Main Idea 1
Context Clues
Main Idea 2
Making Inferences
Main Idea 3
100

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Hammerhead sharks like to eat squid and octopus. 

b. Stingrays are their favorite food. 

c. Hammerhead sharks eat a variety of foods. 

c. Fish are also part of their diet. 

c. Hammerhead sharks eat a variety of foods. 

100

What is the meaning of the underlined word? 

After dropping his phone in the toilet, Robert repeatedly pressed and held the power button, but the device was unresponsive.

not working, not responding

100

Which one is the main idea? 

a. African elephants have big ears and wrinkled skin. 

b. African elephants and Asian elephants are similar and different.

c. Asian elephants have smaller ears and smooth skin. 

d. All elephants have trunks and small tails. 

b. African elephants and Asian elephants are similar and different.

100

Pam knew Carly Anne was sick. She had not been eating and didn’t want to go on any walks. A stroll in the park to play with other dogs was Carly Anne’s favorite thing to do. Pam knew it was time to make a phone call. 

Where is Pam calling? 

The veterinarian's office

100

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Walking sticks camouflage themselves by looking like twigs. 

b. Snow hares are white in the winter to blend in with the snow. 

c. A chameleon may change its color. 

D. Some animals are camouflaged to match their surroundings.

D. Some animals are camouflaged to match their surroundings.

200

Which one is the main idea?

a. California has four different regions. 

b. Agriculture is grown in the valley. 

c. Tourists enjoy the coast and the mountain areas. 

d. The desert areas are the hottest areas in the state.  

a. California has four different regions. 

200

What is the meaning of the underlined word? 

After studying for twelve hours straight, Rob was growing weary.

tired; worn out

200

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Sea lions live in the Pacific Ocean. 

b. Striped dolphins live and play in the Pacific Ocean. 

c. There are many animals living in the Pacific Ocean. 

d. Sea otters are some of the cutest Pacific Ocean animals. 

c. There are many animals living in the Pacific Ocean. 

200

After a long hard day, Taylor gave in and took a nap. He dreamed he was swaying with the current. After waking up, he realized he still had sand on him! Where did Taylor spend the day?

The beach 
200

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Amelia Earhart, her sister, their uncle, and two friends built a roller coaster in her backyard. 

b. She didn't like dolls but had a wooden jointed donkey she took everywhere named Donk. 

c. Amelia's pet was a large black dog named James Ferocious because he didn't like strangers. 

d. Amelia Earhart had a fascinating childhood.

d. Amelia Earhart had a fascinating childhood.

300

Which one is the main idea?

a. The queen bee lays all of the eggs for the colony. 

b. The worker bees are scouts, guards, cleaners, and more. 

c. There are 3 types of bees in each colony and each has a specific role. 

d. The drones mate with the queen. 

c. There are 3 types of bees in each colony and each has a specific role. 

300

What is the meaning of the underlined word. 

Contrary to my mother's opinion that I should stay home on graduation night, I would like to go to a large party.

opposite to

300

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Different artists had different styles of painting. 

b. Claude Monet's work was impressionistic--blurry lines and looks of things. 

c. Leonardo da Vinci did realistic art--art that looked like real life. 

d. Pablo Picasso's art was abstract and cubist--using shapes in place of real items. 

a. Different artists had different styles of painting. 

300

Bailey heard the ringing telephone. After listening to her mother, she knew her mother was upset. It was Bailey’s teacher, Mr. Seeger. Why do you think Bailey’s mother is upset?

He got in trouble at school or he has bad grades. 

300

Which one is the main idea? 

a. France gave the Statue of Liberty to America. 

b. A smaller model of the Statue of Liberty can be found on the Seine River in France. 

c. The Statue of Liberty is so large, it had to be shipped in pieces to the United States. 

d. The Statue of Liberty has an interesting history.

d. The Statue of Liberty has an interesting history.

400

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Walt Disney fell in love with trains when he lived in Kansas City. 

b. Walt Disney had an interesting life. 

c. In 1919, he got one of his first jobs as a commercial artist for $50 a month. 

d. Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955. 

b. Walt Disney had an interesting life. 

400

What is the meaning of the underlined word? 

When the teacher dropped her grade book, Alex got a glimpse of the grade sheet. Now he is excited because he thinks he saw an A next to his name. 

a brief or quick look

400

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Japan's flag is white with a center circle of red. 

b. The flag of France has three vertical stripes of red, white, and blue. 

c. Different countries have different flags. 

d. Canad's flag is red and white with a red maple leaf on the white part. 

c. Different countries have different flags. 

400

Melissa was trying to do her homework, but the other kids were so noisy! The engine was too noisy and they brakes squealed every time they stopped. She could not concentrate. Where was Melissa?

On the bus

400

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Gelato is made from milk and is more dense than ice cream. 

b. Frozen custard is made using eggs, which makes it taste richer. 

c. Ice cream is usually made with cream. 

d. Frozen desserts are made with different ingredients.

d. Frozen desserts are made with different ingredients.

500

Which one is the main idea? 

a. The sun provides light. 

b. Without the sun, nothing could survive on the Earth. 

c. The sun provides vitamin D. 

d. The sun is an important part of the solar system.

d. The sun is an important part of the solar system.

500

What is the meaning of the underlined word? 

Paul was reluctant to take the car to the mechanics, since last time it cost him seven hundred dollars, but the engine was making such a squeal that he scheduled an appointment.

unwilling; hesitant 

500

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Hawaii is an archipelago. 

b. There are many islands which are part of Japan. 

c. Archipelagoes (groups of islands) may be found around the world. 

d. North of Canada's mainland is the Arctic Archipelago. 

c. Archipelagoes (groups of islands) may be found around the world. 

500

David climbed up the tall ladder. His legs felt like funny after he got to the top. He had only just begun lessons and he was afraid to jump! Where could David be?

At the pool 

500

Which one is the main idea? 

a. Baseball and basketball were invented in the United States. 

b. England invented rugby and cricket. 

c. Today's sports were invented in different countries. 

d. Tennis was invented in France. 

c. Today's sports were invented in different countries. 

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