Can You Identify the Central Idea of a Text?

The central idea is...

• what the text is mostly about

• a detail from the text.

• the first sentence of a paragraph.

• a quote you provide from the text.

How is central idea different from theme?

• Theme incudes specific names and details from the text.

• Central idea includes specific names and details from the text.

• The central idea tells the lesson or moral of the text.

• The theme is the main topic or focus of the text.

Being able to identify the central idea of a text shows...

• that you can cite evidence from the text.

• that you know how to write.

• that you comprehend the text.

• that you like what you are reading.

Most people think that gorillas are mean, but actually they are shy. It seems that such a huge animal with very large teeth would be aggressive. Hollywood movies help convey this image of the scary, ferocious gorilla. In fact, gorillas only attack if they are provoked. 
This author belives that:

• Gorillas are misunderstood as vicious animals.
• Gorillas are mean animals
• Gorillas don't like other animals.

School uniforms are far cheaper than the currently popular fashions. Many students work long hours at a paying job instead of doing homework because they feel they have to "keep up appearances." If students wore uniforms, there would be no need for most of them to have jobs that take away from their study time.

This passage is mostly about?

• popular fashion is better that uniforms

• school uniforms being a good idea.
• students working many hours at jobs.
• teens enjoying wearing uniforms.

It's no surprise that exercise increases energy. The physical challenge prepares your body in a variety of ways. Blood sugar is more quickly converted to fuel, more oxygen is supplied to your cells, and fight-or-flight hormones are released. Instead of leaving you exhausted, exercise energizes. Do it in the morning for an all-day high or later in the afternoon for a pick-me-up.

This passage is mostly about?

• Exercise increases your energy.

• Exercise is easier than it looks.

• Exercise makes you live longer.

Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have 9,000 taste buds just on the tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of your mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat.

What does the author want you to learn about the passage?

• Why we can taste only sweet things.

• that we taste through our nose

• Taste buds are found in different places.

Which word correctly matches the following definition: What the text is mostly about.

• Objective Summary

• Supporting Details

• Central Idea

• Theme

Which is the correct definition for the following vocabulary word: SUPPORTING DETAILS

• Based on or influenced by personal feelings

• A brief statement or account of the main points of something

• What or who the text is about

• Details that explain the central idea

The central idea is supported by what?

• concluding sentences
• details
• a chair
• reliable resources