Question 44·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
A neighborhood public library recently launched a Seed Library. Patrons can check out packets of vegetable, herb, or flower seeds much like they would a book. The library offers brief instructions on planting and asks borrowers to collect some seeds from their mature plants and return them at the end of the growing season so others can borrow them in the future.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
For main-idea questions, briefly paraphrase the entire passage in one sentence before looking closely at the options. Then eliminate any choice that introduces new information or exaggerates what the passage says. From what remains, choose the option that best captures the overall process or purpose described from start to finish.
Hints
Say it in one sentence
In one sentence, describe what the program lets patrons do and what it asks them to do later.
Look for the program’s cycle
Focus on the sequence: borrow seeds → plant them → return some seeds for future borrowers.
Beware of added details
Eliminate choices that introduce things not mentioned (fees, classes, replacing books, specific groups).
Pick the broadest accurate choice
The best main-idea answer should cover the whole program, not just one small part of it.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the task
You are being asked for the main idea: what the entire text is mostly describing, not a minor detail.
Summarize the passage
The library started a Seed Library where patrons can check out seeds, get brief planting instructions, and later return some seeds from the plants they grew so others can borrow them in the future.
Eliminate choices that add unsupported ideas
Cross out any option that mentions something the passage does not say (for example, replacing books, children’s classes, or paying a fee).
Choose the option that matches the full description
The choice that matches borrowing seeds, using guidance, and returning seeds for future borrowers is: “Patrons can borrow seeds, plant them using the library’s guidance, and return seeds from mature plants so others can borrow them later.”