Highlight the big ideas and ideas that are repeated to find the central idea.

The British often used a "mask" to keep their messages secret. Hidden within what looked like an ordinary letter was the secret message that was only revealed when the reader applied the mask. The writer might send the letter by one rider going by one route while another rider carried the mask on another route. Such letters had an extra advantage: The writer could include false information in case Americans intercepted the letter.

—George Washington, Spymaster,
Thomas B. Allen

Which statement best states the central idea?

A mask was a useful way to send messages.
Letter writers could travel via several routes.
Writers could include false information.
A mask was needed to read a message.

answer: a

explanation:

read the following excerpt from “greece” by oscar wilde.

the sea was sapphire [colored], and the sky

burned like a heated opal through the air;

we hoisted sail; the wind was blowing fair

for the blue lands that to the eastward lie.

which words does the poet include to the reader visualize the scene?

“the sea was sapphire”

“through the air”

“was blowing fair”

“to the eastward lie”

his tongue, i believe, was bloody and hanging out of his mouth.

he looked as if he were hungry.

he has several wolf-like qualities; a gray coat, sharp claws and yellow fangs.

those eyes made me feel, dear reader, like the end was near.

as i reached for a stick, he moved to the other side of the hill.

panting and hungry, he looked at me, a defenseless human and he snarled.

well i said my prayers, however, he simply turned and limped off.