When someone asks you what is the main or central idea of a text, what do they mean?
The important POINT of the text.
A) Neil started a business walking dogs for people
B) Soon Neil wanted a bigger, more powerful telescope to learn more about Astronomy.
B) Soon Neil wanted a bigger, more powerful telescope to learn more about Astronomy.
What is a support detail? Why is it important?
A supporting detail is important because it supports and provides evidence for the central/main idea.
What is the main idea?
A) He wanted to more know more about the stars because he thought the universe was calling him.
B) His family went to Pennsylvania.
A) He wanted to more know more about the stars because he thought the universe was calling him.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Neil learned more about the stars.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
A) The audience grew silent.
B) 9 year old Neil is at the planetarium.
B) 9 year old Neil is at the planetarium.

Neil was an average student.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
A) He wanted to see more of the night sky.
B) He borrowed a pair of binoculars.
A) He wanted to see more of the night sky.
Which sentence is the main idea?
A) He saved money until he had enough to pay for half of the telescope.
B) He walked several dogs three times a day.
A) He saved money until he had enough to pay for half of the telescope.
Which sentence BEST describes the WHOLE passage?
A) Neil and his family took a trip to Pennsylvania.
B) Neil lived in the Bronx, in the Skyview Apartments.
C) Neil wanted to learn about the stars and the night sky and he eventually became an astrophysicist.
D) Neil was an average student.
C) Neil wanted to learn about the stars and the night sky and he eventually became an astrophysicist.