Free Printable Main/Central Idea

Worksheets

Main/Central Idea

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 1hrs 18mins

Name

Class

Date

These connect directly back to the central/main idea.

Sentences

Paragraphs

Supporting Details

Summaries

What is the central idea of this paragraph?

Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind, means developing a clear picture of where you want to go with your life. It means deciding what your values are and setting goals. Habit 1 says you are the driver of your life, not the passenger. Habit 2 says, since you’re the driver, decide where you want to go and draw up a map to get there.

You are the driver of your life, not the passenger.

Since you are the driver, decide where you want to go and draw up a map to get there.

Decide on your values and set goals.

What is the main idea of the following text?

The paths you choose today can shape you forever. It’s both frightening and exciting that we have to make so many vital decisions when we’re so young and full of hormones, but such is life. Imagine an eighty-foot rope stretched out before you. Each foot represents one year of your life. Teenagehood is only seven years, such a short span of rope, but those seven affect the remaining sixty-one, for good or bad, in such a powerful way.

It is both frightening and exciting that you have to make so many vital decisions.

Life is short like an eighty-foot rope.

The paths you choose today can shape you forever.

What is the main idea of the following text?

Although Habit 2 applies to many different circumstances and levels of life, the most fundamental application of “begin with the end in mind” is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined. Each part of your life—today’s behavior, tomorrow’s behavior, next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior—can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole.

Begin with the end in mind means thinking about the past and coming up with a plan.

Begin with the end in mind means examining today's behavior, and tomorrow's behavior and aligning what you do to what matters most to you.

Begin with the end in mind means thinking about what you want today, and how to achieve it.

Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success. The main idea of this passage is:

The Wright Brothers worked hard.

The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.

Inventors build kites and bicycles.

The first flight was in 1903.

The main idea is supported by what?

concluding sentences

details

a chair

reliable resources

What is the Central Idea of the passage?
What's that humming sound? Could it be hummingbird, the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position, fly upside down, and move about very rapidly. And while other birds have to push off with their feet to begin flying, and work their ways up to their top speeds, the hummingbird can both start flying at maximum speed and stop flying instantaneously. After you've seen a hummingbird in flight, it's unlikely that you'll mistake them for another bird.

Birds and hummingbirds are very different.

Hummingbirds make a humming sound.

Hummingbirds wings fly in figure eight patterns.

The hummingbird flys in a totally unique and unusual way.

What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?

When to eat lunch

The conflict of the story

What the story is about

The universal truth, moral, or idea the author wants to express

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.

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.

Most people think that Johann Sebastian Bach played the piano, but this is not true. The piano was not invented until just two years before he died. Bach's main instrument was the organ. He was a great organist. He wrote a lot of wonderful music for that instrument. He also played other keyboard instruments that were ancestors of the piano. Among these instruments was the harpsichord. Along with Mozart, Bach is considered to be one of the all-time great composers
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Mozart and Bach did not compose music for the piano.

Johann Sebastian Bach was a great organist and writer.

The piano had not been invented three hundred years ago.

The harpsichord was a keyboard instrument before the piano.

13.

Nutrias are causing major problems in Louisiana. Someone brought the rodents to the state 40 years ago, hoping to make a fortune from the furs. Nobody wanted to buy the furs, and now the animals roam freely. They're destroying the wetlands. They eat the roots of the water plants along the canals. The plants die, and the banks of the canals begin to erode. The animals are costing the state millions of dollars, and no one seems to know what to do with them.
What sentence from the passage best describes the main idea?

Someone brought the rodents to the state 40 years ago.

No one seems to know what to do with them

They eat the roots of the water plants along the canals.

Nutrias are causing major problems in Louisiana.

14.

Identify the most appropriate topic, main idea, and theme combination:

Topic: Sadness

Main Idea: Josie was upset about a test.

Theme: Crying is a sign of weakness.

Topic: Failure

Main Idea: Josie did not do well on a test.

Theme: Mistakes are okay was long as you learn from them.

Topic: Grades

Main Idea: Josie failed a test.

Theme: A failing grade is not worth crying over.

Topic: Crying

Main Idea: Josie was upset.

Theme: It's important to console others when they are upset.

15.

A topic could be written in one sentence

True

False

16.

"Animals" is a main idea.

True

False

17.

What is an example of a main idea?

Renewable energy is helping many people get access to electricity.

Electricity

Solar power

Power for all

18.

How should a main idea be written?

As a phrase

As a complete sentence

As a title

_{As a picture}

19.

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.

20.

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.

21.

What is the Main Idea of this passage?

Weekends are times to travel

The writer enjoys spending time with family

The writer's grandparents live far away

The writer is sad to leave her cousins.

22.

What is a supporting detail?

We are all exhausted

I can't wait until this weekend!

I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousin.

None of the above.

23.

What is the main idea?

There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

Doing something good for someone will help you feel better.

Feeling better is not possible

Feeling better is always possible

24.

Which is NOT a supporting detail for the passage?

You can take a walk.

Punching a pillow will make you feel better

You can write down your feelings.

Do something good for someone else.

25.

The main idea is-

Hurricanes are wimpy storms that you should not worry about.

Hurricanes begin over land and destroy everything.

Hurricanes are dangerous storms.

Hurricanes are my favorite storms to be in!

26.

A supporting detail is-

The most dangerous part of a hurricane is the storm surge.

Hurricane are large.

Hurricanes usually move 10-12 miles an hour.

Hurricanes are strong and dangerous storms.

100 %

Main/Central Idea

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 1hrs 18mins

Similar Resources on Wayground