Question

Difficulty: MediumIdentification of Main Idea and Supporting Details

Read the passage below carefully:

Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) has emerged as a cornerstone of ecological restoration across the Sahel, transforming degraded farmland into productive agro-ecosystems. Unlike conventional reforestation projects that rely on expensive nursery-raised saplings, FMNR encourages farmers to systematically protect and nurture native tree stumps and root systems that sprout naturally in their fields. By managing these native species—such as Faidherbia albida—farmers significantly enhance soil fertility, as the trees fix nitrogen and drop nutrient-rich leaf litter during the rainy season. Furthermore, the persistent canopy cover shields fragile topsoil from wind erosion and improves moisture retention during dry spells. Consequently, crop yields for staple grains like millet and sorghum have doubled in participating regions. Ultimately, the rapid adoption of FMNR demonstrates that low-cost, community-led ecological management can effectively reverse desertification while simultaneously securing food sovereignty for smallholder farmers across semi-arid Africa.

Based on the passage above, match each statement on the left with its correct structural role in the passage on the right.

  • Low-cost, community-led ecological management can effectively reverse desertification and secure food sovereignty.Central Thesis / Main Idea
  • Native tree species fix nitrogen and drop nutrient-rich leaf litter during the rainy season.Supporting Detail (Soil Chemistry & Nutrient Supply)
  • Persistent canopy cover shields fragile topsoil from wind erosion and improves moisture retention.Supporting Detail (Microclimate & Physical Protection)
  • Harvest yields for staple grains like millet and sorghum doubled in participating regions.Supporting Detail (Empirical Harvest Outcome)

Answer

The statement asserting that low-cost, community-led management reverses desertification matches the Central Thesis. The statement regarding nitrogen fixing matches Soil Nutrient Supply. The statement regarding canopy protection matches Physical Protection. The statement regarding doubled grain yields matches Empirical Harvest Outcome.
The main idea represents the overarching claim of the text—that community-led ecological management can reverse desertification while securing food sovereignty. The remaining statements serve as supporting details providing specific biological mechanisms (nitrogen fixation), physical defenses (canopy erosion control), and empirical evidence (doubled grain yields) that validate the main thesis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage to locate the overriding conclusion of the author.
The final sentence summarizes the broader significance: community-driven ecological practices reverse desertification and ensure food security.
The main idea encompasses the overarching thesis, whereas specific biological mechanisms and crop measurements function as supporting evidence.
2
Evaluate the functional roles of specific supporting details in the paragraph.
Nitrogen fixing addresses soil nutrient enrichment; canopy coverage addresses erosion defense and moisture control; crop yield doubling provides empirical proof of success.
Categorizing supporting details requires matching each sentence to the specific claim or evidence it contributes to the main argument.
3
Match each text statement to its designated structural function.
Pair statement 1 with Central Thesis, statement 2 with Soil Nutrient Supply, statement 3 with Physical Protection, and statement 4 with Empirical Harvest Outcome.
Completes accurate structural mapping of the text.

Key Concept

Distinguishing Central Thesis from Specific Supporting Details
Rate this question