Identify Main Ideas and Supporting details - Reading Skill

What is MAIN IDEA ?

• The story takes place.

• The way of the character is thinking.

• The big idea of the whole text.

• The supporting facts of the opinion.

What are SUPPORTING DETAILS ?

• Details of the whole text.

• Details from the text that tell you how the character is feeling.

• Details from the text that tell you about the setting.

• Details from the text that develop the main idea.

What is the main idea of the following paragraph?

Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

• Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests.

• Sumo wrestling is a sport.

• Robots hold each other down in sumo wrestling.

• Robots that score more points will win.

What is the main idea of the following paragraph?

Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.

• Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.

• Mother gorillas have a lot of baby gorillas.

• Mothers gorillas protect their babies.

• Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.

Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. 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. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. 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.

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold and warm air is.

• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way.

• Their reports need to be concise.

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

What is the main idea?

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• You should do magic things for others.

• There are no ways can make yourself feel better.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

What is the main idea?

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."

• Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.

• Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.

• Mark is the best skater at the park and the whole world.

• Mark wants to learn how to become a great skater so he can compete.

What is the main idea?

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!

• Tom finds enough food for his family.

• Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.

• Tom didn't catch anything.

• Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

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.

• Jenny got sick.

• Jenny wants to be a nurse.

• Jenny's grandmother was in the hospital.

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

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.