Main Ideas

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

What is the topic?

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

What is the main idea?

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

Which of the following is a detail from the passage?

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

What is the best summary of the passage?

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the topic?

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the main idea?

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

Which of the following is a detail from the passage?

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the best summary of the passage?

In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

What is the topic?

In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

What is the main idea?

In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

Which of the following is a detail from the passage?

In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

What is the best summary of the passage?