Main Idea Practice Worksheet

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 1. Bees are important insects. They pollinate flowers, which helps plants grow and produce fruit. Without bees, many of the foods we eat would be harder to find. - Topic: ________________________

• Bees

• Flowers

• Fruits

• Insects in general

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 1. Bees are important insects. They pollinate flowers, which helps plants grow and produce fruit. Without bees, many of the foods we eat would be harder to find. - Main Idea: ________________________

• Bees help plants grow and produce fruit, and are important for food production.

• Bees are the only insects that pollinate flowers.

• All plants need bees to survive.

• Bees make honey for people to eat.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 2. Volcanoes can be very dangerous. When they erupt, they release hot lava, ash, and gases. These eruptions can destroy homes and forests, but they can also create new land. - Topic: ________________________

• Volcanoes

• Earthquakes

• Rainforests

• Oceans

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 2. Volcanoes can be very dangerous. When they erupt, they release hot lava, ash, and gases. These eruptions can destroy homes and forests, but they can also create new land. - What is the Main Idea?

• Volcanoes are dangerous but can also create new land.

• Volcanoes only destroy homes and forests.

• Volcanoes erupt with only ash and gases.

• Volcanoes are never dangerous.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 3. Exercising every day is good for your health. It makes your heart stronger, helps you stay at a healthy weight, and can even improve your mood. - Topic: ________________________

• Exercising

• Sleeping

• Reading

• Cooking

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 3. Exercising every day is good for your health. It makes your heart stronger, helps you stay at a healthy weight, and can even improve your mood. - Main Idea: ________________________

• Exercising every day is good for your health.

• You should only exercise if you want to lose weight.

• Exercising is only important for athletes.

• Exercising every day is difficult and tiring.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 4. Some people think video games are just for fun, but they can also help players develop useful skills. Many games require problem-solving, teamwork, and quick decision-making. Because of this, video games can be both entertaining and educational. - Topic: ________________________

• Video games

• Board games

• Sports teams

• School subjects

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

How to Find the Main Idea 1. Find the topic -- Who or what is this about? 2. Find the author's point -- What is the main point about the topic? 3. Look for a topic sentence or think about what the details have in common. 4. Summarize in your own words. Practice Passages 4. Some people think video games are just for fun, but they can also help players develop useful skills. Many games require problem-solving, teamwork, and quick decision-making. Because of this, video games can be both entertaining and educational. - Main Idea: ________________________

• Video games can be both entertaining and educational because they help develop useful skills.

• Video games are only for entertainment and have no educational value.

• Playing video games is a waste of time for most people.

• Video games are only about teamwork and not about problem-solving.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

5. The desert may look empty, but many plants and animals live there. Cacti store water in their stems, and desert foxes stay cool by resting during the day and hunting at night. Life in the desert has adapted to survive in the heat.

• Topic: The desert Main Idea: Many plants and animals have adapted to survive in the desert's heat.

• Topic: The desert Main Idea: Only cacti can survive in the desert.

• Topic: The desert Main Idea: The desert is empty and lifeless.

• Topic: The desert Main Idea: Animals in the desert are active only during the day.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

6. Libraries are more than just places to borrow books. Many offer free internet, homework help, and community events. Libraries bring people together and give everyone access to information.

• Topic: Libraries Main Idea: Libraries provide many services and bring people together.

• Topic: Libraries Main Idea: Libraries are only for borrowing books.

• Topic: Libraries Main Idea: Libraries are only open to students.

• Topic: Libraries Main Idea: Libraries are mainly for quiet reading.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.2