Main Idea

Basics

100

A main idea can also be called a c____ idea.

 central idea. Central and Main Idea are the same thing.

200

The best place to look for a main idea is either the ____ or last sentence of the paragraph.

first sentence. Main idea is often found in the first or last sentence of the paragraph.

300

True or False: A chapter in a textbook will have a main idea for each paragraph and a main idea for the whole chapter.

 true! There are main ideas in each paragraph and for the whole chapter of a textbook.

400

True or False: sometimes a main idea isn't directly stated in the text

 true. Sometimes we have to look at the details and infer what the main idea is.

500

True or False: Titles and headings are not clues to main idea.

 false. The titles and headings in a textbook are great clues to uncover the main idea.

Topic or Main Idea

100

green monster

 topic--this is too short to be a main idea

200

A green ogre must rescue a princess to reclaim his land.

 main idea of Shrek.

300

Sleeping dogs barking

 topic.

400

Running from home

 topic

500

Syrian refugees flee the war in their country and head to Europe.

main idea.

Topic, Main Idea, or Detail

100

helmets

 topic--it's one word

200

Helmets have padding.

 detail to support main idea.

300

Wearing a motorcycle helmet can save your life.

 main idea. This is what it's all about.

400

Helmets must be fastened with the chin strap.

 detail to support main idea

500

Helmets should be approved by the Federal Transportation Safety Administration.

detail that supports the main idea.

Find the Main Idea

100

The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was very still. His green color made him hard to see. A bug flew near him. His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was still again. He waited for the next bug. The main idea in this passage is: 

A.Frogs are green.

B. Frogs eat bugs. 

C.Frogs do not move.

D. Frogs live in ponds.

frogs eat bugs.

200

It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down. The main idea in this passage is: 

A.Dessert is supposed to come last. 

B. The students had a backward day.

C. It is hard to do things backward. 

D. Students failed their tests.

 the students had a backward day.

300

The St. Lawrence Seaway was a joint project of the United States and Canada. Together, the two countries built a series of canals, locks, and channels. They connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean by way of the St. Lawrence River. The seaway opened up the central part of North America to shipping to and from Europe. It had been in use since 1959. The main idea in this passage is: 

A.the Atlantic Ocean 

B. the St. Lawrence Seaway

C. Europe 

D. the St. Lawrence River

 the St. Lawrence Seaway

400

The musicians in an orchestra are often arranged in groups. The woodwinds sit together. The strings sit together. So do the brass and the percussion players. This way it is easier for the musicians to play together. Usually, the percussion is in the back. In front of them may be the brass section. The woodwinds and the strings are often seated nearest to the front. This produces a good, even sound for the audience to enjoy. The main idea in this passage is: 

A. How many instruments are in an orchestra? 

B. Why is percussion always in the back? 

C. How is an orchestra arranged? 

D. How do the people in an orchestra all play together?

 how is an orchestra arranged

500

The best selling albums have sold millions of copies. The best seller of all was Michael Jackson's Thriller. The second best seller was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Albums by the Beatles, the Eagles, and Mariah Carey are also in the top ten. So are some movie soundtracks, including Grease. Each of these albums has sold over 20 million copies. The main idea in this passage is: 

A. best albums 

B.  most famous

C. rock stars pop albums

D. best-selling albums

 best selling albums

More Main Idea and Topic

100

Passing fears are common in early childhood. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures. The topic of this paragraph is 

 A) scary dogs 

 B) passing fears 

 C) two-to-four year olds' fear of animals

 D) common fears

 B) passing fears

200

Passing fears are common in early childhood. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures. The stated main idea of this paragraph is 

 A) Passing fears are common in early childhood. 

 B) Many 2- to 4-year olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. 

 C) By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. 

 D) Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.

 A) Passing fears are common in early childhood.

300

Congratulations! You have been offered a job. The time has come to negotiate your salary. The question to ask yourself is: "How much am I worth?" Your answer will likely affect the outcome of your salary negotiation. The point is, in order to negotiate the best possible salary, you must convince both yourself and the employer of the value that you will bring to the job. The topic of this paragraph is 

 A) congratulations 

 B) job offer 

 C) new job 

 D) negotiating salary

 D) negotiating salary

400

Don't wait for your company to send you to school. Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. If they don't have one, sign up for classes at a local college. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Put a high priority on learning new skills and on personal growth and professional development. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills. The topic of this paragraph is 

 A) waiting for your company to send you to school 

B) the company's training program 

 C) being a lifelong learner 

 D) new software technology

 C) being a lifelong learner

500

Don't wait for your company to send you to school. Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. If they don't have one, sign up for classes at a local college. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Put a high priority on learning new skills and on personal growth and professional development. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills. The stated main idea of this paragraph is 

 A) Don't wait for your company to send you to school. 

 B) Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. 

 C) When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. 

 D) Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills.

 A) Don't wait for your company to send you to school. (All other options are details in the paragraph. This main idea is stated as the first sentence of the paragraph.)