Main Ideas and Details From Text Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RI.1.2

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

The main idea of anything we read is just the main message behind what the author is attempting to do for the reader. Details are pieces of information that provided to support the main idea. In many cases authors will not even state a main idea, instead they will provide a great number of details and have the reader work on piecing together their own main idea. These worksheets will help students begin to delineate between a pieces of details and full-fledged main ideas of any passage.

Main Ideas and Details Worksheets To Print:

All About What? - Use the pictures and the text to help you grasp the topic. Circle the answer that best links or describes the three phrases together.

All About My Day - Read all of the phrases that are out in front of you. Things you might do on the way to the circus.

Underline It - A lot about pets for you. Read the paragraphs below. Underline the main idea that best describes each paragraph.

Valentine - Your favorite February holiday! Unless you really dig Presidents. Since the story has no title, also choose a title from the list at the bottom and place it in the blank at the top.

Tie-Dye Butterfly - We talk about a project for making butterflies. Read the set of direction before answering the questions that follow.

Shaped Sugar Cookie Fun - See how to make sugar cookies with this cool project. Then answer questions about you need to understand here.

OOEY-GOOEY Slime - Answer some questions about the recipe for slime. Have you ever made this before?

Clothing Choices for Weather - Picking out which clothes you are going to wear each day can be an adventure.

The Food Pyramid - The food we choose to eat can change the way we feel and whether or not our bodies stay healthy.

Learning About Chimpanzees - Chimpanzees are very social animals. They live in families just like humans.

Caring For a New Kitten - New pets are always fun, but they also require work. Learn about how to care for a little kitty with this one.

Sleep Away Camp - This summer I am going to camp. I will stay a whole week in one of their cabins.

Flower Garden - Creating a flower garden can be fun and a lot of work. Write the main idea under the correct label and then three details where asked.

Design Your Own Paragraph - A house shape helps you get your paragraph flow going. Every room in the home will help you along the way.

Spot The Neighborhood Dog - Read each paragraph. For each underline the main idea in green. For each underline the main idea in green. Remember the main idea is what most of the paragraph is about.

How Do You Determine the Main Ideas and Details from What You Are Reading?


To gain the most benefits from a passage or text, it is important that you understand each and every part of it. Here are a few tips that would help you determine the main idea and details from what you are reading.


Relate the topic with the passage


First, read the passage clearly and thoroughly. After you are done, try to relate the topic with the passage. Ask yourself questions like what message is being given through the title and how does that relate to the passage?


Summarize


Take your time to read the passage a few times. After you feel that you have completely understood the contents of it, summarize it. But give yourself a limit of only ten to fifteen words to summarize the entire passage no matter how long it is. In just one sentence, try to incorporate the introduction, body, and conclusion of the passage. It is not as difficult as it seems. This would give you a clear understanding of the main idea of the passage.


Read the first and last sentences


Whenever you are looking for the main idea or theme of the passage, go straight for the first and the last sentence. This is the place where the author usually expresses the main idea of the passage. However, sometimes the author uses certain words such as "in contrast to", "nevertheless", and "however" that creates a split in the sentence. In such cases, the second part of the sentence usually contains the main idea.


Look for repeated words


Some passages are too long and complex that it becomes difficult to comprehend the main idea behind it. In such cases, find words that are being constantly repeated in the passage. Look what the repeated words are relating to. You will be able to comprehend the main idea through it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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