Free Printable Main Idea & Supporting Details

Worksheets

Main Idea & Supporting Details

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins

Name

Class

Date

There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.

What is the main idea?

There are many fun things to do at the beach.

It is also fun to look for shells.

Some people simply like to sunbathe.

Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

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.

Janevah visited her grandmother in the hospital. She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother. Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She wants to help sick people get well.

What is the main idea?

Janevah got sick.

Janevah wants to be a nurse.

Her grandmother was in the hospital.

Janevah was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.

Caliya has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten. It is soft and cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Caliya put a soft blanket in a box for its bed. Caliya 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.

Caliya plays with her kitten

Caliya’s new pet is a kitten.

Caliya want a new pet.

Many people have not heard giraffes make noises. Giraffes do not use sounds to “talk” with each other. When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow. When frightened, they make a short, high sound.
What is the main idea?

Giraffes do make noises

Giraffes talk all the time.

Cows and giraffes talk to each other.

Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.

What is a statement that tells what a passage is mostly about called?

Topic

Claim

Main Idea

Transitional sentence

True or False: The main idea does not need supporting details.

True

False

Which sentence is a supporting detail that recycling is important?

There are many landfills available for waste.

Recycling paper saves trees from being cut down.

Clean jars before recycling them.

Separate your paper, cans, and glass jars before recycling.

Which sentence is a supporting detail that you should get enough sleep?

Many people sleep later on the weekends.

Caffeine keeps some people awake at night.

Dark rooms are best for sleeping.

Seven to nine hours keeps you refreshed the next day.

10.

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?

11.

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

12.

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.

13.

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.

14.

Dwayne 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. Dwayne 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?

Dwayne finds enough food for his family.

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

Dwayne didn't catch anything.

Dwayne catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

15.

It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson. Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down.
What is the main idea?

Dessert is supposed to come last.

The students had a backward day.

It is hard to do things backward.

Students failed their tests.

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Main Idea & Supporting Details

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins

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