Main Idea 1
Bears sleep through most of the winter. This long sleep helps them save energy when food is hard to find. They usually find a cave or den to stay in during this time.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
A. Bears live in caves all year.
B. Bears sleep in the summer.
C. Bears hibernate in winter to save energy.
D. Bears eat a lot of food.
What is C. Bears hibernate in winter to save energy.
Tomatoes, carrots, and broccoli are all vegetables. They are good for your body and help you stay healthy. Eating vegetables gives you energy and helps you grow.
What is the main idea?
A. Vegetables taste bad.
B. Vegetables help keep you healthy.
C. Tomatoes are better than carrots.
D. Fruits are important.
What is B. Vegetables help keep you healthy.
Dogs are great pets. They can be trained to follow commands. Many dogs are friendly, playful, and loyal to their owners.
What is the main idea?
A. Dogs are fun to play with.
B. Dogs are great pets for many reasons.
C. Dogs like to bark.
D. Dogs eat a lot of food.
What is B. Dogs are great pets for many reasons.
Recycling helps the Earth. When we recycle paper, plastic, and glass, we use fewer new materials. This helps protect forests and reduce waste.
What is the main idea?
A. Recycling is confusing.
B. Recycling makes more trash.
C. Recycling helps protect the Earth.
D. Recycling costs too much.
What is C. Recycling helps protect the Earth.
The library is a quiet place where you can read books and do research. It also has computers and helpful librarians.
What is the main idea?
A. Libraries are loud places.
B. You can talk on the phone at the library.
C. Libraries are good places to learn and read.
D. Books are boring.
What is C. Libraries are good places to learn and read.
Rosa Parks is remembered for standing up for what was right. She refused to give up her seat on a bus, which helped start a movement for equal rights.
What is the main idea?
A. Rosa Parks was tired after work.
B. Rosa Parks helped begin a civil rights movement.
C. Buses were very crowded.
D. Rosa Parks didn’t like riding buses.
What is B. Rosa Parks helped begin a civil rights movement.
Honeybees are important to the environment. They help pollinate flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Without bees, many plants wouldn't grow properly.
What is the main idea?
A. Bees make honey.
B. Bees sting people.
C. Bees help plants grow through pollination.
D. Bees fly around a lot.
What is C. Bees help plants grow through pollination.
Many kids enjoy video games. They can be fun and challenging. Some games also teach problem-solving or teamwork skills.
What is the main idea?
A. Video games are only for fun.
B. Video games help you waste time.
C. Some video games can be fun and educational.
D. All kids love video games.
What is C. Some video games can be fun and educational.
A tornado is a spinning column of air that touches the ground. Tornadoes can cause a lot of damage and are very dangerous. People should find shelter quickly if one is near.
What is the main idea?
A. Tornadoes are interesting shapes.
B. Tornadoes are fun to watch.
C. Tornadoes are dangerous and people should be careful.
D. Tornadoes don’t happen often.
What is C. Tornadoes are dangerous and people should be careful.
Butterflies go through big changes in their life. They start as eggs, then become caterpillars. Later, they form a chrysalis and become butterflies.
What is the main idea?
A. Butterflies are pretty.
B. Caterpillars eat leaves.
C. Butterflies go through stages to grow.
D. Butterflies fly far away.
What is C. Butterflies go through stages to grow.
Rainforests are home to many animals and plants. They help clean the air and provide resources like medicine and food. Saving rainforests is important for the Earth’s health.
What is the main idea?
A. Rainforests are full of snakes.
B. Rainforests are not useful.
C. Rainforests are important and need protection.
D. People like to hike in rainforests.
What is C. Rainforests are important and need protection.
Sharks are often feared, but they don’t usually attack humans. They are important to the ocean's food chain and help keep fish populations balanced.
What is the main idea?
A. Sharks are scary.
B. Sharks are dangerous to all animals.
C. Sharks are important for the ocean’s health.
D. Sharks swim fast.
What is C. Sharks are important for the ocean’s health.
Thomas Edison invented many things that changed the world. His most famous invention is the electric light bulb, but he also worked on motion pictures and sound recording.
What is the main idea?
A. Thomas Edison liked candles.
B. Thomas Edison made many important inventions.
C. Thomas Edison was rich.
D. Thomas Edison didn’t like silence.
What is B. Thomas Edison made many important inventions.
Volcanoes can be found all around the world. Some are active and can erupt, sending lava and ash into the air. Others are dormant and haven’t erupted for many years.
What is the main idea?
A. Volcanoes are found in the ocean.
B. Volcanoes are interesting mountains.
C. Volcanoes can erupt and come in different types.
D. Volcanoes are always dangerous.
What is C. Volcanoes can erupt and come in different types.
The moon affects the ocean’s tides. Its gravity pulls the water, causing it to rise and fall. Without the moon, the ocean tides would be very different.
What is the main idea?
A. The moon is made of rock.
B. The moon shines at night.
C. The moon controls ocean tides.
D. The moon moves quickly.
What is C. The moon controls ocean tides.