Locating Main Ideas

What is the "main idea" of a paragraph or passage?

• A supporting detail

• The topic of the next paragraph

• The most important point the author wants to convey

• A quotation from the author

Which of the following best describes a topic?

• The author's opinion about an issue

• A sentence that gives instructions

• The general subject of the paragraph

• The last sentence in a passage

Where is the main idea usually found in a paragraph?

• In the bibliography

• In the topic sentence

• In a footnote

• Only in the conclusion

Which is most likely a supporting detail?

• A general statement about the topic

• A statistic, example, or explanation

• The title of the article

• A heading

What question does the main idea answer?

• Why did the author write the passage?

• What is the most interesting word in the passage?

• What is the topic of the next paragraph?

• Where was the author born?

Which of the following would NOT help identify the main idea?

• Identifying repeated ideas

• Looking for the topic sentence

• Reading only the first and last words

• Summarizing the paragraph in your own words

What is a “topic sentence”?

• A quote that introduces the author

• The sentence that states the main idea

• A sentence with a date or number

• The first question in a quiz

A paragraph that starts with a general statement followed by examples likely has the main idea where?

• At the end

• In the middle

• At the beginning

• It’s not stated at all

If the main idea is implied, what should the reader do?

• Skip the paragraph

• Memorize each word

• Infer it by combining key details

• Look for a bolded word

Which of the following is an effective reading strategy to find main ideas?

• Reading only the first paragraph

• Highlighting every sentence

• Skimming for key words and summarizing

• Ignoring supporting details