Main Idea and Supporting Details

When you look up at the night sky you see many stars. The heat from a star is much hotter than
any heat on Earth. Think about what happens to metal when it is heated. With very high heat, hard
metal like iron can be heated until it runs like water. A temperature of more than 2,500 degrees
Fahrenheit makes iron become a liquid, but the heat of a star is much greater than that. For example,
the sun, which is a relatively cool star, has a temperature of about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which sentence states the main idea?

• The heat from a star is much hotter than any heat on Earth.

• A temperature of more than 2,500 degrees
  Fahrenheit makes iron become a liquid, but the heat of a star is much greater than that.

When you look up at the night sky you see many stars. The heat from a star is much hotter than
any heat on Earth. Think about what happens to metal when it is heated. With very high heat, hard
metal like iron can be heated until it runs like water. A temperature of more than 2,500 degrees
Fahrenheit makes iron become a liquid, but the heat of a star is much greater than that. For example,
the sun, which is a relatively cool star, has a temperature of about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which sentences include the most important details that support the main idea?

• A temperature of more than 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit makes iron become a liquid, but the heat of a star is much greater than that.

• For example, the sun, which is a relatively cool star, has a temperature of about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

• These sentences both provide important details to support the main idea that stars are much hotter than any heat on Earth.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

When you look up at the night sky you see many stars. The heat from a star is much hotter than
any heat on Earth. Think about what happens to metal when it is heated. With very high heat, hard
metal like iron can be heated until it runs like water. A temperature of more than 2,500 degrees
Fahrenheit makes iron become a liquid, but the heat of a star is much greater than that. For example,
the sun, which is a relatively cool star, has a temperature of about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which sentences include less important details that don't directly support the main idea?

• When you look up at the night sky you see many stars.

• Think about what happens to metal when it is heated.

• With very high heat, hard metal like iron can be heated until it runs like water.

• These sentences all provide interesting information, but they do not directly support the main idea that stars are much hotter than any heat on Earth.

What is the main idea of this paragraph? Many animals cannot live in dry lands, but some animals are able to do so. For example, gerbils do not need much water. They get all the water they need from food. Gerbils can live in dry places. A camel can also live in dry places. A camel can go for long periods without water.

• Some animals can live in dry lands.

• Many animals need water to drink.

• Gerbils do not need much water.

• Some places are dry, others are not.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

Which two details best support this main idea?

Many animals cannot live in dry lands, but some animals are able to do so. For example, gerbils do not need much water. They get all the water they need from food. Gerbils can live in dry places. A camel can also live in dry places. A camel can go for long periods without water.

• Camels can go for long periods without water.

• Animals cannot live in dry lands.

• Gerbils get enough water from their food.

• Gerbils are good pets.

What is the main idea of this paragraph? Penguins, whether big or small, are good swimmers in the sea. They swim very fast. They use flippers to push their bodies through the water. They have to be fast swimmers because they feed on fish and other water animals.

• Penguins use their flippers in the water.

• Penguins are good swimmers in the sea.

• Penguins feed on fish.

• Penguins are like other water animals.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

Which two details best support this main idea? Penguins, whether big or small, are good swimmers in the sea. They swim very fast. They use flippers to push their bodies through the water. They have to be fast swimmers because they feed on fish and other water animals.

• Penguins have flippers.

• Penguins can be big or small.

• Penguins have to be fast to get food.

• Penguins swim very fast.

What is the main idea of this paragraph? The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can run at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. This speed helps it catch prey in the wild. Cheetahs use their speed to survive in their natural habitat.

• Cheetahs are the fastest land animals.

• Cheetahs can run at 70 miles per hour.

• Cheetahs use their speed to catch prey.

• Cheetahs need speed to survive.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

Which sentence provides a supporting detail? The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Many species found in the Amazon are not found anywhere else on Earth. The rainforest plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate.

• The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world.

• It is home to a diverse range of wildlife.

• Many species found in the Amazon are not found anywhere else on Earth.

• The rainforest plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What is the main idea of this paragraph? The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous structures in the world. It was built to protect Chinese states from invasions. The wall stretches over 13,000 miles. It is a symbol of China's historical strength and resilience.

• The Great Wall of China is a famous structure.

• The Great Wall was built to protect Chinese states.

• The wall stretches over 13,000 miles.

• The Great Wall symbolizes China's strength and resilience.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2