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!
What is the main idea?

• Weekends are times to travel.
• The author enjoys spending time with her family.
• The author's grandparents live far away.
• The author is sad to leave her cousins.

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.

Toy cars and trucks were lying all over the floor. Ben had dumped his entire toy box in the middle of his room looking for his favorite blue car. His Uncle Lonnie had given it to him for his birthday. Uncle Lonnie was coming for a visit, and Ben wanted them to play together with it. Ben looked for about an hour and could not find the car. When his mother called him, he stepped on something hard. It was his blue car.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?

• Ben had many toys and trucks
• Uncle Lonnie gave Ben a blue car
• Ben dumped his entire toy box in the middle of the floor
• Ben found the blue car his Uncle Lonnie gave him by stepping on it

Students sat in the cafeteria talking loudly. It was lunch time at Green Elementary, and the lunch room was full. The noise and the smell of grilled cheese filled the air. In the corner sat Rudy and Jacob. They were making their daily lunch trades.
"I'll give you my cheese crackers for your pretzels," said Jacob.
"Okay, I'll give you my vanilla pudding for your sugar cookies," said Rudy.
"Deal!" said Jacob.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?

• Jacob and Rudy trade food at lunch
• Rudy wanted Jacob's sugar cookies
• Jacob had cheese crackers and wanted pretzels
• Students were talking loudly during lunch at Green Elementary

Melanie hated her green room, and she had asked her mother a hundred times if she could paint it purple. Melanie and her mother worked all afternoon rolling the paint on the wall. Since Melanie was only in the third grade, she was feeling very special because her mother was letting her help. When they were finished, they sat on the floor and had a snack.
"Are you happy with the purple?" asked Mother.
"Yes. And I even like it more because I was able to help paint it," said Melanie.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?

• Melanie hated green
• Melanie and her mother painted all afternoon
• Melanie liked the purple room she helped paint
• They had a snack on the floor when they were finished

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

Scissors, glue, and construction paper covered the desks of every student in the classroom. Mrs. Brown was getting ready to hand out heart-shaped candies. Students were talking softly as they cut out hearts and coloured with markers and crayons. In just 10 minutes they would start their Valentine's Day party.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?

• Mrs. Brown had heart shaped candy
• Mrs. Brown's class was getting ready for a Valentine's Day party
• Scissors, glue, and construction paper were on the desks in the classroom
• All of the students were making Valentine's Day cards for their friends

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.

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.

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.