Main Idea and Supporting Details

Main Idea #1

100

Christmas is a very popular holiday. There are many types of Christmas trees. They were used to celebrate the winter season even before Jesus was born. They used evergreens back then. Besides evergreens, cherry and hawthorns were the other types of trees used as Christmas trees. People love to decorate their Christmas trees. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

There are many types of Christmas trees.

200

There are eight planets in the Solar System, and each one is very different. Some planets, like Jupiter and Saturn are very large. Others, like Mercury and Mars are smaller. Jupiter has moons that are larger than Mercury. The planets also have different temperatures. Uranus is the coldest and Venus is the hottest. The planets are all very interesting.

Each planet in the solar system is very different from the others.

300

Juan's favorite activity after school is to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. Juan also likes to play board games that are based mostly on luck. He prefers Monopoly because it requires luck and skill. If he's alone, Juan likes to play action video games as long as they aren't too violent. What is the main idea of this paragraph? A. Juan dislikes violence. B. Juan enjoys Monopoly. C. Juan enjoys playing games. D. Juan only enjoys games that involve luck and skill.

D. Juan enjoys playing games that involve luck and skill.

400

Meteorologists are scientists. They use a variety of scientific techniques to understand, interpret, observe and predict the earth's atmosphere. They help us by telling us what weather to expect in the coming days so that we can prepare for it. They help predict the weather. A meteorologist will let you know if it is going to rain or snow this week. What is the main idea?

Meteorologists predict weather.

500

There are many ways for people to get from one place to another. The most common way to travel is by a motorized vehicle. If you are traveling with your family and not going far you may take a car. If you are going a longer distance with more people you may ride in a var or bus. If you need to travel through water, you would need to take a boat. Many people choose to ride in an airplane when they need to go far away and get their quickly. What is the main idea?

People can travel in many different ways.

Main Idea #2

100

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. 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 was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. B. Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make his city a great place to live. C. Benjamin Franklin worked for the fire department. D. Benjamin Franklin was very intelligent.

B. Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make his city a great place to live.

200

The rain began early in the morning. It fell as hard drops, one after another. The sky was full of dark purple clouds. Thunder began as a soft rumble and became louder and louder. Lightning crashed every few minutes, making the sky a brilliant white. What is the main idea? A. The rain began in the morning. B. The thunder hurt the people’s ears. C. Lightning made the sky bright. D. The storm was very strong.

D. The storm was very strong.

300

Flood happen all across the world. Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. They often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Floods can cause a lot of damage.

400

Many children dream to become police officers. Police officers keep our neighborhood safe. A police officer catches the criminals and people who are breaking the law. They see to it that the streets are free of danger so that we can play outside and have a nice walk with our families. Women can also be police officers. What is the main idea?

Police officers keep us safe.

Supporting Details #1

100

Find the detail that doesn't belong: Throughout its lifetime, a butterfly goes through metamorphosis. Metamorphosis occurs in a variety of animals. A butterfly begins life as an egg, and then hatches into a caterpillar. Then, the caterpillar creates a cocoon. An adult butterfly then emerges from the cocoon!

Metamorphosis occurs in a variety of animals.

200

Find the detail that doesn't belong: Your heart is probably the most important muscle in your body! It sends blood throughout your body so that your body can get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Oxygen comes in your body through your mouth and nose. Even though your heart is only about the size of your fist, you need to keep it healthy. An unhealthy heart can lead a person to have a heart attack.

Oxygen comes in your body through your mouth and nose.

300

Saturn is one of the planets in our solar system. Saturn is much bigger then Earth, but it is smaller than the planet Jupiter. The planet Mercury is also smaller than Jupiter. Saturn has several hundred rings, and has more than 30 moons. Many people enjoy observing the planet Saturn.

The planet Mercury is also smaller than Jupiter

400

Find the detail that does not belong. My little brother is so annoying! He always bothers me when I have friends over, and he makes too much noise. Sometimes he’ll hide my favorite video game for weeks! My older sister can be pretty annoying too. I wish I didn’t have to share a room with my brother.

My older sister can be pretty annoying too.

Supporting Details #2

100

Find the detail that does not belong: February is black history month. We celebrate famous African Americans during February, including Barack Obama, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. We also take note of other famous presidents like George Washington. The African American culture is worth learning about and celebrating!

We also take note of other famous presidents like George Washington.

200

Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, can be extremely destructive. Hurricane winds blow at least 74 miles per hour and can destroy homes, trees, and cars. Tornadoes can also cause a lot of damage. If you know a hurricane is coming, find a safe place away from the ocean to stay!

Tornadoes can also cause a lot of damage.

300

The United States of America has 50 states. Only 48 of the states are considered to be a part of the contiguous United States. Canada is a country above the United States. Since Alaska and Hawaii are separated from the rest of the United States, they are not considered to be a part of the contiguous United States. However, they are still a part of our country!

Canada is a country above the United States.

400

One of my chores at home is doing the dishes. I don’t mind unloading the dishes, but I absolute detest washing dirty dishes. Another chore I hate is taking out the trash. Dirty dishes have a disgusting odor. When dishes have been sitting out for while, everything gets crusted to the plate! Gross! Find the detail that does not belong.

Another chore I hate is taking out the trash.

What's the Title

100

Rob and Anne are best friends. They like to do many activities together. In the summer, they both like to go swimming in the ocean and play in the sand. In the winter they go ice skating on the pond by their houses. In the spring, they like to ride their bicycles in the park. What would be a good title for this passage? A. Best Friends B.Summer c.Seasons

A. Best Friends

200

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. Which of these would be an appropriate title for the passage? A. The Franklin Stove, A Great Invention B. Benjamin Franklin the Inventor C. We Can Finally Read D. Benjamin Franklin was Very Intelligent

Benjamin Franklin, the Inventor