WorksheetsFinding the Main Idea
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 7mins
The main idea of a passage is more specific than the topic.
True
False
Which term best describes the main idea of a piece of writing?
A supporting detail
A central point
A broad topic
A statement of opinion
In an essay, details serve a similar function to
An instruction manual for putting together furniture
The characters in a work of fiction
Blank pages in a notebook
The evidence an attorney uses to convict a criminal
If you read an essay explaining why eating healthy foods is good for you, what would the topic be?
Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
Healthy foods
Eating healthy foods is good for you.
Eating is necessary to sustain life.
In the same article about healthy foods, what would the main idea be?
Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
Healthy foods
Eating healthy foods is good for you.
Eating is necessary to sustain life.
Which supporting detail might you find in the same article?
That people who eat healthy foods live longer.
That healthy foods include vegetables and protein.
That healthy foods are good for you.
That eating is necessary to sustain life.
Where can you find the main idea in a piece of writing?
In the first sentence
In the last paragraph
There is no set place to find the main idea.
What are some strategies for identifying the main idea of a passage? Choose THREE answers.
Sort facts from opinions.
Re-read the passage more than once.
Try to summarize the passage in one sentence.
Ask general questions about the passage.
Look for repeated words and phrases.
What inference can you make about main ideas in writing?
They're always based in fact, and never opinion.
To be effective, they must be supported by facts.
In many essays, they have nothing to do with the topic.
Most pieces of writing lack main ideas.
What is the topic of this sentence? Chocolate is a more popular flavor than vanilla.
Chocolate
Vanilla
Ice cream
Rockets
