Topics, Main Ideas, Details, Summaries

Main Ideas and

Summaries

What’s the point?

Example Paragraph:

Bears are found in many places around

the world, from the Arctic, South America,
and Asia. They are fierce hunters. Bears
often use their sensitive noses to find prey.
Their muscular forelegs can break an
animal’s spine with one swipe. They also
use their sharp claws and teeth to catch and
bite their prey. Bears are intelligent, and will
cover large prey like moose, so they can eat
it over several days.

Topic

• The subject of the text
• Usually can be stated in one or two

words

Topic Example: Bears

Main Idea

• What the author wants you to

remember about the topic

• The central idea, thesis statement, or

theme of a passage

• Can be implied (‘figure it out’)
• Can be directly stated

(topic sentence)

Main Idea Example:
Bears are strong hunters.

SupportingDetails

• Details that explain the main

idea or make it clearer

• Directly related to the main

idea

Example Supporting Details:

• Sharp claws and teeth

• Powerful muscles

• Smart

• Excellent sense of smell

Summary

• Briefly restates

(paraphrases) the most important ideas and
supporting details

• Shows how main idea and supporting details

are connected

• Covers the entire paragraph or passage

Example Summary:
Bears are strong, intelligent hunters. They use
their claws, teeth, powerful muscles, and sense
of smell to catch their prey.

Passage #1

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

Multiple Choice

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

What is the topic?

• Buffalo, New York

• Lake-effect snow

• Warm air

• The United States

Multiple Choice

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

What is the main idea?

• Snow in Buffalo, New York

• Buffalo, New York is in the United States

• How Lake-effect snow forms

• Lake-effect snow is very pretty

Multiple Choice

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

Which of the following is a detail from the passage?

• Water gets warmer in the winter.

• Buffalo gets the largest snowstorms in the United States.

• Lake-effect snow only happens in Buffalo, New York.

• Warm air is less dense than cold air.

Multiple Choice

Buffalo, New York, situated on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, is one of the snowiest cities in the United States. Like other cities on large lakes, it is subject to a phenomenon called lake-effect snow. Water retains heat, so lake water is often warmer than the air. In the lake effect, cold air moves over warmer lake water, initiating a process that can produce large snowstorms. Moisture from the lake evaporates into the cold air, warming it. Because warm air is less dense than cold air, it begins to rise and move away from the lake, cooling down as it does. As the air cools, moisture condenses and forms into clouds. If the temperature is cold enough, the moisture falls to the ground as snow.

What is the best summary of the passage?

• Many cities near lakes are affected by lake-effect snow, which forms when cold air moves over warm water.

• Buffalo, New York is located on one of the great lakes, and gets a lot of snow.

• When the air is cold enough, it snows in the United States, and sometimes it snows on a lake.

• While many cities get snow, Buffalo, New York is the only city that suffers from lake-effect snow, which forms when cold air moves over warm water.

​Passage #2

​ When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

Multiple Choice

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the topic?

• Astronomy

• The Lowell Observatory

• Pluto, a Roman god

• Planet X

Multiple Choice

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the main idea?

• Pluto is the Roman god of the Underworld

• How Planet X got its name

• Venetia Burney’s suggestion

• Where astronomers work

Multiple Choice

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

Which of the following is a detail from the passage?

• Percival Lowell decided on the name for Planet X

• Pluto lives on Planet X

• The astronomers voted on the name for Planet X

• Venetia Burney is the astronomer who discovered Planet X

Multiple Choice

When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the best summary of the passage?

• A little girl discovered Planet X, then suggested the name for it.  Percival Lowell agreed with her.

• After the discovery of Planet X, Dr. Pluto named it after himself.  The other astronomers voted to confirm the name.

• When Planet X was discovered, an 11-year old girl suggested the name Pluto. Astronomers agreed that it was an appropriate name for the far away planet.

• Percival Lowell discovered Planet X.  They named it after Pluto.

Passage #3

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.

Multiple Choice

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 topic?

• Japan

• Autumn

• Cherry blossoms

• Art

Multiple Choice

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?

• The colors of autumn

• Colorful plants around the world

• The philosophy of sakura

• The importance of cherry blossoms in Japan

Multiple Choice

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.

Which of the following is a detail from the passage?

• Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring.

• Like cherry blossoms, the Japanese people love the changing colors of autumn.

• Autumn represents death, while cherry blossoms represent birth.

• Cherry blossoms change from green to red and orange.

Multiple Choice

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 best summary of the passage?

• Cherry blossom season in Japan is similar to autumn in the U.S. They are both very colorful.

• Cherry blossoms are celebrated in Japan’s culture and heritage. They symbolize the circle of life and new beginnings, and are featured in many Japanese art forms.

• The cherry blossom season is the most important time of year for the Japanese people.  Cherry blossoms can be found in many types of art.

• In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful.Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display.