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Worksheets

Main Idea

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 55mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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.

d)

Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

2.

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 how to dribble.

c)

They learn how to work together as teammates.

d)

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

3.

What is the main idea?

a)

Its the authors point of view

b)

Is what the passage is mostly about

c)

It is the sequence of the story.

4.

Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records. By the way, females can expect to live about six years longer than males. That’s taken from past records too!

What is the paragraph mostly about?

a)

how long you might expect to live

b)

about the health of females

c)

why people live to be 70

d)

tells that people live to be 100

5.

Mrs. Gonzales likes to paint. She likes the pretty colors. She draws a picture first. Then she uses her paints. She gives her pictures to her son.

a)

Mrs. Gonzales does not paint well.

b)

Painting is fun.

c)

Mrs. Gonzales paints pictures.

6.

Aaron and Angel are friends. They look alike. They talk alike. Sometimes the dress alike. People think Aaron is Angel. People think Angel is Aaron. The boys think it is funny.

a)

Aaron and Angel are alike in many ways.

b)

Aaron is older than Angel.

c)

Angel is bigger than Aaron.

7.

An important farm crop in the United States is cotton. Cotton is used for making clothing. Cotton is still a popular choice for clothes because it is easy to clean and last a long time.

a)

Cotton is the most important U.S. crop.

b)

Cotton is not used today.

c)

Cotton is important for making clothes.

8.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, 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. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

a)

Sometimes clowns can mean serious bussiness.

b)

Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

c)

Cowboys and Rodeo Clowns are constantly in danger.

d)

A Rodeo bull's attention is easily caught by Rodeo clowns.

9.
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?
a)
Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
b)
Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way
c)
Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short
d)
They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area
10.

When we think of seaweed, we usually picture brown or green plants a foot or so in length. Seaweeds are also of other colors. Some are red. Some kinds grow to lengths of a hundred feet! These form giant seaweed forests, where many kinds of fish take shelter. What is the main idea?

a)

Why some seaweed grows so large

b)

What seaweed is like

c)

Why seaweed is red

11.
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?
a)
King Midas loved gold.
b)
King Midas sold lots of gold.
c)
King Midas had a heart of gold.
d)
King Midas hated gold.
12.

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?

a)

Why just fish live in water

b)

Why whales live in water

c)

Which animals live in water

13.

Some people say that the White House has ghosts. The most famous ghost is Abraham Lincoln. He is often seen standing in his room looking out the window. Even Eleanor Roosevelt said that she saw him. There is a legend that old Abe walks back and forth all night before something terrible is about to happen. This paragraph mainly tells:

a)

what Lincoln's ghost is like

b)

when Eleanor Roosevelt's ghost walked

c)

hwo many ghosts the White House has

d)

how ghosts show when something will happen

14.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, 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. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

a)

Sometimes clowns can mean serious bussiness.

b)

Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

c)

Cowboys and Rodeo Clowns are constantly in danger.

d)

A Rodeo bull's attention is easily caught by Rodeo clowns.

15.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Sir Isaac Newton was contemplating the universe in his garden one day in 1665 when he noticed an apple fall from a tree. Newton wondered to himself, “Why should the apple always fall to the ground? Why does it not go sideways or upwards but directly toward the Earth’s center?” After much contemplation Newton concluded that objects are pulled to the Earth through a force that he called gravity, which means heaviness in Latin. On July 5th, 1687 Newton formally expressed his law of universal gravitation in series of books called The Principia.

a)

The life of Issac Newton

b)

Issac Newton studies the Earth's forces

c)

A falling apple inspired Newton to think about gravity

d)

What do you get when you contemplate the universe.

16.

Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan.

It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each

other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most

points wins.


Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?

a)

Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests.

b)

Robot sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.

c)

Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.

d)

Watching robot sumo is boring.

17.

Students compete in robot sumo contests. They learn how to build their own robots. They

compete against their classmates and students from other schools. To win, students must be

creative. They must have a good plan for defeating other robots.


What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

Students need a good plan for defeating other robots.

b)

Students compete against their classmates and students from other schools.

c)

Students compete in robot sumo contests.

d)

Students must be creative to win.

18.
Keep your teeth happy. Brush your teeth twice a day. Make sure you floss your teeth every time you brush and after you eat. Avoid eating anything that sticks to your teeth, like candy and syrup. Eat vegetables and fruits that don't cause cavities. 
What is the main idea?
a)
Keep your teeth happy
b)
Brush your teeth twice a day
c)
Avoid eating candy and syrup
d)
Eat more vegetables
19.
If you read an essay explaining why eating healthy foods is good for you, what would the topic be?
a)
Healthy foods include fruit, vegetables, and lean protein
b)
Healthy foods
c)
Eating healthy foods is good for you
d)
Eating is necessary to sustain life
20.

What are supporting details?

a)

Useless

b)

Details from the text that tell you how the character is feeling

c)

Details about the text that tell you about the setting

d)

Details from the text that develop the main idea

21.
Which of the following is FALSE about the main idea? 
a)
The main idea is always the first sentence of every paragraph.
b)
It is the primary point the author is trying to make.
c)
To discover it, ask yourself what is being said about the topic.
d)
The author can locate the main idea within different places in a paragraph.
22.

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.

d)

Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

23.
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 how to dribble.
c)
They learn how to work together as teammates.
d)
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
24.
What might be the main idea of a book titled "Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?"
a)
Tomatoes are good for you.
b)
Strawberries have seeds on the outside.
c)
It's important to eat vegetables and fruit.
d)
Spinach is good for your bones.
25.
One the most popular musical instruments is the piano. In the traditional musical instrument classification system of string, woodwind, percussion and brass, the piano falls into two categories. It is considered a string instrument because the sound comes from the strings inside the piano. It is also considered a percussion instrument, since the player strikes the keyboard, which signals an internal hammer to strike the strings.
What is the author main point?
a)
The piano is both a string and percussion instrument.
b)
The piano is a string instrument.
c)
The piano is a popular instrument.
d)
The strings of a piano makes the sound.
26.

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.

What is the main idea?

a)

The Wright Brothers worked hard

b)

The Wright brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.

c)

Inventors build kites and bicycles.

d)

The first flight was in 1903.

27.

Homemade pizza is delicious. First, make the dough from flour, water, and yeast. After that, begin making the tomato sauce. Next, add any vegetables you like. Then, bake it in the oven. After a short time, the kitchen begins to smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to eat!

What is the main idea?

a)

Pizza is made from flour

b)

How to make homemade pizza

c)

Pizza is easy to make

d)

Pizza makes the kitchen smell good

28.

"Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called "Poor Richard's Almanac". It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings."

What is the main idea?

a)

Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

b)

Benjamin Franklin worked very hard at a young age.

c)

Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather.

d)

Benjamin Franklin did not have a lot of money.

29.

Sam wanted to be a doctor. He liked watching shows about hospitals. He also liked to talk to his doctor when he went in for checkups. Sam had a goal to learn everything he could about becoming a doctor.

a)

Going in for checkups is very important.

b)

Doctor shows can be interesting.

c)

Doctors are cool.

d)

Sam desires to become a doctor.

30.

The Betsy Ross Bridge is a famous bridge that takes cars across a huge river. It is named after a woman who has a popular story told about her. The story is said that Betsy sewed the first-ever American flag. It is true that she sewed one of the first flags.

a)

Bridges help a lot of people.

b)

American Flags are important.

c)

bridges carry many cars each day

d)

Betsy Ross has a name for herself

31.

Hank Aaron was a baseball player that was famous for hitting home runs. This means that he could hit the ball "out of the park." Hank beat many records for home runs and continues to be one of the best baseball players of all times.

a)

Baseball players are very popular.

b)

Home runs are cool.

c)

How to play baseball.

d)

Hank Aaron is a great baseball player.

32.
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers.  They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.  Mrs. Jones works nights.  She bakes cakes, cookies, and pies.  Mrs. Brown works in the daytime.  She bakes bread and rolls.  Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are very good bakers.
What is the main idea?
a)
Mrs. Jones bakes pies.
b)
Mrs. Brown bakes rolls.
c)
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers
d)
They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.
33.
It was backward day at school.  The students had to do things backward.  Some of them wore their T-shirts backward.  They took a test before they studied the lesson.  Dessert was served first instead of last.  They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down. 
What is the main idea?
a)
Dessert is supposed to come last.
b)
The students had a backward day.
c)
It is hard to do things backward.
d)
Students failed their tests.
34.
Jon held the ball in his hands.  He bounced it slowly on the ground.  Once. Twice. He crouched low and then jumped.  The ball flew into the air.  Up, up, up, it went.  Then down, down, into the basket.  “Yes!” he yelled.  “Nothing but net!”
What is the main idea?
a)
How to throw a basketball.
b)
Jon could jump.
c)
Jon liked basketball.
d)
Jon makes a basket.
35.
John and Matt want to be firemen.  They want to ride on the big fire truck.  John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires.  Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?
a)
John wants to climb a ladder.
b)
John and Matt want to be firemen
c)
Matt wants to hold a fire hose.
d)
They want to ride on the big fire truck.
36.
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?
a)
Weekends are times to travel.
b)
The author enjoys spending time with her family.
c)
The author's grandparents live far away.
d)
The author is sad to leave her cousins.
37.
Jenny 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?
a)
Jenny got sick.
b)
Jenny wants to be a nurse.
c)
Her grandmother was in the hospital.
d)
Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.
38.
The frog sat on the side of the pond.  He was very still.  His green color made him hard to see.  A bug flew near him.  His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up.  Then the frog was still again.  He waited for the next bug.
What is the main idea?
a)
Frogs are green .
b)
Frogs eat bugs.
c)
Frogs do not move.
d)
Frogs live in ponds.
39.
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?
a)
Giraffes do make noises
b)
Giraffes talk all the time.
c)
Cows and giraffes talk to each other.
d)
Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.
40.
Tom 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. Tom 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?
a)
Tom finds enough food for his family.
b)
Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
c)
Tom didn't catch anything.
d)
Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.