Main Idea

Main Idea

Interactive Lesson

Multiple Choice

What question should you ask to figure out the subject?

• Who wrote the text?

• What is this book/passage about?

• What is the main conflict?

• Which events are most important?

Open Ended

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.

What is the subject of this passage?

Multiple Choice

What's another name for the main idea?

• plot

• subject

• central idea

• conflict

Multiple Select

Quick Check: Choose the examples of nonfiction texts. Hint: there are more than one

• news article on Covid 19

• Harry Potter book

• instructions for how to put together a shelf

• Thank You Ma'am

• Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.

Open Ended

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.

What is the main (central) idea?

As you read the answer choices provided, look for one that matches what you thought the main idea would be about.

If there is not a similar answer choice, go back and reread the passage and try again!

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea of the previous passage?

• Hurricanes are dangerous storms

• Hurricanes begin over the ocean

• One type of storm is called a hurricane

• Hurricanes are different from other storms

Sometimes, questions ask you to come up with a title for a passage. Think about what the author wants the reader to know.

Multiple Choice

Which would be the best title for the previous passage?

• A Dangerous Storm: Hurricanes

• All About Hurricanes

• Hurricanes vs. Tornadoes

• Hurricanes Form Over the Ocean

Multiple Choice

Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success.

What is the main idea?

• The Wright Brothers worked hard

• The Wright brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.

• Inventors build kites and bicycles.

• The first flight was in 1903.

Multiple Choice

Homemade pizza is delicious. First, make the dough from flour, water, and yeast. After that, begin making the tomato sauce. Next, add any vegetables you like. Then, bake it in the oven. After a short time, the kitchen begins to smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to eat!

What is the main idea?

• Pizza is made from flour

• How to make homemade pizza

• Pizza is easy to make

• Pizza makes the kitchen smell good

Multiple Choice

Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day, and usually not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique, and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live.

What is the main idea?

• Giraffes don't sleep very much

• Giraffes are unique animals

• There are many animals in the world

• No animal is taller than a giraffe