Read the paragraph. The main idea is what the paragraph is mostly about. The details give more information.
Paragraph A: Owls are skilled hunters. They have sharp talons, strong eyesight, and excellent hearing. Some owls fly silently so they can surprise prey in the dark.
Question
Your Answer
Main Idea: What is this paragraph mostly about?
Detail 1: Name one body part that helps an owl hunt.
Detail 2: Why do some owls fly silently?
Detail 3: When do owls often hunt?
2 Choose the Main Idea
Read each paragraph. Then circle the BEST main idea.
Paragraph B: Clean water is important for every community. People use water for drinking, cooking, washing, and growing food. Without clean water, daily life becomes much harder.
A People use water for drinking and cooking.
B Clean water is important for every community.
C Daily life becomes harder without clean water.
Paragraph C: Reading every day can build strong habits. Readers improve vocabulary, learn new information, and practice focusing on a text. Even a short reading time each day can help.
A Readers improve vocabulary.
B Reading every day can build strong habits.
C A short reading time each day can help.
3 Main Idea or Detail?
Read the paragraph. Then decide: is each statement the MAIN IDEA or a DETAIL?
Paragraph D: Buses help cities move many people at once. They follow routes, stop at stations, and reduce the number of cars on the road. Public transportation can make travel more efficient.
Statement
Main Idea or Detail?
Buses help cities move many people at once.
Buses follow routes.
Buses stop at stations.
Public transportation can make travel more efficient.
4 Write Your Own Paragraph
Write a short paragraph with a main idea and at least 2 supporting details. Pick one topic below or choose your own.
Topic IdeasA Good Daily HabitWhy Transportation MattersAn Animal With Special Skills
My main idea:
My paragraph:
5 Evidence-Based Questions (SBA Practice)
These two-part questions are like the ones on the state test. First answer the question, then find the evidence that supports your answer.
Part A: What is the main idea of this passage?
Part B: Which detail from the text BEST supports your answer to Part A?
Explain in your own words: How does this detail support your answer?
+ Bonus Reading Practice
Use this short practice to extend Set 6.
Topic words: school, poster, teacher, idea
1. Write one sentence using two of the words above.
2. What detail would you expect to find in a passage about this topic?
3. Write one inference a reader could make from a text about this topic.