Main Idea Worksheet

What is the main idea?

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.

• Floods cause mudslides.

• Floods damage houses and roads. 

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.
It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Josh got lots of gifts.

• Charles got a lot of gifts.

• Charles had a great birthday.

• Josh had a great birthday.

The main idea can be implied or stated.

• True

• False

The central idea of a passage/text is....

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is never about

• what the text is mostly or mainly about

What is the definition of main idea?

• Its the authors point of view

• Is what the passage is mostly about

• It is the sequence of the story.

The main idea of a text is...

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is never about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is mostly, or mainly, about

What at is the main idea of this paragraph?

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.  Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.  They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.  Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble.

• They learn how to work together as teammates.

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

The main idea is supported by what?

• concluding sentences

• details

What might be the central idea of a book titled "Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?"

• Tomatoes are good for you.

• Strawberries have seeds on the outside.

• It's important to eat vegetables and fruit.

• Spinach is good for your bones.

Supporting details....

• are pointless when determining the central idea

• just give more information

• do not support the central idea

• help prove the central idea (evidence)