What is the Main Idea?

A pocketknife is a helpful tool when camping

A pocketknife is useful when camping. You might need it to cut a rope when setting up your campsite. If you are missing a tent stake, you can use your knife to make one from a stick. When you go fishing, a pocketknife is helpful for cutting bait and fishing lines. If you use your knife to sharpen one end of a long stick, you can cook hot dogs or marshmallows over the campfire. What is the main idea of this passage?

Before toothbrushes were invented, people used natural objects to clean their teeth.

Before toothbrushes were invented, people cleaned their teeth with small twigs. The first toothbrushes were made from bones and bristles from boars, horsehairs, or even feathers. Today the bristles on most toothbrushes are made from nylon. What is the main idea of this passage?

b) Bob needs to clean his messy room.

Bob's Messy Room Bob's room was a mess! There were toy trucks on the floor. There were books by the door. There were pants on the bed. Dad said, "This room is a pig pen! Clean it up now!" Dad was not happy. What is the main idea of this paragraph? a) Dad is angry b) Bob needs to clean his messy room. c) Toy trucks are on Bob's floor. d) Bob was not happy.

c) Madison is a very good student.

Carson's older sister, Madison, is a very good student. She isn't satisfied to just get by in school. She is involved in extra activities at school, including the school's music program and the math club. She also always tries to answer the teachers questions in class. What is the main idea of this paragraph? a) Madison was born before Carson. b) Madison likes music and math. c) Madison is a very good student. d) Madison likes to show off.

Breakfast is an important meal.

Do you eat breakfast every day? Researchers have found that people who eat a balanced breakfast are likely to be healthier than those who don't. One reason is that most people eat whole grains at breakfast and these promote good health. Breakfast eaters also tend to have fewer weight problems than those who skip a meal. People who don't eat breakfast usually eat too much later in the day. Often, these foods are not healthy and cause weight gain and other problems. So, be sure to eat breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day. What is the main idea of this passage?

b) Where taste buds are found.

Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have nine thousand taste buds just on our tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of our mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat. What does the author want you to learn when he wrote this passage? a) Why we have taste buds. b) Where taste buds are found. c) Why we can only taste sweet things. d) Without taste buds, life would be boring.

A

Dogs and Wolves Dogs and wolves are part of the same animal family. Both animals have strong senses of smell and are loyal to their packs. But dogs and wolves are quite different when it comes to people. Dogs are used to living with people and get along well with them. In fact, dogs have been called "man's best friend." Wolves, on the other hand, cannot live with humans. Wolves prefer to live in the wild, where they can hunt for their food. Clearly, dogs belong with people, while wolves do not. What is the main idea? A. Dogs are better suited to living with people than wolves are. B. Dogs and wolves have many thing in common.

A

Earth and Mars Earth is much more welcoming to life than Mars is. Earth's thick atmosphere helps keep the planet warm, with an average temperature of 57°F. In addition, over two-thirds of Earth is covered by water. These conditions make it easy for all kinds of organisms to live here. Mars, on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere and is farther from the sun. Therefore, it is much colder. Mars's average temperature is about -60°F! In addition, the surface of the planet is mostly dry and dusty. Without enough water and warmth, most organisms would struggle to survive on Mars. What is the main idea? A. Earth is better able to support life than Mars. B. Earth has a thick atmosphere and a warm temperature.

c) My morning activities.

Every morning when I get up, I eat breakfast, brush my teeth, comb my hair, get dressed and make my bed. After that, it is my job to feed the dog, then I can read for a while before it is time to walk to school. The main idea in this passage is. a) What time I eat breakfast. b) How my brother helps me get ready for school. c) My morning activities. d) Catching the bus to school.

Many people are interested in extreme sports.

Extreme sports are very popular. Some extreme sports, such as snow skiing or surfing, have been around for many years. Other extreme sports, such as snowboarding or windsurfing, have become popular in recent years. One thing all extreme sports have in common is the thrill of competing. Extreme sports athletes are always looking for new challenges-a bigger wave, a higher mountain, or a steeper hill. What is the main idea of this passage?

Details

Facts, statistics, examples, stories, quotations, definitions, reasons, comparisons which support your main idea; details help make the main idea clear

You must make many decisions when buying groceries.

Grocery shopping is not an easy chore. There are many different brands and types of food that it can be hard to make a choice. Do we want smooth peanut butter or chunky, regular or low fat, plain or swirled with grape jelly, large or small container, glass or plastic jar? And which brand do we prefer? With so many choices for each item, no wonder it takes so long to shop! What is the main idea of this passage?

The ice cream cone was invented in 1904.

It all started in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair when an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes for his ice cream. A man named Ernest Hamwi was selling waffles in the booth next door. He helped his neighbor out by making cone-shaped waffles to hold the ice cream. The rest, as they say, is history. What is the main idea of this passage?

Many presidents have had nicknames.

Many U.S. presidents have nicknames. Calvin Coolidge was known as Silent Cal because he rarely spoke. The Little Magician was Martin Van Buren, who wore a tall silk hat. Grover Cleveland earned the nickname Veto President because he vetoed more bills than all previous presidents combined. Andrew Jackson's nickname was Old Hickory, while Theodore Roosevelt's was Rough Rider. The Great Emancipator was Abraham Lincoln, who wrote a proclamation that emancipated, or freed, slaves. What is the main idea of this passage?

Many people have difficulty falling asleep and waking up in the morning.

Many people find it hard to wake up in the morning. We groan and reach for the snooze button when the alarm goes off. Busy days and late nights make it hard to get enough sleep. Even when we do get to bed on time, unfinished business from the day or worries about tomorrow's events can keep us from falling asleep. Our ancestors would laugh at the thought of being unable to fall asleep. After toiling in the fields or factories from early morning until evening, they had no problem falling asleep. But they, too, probably groaned at the sound of the rooster crowing early in the morning. What is the main idea of this passage?

Public libraries have changed over the years.

Many years ago, libraries were silent places offering mostly books and newspapers. Today, we can find a variety of resources in libraries. In addition to regular books, libraries loan out books-on-tape, videotapes, and compact disks. Most libraries have replaced their card catalogs with computer catalogs. Shelves of current magazines and comfortable chairs encourage people to relax and stay a while. Children are welcomed to the library with brightly colored murals, puzzle tables, and story hours. What is the main idea of this passage?

A

Mules and Horses A mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse. Its father is a donkey, and its mother is a horse. Mules are about the same size as horses and look like horses in certain ways. However, mules are quite different from horses when it comes to life on a farm. Mules are stronger than horses and usually don't have as many health problems as horses do. Mules also live longer than horses and don't need as much food. They can also act as guard animals, protecting other animals on the farm. For farmers, mules are often a better choice than horses. What is the main idea? A. Although they have many similarities, mules make better working farm animals than horses. B. Mules and horses have several key traits in common.

B

Nuts and Peanuts According to many studies, eating nuts may be good for your heart. Nuts contain good fats, vitamin E, and fiber, all of which are heart-healthy. Some people may not buy nuts often because they are expensive. But there are many less expensive foods that have the same health benefits as nuts. Peanuts, for example, are also good for your heart. Despite their name, peanuts are not actually nuts. They're legumes, like beans. In one study, people who ate either true nuts or peanuts were less likely to die of heart disease than people who didn't. Other studies have also suggested that peanuts are good for the heart. What is the main idea? A. Nuts contain many nutrients that are good for your heart, but they can be expensive. B. True nuts are good for your heart, but peanuts offer similar benefits.

Pet owners have a lot of responsibility.

Pets depend on their owners for many things. Pet owners must give their pets food, water, and shelter. Some pets, such as dogs, need attention from their owners every day. Pet owners must be careful so their pets do not run away or get injured. When a pet is ill or injured, its owner must take the pet to the vet. What is the main idea of this passage?

B

Putting Code in the Classroom Computer-science skills are important in today's world. In countries such as Britain, China, and Vietnam, most students learn computer programming, also called coding. However, few American schools offer computer-science classes. A group called Code.org believes this should be changed. The group provides a first step in bringing computer science to U.S. schools. They offer a service called Hour of Code. Hour of Code gives students one hour of free online computer-science classes. Code.org hopes this program will encourage all schools to teach computer programming. What is the main idea? A. Code.org believes that not enough schools in the United States offer computer-science based classes. B. Code.org offers a way for more students to study computer-science.

Summarizing

Retelling the main ideas of a text in your own words.

A

Saving Water in the Garden Many people like to grow flowers and vegetables in their own gardens. They may also want to help the planet by conserving water. How can people both enjoy their gardens and lower their water use? One way is to water plants close to their roots, where water is needed. Another way is to recycle water used indoors. For example, people can water plants with leftover water from cooking. Yet another way is to choose plants that don't need much water to grow. These are just some of the many ways that the home gardener can conserve water. What is the main idea? A. Gardeners can take several steps to save water in their gardens. B. Using less water in the garden can help save the planet.

a) King Midas loved gold.

Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and he 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 a lot of gold. c) King Midas had a heart of gold. d) King Midas hated gold.

b) Soccer is a popular worldwide sport.

Soccer (also known as football in some countries) is a very popular sport across the world, with over 200 countries playing the sport. It is estimated that over 250 million people, both men and women, play soccer. The sport has been part of the Olympic games from 1900 to 1928 and then from 1938 to today. The main idea of this paragraph is... a) Soccer is an important Olympic sport. b) Soccer is a popular worldwide sport. c) Soccer is also called football d) Soccer is played by men and women.

Some kinds of roller coasters use magnets to make them stop.

Strong magnets are put into some rollercoasters. They are also put into the end of the track. As the rollercoaster approaches, the end of the track, the attracting forces of the magnet bring the coaster to a gentle stop. What is the main idea of this passage?

Not all information on the Internet is reliable.

The Internet has become a quick and easy way to find information on just about any topic. When using the Internet to do research, however, you must be careful of the source. Just because someone has posted information on a website, it doesn't mean the person is an expert. Anyone can offer his opinion as fact on the Internet. Official websites of the government, newspapers, colleges, and professional organizations may have more reliable information than other sites. If you compare several sites and find the same facts, you can be more confident the information is correct. What is the main idea of this passage?

The origin of the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Institution opened in Washington, D.C., in 1855. It is the world's largest museum and covers 19 acres. It was founded because of the generosity of an Englishman named James Smithson. When Smithson died in 1829, he left his money to his nephew. If the nephew had no heirs, the money was to go to the U.S. government to start a museum. The nephew died in 1835, leaving no children behind. Then, sure enough 105 bags of gold arrived in the United States for the museum. What is the main idea of this passage?

Instruments are played in different ways.

There are many different types of instruments. Violins and guitars are stringed instruments. Musicians move the strings on these instruments to play them. To play pianos or organs, you press the keys on their keyboards. To play wind instruments, such as a horn or a flute, you blow into them while pressing keys. Musicians play drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments by striking them. What is the main idea of this passage?

Is this what the text is MOSTLY about?

What question should you ask when figuring out main idea?

About/Point

What strategy should you use to figure out main idea?

Most animals do not recognize themselves in a mirror.

When most animals look into a mirror, they think that the reflection is another animal. A few animals do recognize themselves. They include: elephants dolphins, chimps, and great apes. What is the main idea of this passage?

A

Working for the Vote In 1900, Carrie Chapman Catt became president of a women's rights group. The group was called the National American Woman's Suffrage Association, or NAWSA. At that time, women weren't allowed to vote. NAWSA was trying to change that. In 1904, Catt left NAWSA to care for her sick husband. By 1915, the group was falling apart. Many of its strongest workers had left. Catt returned as president and became the strong leader the group needed. She won support from state and national leaders. As a result, the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 1920. Thanks largely to Catt's skills as a leader, women could finally vote in the United States. What is the main idea? A. Carrie Chapman Catt is a big reason that women won the right to vote in the U.S. B. The Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1919.

The story of "Happy Birthday"

You turn a year older and friends sing a certain song to you. The story of "Happy Birthday" goes back to the 1890s. In 1893 a teacher named Patty Smith Hill and her sister Mildred published a book called Song Stories for Kindergarten. The first song in the book was a four-line verse called "Good Morning to All." Patty soon wrote new words to this jingle and it became the popular "Happy Birthday" song still sung today. What is the main idea of this passage?

supporting detail

a piece of information or example that supports the main idea

interesting detail

a piece of information that does not support the main idea

central idea

a term that means the same thing as main idea

conclusion

an ending or wrap-up for your writing

directly stated main idea

another way to say explicit main idea

indirectly stated main idea

another way to say implicit main idea

Supporting Details

information or facts that support or add more to the main idea

Main Idea

the central or most important idea about a topic that the writer wants to communicate to readers.

implicit main idea

the reader has to figure out the main idea of a text

subject

the topic of the text - usually one or two words at most

Support

to bear or hold up; serve as a foundation for *any material that serves to prove a claim

declarative title

using the subject or main idea in the title of a text

main idea

what the author wants the reader to know about the subject

Topic

what the story, passage or other text is about