Main Idea/Summary
The most important point or central thought that the author wants you to understand in a paragraph, article, story, or other text.
What is main idea?
You look for this in your passage in order to "prove" your answer.
What is text evidence or proof?
Sea turtles perform one of nature's most amazing journeys. After hatching on beaches, they spend years swimming across vast oceans. Scientists have discovered that sea turtles use Earth's magnetic field like an internal compass to navigate. This remarkable ability helps them find their way back to the exact beach where they were born, sometimes traveling thousands of miles!" This is the author's main goal in writing a passage.
a. entertain
b. persuade
c. inform
d. explain
What is (c) inform?
Cliffs are not the only way waterfalls are formed. Waterfalls may also appear where the river flows over ground containing a hard bed of rock. The river WEARS away the softer rock on both sides of the hard bed. Once the hard rock is exposed, it forms a ledge over which the water plunges. The word WEARS means___________.
a. to have on the body
b. scrapes or rubs
c. clothing
d. to last a long time
What is (b) scrapes or rubs?
Where and when the story takes place.
What is setting?
When you take a longer text and shorten it by including only the most important information, main ideas, and key details, leaving out less important parts.
What is a summary (or what does it mean to summarize)?
"Butterflies start as tiny eggs. Then they become caterpillars that eat lots of leaves. Next, they build chrysalises around themselves. Finally, they emerge as colorful butterflies with beautiful wings. This amazing change is called metamorphosis." The author wrote this passage for this purpose.
What is to inform?
Hiking is an activity that can be enjoyed by almost anyone. Many people ENROLL in hiking clubs or groups. They join these clubs so they can be around other hikers and learn from their experiences. A hiker does not have to spend much money on equipment. In this passage, the word ENROLL means________.
a. quite
b. travel
c. become a part of
d. stay away from.
What is (c) become a part of?
The sequence of main events in a story.
What is the plot?
"Giant pandas are fascinating creatures that spend about 12 hours each day eating bamboo. They make their homes in the misty mountain forests of China. Unfortunately, there are fewer than 2,000 pandas left in the wild due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts are helping, but they remain at risk." This central thought summarizes what's most important about this passage.
What is "Pandas are endangered animals with specific habitat and dietary needs"?
The thoughts or ideas that you come up with about what will happen next in the story.
What are predictions?
"Daniel, his mom, his dad, and his younger sister, Carina, lived in a faraway town called Tumbler Ridge in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In the summer they would go exploring together. They looked for new caves and waterfalls and hiked to the tops of mountains. In the winter, they would go cross-country skiing together up frozen creeks and through beautiful canyons. One day they skied to a spot whre they found an old abandoned wooden cabin. Daniel said "Wouldn't it be fun to see what this place looks like in the summer?" This is the author's purpose of this passage.
What is to entertain?
Heart attacks can be brought on by the pressures of everyday life. Stress and strain at work, eating an UNBALANCED diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs all lead to bad health. In this passage, the word UNBALANCED means__________
a. healthy
b. heavy
c. not healthy
d. difficult
What is (c) not healthy?
The process of examining two or more things to find how they are similar or different, often using words like "more than," "less than," or "as tall as."
What is comparison?
"The Grand Canyon formed over millions of years as the Colorado River carved through layers of rock. It stretches for 277 miles and reaches depths of over a mile in some places. Every year, approximately five million tourists visit to marvel at its colorful rock formations and breathtaking views. Scientists continue to study its walls to learn about Earth's history." This central thought summarizes what's most important about this passage.
What is "The Grand Canyon is a massive natural landmark formed by erosion that attracts visitors and provides geological insights"?
When something an author has written isn't directly told, you figure out the meaning by using background knowledge and text clues.
What is inferring?
"Baiting a hook is a messy process. First, you have to dig the worm out of the ground or out of a cup of worms and dirt. Next, slide the worm on the hook, covering the hook so the fish can’t see it. Finally, toss the hook and worm into the water. Good luck!" This is the author's purpose or this passage.
What is to explain?
Frank was ALL EYES as he watched Coco the Clown perform his juggling act. Five, six, then seven multicolored balls spun in a circle around Coco's head. How was he able juggle without any of them falling to the ground? In this passage, the phrase ALL EYES means Frank_______________
What is watched carefully?
An important piece of information in a text that helps you understand the main idea or supports the author's message, like specific facts, descriptions, or examples.
What is a key detail?
"Space exploration has changed dramatically since the first satellite launched in 1957. Early missions focused on simply reaching orbit, while later ones landed humans on the moon. Today, robots explore Mars, spacecraft study distant planets, and the International Space Station orbits Earth with astronauts living aboard. Private companies now build rockets alongside government agencies, making space more accessible than ever before." This central thought summarizes what's most important about this passage.
What is "Space exploration has evolved from basic satellites to complex missions involving both government and private organizations"?
"Did you know that plastic straws can take up to 200 years to decompose? These small items cause big problems for sea turtles and other marine animals who mistake them for food. Next time you order a drink, consider using a paper straw or no straw at all. Together, we can make our oceans cleaner and safer for wildlife." The author wrote this passage for this reason.
What is to persuade (or convince) readers to stop using plastic straws?
Now that the oil wells had run dry, Michael's life had certainly changed. He was no longer able to LIVE LIKE A KING. He had to do his own work on the ranch, prepare his own meals, and take care of the house. It took him a lot of time to adjust. In this passage, the phrase LIVE LIKE A KING means_____________
What is to have someone else do all their work?
When information or details connect directly to the topic being discussed and actually matter to what you're talking about or trying to figure out.
What is relevant?