Question

a finding the main idea
one statement below expresses the main idea of the article. one statement is too general, or too broad. the other statement explains only part of the article; it is too narrow. label the statements using the following key:
m-main idea b-too broad n-too narrow

1. throughout history there have been many fires whose causes are unknown.
2. spontaneous human combustion is a phenomenon in which humans are consumed by fire for no apparent reason.
3. the fbi could not determine the cause of the spontaneous combustion of mrs. mary reeser.

Explanation:

Analyze the scope of Statement 1

Statement 1 discusses "many fires whose causes are unknown" throughout history. This scope is extremely wide and covers all unexplained fires in history, making it far too general for an article specifically focused on spontaneous human combustion. Thus, it is too broad.

Analyze the scope of Statement 2

Statement 2 defines and focuses on "spontaneous human combustion" as a phenomenon where humans are consumed by fire for no apparent reason. This matches the central subject and core theme of the entire passage, making it the main idea.

Analyze the scope of Statement 3

Statement 3 focuses specifically on a single case: "the spontaneous combustion of Mrs. Mary Reeser" and the FBI's investigation. Since this refers to only one specific historical example used to support the larger topic, it is too narrow.

Answer:

Question 1

B

Question 2

M

Question 3

N