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Worksheets

Main Idea & Details

Total questions: 65

Worksheet time: 2hrs 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
Winnie the Pooh loves to eat honey. He likes it because it is sweet. Pooh looks for honey in the woods. He climbs trees to get it. He will eat the honey he finds.
a)
Pooh likes honey.
b)
Pooh likes to eat candy.
c)
Pooh likes to catch bees.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
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?
a)
The kitten sleeps a lot.
b)
Mary plays with her kitten
c)
Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
d)
Mary want a new pet.
9.
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.
10.
Mark 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. Mark's dream was to have everyone stop and stare when he entered the skate park. He  wanted them to say, "Mark is the best skater in the whole world."
What is the main idea?
a)
Mark wants everyone to think he's a great skater without doing the hard work.
b)
Mark practices very hard to become a great skater.
c)
Mark is the best skater at the park.
d)
Mark wants to learn how to skate so he can compete.
11.
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?
a)
How big one dinosaur was
b)
What one dinosaur's brain was like
c)
Why one dinosaur had a small brain
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.
There are about 13,000 wild horses in our country.  Most are in the high lands of the Southwest.  The horses find great difficulty in getting food during the winter months.  Snow covers the grass and small bushes that they feed on.  Their numbers grow smaller each year.  What is the main idea?
a)
Where wild horses live
b)
Why grass and bushes can't be seen
c)
What is happening to our wild horses
14.

An octopus isn't fast enough to swim after a fish. The octopus must wait for a fish to swim by. When the fish comes within reach, the octopus whips out his long arm to grasp it. Then the octopus has a tasty meal. What is the main idea?

a)

How much fish an octopus eats

b)

Why the octopus likes to eat

c)

How an octopus gets its food

15.
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.
16.
Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.
Topic Sentence: My cat is afraid of everything.
a)
He hides under the couch when you turn the microwave on.
b)
He sleeps all day long.
c)
He runs away when you sweep the floor.
d)
He jumps every time the doorbell rings.
17.
Which supporting detail best supports this topic sentence?
Dora the Explorer is an educational show for kids.
a)
She has a really cute monkey named Boots.
b)
Dora's purple backpack holds all of her tools.
c)
Dora helps teach kids Spanish words.
d)
She usually stops Swiper from swiping. 
18.
Which supporting detail best supports this topic sentence?
It takes a lot of hard work to become a professional athlete. 
a)
The pros live the good life.
b)
People like professional football players make a lot of money.
c)
Professional athletes spend countless hours practicing their sports.
d)
All of us can be professional athletes. 
19.
4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?
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.
a)
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests
b)
Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.
c)
Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.
d)
Watching robot sumo is boring.
20.
What is one supporting details from the text?
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
a)
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.
b)
They teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
c)
Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.
d)
Mother gorillas prefer to keep their babies safe.
21.
Camp David is a secure location where the President can get away from it all. Established in 1942 by President Roosevelt, Camp David is located in Maryland, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C. in a heavily wooded area. U.S. Marines patrol the area providing optimal security. The Marines are part of the Navy. Because Camp David is so close to Washington, the president can be back at the White House very quickly in the event of a crisis. 
Which sentence supports the idea that Camp David is secure?
a)
It was established by President Roosevelt.
b)
Camp David is in a heavily wooded area.
c)
Camp David is very close to Washington, D.C.
d)
U.S. Marines patrol the surrounding area.
22.

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

23.
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? 
a)
The American Falls is 167 feet high
b)
The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high
c)
Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America
d)
It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
24.
The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot tall statue of a woman holding a book and a torch. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become the universal symbol for freedom.
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 
a)
The Statue of Liberty is an amazing statue
b)
The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall
c)
Thousands of people visit the Statues of Liberty each year
d)
It was a gift of friendship from France
25.
4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?
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.
a)
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests
b)
Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.
c)
Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.
d)
Watching robot sumo is boring.
26.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Max is going to his first baseball game.

b)

Max and family go to a baseball game.

c)

Max can't wait to see the opening pitch.

d)

Max is planning on getting a hotdog and fries.

27.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Tyreek is scared of the doctor.

b)

Tyreek feels relieved.

c)

Tyreek has a doctor's appointment.

d)

Tyreek does not like shots.

28.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Max has an older sister and wore a blue shirt

b)

This is max's first game and he is dissapointed.

c)

Max can't wait to see the opening pitch, and everyone wears red and white.

d)

Max did not like the plan to get a hotdog and fries.

29.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Tyreek loves to get shots.

b)

Tyreek is at the doctor and is scared.

c)

Tyreek has an appointment after school and is relieved he does not need shots.

d)

Tyreek needs shots and is excited.

30.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Ramona has never picked strawberries.

b)

Ramona arrives at a big farm.

c)

Ramona and her family drive for an hour.

d)

Ramona and her family are going to pick strawberries.

31.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

A beautiful Sunday afternoon.

b)

Max is the dog.

c)

Nick takes his dog to the park.

d)

Max and Nick spend the afternoon playing chase.

32.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Ramona lives on a big farm.

b)

Ramona and her family pick berries everyyear.

c)

Ramona plans to make a strawberry pie when she gets home.

d)

Ramona and her family saw some strawberry plants.

33.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Max's favorite toy is a frisbee and two balls.

b)

Nick is excited he keeps his head out the window.

c)

Max and Nick spent a lovely Saturday afternoon in the park.

d)

Max takes his dog Nick to the park.

34.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Kim has been studying for the past three days.

b)

Kim has practice questions every night.

c)

Kim wants an "A" on the test.

d)

Kim has a huge math test.

35.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Suzie wants a pet.

b)

Suzie gets a surprise.

c)

A brown puppy jumps into her arms.

d)

Suzie has thought about getting a dog, cat, guinea pig, bird, and even a fish.

36.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Kim has a huge test and she is feeling nervous.

b)

Kim's mom is giving her practice problems.

c)

Kim is hoping for a "B" on the test.

d)

Kim feels confident about her math test.

37.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Suzie is having an 11th birthday.

b)

Suzie is wanting a pet.

c)

Suzie opens her present and a muppet pops out.

d)

Suzie's mom always says "yes".

38.

What is the main idea?

a)

The Wagner family moving.

b)

Cleaning out their room.

c)

Wagner family packing boxes.

d)

Renting two big trucks.

39.

What is the main idea?

a)

Whiskers is a friendly pet.

b)

He sleeps for most of the day.

c)

Whiskers is the Turner family cat.

d)

He purrs loudly when scratched.

40.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Wagner family moved to a new city.

b)

Mr. Wagner got a new job and bought ice cream.

c)

Wagner family rent two big trucks and move across town.

d)

The family has been packing for 3 weeks and cleaning out rooms.

41.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Whiskers is a dog.

b)

Whiskers likes to go outside.

c)

Whiskers loves to cuddle around people's feet.

d)

Whiskers purrs loudly when someone scratches behind his ears.

42.

What is the main idea?

a)

Ted is feeling annoyed.

b)

Ted has a yard sale.

c)

Ted does not want to give up his favorite things.

d)

Ted groans loudly.

43.

What is the main idea?

a)

Taking a bus to the aquarium.

b)

5th grade class taking a field trip.

c)

Studying different animal habitats.

d)

Looking forward to seeing different fish.

44.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Ted is having a yard sale.

b)

Ted's mom is throwing out his toys.

c)

Ted is annoyed that his family has a yard sale every summer.

d)

Ted tells mom no and does not follow directions.

45.

What are some details from the story?

a)

5th grade take a rocket ship on a trip.

b)

5th grade has been studying different animals for the past two months.

c)

5th grade has been looking at water animals and how they survive without it.

d)

5th grade can't wait to see the sharks at the aquarium.

46.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

No school today.

b)

Doug lets out a shout of joy.

c)

First snow day of the year.

d)

It is cold outside.

47.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Halloween is the best holiday.

b)

Janet and her friends are dressing up as witches.

c)

They are painting their faces green.

d)

They are carrying cauldrons.

48.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Doug looks out his window on a cold March morning.

b)

Doug sees snowflakes falling from the sky.

c)

Doug is sad there is no school.

d)

Doug's mom yells "Get ready for school".

49.

What are some details from the story?

a)

The witches are cooking in the cauldrons.

b)

They painted their faces black after trick-or-treating.

c)

Janet and her friends are wearing green dresses.

d)

Each of Janet's friends have a tall black hat and black shoes.

50.

What is the main idea?

a)

Jerome rides the bus to school late.

b)

Jerome overslept this morning.

c)

Jerome forgot to turn on his alarm clock.

d)

Jerome jumps out of bed.

51.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Allen family summer trip.

b)

Kathy and her two younger brothers sit on the couch.

c)

They scream in excitement.

d)

The Allen's are going to Hawaii.

52.

What are some details from the story?

a)

The alarm went off late at 9:00 am.

b)

School starts at 8:15, and Jerome took the bus late.

c)

Jerome overslept and had to ride his bike to school.

d)

Jerome grabbed an egg sandwich on his way out the door.

53.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Allen family go to Japan.

b)

Kathy knows where they are going in the spring before her siblings.

c)

After lunch the Allen family announce they are going to Hawaii.

d)

Kathy and her brothers scream in excitement that they are going to Hawaii.

54.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Sara's mom chops tomoatoes.

b)

Its Tuesday at 6:00 pm.

c)

The dinner smells delicious.

d)

Sara's mom is cooking dinner.

55.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Layla's class visits the library.

b)

Layla loves to read nature books.

c)

Layla loves to learn new things.

d)

Layla checked out three books last week.

56.

What are some details from the story?

a)

It is Tuesday afternoon and Sarah's mom is making pasta.

b)

Sarah says that the food smells delicious and can't wait to eat dinner.

c)

Sarah chops some tomatoes and mixes it with spices.

d)

Sarah's mom is cooking dinner on Tuesday night.

57.

What are some details from the story?

a)

She plans to return the books tommorrow.

b)

Layla's class gets to visit the school library on Tuesday.

c)

Layla loves looking at the pictures and learning new things.

d)

Last week, she checked out five books on animals.

58.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

He gets to invite 10 friends to a party.

b)

There is going to be facepainting and games.

c)

The theme of the party is superheros.

d)

Ryan is having an 8th birthday party at his house.

59.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

James wakes up and hears thunder.

b)

James needs to find something else to do.

c)

Since it's raining outside, he will not be able to swim in the pool.

d)

James loves to swim.

60.

What are some of the details from the story?

a)

Ryan can invite 100 friends to his superhero party.

b)

Ryan's dad is going to grill hamburgers and there will be games at the party.

c)

It will be his 8th birthday party at his friends house.

d)

Superheros are going to paint faces and do fun crafts at the party.

61.

What are some details from the story?

a)

James loves to swim at the pool.

b)

Today James saw lightning.

c)

James is happy he sees that it is raining outside.

d)

He goes swimming once a week in the summer.

62.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Gabby picks out pink paint.

b)

Gabby and her mom go to the paint shop.

c)

Gabby redecorates her room.

d)

Gabby picks out a comforter to match her walls.

63.

What is the main idea of the story?

a)

Mrs. Saunders enjoys volunteering at the local animal shelter.

b)

Mrs. Saunders cleans and does paperwork for the local animal shelter.

c)

The dogs bark in excitement when she arrives.

d)

Mrs. Saunders likes to play with the dogs when she takes them out for a walk.

64.

What are some details from the story?

a)

Gabby and her mom go shopping to redecorate her room.

b)

Gabby picks out a beautiful pink and comforter to match.

c)

They will rearrange the room and then paint the walls.

d)

Gabby's comforter has pink hangers to match the pink walls.

65.

What are some of the details from the story?

a)

Mrs. Saunders works at the local animal shelter.

b)

Mrs. Saunders does not like to walk the dogs.

c)

Every Saturday Mrs. Saunders arrives and the dogs bark in excitement.

d)

Her duties include making calls, hanging out with friends, and completing paperwork.