Main Idea

Front

What is the main idea?

Back

The main idea is what the passage is mostly about.

Front

True or False: The main idea can be implied or stated.

Back

True

Front

What is the main idea of the following passage? The earth's surface is constantly changing. All over the world every day there are earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see. Others cause tremendous damage and cost millions of dollars to clean up.

Back

The Earth's surface is always changing.

Front

What is the main idea of the following passage? Many people have not heard giraffes make noises. Giraffes do not use sounds to 'talk' with each other. When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow. When frightened, they make a short, high sound.

Back

Giraffes do make noises.

Front

What is the main idea of the following passage? Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well.

Back

Jenny wants to be a nurse.

Front

What is a supporting detail?

Back

A supporting detail is a piece of information that helps explain or support the main idea.

Front

What is the difference between a stated main idea and an implied main idea?

Back

A stated main idea is directly expressed in the text, while an implied main idea is suggested and requires inference.

Front

Why is identifying the main idea important?

Back

Identifying the main idea helps readers understand the overall message and purpose of the text.

Front

What are some clues that can help identify the main idea?

Back

Clues include topic sentences, repeated ideas, and summaries at the end of paragraphs.

Front

What is a topic sentence?

Back

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph.