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Main Idea and Details Practice

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 2hrs 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The main idea is what the story is ______________ about.

a)

mostly

b)

only

c)

never

2.

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?

a)

There are many fun things to do at the beach.

b)

It is also fun to look for shells.

c)

Some people simply like to sunbathe.

3.

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?

a)

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

b)

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

c)

They learn how to work together as teammates.

4.

Where in the text or passage can you sometimes find the main idea?

a)

Beginning or end

b)

Middle

5.

Key details give important information that support the main idea.

a)

True

b)

False

6.

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

a)

Many people sleep later on the weekends.

b)

Caffeine keeps some people awake at night.

c)

Seven to nine hours keeps you refreshed the next day.

7.

Which supporting detail best supports this topic sentence?

Subway is a healthier option than McDonald's.

a)

Subway uses fresh ingredients whereas McDonald's has processed fried food.

b)

A lot of people choose to eat Subway for lunch and dinner.

c)

McDonald's french fries are salty and delicious.

8.

Which supporting detail best supports this topic sentence?

It takes a lot of hard work to become a professional athlete.

a)

The pros live the good life.

b)

People like professional football players make a lot of money.

c)

Professional athletes spend countless hours practicing their sports.

9.

Mount Rushmore is a huge carving in a stone cliff. The carving shows the faces of four U.S. presidents. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota. Each year many people visit this amazing sight.

What is a detail that tells about the main idea?

a)

How the four presidents were chosen

b)

Why Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota

c)

Which presidents are at Mount Rushmore

10.

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

a)

Who is the main character?

b)

What point is the author trying to make?

c)

What is one important detail?

11.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-theater
-candy
-popcorn
dark
a)
Playing at a park
b)
Going to a movie
c)
Going to school
d)
Ghosts
12.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-ghosts
-October
-costumes
-pumpkins
-haunted houses
a)
Halloween
b)
Christmas
c)
Spring
d)
Birds
13.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-pineapple
-apple
-grapes
-strawberry
-oranges
a)
Dessert
b)
Fattening foods
c)
fruits
d)
sports
14.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-football
-soccer
-volleyball
-baseball
-tennis
a)
school
b)
games
c)
something hard
d)
sports
15.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-candles
-presents
-party
-cake
-once a year
a)
Valentine's Day
b)
birthday
c)
vacation
d)
sports
16.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-pencils
-paper
-glue
-scissors
-notebooks
a)
school supplies
b)
circus
c)
ice cream flavors
d)
cities
17.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-tall buildings
-taxis
-noise
-lots of people
-billboards
a)
In a city
b)
math
c)
Spring
d)
Birds
18.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-calculator
-operations
-addition
-numbers
-subtraction
a)
movies
b)
food
c)
engineer
d)
math
19.
Please read the following details and determine the main idea of these words.
-fireworks
-flags
-food
-America
-summer holiday
a)
St. Patricks Day
b)
Christmas
c)
Easter
d)
Fourth of July
20.

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

a)

Topic

b)

Claim

c)

Main Idea

d)

Transitional sentence