Main Idea and Details Review

Main Idea and Supporting Details

Multiple Choice

Many paragraphs have topic sentences that indicate the main idea. Find the topic sentence in this paragraph:

Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home. Worst is the lack of privacy.

• Homeless people have many problems.

• In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer.

• It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home.

• Worst is the lack of privacy.

Multiple Select

Supporting details prove the value of the main idea. What are they here?

Homeless people have many problems. In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer. It’s also hard to keep things safe without a home. Worst is the lack of privacy.

• Homeless people have many problems.

• In winter, it’s hard to stay warm and it gets too hot in summer.

• t’s also hard to keep things safe without a home.

• Worst is the lack of privacy.

Multiple Choice

“Maria offered to help her mother clean the house. She vacuumed the living room and dusted the furniture. She picked up the toys

in the playroom. She ate a ham sandwich for

lunch. Then, she mopped the kitchen floor.”

Which sentence does not support the main idea?

• Maria offered to help her mother clean the house.

• She vacuumed the living room and dusted the furniture.

• She picked up the toys

  in the playroom.

• She ate a ham sandwich for

  lunch.

• Then, she mopped the kitchen floor.

Multiple Choice

Find the sentence that does not support the main idea…

“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!”

• 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!”

Multiple Choice

You try it…

“The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.”

What is the main idea?

• The rain forest is home to many creatures.

• Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.

• Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.”

• There is no main idea.

Multiple Choice

Try another…

“Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.”

What is the main idea?

• Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

Open Ended

Let’s do one more…

“Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.”

What is the implied main idea?