Free Printable Main Idea

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Main Idea

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 55mins

Name

Class

Date

Joe went bowling for the first time. He was surprised at how well he did. At the bowling alley he rented bowling shoes and a ball. He learned that the object of the game is to knock down as many of the 10 pins as possible. Joe was careful to aim his ball at the pins before he threw it.

People often bowl in gymnasiums.

Joe learned how to bowl.

Bowling is an expensive sport.

Mark wanted to be a great skater. But he didn't want to spend the hours practicing. He wished he could just do the tricks easily. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the main idea?

Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.

Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.

Mark is the best skater at the park.

Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?

Sometimes people feel sad.

You should do good things for others.

We're not always happy.

There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
What is the main idea?

Weekends are times to travel.

The author enjoys spending time with her family.

The author's grandparents live far away.

The author is sad to leave her cousins.

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
What is the main idea?

They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.

Soccer players learn how to dribble.

They learn how to work together as teammates.

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface.

Several events can change the Earth's surface.

Earthquakes can cause large cracks.

Volcanoes can be dangerous.

Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and held a golden scepter. His vest was embroidered with golden thread and even his shoes had golden ornaments. He had a golden box filled with gold coins. He named his daughter Marigold.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

King Midas loved gold.

King Midas sold lots of gold.

King Midas had a heart of gold.

King Midas hated gold.

Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records. By the way, females can expect to live about six years longer than males. That’s taken from past records too!
What is the paragraph mostly about?

how long you might expect to live

about the health of females

why people live to be 70

tells that people live to be 100

Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?

Tom finds enough food for his family.

Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.

Tom didn't catch anything.

Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

10.

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.

It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Josh got lots of gifts.

Charles got a lot of gifts.

Charles had a great birthday.

Josh had a great birthday.

11.

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

Who is the main character?

What is the main event?

What is one important detail?

What point is the author trying to make?

12.

The main idea is supported by what?

concluding sentences

details

a chair

13.

Mary has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten. It is soft and cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed. Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake. She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?

The kitten sleeps a lot.

Mary plays with her kitten

Mary’s new pet is a kitten.

Mary want a new pet.

14.

usually one or two words

Topic

Claim

Main Idea

Supporting details

15.

Soccer is known in some countries as football. It is a popular sport across the world, with over 200 countries playing the sport. It is estimated that over 250 million people, both men and women, play soccer. The sport has been part of the Olympic games from 1900 to 1928 and from 1936 to today. What is the main idea?

Soccer is important at the Olympics.

Soccer is a worldwide sport.

Soccer is also called football.

Soccer is played by men and women.

16.

Most of the world's volcanoes are part of the "The Ring of Fire." This is a ring of volcanoes that form a circle around the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of volcanoes make up "The Ring of Fire." These volcanoes formed the sea floor and many underwater mountains.

There are thousands of volcanoes in the world.

Most volcanoes are part of the "Ring of Fire."

Some underwater mountains are volcanoes.

17.

John and Matt want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?

John wants to climb a ladder.

John and Matt want to be firemen

Matt wants to hold a fire hose.

They want to ride on the big fire truck.

18.

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way

Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

19.

Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings.

Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

Benjamin Franklin worked very hard when he was young.

Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather.

Benjamin Franklin was very poor.

100 %

Main Idea

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 55mins

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