Free Printable Main Idea Practice

1.

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men to walk on the surface of the moon, but they were not the last. That was Gene Cernan, the last man to step off the lunar surface. In total there have been twelve men who have walked on the moon, all of whom had done so between 1969 and 1972, which is the most recent non-Michael Jackson moon walking. What is the main idea?

a)

People who walked on the moon

b)

Armstrong & Aldrin

First Men on the Moon

c)

Cernan was the

Last Man on the Moon

d)

12 Men Have Walked

On the Moon

2.

When one hears the term "reality" applied to a show, one might expect that the events portrayed occurred naturally or, at the least, were not scripted. This is not always the case. Many reality shows occur in unreal environments, like rented mansions occupied by film crews. Such living environments do not reflect what most people understand to be "reality." Worse, there have been accusations that events not captured on film were later restaged by producers. Worse still, some involved in the production of "reality" television claim that the participants were urged to act out story lines premeditated by producers. With such accusations floating around, it's no wonder many people take reality TV to be about as real as the sitcom. What is the main idea?

a)

Reality TV isn't always real.

b)

Most people on reality TV aren't rich.

c)

Reality TV makes everyone a star.

d)

Reality TV shows are like sitcoms.

3.

It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year. Brach’s, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end. That’s a lot of candy corn, but that’s nothing compared to the production of Tootsie Rolls. Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day! But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product: chocolate. Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year. Now that’s a mouthful! What is the main idea of the paragraph?

a)

How much popular candies are produced.

b)

Tootsie Rolls are considered America's favorite candies

c)

People eat a lot of candy each year.

d)

Chocolate has been voted the world's favorite candy.

4.

The red angry bird was sad. He could not do any cool tricks like the other birds. He tried to go fast like the yellow bird, but he could not. He tried to drop eggs, but he could not do it. He even tried to split into three birds, but he could not make it happen. Oh well, at least he could help destroy some evil pigs.

a)

The red bird tried to go fast like the yellow bird.

b)

The red bird could destroy pigs.

c)

The red angry bird was upset because he could not do tricks.

d)

The red bird felt that there was nothing he could do with the other birds.

5.

The yellow angry bird loved to go fast. He went fast in the park. He went fast on the road. He even went fast at the zoo. Because he could go so fast, the yellow bird could beat all the other birds in a race. His favorite thing about flying fast was crashing into wood and knocking down big structures.

a)

The yellow bird went fast in the park.

b)

The yellow angry bird liked to do many things by flying fast.

c)

The yellow bird could beat all the other birds in a race.

d)

They yellow bird like to make the other birds feel bad by beating them.

6.

One day, there were five colored birds taking care of their eggs. The blue bird was bored, so he asked the other birds to play a game. While they were playing, three green pigs were watching from behind the bushes. When the birds were busy with their game, the pigs sneaked over to the eggs and snatched them! They ran off with the eggs as fast as they could. When the birds realized their eggs were missing, they became very angry.

a)

While five birds were playing, three pigs stole their eggs.

b)

The blue bird was bored.

c)

Three green pigs watched from behind the bushes.

d)

The angry birds and the green pigs were never able to get along.

7.

In Angry Birds, the player controls a flock of multi-colored birds that are attempting to rescue their eggs, which have been stolen by a group of green pigs. On each level, the pigs are protected by structures made of different materials such as wood, ice and stone, and the objective of the game is to eliminate all the pigs on the level. Using a slingshot, players launch the birds with the intent of either hitting the pigs directly or damaging the structures, causing them to collapse and destroy the pigs.

a)

The pigs are protected by structures made of different materials.

b)

The birds are attempting to rescue their eggs.

c)

The player controls a flock of different colored birds.

d)

To play Angry Birds, you launch different birds into structures in order to destroy the green pigs.

8.

Did you know there are real angry birds? Birds can show their anger in many ways. Some may show color patches to warn an intruder that it is angry. A bird's posture can also tell you he is angry, just as posture can show emotion with many animals. Many birds have alarm calls and other sounds such as bill clacks or hisses that can indicate anger. Some birds will use motions to indicate unhappiness, such as slowly weaving back and forth while maintaining eye contact. The angriest bird will start an attack against any intruders it perceives, though this is usually after other anger displays have not had the desired outcome.

a)

Birds can show their anger in many different ways.

b)

Many birds have alarm calls to show anger

c)

The angriest birds will start an attack against an intruder.

d)

Some birds slowly weave back and forth while keeping eye contact.

9.

In speaking, reading, and writing, the main idea is

a)

a big idea that is not connected to the details.

b)

one of many little ideas.

c)

the same as the topic.

d)

the most important point or thought.

10.

If the main idea is, "The turkey should be our national bird," a good supporting detail might be

a)

"Turkeys, like all birds, have feathers."

b)

"Some people might not agree with this."

c)

"The turkey is a brave bird."

d)

"The turkey should be on our gold coins."

11.

If this is the main idea, which detail does not fit?

Bald eagles needed laws to protect them.

a)

Many of the forests were cut down.

b)

They do not make good pets.

c)

Hunters killed them for their feathers.

d)

The pesticide DDT poisoned the animals they ate.

12.

Which of these would make the strongest main idea?

a)

The bald eagle is a good symbol for America.

b)

Bald eagles have hooked beaks to tear open their prey.

c)

laws about bald eagles

d)

Baby eagles are called eaglets.

13.

Which is true?

a)

The topic must be about the main idea.

b)

All details must be about the main idea.

c)

The main idea must tell about the details.

d)

Only one main idea is possible for a topic.

14.

Ed had promised to meet Joe at the skating pond after school. They were going to have a race. Everyone from school was going to be there. Ed knew Joe could skate fast, but he was sure he could beat him. He just hoped he would skate his very best against Joe.

a)

Ed was scared to race Joe.

b)

Joe was the best skater in town.

c)

Ed and Joe planned to race against each other.

15.

Perhaps one of the largest flowers grown is the sunflower. These giants grow up to 10 feet high. The flower itself is very large. It gets its name from the way it follows the sun. The face of the flower moves from east to west so that it is always facing the sun.

a)

To tell how the sunflower got its name.

b)

To describe the importance of the sunflower.

c)

To discuss large flowers

16.

Jack is going to a hockey game next week to see his favorite team. Jack knows that ice hockey is one of the fastest of all sports. It is played between two teams. Each team has six players. The players wear ice skates, helmets, protective padding, and carry a hockey stick. Jack hopes his team will win.

a)

Ice hockey is an individual sport.

b)

Ice hockey is a fast team sport.

c)

Ice hockey is an unpopular sport.

17.

Eli went bowling for the first time. He was surprised at how well he did. At the bowling alley he rented bowling shoes and a ball. He learned that the object of the game is to knock down as many of the 10 pins as possible. Eli was careful to aim his ball at the pins before he threw it.

a)

People often bowl in gymnasiums.

b)

The object of bowling is to know down pins.

c)

Bowling is an expensive sport.

18.

Every fall, each oak tree drops a great quantity of acorns. Acorns are the seeds for new oak trees, Not all acorns become oak trees. Actually, only a few are lucky enough to grow into trees. These lucky acorns find soil and the right amount of sun and water.

a)

Acorns grow very slowly.

b)

All acorns become oak trees.

c)

An acorn must find the right place to grow.

19.

Did you ever wonder how a newspaper reporter gets a story? A reporter goes to many places to get stories. The reporters talk to people to get the information wanted. This information is written down in note form. Back at the office the newspaper office, the reporter uses the notes to write up the story.

a)

To describe how a newspaper office works.

b)

To describe how a reporter writes a story.

c)

To describe why reporters are important.

20.

You and your friend read a book about three animals that travel hundreds of miles to find their way back home. They face danger, illness, and injury, yet eventually arrive alive to greet their heartsick owners. Which of the following is the main idea of this book?

a)

Three animals on a journey

b)

Three animals with superpowers

c)

Three animals run away for an adventure

d)

Three animals risk their lives to return home

21.

Walking is not the most exciting form of exercise a person can take on for fitness. Yet it is low impact and requires no fancy equipment. That makes walking a simple activity for those new to exercise. Walking is less likely than other exercises to cause injury to leg tendons and muscles. All it requires is a good pair of sneakers-no cables, stylish outfits, or weights required. Of course, a person could increase the benefit of a workout by adding weights or speed walking.

Identify the main idea of this paragraph.

a)

Walking is an easy and safe exercise for beginners.

b)

Walking is a boring and dangerous form of exercise

c)

Walking is a difficult and safe exercise for beginners

d)

Walking is an exciting and very effective form of exercise

22.

Walking is not the most exciting form of exercise a person can take on for fitness. Yet it is low impact and requires no fancy equipment. That makes walking a simple activity for those new to exercise. Walking is less likely than other exercises to cause injury to leg tendons and muscles. All it requires is a good pair of sneakers-no cables, stylish outfits, or weights required. Of course, a person could increase the benefit of a workout by adding weights or speed walking.

Which of the following statements supports the main idea in this paragraph?

a)

Walking is boring

b)

Walking requires sneakers in good condition

c)

Walking is too easy for those who exercise regularly

d)

Walking had a low risk on injury

23.

Walking is not the most exciting form of exercise a person can take on for fitness. Yet it is low impact and requires no fancy equipment. That makes walking a simple activity for those new to exercise. Walking is less likely than other exercises to cause injury to leg tendons and muscles. All it requires is a good pair of sneakers—no cables, stylish outfits, or weights required. Of course, a person could increase the benefit of a workout by adding weights or speed walking.

How does the third sentence ("That makes walking...") support the main idea of the paragraph?

a)

It points out that walking is a good introduction to exercise for beginners

b)

It says that walking is too easy for people who have experience with exercise.

c)

It points out that beginning exercisers may not like walking because it is too easy.

d)

It says that walking is less costly than other activities because it needs no equipment

24.

Judy Blume's career as an American writer spans four decades and includes many literary awards. She is most famous for her novels geared toward pre-teens. One notable example is Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing. However, Blume also has had success writing for an adult audience. Three of her novels for adults reached the New York Times best-seller list. In a 2008 interview Blume remarked, "I have so many stories left to tell!" By that time she had written nearly 30 novels. Judy Blume is an exceptionally talented and productive American author.

Identify the main idea of this paragraph.

a)

Judy Blume has been a very busy and gifted writer. (explicit)

b)

Judy Blume has been writing for a very long time. (explicit)

c)

Judy Blume has been writing for a very long time. (implicit)

d)

Judy Blume has been a very busy and gifted writer. (implicit)

25.

Judy Blume's career as an American writer spans four decades and includes many literary awards. She is most famous for her novels geared toward pre-teens. One notable example is Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing. However, Blume also has had success writing for an adult audience. Three of her novels for adults reached the New York Times best-seller list. In a 2008 interview Blume remarked, "I have so many stories left to tell!" By that time she had written nearly 30 novels. Judy Blume is an exceptionally talented and productive American author.

Explain whether the main idea is explicit or implicit in this paragraph.

a)

It is implicit because it is directly stated in the paragraph

b)

It is explicit because it is directly stated in the paragraph.

c)

It is explicit because it is not directly stated in the paragraph.

d)

It is implicit because it is not directly stated in the paragraph.

26.

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.

27.

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.

28.

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.

29.

If you wanted to find the main idea in a piece of writing, where would you look?

a)

In the first sentence.

b)

In the first sentence of the second paragraph.

c)

In the last sentence of the first paragraph.

d)

There's no one place where the main idea is always found.

30.

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

a)

Who is the main character?

b)

What is the main event?

c)

What is one important detail?

d)

What point is the author trying to make?

31.

Shanna 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...

a)

The Mall

b)

The Ocean

c)

The Aquariam

d)

The Park

32.

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?

a)

Sometimes people feel sad.

b)

You should do good things for others.

c)

We're not always happy.

d)

There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

33.

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.
What is the main idea?

a)

Floods can cause a lot of damage.

b)

Floods cause mudslides.

c)

Floods damage houses and roads.

34.

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.

35.

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.

36.

Saturday at the Carnival

James and his sister, Anna,

went to the carnival on

Saturday. They rode the merry-

go-round, the roller coaster

and the Ferris wheel. James

ate popcorn and a hot dog.

Anna drank lemonade and

ate an apple. They saw many exciting shows. They

were tired when they went home.

What is the main idea of this paragraph? (Ask yourself - what was this story all about?)

a)

James and Anna were hungry

b)

The merry go round was broken

c)

James and Anna did many things at the carnival

37.

James and his sister, Anna,

went to the carnival on

Saturday. They rode the merry-

go-round, the roller coaster

and the Ferris wheel. James

ate popcorn and a hot dog.

Anna drank lemonade and

ate an apple. They saw many exciting shows. They

were tired when they went home.

What are the supporting details of the main idea? Pick 3 details.

a)

James and Anna rode the merry-

go-round, the roller coaster

and the Ferris wheel

b)

The merry go round was broken

c)

It was Saturday

d)

They saw many exciting shows.

e)

James

ate popcorn and a hot dog.

Anna drank lemonade and

ate an apple.

38.

Overland transport in the United States was still extremely primitive in 1790. Roads were few and short, usually extending from inland communities to the nearest river town or seaport. Nearly all interstate commerce was carried out by sailing ships that served the bays and harbors of the seaboard. Yet, in 1790 the nation was on the threshold of a new era of road development. Unable to finance road construction, states turned for help to private companies, organized by merchants and land speculators who had a personal interest in improved communications with the interior. The pioneer in this move was the state of Pennsylvania, which chartered a company in 1792 to construct a turnpike, a road for the use of which a toll, or payment, is collected, from Philadelphia to Lancaster. The legislature gave the company the authority to erect tollgates at points along the road where payment would be collected, though it carefully regulated the rates. (The states had unquestioned authority to regulate private business in this period.)

This paragraph above mostly talks about ___ .

a)

Some important roads in Pennsylvania

b)

The history of transportation in Pennsylvania

c)

Pennsylvania's government authority to regulate private business

d)

Pennsylvania's history of transportation in modern era

39.

The dominant salt in Death Valley is halite, or sodium chloride, but other salts, mostly carbonates and sulfates, also cause prying and wedging, as does ordinary ice. Weathering by a variety of salts, though often subtle, is a worldwide phenomenon. Not restricted to arid regions, intense salt weathering occurs mostly in salt-rich places like the seashore, near the large saline lakes in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, and in desert sections of Australia, New Zealand, and central Asia.

*What is the main idea of the paragraph above?

a)

The subdominant salt in Death Valley

b)

Some restricted area in the seashore,

c)

The example of sodium chloride in East Asia

d)

The phenomenon of salts weathering

40.

What is the theme to this passage: Once upon a time, there was a woodcutter, who lived in a little house in a beautiful, green wood. One day, he was merrily chopping some wood, when he saw a little girl skipping through the woods, whistling happily, followed by a big grey wolf. Deciding it was really none of his business, the woodcutter went back to chopping wood, until he heard a scream! 4. He grabbed his ax and ran towards the noise, where he found that he was too late. The big grey wolf had already eaten the little girl and her granny.

a)

Don't care about anyone but yourself.

b)

Just mind your own business.

c)

Life can be hard some times.

d)

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

41.

What is the main idea in this passage? One upon a time, there was a little girl with beautiful golden hair and her name was Goldilocks.One day, she decided to go for a walk in the woods, where she found a sweet little cottage, where there was nobody home.Willfully and destructively, she went through the house like a whirlwind, causing damage and stealing food wherever she went.Understandably, when the three bears came home, they were furious at the mess she’d made and immediately called the police.In the end, Goldilocks was given 100 hours of community service and an ASBO.

a)

When doing something wrong it will come back and bite you in the behind.

b)

Do what you want you are always right.

c)

It pays to be nice.

d)

Being mean is the best way to be.

42.

What would you say the Main Idea is in this passage? Robert was bored of sitting around waiting for his sister to finish her homework, so he decided to go outside and play in the garden. Wearily, he plopped himself down on the grass and stared grumpily up at the sky, before realizing that there was something strange up there. “What on earth is that?” he yelled, terrified, as the strange object zoomed down until it was only a few feet away, revealing rows and rows of weird green faces staring at him out of grey, circular windows. Suddenly, he heard a call, “Roooo-bert”, and, blinking, turned his head to gabble at his sister in shock, but when he turned back, the spaceship was gone! Had it ever really been there at all?

4 lines

43.

Ed had promised to meet Joe at the skating pond after school. They were going to have a race. Everyone from school was going to be there. Ed knew Joe could skate fast, but he was sure he could beat him. He just hoped he would skate his very best against Joe.

a)

Ed was scared to race Joe.

b)

Joe was the best skater in town.

c)

Ed and Joe planned to race against each other.

44.

Ed had promised to meet Joe at the skating pond after school. They were going to have a race. Everyone from school was going to be there. Ed knew Joe could skate fast, but he was sure he could beat him. He just hoped he would skate his very best against Joe.

a)

Ed was scared to race Joe.

b)

Joe was the best skater in town.

c)

Ed and Joe planned to race against each other.

45.

Perhaps one of the largest flowers grown is the sunflower. These giants grow up to 10 feet high. The flower itself is very large. It gets its name from the way it follows the sun. The face of the flower moves from east to west so that it is always facing the sun.

a)

To tell how the sunflower got its name.

b)

To describe the importance of the sunflower.

c)

To discuss large flowers

46.

Jack is going to a hockey game next week to see his favorite team. Jack knows that ice hockey is one of the fastest of all sports. It is played between two teams. Each team has six players. The players wear ice skates, helmets, protective padding, and carry a hockey stick. Jack hopes his team will win.

a)

Ice hockey is an individual sport.

b)

Ice hockey is a fast team sport.

c)

Ice hockey is an unpopular sport.

47.

Eli went bowling for the first time. He was surprised at how well he did. At the bowling alley he rented bowling shoes and a ball. He learned that the object of the game is to knock down as many of the 10 pins as possible. Eli was careful to aim his ball at the pins before he threw it.

a)

People often bowl in gymnasiums.

b)

The object of bowling is to know down pins.

c)

Bowling is an expensive sport.

48.

Every fall, each oak tree drops a great quantity of acorns. Acorns are the seeds for new oak trees, Not all acorns become oak trees. Actually, only a few are lucky enough to grow into trees. These lucky acorns find soil and the right amount of sun and water.

a)

Acorns grow very slowly.

b)

All acorns become oak trees.

c)

An acorn must find the right place to grow.

49.

Did you ever wonder how a newspaper reporter gets a story? A reporter goes to many places to get stories. The reporters talk to people to get the information wanted. This information is written down in note form. Back at the office the newspaper office, the reporter uses the notes to write up the story.

a)

To describe how a newspaper office works.

b)

To describe how a reporter writes a story.

c)

To describe why reporters are important.

50.

What is the FIRST step to finding the main idea?

a)

Read the text.

b)

Identify the subject/topic of the text.

c)

Figure out the most important idea about the subject based on textual evidence.

d)

Create a complete sentence communicating the main idea.

Main Idea Practice

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 1hrs 1mins

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