Question

many educators argue that high schools should begin classes later in the morning. research shows that teenagers’ sleep cycles make early start times especially challenging. as a result, students who start school later are often more alert and perform better academically. some critics claim that changing start times would interfere with after - school activities. however, schools that have adjusted schedules report that participation in activities remains strong because practices can be reorganized.

1. which sentence from the passage states the author’s main idea?

a. research shows that teenagers’ sleep cycles make early start times especially challenging.
b. many educators argue that high schools should begin classes later in the morning.
c. students who start school later are often more alert and perform better academically.
d. some critics claim that changing start times would interfere with after - school activities.

Explanation:

To determine the sentence stating the author's main idea, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: "Research shows that teenagers’ sleep cycles make early start times especially challenging." This is a supporting detail about research, not the main idea.
• Option 2: "Many educators argue that high schools should begin classes later in the morning." The passage starts by saying "Many educators argue that high schools should begin classes later in the morning" and then provides supporting details (research on teenagers' sleep, student performance, critics' views). So this captures the main argument.
• Option 3: "Students who start school later are often more alert and perform better academically." This is a supporting detail about student performance, not the main idea.
• Option 4: "Some critics claim that changing start times would interfere with after - school activities." This is a counter - argument, not the main idea.

Answer:

B. Many educators argue that high schools should begin classes later in the morning.