Main Idea & Supporting Details Quiz

What is the main idea?

An octopus isn't fast enough to swim after a fish. The octopus must wait for a fish to swim by. When the fish comes within reach, the octopus whips out his long arm to grasp it. Then the octopus has a tasty meal.

• How much fish an octopus eats

• How an octopus gets its food

• Why the octopus likes to eat

• octupus

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

• Sometimes clowns can mean serious business.

• Cowboys and Rodeo Clowns are constantly in danger.

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• A Rodeo bull's attention is easily caught by Rodeo clowns.

Select ALL that are NOT the Main Idea

Yellowstone National Park is mainly located in Wyoming, although three percent is located in the state of Montana. The Continental Divide of North America runs diagonally through the southwestern part of the park. The park sits on the Yellowstone Plateau, which is an average elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level. This plateau is bounded on nearly all sides by mountain ranges. There are 290 waterfalls that are at least fifteen feet in the park, the highest being the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, which falls 308 feet.

• Physical features of the Yellowstone Park

• The continental Divide of North America

• Why to visit Wyoming

• Yellowstone Park's beautiful water falls

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

A penny for your thoughts? If it’s a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars. In 1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War II, so the 1943 copper penny is ultra-rare. Another rarity is the 1955 double die penny. These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have overlapping dates and letters. If it’s uncirculated, it’d easily fetch $25,000 at an auction. Now that’s a pretty penny.

• Make sure to collect your pennies for further auctions.

• The material of the penny is all that is important.

• The 1943 copper penny

• Rare and valuable pennies

Which sentence is a supporting detail that you should get enough sleep?

• Seven to nine hours keeps you refreshed the next day.

• Dark rooms are best for sleeping.

• Many people sleep later on the weekends.

• Caffeine keeps some people awake at night.

Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?

Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

• Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.

• Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests

• Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.

• Watching robot sumo is boring.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail?

Niagara 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.

• The American Falls is 167 feet high

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

• It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie

• The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high

Which sentence supports the idea that Camp David is secure?

Camp David is a secure location where the President can get away from it all. Established in 1942 by President Roosevelt, Camp David is located in Maryland, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C. in a heavily wooded area. U.S. Marines patrol the area providing optimal security. The Marines are part of the Navy. Because Camp David is so close to Washington, the president can be back at the White House very quickly in the event of a crisis.

• It was established by President Roosevelt.

• Camp David is in a heavily wooded area.

• U.S. Marines patrol the surrounding area.

• Camp David is very close to Washington, D.C.

The most important point the writer is trying to make is DIRECTLY stated.

• implied Main Idea

• stated Main Idea

• essential

• opinion

main idea that is not stated directly in the text; the reader must infer the main idea

• stated Main Idea

• implied Main Idea

• essential

• emphasize