Central Ideas Quick Check
4 of 44 of 4 Items
Question
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
About 1.5 million species of fungi exist on Earth. They act as nature’s decomposers. These organisms break down matter and release enzymes and acids that unlock nutrients for plants and soil organisms. You may be familiar with macrofungi, a type of fungus that includes mushrooms. But for the most part, fungi exist as mycelia, tiny threads that snake underground in billions of interconnected threads. They twist and twine with tree root systems, helping tress obtain crucial nutrients. Mycologists call these networks of mycelia "Earth’s nervous system."
Which statement best identifies the central idea of the paragraph?
(1 point)
Responses
Fungi bring nutrients to tree root systems when they twine with them underground.
Fungi bring nutrients to tree root systems when they twine with them underground.
Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.
Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.
The type of fungus called macrofungi includes mushrooms.
The central idea of the paragraph is that fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
The central idea of the paragraph is: Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.
To answer this question, we need to identify the main idea of the paragraph. One way to do this is to look for the information that is repeated or emphasized in the paragraph.
In this paragraph, the repeated information is about fungi and their role as decomposers and nutrient providers. The paragraph starts by stating that 1.5 million species of fungi exist on Earth and that they act as nature's decomposers, breaking down matter and releasing enzymes and acids to unlock nutrients for plants and soil organisms. It then goes on to describe how fungi exist mostly as mycelia, which are tiny threads that snake underground and connect with tree root systems, helping trees obtain crucial nutrients. Mycologists refer to these networks of mycelia as "Earth's nervous system."
Based on this information, we can conclude that the central idea of the paragraph is that fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground and bring nutrients to tree root systems. Therefore, the correct answer is:
"Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground."
To find this answer, you can read the paragraph and identify the main points discussed about fungi and their role in nutrient distribution.