Multiple choice
Catie and Katie had the same name. It sounded the same when anyone said it. But one Catie started with the letter "C" and the other with the letter "K." How could they know who was being called? They decided that "Catie" would stay the same and "Katie" would shorten her name to "Kate" to avoid confusion.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Catie didn't want to change her name to "Cate."
B. Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names.
C. "Catie" looked prettier in print than "Katie."
D. Catie and Katie thought it was fun to have the same-sounding name.
B - Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names.
It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backwards. Some of them wore their t-shirt backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last at lunch. They tried to walk home backward, but they kept bumping into each other and fell down. What is the main idea of this passage?
Students had a backward day.
A. True B. False
The main idea is ALWAYS the first sentence of the paragraph.
B False - Many times you can find the main idea in the first sentence but not always. Sometimes you can find the main idea in the last sentence or other places in the passage.
Mrs. Sansone looked everywhere for her lost car keys. She looked in her pockets. Then she searched under her couch. Her boys were anxious to go to the park, so they scrambled around the house looking for her lost keys.
What story element is being described?
A. Setting
B. Solution - Solving the problem
C. Problem
C - Guess where Mrs. Sansone found her keys? She accidently put them in the refrigerator when she was putting away her groceries! Just kidding.
What is the topic of this passage?
They are building a new school near my house. Every day I watch the workers drive huge tractors and push a ton of dirt. They have big cranes that help them place tall beams in the ground. The workers build walls using bricks. Every day it looks more and more like a school. Mom says I will go there in the fall.
Building a new school
John held the ball in his hands. He bounced it slowly on the ground. Once. Twice. He crouched low and then jumped. The ball flew into the air. Up, up, up it went. Then down, down, down into the basket. "Yes!" he yelled. "Nothing but the net!"
What did the author want you to learn from this passage?
A. Jon can jump high. B. Jon likes basketball. C. How to throw a basketball.
C - How to throw a basketball.
What is the main idea of this passage?
The rules for lining up are very clear. Wait until the teacher calls your group, then stand up and push in your chair. Walk to the door and stand in a straight, quiet line. Anyone not following the rules will be told by the teacher to please sit down. This can cause the class to be late for their transition.
The rules for lining up are very clear.
A. True B. False
Paraphrase mean to retell the story in you own words?
A - True
The setting is ___________.
A. when and where a story takes place
B. who the story is about
C. what the story is mostly about
D. the problem in the story
A. when and where the story takes place
Aaron wanted to ride his bike to school. He saw that he had to a flat tire. Aaron said, "Oh,no, I really wanted to ride my bike to school. I will have to wait until I get it fixed." His mom said, "I will take you to school today." Aaron went to school without his bike.
What is the main idea?
Aaron couldn't ride his bike because of a flat tire.
A reader can better understand the main idea of a passage by...
A. drawing a picture of the character
B. Stopping, thinking and paraphrasing (tell the details in your own words)
Hint:Think about what you practiced with Ms. Fahey.
B - Stop, think and paraphrase
Which of the following is the main idea sentence in this paragraph?
Hurricanes are large, intense storms that begin over the ocean, where they gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes move slowly toward land, usually moving 10-20 miles per hour for more than one week. The most dangerous part of the hurricane is the storm surge, when it reaches land and causes flooding. Wind and waves also contribute to the damage caused by these surges.
Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
A. True B. False
Supporting details are details that explain the main idea of the story.
A True
You can understand what a character is like by ________.
A. how they act
B. what they say
C. what other characters think and say about them
D. all of the above
D - all of the above
What is this selection mainly about?
Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind ways! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and excellent workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.
Read the following sentences and choose the main idea.
Betsy's favorite sport is basketball. She practices every day after school. She won player of the year last year. One day, Betsy hopes to enter a basketball competition (and of course win).
A. Betsy practices everyday after school.
B. Betsy won player of the year last year.
C. Betsy's favorite sport is basketball.
D.None of these
C - Betsy's favorite sport is basketball.
What do main idea questions ask you to identify?
You are asked to identify what the author wants you to know about the main topic of the passage.
A.True B.False
The main idea is not always stated clearly in the passage?
A True - Sometimes you have to use the details and the topic to infer (draw conclusions) the main idea.
This is what you practiced with Mrs. Sansone at our Meets. You used details as evidence to draw conclusions about what happened in the passage.
Mrs. McQuade was the most kind and caring mother to her five children. She hugged her children and told them how much she loved them. She would do anything to keep them happy and safe. Her friends would tell her that she was an amazing mother.
What is the story element described in this passage?
A. Setting
B. Problem
C. Character traits
C - Character traits
What is the main idea of this passage?
Peter's parents bought a new carpet for the living room room. Now, he has to take his shoes off when he enters the house. He's also not allowed to eat or drink in the living room any more. Peter's furry dog isn't allowed to play ball in there either. When his parents got the new carpet, there were lots of new rules.
Peter's parents made new rules so the new carpet stays clean
Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?
A. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is.
B. Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way.
C. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short.
D. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area.
B - Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way.
What is the main idea of this passage?
I can't wait until this weekend! We're going to my grandparents' house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted...but we still don't want to leave!
The writer enjoys spending time with family.
A. True B. False
The topic of a passage is the same as the main idea.
B False - Remember...the topic is the subject of the text and is limited to just a word or simple phrase.
The main idea is what the author wants you to know about the topic.
The snow melted off the pine trees and a puddle formed in the shadows of the trees. The sun began to shine, and the hibernating animals began to awaken from their sleep.
What story element is being described?
A. Character
B. Problem
C. Setting
C- Setting
The time of the year is being described. It is spring.
I have a dog whose name is Paco. He is almost 10 years old. Paco is very lovable with a brown face and short black fur. He is one of my best friends. He plays with me, sleeps with me, and goes on walks with me. I am so glad to have him around. I love him.
The main idea of this passage is:
A. The dog's name is Paco
B. Everyone should have a dog.
C. The writer's dog is an important part of his life.
D. The dog is cute and sweet.
C. The writer's dog is an important part of his life.