Main Idea Topic Sentence and Supporting Details

What is the main idea of a reading selection?

• The supporting ideas in a text that show proof.

• What the text is mainly about.

• A conclusion statement

• A full and complete sentence.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

• I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong.

• We drove there in two days.

• The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.

• I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets.

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• You should do good things for others.

• We're not always happy.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 

Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the main idea?

• Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.

• Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.

• Mark is the best skater at the park.

• Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.

Which of the following is a good strategy to find the main idea?

• Guessing before reading

• Focusing on the pictures only

• Reading the first and last sentence

• Asking questions about what is most important in the text

Which of the following best represents the main idea?

• Specific facts and examples used to support the main idea.

• The central point or message that the author wants to convey.

• A moral or lesson that can be learned from the story.

• A brief summary of the story's events.

Why is it important to understand the main idea of a text?

• To improve your vocabulary

• To pass the time while reading

• To better understand the author's message

• To learn how to write long paragraphs

What is the main idea of a paragraph?

• The first sentence of the paragraph

• The most important point the author is trying to make

• A list of facts and details

• The conclusion or the last sentence

When summarizing a paragraph, you should include:

• Every detail and example

• Only the main idea

• The main idea and key supporting details

• Your own opinions about the topic

Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?

• Tom finds enough food for his family.

• Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.

• Tom didn't catch anything.

• Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.