A central idea of a text is one of the main points the author is making.
(Sometimes a central idea is called a main idea.)
A central idea can always be supported with details from the text.
Central Ideas and Details
1. Reread the section “Bad News.” Which statement below BEST expresses the central idea of this
section?
A Some soldiers in Halifax had come back from the war with serious injuries.
B World War I was a frequent topic of conversation in Noble’s seventh grade class.
C Halifax Harbor was a busy transportation hub during World War I.
D German U-boats had sunk some 3,000 vessels by 1917.
2. Read the central idea of the section “Shock Wave” stated in the box below. Then read the lines
from the article listed under it. Which detail does NOT support the central idea?
A “Fortunately for Noble, the wave did not reach him.” (p. 9)
B “In a fraction of a second, the Mont-Blanc was ripped to pieces.” (p. 8)
C “The explosion triggered an enormous wave that surged out of the harbor and crashed through
Dartmouth and Halifax, toppling more buildings and sweeping people away.” (p. 9)
D “Doors flew off hinges, trees snapped in two, windows shattered, and shards of glass shot
through the air like missiles.” (p. 9)
I chose _________ because _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
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Core Skills Workout: Central Ideas and Details-HL
NONFICTION: “The Shattered Sky,” pages 4-10
November 2017
Central Idea:
The explosion of the Mont-Blanc was extremely powerful and destructive.
Directions: Follow the prompts below to explore the central ideas and supporting details in “The Shattered Sky.”
Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: ________________________
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