Language Arts: Main Idea and Supporting Details
Finding what a text is mostly about
Language Arts: Main Idea and Supporting Details
Finding what a text is mostly about
Language Arts - Grade 2-3
- 1
Read the passage: Birds build nests in many places. Some birds make nests in trees. Some birds build nests on the ground. A nest keeps eggs and baby birds safe. What is the main idea of the passage?
Ask yourself what all the sentences are mostly about.
The main idea is that birds build nests in different places to keep their eggs and babies safe. - 2
Read the passage: A pond is full of living things. Frogs hop near the water. Fish swim under the surface. Dragonflies fly above the plants. Write two supporting details from the passage.
Two supporting details are that frogs hop near the water and fish swim under the surface. Another detail is that dragonflies fly above the plants. - 3
Read the passage: The library is a helpful place. You can borrow books to read at home. You can use computers to find information. A librarian can help you choose a good book. What is the main idea?
Look for the sentence that tells what the whole passage is about.
The main idea is that the library is a helpful place. - 4
Which sentence does not support this main idea? Main idea: Dogs need care every day. A. Dogs need fresh water. B. Dogs need food. C. Dogs like to chase balls. D. Dogs need walks and exercise.
Choose the sentence that does not tell about caring for a dog.
Sentence C does not support the main idea because it tells something dogs like to do, not something they need for daily care. - 5
Read the passage: Mia goes to soccer practice after school. She stretches before she plays. She practices kicking the ball. She listens to her coach. What is the main idea of the passage?
The main idea is that Mia works on soccer skills at practice. - 6
Read the passage: Sunflowers grow tall in the summer. They need sunshine and water. Their yellow petals look bright. Birds may eat their seeds. Which detail supports the idea that sunflowers are plants that grow in summer?
Find a sentence that tells what sunflowers need to grow.
The detail that supports the main idea is that sunflowers need sunshine and water. - 7
Write one supporting detail for this main idea: Brushing your teeth helps keep your mouth healthy.
Think about what brushing does for your teeth.
One supporting detail is that brushing your teeth removes food and helps prevent cavities. - 8
Read the passage: Firefighters help keep people safe. They put out fires. They rescue people from danger. They teach families how to prevent fires. Which title best tells the main idea? A. How to Drive a Truck B. Firefighters Help People C. A Rainy Day D. My Favorite Book
The best title is B. Firefighters Help People because all the details tell ways firefighters keep people safe. - 9
Read the passage: Whales are very large animals that live in the ocean. Some whales sing long songs. Whales come to the surface to breathe air. Many whales travel far through the sea. What is the main idea?
Think about what all the details tell about whales.
The main idea is that whales are large ocean animals with special behaviors. - 10
Read these sentences: 1. Apples can be red, green, or yellow. 2. Apples grow on trees. 3. Apples are a popular fruit. 4. Many people eat apples as snacks. Which sentence is the main idea?
Sentence 3 is the main idea because the other sentences give details about apples. - 11
Read the passage: On the snow day, Leo put on his boots and coat. He built a snowman in the yard. Then he made snow angels with his sister. After lunch, they drank warm cocoa. Write two details that support the idea that Leo enjoyed a snow day.
Two details are that Leo built a snowman and made snow angels with his sister. Drinking warm cocoa after lunch is another supporting detail. - 12
Which sentence does not belong in this paragraph? Bees are important insects. They fly from flower to flower. They help plants grow by spreading pollen. My backpack is blue. Bees also make honey.
Look for the sentence that is not about bees.
The sentence 'My backpack is blue' does not belong because it does not support the main idea about bees. - 13
Find the main idea for these details: Camels can go a long time without water. Some desert lizards hide from the hot sun. Many desert animals are active at night. What is the main idea?
Think about what all three details tell about animals in the desert.
The main idea is that desert animals have ways to live in hot, dry places. - 14
Choose the best main idea sentence to begin this paragraph: ____. First, wash your hands. Next, spread peanut butter on one slice of bread. Then, add jelly and put the slices together. A. Sandwiches are funny. B. It is easy to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. C. Jelly can be purple. D. Bread comes in a bag.
Choose the sentence that tells what all the steps are about.
The best main idea sentence is B. It is easy to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because the details explain the steps for making one. - 15
Read the passage: At the campsite, Ava helped set up the tent. She gathered sticks for the fire pit. She roasted a marshmallow after dinner. She listened to owls at night. What is one supporting detail for the main idea that Ava did activities at the campsite?
One supporting detail is that Ava helped set up the tent. Another possible detail is that she gathered sticks, roasted a marshmallow, or listened to owls.