Find the Main Idea

Separate a passage's main idea from its supporting details.

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5 questions0m 0s

Learn the skill

Ask what most of the sentences explain together. A main idea covers the whole passage; a detail supports only part of it.

Worked example

A passage describes watering, sunlight, and good soil for plants. A fitting main idea is that plants need care to grow, not just that one pot is blue.

A Place to Read

The class made a reading corner more comfortable. They moved a lamp beside the chairs so the pages were easier to see. They placed cushions on the seats. They also moved a noisy fan away from the corner. Now students could settle in and read with fewer distractions.

1. What is the main idea? The fan was new. The class improved a place for reading. Every student reads the same book.

2. Which detail supports better lighting? They added a snack table. They chose a blue rug. They moved a lamp beside the chairs.

3. Why is 'They placed cushions on the seats' a detail? It is one way they improved the corner. It summarizes every change. It tells who wrote the passage.

4. Which title best matches the whole passage? The Noisy Fan Only Making Reading Comfortable Learning to Draw

5. Which sentence would support the same main idea? They raced outside. They learned about volcanoes. They added a small shelf to keep books within reach.

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