Practice determining the central idea and in pointing out supporting sentences. (Lesson 4)
The opal miners of Australia have learned that it is cooler to live underground than aboveground in the Coober-Pedy region. Almost all of the world’s opals are mined in this desert region, but the harsh climate makes it a difficult place in which to live comfortably. So almost half of the 5200 people in Coober-Pedy live underground. These are not crude caves; they boast wall-to-wall carpeting, running water, and electricity. But best of all, these underground dwellers never have to worry about escaping from the heat. The temperature in these homes is around 72°F all year-round. That’s not bad— particularly in an area where the normal summertime temperature ranges from 120°F to 140°F in the day. Even at night, the thermometer seldom goes below 100°F. The thick sandstone walls and roofs provide nature’s own protection against the hot desert sun.
1. What is the main topic of this selection? (Circle one.)
A. opals
B. houses in Australia
C. opal miners
D. housing in Coober-Pedy
D. housing in Coober-Pedy
how?
The main topic of this selection is housing in Coober-Pedy. This is evident as the passage discusses how almost half of the population in Coober-Pedy lives underground due to the harsh climate of the region. It also provides details about the underground dwellings, such as their amenities and the benefits they offer in terms of escaping the extreme heat.
2. Which of the following sentences best states the main idea of this paragraph?
A. The opal miners of Australia have learned that it is cooler to live underground than aboveground in the Coober-Pedy region.
B. These are not crude caves; they boast wall-to-wall carpeting, running water, and electricity.
C. So almost half of the 5200 people in Coober-Pedy live underground.
D. Their homes are cut deep into sandstone mounds and go far beneath the surface of the earth.
A. The opal miners of Australia have learned that it is cooler to live underground than aboveground in the Coober-Pedy region.
State TWO separate supporting details.
that housing in Coober-Pedy is the main topic
1. Almost half of the 5200 people in Coober-Pedy live underground.
2. These underground dwellings have amenities such as wall-to-wall carpeting, running water, and electricity.
Compare and Contrast definition and words
Definition: A definition is a statement that explains the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept. It provides a clear and concise explanation of what something is or what it means.
Words: Words are units of language that carry meaning and are used for communication. They can be spoken or written and are made up of letters, syllables, or a combination of both.
Comparison: Both definitions and words are related to language and communication. They both involve conveying meaning and understanding.
Contrast: Definitions specifically explain the meaning of something, while words themselves carry meaning. Definitions provide clarity and understanding by explaining the meaning of a word, whereas words are the building blocks of communication and can have different meanings based on context.