Read the excerpt, and highlight clues that you identify the central idea.

"we have a right to go to that school, and i'm certain our governor, who was elected to govern all the people, will decide to do what is just." i felt myself speak aloud before i was ready. who said that? it sounded like me, but the words . . where had they come from? the white reporters wrote my words down and behaved as if what i said was very important. pride welled up inside me, and for the first time, i knew that working for integration was the right thing for me to be doing.

–warriors don’t cry,
melba pattillo beals

what is the central idea of this passage?

a) standing up for equality is both necessary and rewarding.
b) teenagers do not have any power to effect change.
c)public speaking is a difficult skill to learn.
d) reporters should not be allowed to interview teenagers.

the correct answer is a) standing up for equality is both necessary and rewarding.