Central Idea
What is the central idea of a passage?
The main point or what the passage is mostly about.
What is a supporting detail?
A fact, example, or explanation that supports the main idea.
What makes a detail relevant?
It directly supports or explains the main idea.
What is an irrelevant detail?
A detail that does not support or connect to the main idea.
What is an implied central idea?
A main idea that is not directly stated but shown through details.
True or False: The central idea is always stated in the first sentence.
False — sometimes it’s implied or found through clues.
Why are supporting details important?
They give evidence or reasons that explain the central idea.
Main idea: “Basketball is a fun sport.”
Which is relevant?
A) It’s played with a ball and hoop.
B) Some cats can jump high.
A) It’s played with a ball and hoop.
Main idea: “Soccer is popular around the world.”
Which is irrelevant?
A) Many countries have soccer teams.
B) Ice cream melts in hot weather.
B) Ice cream melts in hot weather.
When the author doesn’t say the main idea directly, what must you do?
Infer it from repeated or related details.
If a paragraph lists ways to stay healthy, such as eating fruits, exercising, and sleeping well — what is the central idea?
Staying healthy requires good habits.
Main idea: “Exercise keeps your body strong.”
Which is a supporting detail?
A) Running builds strong muscles.
B) Ice cream is a tasty treat.
A) Running builds strong muscles.
Relevant or not?
“Reading helps your brain grow. It can also help you fall asleep faster.”
Relevant — both connect to the benefits of reading.
Why should we ignore irrelevant details?
They distract from the main idea and confuse readers.
Read this: “Every afternoon, Mia practices piano. She listens carefully, fixes her mistakes, and keeps trying until she gets it right.”
What’s the implied central idea?
Hard work and practice lead to improvement.
What question can help you find the central idea?
“What is this passage mostly about?” or “What idea do all the details support?”
If the main idea is “Rainforests are important to our planet,” name one possible supporting detail.
They produce oxygen and provide homes for animals.
When reading, how can you test if a detail is relevant?
Ask: “Does this detail help explain or prove the main idea?”
Main idea: “Fruits are part of a healthy diet.”
Which detail is irrelevant?
A) Apples are high in vitamins.
B) Bananas give quick energy.
C) Pizza has lots of cheese.
C) Pizza has lots of cheese.
If a passage describes a boy helping neighbors, sharing food, and picking up litter, what’s the implied central idea?
Being kind and helpful makes a difference in your community.
Read this: “Dogs help people in many ways. They can guide the blind, protect homes, and comfort the sick.”
What is the central idea?
Dogs are helpful to people in many ways.
What do you call a paragraph that has a main idea but no details?
Weak or incomplete — it lacks support for the main idea.
Main idea: “We should protect ocean animals.”
Which is the most relevant detail?
A) Dolphins live in the ocean.
B) Plastic pollution harms sea life.
C) The ocean is blue.
B) Plastic pollution harms sea life.
If a story is about a family’s camping trip, which is irrelevant?
A) They roasted marshmallows by the fire.
B) The stars were bright in the sky.
C) They went to the dentist next week.
C) They went to the dentist next week.
What strategy helps you find an implied main idea?
Look for repeated ideas or patterns and ask what they show together.