Master Main Idea and Supporting Details: Enhance Your Reading Comprehension

Question 1

What is the main idea of the sentence: 'Clouds form in the sky and can be made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals'?

Accepted Answer

Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals.

Answer

Clouds are important for the weather.

Answer

Clouds form in the sky.

Answer

Clouds can be different shapes and sizes.

Question 2

The main idea of a text is the:

Accepted Answer

One sentence that sums up the whole text

Answer

Supporting details of the text

Answer

Single word that represents the text

Answer

Details that help explain the main idea

Question 3

Which of the following is a good supporting detail for the main idea 'Dogs are friendly animals'?

Accepted Answer

Dogs wag their tails

Answer

Dogs have sharp teeth

Answer

Dogs can be dangerous

Answer

Dogs need food and water

Question 4

You are telling a story about your trip to the zoo. Which way of organizing your details would be the most interesting?

Accepted Answer

Organizing the animals by where they live.

Answer

Starting with the biggest animal you saw.

Answer

Listing the animals in alphabetical order.

Question 5

Your main idea is: Brushing your teeth is important. Which of these is NOT a good supporting detail for this main idea?

Accepted Answer

Brushing your teeth makes your hair shiny.

Answer

Brushing your teeth prevents cavities.

Answer

Brushing your teeth makes your breath smell good.

Question 6

Read the sentence. The boy enjoys playing baseball with his friends. Which of the following is the MAIN IDEA of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The boy likes to play baseball.

Answer

The boy is a talented baseball player.

Answer

The boy has many friends.

Question 7

You want to find the main idea of a paragraph. Which of these is the best strategy?

Accepted Answer

Read the sentence that best summarizes the paragraph.

Answer

Read the first sentence.

Answer

Read the last sentence.

Question 8

Which of the following is a good way to write a supporting sentence?

Accepted Answer

Provide specific examples.

Answer

Start with a topic sentence.

Answer

Use vivid language.

Question 9

Which sentence is NOT a supporting detail for the main idea that 'The park is a fun place to play'?

Accepted Answer

The park has a lot of flowers.

Answer

The park has a playground.

Answer

The park has a basketball court.

Question 10

Read the story: 'Sarah's dog, Max, ran away from home. She looked for him everywhere but couldn't find him. She was very sad and worried.' What is the main idea of this story?

Accepted Answer

Sarah lost her dog.

Answer

Sarah's dog is friendly.

Answer

Sarah is a good pet owner.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a detail that supports the main idea that 'Sarah was sad and worried about her dog'?

Accepted Answer

Sarah gave up looking for her dog.

Answer

Sarah cried when her dog ran away.

Answer

Sarah searched for her dog for a long time.

Question 12

Read the poem: 'The sun shines bright, the birds sing sweet, The flowers bloom in colors neat.' What is the main idea of this poem?

Accepted Answer

Nature is beautiful.

Answer

Spring is a wonderful time of year.

Answer

The world is full of joy.

Question 13

Which of these is NOT a way to improve your reading?

Accepted Answer

Read really quickly.

Answer

Read different kinds of books and articles.

Answer

Talk about what you read with others.

Answer

Ask yourself questions about what you're reading.

Question 14

What is the main idea of this sentence: 'The weather was cold and rainy, so I decided to stay inside.'

Accepted Answer

I stayed inside because of the weather.

Answer

The weather was bad.

Answer

I didn't want to go outside.

Answer

I was cold and wet.

Question 15

What is a supporting detail in the following sentence?

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy. It was a gift from France to the United States.

Accepted Answer

It was a gift from France to the United States.

Answer

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good main idea? It should be:

Accepted Answer

Expressed as an opinion

Answer

Broad enough to cover all the supporting details

Answer

Specific enough to be focused

Question 17

What is the main idea of this sentence?

The Wright brothers were the first people to fly an airplane.

Accepted Answer

The Wright brothers flew an airplane.

Answer

The Wright brothers were inventors.

Answer

Airplanes were invented in the 19th century.

Question 18

To find the best understanding of a text's main idea, you should:

Accepted Answer

Read the entire text carefully

Answer

Read only the first sentence

Answer

Read only the first and last paragraphs

Answer

Just guess based on the title

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT typically a supporting detail?

Accepted Answer

A personal opinion about the topic

Answer

A fact that supports the main idea

Answer

An example that explains the main idea

Answer

A definition of an important term

Question 20

Which of these texts is likely to have a main idea about the importance of recycling?

Accepted Answer

A news article about a new recycling program in town

Answer

A poem about the beauty of nature

Answer

A math problem about calculating the volume of a recycling bin

Answer

A fairy tale about a princess who lives in a castle

Question 21

Which of the following is a good tip for summarizing a text?

Accepted Answer

Write one sentence that captures the main idea and some key details.

Answer

Rewrite the whole text in your own words.

Answer

List all the characters and events in the text.

Answer

Draw a picture that represents the main idea.

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a sign of a good supporting detail?

Accepted Answer

It's more interesting than the main idea.

Answer

It matches the main idea.

Answer

It gives specific information.

Answer

It's shorter than the main idea.

Question 23

When you write a text, what is the best order to present your supporting details?

Accepted Answer

In the order of importance

Answer

In any order

Answer

In the order they appear in the story

Answer

In a way that looks visually appealing

Question 24

What is NOT a good supporting detail?

Accepted Answer

It is not specific or detailed.

Answer

It is related to the main idea.

Answer

It provides evidence or examples.

Answer

It is interesting.

Question 25

Which of the following is the best way to find the main idea of a paragraph?

Accepted Answer

Read the entire paragraph and look for the most important point.

Answer

Read the first sentence.

Answer

Read the last sentence.

Answer

Just guess.

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of supporting details?

Accepted Answer

To make the main idea more confusing.

Answer

To provide evidence for the main idea.

Answer

To explain the main idea.

Answer

To help the reader understand the main idea.

Question 27

What is NOT a feature of a strong main idea sentence?

Accepted Answer

Is not a complete sentence

Answer

Clearly states the main topic of the paragraph

Answer

Is very specific and focused

Answer

Is supported by details in the paragraph

Question 28

Which of the following is the best way to identify the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Read the text carefully and try to understand its overall message.

Answer

Read only the first sentence of each paragraph.

Answer

Look at the illustrations or pictures and infer the main idea.

Answer

Read the title of the text and guess the main idea.

Question 29

What is the main idea of the following text: 'Bees are important pollinators. They help plants to produce flowers and fruits. Without bees, many plants would die.'?

Accepted Answer

Bees play a crucial role in pollination.

Answer

Pollination is essential for plant reproduction.

Answer

Bees are responsible for the production of all flowers.

Answer

Bees are the only pollinators in nature.

Question 30

Which of the following is a supporting detail for the main idea 'Playing video games can improve problem-solving skills'?

Accepted Answer

Video games often require players to solve puzzles or overcome challenges.

Answer

Video games can be violent and harmful to children.

Answer

Playing video games for too long can cause eye strain.

Question 31

What is the main difference between the main idea and the supporting details?

Accepted Answer

The main idea is the central point of the text, while the supporting details provide evidence or examples to support the main idea.

Answer

The main idea is always stated explicitly in the text, while the supporting details are implied.

Question 32

Which of the following is a good strategy for identifying the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Read the entire text carefully and look for the sentence or paragraph that summarizes the main point.

Answer

Read only the beginning of the text.

Answer

Read only the end of the text.

Question 33

What is the main idea of the following text: 'The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built as a tomb for the pharaoh Khufu. The pyramid is made of limestone and granite and is over 480 feet tall.'?

Accepted Answer

The Great Pyramid of Giza is an ancient Egyptian tomb.

Answer

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the tallest building in the world.

Answer

The Great Pyramid of Giza is made of sand.

Question 34

Which of the following is a supporting detail for the main idea 'Exercise is important for good health'?

Accepted Answer

Exercise can help to strengthen muscles and bones.

Answer

Exercise is only beneficial for athletes.

Answer

Exercise can be fun and enjoyable.

Answer

Exercise can be expensive and time-consuming.

Question 35

What is the main difference between a fact and an opinion?

Accepted Answer

A fact is something that can be proven to be true, while an opinion is a belief or judgment that cannot be proven.

Answer

Facts are always important, while opinions are not.

Question 36

What is the main idea of the following text: 'The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world. It is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals. The rainforest is also a vital source of oxygen and water for the planet.'?

Accepted Answer

The Amazon rainforest is a vast and diverse ecosystem.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is a desert.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is located in Africa.

Question 37

What is the most important point or message that the author wants to convey in a text?

Accepted Answer

The main idea of the text

Answer

A specific detail mentioned in the text

Answer

A summary of the entire text

Question 38

The cat chased the mouse around the room. Which part of the sentence supports the main idea that cats like to chase mice?

Accepted Answer

The cat chased the mouse around the room

Answer

The mouse was small and brown

Answer

The cat is black and white

Answer

The room was messy

Question 39

Which of these is not a characteristic of a good main idea?

Accepted Answer

It is too specific

Answer

It accurately reflects the text's content

Answer

It is supported by evidence from the text

Answer

It is clear and concise

Question 40

Read the paragraph:

'The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world. It is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals. The rainforest provides us with oxygen, food, and medicine. It also helps to regulate the Earth's climate.'

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The Amazon rainforest is a very important and valuable ecosystem

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is home to a variety of plants and animals

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world

Question 41

Which of the following supports the main idea that exercise is important for good health?

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise can strengthen your heart and lungs

Answer

Many people find exercise to be a chore

Answer

Exercise can be fun and enjoyable

Question 42

Which of these is an example of a main idea?

Accepted Answer

All living things need food and water to survive

Answer

My favorite food is pizza

Answer

I am going to the park later today

Answer

The weather has been very cold this week

Question 43

Read the sentence:

'The car was old and rusty.'

Which of these is a supporting detail for this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The paint was peeling off

Answer

The car was parked in the driveway

Answer

The car was a Toyota

Answer

The car had a flat tire

Question 44

When trying to find the main idea of a text, which strategy is helpful?

Accepted Answer

Read the title and any headings

Answer

Read every other sentence

Answer

Write down every noun in the text

Answer

Read only the first and last sentences

Question 45

In the paragraph below, which sentence is the main idea?

'The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. It is home to over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of corals, and 4,000 species of mollusks. The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.'

Accepted Answer

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world

Answer

The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination

Answer

The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 1,500 species of fish

Question 46

What is the main idea of a story?

Accepted Answer

The most important point the author wants you to know.

Answer

The setting where the story takes place.

Answer

A funny detail about the characters.

Question 47

Read the following paragraph and choose the best main idea:

The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can run up to 70 miles per hour. Cheetahs live in Africa and hunt gazelles and other small animals. They have spotted fur that helps them blend in with the tall grass.

Accepted Answer

Cheetahs are fast animals that live in Africa and hunt small animals.

Answer

Cheetahs have spotted fur.

Answer

Cheetahs can run up to 70 miles per hour.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail?

Accepted Answer

The main idea of the story.

Answer

A fact about the topic.

Answer

A description that helps explain the topic.

Answer

An example that illustrates the main point.

Question 49

What is the purpose of supporting details in a text?

Accepted Answer

To give more information about the main idea.

Answer

To introduce new and unrelated ideas.

Answer

To confuse the reader.

Answer

To make the text longer.

Question 50

Which sentence provides a supporting detail for the main idea, 'Elephants are amazing animals'?

Accepted Answer

Elephants use their trunks to drink, trumpet, and pick things up.

Answer

My favorite animal is a dog.

Answer

Elephants are very large.

Question 51

How can finding the main idea help you understand a story better?

Accepted Answer

It helps you focus on the most important information.

Answer

It tells you what will happen next in the story.

Answer

It helps you remember every single detail.

Question 52

What question can you ask yourself to help you find the main idea of a paragraph?

Accepted Answer

What is the author trying to tell me about the topic?

Answer

What is the first sentence of the paragraph?

Answer

How many words are in this paragraph?

Question 53

The main idea of a paragraph is usually found:

Accepted Answer

It can be anywhere in the paragraph.

Answer

Only in the last sentence.

Answer

Only in the first sentence.

Answer

In the title of the text.

Question 54

Which word is a synonym for 'main idea'?

Accepted Answer

Central Message

Answer

Supporting Detail

Answer

Conclusion

Answer

Summary

Question 55

Why is it important to identify supporting details in a text?

Accepted Answer

They provide evidence and examples to make the main idea stronger.

Answer

They are only found in fictional stories.

Answer

They always include the author's opinion.