Main Idea vs Theme Quiz

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.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way
• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short
• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records. By the way, females can expect to live about six years longer than males. That’s taken from past records too!
What is the paragraph mostly about?

• how long you might expect to live
• about the health of females
• why people live to be 70
• tells that people live to be 100

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.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.
• You should give up if you are the Robots will look and behave much like real humans.
• Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.
It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Josh got lots of gifts.
• Charles got a lot of gifts.
• Charles had a great birthday.
• Josh had a great birthday.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

A key detail is...

• A life lesson that the author is trying to communicate to us.
• An important point in the text that can help us find the main idea
• Reveals the main characters in the story.
• Is the main point the author is trying to make about the topic.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

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.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.
• Always work hard.
• It pays to be honest.
• Teamwork is best.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Giselle had two best friends, Lindy and Taejah. Lindy ALWAYS said she was Giselle's BEST friend.Giselle  had them both over to spend the night. Lindy was on her new phone all night long, ignoring Giselle. Taejah and Giselle watched a movie together, made popcorn, and pranked Giselle's brother. The next day at school, Lindy told the girls what a boring sleepover Giselle had. Taejah told everyone what a fun time she had at Giselle's house.

• Technology is often taken for granted
• Friends prove themselves by their actions
• Friends don't gossip
• Lindy was not a good friend

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

One day in class, Hannah forgot to bring a pencil. She didn't usually sit by Valerie, but since Mrs. Durden changed their seats. Valerie kindly offered Hannah her extra pencil. Soon after, Valerie left her jacket on the playground and went back to get it. She was disappointed to see it was gone. When she walked back into class, Valerie saw her jacket in her chair. Hannah had picked it up for her.

• Always let your friends borrow your pencils

• One good deed deserves another.

• Friends should take turns

• Valerie and Hannah are nice and help each other

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

BONUS!!! 
You can get clues about a story's theme from

• setting of the story
• lesson the character learns
• the mood a character 
• way a character looks

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2