Main Idea
supporting evidence
Many students at Jefferson Middle School prefer group projects to working alone. They say it helps them share ideas and learn from one another. Teachers also notice that students are more engaged when they collaborate.
Question:
Which sentence best supports the main idea that students enjoy group projects?
A. Teachers assign projects in every subject.
B. Students say they like sharing ideas and learning from one another.
C. Group projects take more time to complete.
D. Students get higher grades on individual assignments.
B
The author writes: “Tommy tripped on his shoelaces, flew into a pile of leaves, and came out covered in mud from head to toe!”
What is the author’s purpose?
A) Inform
B) Persuade
C) Entertain
D) Describe
C) Entertain
“The boy was ecstatic when he found out he had won the art contest.”
What does ecstatic most likely mean?
A) Sad
B) Excited
C) Angry
D) Nervous
B) Excited
The sentence that usually tells the main idea of a paragraph is called the _______________________.
Topic sentence
In a passage about “The importance of sleep,” which detail supports the main idea?
A) “Sleep helps memory”
B) “Some people drink coffee to stay awake"
A) “Sleep helps memory”
Which sentence best shows the author is trying to inform the reader?
A) “I laughed so hard at the clown’s silly tricks!”
B) “You should always brush your teeth twice a day to avoid cavities.”
C) “Imagine living on a deserted island with no one to talk to!”
D) “The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering more than 2 million square miles.”
D) “The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering more than 2 million square miles.”
“The scientist’s theory was plausible, and many people found it believable.”
Which word is a synonym for plausible?
A) Likely
B) Impossible
C) Strange
D) Funny
A) Likely
Which sentence identifies the main idea of the paragraph?
Many people think video games are just for fun, but they can actually have benefits. Certain games improve hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Players often need to make quick decisions, which helps them think faster. When used responsibly, video games can be both entertaining and educational.
When used responsibly, video games can be both entertaining and educational.
Social media can be both helpful and harmful for teens. It allows them to stay in touch with friends and share experiences easily. However, spending too much time online can cause stress and affect sleep. Finding balance is important for healthy social media use.
Question:
Which two pieces of evidence from the paragraph best support the idea that social media has both positive and negative effects?
It helps teens stay in touch with friends (positive).
It can cause stress and affect sleep (negative).
The author writes a blog post about healthy eating and includes fun anecdotes about her own diet. Which 2 purposes could the author have?
A) Entertain
B) Persuade
C) Inform
D) Describe
A and C – Entertain and Inform
“The politician’s speech was circumspect, carefully avoiding any controversial statements.”
Which phrase best replaces circumspect in the sentence?
A) Careful and cautious
B) Bold and daring
C) Short and unclear
D) Excited and emotional
A) Careful and cautious
When the main idea isn’t stated directly, readers must do this to figure it out.
Infer or make an inference
Select two sentences that best support the main idea that recycling helps the environment.
A. Recycling reduces the amount of trash in landfills.
B. Some people forget to recycle at home.
C. Recycling saves natural resources used to make new products.
D. Many towns have weekly recycling pickup days.
A and C
If a news article explains how a new law will affect local schools, what is the author’s purpose?
Inform
“The explorer’s journey was treacherous, full of hidden dangers and unpredictable storms.”
Which phrase best replaces treacherous?
A) Perilous and risky
B) Challenging but safe
C) Exciting and adventurous
D) Difficult but harmless
A) Perilous and risky
If the heading in a text is “How Volcanoes Form,” what is the likely main idea?
The process of how volcanoes are created
The main idea is: Exercise improves mental and physical health.
Which two pieces of evidence best support this main idea?
A) Exercise strengthens the heart and muscles.
B) Exercise can improve mood and reduce stress.
C) Exercise can be learned through watching sports on TV.
D) Exercise requires dedication and regular effort.
A) Exercise strengthens the heart and muscles.
B) Exercise can improve mood and reduce stress.
A commercial shows children happily eating a new cereal and says, “Start your day with Sunshine Crunch!”
What is the author’s purpose?
What clues in the text and images support your answer?
The purpose is to persuade. Clues include the happy children and the slogan encouraging viewers to buy and eat the cereal.
“Despite the chaos, she remained stoic, showing no emotion and staying undisturbed under pressure.”
Which phrase best replaces stoic?
A) Reserved but anxious
B) Patient but worried
C) Calm and unflappable
D) Emotionally detached and cold
C) Calm and unflappable