Central Idea and Supporting Details

What is the central idea of a passage?

• The conclusion of the passage.

• The introduction of the passage.

• The supporting details of the passage.

• The main point or theme of the passage.

Main idea: Natural disaster preparedness

Which detail supports the main idea?

• Scientists look at weather trends to know which areas would be likely to have a natural disaster

• Tornados are formed by cold air and warm air swirling around each other

• The Sanfraisco earthquake was devastating to California

• Pompeii was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted

Which term best describes the main idea of a piece of writing?

• A supporting detail
• A central point
• A broad topic
• A statement of opinion

What supporting detail might you find in an article about why you should eat healthy foods?

• People who eat healthy foods live longer
• Healthy foods include vegetables and protein
• Healthy foods are good for you
• Eating is necessary to sustain life

Mount Rushmore is a huge carving in a stone cliff. The carving shows the faces of four U.S. presidents. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota. Each year many people visit this amazing sight.

What is the main idea?

• what Mount Rushmore is

• where Mount Rushmore is

• the names of the presidents

Mount Rushmore is a huge carving in a stone cliff. The carving shows the faces of four U.S. presidents. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota. Each year many people visit this amazing sight.

What is a detail that tells about the main idea?

• how the four presidents were chosen

• why Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota

• which presidents are at Mount Rushmore

Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagra River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagra Falls is located on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail?

• The American Falls is 167 feet high

• The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high

• Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America

• It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie

Which sentence is a supporting detail that recycling is important?

• There are many landfills available for waste.

• Clean jars before recycling them.

• Recycling paper saves trees from being cut down.

• Separate your paper, cans, and glass jars before recycling.

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.

What is a statement that tells what a passage is mostly about called?

• Topic

• Claim

• Main Idea

• Transitional sentence