Main Idea Masters
Question: What is a paragraph or passage mostly about?
A. The first sentence
B. One small detail
C. The main idea
D. The longest word
C. The main idea
A character slams the door and refuses to talk.
What can you infer?
A. Tired
B. Angry
C. Excited
D. Confused
B. Angry
Which word shows similarity?
A. However
B. Both
C. Instead
D. Different
B. Both
Sentence: “The exhausted runner collapsed onto the grass.”
What does exhausted mean?
A. Very tired
B. Very hungry
C. Very angry
D. Very fast
A. Very tired
Prompt: Why does knowing the main idea help you understand a text?
A. It helps you know what the whole text is mostly about
B. It helps you memorize every detail
C. It helps you read faster without thinking
D. It helps you skip the paragraph
A. It helps you know what the whole text is mostly about
A paragraph explains how bees spread pollen and help flowers grow.
What is the main idea?
A. Bees are insects
B. Flowers are colorful
C. Bees help plants grow
D. Pollen is yellow
C. Bees help plants grow
Dark sky, thunder, people running inside.
What can you infer?
A. Nighttime
B. Storm coming
C. Winter
D. Sunny
B. Storm coming
Cats and dogs are both pets, but cats are more independent.
What is happening?
A. Only similarities
B. Only differences
C. A similarity and difference
D. A problem
C. A similarity and difference
Sentence: “She glanced nervously at the clock during the test.”
What does nervously mean?
A. Calm and relaxed
B. Worried or anxious
C. Confused
D. Sleepy
B. Worried or anxious
Prompt: A character won’t share a secret and keeps looking over their shoulder.
What is a good inference?
A. They are planning a surprise
B. They are worried someone will hear them
C. They forgot their secret
D. They are sleepy
B. They are worried someone will hear them (A can be acceptable if they justify it with evidence)
A passage describes how recycling reduces waste, saves energy, and protects wildlife.
What is the main idea?
A. Recycling uses bins
B. Recycling helps the environment
C. Wildlife is important
D. Energy is expensive
B. Recycling helps the environment
Student hides test and avoids eye contact.
What can you infer?
A. Proud
B. Did well
C. Embarrassed
D. Bored
C. Embarrassed
Two characters face fear; one runs, one stays.
What does this show?
A. Same reaction
B. Different reactions
C. Friendship
D. Animal fear
B. Different reactions
Sentence: “The ancient tree towered above the houses.”
What does ancient mean?
A. Very old
B. Very small
C. Very weak
D. Very new
A. Very old
Prompt: Compare two characters from any story (or two people in real life).
Which response is best?
A. They are both characters
B. They both have similarities and differences
C. One is better than the other
D. I don’t know
B. They both have similarities and differences
A character practices daily, fails many times, and finally succeeds.
What is the main idea?
A. Failure is embarrassing
B. Practice is boring
C. Hard work leads to success
D. Winning is easy
C. Hard work leads to success
Character packs suitcase and calls taxi.
What can you infer?
A. Moving houses
B. Going on a trip
C. Cleaning
D. Angry
B. Going on a trip
Online vs traditional school discussed.
Purpose?
A. Entertain
B. Compare and contrast
C. Tell story
D. Teach math
B. Compare and contrast
Sentence: “The solution was obvious after the teacher gave a hint.”
What does obvious mean?
A. Hard to understand
B. Easy to see or understand
C. Unfair
D. Loud
B. Easy to see or understand
Prompt: How do context clues help you understand unknown words?
A. They help you guess using words around it
B. They help you delete the word
C. They help you avoid the sentence
D. They help you sound it out only
A. They help you guess using words around it
An article explains causes, effects, and prevention of wildfires.
What is the main idea?
A. Fire is dangerous
B. Wildfires have causes and effects and can be prevented
C. Trees burn easily
D. Firefighters are brave
B. Wildfires have causes and effects and can be prevented
Character gives away favorite items before leaving town.
What can you infer?
A. Cleaning
B. Angry
C. Might not return
D. Redecorating
C. Might not return
One leader uses kindness, one uses fear.
Difference?
A. Leadership style
B. Age
C. Height
D. Location
A. Leadership style
Sentence: “The fragile glass shattered when it hit the floor.”
What does fragile mean?
A. Strong
B. Heavy
C. Easily broken
D. Colorful
C. Easily broken
Prompt: Explain why making inferences improves comprehension.
A. It helps you understand ideas the author doesn’t say directly
B. It helps you copy words faster
C. It helps you avoid confusing parts
D. It helps you guess random answers
A. It helps you understand ideas the author doesn’t say directly