Main Idea
Supporting Details
Main Idea 2
Main Idea 3
100
What is a main idea?
A main idea is the most important part of a paragraph.
100
What is a supporting detail?
Supporting details are details that tell you more about the main idea.
100
Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day, and usually not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique, and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live.
The main idea of this passage is:
a. Giraffes don’t sleep very much.
b. Giraffes are unique animals.
c. There are many animals in the world.
d. No animal is taller than a giraffe.
b. Giraffes are unique animals.
100
Small Steps to a Happier Planet
Recycling things like paper, plastic, and metal helps the earth by cutting down on trash. Yet many people throw away their newspapers, bottles, and cans instead of recycling them. The question, then, is how to encourage more people to recycle. One way that works is to put recycling containers in more places. Seeing more recycling bins helps people remember to use them. Another way is to teach people why recycling is important. If we make recycling easier and teach people why it matters, more people will join in.
A. We need to get more people to recycle so that we stop throwing out so much trash.
B. We can get more people to recycle by putting out more bins and teaching people about why recycling matters.
B. We can get more people to recycle by putting out more bins and teaching people about why recycling matters.
200
Wilbur and Orville Wright were bothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success.
The main idea is:
A. The Wright Brothers worked hard.
B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.
C. Inventors build kits and bicycles.
D. The first flight was in 1903.
B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.
200
Kangaroos protect themselves in many ways. If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others. A new born joey is only the size of your thumb.
What is the supporting detail?
If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others.
200
Hurricanes are large, intense storms that begin over the ocean, where they gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes move slowly toward land, usually moving 10-20 miles per hour for more than one week. The most dangerous part of the hurricane is the storm surge, when it reaches land and causes flooding. Wind and waves also contribute to the damage caused by these surges.
The main idea of this passage is:
a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
b. Hurricanes begin over the ocean.
c. One type of storm is called a hurricane.
d. Hurricanes are different from other storms.
a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
200
Antarctica: Not What You Think
When people think of Antarctica, they think of snow and ice. When they think of deserts, they think of sun, heat, and sand. Yet in spite of its cold temperatures, Antarctica is actually a desert. In fact, it is the largest desert on the planet. A desert is a very dry environment that receives less than ten inches of precipitation yearly. On average, Antarctica gets less than two inches. Most of that precipitation is in the form of snow, but rain or ice can sometimes fall as well.
What is the main idea?
A. Even though Antarctica is cold and has snow, it is a desert.
B. Most precipitation in Antarctica is in the form of snow, though it can also get rain or ice.
A. Even though Antarctica is cold and has snow, it is a desert.
300
Homemade pizza is delicious. First, make the dough from flour, water, and yeast. After that, begin making the tomato sauce. Next, add any vegetables you like. Then, bake it in the oven. After a short time, the kitchen begins to smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to eat!
The main idea of this passage is:
a. Pizza is made from flour
b. How to make homemade pizza
c. Pizza is easy to make
d. Pizza makes the kitchen smell delicious
b. How to make homemade pizza
300
Kangaroos are strange looking animals. Some kangaroos act as guards to protect the mob. They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.
What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.
300
Inside the volcano, there are hot liquid rocks called magma. It becomes lava when it comes out of the volcano. The lava that flows out of some volcanoes can reach up to 1100 degrees. It’s hot enough to burn you and in some cases, it can kill you. Other than lava, gases coming out of the volcano are poisonous to us.
What is the main idea?
a. Volcanoes are really dangerous.
b. Lava is hot.
c. Gases emitted from volcanoes are poisonous.
a. Volcanoes are really dangerous.
300
Dogs and Wolves
Dogs and wolves are part of the same animal family. Both animals have strong senses of smell and are loyal to their packs. But dogs and wolves are quite different when it comes to people. Dogs are used to living with people and get along well with them. In fact, dogs have been called "man's best friend." Wolves, on the other hand, cannot live with humans. Wolves prefer to live in the wild, where they can hunt for their food. Clearly, dogs belong with people, while wolves do not.
What is the main idea?
A. Wolves and dogs are members of the same animal family, so they have many things in common.
B. Dogs are better suited to living with people than wolves are.
B. Dogs are better suited to living with people than wolves are.
400
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!
The main idea of this passage is:
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
d. There are many ways to make yourself feel better
400
Kangaroos are mostly night time creatures. Kangaroos have a long powerful tail.They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
400
Fifth grade is a good time to show additional responsibility. Fifth graders could show additional responsibility by getting a cell phone. As fifth graders, we are starting to stay after school for clubs or sports, and when we go into middle school, we will do more of this. With this added responsibility after school, we need a way to get in touch with our parents. Also, fifth graders are old enough to understand how to use a cell phone responsibility. A fifth grader understands that a phone is not just for playing games and listening to music. A fifth grader can show responsibility by not using all of the phone minutes or data on the phone for fun. Parents could help fifth graders set time limits for games and music. Finally, a phone is an expensive item, and you have to take care of it. A fifth grader can show responsibility by keeping up with the phone and not losing it.
Which sentence best states the main idea of the paragraph?
a. Fifth grade is a good time to show additional responsibility.
b. Also, fifth graders are old enough to understand how to use a cell phone responsibly.
c. Fifth graders could show additional responsibility by getting a cell phone.
c. Fifth graders could show additional responsibility by getting a cell phone.
400
An American Hero Rewarded
African American track star Jesse Owens made breaking records look easy. As a student at The Ohio State University in 1935, he set a world record in the long jump. That record stood for twenty-five years. At the 1936 Olympic Games, he won four gold medals and broke several more records. But it took forty years for Owens's Olympic victories to receive the attention they deserved. When he returned to the U.S., he didn't meet with the president, unlike most champions. It wasn't until 1976 that President Gerald Ford presented Owens with the Medal of Freedom.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. It took many years for Jesse Owens to be fully recognized for his success at the Olympics.
B. Jesse Owens began breaking records early in his track career and went on to earn several Olympic gold metals.
A. It took many years for Jesse Owens to be fully recognized for his success at the Olympics.
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.
The main idea is:
A. Weekends are times to travel.
B. The writer enjoys spending time with family.
C. The writer's grandparents live far away.
D. The writer is sad to leave her cousins.
B. The writer enjoys spending time with family.
500
Kangaroos usually have only one baby at a time.Kangaroo babies are called joeys.Kangaroos eat grass and leaves.
What is the supporting detail?
Kangaroo babies are called joeys.
500
Fifth grade is a good time to show additional responsibility. Fifth graders could show additional responsibility by getting a cell phone. As fifth graders, we are starting to stay after school for clubs or sports, and when we go into middle school, we will do more of this. With this added responsibility after school, we need a way to get in touch with our parents. Also, fifth graders are old enough to understand how to use a cell phone responsibility. A fifth grader understands that a phone is not just for playing games and listening to music. A fifth grader can show responsibility by not using all of the phone minutes or data on the phone for fun. Parents could help fifth graders set time limits for games and music. Finally, a phone is an expensive item, and you have to take care of it. A fifth grader can show responsibility by keeping up with the phone and not losing it.
Which of the following would best support the main idea if added to the paragraph?
a. A phone could also be used to text friends and family members.
b. It takes responsibility not to break the rules that parents set for how to use the phone.
c. If there is an emergency at school, a cell phone would be useful.
b. It takes responsibility not to break the rules that parents set for how to use the phone.
500
Honeybees travel up to four miles to find nectar for honey. When a bee finds nectar, it does a wiggle dance to tell the other bees where the nectar is. Other worker bees then head out to the source. All in all, a hive of bees can travel up to 55,000 miles and visit 2,000,000 plants to produce one pound of honey.
What is the main idea?
A. Honeybees are hard workers.
B. Honey is made from nectar.
C. Honeybees like to dance.
D. Honeybees like nectar.
A. Honeybees are hard workers.