Main Idea Practice

Identify the main idea:

I can't wait until this weekend!

We’re going to my grandparents’

house and my entire family will be

there. I will spend most of my time

playing games with my cousins. We

always have such a good time

together! The day goes by so fast,

and by the end we are all

exhausted... but we still don’t want

to leave!

• A. Weekends are times to travel.

• B. The writer enjoys spending time

  with family.

• C. The writer’s grandparents live

  far away.

• D. The writer is sad to leave her

  cousins.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Identify the main idea:

Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success.

• A. The Wright Brothers worked hard.

• B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.

• C. Inventors build kites and bicycles.

• D. The first flight was in 1903.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Identify the main idea:

I have a dog whose name is Paco. He is almost 10 years old. Paco is very loveable with a brown face and short black fur. He is one of my best friends. He plays with me, sleeps with me, and goes on walks with me. I am so glad to have him around. I love him.

• A. The dog’s name is Paco.

• B. Everyone should have a dog.

• C. The writer's dog is an important part of his life.

• D. The dog is cute and sweet.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Identify the main idea:

Eric gripped the bat in his hands. His palms were sweaty but he took a deep breath as he stepped up to the plate. He had to score a run or his team would lose the game. When the pitcher threw a fastball, Eric’s reflexes took over and he heard the “Crack!” of the bat hitting the ball. His heart raced with excitement as he ran to first base. He was safe!

• A. Eric plays baseball.

• B. Eric scores a homerun.

• C. How to play baseball.

• D. Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Identify the main idea:

Homemade pizza is delicious.

First, make the dough from flour,

water, and yeast. After that,

begin making the tomato sauce.

Next, add any vegetables you like.

Then, bake it in the oven. After a

short time, the kitchen begins to

smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to

eat!

• a. Pizza is made from flour

• b. How to make homemade pizza

• c. Pizza is easy to make

• d. Pizza makes the kitchen smell

  delicious

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.6.5

Identify 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!

• a. Sometimes people feel sad

• b. You should do good things for

  others

• c. We’re not always happy

• d. There are many ways to make

  yourself feel better

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Identify the main idea:

Did you know that giraffes are the

tallest animals in the world? They

are unique in other ways, too. For

one thing, they sleep only about 20

minutes each day, and usually not

more than five minutes at a time.

(They have to remain alert for

predators.) Also, every giraffe’s

coat is unique, and varies in color

from white to nearly black,

depending on what they eat and

where they live.

• a. Giraffes don’t sleep very much.

• b. Giraffes are unique animals.

• c. There are many animals in the

  world.

• d. No animal is taller than a giraffe.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Identify the main idea:

Hurricanes are large, intense storms

that begin over the ocean, where

they gather heat and energy from

the water. Hurricanes move slowly

toward land, usually moving 10-20

miles per hour for more than one

week. The most dangerous part of

the hurricane is the storm surge,

when it reaches land and causes

flooding. Wind and waves also

contribute to the damage caused by

these surges.

• a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms.

• b. Hurricanes begin over the ocean.

• c. One type of storm is called a

  hurricane.

• d. Hurricanes are different from

  other storms.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2