Implied and Stated Main Idea

You may want to break the caffeine habit because it generates dependence. You may want to break it because you don't like the headache you get when you can't find a vending machine or when nobody at the office made coffee. Perhaps you want to set a good example for your children to avoid caffeine. Or you simply may want to live as drug-free as possible.

The implied main idea sentence for this paragraph is ....

• You may want to break the caffeine habit because it generates

  dependence.

• There are several reasons you may want to break the caffeine habit.

• Caffeine is a dangerous drug.

• Caffeine generates dependence and causes headaches.

Experiencing failure is not easy. lf we take a course and fail it, it hurts, though we may pretend for a moment that it doesn't. But even if you feel tempted to shrug it off publicly, don't make that mistake privately. lt's important to take responsibility for and accept failure.

The implied main idea sentence for this paragraph is ....

• If we take a course and fail it, it's important to take responsibility

  for and accept failure.

• Experiencing failure is not easy, but it's important to take responsibility for and accept failure.

• Everyone experiences failure, and it is important not

  to let failure get you down.

• If you experience failure, you should pretend it doesn't hurt

  and shrug it off publicly.

Written memos and reports document what was said and done and the rea- son for decisions. Carefully written memos and reports enable a company to use its earlier expertise without having to reinvent the wheel every time a new set of people tackles a recurring problem. Written documents also allow individuals and companies to protect themselves. lf there is no written record, chaos and expensive lawsuits may result.

The implied main idea sentence for this paragraph is ...

• Written records can help companies prevent lawsuits.

• Written documents also allow individuals ard cornpanies to

  protect thernselves.

• Written memos and documents benefit companies and individuals in several ways.

• It is important for employees to learn how to write clear documents and memos.

There are many fun things to do at the beach.  Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach.  Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed.  Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun.  It is also fun to look for shells.  Some people simply like to sunbathe.
What is the main idea?

• There are many fun things to do at the beach.
• It is also fun to look for shells.
• Some people simply like to sunbathe.
• Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.1.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.  Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.  They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.  Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
What is the main idea?

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
• Soccer players learn how to dribble.
• They learn how to work together as teammates.
• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way
• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short
• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital.  She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother.  Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up.  She wants to help sick people get well. 
What is the main idea?

• Jenny got sick.
• Jenny wants to be a nurse.
• Her grandmother was in the hospital.
• Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have 9,000 taste buds just on the tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of your mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat.
What does the author want you to learn from the passage?

• Why we can taste only certain things.
• That we taste through our noses
• Where taste buds are found
• We have taste buds on our tongues

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

What are Supporting Details?

• details that guide us to the main idea

• words used to help find the definition of an unknown word

• details to help better understand the text

There are several ways to determine if a snake is poisonous or not. First, poisonous snakes usually have triangular shaped heads while nonpoisonous snakes have rounded heads. Second, poisonous snakes have pupils that look like slits. Nonpoisonous snakes have pupils that are rounder. Finally, the snouts of poisonous snakes are sometimes upturned, while nonpoisonous snakes have rounded snouts.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Where snakes live

• How to tell if a snake is poisonous or not

• How poisonous snakes smell

• The different kinds of poisonous snakes