Main Idea Informational Text Quiz

1. Paragraph: 'Honeybees are important insects. They pollinate flowers and crops like apples and blueberries. If honeybees disappear, many of the foods we love will disappear too. Therefore, protecting the honeybee is vital.' What is the main idea?

Honeybees pollinate flowers and crops.

Protecting honeybees is important for our food supply.

Apples and blueberries are delicious.

Honeybees can sting people.

The entire paragraph builds toward the final thought: the importance of protecting the bees. The other options are supporting details or irrelevant information.

Explanation

The entire paragraph builds toward the final thought: the importance of protecting the bees. The other options are supporting details or irrelevant information.

2. The main idea of a passage is the single, central topic that the entire text is mostly about; it is often found in the _______ sentence.

The main idea is often stated directly in the topic sentence (or sometimes the concluding sentence), which introduces what the rest of the paragraph will discuss.

Explanation

The main idea is often stated directly in the topic sentence (or sometimes the concluding sentence), which introduces what the rest of the paragraph will discuss.

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3. A supporting detail is the same as the main idea.

True

False

This is false. A supporting detail is a specific fact, example, or reason used to explain or back up the main idea, but it is not the central point itself.

Explanation

This is false. A supporting detail is a specific fact, example, or reason used to explain or back up the main idea, but it is not the central point itself.

4. Paragraph: 'Mars is often called the Red Planet because of the color of its surface. It is the fourth planet from the Sun. Mars has two moons and is home to the tallest mountain in the solar system.' What is the main idea?

Mars has two moons.

Mars is called the Red Planet.

Mars has the tallest mountain.

The paragraph describes basic facts about the planet Mars.

None of the specific details (A, B, C) cover the whole paragraph. The main idea is the general topic that all the details are supporting: providing basic facts about Mars.

Explanation

None of the specific details (A, B, C) cover the whole paragraph. The main idea is the general topic that all the details are supporting: providing basic facts about Mars.

5. Select the supporting details in the following text: 'The sun is a star that is essential for life on Earth. It provides us with light and heat. Without the sun, our planet would be cold and dark, and nothing could grow.'

The sun is a star that is essential for life on Earth.

It provides us with light and heat.

Without the sun, our planet would be cold and dark.

Nothing could grow.

The main idea is A. Statements B, C, and D are all specific ways the sun supports life, serving as examples or reasons (details) to prove the main idea.

Explanation

The main idea is A. Statements B, C, and D are all specific ways the sun supports life, serving as examples or reasons (details) to prove the main idea.

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6. If a paragraph is about three different types of clouds, the main idea is likely about the _______ of clouds.

The main idea is always the general category or central concept that groups all the specific details together.

Explanation

The main idea is always the general category or central concept that groups all the specific details together.

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7. Paragraph: 'To stay healthy, you should drink plenty of water. Water helps your body digest food. It also keeps your joints flexible, helping you run and jump. Drinking water is key to a healthy life.' Which sentence states the main idea?

To stay healthy, you should drink plenty of water.

Water helps your body digest food.

It also keeps your joints flexible.

Water helps you run and jump.

Sentence A introduces the topic of the entire paragraph. The remaining sentences provide specific reasons (supporting details) why drinking water helps you stay healthy.

Explanation

Sentence A introduces the topic of the entire paragraph. The remaining sentences provide specific reasons (supporting details) why drinking water helps you stay healthy.

8. The main idea must always be the very first sentence of the paragraph.

True

False

This is false. While the main idea is often at the beginning (topic sentence), it can be placed anywhere in the paragraph, including the middle or the end (as a concluding statement).

Explanation

This is false. While the main idea is often at the beginning (topic sentence), it can be placed anywhere in the paragraph, including the middle or the end (as a concluding statement).

9. Paragraph: 'Sharks have several characteristics that make them excellent hunters. They have a powerful sense of smell and rows of sharp teeth. They are also incredibly fast swimmers.' What is the paragraph mainly about?

Sharks are excellent hunters.

Sharks have a powerful sense of smell.

Sharks have rows of sharp teeth.

Sharks can swim fast.

The specific details (B, C, D) are all characteristics that prove the general statement: sharks are excellent hunters. Therefore, A is the main idea.

Explanation

The specific details (B, C, D) are all characteristics that prove the general statement: sharks are excellent hunters. Therefore, A is the main idea.

10. Select the option that best expresses the main idea of the text: 'The first bicycle was called a draisine. It was made of wood and had no pedals. Riders had to push off the ground with their feet to move.'

The first bicycle had no pedals.

The first bicycle was made of wood.

Early bicycles were very basic and different from modern bikes.

The draisine was invented in Germany.

The paragraph discusses three separate details that all support the idea that the first bicycle (the draisine) was simple and very different from what we ride today.

Explanation

The paragraph discusses three separate details that all support the idea that the first bicycle (the draisine) was simple and very different from what we ride today.

11. If you can summarize a paragraph in one complete sentence, that sentence is most likely the _______.

The main idea is the one sentence that accurately summarizes the topic and purpose of the entire passage, covering all the supporting points.

Explanation

The main idea is the one sentence that accurately summarizes the topic and purpose of the entire passage, covering all the supporting points.

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12. Paragraph: 'Dolphins are smart animals that live in the sea. They communicate using whistles and clicks. They also work together to hunt for fish. Their intelligence helps them survive.' What is the main idea?

Dolphins live in the sea.

Dolphins communicate using whistles and clicks.

Dolphins are intelligent animals that use their smarts to survive.

Dolphins hunt for fish together.

All the details (whistles, clicks, hunting together) are examples of their intelligence and how it helps them survive, which is the overall focus of the paragraph.

Explanation

All the details (whistles, clicks, hunting together) are examples of their intelligence and how it helps them survive, which is the overall focus of the paragraph.

13. A statement that is too broad or general to cover all the details in the paragraph can still be the main idea.

True

False

This is false. The main idea must be focused enough to accurately represent the topic, but general enough to encompass all the supporting details mentioned in the paragraph.

Explanation

This is false. The main idea must be focused enough to accurately represent the topic, but general enough to encompass all the supporting details mentioned in the paragraph.

14. Paragraph: 'Reading books can help students learn new vocabulary words. It also improves their writing skills and helps them focus better in class. Reading is a helpful activity for students.' What is the main idea?

Reading helps students learn new vocabulary.

Reading improves writing skills.

Reading is a beneficial activity for students.

Reading helps students focus better.

The idea that reading is a 'beneficial activity' (C) is the general statement that covers all the specific benefits listed in the paragraph (A, B, D).

Explanation

The idea that reading is a 'beneficial activity' (C) is the general statement that covers all the specific benefits listed in the paragraph (A, B, D).

15. Which statements are too specific to be the main idea of a paragraph about different types of energy? (Select all that apply)

Wind turbines use rotating blades to generate power.

Energy can be generated from water, sun, or wind.

Solar panels are expensive to install.

There are many different ways to produce electricity.

A and C are specific facts about wind and solar energy. The main idea would need to be broad enough to cover all types, like B or D.

Explanation

A and C are specific facts about wind and solar energy. The main idea would need to be broad enough to cover all types, like B or D.

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16. When looking for the main idea, you should ask yourself: ‘What single thing is the author trying to _______ me about the most?’

The author's primary goal is to convey the main idea. Asking this question helps students focus on the author's overall purpose or claim.

Explanation

The author's primary goal is to convey the main idea. Asking this question helps students focus on the author's overall purpose or claim.

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17. Paragraph: 'The library offers many services besides books. You can use their computers and printers for free. They also host free classes, like coding and knitting.' The main idea is that the library:

Has free computers and printers.

Offers more than just books.

Hosts classes like knitting.

Is a quiet place to read.

The entire paragraph is structured around proving that the library provides more services than people might assume, making B the central idea.

Explanation

The entire paragraph is structured around proving that the library provides more services than people might assume, making B the central idea.

18. If a sentence contains a fact, it must be the main idea of the paragraph.

True

False

This is false. A sentence can contain a fact and still be a supporting detail. Only the sentence that captures the central point of all the details is the main idea.

Explanation

This is false. A sentence can contain a fact and still be a supporting detail. Only the sentence that captures the central point of all the details is the main idea.

19. Paragraph: 'The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world. It flows through several countries in South America. The river provides water for millions of people and animals.' What is the main idea?

The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world.

The Amazon River is a very important body of water in South America.

The river flows through several countries.

It provides water for millions of people.

The details about its length, location, and provision of water all support the overall idea that the Amazon River is an important body of water.

Explanation

The details about its length, location, and provision of water all support the overall idea that the Amazon River is an important body of water.

20. If the topic of the paragraph is 'Healthy Habits,' which of these details supports that main idea? (Select all that apply)

Brushing your teeth twice a day keeps them clean.

Playing video games is fun.

Eating vegetables helps your body grow strong.

Getting nine hours of sleep at night is important.

Brushing, eating vegetables, and sleeping are all specific actions (details) that fall under the general category of 'Healthy Habits' (the main idea).

Explanation

Brushing, eating vegetables, and sleeping are all specific actions (details) that fall under the general category of 'Healthy Habits' (the main idea).

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Core Message: Identifying the Main Idea of an Informational Text Quiz