Multiple Choice
Catie and Katie had the same name. It sounded the same when anyone said it. But one Catie started with the letter "C" and the other with the letter "K." How could they know who was being called? They decided that "Catie" would stay the same and "Katie" would shorten her name to "Kate" to avoid confusion.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Catie didn't want to change her name to "Cate."
B. Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names.
C. "Catie" looked prettier in print than "Katie."
D. Catie and Katie thought it was fun to have the same-sounding name.
B. Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names.
Remember, the main idea is what the passage is MOSTLY about about. It's not just a part of the text, but the WHOLE of it!
What's the main idea of the following passage?
It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backwards. Some of them wore their t-shirt backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last at lunch. They tried to walk home backward, but they kept bumping into each other and fell down.
Students had a backwards day.
Did you notice that the main idea was stated in the first sentence of the paragraph?!
The main idea is ALWAYS the first sentence of the paragraph.
A. True B. False
B. False
The main idea sometimes isn't stated clearly at all! You can usually find an inkling of what it is by reading the first or last few sentences in a paragraph or passage.
The main idea of a story tells us__________________.
a. Who is the main character is.
b. What the story is mainly about.
c. The details of the story.
d. What the conflict in the story is.
b. What the story is mainly about.
What is the topic of this passage?
They are building a new school near my house. Every day I watch the workers drive huge machinery and push a ton of dirt. They have big cranes that help them place tall beams in the ground. The workers build walls using bricks. Every day it looks more and more like a school. Mom says I will go there in the fall.
Getting a New School/ Building a new school
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, down into the basket. "Yes!" he yelled. "Nothing but the net!"
Based on the passage, what did the author want you to learn from this passage?
A. Jon can jump high.
B. Jon likes basketball.
C. How Jon makes a basket.
D. How to throw a baseball.
C. How Jon makes a basket.
This is mostly about Job making a basket.
What is the main idea of the following passage?
The rules for lining up are very clear. Wait until the teacher calls your group, then stand up and push in your chair. Walk to the door and stand in a straight, quiet line. Anyone not following the rules will be told by the teacher to please sit down. This can cause the class to be late for their transition.
The rules for lining up are very clear.
Did you notice that the main idea is clearly stated in the first sentence of the paragraph?! :D
Summarize means to retell the main idea of a story in your own words?
A. True B. False
What does the term "main topic" mean?
a. Where a story takes place.
b. Who or what the story is centers around
c. What the story is mostly about
d. How to make something.
b. Who or what the story is centers around.
C is the MAIN IDEA. Remember, a main idea is a complete thought.
A MAIN TOPIC is the singular item that the story discusses.
Summarize the following passage:
Aaron wanted to ride his bike to school. He saw that he had to a flat tire. Aaron said, "Oh,no, I really wanted to ride my bike to school. I will have to wait until I get it fixed." His mom said, "I will take you to school today." Aaron went to school with out his bike.
Aaron had a flat tire, so his mom drove him to school.
A test-taker can remember the main idea of the story by:
A. draw a picture of the character
B. remember details that make the story interesting
C. mentally summarizing it in 2-3 sentences
D. think about what you plan to do after the test.
C. mentally summarizing it in 2-3 sentences
Which of the following is the main idea sentence in this paragraph?
My mother is a veterinarian. She loves animals. When she was younger she had lots of pets. She even teaches classes about how people can help protect animals. Her job can be very taxing, but her love of animals gives her inspiration. She wouldn't trade her job for any other!
My mother is a veterinarian.
Supporting Detail is details that explain the main idea of the story.
A. True B. False
A
Where can you USUALLY find the Main Idea?
A. The first or last sentences or paragraphs
B. In the title
C. In the headings
D. Both A and B
A. The first or last sentences or paragraphs
Sometimes the title and headings can be hints though! ;D
What is this selection mainly about?(Summarizing)
Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.
Read the following sentences and choose the main idea.
John's favorite sport is basketball. He practices every day after school. He won player of the year last year. One day, John hopes to enter a basketball competition (and of course win).
A. He practices everyday after school.
B. He won player of the year last year.
C. John's favorite sport is basketball.
D.None of these
C. John's favorite sport is basketball.
Where can I usually find an idea of what a main idea of a passage is?
In the first or last paragraphs of a passage.
;D Look at the first and last sentences of a paragraph for its main idea!
The main Idea is not always stated clearly in the passage?
A.True B.False
A
When summarizing a story or a passage, you are retelling what the main idea is in your own words.
A. True
B. False
A. True
Summarize the following passage:
Peter's parents bought a new carpet for the lining room. Now, he has to take his shoes off when he enters the house. He's also not allowed to eat or drink in the living room any more. Peter's furry dog isn't allowed to play ball in there either. When his parents got the new carpet, there were lots of new rules.
Petter's parents made new rules so the new carpet stays clean
Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?
A. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
B. Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way.
C. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short.
D. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area.
B. Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way.
What is the main idea of the following passage?
Sonny watches too much television. A child shouldn't spend hours sitting in front of a television screen. Worse yet, some of his wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons he watches. He is also staying up late and falling asleep in class.
His parents should spend more time reading or playing games with him and pull the plug on the TV! A child needs more attention than just keeping them occupied and quiet.
Watching a lot of television is bad for Sonny.
Supporting details never tell you what the main idea is in a story or passage.
A. True B. False
A
A SINGLE detail never gives you the whole picture of a passage. You need at least three to give you an idea of what a selection is about.
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
A. supporting points and details
Summarize the following passage.
There is a village on an island near Scotland. it was built out of stone. A storm covered in in sand 4,000 years ago. It stayed covered until 1851. Then another storm blew the sand away. The village looked just like it did 4,000 years ago!
An ancient Scottish village was covered in sand after a storm and then 4,000 years later another storm uncovered it.