Main Idea #1

Main Idea

​Example:

​Knights were once honored warriors who fought for Great Britain and its king. Today's knights no longer fight battles, but they do serve their country. Knighthood (or damehood for women) is granted to people who do good things for society. Today's knights might write great music, create beautiful art, or make important discoveries. Becoming a knight is one of the highest honors in Great Britain today.

• The word knight is repeated throughout the passage.

  • This tells me that the word is important.

• The last sentence summarizes the passage.

  • This tells what the text is mainly about.

  • This is the MAIN IDEA.

​Directions:

You will be given some short nonfiction passages to read. For each passage, you will be asked to determine the MAIN IDEA. After reading each passage, ask yourself: What is the whole passage about? Choose the BEST answer.

Multiple Choice

The Colossus of Rhodes was a huge statue of the Greek Sun god. Built in 282 BC, it stood 110 feet high and weighed 225 tons. For years, it stood on the island of Rhodes. Then in 226 BC, an earthquake shook the area and caused the statue to topple. Historians say it took 900 camels to haul the pieces away.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• The Colossus of Rhodes was amazing until it was destroyed by an earthquake.

• The Colossus of Rhodes stood 110 feet high and weighed 225 tons.

• The Colossus of Rhodes is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Multiple Choice

Have you ever heard of the Loch Ness monster? Scotland's creature has been making headlines for more than 70 years. In 1933, two people reported seeing a huge animal swimming in the lake. Two more claimed they saw the same creature moving across land. Some people said it had a hump, while others said it had flippers and a long neck. Despite more than 4,000 sightings over the years, no one knows for sure if "Nessie" exists.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• Loch Ness is home to a strange creature.

• Rumors of a strange creature have made Loch Ness famous.

• The Loch Ness monster is just a myth.

Multiple Choice

Dracula may not be real, but vampire bats are...and they feed on blood! Most vampire bats live in South America. They usually hunt small mammals and birds, but they occasionally travel in swarms and attack cattle (and humans). One of the most amazing facts about vampire bats is that some have a wingspan of 67 inches. That's a lot of bat!

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• Vampire bats are real and can be frightening.

• Vampire bats are known for hunting humans.

• Vampire bats live in South America.

Multiple Choice

For centuries, the people of Pentecost Island have held an unusual tradition: land diving. Once a year, young men tie jungle vines to their ankles and throw themselves off 100-foot towers. As the men fall, they curl their heads under, which allows only their shoulders to brush the ground. It may sound dangerous, but it's been an annual event for many years. The people of Pentecost Island believe that this ritual ensures a plentiful harvest.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• The people of Pentecost Island like to live dangerously.

• The people of Pentecost Island have made bungee jumping popular around the world.

• The people of Pentecost Island take great risks to improve their chances of a good harvest.

Multiple Choice

The Vietnam War was very unpopular in the United States. One reason so many people were against the war was because of the draft, which forced young men to join the military. Many did not want to risk their lives for a country they'd never heard of. Others weren't willing to fight against a country that wasn't a threat to the United States. In protest, many men burned their draft cards. The punishment for this crime was 5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• During the Vietnam War, many men burned their draft cards and faced harsh consequences.

• The Vietnam War was unpopular largely because of the draft.

• The Vietnam War ended in 1973.

Multiple Choice

In 1849, gold was discovered in California. At the time, only 14,000 people lived there. Dreams of striking it rich caused thousands of people to head west to California. Few actually found gold and most struggled to survive. In 1855, the Gold Rush was over. Many travelers had moved on to other parts of the country in search of new gold fields. But, in just a few years, California's population had grown to almost 500,000.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• Gold found in California made a lot of people rich.

• Gold was discovered in California in 1849.

• The Gold Rush changed California forever.

Multiple Choice

A jerboa looks a little like a miniature kangaroo. Jerboas have long hind feet and very short forelegs. They live in the desert, where they stay in burrows during the hot days and come out to hunt at night. Jerboas get their liquids from the foods they eat, so they never drink water. Even though they are no bigger than guinea pigs, jerboas can hop faster than a person can run.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• Jerboas are unusual animals.

• Jerboas are similar to kangaroos.

• Jerboas can hop faster than people can run.

Multiple Choice

When kiwi fruit was first sold in America, it was called the Chinese gooseberry. Americans did not know what to think of the strange, brown, fuzzy fruit that came from New Zealand. They were unsure about eating something called a Chinese gooseberry. A fruit-seller noticed that it looked like a fat little bird called the kiwi. The fruit was renamed and became instantly popular.

• The kiwi fruit is popular in New Zealand.

• The kiwi fruit got its name in an unusual way.

• The kiwi fruit was originally called the Chinese gooseberry.

Multiple Choice

In the spring of 1962, marine biologist Rachel Carson noticed something very unusual: she did not hear any birds singing. She had no idea why and decided to investigate. She traced their silence to DDT, a chemical used to kill insects. It was found that birds who ate insects poisoned with DDT, they died too. Rachel Carson wrote a book called Silent Spring, which eventually led to DDT being outlawed in the U.S. She proved that one person can make a difference by caring about the environment.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• DDT is a harmful chemical that was outlawed in the U.S.

• Rachel Carson's book brought awareness to environmental issues in the U.S.

• Rachel Carson became famous when her book, Silent Spring, was released.

Multiple Choice

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic left England with its sights set for New York City. The great ship had all the latest safety features and had been declared "unsinkable." On April 14th, lookouts spotted an iceberg in the sea. The crew swerved to miss it but failed, and the Titanic crashed into the iceberg. In just a few hours, the Titanic sank and 1,595 of the 2,340 people aboard perished at sea. The loss of the Titanic showed the world that even the greatest ships aren't unsinkable.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• No matter how grand, a ship cannot be totally unsinkable.

• The crew of the Titanic is to blame for its famous failure.

• The Titanic set sail from England in 1912.

Multiple Choice

Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa in 1753. In 1761, she was purchased as a slave by a man named John Wheatley, who lived in Boston. Unlike many southern slaveowners, the Wheatley family treated Phillis kindly. They taught her to speak English and how to read and write. Soon, Phillis began writing poetry. Her poems became very popular. When George Washington, the nation's first president, found out that Phillis had written a poem about him, he asked to meet her.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• Phillis Wheatley was born a slave but became a successful poet.

• Phillis Wheatley wrote a poem about George Washington.

• Phillis Wheatley used her fame and fortune to buy her own freedom.

Multiple Choice

Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. Her name actually means "victory" in Greek, although it's pronounced NEE-kay. The goddess went to war with the Greeks and helped them to win many key battles. Nike also led them to victory in other areas, including athletics. Today we know Nike best from a line of athletic products that has borrowed her name.

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• A Greek goddess named Nike was a fierce warrior.

• Nike means "victory" in Greek.

• The brand Nike was named for a Greek goddess who was known for athletic victories.

Poll

BE HONEST!

• That was easy and I did great!

• I did pretty well but made some mistakes.

• I did okay but can probably do better with more effort.

• I did not do well but I tried...

• I did not do well because I didn't really try.