Reading with Critical Comprehension

Determine the Relevance of Evidence

The main idea of a passage may involve a wide variety of supporting details, but every sentence must be related to the main idea. When a passage contains material that has little or no connection to the main idea (or the connection is not clear) then the sentences containing such material are irrelevant.

For example, the paragraph below contains a sentence that contains evidence that is not relevant. Read the paragraph; identify the sentence that evidence that is not relevant to the topic. Click here when you are finished.

November and December are wonderful months for gardening in St. Petersburg, Florida. While residents of northern states are more concerned with preparations for winter, gardeners on the Suncoast of Florida can enjoy natural circumstances that enhance their efforts. Football enthusiasts in November and December can enjoy the sport throughout the country. Temperatures in Florida are warm enough to grow abundant amounts of flowers and vegetables. Plants and gardeners are relatively free from the pesky bug populations that present problems during the summer. If you enjoy gardening, you'll find November and December good months in St. Petersburg, Florida.