What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?

The most important idea about a topic or a story.

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?

What one dinosaur's brain was like

Story: Have you ever wondered how the 50 states got their names?Many of those the Native Americans gave to the area. Hawaii is theword for “homeland”. Missouri means “river of the big canoes.”Michigan means “great water.” Ohio means “good river.” Otherstates names are based on the English language. Indiana stands for“land of Indians.” King George named Georgia. Maine is short for“mainland.” New Hampshire was named for a settler’s home inEngland. The reasons behind some names aren’t clear. Rhode Islandwas named after a Greek island. Texas mean “friends” in Spanish.California was named after a made-up place in a story. What is the main idea?

States’ names come from Native American words, English words,and other places.

The reason behind some states’ names aren’t clear.

Almost every state was named by Native Americans.

You can see the English influence in most of the states’ names.

Story: An American art form began in 1938. That’s when the first comic book starring Superman came out. The Man of Steel was a superhero. Kids and adults both enjoyed these comic books.They liked the fact that the good guy always won. The comics sold well. Soon Batman and Robin had their own series of comic books. Over time Marvel Comics came up with more superheroes. They launched Spiderman and X-Men. These characters were very popular. Toys, games, and clothing featured them. Now, all these comic book characters have had their own movies. What is the main idea?

Over time, comic book superheroes have gained in popularity.

In a comic book, the superhero always wins.

Superman was the first comic book hero.

Toys and games feature superheroes.

Story: All bicycle riders, young and old, should have the right equipment to practice bicycle safety. Bike parts such as tires and brakes must be in proper working condition.Each bicycle should have reflectors so that the rider can be seen from the front, back, and sides. A bell or horn can help prevent accidents, too. Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet to protect their head from an accident. What is the main idea?

Bicycle riders need the right equipment to practice bicycle safety.

Bicycle riders need to know hand signals.

Bicycle riders need to get reflectors.

Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet.

Main Idea: Harry Houdini became a famous magician for his escapes from impossible traps. What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

Houdini once escaped a straightjacket whilesuspended high in the air.

Houdini liked to travel to England to perform his magic tricks.

Houdini was a very mysterious man.

Houdini liked to do tricks with water.

Main Idea: Frogs are amazing jumpers. What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

Frogs have long, powerful legs which help them leaplong distances.

Frogs use their tongue to catch flies.

A tadpole is the name of a young frog.

The Fire-belly Toad has slightly warty skin.

Main Idea: Chocolate is a very popular gift to give during the holidays. What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

On Valentine’s Day, heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate are given to loved ones.

Hot chocolate is made with warm chocolate and milk.

Most of the world’s cocoa beans come from Africa.

Chocolate is a popular flavor of ice cream.

Main Idea: Octopuses have many different ways to hide themselves from predators. What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

Octopuses use camouflage to disguise themselves.

Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms.

Octopuses like to live in coral reefs.

Octopuses move about by crawling or swimming.

Main Idea: Archaeologists study the past through artifacts that they discover. What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

The discovery of stone tools gave archaeologists cluesabout how people lived in the past.

Archaeologists work long hard hours in the sun.

Archaeologists dig in places around the world.

Indiana Jones was an archaeologist.

Main Idea: There are many famous skateboarders in the United States. What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

The trick called the “Ollie” was created in the 1970’s.

Tony Hawk became famous for his half pipe tricks.

Shaun White is a professional skateboarder and snowboarder.

With his own television show, Ryan Sheckler is the youngest skateboarder on the pro-circuit.

Main Idea: To scuba dive you need a lot of special equipment. What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

Scuba divers prefer the waters of the Caribbean.

A mask is used to help the scuba diver see things underwater.

A scuba diver uses an oxygen tank to breathe under water.

Flippers make swimming in the ocean much easier.

Main Idea: Egypt is home to the legendary pyramids and their history. What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

A pyramid is a building with a triangular shape.

The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are one of the Seven Ancient Wonders.

Egyptians made pyramids famous by burying their royalty inside of them.

People travel to Egypt to see its 138 historic pyramids.

Main Idea: Earthquakes can cause a lot of destruction. What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

Earthquakes can also be known as quakes, tremors, or temblors.

When a building is not made earthquake safe, it can crumble to the ground.

Many bridges are demolished when they wobble in a quake.

Earthquakes can create tsunamis, which can flood cities.

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information very quickly. That's why they use pictures! The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way. Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

Pictures help weather reporters get information out fast

Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

Main Idea

Authored by Jessica Braswell

English

7th - 8th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 394+ times

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

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.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

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.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

John and Matt want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?

John wants to climb a ladder.

John and Matt want to be firemen

Matt wants to hold a fire hose.

They want to ride on the big fire truck.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well.
What is the main idea?

Jenny got sick.

Jenny wants to be a nurse.

Her grandmother was in the hospital.

Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

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.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

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.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

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.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

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Main Idea

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?

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?

John and Matt want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.What is the main idea?

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well. What is the main idea?

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?

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?

The main idea is supported by what?

What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?

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?

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Discover more resources for English

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?

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?

John and Matt want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well.
What is the main idea?

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?

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?