- 1. Sailing is an exciting sport. People love to sail their boats in sunny, breezy weather. It is important that all onboard know safety rules and how to behave when there is a problem. One day, Jill and her father were caught in a storm. Jill helped her father. She put on her life vest and stayed inside the cabin. Luckily, the storm passed quickly. It had been an exciting and safe trip because Jill had known what to do. What is the main idea?
A) Storms can come up quickly when sailboats are near.
B) Jill's father taught her how to steer a boat in stormy weather.
C) Sailing is not a very safe sport.
D) For boating safety it is important to know what to do before a problem happens.
- 2. When hot air rises and mixes with cold air, tiny little drops of water form and appear like clouds. The four main types of clouds are: cirrus, stratus, nimbus, and cumulus. It is possible for you to forecast the weather by looking at clouds. When cumulus clouds appear, it may mean that there will be fair weather for a few days. Large, black nimbus clouds usually appear before a thunderstorm. What is the main idea?
A) Clouds are made from little drops of water that float in the sky.
B) Clouds can be used to forecast the weather.
C) Cumulus clouds mean fair weather.
D) Big, dark clouds may mean a thunderstorm in coming.
- 3. Jack was alone on the lake fishing. Suddenly, foggy weather began to creep across the lake. "I wonder if monsters really do attack in the fog," Jack said out loud. Suddenly, there was a loud noise that came from the forest. Jack jumped and nearly knocked over his boat. "Oh, I guess I'll go back home now," said Jack quickly to himself. He got ready to row home in a real hurry. What is the main idea?
A) Jack heard a monster in the forest.
B) Jack learns to fish in good weather but not in foggy weather.
C) Jack becomes frightened while fishing on a lake in the fog.
D) Jack should know not to fish alone.
- 4. Hurricanes are storms with strong winds of about 74 miles per hour. They begin over water and rotate around an "eye" or center of the hurricane. Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage. Trees can become uprooted. Buildings can be destroyed. People have died in some of the worst hurricanes. Property damage can be in the millions of dollars. What is the main idea?
A) People find safe places to go during the worst hurricanes.
B) Hurricanes have eyes.
C) Hurricanes are storms that start over land.
D) Hurricanes can destroy life and property.
- 5. Constellations are groupings of the stars in the sky. Long ago, people gave names to these grouping of stars. They even made up stories about them. The names of some of the stars are Cancer the Crab, Leo the Lion, Taurus the Bull, Orion the Hunter, the Big Dipper, and the Little Dipper. Not all constellations can be seen at all times from most places on Earth. What is the main idea?
A) The Big Dipper is the most famous constellation.
B) Constellations are grouping or stars in the sky.
C) All constellations can be seen from the equator.
D) Coyote made constellations in the sky.
- 6. The most important idea of a passage or reading selection is called ____________.
A) a supporting detail
B) the reading story
C) a sentence fragment
D) the main idea
- 7. The following sentences are not in order. Read the sentences to determine which one is the main idea. Flour, beans, and coffee are in the wagon. A chuck wagon holds many things. The trail boss keeps papers and maps there. There is a place for tin plates, cups, and forks.
A) There is a place for tin plates, cups, and forks.
B) The trail boss keeps papers and maps there.
C) A chuck wagon holds many things.
D) Flour, beans, and coffee are in the wagon.
- 8. The following sentences are not in order. Which of the following is the main idea? Years ago, mail was carried on horseback. Horses can pull wagons and carts. People ride horses. Horses are useful animals.
A) Horses can pull wagons and carts.
B) Horses are useful animals.
C) Years ago, mail was carried on horseback.
D) People ride horses.
- 9. Sometimes, the main idea is not stated. You will have to infer or read between the lines to find out what the main idea is. Read the three details that support the main idea. (1) Shells, pebbles, and beads have been used as money in some places. (2) So have cows and horses. (3) People have even used dog's teeth as money. After reading the three supporting details, what could be the main idea?
A) Everyone likes money.
B) People have used different things for money.
C) Money is fun to have.
D) Money is cash only.
- 10. Which of the following answer choices would NOT help to give more information about the main idea?
A) topic sentences
B) fragmented sentences
C) closing sentences
D) supporting details
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