Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : Reading to Determine Main Idea or Theme
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Reading
Nearly all the workers of the Lowell textile mills of Massachusetts were unmarried daughters from farm families. Some of the workers were as young as 10. Many people in the 1820s were upset by the idea of working females. The company provided well-kept dormitories for the women to live in. The meals were decent and church attendance was mandatory. Compared to other factories of the time, the Lowell mills were clean and safe. There was even a journal, The Lowell Offering, which contained poems and other material written by the workers, and which became known beyond New England. Ironically, it was at the Lowell mills that dissatisfaction with working conditions brought about the first organization of working women.
The work was difficult. When wages were cut, the workers organized the Factory Girls Association. 15,000 women decided to “turn out,” or walk off the job. The Offering, meant as a pleasant creative outlet, gave the women a voice that could be heard elsewhere in the country, and even in Europe. However, the ability of women to demand changes was limited. The women could not go for long without wages with which to support themselves and families. This same limitation hampered the effectiveness of the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association (LFLRA), organized in 1844.
No specific changes can be directly credited to the Lowell workers, but their legacy is unquestionable. The LFLRA’s founder, Sarah Bagley, became a national figure, speaking before the Massachusetts House of Representatives. When the New England Labor Reform League was formed, three of the eight board members were women. Other mill workers took note of the Lowell strikes and were successful in getting better pay, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. Even some existing child labor laws can be traced back to efforts first set in motion by the Lowell mills women.
What is the main idea of this text?
The Lowell Mills were fair employers and the women who worked for them were out of line asking for safer working conditions and more pay.
The LFLRA was an important group that contributed to not only labor reform for women but children and factory workers in general.
The LFLRA was a group that single-handedly solved all labor reform-related problems.
The LFLRA was an unsuccessful labor reform group that made no progress in bettering the workplace for employees.
The LFLRA was an important group that contributed to not only labor reform for women but children and factory workers in general.
This text is about the influence the LFLRA had on multiple labor reform efforts. It describes what they did for themselves and then the effect they had on sympathetic listeners and other reform groups.
Example Question #12 : Reading
Nearly all the workers of the Lowell textile mills of Massachusetts were unmarried daughters from farm families. Some of the workers were as young as 10. Many people in the 1820s were upset by the idea of working females. The company provided well-kept dormitories for the women to live in. The meals were decent and church attendance was mandatory. Compared to other factories of the time, the Lowell mills were clean and safe. There was even a journal, The Lowell Offering, which contained poems and other material written by the workers, and which became known beyond New England. Ironically, it was at the Lowell mills that dissatisfaction with working conditions brought about the first organization of working women.
The work was difficult. When wages were cut, the workers organized the Factory Girls Association. 15,000 women decided to “turn out,” or walk off the job. The Offering, meant as a pleasant creative outlet, gave the women a voice that could be heard elsewhere in the country, and even in Europe. However, the ability of women to demand changes was limited. The women could not go for long without wages with which to support themselves and families. This same limitation hampered the effectiveness of the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association (LFLRA), organized in 1844.
No specific changes can be directly credited to the Lowell workers, but their legacy is unquestionable. The LFLRA’s founder, Sarah Bagley, became a national figure, speaking before the Massachusetts House of Representatives. When the New England Labor Reform League was formed, three of the eight board members were women. Other mill workers took note of the Lowell strikes and were successful in getting better pay, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. Even some existing child labor laws can be traced back to efforts first set in motion by the Lowell mills women.
Which of the following excerpts best conveys the main idea of the text?
Nearly all the workers of the Lowell textile mills of Massachusetts were unmarried daughters from farm families. Some of the workers were as young as 10. Many people in the 1820s were upset by the idea of working females. The company provided well-kept dormitories for the women to live in. The meals were decent and church attendance was mandatory. Compared to other factories of the time, the Lowell mills were clean and safe.
The work was difficult. When wages were cut, the workers organized the Factory Girls Association. 15,000 women decided to “turn out,” or walk off the job. The Offering, meant as a pleasant creative outlet, gave the women a voice that could be heard elsewhere in the country, and even in Europe. However, the ability of women to demand changes was limited. The women could not go for long without wages with which to support themselves and families.
When the New England Labor Reform League was formed, three of the eight board members were women. Other mill workers took note of the Lowell strikes and were successful in getting better pay, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. Even some existing child labor laws can be traced back to efforts first set in motion by the Lowell mills women.
It was at the Lowell mills that dissatisfaction with working conditions brought about the first organization of working women. When wages were cut, the workers organized the Factory Girls Association. The Offering, meant as a pleasant creative outlet, gave the women a voice that could be heard elsewhere in the country, and even in Europe. The Lowell Female Labor Reform Association (LFLRA), organized in 1844. No specific changes can be directly credited to the Lowell workers, but their legacy is unquestionable.
It was at the Lowell mills that dissatisfaction with working conditions brought about the first organization of working women. When wages were cut, the workers organized the Factory Girls Association. The Offering, meant as a pleasant creative outlet, gave the women a voice that could be heard elsewhere in the country, and even in Europe. The Lowell Female Labor Reform Association (LFLRA), organized in 1844. No specific changes can be directly credited to the Lowell workers, but their legacy is unquestionable.
These sentences highlight the success and influence of the LFLRA and related groups.
Example Question #12 : Reading
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. The paintings are unusual in their medium, manner of display, and subject matter. These are not simply wall or ceiling paintings. Stones—some as small as notebooks, some as large as doors—have been chipped and otherwise shaped to form rough canvases on which are painted individual works.
Some of the pieces are stacked, while others are arranged upright in an overlapping pattern so that one can “flip through” the smaller pieces in the collection with relative ease. Hunters, warriors, and hunted animals, the typical subjects of cave art, are largely absent from these works. Instead, domestic scenes are represented, including food preparations, family meals, and recreational activities.
Though no tools have been found in the area, the fineness of the lines suggests the use of sophisticated animal-hair brushes. Gypsum, manganese, malachite, and other minerals were painstakingly ground and mixed with binding materials such as vegetable and animal oils to form the paints. One probable reason for the high level of artistry is that the paintings may have been produced in the open air, where the light was good, and then brought into the cave.
However, it is the purpose of the paintings that is the most curious. Most interesting, it may be that the collection represents a sort of family tree. A number of the paintings appear to feature some of the same people, and it is tempting to think of these works as family portraits. Indeed, one figure, seen as a child with a mark on its forehead—the stone has actually been chipped away to represent the mark—is shown in other paintings as a young person and as an adult with the same mark.
What is the main idea of this text?
Paintings were discovered recently in Malaysia and they are really no different than those found previously.
Paintings were discovered recently in Malaysia and no one knows how, why, or where they were created. Archaeologists have no leads to answer the questions they have.
Paintings were discovered recently in Malaysia and the way they were created is very unique. The exact purpose of the paintings is still a mystery.
Paintings were discovered recently in Malaysia and they are believed to be an instruction manual for hunting, cooking, and other domestic tasks.
Paintings were discovered recently in Malaysia and the way they were created is very unique. The exact purpose of the paintings is still a mystery.
This text is explaining about the discovery and study of paintings found recently in Malaysia. The article explains details of their creation as well as a theory about their purpose.
Example Question #14 : Reading
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. The paintings are unusual in their medium, manner of display, and subject matter. These are not simply wall or ceiling paintings. Stones—some as small as notebooks, some as large as doors—have been chipped and otherwise shaped to form rough canvases on which are painted individual works.
Some of the pieces are stacked, while others are arranged upright in an overlapping pattern so that one can “flip through” the smaller pieces in the collection with relative ease. Hunters, warriors, and hunted animals, the typical subjects of cave art, are largely absent from these works. Instead, domestic scenes are represented, including food preparations, family meals, and recreational activities.
Though no tools have been found in the area, the fineness of the lines suggests the use of sophisticated animal-hair brushes. Gypsum, manganese, malachite, and other minerals were painstakingly ground and mixed with binding materials such as vegetable and animal oils to form the paints. One probable reason for the high level of artistry is that the paintings may have been produced in the open air, where the light was good, and then brought into the cave.
However, it is the purpose of the paintings that is the most curious. Most interesting, it may be that the collection represents a sort of family tree. A number of the paintings appear to feature some of the same people, and it is tempting to think of these works as family portraits. Indeed, one figure, seen as a child with a mark on its forehead—the stone has actually been chipped away to represent the mark—is shown in other paintings as a young person and as an adult with the same mark.
Which answer choice would be the best summary of this story?
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. Instead, domestic scenes are represented, including food preparations, family meals, and recreational activities. One probable reason for the high level of artistry is that the paintings may have been produced in the open air, where the light was good, and then brought into the cave.
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. The paintings are unusual in their medium, manner of display, and subject matter. These are not simply wall or ceiling paintings. Stones—some as small as notebooks, some as large as doors—have been chipped and otherwise shaped to form rough canvases on which are painted individual works.
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. Some of the pieces are stacked, while others are arranged upright in an overlapping pattern so that one can “flip through” the smaller pieces in the collection with relative ease. Though no tools have been found in the area, the fineness of the lines suggests the use of sophisticated animal-hair brushes. Most interesting, it may be that the collection represents a sort of family tree.
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. Indeed, one figure, seen as a child with a mark on its forehead—the stone has actually been chipped away to represent the mark—is shown in other paintings as a young person and as an adult with the same mark.
Archaeologists working in two recently discovered limestone caves in Sarawak, Malaysia have found a collection of 51 paintings estimated to be 6,000 to 12,000 years old. Some of the pieces are stacked, while others are arranged upright in an overlapping pattern so that one can “flip through” the smaller pieces in the collection with relative ease. Though no tools have been found in the area, the fineness of the lines suggests the use of sophisticated animal-hair brushes. Most interesting, it may be that the collection represents a sort of family tree.
This answer choice contains all of the important details that support the main idea and would allow a reader to highlight the key pieces of text.
Example Question #15 : Reading
What is the theme of this passage?
Having fun is more important than worrying about small things.
National parks are no place for families to vacation; they are too dangerous.
Listening and paying attention are good habits to have and may come in handy later.
Not all family members need to like a vacation destination.
Paying Attention Pays Off
Jackson and his family were excited to be camping for the first time. They had never been to Yellowstone National Park, and they had been anticipating this trip all year. His father packed up the car, his mother made sure they had their maps, and he and his little sister Aly hopped in the back seat of their minivan ready to go. It only took about 15 minutes until Aly got on his nerves, so he put his earbuds in so he could watch videos on his phone. He must have fallen asleep because he woke up a few hours later and saw the large brown sign with white writing across the front, reading “Yellowstone National Park.” They had arrived.
They got all checked in and found their home for the next three days, campsite number 35. Dad set up the tents, and Mom consulted her itinerary for all of the upcoming activities and excursions. After they got settled in, it was time for a safety training class with the park ranger. The ranger went through what visitors should do if they encountered a dangerous wild animal, got lost, ran out of supplies, or fell into the fast-moving river. Jackson looked from side to side at his family and realized he was the only one paying attention! His mom was looking at her list, Aly was dozing off, and his father’s eyes were glazed over as he stared into the woods. He hoped they wouldn’t need to use any of these skills!
That night, after his mother and father were all tucked into their sleeping bags, Jackson and Aly snuck out of their tent to look at the stars. It was a quaint evening until Jackson heard grunting and banging coming from the campsite. He peeked around a tree with his flashlight and saw a juvenile bear pawing at the coolers and trash cans. Aly started to shout and tried to take off running. Jackson covered her mouth and reminded her that the ranger said not to scream or run away if confronted by bears. She nodded, and they stood still behind the tree and out of sight. The bear grew frustrated with the coolers and trash cans because Jackson had secured them with bungee cords, just as the ranger recommended. The bear padded off into the woods, and they snuck back to their tents exhausted. As Jackson laid in his sleeping bag, he smiled to himself, thinking about how lucky they were that he had paid attention in the ranger’s safety class.
Listening and paying attention are good habits to have and may come in handy later.
This passage teaches the importance of listening and paying attention to the directions or instructions that one is given. Jackson is the only family member who was focused during the ranger’s safety lesson, and he knew how to react in an emergency. Without his knowledge, he and Aly may not have escaped such a dangerous encounter.
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All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources
