Determining Supporting Details in Informational Texts

What is the definition of a supporting detail?

• A quote from another author

• A side note or fun fact

• A fact, example, or explanation proving the main idea

• A sentence that appears last in the paragraph

What makes a detail relevant?

• It’s surprising or unique

• It appears early in the text

• It strengthens the main idea

• It repeats a previous point

If the main idea is “Eating whole foods boosts immunity,” which detail is most relevant?

• Whole foods often support the body’s defenses

• Processed foods usually contain more sodium

• Corn syrup is used in many types of candy

• Apples were traded in ancient civilizations

Which detail is most likely irrelevant?

• Proves the author’s central idea

• Gives a specific example of a main point

• Mentions something off-topic

• Defines a key term in the passage

What is the best first step when answering a supporting detail question?

• Read all answer choices

• Look for long or specific answers

• Identify the passage’s main idea

• Eliminate anything that sounds unfamiliar

Which would be an irrelevant detail in a passage about electric vehicles (EVs) reducing pollution?

• Electric cars reduce tailpipe emissions

• Charging stations are growing across the U.S.

• The first electric car was built in 1889

• EVs use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

What type of question stem asks you to find the detail that DOESN'T belong?

• Summary

• Best match

• Function & structure

• Except

A Function & Structure question asks you to

• choose the answer that supports the author’s opinion

• explain how a part supports the whole

• predict what happens next

• define a vocabulary word

A “Best Match” question asks for

• a supporting detail that sounds fun

• the least likely detail to be true

• the clearest support for a claim

• any sentence from the middle

Which of the following is an explanation supporting detail?

• “Sharks such as the great white..."

• “Photosynthesis is the process where..."

• “Over 70% of teens check social media..."

• “When I was 10, I learned about recycling..."