Main idea

You can usually find the main idea in the ________- and ________ paragraph.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

• Sometimes clowns can mean serious bussiness.

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• Cowboys and Rodeo Clowns are constantly in danger.

• A Rodeo bull's attention is easily caught by Rodeo clowns.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Every day Dylan loves to play basketball outside. He practices bouncing the ball in the morning. After school, Dylan shoots baskets with his friends. He even plays basketball when it's raining!

What is the main idea of the text?

• Dylan enjoys the rain.

• Dylan enjoys playing basketball.

• Dylan shoots baskets.

• Dylan bounces the basketball.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
What is this selection mainly about?

• Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.
• We will be able to talk to robots and they will be able to respond.
•  Robots will be untiring workers.
• Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Lee finally had the money for something she had wanted to buy for a long time. Today after school, Lee would buy her own skateboard. She was pretty good at using skateboards, because she used those of friends to practice. She was looking forward to having her own to use whenever she wanted.

The Main Idea Is:

• Lee will get a skateboard.

• Lee is an expert at skateboarding.

• Lee borrows a skateboard.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

The Masai of East Africa raise cattle for a living. Very little grain is raised in the area, so the people depend on the cattle for food. Most people drink a gallon of milk a day, and beef is a popular meat. Cow's blood is also used as food. It doesn't spoil, it provides protein and minerals, and it can be taken from cows while traveling.

What is this passage mostly about?

• There is much grain raised in the world.

• People in different areas of the world eat odd foods.

• Cows provide food for the Masai.

• There are many different kinds of cattle raised by the Masai.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Fifth grade is a good time to show additional responsibility. Fifth graders could show additional responsibility by getting a cell phone. As fifth graders, we are starting to stay after school for clubs or sports, and when we go into middle school, we will do more of this. With this added responsibility after school, we need a way to get in touch with our parents. Also, fifth graders are old enough to understand how to use a cell phone responsibility. A fifth grader understands that a phone is not just for playing games and listening to music. A fifth grader can show responsibility by not using all of the phone minutes or data on the phone for fun. Parents could help fifth graders set time limits for games and music. Finally, a phone is an expensive item, and you have to take care of it. A fifth grader can show responsibility by keeping up with the phone and not losing it.

Which of the following would best support the main idea if added to the paragraph?

• A phone could also be used to text friends and family members.

• It takes responsibility not to break the rules that parents set for how to use the phone.

• If there is an emergency at school, a cell phone would be useful.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

Corn was first grown by Native Americans. They showed the pilgrims how to grow corn as food. At one time, corn was used as money by pioneers. Corn is used as feed for farm animals. People also eat it as a vegetable. Oil, starch, and sugar can be made from corn. Corn is also important in industry. Medicine, paper, fertilizer, and glue can be made from corn and corn products.

Choose an appropriate topic sentence for this paragraph.

• Native Americans were the first to grow corn.

• Corn was used as money.

• Many kinds of animals eat corn.

• Do you know how important corn is?

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Snow was falling again. Every puzzle was put together, every book was read, and the refrigerator was covered in artwork. Buddy and William were bored. They couldn't go out and play in the snow because they were both sick. Even though school might be canceled tomorrow, they were ready to go back to school.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?

• they were sick
• it was snowing again
• they were bored and ready to go back to school
• the refrigerator was covered in artwork, and the puzzles were put together

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2