Main Idea Quiz

What is the main idea of the following paragraph? The sun is a star that is at the center of our solar system. It provides light and heat to the planets. Without the sun, life on Earth would not exist.

• The sun is essential for life on Earth.

• The sun is a small planet in our solar system.

• The sun is a cold, lifeless object in space.

• The sun is only important for providing light to the planets.

Which of the following is a supporting detail for the main idea that dogs make great pets? A) Dogs need to be walked every day. B) Dogs have four legs. C) Dogs are loyal animals.

• C) Dogs are loyal animals.

• D) Dogs can fly.

• B) Dogs have fur.

• A) Dogs need to be walked every day.

In the paragraph about elephants, what is the main idea? A) Elephants are the largest land animals. B) Elephants have long trunks. C) Elephants live in Africa and Asia.

• A) Elephants are the largest land animals.

• D) Elephants are the smallest land animals.

• C) Elephants live in Antarctica.

• B) Elephants have long trunks.

What is the main idea of the article about recycling? A) Recycling helps to reduce pollution. B) Recycling bins are usually blue. C) Recycling is a new concept.

• C

• A

• B

• Recycling bins are usually green.

Which of the following sentences best summarizes the main idea of the passage? A) The Grand Canyon is a beautiful place to visit. B) The Grand Canyon is a large canyon in Arizona that was formed by the Colorado River. C) The Grand Canyon is a popular tourist destination.

• A

• C

• D

• B

What is the main idea of the story about Rosa Parks? A) Rosa Parks was a famous singer. B) Rosa Parks was an important figure in the civil rights movement. C) Rosa Parks liked to ride the bus.

• A) Rosa Parks was a famous singer.

• B) Rosa Parks was an important figure in the civil rights movement.

• C) Rosa Parks liked to ride the bus.

• D) Rosa Parks was a professional athlete.

What is the main idea of the paragraph about the water cycle? A) Water is important for life. B) The water cycle is a process that describes how water moves through the environment. C) The water cycle only happens in the ocean.

• B

• Water is not important for life.

• A

• C

Which of the following details supports the main idea that plants need sunlight to grow? A) Plants need water to grow. B) Plants have roots. C) Plants use sunlight to make food through a process called photosynthesis.

• Plants need air to grow.

• B

• A

• C

What is the main idea of the article about the solar system? A) The solar system is made up of eight planets. B) The sun is the largest object in the solar system. C) The solar system is an interesting topic to study.

• D) The solar system is not worth studying.

• A) The solar system is made up of five planets.

• B) The sun is the smallest object in the solar system.

• C) The solar system is an interesting topic to study.

In the passage about penguins, what is the main idea? A) Penguins are birds that cannot fly. B) Penguins live in cold climates. C) Penguins are excellent swimmers.

• C) Penguins are excellent swimmers.

• D) Penguins are not good at swimming.

• A) Penguins are mammals that can fly.

• B) Penguins live in warm climates.