1. The main idea is that the Roman Empire's decline was caused by internal problems like political instability, economic troubles, and military weakness, not just external invasions.
2. A. Political instability: frequent changes in leadership weakened the government.
B. Economic troubles: heavy taxes and inflation hurt the economy.
C. Military weakness: reliance on mercenaries and declining discipline made the army less effective.
3. The paragraph supports the main idea by explaining how these internal issues created a vulnerable empire that could not withstand external pressures.
4. The best title is "Internal Problems Led to the Fall of Rome" because it directly reflects the main idea that internal weaknesses were the primary cause of the empire's decline.
5. The main idea is that the Roman Empire fell due to internal decay rather than solely because of outside attacks.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of eighth grade main idea worksheet.
