PRACTICE IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEAS

Under the paragraph are four general statements. Decide which statement best expresses the main idea of the paragraph.Remember that all or most of the material in the paragraph should develop the statement you choose.Write your answer in comment box.

Meanwhile, factory and automobile pollution increased. Rivers turned into stinking sewers from industrial wastes; fish and plant life in lakes died; and city populations choked and gasped in smog. A series of rocket expeditions to the moon began in 1969, but many asked in mounting cynicism how a nation so afflicted with grave problems at home could continue spending astronomical sums on such exploits. Fueled by the panic of growing numbers of drug addicts for money, crime rates soared. Entire sections of great cities displayed empty sidewalks at night, the residents hidden behind locked doors and windows, which often were broken in by burglars. Candidates for political office could ride to victory on the law-and-order issue almost by itself. Twisting and warping every other problem, and producing massive protest and disillusionment, was the seemingly endless war in Vietnam.

a) Pollution and crime were on the increase in the United States.

b) Many began to question the country’s priorities.

c) The Vietnam was responsible for a growing number of problems in the United States.

d) Conditions in the United States grew worse.