Main Idea of a Story

Mrs. Johnson is baking a cake. She mixes the dry ingredients first. Next, she mixes in the eggs and milk. Then, she mixes the ingredients all together with a large mixer. She pour the mixture into the pan. She bakes it in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. What is the main idea of the passage?

• Mrs. Johnson is mixing the ingredients together.

• Mrs. Johnson baked the cake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

• Mrs. Johnson loves to bake things.

• Mrs. Johnson is baking a cake.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.1.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

The boys were on the court playing a game. They took turns serving the ball over the net with their racquets. When the string in one of the racquets broke, the boys had to put in more string. They happily played their game from one o'clock until three o'clock. What is the main idea of this passage?

• The boys had a great time playing basketball.

• The boys had a great time putting string in the racquets.

• The boys played tennis for two hours.

• The boys like to play different games.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.1.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Butterflies begin as eggs. It is one stage in the insect life cycle. Once the eggs hatch, they turn into larvae. Later, they form a chrysalis. In the end, they emerge as adult butterflies. The life cycle will then continue with the butterfly laying more eggs. What is the main idea of this passage?

• Butterflies form a cocoon during the life cycle.

• There are different stages in the life cycle of a butterfly.

• The butterfly begins as an egg.

• Butterflies will lay more eggs.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.1.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted peace, love, and equality for all people. He wanted us to treat others like we want to be treated. He marched for equal rights for everyone. He was also a preacher. Dr. King graduated from high school at the age of fifteen. What is the main idea of this passage?

• Dr. King was a preacher.

• Dr. King wanted people to love each other.

• Dr. King did many great things during his life.

• Dr. King graduated from high school at the age of fifteen.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.K.2

CCSS.RL.1.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

We can usually tell what the weather will be by looking at the sky. Dark clouds tell us that stormy weather is coming. Big fluffy clouds mean that it is going to be a pretty good day. The wispy clouds mean that the day will be fair. What is the main idea of the passage?

• Clouds can help us to predict the weather.

• Dark clouds tell us a storm is coming.

• It is a fair day when we see wispy clouds.

• You can see big, fluffy clouds in the sky.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.K.2

CCSS.RL.1.2

CCSS.RL.2.2