Main Idea

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!

The main idea of this passage is:

• Weekends are times to travel.

• The writer enjoys spending time with family.

• The writer’s grandparents live far away.

• The writer is sad to leave her cousins.

Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success. The main idea of this passage is:

• The Wright Brothers worked hard.

• The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.

• Inventors build kites and bicycles.

• The first flight was in 1903.

I have a dog whose name is Paco. He is almost 10 years old. Paco is very loveable with a brown face and short black fur. He is one of my best friends. He plays with me, sleeps with me, and goes on walks with me. I am so glad to have him around. I love him.

The main idea of this passage is:

• The writer has a dog named Paco.

• Paco is very lovable.

• The writer's dog is an important part of his life.

• The dog is cute and sweet

Eric gripped the bat in his hands. His palms were sweaty but he took a deep breath as he stepped up to the plate. He had to score a run or his team would lose the game. When the pitcher threw a fastball, Eric’s reflexes took over and he heard the “Crack!” of the bat hitting the ball. His heart raced with excitement as he ran to first base. He was safe! The main idea of this passage is:

• Eric gets nervous when he plays baseball.

• Eric scores a homerun.

• How to play baseball.

• Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.

Homemade pizza is delicious. First, make the dough from flour, water, and yeast. After that, begin making the tomato sauce. Next, add any vegetables you like. Then, bake it in the oven. After a short time, the kitchen begins to smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to eat!

The main idea of this passage is:

• Pizza is made from flour

• How to make homemade pizza

• Pizza is easy to make

• Pizza makes the kitchen smell delicious

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

The main idea of this passage is:

• You should take a walk to feel better

• You should do good things for others

• We’re not always happy

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better

The main idea of a text is...

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is never about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is mostly, or mainly, about

What is the passage mostly about?

• who uses pemmican today

• what can be put into pemmican

• how pemmican was prepared by Native Americans.

• why people eat pemmican today

Amanda sat on a chair in her room.  She looked out the window at a tree, which was covered with snow.  She held a pencil in her hand and a pad of writing paper in her lap.  She began to dream of a story she could write.  Suddenly, a bird flew onto a snow-covered branch of the tree.  The bird’s head was red, and its feather were black with white tips.  Amanda thought, “What if the bird were magic?”  Now she had an idea for her first story.
What is the main idea?

• Amanda was lazy and a dreamer

• Amanda couldn't write.

• Amanda wants to be a writer and gets an idea for a story.

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.

• 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.