Could Someone Help Me With This Reading Comp. Qustion from HCFF website?

[HappyMeNow]

I am trying to figure out why the correct answer they've chosen is the right one...or rather why I have it wrong. Hopefully someone can explain it to me.

This is on the reading pretest section, question 8.

"Today, concern for the survival of the valuable rain forests has heightened. There is a great threat to their existence and measures need to be established to protect them. Like all forests, the rain forests are haunted by "deforestation." Acres of forests are destroyed everyday with no real plan to control this devastation. In Africa, for example, almost half of the rain forests have disappeared. Why? Slowly society has begun to depend on these rain forests for the vital resources that are needed. Society has begun to utilize this precious land for farming. When the rain forests are farmed, trees are removed to make room for these farms. Cultivation of this land is responsible for much of the "deforestation." Although this type of farming may be necessary for the survival, steps need to be taken to protect the rain forest in order to maintain its vegetation and wild life. For example, farming the rain forest in one area should be limited to avoid exhaustion of this resource. The possibility of exhausting the resources of the rainforest must always be considered as a threat to the benefit of mankind.

8. What is the main idea of Paragraph A - H?

A. The rain forests are valuable resources.

B. The rain forests play an important role in the ecosystem.

C.There is a great threat to the existence the rain forests.

D. The rain forests, which are interesting and valuable resources, are disappearing rapidly and drastic steps need to be taken to save them."

The correct answer according to the website is C. But I really think it should be D because the passage does mention that rain forest is valueble and that we should regular farming in rain forests. Doesn't that count as "drastic steps need to be taken to save them"?

Why is C the better answer?

[NurseBettyICU, ADN, BSN]

Usually you will find the main idea in the first sentence or two. In this case - sentence 2. Also, a main idea is going to be short and sweet and to the point.

I hope that helps.

[frankiebaby]

Exactly what poster Stacygirl said: "C" is short, sweet and to the point.

Plus, answer "D" reads more into the paragraph than is actually there. Answer "D" calls the rain forests "interesting and valuable resources". While it may be true that rain forests are interesting and should be preserved, the focus of the paragraph is not on the qualities of the rain forests, but rather on the threat and causes of deforestation.

Also, nowhere in the paragraph does it suggest that "drastic steps" need to be taken to preserve the rain forests. We may believe that drastic steps are needed to preserve the rain forests, but this assertion isn't found anywhere in the paragraph. The paragraph only suggests that farming in rain forests should be limited. Hardly a drastic step.

Good luck with your assignment!

[HappyMeNow]

thanks guys!

i've always got that whole "main ideas are like umbrellas that cover everything" in the back of my head.

[Mexarican]

read the paragraph carefully...how many times does it use terms such as, deforestation, exhaustion, exhausting, threat,...the answer is C. The rest is just filler. Really, the writer is trying to call attention to the fact the the forests are in danger of going away...

Mex