Finding the Main Idea by Asking Relevant Questions: A Grade 1 Strategy

📚 Quick Study Guide

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• The main idea is what the story is mostly about.
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• Ask yourself: "What is the big point the author is trying to make?"
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• Look for clues in the first and last sentences of a paragraph.
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• Pay attention to words or ideas that are repeated.
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• Relevant questions help you unlock the main idea.

🤔 Practice Quiz

1. Which question best helps you find the main idea of a story about dogs?
   1. What is the dog's name?
   2. What do dogs eat?
   3. What does the author want you to know about dogs?
2. If a story is about cats playing, which question is MOST relevant to finding the main idea?
   1. Where do cats live?
   2. What is special or interesting about cats playing?
   3. Do cats like to play with balls of yarn?
3. You read a story about a girl who loves to draw. Which question helps you find the main idea?
   1. What colors does the girl use?
   2. Why does the girl love to draw?
   3. Where does the girl draw?
4. A story talks about different types of trees. What question helps you find the main idea?
   1. What is the tallest tree?
   2. What are the different kinds of trees and what makes them special?
   3. How old is the oldest tree?
5. If a story describes how to build a birdhouse, which question is best?
   1. What color should you paint the birdhouse?
   2. Why is it important to provide homes for birds?
   3. What are the steps for building a birdhouse?
6. A story describes a fun day at the beach. Which question is most helpful?
   1. What games did they play at the beach?
   2. What made the day at the beach so fun?
   3. What snacks did they eat?
7. You read a story about a boy learning to ride a bike. What question helps you find the main idea?
   1. What color is the bike?
   2. What did the boy learn about trying something new?
   3. Where did he ride his bike?