Main Idea Task Cards

Incense cedar wood is used for making pencils because it does not break easily, but is soft enough to be sharpened without splintering. It also wont bend or warp in hot temperatures. Incense cedar trees are grown in California and Oregon.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Incense cedar trees are grown in California and Oregon.

• Incense cedar wood is perfect for making pencils.

• Incense cedar wood will not splinter when sharpened.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Kangaroos spend most of their time in groups called mobs. Kangaroos communicate with each other with clicks, coughs, hisses and growls. They also groom each other by picking dirt, insects and dead skin from each other's fur.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Kangaroos groom each other.

• Kangaroos are very social animals.

• Kangaroos live in groups called mobs.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

When most animals look into a mirror, they think that the reflection is another animal. A few animals do recognize themselves. These include: elephants, dolphins, chimps and great apes.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• A dolphin can recognize itself in a mirror.

• Most animals do not recognize themselves in a mirror.

• Most animals do not like to to look in mirrors.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

When beavers build a dam across a river, they dramatically change the environment. The dam creates a pond or even a lake. Land that was once dry gets covered in water. The new lake becomes a home for birds, fish and other kinds of wildlife.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Beavers build dams across rivers.

• Beavers make dramatic changes to the environment.

• Beavers create new ponds and lakes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

The thick, white coat of the Arctic fox keeps it warm in freezing temperatures. It also helps the fox to blend into the snowy landscape so that it can hide from predators and sneak up on prey without being seen.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• The thick, white coat of an Arctic fox has two important jobs.

• Arctic foxes blend into the snowy landscape.

• Arctic foxes have thick coats.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Julia Butterfly Hill climbed a giant Redwood tree on December 10, 1997. She stayed in the tree, which was located in Northern California, for two years. Many people helped her by bringing her food and supplies. She did not come down until the logging company promised never to cut the tree down.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• The tree was located in Northern California.

• Julia Butterfly Hill lived in a giant Redwood tree for two years to keep it from being cut down.

• The logging company did not cut down the tree.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

In Australia, cattle and sheep are raised on ranches called stations. Most stations are very big. A station may be so large that low-flying helicopters are used to herd the animals. You could drive for several days in one direction and never leave the station.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• In Australia, cattle and sheep are raised in huge ranches called stations.

• There are a lot of cattle in Australia.

• Helicopters are used to herd animals in Australia.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Giant pandas live in bamboo forests in China, but their habitat is disappearing. The average giant panda eats about 30 pounds (14 kg) of bamboo each day. Unfortunately, the forests are being cut down and the giant panda is losing its habitat.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Giant pandas eat a lot of bamboo.

• Giant pandas live in China.

• Giant pandas are losing their habitats.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Guinea pigs may be pets in the United States, but in Peru, they are dinner. Guinea pigs are a good source of protein for many people who live in Peru. They can also be a much needed source of income for people who raise them to sell.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• In Peru, many people eat Guinea pigs.

• Guinea pigs are a good source of protein.

• Guinea pigs are cute and fluffy.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Strong magnets are put into some roller coasters. They are also put into the end of the track. As the coaster approaches the end of the track, the attracting forces of the magnets bring it to a gentle stop.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Roller coasters are fun.

• Some kinds of roller coasters use magnets to make them stop.

• Roller coasters stop at the end of the track.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2