Central Idea and Supporting Details

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. 
Which sentence supports the idea that Camp David is secure?

• It was established by President Roosevelt.
• Camp David is in a heavily wooded area.
• Camp David is very close to Washington, D.C.
• U.S. Marines patrol the surrounding area.

Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.

Which detail best supports the idea that mother gorillas do a lot for their babies?

• Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.

• They teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.

• Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.

• Mother gorillas prefer to keep their babies safe.

What sentences support the central idea?: (more than one)

Emerald City was a beautiful city all in green.

Dorothy and her friends were at first dazzled by the brilliance of the wonderful City. The streets were lined with beautiful houses all built of green marble and studded everywhere with sparkling emeralds. They walked over a pavement of the same green marble, joined together with rows of emeralds glittering in the brightness of the sun. The friendly citizens curiously stared at the newcomers wherever they went. The window panes were of green glass; even the sky above the City had a green tint, and the reflected rays of the sun were green.

• The pavement was made of green marble.

• The friendly citizens curiously stared at the newcomers.

• The window panes were green glass and shone in the sunlight.

• The houses were green marble covered in sparking emeralds.

Mammals are different than fish, reptiles, or birds. Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean. As a mammal, dolphins breathe oxygen, even though they live in water. Because they are mammals, a dolphin mother gives birth to a live baby, unlike reptiles and birds who lay eggs. A dolphin mother also feeds her baby milk like other mammals.

What sentence is the central idea?

• Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean.

• Mammals are different than fish, reptiles, or birds.

• A dolphin mother also feeds her baby milk like other mammals.

• As a mammal, dolphins breathe oxygen, even though they live in water.

• Because they are mammals, a dolphin mother gives birth to a live baby, unlike reptiles and birds who lay eggs.

The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat. McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you. In 2015, QSR Magazine ranked McDonald’s the highest grossing fast food restaurant in the United States. The fast food giant raked in more than $35 billion in sales in 2014. McDonald’s added 72 new restaurants in 2014, proving that it has no intention of slowing down. There are even McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Have you tried their classic Big Mac sandwich?

What is the central idea?

• The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat.

• McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants.

• In 2015, QSR Magazine ranked McDonald’s the highest grossing fast food restaurant in the United States.

• Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you.

• McDonald’s added 72 new restaurants in 2014, proving that it has no intention of slowing down.

One symbol seen often in ancient Egypt was that of the common scarab bug, a beetle found all over ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians used the symbol of the scarab as an important part of their art and religion. The scarab bug symbolized the restoration of life. The scarab was a popular design for good luck charms, for seals used to stamp documents, and placed in tombs for the afterlife. Funny how a bug that pushes dung balls became so popular. The rich colors used in the scarab design had meaning. Red signified the god, Ra, yellow for the sun and the desert, blue for the Nile, and green was the symbol for growth.

Which sentence is the central idea?

• Red signified the god, Ra, yellow for the sun and the desert, blue for the Nile, and green was the symbol for growth.

• The ancient Egyptians used the symbol of the scarab as an important part of their art and religion.

• The scarab bug symbolized the restoration of life.

• Funny how a bug that pushes dung balls became so popular.

• The rich colors used in the scarab design had meaning.

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the central idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What point is the author trying to make?

What's that humming sound? Could it be the hummingbird is the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure-eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position, fly upside down, and move about very rapidly. And while other birds have to push off with their feet to begin flying, and work their ways up to their top speeds, the hummingbird can both start flying at maximum speed and stop flying instantaneously. After you've seen a hummingbird in flight, it's unlikely that you'll mistake them for another bird.

What is the central idea?

• Birds and hummingbirds are very different.

• Hummingbirds make a humming sound.

• Hummingbirds wings fly in figure eight patterns.

• The hummingbird flies in a totally unique and unusual way.

“The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans, and macaws live in the rainforest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.”

What is the central idea?

• Sloths and tapirs are other creatures that live in the rain forest.

• The rain forest is home to many creatures.

• Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or are bucked off of bulls at riding competitions, 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. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

What is the central idea?

• Being a clown isn't all fun and games.

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• Rodeos are exciting.

• Clowns are good at riding bulls.