5.9 Di 5/24 CFU

1

2

3

4

How do readers determine the central idea of a text?

Pay attention to text features

Determine the structure of the
text

Identify IMPORTANT details

Pay attention to the introduction
and the conclusion

LET’S

PRACTICE

NOW

Are We There Yet?

37

Details in paragraphs 2 through 7 support the
idea that in the late 1800s and early 1900s,
driving was dangerous because —

A.

there were lots of broken carriages on the
roads that did not let the traffic to flow

B.

there were hazardous activity characterized by breakdowns,
accidents, congestion, and poor road conditions

C.

traffic was the main factor since the freeways were full of cars during
rush hours

D.

the construction of main roads in New York made the traffic to get
worse during daytime

39

What is the central idea of the section “The
Right Direction”?

A. The improvement of road infrastructure in

America.

B. The implementation of speed limit on the

highways.

C. The history of the Bureau of Public Roads

in 1927.

D. The rise in car ownership in America by

1927.

41

Part A
What is the central idea of the
selection?

A.

The process of highway
construction in America.

B.

The evolution of cars in the
United States.

C.

The evolution and impact of road
infrastructure in the United
States.

D.

The importance of establishing
driving rules only in New York
City.

Part B
Which sentence best supports the answer to
Part A?

A.

Roads were so narrow that cars going in
opposite directions couldn’t get around
each other. (paragraph 3)

B.

The city of Cleveland installed the first electric
traffic signals. (paragraph 6)

C.

Finally, car travel was beginning to make sense.
It was high time, too, since by 1927 Americans
owned 20 million cars. (paragraph 9)

D.

In 1956 the interstate highway system began to
take shape. (paragraph 12)

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

43

Details in the section “My Way is the Highway,”
support the idea that Americans wanted to
have a highway system because —

A.

the government wanted to improve the economy in the country, so
people could have a better lifestyle

B. people were seeking for efficient network of road system to improve
travel safety, ease congestion, and facilitate economic growth

C. people were dreaming of traveling to other countries using the
highway system to get faster

D. President Eisenhower wanted Americans to recognize him as the
person who improved transportation in America