WorksheetsMain Idea and Supporting Details
Total questions: 45
Worksheet time: 2hrs 15mins
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 the main idea?
what Mount Rushmore is
where Mount Rushmore is
the names of the presidents
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?
how the four presidents were chosen
why Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota
which presidents are at Mount Rushmore
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.
Landon 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. Landon's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He wanted them to say, "Landon is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the main idea?
Landon wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.
Landon practices very hard to become a great skater.
Landon is the best skater at the park.
Landon wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.
Luke 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. Luke 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?
Luke finds enough food for his family.
Luke gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
Luke didn't catch anything.
Luke catches a snapping turtle while fishing.
That roller coaster is dangerous.
The best supporting details for the above topic sentence is ...
It is slower than any other roller coaster in the state. The curves of its track are so wide and the hills are so shallow that a ride on this roller coaster seems like a drive in the country. People don’t scream when they ride it. Instead, they enjoy the view from above the park.
It is known as one of the best roller coasters in the country. People will wait in lines for hours just to try it. At certain points it reaches the same speeds as cars do on highways. The track is so tall and long that you can see it miles away.
Last year, it broke down several times, leaving people stranded in their cars sixty feet off the ground. In most cars, the seat belts are torn and don’t always buckle properly. One area of the track shakes and makes a strange grinding sound whenever a car passes over it.
Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagra River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagra Falls is located on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high.
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail?
The American Falls is 167 feet high
The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high
Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America
It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
Jamarion's family went on a camping trip. They went to a park by the ocean. They rode their bikes around the park and cooked their food over a fire outside. They saw some deer. They came home Sunday afternoon.
What is the main idea?
They saw some deer
Jamarion's family likes to camp
Jamarion's family went on a camping trip
They cooked their food outside
Ashtyn wanted to surprise her sister E'Zhara for her birthday. She decided to plan a picnic for her sister. She made two sandwiches and put them in a bag. Then she put some cookies and bottles of water in the bag. When Ashtyn told E'Zhara about the surprise, E'Zhara gave Ashtyn a big hug. Then the girls walked to the park.
What is the main idea?
The girls walked to the park
Ashtyn planned a picnic to surprise her sister
Ashtyn told E'Zhara about the surprise
Ashtyn put some cookies and water in a bag
"Samantha, I can't eat or sleep when you are gone. I need to hear your scratchy voice and see your lovely toothless smile. I miss that special way you eat soup with your fingers. Please come home soon."
What is the main idea?
Samantha has bad manners
Samantha should see a dentist
Someone misses Samantha
Samantha is gross
Ka'Marie went shopping after school on Friday and all day Saturday. She bought a lot of new outfits. On Sunday, her mother took her to the outlet mall so she could finish buying clothes for the new school year. She also bought school supplies, so she would be prepared for her classes.
What is the main idea?
Ka'Marie bought new clothes
Ka'Marie shopped all weekend
Ka'Marie got school supplies
Ka'Marie's mom shopped on Sunday
Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Omari hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Allen!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.
It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Tyland 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?
Omari got lots of gifts.
Allen got lots of gifts.
Allen had a great birthday.
Tyland had a great birthday.
Topic Sentence: My cat is afraid of everything.
What is the main idea?
"I can't wait until this weekend!" said Alecia. "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.
Alecia's grandparents live far away.
Alecia enjoys spending time with her family.
Alecia is sad to leave her cousins.
"There are many fun things to do at the beach," said Jesse. "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."
What is the main idea?
There are many fun things to do at the beach
It is also fun to look for shells.
Going to the beach to swim can be fun.
"Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer," said Alex. "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.
Jaylen and Ja'Varryan want to be firemen. They want to ride on the big fire truck. Jaylen wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires. Ja'Varryan wants to spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?
Jaylen wants to climb a ladder.
Jaylen and Ja'Varryan want to be firemen.
Ja'Varryan wants to spray water on the fires.
They want to ride on the big fire truck.
Quaniya 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?
Quaniya got sick
Quaniya wants to be a nurse
Her grandmother was in the hospital.
Quaniya was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.
Mrs. Glass and Mrs. Papka are bakers. They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go. Mrs. Glass works nights. She bakes cakes, cookies, and pies. Mrs. Papka works in the daytime. She bakes bread and rolls. Both Mrs. Glass and Mrs. Papka are very good bakers.
What is the main idea?
Mrs. Glass bakes pies.
Mrs. Papka bakes rolls.
Mrs. Glass and Mrs. Papka are bakers
They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.
Examples, descriptions, reasons, and facts are types of supporting details
True
False
Stella has a new pet. Her pet is a baby kitten. It is soft and cuddly. The kitten likes to sleep a lot. Stella put a soft blanket in a box for its bed. Stella 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.
Stella plays with her kitten
Stella’s new pet is a kitten.
Stella wants a new pet.
What is the main idea?
Ashanti had never seen so many fish before. She looked around at the huge tanks and could see hundreds of fish, crabs, shrimp, and all other amazing creatures completely surrounding her. She never thought she could feel like she was completely underwater, yet still be completely dry.
The main topic is about...
The Mall
The Ocean
The Aquariam
The Park
What is the main idea?
The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat. McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you. In 2015, QSR Magazine ranked McDonald’s the highest grossing fast food restaurant in the United States. The fast food giant raked in more than $35 billion in sales in 2014. McDonald’s added 72 new restaurants in 2014, proving that it has no intention of slowing down. There are even McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Have you tried their classic Big Mac sandwich?
The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat.
McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants.
In 2015, QSR Magazine ranked McDonald’s the highest grossing fast food restaurant in the United States.
Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you.
McDonald’s added 72 new restaurants in 2014, proving that it has no intention of slowing down.
Which two sentences do not belong as a main idea or a supporting detail?
The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat. McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you. The fast food giant raked in more than $35 billion in sales in 2014. McDonald’s added 72 new restaurants in 2014, proving that it has no intention of slowing down. There are even McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Have you tried their classic Big Mac sandwich?
The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat.
McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants.
Have you tried their classic Big Mac sandwich?
Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you.
McDonald’s added 72 new restaurants in 2014, proving that it has no intention of slowing down.
Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or are bucked off of bulls at riding competitions, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business
What are supporting details?
Useless
Details from the text that tell you how the character is feeling
Details about the text that tell you about the setting
Details from the text that develop the main idea
What is the main idea?
Where the story takes place
What the character is thinking
The big idea of the text
What a dog eats
True or False: The main idea does not need supporting details.
True
False
Dora the Explorer is an educational show for kids.
It takes a lot of hard work to become a professional athlete.
"Without the sun, there would not be life on Earth". What is the supporting detail?
The sun is a star.
The sun provides us with both heat and light.
The sun is a glowing ball of fiery gas.
You could not fit more than a million Earths inside the sun.
One dinosaur had a brain that weighed about as much as three pencils. Its body weighed ten tons and was over twenty feet in length. As you can guess, this dinosaur did not think too clearly. It wasn't the world's brightest dinosaur! What is the main idea of this paragraph?
How big one dinosaur was
What one dinosaur's brain was like
Dogs are great pets. They can learn tricks and they are very loyal to their owners. Dogs can keep you company when you take a walk, play with you when no one else is around, or even make you laugh with the silly things they do. Dogs are cute and fun. Everyone should own a dog.
What is the MAIN IDEA of the passage?
To tell about the tricks a dog can do.
To tell you why dogs are great pets.
Dogs can make you laugh with their silly tricks.
Dogs can keep you company when you take a walk.
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.
Seven to nine hours keeps you refreshed the next day.
What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?
Who is the main character?
What point is the author trying to make?
What is one important detail?
“The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.”
What is the central idea?
Sloths and tapirs are other creatures that live in the rain forest.
The rain forest is home to many creatures.
Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.
