Main Idea
What is a main idea?
A main idea is the most important part of a paragraph.
What are supporting details?
Supporting details help support the main idea.
What is a synonym?
A word that means exactly or nearly the same as another word.
What two things must a complete sentence have?
Subject and Predicate
Which sentence has correct end punctuation?
a. What time is it.
b. The game begins at 5:00?
c. Is Pedro going to play.
d. Do you think we will win?
d. Do you think we will win?
In March 2016, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a rare occurrence: thousands of yellow wildflowers covered the region in a "super bloom." Why was this unusual? Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. The area's average yearly precipitation is just two inches, making it a challenging place for flowers to grow. However, in October 2015, the valley had received more than three inches of rain in some areas. As a result of the unusually wet season, wildflower seeds that had been lying dormant underground suddenly began to grow, producing an abundance of golden blooms.
What is the main idea?
a. Because of the hot, dry conditions in Death Valley, it is difficult for flowers to grow there.
b. Because of an unusual amount of rain, thousands of wildflowers grew in Death Valley in 2016.
b. Because of an unusual amount of rain, thousands of wildflowers grew in Death Valley in 2016.
Which sentence does not belong?
Malik offered to help his mother clean the house. He vacuumed the living room and dusted the furniture. Malik picked up the toys in the living room. He ate a ham sandwich for lunch. Then, he mopped the kitchen floor.
He ate a ham sandwich for lunch.
What is an antonym?
An antonym is a word in opposite meaning.
Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
a. Oil gushed into the water
b. How terrible was the spill?
c. Scientists don't have an answer.
d. To study for a very long time.
d. To study for a very long time.
Which sentence has correct end punctuation?
a. How can it be so hot.
b. When will the rain come?
c. A swim will cool you down?
d. Did we break the record.
b. When will the rain come?
The Crimean War was fought in the 1850s between Russia on one side and Britain, France, and Turkey on the other. Although it was a major conflict, it is perhaps best remembered as the first war in which journalists were present on the battlefield. News dispatches from William Howard Russell, a reporter for the Times of London, exposed military blunders and revealed the filthy conditions that existed in military hospitals and camps. Photographers such as James Robertson and Roger Fenton made hundreds of photographs of soldiers on the battlefield. These news reports and photographs provided an uncensored look at life on the frontlines. The Crimean War marked the first time in history that people back home were exposed to the horrors of war.
What is the main idea?
a. The Crimean War was the first to be documented for civilians.
b. The Crimean War was fought between the Russians and the British, French and Turkish.
a. The Crimean War was the first to be documented for civilians.
Which sentence does not belong?
Winter provides the opportunity for many outdoor activities. Many people enjoy ice skating on a pond. Swimming in the pond in summer can also be fun. Skiing can be a thrilling experience too. After a new snowfall, you can even build a snowman.
Swimming in the pond in summer can also be fun.
Which word is a synonym of speedy?
a. quick
b. drowsy
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
a. That movie was the best.
b. The best movie of the year.
c. The leading roles and the other actors.
d. Made us laugh and cry.
a. That movie was the best.
Name a punctuation mark and use it correctly in a sentence.
period - I like to eat popcorn.
question mark - Is it time to go to bed?
exclamation mark - My favorite team won the game!
Many books, papers, and television shows have created an image of the African wild dog as the ultimate predator. According to these sources, the dogs' coordinated teamwork and their unusual endurance help them catch about eighty percent of their prey. A 2012 study tested that notion. Researchers fit a pack of wild dogs with special collars that recorded the dogs' positions and speeds. The data that the collars recorded allowed the researchers to learn what the dogs did when they weren't being observed. The results provided a surprising contrast with the dogs' fierce reputation. The dogs never used teamwork in their hunts; they chased their prey over short distances as opposed to long runs; and instead of eighty percent, they brought down only about sixteen percent of their prey.
What is the main idea?
a. A study shows that African wild dogs catch about sixteen percent of their prey and do not use teamwork in hunting.
b. African wild dogs have a reputation as fierce hunters who work in teams, but new data suggests otherwise.
b. African wild dogs have a reputation as fierce hunters who work in teams, but new data suggests otherwise.
The sun helps people in many ways. The sun gives people light to keep them warm. People use the sun's light to grow plants for food. Some plants are not safe to eat, though. People can use light from the sun to help power their homes!
Some plants are not safe to eat, though.
Which is an antonym of glorify?
a. criticize
b. doubt
a. criticize
What 2 sentences are sentence fragments?
A huge oil tanker hit the rocks. Lost thousands of gallons of oil. The spill caused a lot of damage. Many years for the shoreline to recover.
Lost thousands of gallons of oil.
Many years for the shoreline to recover.
What two sentences have correct end punctuation?
Chocolate cake with vanilla/almond frosting provides a tasty treat for any occasion? What is your favorite flavor. My favorite is chocolate! Make sure you follow the directions when making the cake.
My favorite is chocolate!
Make sure you follow the directions when making the cake.
In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.
What is the main idea?
a. Japan's spring cherry blossoms often serve as symbols of change or new beginnings in works of Japanese art or literature.
b. Americans appreciate the colorful leaves of fall, but the Japanese view the cherry blossoms of spring as part of their culture.
b. Americans appreciate the colorful leaves of fall, but the Japanese view the cherry blossoms of spring as part of their culture.
We learn many things from dinosaur fossils. The word dinosaur was invented by a scientist named Richard Owen in 1842. Bone fossils help us see what dinosaurs looked like. Footprint fossils show us how dinosaurs walked and moved. And fossils of teeth tell us what some dinosaurs liked to eat.
The word dinosaur was invented by a scientist named Richard Owen in 1842.
Which word is a synonym of immediately?
a. future
b. now
b. now
Is this sentence missing a subject or predicate?
Began to see their scores get better on each test.
Rewrite to make a complete sentence.
Sentence is missing the subject.
Students began to see their scores get better on each test.
What two sentences have incorrect end punctuation?
Tamara asked, “When will the potatoes be done.” But she got no answer, so she reached into the oven. She touched a potato and yelled, “Ouch!”. The potato was very hot.
“When will the potatoes be done.”
She touched a potato and yelled, “Ouch!”.