Main Idea: Understanding the Heart of a Story

Question 1

The dog chased the ball. The dog had fun playing with the ball. What is the main idea of the story?

Accepted Answer

The dog played with the ball.

Answer

The dog chased the ball.

Answer

The ball rolled away.

Answer

The dog was tired after playing.

Question 2

Read the sentence: 'The boy was happy. He had a new bike.' What is the main idea of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

The boy was happy because he had a new bike.

Answer

The boy was happy.

Answer

The boy had a new bike.

Answer

The bike was new.

Question 3

What is the main idea of a text about different kinds of birds?

Accepted Answer

There are many different types of birds.

Answer

Birds are animals.

Answer

Birds have feathers.

Answer

Birds can fly.

Question 4

Which of the following texts is most likely to have a main idea about the life of George Washington?

Accepted Answer

A biography of George Washington

Answer

The History of the United States

Answer

A science fiction novel

Answer

A recipe for chocolate chip cookies

Question 5

Which word in this sentence is a key detail: The cat sat on the mat, purring softly?

Accepted Answer

purring

Answer

cat

Answer

mat

Answer

softly

Question 6

Which sentence is a good main idea for this paragraph? Bees are very important insects. They pollinate plants, helping them produce seeds. Bees also produce honey, a delicious and nutritious food.

Accepted Answer

Bees are important insects.

Answer

Bees pollinate plants.

Answer

Bees produce honey.

Answer

Bees are good for the environment.

Question 7

What is the main idea of a story?

Accepted Answer

The most important message the writer wants to share

Answer

What happens first in a story

Answer

What happens last in a story

Answer

The place and time of the story

Question 8

Read this sentence: 'The boy went to the store to buy milk and eggs.' What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The boy bought milk and eggs.

Answer

The boy went to the store.

Answer

The store sells milk and eggs.

Question 9

Which of these is NOT a key detail for the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The author's opinion

Answer

The setting of the story

Answer

The characters in the story

Answer

The events that happen in the story

Question 10

Read this paragraph: 'The dog was very happy to see his owner. He wagged his tail and jumped up on his owner's lap. The dog licked his owner's face and barked excitedly.' What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The dog is happy to see his owner.

Answer

The owner loves his dog.

Answer

Dogs are loyal animals.

Question 11

Which of these is a good way to summarize the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Write a short sentence that tells what the story is mostly about.

Answer

Write a paragraph that includes all the details of the story.

Answer

Tell the story in your own words.

Question 12

Read this sentence: 'The children built a sandcastle at the beach.' What is a good summary of the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The children built a sandcastle.

Answer

The children played at the beach.

Answer

The beach is a fun place to play.

Question 13

Which of these is a good sentence to use as a topic sentence for a paragraph about the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The story is about a boy who went on an adventure.

Answer

The boy went on an adventure.

Answer

Adventures are exciting.

Question 14

Which of these is NOT a benefit of understanding the main idea?

Accepted Answer

It helps us write better stories.

Answer

It helps us remember what we read.

Answer

It helps us understand the author's purpose.

Answer

It helps us make predictions about what will happen next in the story.

Question 15

Which of these sentences could be a main idea?

Accepted Answer

Dogs are loyal animals.

Answer

The weather was very cold yesterday.

Answer

I have a red ball.

Question 16

What is a good way to find the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Looking for key details

Answer

Reading the first sentence

Answer

Guessing

Question 17

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Dogs are friendly animals. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs also make great companions.

Accepted Answer

Dogs are friendly and loving.

Answer

Dogs are good pets.

Answer

Dogs are easy to train.

Question 18

Which of these is NOT a good way to summarize a text?

Accepted Answer

Including every detail

Answer

Using your own words

Answer

Focusing on the main idea

Question 19

What is a context clue?

Accepted Answer

A word or phrase that helps you understand the meaning of another word

Answer

A picture that helps you visualize the text

Answer

A question that helps you think about the text

Question 20

Which of these best tells the main part of the story "The Ant and the Grasshopper"?

Accepted Answer

Work hard and save for later

Answer

Being lazy is good

Answer

Stay home

Answer

Having fun is important

Question 21

True or False: The main part of a story is usually written in the beginning.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 22

Which of these is an example of a good main idea?

Accepted Answer

The value of education

Answer

The weather is nice today

Answer

Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Answer

My preferred color is blue

Question 23

Which of these is NOT a way to find the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Ignore the story's title

Answer

Look for important details

Answer

Summarize the story

Answer

Use context clues

Question 24

Which sentence tells us the most important idea of the paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The sun gives us light and heat.

Answer

The sun is very big.

Answer

The sun is a bright star.

Question 25

The best way to understand what a text is mostly about is to find its...

Accepted Answer

Main idea

Answer

First sentence

Answer

Longest paragraph

Question 26

Which of these can help you find the main idea quickly?

Accepted Answer

Sum up the text in your own short words.

Answer

Look for the biggest picture on the page.

Answer

Read only the title of the text.

Question 27

Read the sentence: 'Birds fly in the sky.' What is the main idea of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Birds can fly.

Answer

Animals live in different places.

Answer

The sky is blue.

Question 28

What kind of information can help support the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Important facts

Answer

Random numbers

Answer

Funny jokes

Question 29

What is a helpful way to summarize a text and find its main idea?

Accepted Answer

Write down the most important points.

Answer

Try to remember every word.

Answer

Draw a picture of what the text is about.

Question 30

Read the sentence: 'Trees are tall and have leaves. They provide oxygen.' What is the main idea of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Trees are important for the environment.

Answer

Trees are found in different shapes and sizes.

Answer

Plants need sunlight to grow.

Question 31

What is the main idea of a text or story?

Accepted Answer

The most important message or purpose

Answer

The details of the story

Answer

The summary of the story

Answer

The conclusion of the story

Question 32

Which of these can help you find the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Looking for key details

Answer

Guessing

Answer

Rereading the whole text without a strategy

Answer

Asking a friend to tell you

Question 33

Read the paragraph: 'The park is a fun place to play. There are swings, slides, and a merry-go-round. You can also play with friends and have picnics.' What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The park has many things to do

Answer

The park is a happy place

Answer

The park is a place to exercise

Answer

The park is a place to learn

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a good way to find the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring the first and last sentences

Answer

Reading the title and headings

Answer

Looking for repeated words and phrases

Answer

Using context clues

Question 35

Which question can help you find the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

What is the most important thing the author is trying to say?

Answer

What is the author's opinion about the topic?

Answer

What are the details of the story?

Answer

What is the author's purpose for writing the text?

Question 36

What's the most important thing this paragraph wants to tell us? 'The sky was blue. The sun was bright. The birds were singing.'

Accepted Answer

It is a beautiful day.

Answer

The birds were singing.

Answer

The sky is blue.

Question 37

Which of these is NOT a way to find the most important idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Guess.

Answer

Look for key details.

Answer

Summarize the text.

Question 38

Which sentence is the best way to summarize the main idea of the text: 'The cat chased the mouse. The mouse ran away. The cat did not catch the mouse.'?

Accepted Answer

The cat tried to catch the mouse but failed.

Answer

The cat and mouse played a game.

Answer

The mouse was faster than the cat.

Question 39

Why is it important for a text to have a clear main idea?

Accepted Answer

So that readers can easily understand the text's main message.

Answer

So that writers can quickly summarize the text.

Answer

So that texts are easier to read.

Answer

So that texts are more interesting.

Question 40

What is the main idea of this sentence: "The cat is fluffy and white."

Accepted Answer

The sentence tells us about a fluffy, white cat.

Answer

The cat is fluffy.

Answer

The cat is white.

Answer

The cat is a pet.

Question 41

Which one is NOT a way to find the main idea?

Accepted Answer

Looking at the pictures

Answer

Summarizing the story

Answer

Looking for important details

Answer

Using clues in the story

Question 42

The park is a great place to play. There are swings, slides, and a jungle gym. You can play with friends or have a picnic. What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The park is a fun place to play.

Answer

You can have a picnic at the park.

Answer

The park has swings, slides, and a jungle gym.

Answer

You can play with friends at the park.

Question 43

How can you tell what a story is mostly about?

Accepted Answer

Write a short sentence that tells what the story is about.

Answer

Use the same words as the author.

Answer

Write down every detail from the story.

Question 44

What is the main idea of this sentence: "The weather is cold and rainy."

Accepted Answer

The weather is not nice.

Answer

The weather is perfect for playing outside.

Answer

The weather is cold.

Answer

The weather is rainy.

Question 45

The library is a quiet place. There are many books to read. You can also use the computers or do your homework. What is the main idea?

Accepted Answer

The library is a good place to learn and be quiet.

Answer

The library has lots of books.

Answer

The library has computers.

Question 46

How can you check if you understand what a story is mainly about?

Accepted Answer

Ask yourself what the story is mostly about.

Answer

Read the story again and again.

Answer

Don't worry about it.

Answer

Guess what the main idea is.

Question 47

What is the main idea of this sentence: "The dog is brown and fluffy."

Accepted Answer

The sentence tells us about a brown, fluffy dog.

Answer

The dog is a good pet.

Answer

The dog is brown.

Answer

The dog is fluffy.