Question

main idea 2
directions: read each passage and ask yourself, \what is the author doing in this paragraph?\
write your answer in the summary box and then think of an appropriate title for the passage
based on the main idea of the passage.

1. being a clown isnt all fun and games. rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every

time they perform. when cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front
of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. in this way rodeo clowns provide an
alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do
so you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.
summarize this paragraph in one sentence. be specific and clearly explain the main idea.
an appropriate title:

1. wolverines are medium sized mammals. they weigh no more than 50 lbs. yet they have

earned their reputation for ferocity by killing prey many times their size. but why do they get in
so many fights? the reason why wolverines have so many conflicts with other animals
(including wolves, cougars, and even bears) is probably because of the wolverines preferred
hunting style. rather than chasing down or tricking its prey like most hunters, the wolverine
prefers to take its meals directly from other hunters. so while a polar bear or a lone wolf might
be enjoying a hard earned carcass, a hungry wolverine may try to take his lunch. as you might
imagine, this style of hunting get the wolverine in plenty of fights.
summarize this paragraph in one sentence. be specific and clearly explain the main idea.
an appropriate title:

1. sometime in december of 1891, dr. james naismith was teaching gym at the ymca

college in springfield, massachusetts. it was raining, and dr. naismith was trying to keep his
students active. he wanted them playing a vigorous game that would keep them moving. he
rejected a few ideas that were too rough. then naismith had his breakthrough. he wrote out the
rules for a game with peach baskets fixed to ten - foot elevated tracks. naismiths students played
against one another, passing the ball around and shooting it into the peach baskets. dribbling
wasnt a part of the original game. also it took a while to realize that the game would run more
smoothly if the bottoms of the baskets were removed. but this game grew to be one of the most
popular sports in america today. can you guess which one?
summarize this paragraph in one sentence. be specific and clearly explain the main idea.
an appropriate title:

Explanation:

Sub - question 1

The paragraph talks about rodeo clowns. It says being a clown (especially rodeo clowns) isn't just fun as they face great danger while performing to protect riders by acting as an alternate target for bulls.

Summary:

Rodeo clowns face great danger when they perform by jumping in front of bulls to protect riders, showing that clowning around can be serious business.

Appropriate Title:

The Serious Business of Rodeo Clowns

Sub - question 2

The passage is about wolverines. It states that wolverines, medium - sized mammals, are ferocious and get into many fights with other animals because of their hunting style of taking meals from other hunters.

Summary:

Wolverines, medium - sized mammals, are ferocious and get into many conflicts with other animals due to their hunting style of taking food from other hunters.

Appropriate Title:

Why Wolverines Get Into So Many Fights

Sub - question 3

The text is about the origin of a sport. In December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, while teaching gym at YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts, created the rules for a game (which became a popular sport) to keep his students active on a rainy day.

Summary:

In December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, while teaching gym at YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts, created the rules for a game (that became a popular sport) to keep his students active on a rainy day.

Appropriate Title:

The Origin of a Popular Sport: Dr. Naismith's Creation

Answer:

The text is about the origin of a sport. In December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, while teaching gym at YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts, created the rules for a game (which became a popular sport) to keep his students active on a rainy day.

Summary:

In December 1891, Dr. James Naismith, while teaching gym at YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts, created the rules for a game (that became a popular sport) to keep his students active on a rainy day.

Appropriate Title:

The Origin of a Popular Sport: Dr. Naismith's Creation