Examples of main idea and key details in informational texts for Grade 5

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Main Idea: The most important point the author is making about a topic. Think of it as the big picture.
• 🔑 Key Details: These are pieces of evidence, facts, statistics, or examples that support the main idea. They explain more about the main idea.
• 💡 Finding the Main Idea: Look for a sentence that summarizes the entire text. It's often at the beginning or end of a paragraph or the entire passage.
• 📝 Identifying Key Details: Ask yourself, "What information does the author provide to support the main idea?" These are your key details.
• 🌍 Informational Texts: These texts aim to inform or explain. Examples include news articles, textbooks, and reports.
• 🧭 Strategy: Read the text carefully, identify the topic, and then determine the most important thing the author is saying about that topic. Then, find the supporting details.
• 📌 Example: If a text is about how cats make great pets, the main idea is that cats are excellent pets. Key details might include: cats are clean, cats are quiet, and cats are independent.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of a text?

   1. A) The least important point in the text
   2. B) The most important point in the text
   3. C) A minor detail that adds color to the text
   4. D) A summary of the author's personal opinions

2. What is the primary purpose of key details in an informational text?

   1. A) To confuse the reader
   2. B) To distract from the main idea
   3. C) To support and explain the main idea
   4. D) To introduce new and unrelated topics

3. Where can you often find the main idea in a paragraph?

   1. A) Only in the middle of the paragraph
   2. B) Only at the end of the paragraph
   3. C) Usually at the beginning or end of the paragraph
   4. D) It is never explicitly stated in the paragraph

4. Which of the following is an example of an informational text?

   1. A) A fictional novel
   2. B) A news article
   3. C) A poem
   4. D) A fairy tale

5. What should you do after reading a paragraph to find the key details?

   1. A) Ignore the paragraph and move on
   2. B) Ask yourself what information supports the main idea
   3. C) Memorize every word in the paragraph
   4. D) Assume the first sentence is the main idea

6. If a text is about the benefits of exercise, what might be a key detail?

   1. A) Exercise is boring.
   2. B) Exercise can improve your mood.
   3. C) Exercise is too difficult for most people.
   4. D) Exercise is a waste of time.

7. Which question helps you identify the main idea?

   1. A) What color is the cover of the book?
   2. B) What is the author's favorite food?
   3. C) What is the most important point the author is making?
   4. D) How many pages are in the book?