Main Idea and Supporting Details

Maria is watching too much television. A toddler shouldn't be spending hours staring blankly at a screen. Worse yet, some of her wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons she watches. We need to spend more time reading books with her and pull the plug on the TV. 
What is the main idea? 

• Watching a lot of television isn't good for Maria

• Books are good

• All cartoons are bad

• Some cartoons are bad for Maria

Samantha, I can't eat or sleep when you are gone. I need to hear your scratchy voice and see your lovely toothless smile. I miss that special way you eat soup with your fingers. Please come home soon. 
What is the main idea?

• Samantha has bad manners

• Samantha should see a dentist

• Someone misses Samantha

• Samantha is gross

Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal assistants. They will look and behave much like humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers. Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier. 
What is the main idea? 

• Someday we will all have robots to be our personal assistants

• We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers

• They will look and behave much like real humans

• Robots of the future will be able to learn from experience

Sally went shopping after school on Friday and all day Saturday. She bought a lot of new outfits. On Sunday, her mother took her to the outlet mall so she could finish buying clothes for the new school year. She also bought school supplies, so she would be prepared for her classes. 
What is the main idea?

• Sally bought new clothes

• Sally shopped all weekend

• Sally got school supplies

• Sally's mom shopped on Sunday

Niagra 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. 
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 

• The American Falls is 167 feet high

• The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high

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

• It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie

The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot tall statue of a woman holding a book and a torch. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become the universal symbol for freedom.
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 

• The Statue of Liberty is an amazing statue

• The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall

• Thousands of people visit the Statues of Liberty each year

• It was a gift of friendship from France

The peregrine falcon is a beautiful wild bird. It is also one of the fastest. In 1978, the peregrine falcon was placed on the endangered species list. The main reason the peregrine falcon was dying out was the use of pesticides. 
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 

• The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest wild birds

• It was placed on the endangered species list

• It was dying out because of pesticides

• The peregrine falcon is an amazing bird

Danger often appears in the most unexpected places. People usually think of the bathtub as a safe, quiet place. But more accidents occur there than anywhere else in the home. Slips or falls that occur while entering and leaving the tub injure thousands of people every year. Most people think of a baker as having a safe and pleasant job; however, rolling, kneading, and pounding dough causes clouds of flour dust, which can enter the lungs and disable the baker. 
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 

• Some activities are more dangerous than they look

• thousands of people are hurt in tub accidents every year

• People think bakers have a safe job

• Bakers can be disable by flour in their lungs

Hummingbirds love pink or red flowers. They guard their favorite flowers and try to keep other birds away. They fight one another for food. Their wings make a whirring sound when they hover over flowers to sip nectar. The tiny birds fly long distances to go to a warmer climate for the winter. They make their tiny nests in shrubs or trees. 
What is the main idea?

• Hummingbirds are interesting birds

• They hover over flowers to sip nectar.

• They fly long distances to travel to warmer climates in the winter

• They guard their favorite flowers

There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.

What is the main idea?

• There are many fun things to do at the beach.

• It is also fun to look for shells.

• Some people simply like to sunbathe.

• Going to the beach to swim can be fun.