3rd Grade Main Idea

Oh, Snap

100

Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings. What is the main idea? 

A) Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books. 

B) Benjamin Franklin worked very hard when he was young. 

C) Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather. D) Benjamin Franklin was very poor

What is A) Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

200

Most of the world's volcanoes are part of the "The Ring of Fire." This is a ring of volcanoes that form a circle around the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of volcanoes make up "The Ring of Fire." These volcanoes formed the sea floor and many underwater mountains. What is the main idea? A) There are thousands of volcanoes in the world. B) Most volcanoes are part of the "Ring of Fire." C) Some underwater mountains are volcanoes.

What is B) Most volcanoes are part of the "Ring of Fire."

300

There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe. What is the main idea? A) There are many fun things to do at the beach. B) It is also fun to look for shells. C) Some people simply like to sunbathe. D) Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

What is A) There are many fun things to do at the beach.

400

Mary has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten. It is soft and cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed. Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake. She never forgets to feed her kitten. What is the main idea? A) The kitten sleeps a lot. B) Mary plays with her kitten C) Mary’s new pet is a kitten. D) Mary want a new pet

What is C) Mary’s new pet is a kitten.

500

Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world." What is the main idea? A) Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work. B) Mark practices very hard to become a great skater. C) Mark is the best skater at the park. D) Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compet

What is A) Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.

That's The Idea!

100

Benjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia. He started the city’s first hospital and fire department. Ben also started Philadelphia’s first public library. Benjamin Franklin worked very hard to make Philadelphia a better place to live. What is the main idea? A) Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make his city a great place to live. B) Benjamin Franklin worked for the fire department. C) Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about books. D) Benjamin Franklin went to school in Philadelphia.

What is A) Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make his city a great place to live.

200

Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move. Earthquakes happen along "fault lines" in the earth’s crust. When the plates in the Earth suddenly shift, the Earth will begin to shift, shake or tremble. What is the main idea? A) Earthquakes occur on "fault lines." B) Earthquakes cause a lot of damage. C) Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move.

What is C) Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move.

300

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates. What is the main idea? A) They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. B) Soccer players learn how to dribble. C) They learn how to work together as teammates. D) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

What is D) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

400

The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was very still. His green color made him hard to see. A bug flew near him. His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was still again. He waited for the next bug. What is the main idea? A) Frogs are green . B) Frogs eat bugs. C) Frogs do not move. D) Frogs live in ponds.

What is B) Frogs eat bugs.

500

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better! What is the main idea? A) Sometimes people feel sad. B) You should do good things for others. C) We're not always happy. D) There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

What is D) There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

Mainly, I'm Confused

100

Benjamin Franklin was very interested in electricity. One day he tried a very dangerous experiment to prove that lightning was electricity. He attached a key to a kite string and flew the kite during a thunderstorm. When the lightning hit the kite, sparks flew from the key. Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electricity. What is the main idea? A) Benjamin Franklin liked to play in the rain. B) Benjamin Franklin performed an experiment that proved lightning was electricity. C) Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about thunderstorms. D) Benjamin Franklin invented a new kind of kite.

What is B) Benjamin Franklin performed an experiment that proved lightning was electricity.

200

Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake. They use an instrument called the Richter scale. The Richter scale compares the strength of different earthquakes. Earthquakes below 2.0 usually can’t be felt. Earthquakes over 5.0 on the scale can cause damage. A magnitude 7.0 is a major earthquake and can cause tremendous damage. What is the main idea? A) Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake. B) Strong earthquakes can cause lots of damage. C) Some earthquakes are very small.

What is A) Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake.

300

John and Matt want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out. What is the main idea? A) John wants to climb a ladder. B) John and Matt want to be firemen C) Matt wants to hold a fire hose. D) They want to ride on the big fire truck.

What is B) John and Matt want to be firemen

400

It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson. Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down. What is the main idea? A) Dessert is supposed to come last. B) The students had a backward day. C) It is hard to do things backward. D) Students failed their tests.

What is B) The students had a backward day.

500

Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle! What is the main idea? A) Tom finds enough food for his family. B) Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish. C) Tom didn't catch anything. D) Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

What is D) Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

Where's the Support?

100

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700’s. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people to read better. What is the main idea? A) Benjamin Franklin thought reading was important. B) Benjamin Franklin was not afraid of fire. C) Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor. D) A Franklin stove can heat a whole room.

What is C) Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.

200

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads, and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand, and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood. What is the main idea? A) Floods can cause a lot of damage. B) Floods cause mudslides. C) Floods damage houses and roads.

What is A) Floods can cause a lot of damage.

300

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well. What is the main idea? A) Jenny got sick. B) Jenny wants to be a nurse. C) Her grandmother was in the hospital. D) Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.

What is B) Jenny wants to be a nurse.

400

Jon held the ball in his hands. He bounced it slowly on the ground. Once. Twice. He crouched low and then jumped. The ball flew into the air. Up, up, up, it went. Then down, down, into the basket. “Yes!” he yelled. “Nothing but net!” What is the main idea? A) How to throw a basketball. B) Jon could jump. C) Jon liked basketball. D) Jon makes a basket.

What is D) Jon makes a basket.

500

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave! What is the main idea? A) Weekends are times to travel. B) The author enjoys spending time with her family. C) The author's grandparents live far away. D) The author is sad to leave her cousins.

What is B) The author enjoys spending time with her family.

Oh, That's What It's About!

100

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock, and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface. What is the main idea? A) Several events can change the Earth's surface. B) Earthquakes can cause large cracks. C) Volcanoes can be dangerous.

What is A) Several events can change the Earth's surface.

200

The earth's surface is constantly changing. All over the world every day, there are earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see. Others cause tremendous damage and cost millions of dollars to clean up. What is the main idea? A) It is expensive to clean up the damage B) Sometimes we can't see the changes. C) The Earth's surface is always changing.

What is C) The Earth's surface is always changing.

300

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers. They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go. Mrs. Jones works nights. She bakes cakes, cookies, and pies. Mrs. Brown works in the daytime. She bakes bread and rolls. Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are very good bakers. What is the main idea? A) Mrs. Jones bakes pies. B) Mrs. Brown bakes rolls. C) Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers D) They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.

What is C) Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers

400

Many people have not heard giraffes make noises. Giraffes do not use sounds to “talk” with each other. When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow. When frightened, they make a short, high sound. What is the main idea? A) Giraffes do make noises B) Giraffes talk all the time. C) Cows and giraffes talk to each other. D) Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.

What is A) Giraffes do make noises

500

What two things are needed to find the Main Idea?

a. supporting points and details 

b. clues and prior knowledge 

c. paper and pencil 

d. comparing and contrasting

What is a?