Main Idea and Details Informational

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface. What is the main idea?

• Several events can change the Earth's surface.

• Earthquakes can cause large cracks.

• Volcanoes can be dangerous.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Elephants use their trunks for many things. Elephants use their trunks to smell. In fact, elephants can smell better than bloodhounds. Baby elephants sometimes suck their trunks to soothe themselves the way human babies suck their thumbs. Elephants do not drink with their trunks. They use their trunks to suck up water and then pour it in their mouths. Elephants also greet each other with their trunks the way humans do by shaking hands. What is the main idea?

•  How much water elephants drink
• Where elephants live
• How elephant use their trunks

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

The earth's surface is constantly changing.  All over the world everyday there are earthquakes, floods and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see.  Others cause tremendous damage and costs millions of dollars to clean up. What is the main idea?

• It is expensive to clean up the damage
• Sometimes we can't see the changes. 
• The Earth's surface is always changing.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Keep your teeth happy. Brush your teeth twice a day. Make sure you floss your teeth every time you brush and after you eat. Avoid eating anything that sticks to your teeth, like candy and syrup. Eat vegetables and fruits that don't cause cavities.

What is the main idea?

• Keep your teeth happy

• Brush your teeth twice a day

• Avoid eating candy and syrup

• Eat more vegetables

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot tall statue of a woman holding a book and a torch. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become the universal symbol for freedom.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail?

• The Statue of Liberty is an amazing statue

• The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall

• Thousands of people visit the Statues of Liberty each year

• It was a gift of friendship from France

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Dogs are great pets. They can learn tricks and they are very loyal to their owners. Dogs can keep you company when you take a walk, play with you when no one else is around, or even make you laugh with the silly things they do. Dogs are cute and fun. Everyone should own a dog.

What is the MAIN IDEA of the passage?

• To tell about the tricks a dog can do.

• To tell you why dogs are great pets.

• Dogs can make you laugh with their silly tricks.

• Dogs can keep you company when you take a walk.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings.

What is the main idea?

• Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

• Benjamin Franklin worked very hard when he was young.

• Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather.

• Benjamin Franklin was very poor.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake. They use an instrument called the Richter scale. The Richter scale compares the strength of different earthquakes. Earthquakes below 2.0 usually can’t be felt. Earthquakes over 5.0 on the scale can cause damage. A magnitude 7.0 is a major earthquake and can cause tremendous damage.

What is the main idea?

• Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake.

• Strong earthquakes can cause lots of damage.

• Some earthquakes are very small.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.5.2