Main Idea Practice

_{Dolphins are very smart animals.  They even have their own language.   They talk to each other with clicks, whistles, and grunts.  Scientists have been studying this dolphin language.  They hope that in the future people and dolphins will be able to talk to each other.}
Which statement is too narrow?

• Dolphins talk to each other with clicks, whistles, and grunts.
• Dolphins are smart animals that even have their own language.
• Dolphins are different from fish.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
Which statement is too broad?

• Weekends are times to travel.
• The author enjoys spending time with her family.
• The author will spend most of the time playing games. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?

• Tom enjoys fishing.
• Tom struggled to stay in the boat. 
• Tom caught a snapping turtle while fishing.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He  wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
Which statement is too broad?

• Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.
• Mark didn't want to spend hours practicing. 
• Mark wanted to be the best. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Benjamin Franklin loved to write.  When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper.  He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac.  It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings.
 Which statement it too broad?

• Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.
• Benjamin Franklin worked very hard.
• Benjamin printed a book called Poor Richard's Alamanac

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which statement best explains the main idea?

• one part, fact, or detail from the story
• too general,  not specific enough
• what the story is mostly about 

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

The reader should determine the main idea BEFORE reading the passage.

• True
• False

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

What does it mean if a statement is too narrow?

• what the story is mostly about
• one fact, part, or detail from the story
• too general, not specific enough

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

It was backward day at school.  The students had to do things backward.  Some of them wore their T-shirts backward.  They took a test before they studied the lesson.  Dessert was served first instead of last.  They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down. 
Which statement is too narrow?

• Some students wore their t-shirts backwards.
• The students had a backward day at school.
• The students celebrated a special day.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

Firefighters work hard to keep us safe. They will climb into a burning building to rescue you.  They have to be very strong to be able to climb their ladders and lift the fire hose.  They practice putting out fires so they are ready when a real one comes.  
What's the main idea?

• Firefighters work hard to keep us safe.
• Rescue workers work hard
• Firefighters practice putting out fires.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2