Chapter 10: Mastery Test 7

A. Read each group of specific ideas. Then choose the best topic for each group

Specific details: seed, water, cage, perch, plastic toys, mirror

1. The topic is

a. supplies for gardening.

b. supplies for a pet bird.

c. supplies for a pet hamster.

Specific details: Equal, Sweet 'n Low, sugar, honey

2. The topic is

a. sweeteners.

b. artificial sweeteners.

c. natural sweeteners.

B. Read the following paragraph. Then choose the best statement of its implied main idea.

The Seeds of Divorce

¹For a number of couples, the seeds of divorce already existed when they were dating. ²In some cases, the dating period was too brief, and the partners did not have time to get to know each other. ³This is often the case with younger marriages as well as with those who remarry. ⁴Such couples may separate rapidly after marriage because they suddenly discover too many differences. ⁵The relationship had been brief and easy to end. ⁶This is especially true when no children have been born and no joint property has been bought. ⁷Lacking a sense of duty to each other, these couples are not as tied to their marriage. ⁸Divorce is a fairly easy step, unlikely to have large consequences for them, their families, or society.

—Adapted from Ambert, Families in the New Millennium, pp. 374–75.

The implied main idea for the paragraph is

a. Divorce is on the rise.

b. The reasons people divorce are varied.

c. Some marriages are doomed from the start and easily ended.

C. Read the following paragraphs. Using your own words, write the implied main idea for each paragraph.

Likable Joe

¹Researchers found that high school students (grades nine to twelve) were much more likely than adults to be familiar with Old Joe the Camel. ²Old Joe the Camel is a cartoon logo for Camel cigarettes, and young people think of him as a likable figure.³In addition, since Old Joe the Camel was first introduced in 1988, Camel cigarettes rose as the choice for smokers under age 18. ⁴In fact, since 1988, the number of young smokers whose choose Camels has grown from 0.5 percent to 32.8 percent.⁵Children under the age of 18 are thought to be spending $476 million per year on Camel cigarettes and children make up 25 percent of all Camel sales.

—Adapted from Fishbein & Pease, The Dynamics of Drug Abuse, p. 207.

Implied main idea:

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

5. Lead Poisoning

¹Children come into contact with sources of lead during normal indoor and outdoor play. ²A child can be poisoned from a single high dose of lead or from small amounts taken in over a period of time. ³In addition, lead can be breathed in. ⁴Lead can also be passed from a pregnant mother to her fetus, which can cause low birth weight. ⁵Lead can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, and kidneys, as well as affect the development of red blood cells. ⁶Even at low levels, lead can result in problems with physical coordination, learning, and behavior. ⁷Lead is especially dangerous to children under 6 years of age because this is an important time for their growth and development.

—Adapted from Nakamura, Health in America: A Multicultural Perspective, p. 196.

Implied main idea:

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.