Understanding Main Ideas and Supporting Details

What is the primary goal when identifying the main idea in a text?

• To locate the longest sentence

• To find the most entertaining part

• To determine the author's favorite word

• To identify the biggest, most important idea

Where is the main idea often stated in an informational text?

• Early in a paragraph or passage

• At the end of the text

• In the title

• In the middle of the text

What is the main idea of Johnny's paragraph about rodeo clowns?

• Rodeo clowns are funny

• Rodeo clowns are skilled performers

• Being a rodeo clown can be dangerous

• Rodeo clowns are popular

What is the main idea of the passage about fire ants?

• Fire ants are rare

• Fire ants are painful, pesky, and destructive

• Fire ants are beneficial to crops

• Fire ants are harmless

Which of the following is a supporting detail about fire ants?

• Fire ants are slow movers

• Fire ants are colorful

• Fire ants have a wasp-like stinger

• Fire ants are attracted to water

How can you find the main idea of a text?

• By looking at the pictures

• By counting the number of paragraphs

• By reading only the first sentence

• By asking who or what the text is mainly about

What is the main idea of the paragraph about trucks servicing planes?

• Trucks are used for racing

• Trucks are only for transporting food

• Trucks are essential for servicing planes

• Trucks are rarely seen at airports

Which of the following is a supporting detail about trucks servicing planes?

• Trucks are used to paint planes

• Trucks are used to transport passengers

• Trucks are used to fill fuel tanks

• Trucks are used to clean the runway

What is a key characteristic of supporting details?

• They are always opinions

• They are unrelated to the main idea

• They provide facts and examples

• They are always at the beginning of a text

What is the purpose of supporting details in a text?

• To provide entertainment

• To confuse the reader

• To back up the main idea

• To introduce new topics