Main Idea and Supporting Details

1 When Thomas Jefferson served French fried potatoes at the White House, they were an exotic European food believed to have originated in Belgium. Before long, Americans fell in love with fried potatoes, and they became popular dinner fare.

2 In England, French fries are known as chips, but in China and Russia they are called American fries.

3Today, a hamburger, soft drink, and French fries have become the typical fast-food meal. Americans eat five billion pounds of French fries each year. Much to the dismay of nutritionists, many teenagers, when low on cash, skip the hamburger and have only the fries coated with salt and ketchup.

Which sentence from the selection best supports the idea that French Fries are more American than European?

• When Thomas Jefferson served French fried potatoes at the White House, they were an exotic European food believed to have originated in Belgium.

• Before long, Americans fell in love with fried potatoes, they became a popular dinner fare.

• In England, French fries are known as chips, but in China and Russia, they are called American fries.

• Americans eat five billion pounds of French fries each year.

1 When Thomas Jefferson served French fried potatoes at the White House, they were an exotic European food believed to have originated in Belgium. Before long, Americans fell in love with fried potatoes, and they became popular dinner fare.

2 In England, French fries are known as chips, but in China and Russia they are called American fries.

3Today, a hamburger, soft drink, and French fries have become the typical fast-food meal. Americans eat five billion pounds of French fries each year. Much to the dismay of nutritionists, many teenagers, when low on cash, skip the hamburger and have only the fries coated with salt and ketchup.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• A.French fries are popular food both in America and around the world.

• B. When Thomas Jefferson introduced French fries he predicted they would be served in restaurants around the world.

• C. Even though Jefferson served them plain, French fries taste better when they are served with salt and ketchup.

• D.Thomas Jefferson introduced French fries to Americans, and they soon became a favorite food.

• The Greeks began using forks long before the Romans did.

• Roman forks were longer than Greek and Chinese forks.

• Forks arrived in Greece after being invented in China.

• The use of the fork changed from the Greek to the Roman Empire.

Does having to use a gas station toilet make you uncomfortable? If so, you are not alone. According to a leading household paper company's “Bathroom Confidential” survey, nearly 30 percent of Americans avoid public restrooms for fear of germs. The poll found that of the people willing to use public restrooms, more than 40 percent flush with their feet rather than touch the toilet handle. Twenty percent grab a paper towel as protection from germ-laden surfaces. For more than 60 percent of those surveyed, using a public toilet is a balancing act — they never sit down and don’t touch a thing. It’s not just public restrooms that send shudders across the nation. More than four out of five respondents said they are concerned about germs in all bathrooms

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Most people go to great lengths to avoid germs in public restrooms.

• Restrooms are filled with germs, which cause illness and disease.

• Public restrooms should be avoided at all costs because they are always dirty.

• Gas station bathrooms are the worst.

Does having to use a gas station toilet make you uncomfortable? If so, you are not alone. According to a leading household paper company's “Bathroom Confidential” survey, nearly 30 percent of Americans avoid public restrooms for fear of germs. The poll found that of the people willing to use public restrooms, more than 40 percent flush with their feet rather than touch the toilet handle. Twenty percent grab a paper towel as protection from germ-laden surfaces. For more than 60 percent of those surveyed, using a public toilet is a balancing act — they never sit down and don’t touch a thing. It’s not just public restrooms that send shudders across the nation. More than four out of five respondents said they are concerned about germs in all bathrooms

The author supports the idea that readers are not alone in their concerns about the cleanliness of public restroom facilities by-

• Outlining how people use public restrooms

• Mentioning a household paper company

• Describing a dirty restroom

• Reporting the results of a survey