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Central Idea

Total questions: 21

Worksheet time: 5hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
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
d)
how pretty dinosaurs were
2.
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
d)
why an octopus has 8 legs
3.
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.
4.
Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.
It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a)
Josh got lots of gifts.
b)
Charles got a lot of gifts.
c)
Charles had a great birthday.
d)
Josh had a great birthday.
5.
The main idea is supported by what?
a)
topics
b)
details
c)
monkeys
d)
periods
6.
The main idea does not need supporting details.
a)
True
b)
False
7.
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.
8.
Most of the time, Main Idea can be found ...
a)
at the start or end of a paragraph
b)
In the middle of a paragraph
c)
on the last page
d)
in the index
9.
The Main Idea is the big point or most important idea in a passage
a)
True
b)
False
10.
"I hate the idea of having all those people out there watching me...I just don't like it when I'm around so many people. I wish I just could hide somewhere," whispered Violet.
What can you infer about Violet?
a)
She is energetic
b)
She is shy
c)
She is mean
d)
She hates people
11.

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 mostly about

d)

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

12.
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.
13.
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.
14.
A SUPPORTING detail explains the main idea in a paragraph. What does SUPPORT mean?
a)
to search and find
b)
to hold up and help
c)
to end
d)
to write
15.
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?
a)
Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.
b)
We will be able to talk to robots and they will be able to respond.
c)
 Robots will be untiring workers.
d)
Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.
16.
Students sat in the cafeteria talking loudly. It was lunch time at Green Elementary, and the lunch room was full. The noise and the smell of grilled cheese filled the air. In the corner sat Rudy and Jacob. They were making their daily lunch trades.
"I'll give you my cheese crackers for your pretzels," said Jacob.
"Okay, I'll give you my vanilla pudding for your sugar cookies," said Rudy.
"Deal!" said Jacob.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?
a)
Jacob and Rudy trade food at lunch
b)
Rudy wanted Jacob's sugar cookies
c)
Jacob had cheese crackers and wanted pretzels
d)
Students were talking loudly during lunch at Green Elementary
17.
Snow was falling again. Every puzzle was put together, every book was read, and the refrigerator was covered in artwork. Buddy and William were bored. They couldn't go out and play in the snow because they were both sick. Even though school might be canceled tomorrow, they were ready to go back to school.
What is the main idea or main event of the passage?
a)
they were sick
b)
it was snowing again
c)
they were bored and ready to go back to school
d)
the refrigerator was covered in artwork, and the puzzles were put together
18.
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.
19.
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.
20.

What is a topic?

a)

Sentences

b)

Who or what the writing is talking about

21.
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.