Lesson 45

Relevant vs Irrelevant Information

Identify the main idea and irrelevant details.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., became a well-known civil rights leader because of his role in the 1955 boycott of city buses in Montgomery, Alabama. Other civil rights leaders worked on boycotts in southern cities too. Until this time, city buses were segregated, meaning African-Americans had to sit at the back of the bus and often had to give up their seats for white people. One day, Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus, and she refused to give up her seat for a white person. The bus was not very large. When Mrs. Parks was arrested, Dr. King led a boycott of the Montgomery buses. People who supported Dr. King and the boycott decided not to take the bus until African-Americans could sit where they pleased.

Identify the main idea and irrelevant details.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., became a well-known civil rights leader because of his role in the 1955 boycott of city buses in Montgomery, Alabama. Other civil rights leaders worked on boycotts in southern cities too. Until this time, city buses were segregated, meaning African-Americans had to sit at the back of the bus and often had to give up their seats for white people. One day, Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus, and she refused to give up her seat for a white person. The bus was not very large. When Mrs. Parks was arrested, Dr. King led a boycott of the Montgomery buses. People who supported Dr. King and the boycott decided not to take the bus until African-Americans could sit where they pleased.

Identify the main idea and irrelevant details.

• The 1950s in America were in the age of prosperity, or economic well-being. The country grew stronger and its population increased. Two new states, Alaska and Hawaii, became part of the United States. Countless new machines sped up household chores. These machines were greatly needed. Watching TV became a popular leisure, or free-time, activity. In fact, there was too much free time in this period.

Identify the main idea and irrelevant details

• New scientific developments helped increase farm production in the 1800s. Better seeds and livestock were developed. Crop rotation and fertilizers were used to improve soil. So much food was produced that there was a surplus. Fortunately, George Washington Carver discovered the following new uses for soybeans, peanuts, and sweet potatoes: face cream, cooking oil, tooth polish, and paint. Carver was born into slavery.