Question

the homesteading movement
donn saylor
1in the 1960s and 70s, the back - to - the - land movement encouraged scores of people to leave overcrowded cities behind to carve out simpler lives in the country. the movement, now called homesteading, has experienced a resurgence in recent years. with environmental threats increasing, food safety constantly called into question, and the cost of living skyrocketing, more people are turning to homesteading as a welcome alternative to modern life’s drawbacks.
2homesteaders cite a variety of advantages in “getting back to the land.” they find satisfaction in growing their own vegetables or raising their own cattle, which allows them to monitor the quality of their food and save money at the same time. homesteaders save by making their own supplies, such as toilet, soap, and clothing. many also utilize alternative sources of energy. in wide - open spaces, it’s sometimes easier to harness the environmentally friendly powers of solar and wind energy than it is to connect to a utility company. these methods allow homesteaders to survive and thrive on very little money.
3another advantage to homesteading is the close - knit relationships that develop between family members. homesteading requires all family members to work together for the successful operation of the household. homesteading, however, is not without its challenges. simple living requires a lot of demanding work that usually begins long before the roosters herald the arrival of a new day.
which best describes the first sentence of paragraph 5?
a it is the main idea of this essay and supported by all other paragraphs.
b it is the main idea of paragraph 5 and a major detail of the essay.
c it is a detail unnecessary and off the topic of paragraph 5.
d it is a minor detail to support the main idea of paragraph 5.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The first sentence of paragraph 5 (not shown, but contextually) can't be the essay's main idea (as essay's main idea is about Homesteading's resurgence and aspects), so A is wrong.
• Option B: The first sentence of a paragraph typically introduces the paragraph's main idea. It also contributes as a major detail to the essay's overall topic (Homesteading's aspects). This fits.
• Option C: A sentence in a paragraph is relevant, so C (off - topic) is wrong.
• Option D: The first sentence of a paragraph is usually the main idea, not a minor detail, so D is wrong.

Answer:

B. It is the main idea of paragraph 5 and a major detail of the essay.