Main Idea

Multiple Choice

100

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? 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.

What is B, Catie and Katie solved the problem of having similar names.

200

Jon 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!" Based on the passage, what did the author want you to learn from this passage? A. Jon can jump high. B. Jon likes basketball. C. Jon makes a basket. D. How to throw a basketball.

What is D, How John throws a basketball.

300

A test-taker can remember the main idea of the story by A. draw a picture of the character B. remember details that make the story interesting C. mentally summarizing it in 2-3 sentences D. think about what you plan to do after the test.

What is C, mentally summarizing it in 2-3 sentences

400

John's favorite sport is basketball. He practices every day after school. He won player of the year last year. One day, John hopes to enter a basketball competition (and of course win). Read the following sentences and choose the main idea. A. He practices everyday after school. B. He won player of the year last year. C. John's favorite sport is basketball. D.None of the above

What is C, John's favorite sport is basketball.

500

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.

What is B, Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way.

Short Answer

100

What do main idea questions ask you to identify?

What is to identify the main topic of the passage.

200

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. What is the main idea of this passage?

What is the rules for lining up are very clear.

300

My mother is a veterinarian. She loves animals. When she was younger she had lots of pets. She even teaches classes about how people can help protect animals. Which of the following is the main idea sentence in this paragraph?

What is my mother is a veterinarian.

400

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?

What is students had a backwards day.

500

Sonny watches too much television. A toddler shouldn't spend hours sitting in front of a televison screen. Worse yet, some of his wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons he watches. His parents should spend more time reading or playing games with him and pull the plug on the TV! A baby needs more attention than just keeping them occupied and quiet. What is the main idea of this passage?

What is watching a lot of television is bad for Sonny

True/False

100

The main idea is ALWAYS the first sentence of the paragraph. True False

What is false

200

Summarize means to retell the main idea of a story? True False

What is true

300

Supporting Detail is details that explain the main idea of the story. True False

What is true

400

The main idea is not always stated clearly in the passage? True False

What is true

500

Supporting details never tell you what the main idea is in a story or passage. True False

What is false

Facts About Main Idea

100

The main idea of a story tells us__________________. a. who is the main character b. what the story is mainly about c. the details of the story d. nothing

What is b, what the story is mainly about

200

What does the term "main idea" mean? a. Where a story takes place b. Who the story is about c. What the story is mostly about d. How to make something

What is C, What the story is mostly about

300

Where can you usually find the Main Idea? A. first sentence B. second sentence C. last sentence D. third sentence

What is A, first sentence

400

Yes or No: When summarizing a story or a passage, you are telling what the main idea is.

What is YES

500

What two things is needed to find the Main Idea? A. supporting points and details B. clues and prior knowledge C. paper and pencil D. comparing and contrasting

What is A, supporting points and details

Summarizing/Topic of the Passage

100

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. What is the topic of this passage?

What is, Getting a New School/ Building a new school.

200

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 with out his bike. What is the topic of this passage?

What is, Aaron couldn't ride his bike because of a flat tire.

300

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! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier. What is this selection mainly about?(Summarizing)

What is, someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.

400

Peter's parents bought a new carpet for the living 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. What is the topic of this passage?

What is, Peter's parents made new rules so the new carpet stays clean

500

There is a village on an island near Scotland. it was built out of stone. A storm covered in in sand 4,000 years ago. It stayed covered until 1851. Then another storm blew the sand away. The village looked just like it did 4,000 years ago! What is a summary of this passage.

What is, about a village covered in sand for over 4,000 years ago