Central Idea & Relevant Details

Where can you find text clues to help you determine the central idea?

• Headings

• Table of contents

• First or last sentence

• Glossary

• Visuals and captions

Directions: Determine which supporting details are relevant and support the main idea statement. Mark the three best details with a check mark.

Main Idea: The zoo has many different animals in the exhibits.

Relevant Details:

• The ice cream stand at the zoo has my favorite flavor.

• There is an incredible black bear den to view at the zoo.

• The alligator swims right up to the glass where people can see it clearly.

• Giraffes have a large exhibit so they are able to roam and graze.

• The gift shop had picture frames, stuffed animals, and t-shirts for sale.

Living things are organisms with certain characteristics. They need water, food, and air to survive. They grow and change, and they move on their own. Living things reproduce, or make more of themselves. For example, plants and animals are living things. Plants make their own food and animals eat plants or other animals for food.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Plants eat other plants.

• Animals make their own food.

• All living things need sunlight.

• There are four characteristics of living things.

Directions: Determine which supporting details are relevant and support the main idea statement. Mark the three best details with a check mark.

Main Idea: It is important to study before tests.

Relevant Details:

• The teacher handed out pencils for us to use during the test.

• Rereading notes is a way to remember information.

• I think learning about the solar system is really interesting

• One way to study is gathering in a group of friends to go over the study guide.

• Flashcards are a great tool that help me study in the car and on the bus.

One way to stay healthy is to exercise. Exercise helps you feel better, lose weight, and grow stronger. Taking a walk is a form of exercise. It helps you go outside and get fresh air. Playing a sport is another form of exercise. This is a fun way to be active. Taking classes at a gym is a way to be healthy and fit. There are many types of exercise you can do to improve your health.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Choose a fun way to exercise.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

• There are many types of exercise.

• If you are not happy, exercise will fix it.

Directions: Determine which supporting details are relevant and support the main idea statement. Mark the three best details with a check mark.

Main Idea: Trees are an important part of nature.

Supporting Details:

• Trees cover over one-third of the Earth’s surface.

• Trees create oxygen, which is what we use to breathe.

• I planted a tree in my backyard.

• The oak tree is a very popular tree.

• Wildlife uses trees for food, shelter, and raising their young.

The rain began early in the morning. It fell as hard drops,

one after another. The sky was full of dark purple clouds.

Thunder began as a soft rumble and became louder

and louder. Lightning crashed every few minutes, making the sky a brilliant white.

Central idea: The storm was very strong.

Type 3 relevant details in the box below.

There are eight planets in the Solar System, and each one is very different. Some planets, like Jupiter and Saturn are very large. Others, like Mercury and Mars are smaller. Jupiter has moons that are larger than Mercury. The planets also have different atmospheres. Uranus, Jupiter and Saturn have atmospheres of hydrogen and helium. The atmosphere on Venus is made up of carbon dioxide. Earth has a nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere. Neptune’s atmosphere is mostly hydrogen. The planets also have different temperatures. Uranus is the coldest and Venus

is the hottest.

1. Type the central idea of the paragraph in your own words.

2. Type two relevant details for the central idea.