Main Idea Pretest

There are many fun things to do at the beach.  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 main idea?

• There are many fun things to do at the beach.
• It is also fun to look for shells.
• Some people simply like to sunbathe.
• Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

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?

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
• Soccer players learn how to dribble.
• They learn how to work together as teammates.
• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

Mary has a new pet.  Her pet is a baby kitten.  It is soft and cuddly.  The kitten likes to sleep a lot.  Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed.  Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake.  She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?

• The kitten sleeps a lot.
• Mary plays with her kitten
• Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
• Mary want a new pet.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

The frog sat on the side of the pond.  He was very still.  His green color made him hard to see.  A bug flew near him.  His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up.  Then the frog was still again.  He waited for the next bug.
What is the main idea?

• Frogs are green .
• Frogs eat bugs.
• Frogs do not move.
• Frogs live in ponds.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

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. 
What is the main idea?

• Dessert is supposed to come last.
• The students had a backward day.
• It is hard to do things backward.
• Students failed their tests.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

One dinosaur had a brain that weighed about as much as three pencils.  Its body weighed ten tons and was over twenty feet in length.  As you can guess, this dinosaur did not think too clearly.  It wasn't the world's brightest dinosaur!  What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• How big one dinosaur was
• What one dinosaur's brain was like
• Why one dinosaur had a small brain

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

When we think of seaweed, we usually picture brown or green plants a foot or so in length.  Seaweeds are also of other colors.  Some are red.  Some kinds grow to lengths of a hundred feet!  These form giant seaweed forests, where many kinds of fish take shelter.  What is the main idea?

• Why some seaweed grows so large
• What seaweed is like
• Why seaweed is red

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

There are about 13,000 wild horses in our country.  Most are in the high lands of the Southwest.  The horses find great difficulty in getting food during the winter months.  Snow covers the grass and small bushes that they feed on.  Their numbers grow smaller each year.  What is the main idea?

• Where wild horses live
• Why grass and bushes can't be seen
• What is happening to our wild horses

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

Many people have not heard giraffes make noises.  Giraffes do not use sounds to “talk” with each other.  When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow.  When frightened, they make a short, high sound.
What is the main idea?

• Giraffes do make noises
• Giraffes talk all the time.
• Cows and giraffes talk to each other.
• Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

Floods can cause tremendous damage.  They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind.  It can take months to clean up after a flood.
 What is the main idea?

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.
• Floods cause mudslides.
• Floods damage houses and roads. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2