The Main Idea

What question should you ask yourself to find the main idea of a paragraph?

_{A.) Who or what is this paragraph mainly about?
B.) What is the first sentence?
C.) What word is used the most in the passage?
D.) All of the above}

The main idea of a story tells us...

_{A.) What to look for in the story.
B.) What the story is mainly about.
C.) How to read.
D.) Nothing.}

What is the main idea?

_{A.) A supporting detail
B.) The introduction
C.) The big picture
D.) The conclusion or closing sentence}

All of the following are clues to finding the main idea except

_{A.) Looking for repeated ideas
B.) Summarizing what we read in one to two sentences
C.) Looking back in the first few sentences
D.) Looking for pictures}

Cameron's birthday party was a lot of fun. We had cake, ice cream, and chocolate chip cookies. He also had a pinata filled with candy. I can't wait to go again next year.

What is the main idea?

_{A.) The pinata was filled with candy.
B.) We ate cake, ice cream, and cookies
C.) He had balloons everywhere.
D.) Cameron's birthday party was fun.}

The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Blue Morpho butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.

What is the main idea?

_{A.) Sloths and tapirs are other creatures that live in the rain forest.
B.) The rain forest is home to many creatures.
C.) Monkeys live in the rain forest.
D.) It rains a lot in the rain forest.}

Our class is going on a field trip to the science center. Our teacher tells us that science is important. Our class enjoys doing science experiments. We work very hard when we do science. Our class's favorite subject is science.

What is the main idea?

_{A.) We are going on a field trip.
B.) We love science experiments.
C.) We hate science.
D.) Our favorite subject is science.}

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.) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
B.) Soccer players learn how to dribble.
C.) They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
D.) Soccer is a lot of fun.}

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 sun tan.

What is the main idea?

_{A.) It is also fun to look for shells.
B.) Some people simply like to sun tan.
C.) Snorkeling is fun.
D.) There are many fun things to do at the beach.}

I was going to take my first trip on a jet. I was so excited when the finally came. "Well, our luggage is all checked in," Dad said. "Let's go up to the boarding gate. Our plan leaves in 20 minutes."

The main idea of this story is...

_{A.) A funny father
B.) A terrible trip
C.) My first plane trip
D.) Luggage}