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Main Idea

Total questions: 12

Worksheet time: 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the main idea of the text?

a)

Kangaroos have sharp claws and teeth.

b)

Kangaroos are the fastest mammal on land.

c)

Kangaroos can protect themselves by kicking, clawing, biting and hopping away.

d)

Kangaroos will kick if threatened.

2.

What does the main idea of a story tell the reader?

a)

a specific detail from the story

b)

The conflict of the story

c)

What the story is about

d)

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

3.

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

4.

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?

a)

Landon wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.

b)

Landon practices very hard to become a great skater.

c)

Landon is the best skater at the park.

d)

Landon wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.

5.
Main Idea:
Frogs are amazing jumpers.

What supporting detail would go with this main idea?
a)
Frogs use their tongue to catch flies.
b)
A tadpole is the name of a young frog.
c)
Frogs have long, powerful legs which help them leaplong distances.
d)
The Fire-belly Toad has slightly warty skin.
6.
One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.
What is the theme?
a)
share with your neighbor
b)
work before you play
c)
be respectful
d)
don't be greedy
7.

Some pumpkins are orange. But others can be yellow, green, or white. Pumpkins can even have stripes of green and orange.

a)

I like pumpkins.

b)

Pumpkins come in all kinds of colors.

c)

Pumpkins are tasty.

d)

We see pumpkins.

8.

Jack washes his dads car. He cuts the grass and takes out the trash. He likes to do chores.

a)

Jack is helpful.

b)

Jack is a boy.

c)

Jack is my friend.

d)

Jack is not home.

9.
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.
a)
Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.
b)
Benjamin Franklin worked very hard when he was young.
c)
Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather.
d)
Benjamin Franklin was very poor.
10.

Which detail is irrelevant and should be removed from the paragraph?

Chad had worked for many hours making the gold chain for the necklace. Now that it was finished he carefully polished the pearls that would be placed on the earrings. Chad was born in a small town in India. For his next project, Chad planned to create a wedding ring for the daughter of one of his best customers.

a)

Chad was born in a small town in India.

b)

Chad had finished making the gold chain for the necklace.

c)

He was polishing the pearls to be placed on the earrings.

d)

Next, he planned to make a wedding ring.

11.
Story:
All bicycle riders, young and old, should have the right equipment to practice bicycle safety. Bike parts such as tires and brakes must be in proper working condition.Each bicycle should have reflectors so that the rider can be seen from the front, back, and sides. A bell or horn can help prevent accidents, too. Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet to protect their head from an accident.
What is the main idea?
a)
Bicycle riders need to know hand signals.
b)
Bicycle riders need to get reflectors.
c)
Bicycle riders need the right equipment to practice bicycle safety.
d)
Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet.
12.

Saving the Apollo 13 Mission

On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 was launched for a planned moon landing. Two days into the mission, however, one of the oxygen tanks in the spacecraft exploded, causing a loss of air, electricity, and water. The moon landing had to be canceled, and the astronauts had to figure out how to get home. Their solution was to move into the lunar module, the small craft that was supposed to land on the moon, for much of the remaining trip. The lunar module contained fewer supplies, however. Therefore, the astronauts had to conserve as much food and water as possible. By firing the lunar module's engine, the men were able to get the spacecraft on the correct course to return to Earth. On April 17, Apollo 13 landed safely in the Pacific Ocean.

What is the main idea of the passage?

a)

After an explosion on Apollo 13, the spaceship began to lose air, water, and power.

b)

After an explosion on Apollo 13, the astronauts had to conserve supplies.

c)

After an explosion on Apollo 13, the astronauts took shelter in the lunar module.