PARCC Reading Main Idea Practice Questions

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. The Humanitarian work of the First Ladies is critical in American government.

B. Dolly Madison was the most influential president's wife.

C. Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the First Lady image.

D. The First Ladies are important figures in American culture.

E. The First Ladies are key supporters of the Presidents.

Correct! Wrong!

1. D: The passage describes actions of various First Ladies as examples of their importance in American culture. That they are key supporters of the Presidents (E) is not the main idea because the first paragraph states some First Ladies are remembered for influencing their husbands, while others "...have made the history books on their own." Not all First Ladies are described here as doing humanitarian work (A). No one First Lady is singled out as most important [(B), (C)].