Free Printable Getting the Main Idea

Worksheets

Getting the Main Idea

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 2hrs 30mins

Name

Class

Date

Look at this book cover, what do you think the main topic will be?

cars, trains, planes

barbie dolls

Now look at this book cover, what might one of your key details be?

dolphins live in the ocean

2nd graders take a field trip to the YMCA

What is the main idea of this passage?

It was backwards day at school. The students had to do things backwards. Some wore their t-shirts backwards. Dessert was served first at lunch. They turned their papers upside down to write. They tried to write backwards.

Dessert comes after lunch.

The students had backwards day at school.

Not all animals that live in the water are fish. Frogs and tadpoles, for example, spend part of their lives in water. They are amphibians, not true fish. Whales and seals are warm-blooded mammals. Some snakes live partly in water too. What is the main idea?

Which animals live in water

Why whales live in water

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?

Mary’s new pet is a kitten.

Mary want a new pet.

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.

Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
What is this selection mainly about?

Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.

We will be able to talk to robots and they will be able to respond.

Robots will be untiring workers.

Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.

Toy cars and trucks were lying all over the floor. Ben had dumped his entire toy box in the middle of his room looking for his favorite blue car. His Uncle Lonnie had given it to him for his birthday. Uncle Lonnie was coming for a visit, and Ben wanted them to play together with it. Ben looked for about an hour and could not find the car. When his mother called him, he stepped on something hard. It was his blue car.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?

Ben had many toys and trucks

Uncle Lonnie gave Ben a blue car

Ben dumped his entire toy box in the middle of the floor

Ben found the blue car his Uncle Lonnie gave him by stepping on it

The kitten sleeps a lot.

Mary plays with her kitten

Mary’s new pet is a kitten.

Mary want a new pet.

10.

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.

11.

Jim and Tim are brothers. They look alike. They talk alike. Sometimes they dress alike. People think Jim is Tim. People think Tim is Jim. The boys think it is funny.

The main idea is:

Jim and Tim are alike in many many ways.

Jim is older than Tim.

Tim is bigger than Jim.

12.

It gets very hot in the summer. Sometimes it is too hot to work. It is too hot to play. the best thing to do is go swimming.

The main idea is:

Summer is too short.

School starts in summer.

Summer can be very hot.

13.

Dogs are good pets. There are many kinds of dogs. Some dogs are big. Some are small. Many dogs like to play and do tricks.

The main idea is:

People need dogs.

Dogs like people.

Dogs make good pets.

14.

Kids can do a lot at the library. Kids can read books at the library. Kids can make art at the library. Kids can listen to stories at the library. Kids can play games at the library. Kids can write stories at the library. Kids can make friends at the library. The library is a fun place to visit.

Select the picture that best describes the main idea of the story.

15.

Sam and Ben like to read.

Sam and Ben like to run.

Sam and Ben like to ride their bike.

100 %

Getting the Main Idea

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 2hrs 30mins

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