informational text main idea examples for grade 6

📚 Quick Study Guide

• ⚛️ The main idea is what the text is mostly about. It's the central point the author wants you to understand.
• 🔬 To find the main idea, ask yourself: "What is the author trying to tell me about this topic?"
• 🧪 Look for a topic sentence, often at the beginning or end of a paragraph. It usually states the main idea directly.
• 🔍 Pay attention to repeated words or phrases. They can signal the main idea.
• 💡 Summarize each paragraph in one sentence. Combine those sentences to find the overall main idea.
• 📝 Sometimes, the main idea isn't stated directly. You'll need to infer it from the supporting details.
• 📚 Supporting details are facts, examples, and explanations that support the main idea.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of an informational text?
   1. The author's personal opinion.
   2. The topic the text covers.
   3. The central point the author is trying to make.
   4. A minor detail in the text.
2. An informational text discusses the properties of water. Which of these is MOST likely the main idea?
   1. Water is blue.
   2. Water covers most of the Earth.
   3. Water has unique properties essential for life.
   4. Some people don't have access to clean water.
3. A paragraph describes how atoms combine to form molecules. Where would you MOST likely find the topic sentence stating the main idea?
   1. In the middle of the paragraph.
   2. At the very end of the paragraph.
   3. At the beginning of the paragraph.
   4. Topic sentences are never used.
4. If an informational text about acids repeatedly mentions their sour taste and corrosive properties, what can you infer about the main idea?
   1. Acids are only found in lemons.
   2. Acids have distinct characteristics that make them easily identifiable.
   3. Acids are safe to touch.
   4. Acids are not important chemicals.
5. Which of the following is NOT a helpful strategy for identifying the main idea?
   1. Skimming the text quickly without reading carefully.
   2. Summarizing each paragraph in one sentence.
   3. Looking for repeated words or phrases.
   4. Identifying the topic sentence.
6. A text details the process of photosynthesis. Which sentence MOST likely expresses the main idea?
   1. Photosynthesis requires sunlight.
   2. Photosynthesis is how plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
   3. Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis.
   4. Photosynthesis produces oxygen.
7. Which of these best describes the role of supporting details in an informational text?
   1. To confuse the reader.
   2. To provide opinions unrelated to the topic.
   3. To provide evidence and explanations that support the main idea.
   4. To distract from the main idea.