Main Idea I
Many animals hibernate in the winter to survive the cold months when food is scarce. Bears, for example, sleep in caves or dens and live off stored body fat. Hibernation helps them conserve energy.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Bears eat a lot before winter.
B) Hibernation helps animals survive winter.
C) Caves are good places to sleep.
D) Animals like to be alone.
B) Hibernation helps animals survive winter. ✅
Recycling helps reduce waste in landfills and saves natural resources. Items like paper, plastic, and metal can be reused to make new products.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Landfills are full.
B) Recycling is helpful to the environment.
C) Metal is hard to recycle.
D) Plastic can’t be reused.
B) Recycling is helpful to the environment. ✅
Electric cars are becoming more popular. They don't use gasoline and are better for the environment. Many companies are now making them.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Electric cars cost a lot.
B) People like fast cars.
C) Electric cars are good for the environment and gaining popularity.
D) Gasoline is expensive.
C) Electric cars are good for the environment and gaining popularity. ✅
The sun is a powerful source of energy. It gives light and warmth to the Earth, helps plants grow, and can even be used to generate electricity.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) The sun makes plants grow.
B) The sun can power electricity.
C) The sun is an important source of energy.
D) The sun is very hot.
C) The sun is an important source of energy. ✅
Cats are independent pets that often groom themselves. Unlike dogs, they usually don’t need to be bathed and can entertain themselves for hours.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Cats are better than dogs.
B) Cats don’t like water.
C) Cats are independent animals.
D) Cats like to play.
C) Cats are independent animals. ✅
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It can grow several inches in a single day and is used in construction and furniture.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Bamboo is tall.
B) Bamboo grows quickly and is useful.
C) Bamboo is used for food.
D) Bamboo is green.
B) Bamboo grows quickly and is useful.✅
Emma forgot to set her alarm and woke up late. She rushed through breakfast and barely caught the bus. She learned to set her alarm before going to bed.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Emma likes breakfast.
B) Emma missed her bus.
C) Emma learned a lesson about being on time.
D) Emma doesn’t like school.
C) Emma learned a lesson about being on time. ✅
In space, astronauts float because there is very little gravity. They must strap themselves down to sleep and be careful with tools so they don’t drift away.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Astronauts like tools.
B) Gravity is strong in space.
C) Living in space is different because of low gravity.
D) Sleeping is hard.
C) Living in space is different because of low gravity. ✅
Bees help pollinate plants, which is important for growing fruits and vegetables. Without bees, many plants wouldn’t be able to produce food.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Bees sting people.
B) Bees make honey.
C) Bees are important for pollination and food.
D) Bees live in hives.
C) Bees are important for pollination and food. ✅
Whales are the largest animals on Earth, yet they eat some of the smallest creatures, like krill. They use special structures in their mouths to filter these tiny animals from the water.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Whales have large mouths.
B) Whales eat small sea creatures.
C) Krill are hard to catch.
D) Whales are fish.
B) Whales eat small sea creatures. ✅
Lighthouses were once used to warn ships about dangerous rocks or shorelines. Today, most are not needed, but some still stand as historic landmarks.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Lighthouses are tall.
B) Lighthouses are no longer useful.
C) Lighthouses used to help ships and are now historic.
D) Ships sail near rocks.
C) Lighthouses used to help ships and are now historic. ✅
Playing sports helps children stay active and healthy. It also teaches teamwork, discipline, and how to deal with winning or losing.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Sports are fun.
B) Sports keep kids busy.
C) Sports have many benefits for children.
D) Kids like to win.
C) Sports have many benefits for children. ✅
A tornado is a spinning column of air that touches both the ground and a cloud. It can destroy buildings and trees in seconds. People are warned to take cover when a tornado is nearby.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Tornadoes are dangerous and powerful storms.
B) People can’t outrun a tornado.
C) Tornadoes happen in summer.
D) Trees fall easily.
A) Tornadoes are dangerous and powerful storms. ✅
Carla practices piano every day after school. Even when she is tired, she spends at least 30 minutes playing. Her dedication helps her improve.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Carla plays after school.
B) Carla is tired after school.
C) Carla practices regularly and is improving.
D) Carla wants to be famous.
C) Carla practices regularly and is improving. ✅
Volcanoes can be found on land and under the sea. When they erupt, they release lava, ash, and gases that can change the landscape.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Volcanoes are always dangerous.
B) Lava is hot.
C) Volcanoes erupt and change the Earth’s surface.
D) Volcanoes are in Hawaii.
C) Volcanoes erupt and change the Earth’s surface. ✅