Main Idea
What is a main idea?
A main idea is the most important part of a paragraph.
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What is a supporting detail?
Supporting details are details that tell you more about the main idea.
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Scientists named the dinosaur Anatosaurus for its nose. It had a nose shaped like a duck's bill, so they used the Latin root "anato" (meaning duck) in its name. Scientists named the dinosaur Pentaceratops for its head. This prehistoric creature had five horns on its head, so the Greek root "penta" (meaning five) is part of its name. Scientists named the dinosaur Barosaurus for its long neck. Scientists thought the bones would make the dinosaur's neck very heavy to lift. Therefore, they used the Greek root "baro" (meaning "heavy") in its name. As it turns out, the bones were hollow which made the neck not so heavy after all.
Scientists named some dinosaurs for a body part.
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Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagra River about halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.Niagara Falls is on the American and Canadian border.
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America.
Kangaroos protect themselves in many ways. If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others. A new born joey is only the size of your thumb. What is the supporting detail?
If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others.
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What is the difference between a square and a cube? A square is a shape. It is two-dimensional- it has length and width, but it is flat. It has four equal sides and four equal corners. A cube is a solid shape. It is three-dimensional- it has length, width, and height. It has six equal squares, called faces. It also has edges. The edges are where the sides of the squares meet.
Squares and cubes are shapes that are different.
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Kangaroos are strange looking animals. Some kangaroos act as guards to protect the mob. They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.
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You can grow a carrot top in a kitchen garden. You can also grow the tops of other root vegetables, such as chicory, parsley, and artichokes. Cut off the leafy green tops so that only about one-half inch of the stem remains. Then cut the root off about one-half inch below the stem. Fill a dish with sand, and add a little water. Press the bottom of the root into the sand. Place the dish in a sunny spot, and add a little water each day to keep the sand damp. Soon you'll see lacy green leaves sprout from the tops.
How to grow a carrot top in a kitchen garden.
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots. The joey lives in the mother's pouch for 9 months. They only like grass that is green and close to the ground. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots.
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Many countries have laws against hunting green sea turtles. However, some turtle hunters ignore the laws. These hunters kill the turtles and sell the meat and eggs for good. The green sea turtle population is also shrinking because of accidents. Some greens get trapped in fishing nets and drown, and others get caught in boat propellers. Humans destroy the habitat of greens when they build. The construction process pollutes the turtle's water and disturbs their nests.
Green sea turtles are becoming extinct.
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