Free Printable Main Idea

1.

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.

2.

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.

3.

What is the definition of 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.

The main idea can be implied or stated.

a)

True

b)

False

5.

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.

6.

The main idea of a text is...

a)

what the text is a little bit about

b)

what the text is never about

c)

what the text is sometimes telling you

d)

what the text is mostly, or mainly, about

7.

What at is the main idea of this paragraph?

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.

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.

8.

The main idea is supported by what?

a)

concluding sentences

b)

details

9.

The central idea of a passage/text is....

a)

what the text is a little bit about

b)

what the text is sometimes telling you

c)

what the text is never about

d)

what the text is mostly or mainly about

10.

What might be the central 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.

11.

Supporting details....

a)

are pointless when determining the central idea

b)

just give more information

c)

do not support the central idea

d)

help prove the central idea (evidence)

12.

It doesn't matter what type of clothes you wear or the kind of music you listen to. What matters most is who you are inside.

a)

Theme

b)

Main Idea

13.

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea? It was a rainy day, and mom had to get creative to keep the kids from getting too bored.

a)

Theme

b)

Main Idea

14.

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea?When Julia fell off the monkey bars and broke her arm, she was terrified to go to the emergency room.

a)

Theme

b)

Main Idea

15.

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea?Even if someone has something else that you want, you should still be thankful for what you have.

a)

Theme

b)

Main Idea

16.

Central idea and main idea are the same thing.

a)

YES

b)

NO

c)

NO WAY

d)

YES WAY

17.

The theme is rarely directly stated.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

18.

You have to make inferences to figure out the theme of the story.

a)

Yes

b)

No

19.

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.

20.

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.

21.

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.

22.

What kind of sentence tells the main idea of a paragraph?

a)

supporting detail

b)

topic sentence

c)

example sentence

d)

transition sentence

23.

What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?

a)

The most important idea about a topic or a story.

b)

The conflict of the story

24.

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.

25.

Which tell the definition of the main idea?

a)

tells the most important thing about a topic

b)

the BIG idea

c)

what the passage is mostly about

d)

smaller pieces of information

26.

What is the main idea of this picture?

a)

sports equipment

b)

fruit

c)

insects

d)

who or what the story is about

27.

What is the main idea of this picture?

a)

sports equipment

b)

fruit

c)

insects

d)

who or what the story is about

28.

What text features can give you a clue of what the main idea is?

a)

Title

b)

Headings

c)

Pictures

d)

All of these

29.

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.

30.

The main idea is what the story is ______________ about.

a)

mostly

b)

only

c)

never

d)

very

31.

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.

32.

What is a summary?

a)

a short explanation of a text

b)

a persuasive argument about a text

c)

a movie based off a book

d)

a theme or universal lesson

33.

Turn over a bag of potato chips. Is the label interesting? A simple food recipe may use several ingredients. These come from the soil and from chemistry labs around the world. Surprises also show up in the labels on clothing and other products. Look at the label on a package of lipstick. The tube seems small and shiny, but inside lipstick there is soap, oil, fish scales, and wax!

Which is the best way to summarize this passage?

a)

A bag of potato chips seems like a simple recipe. There are many ingredients from the soil and from chemistry labs.

b)

Clothes and other products have many ingredients as well. Lipstick alone has soap, oil, wax, and fish scales.

c)

Labels show what goes into food, clothing, and other products. A simple product may have many ingredients.

d)

Lipstick seems small and shiny. Look at the label sometime. It has at least four different ingredients.

34.

When some people think about Texas, they think of cowboys on the open range-herding cattle up a dusty trail. However, Texas has much more than open prairie with large herds of cows. There are the mountains of West Texas, the piney hills of east Texas, and the emerald waters off the coast of Padre Island. Texas also has large coastal harbors with numerous sailboats, powerboats, inland lakes, rivers, swamps of southeast Texas with alligators and other exotic wildlife.
The Summary of this passage is:

a)

There are a lot of cows in Texas.

b)

There are many different, varied parts of Texas.

c)

Texas is one of the biggest states in the United States.

d)

There are alligators in the swampland of southeast Texas.

35.

Dan rides with Mom in the car. They go to the store. They buy food.

Where do Dan and Mom go?

a)

to the store

b)

to the house

c)

to the park

36.

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.

37.

Joseph and Caitlin were choosing the players for their teams. It was Caitlin's turn to choose, and only Jason was left. Caitlin said, "Jason."

We can infer that…

a)

Jason was the best player.

b)

Caitlin was Jason's sister

c)

Jason was not a very good player.

d)

Caitlin had a hard time choosing a team member.

38.

What does Inference mean?

a)

finding details in a story

b)

Use clues and what you already know to come up with an idea

c)

Giving a reason for your answer

d)

Using what I know

39.

The main idea of a text is....

a)

what the text is a little bit about

b)

what the text is never about

c)

what the text is sometimes telling you

d)

what the text is mostly or mainly about

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.

41.

The central idea of a passage/text is....

a)

what the text is a little bit about

b)

what the text is sometimes telling you

c)

what the text is never about

d)

what the text is mostly or mainly about

42.

What might be the central 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.

43.

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's 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.

44.

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.

45.

The main idea is supported by what?

a)

topics

b)

details

c)

monkeys

d)

periods

46.

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

47.

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 central 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.

48.

Supporting details....

a)

are pointless when determining the central idea

b)

just give more information

c)

do not support the central idea

d)

are evidence and prove the central idea

49.

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

50.

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

51.

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.

52.

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.

53.

The main idea is supported by what?

a)

topics

b)

details

c)

monkeys

d)

periods

54.

The main idea does not need supporting details.

a)

True

b)

False

55.

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.

56.

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

57.

The Main Idea is the big point or most important idea in a passage

a)

True

b)

False

58.

"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

59.

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

60.

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.

61.

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

62.

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.

63.

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.

64.

Dolphins are very smart animals. They even have their own language. They talk to each other with clicks, whistles, and grunts. Scientists have been studying this dolphin language. They hope that in the future, people and dolphins will be able to talk to each other.This paragraph mainly tells:

a)

how dolphins talk to people

b)

how smart dolphins are

c)

how dolpins are different from fish

d)

which scientists are studying languages

65.

Most of the world's volcanoes are part of the "The Ring of Fire." This is a ring of volcanoes that form a circle around the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of volcanoes make up "The Ring of Fire." These volcanoes formed the sea floor and many underwater mountains.

a)

There are thousands of volcanoes in the world.

b)

Most volcanoes are part of the "Ring of Fire."

c)

Some underwater mountains are volcanoes.

66.

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.

67.

Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have 9,000 taste buds just on the tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of your mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat.
What does the author want you to learn from the passage?

a)

Why we can taste only certain things.

b)

That we taste through our noses

c)

Where taste buds are found

d)

We have taste buds on our tongues

68.

The earth's surface is constantly changing. All over the world everyday there are earthquakes, floods and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see. Others cause tremendous damage and costs millions of dollars to clean up.
What is the main idea?

a)

It is expensive to clean up the damage

b)

Sometimes we can't see the changes.

c)

The Earth's surface is always changing.

69.

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?

70.

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.

71.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Sometime in December of 1891, Dr. James Naismith was teaching gym at the YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was raining, and Dr. Naismith was trying to keep his students active. He wanted them playing a rough game that would keep them moving. He didn't like a few ideas that were too rough. Then Naismith had his breakthrough. He wrote out the rules for a game with peach baskets fixed to ten-foot elevated tracks. Naismith's students played against one another, passing the ball around and shooting it into the peach baskets. Dribbling wasn't a part of the original game. Also it took a while to realize that the game would run more smoothly if the bottoms of the baskets were removed. But this game grew to be one of the most popular sports in America today. Can you guess which one?

a)

The most popular sport in America

b)

Dr. James Naismith's career in teaching

c)

The invention of Basketball

d)

How to get students active

72.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

You might think that all automobile fuels are the same, but they aren't. Automobiles can run on one of three types of fuel: gasoline, diesel, and biodiesel. All these fuels are burned inside of the engine, which creates the heat and energy that is used to power the car. But there are important differences between these fuels. Gasoline and diesel are more common than biodiesel. But each burns differently. Diesel fuel is heavier and less flammable than gasoline, so it has to be compressed before it will burn. Gasoline may be lighter than diesel, but both fuels are made from crude oil. On the other hand, biodiesel fuel is made from vegetables. Both biodiesel and diesel fuels must be burned in diesel engines, which only use diesel fuel. If gasoline is pumped into a diesel engine, it will have to be pumped out. These fuels may look pretty similar at the gas station, but remember that there are important differences between them or it may cost you.

a)

Which fuel is best to use for your car

b)

Gasoline, diesel, and biodiesels area all fuels, but they have important differences in how they are made and used.

c)

The benefits of biodiesel

d)

How fuels change the way we drive

73.

The Isle of the Lost Excerpt
By Melissa de la Cruz
Once upon a time, during a time after all the happily-ever-afters, and perhaps even after the ever-afters after that, all the evil villains of the world were banished from the United Kingdom of Auradon and imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost. There, underneath a protective dome that kept all manner of enchantment out of their clutches, the terrible, the treacherous, the truly awful, and the severely sinister were cursed to live without the power of magic. King Beast declared the villains exiled forever. Forever, as it turns out,is quite a long time. Longer than an enchanted princess can sleep. Longer,even, then an imprisoned maiden’s tower of golden hair. Longer than a week of being turned into a frog, and certainly much longer than waiting for a prince to finally get around to placing that glass slipper on your foot already.Yes, forever is a long, long, long time. Ten years, to be specific. Ten years that these legendary villains have been trapped on a floating prison of rock and rubble. Okay, so you might say ten years isn’t such a long time, considering;but for these conjurers and witches, viziers and sorcerers, evil queens and dark fairies, to live without magic was a sentence worse than death. (And some of them were brought back from death, only to be placed on this island—so, um, they should know.) Without their awesome powers to dominate and hypnotize, terrorize and threaten, create thunderclouds and lightning storms, transform and disguise their features or lie and manipulate their way into getting exactly what they wanted, they were reduced to hardscrabble lives, eking a living selling and eating slop, scaring no one but their own minions, and stealing from each other. It was hard even for them to imagine they once had been great and powerful, these poisoners of forest apples and thieves of undersea voices, these usurpers of royal powers and owners of petulant mirrors. Now their lives were anything but powerful. Now they were ordinary. Everyday.
What is the main idea?

a)

Without their awesome powers, the villains were reduced to hardscrabble lives.

b)

The United Kingdom of Auradon imprisoned all the villains on the Isle of the Lost.

c)

Forever is a very long time, longer than an enchanted princess can sleep.

d)

All the villains of the world were forced to live ordinary lives without their magic and powers.

74.

Fall Ballet
In fall the leaves are dancing In the newly cool, crisp breeze, Tumbling, skipping, flipping, As they throw themselves from trees. Twirling, whirling dancers, Give performances each day, Floating gracefully to earth, In a circular ballet. And as they land together, Making not a sound, They form a comfy quilt, For the hardening winter ground.
What is the main idea of the poem?

a)

Cool, crisp autumn breezes

b)

Leaves changing colors in the fall

c)

Leaves falling to the ground in autumn

d)

The hardening winter ground

75.

Parents would rather their kids eat fruits and vegetables than junk food. Junk food contains a lot of sugar, while mangos contain a good source of Vitamin A. Asparagus contains a good source of B1, oranges contain a good source of Vitamin C and mushrooms contain a good source of Vitamin D.

a)

Kids should not eat junk food.

b)

Fruits and vegetables are healthy.

c)

Parents know what is best.

76.

The United States averages around 1,200 tornadoes a year. Tornadoes bring very strong wind gusts, strong enough to pick up and carry houses and people. These wind gusts can reach up to 300 miles per hour and cause great damage! During tornadoes, people stay safe in underground basements called cellars.

a)

There are 1,200 tornadoes a year.

b)

People stay safe in cellars.

c)

Tornadoes are very dangerous.

77.

Anthony’s dad just bought a brand new car. Anthony is no longer allowed to eat in the car or drink anything, not even water. He also isn’t allowed to bring any markers or crayons in the car anymore. If Randal, the family dog, needs to travel with the family, he has to be bathed first and sit on a blanket.

a)

New cars are expensive.

b)

Anthony does not like the new rules.

c)

Dad wants to keep his car clean.

78.

Humans are given 2 sets of teeth in their lifetime. Infants begin growing teeth around 3 months of age. This first set of teeth are called baby teeth, and include 20 teeth. The second set of teeth include 32 teeth. Teeth are used to help break down food, and must be taken care of to prevent cavities.

a)

Babies have 20 teeth.

b)

Adults must brush their teeth.

c)

Humans are given 2 sets of teeth.

79.

Water covers approximately 70% of Earth’s surface. Oceans and rivers are the two largest sources for water. The three largest oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian. The longest river in the USA is the Missouri River, which is slightly longer than the Mississippi River.

a)

The Pacific Ocean is the largest in the world.

b)

Water covers 70% of Earth’s surface.

c)

The Missouri River is the largest in the USA.

80.

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.

81.

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.

82.

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

83.

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700’s. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people to read better.

a)

Benjamin Franklin thought reading was important.

b)

Benjamin Franklin was not afraid of fire.

c)

Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.

d)

A Franklin stove can heat a whole room.

84.

Native Americans dried strips of meat, pounded it into a paste, and then mixed it with fat. Sometimes they added berries and sugar. Then they pressed it into small cakes. They called these cakes pemmican. Pemmican didn't spoil, and it provided lots of energy for people traveling or going hunting. Today explorers still carry and eat this food.

What is the passage mostly about?

a)

who uses pemmican today

b)

what can be put into pemmican

c)

how pemmican was prepared by Native Americans.

d)

why people eat pemmican today

85.

Fifth grade is a good time to show additional responsibility. Fifth graders could show additional responsibility by getting a cell phone. As fifth graders, we are starting to stay after school for clubs or sports, and when we go into middle school, we will do more of this. With this added responsibility after school, we need a way to get in touch with our parents. Also, fifth graders are old enough to understand how to use a cell phone responsibility. A fifth grader understands that a phone is not just for playing games and listening to music. A fifth grader can show responsibility by not using all of the phone minutes or data on the phone for fun. Parents could help fifth graders set time limits for games and music. Finally, a phone is an expensive item, and you have to take care of it. A fifth grader can show responsibility by keeping up with the phone and not losing it.

Which of the following would best support the main idea if added to the paragraph?

a)

A phone could also be used to text friends and family members.

b)

It takes responsibility not to break the rules that parents set for how to use the phone.

c)

If there is an emergency at school, a cell phone would be useful.

86.

The Maracanazo

In 1950, the last game of soccer's World Cup was played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nearly two hundred thousand people squeezed into Rio's Maracanã stadium. Many expected the home team of Brazil to win easily. In one of the greatest upsets in soccer history, however, Uruguay won 2–1. Soccer is important in Brazil, and losing this game hurt Brazil's pride as a nation. Thus, the game came to be called the Maracanazo, meaning "the Maracanã blow." The word is still used to mean any game lost to a visiting team. Losing the 1950 World Cup had a lasting effect on the people of Brazil.

a)

Brazilians were deeply upset by the loss of the 1950 World Cup.

b)

The word Maracanazo means "the Maracanã blow."

c)

Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 in the final game of the 1950 World Cup.

87.

Have you ever wondered where chalk comes from? Tiny animals called foraminifera live in the sea. Each of these small living animals makes a tiny shell out of lime. When they die, their shells remain. With time, these shells become layers of white rock which we call chalk. Chalk is often found in places that were once underwater.
What is the main idea?

a)

Chalk is found in the ocean

b)

Chalk is soft stone that is used on blackboards

c)

Real chalk is made by a small sea animal.

88.

Amanda sat on a chair in her room. She looked out the window at a tree, which was covered with snow. She held a pencil in her hand and a pad of writing paper in her lap. She began to dream of a story she could write. Suddenly, a bird flew onto a snow-covered branch of the tree. The bird’s head was red, and its feather were black with white tips. Amanda thought, “What if the bird were magic?” Now she had an idea for her first story.
What is the main idea?

a)

Amanda was lazy and a dreamer

b)

Amanda couldn't write.

c)

Amanda wants to be a writer and gets an idea for a story.

89.

The main idea of a text is...

a)

what the text is a little bit about

b)

what the text is never about

c)

what the text is sometimes telling you

d)

what the text is mostly, or mainly, about

90.

What at is the main idea of this paragraph?

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.

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.

91.

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.

92.

The earth's surface is constantly changing. All over the world everyday there are earthquakes, floods and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see. Others cause tremendous damage and costs millions of dollars to clean up.
What is the main idea?

a)

It is expensive to clean up the damage

b)

Sometimes we can't see the changes.

c)

The Earth's surface is always changing.

93.

IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA

Before you put on that skeleton costume and rove door-to-door pandering for candy, take a minute to reflect on this tradition. Halloween is believed to have come from an ancient Celtic festival dating back some 2,000 years. November 1st was the Celtic New Year and marked the end of summer to the Celts. They celebrated on its eve by wearing costumes made of animal skins and dancing around bon fires. Over the next two millennia, this primitive celebration grew to be the candy fueled costume ball that we know today.

a)

The origins of Halloween

b)

The New Celtic Year

c)

Primitive traditions

d)

Why the skeleton costume is the best for Halloween

94.

What is the main idea of the passage?

Pizza is a favorite food in the United States. Pizza is from

Italy in the late 1800s. It became popular in the United

States after World War II. People like to add toppings.

Some toppings are pepperoni, sausage, and vegetables.

These toppings give pizza more flavor. Pepperoni is

America’s favorite topping.

SOURCE: Education.com

a)

Pizza is made from flour.

b)

Pizza was first made in Italy.

c)

You should eat the delicious pizza.

d)

Pizza is a popular meal in the

United States.

95.

What is the main idea of the passage?

Living things are organisms with certain characteristics.

They need water, food, and air to survive. They grow

and change, and they move on their own. Living things

reproduce, or make more of themselves. For example,

plants and animals are living things. Plants make their own food and animals eat plants or other animals for food.

SOURCE: Education.com

a)

There are four characteristics of living

things.

b)

Animals make their own food.

c)

All living things need sunlight.

d)

Plants eat other plants.

96.

What is the main idea of the passage?

Have you ever seen a giraffe at the zoo? Giraffes are the

tallest animals in the world. The average height of a giraffe

is 16-18 feet tall. This animal has a very long neck and legs.

Giraffes eat the leaves from tall trees. Other animals cannot

reach that high. Male giraffes are even taller than female

giraffes.

SOURCE: Education.com

a)

Giraffes are extremely tall animals.

b)

Giraffes don’t sleep very much.

c)

Giraffes are unique animals.

d)

Giraffes eat leaves.

97.

What is the main idea of the passage?

Hurricanes are large storms. They begin over the ocean.

They gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes

move slowly to land as they grow stronger. Hurricanes are

dangerous because of their size. They are also dangerous

because of high winds and big waves. Hurricanes can

bring flooding, power outages, and tornadoes.

SOURCE: Education.com

a)

Hurricanes are summer storms.

b)

Hurricanes are one type of storm.

c)

Hurricanes are large, dangerous

storms.

d)

Hurricanes are just like tornadoes and

floods.

98.

What is the main idea of the passage?

One way to stay healthy is to exercise. Exercise helps you

feel better, lose weight, and grow stronger. Taking a walk

is a form of exercise. It helps you go outside and get fresh

air. Playing a sport is another form of exercise. This is a

fun way to be active. Taking classes at a gym is a way to be

healthy and fit. There are many types of exercise you can do to improve your health.

SOURCE: Education.com

a)

Choose a fun way to exercise.

b)

There are many types of exercise.

c)

If you are not happy, exercise will fix it.

d)

There are many ways to make yourself

feel better.

99.

The Emerald City is a beautiful city all in green.

Which is NOT a supporting detail for this main idea?

a)

The skies were blue and the sun shone brightly.

b)

The houses were green marble covered in sparkling emeralds.

c)

The window panes were green glass and shone in the sunlight.

d)

The pavement was made of green marble.

100.

I had a wonderful summer this year.

Which is NOT a supporting detail for this main idea?

a)

I went to see the famous Golden Gate Bridge with my cousins.

b)

I think last night was quite windy.

c)

I mostly stayed up late and watch one movie after the other.

d)

I went to the pool almost every single day.

101.

Everyone should own a pet.

Which is NOT a supporting detail for this main idea?

a)

This pet could be a house animal like a dog, a cat, or a fish.

b)

Having a pet teaches about responsibility and taking care of someone else besides yourself.

c)

The pets can cheer you up when you are lonely or having a bad day.

d)

We have a pet store right around the corner.

Main Idea

Total questions: 101

Worksheet time: 4hrs 31mins

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