๐ Topic Summary
Finding the main idea is like uncovering the heart of a story. It's what the story is mostly about. Think of it as the big picture, not just the small details. To find it, ask yourself: What is the author trying to tell me overall? Sometimes the main idea is directly stated, but often, you have to piece it together from the supporting details.
Printable reading passages are great tools for improving your main idea skills. They allow you to read actively, highlight key information, and practice identifying the central message in a variety of texts. Let's get started!
๐ง Part A: Vocabulary
Match each term with its definition.
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Central Idea |
A. Pieces of information that support the main point. |
| 2. Supporting Details |
B. To point out or emphasize. |
| 3. Imply |
C. The author's attitude or feeling towards the subject. |
| 4. Convey |
D. To express or communicate something. |
| 5. Tone |
E. The most important thought in a paragraph or larger section of text. |
Match the terms with their definitions. For example: 1-E, 2-A, etc.
โ๏ธ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Read the paragraph and fill in the missing words using the word bank below.
Word Bank: details, author, central, main, topic
The _________ idea is the most important point the _________ is trying to make. It is supported by _________. Figuring out the _________ idea helps you understand the _________ message of the text.
๐ค Part C: Critical Thinking
Read the passage below:
Elephants are incredible animals. They are the largest land mammals on Earth. They live in herds, and they communicate with each other using a variety of sounds. Elephants are also very intelligent and have excellent memories. Unfortunately, elephants are endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. It is important to protect these amazing creatures for future generations.
What is the main idea of this passage? Explain how you determined the main idea and provide two supporting details.
