wake up in the morning.

• Before the invention of alarm clocks, many people overslept and were late for their jobs.

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The Internet has become a quick and easy way to find information on just about any topic. When using the Internet to do research, however, you must be careful of the source. Just because someone has posted information on a website, it doesn't mean the person is an expert. Anyone can offer his opinion as fact on the Internet. Official websites of the government, newspapers, colleges, and professional organizations may have more reliable information than other sites. If you compare several sites and find the same facts, you can be more confident the information is correct.

• Most people lie when posting information on the Internet.

• Not all information on the Internet is reliable.

• All information on the Internet has been verified as true.

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CCSS.RI.4.8

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Many years ago, libraries were silent places offering mostly books and newspapers. Today, we can find a variety of resources in libraries. In addition to regular books, libraries loan out books-on-tape, videotapes, and compact disks. Most libraries have replaced their card catalogs with computer catalogs. Shelves of current magazines and comfortable chairs encourage people to relax and stay a while. Children are welcomed to the library with brightly colored murals, puzzle tables, and story hours.

• Public libraries have changed slightly over the years.

• Computer catalogs make it easier to find books.

• Libraries have become more user-friendly.

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Do you eat breakfast every day? Researchers have found that people who eat a balanced breakfast are likely to be healthier than those who don't. One reason is that most people eat whole grains at breakfast and these promote good health. Breakfast eaters also tend to have fewer weight problems than those who skip a meal. People who don't eat breakfast usually eat too much later in the day. Often, these foods are not healthy and cause weight gain and other problems. So, be sure to eat breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day.

• Breakfast is the most important meal

• Skipping breakfast makes you hungry

• Breakfast is a delicious meal

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CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

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