Main Idea & Supporting Details — Answer Key
Part A: Read and Answer
Dogs make great pets. They wag their tails when they are happy. Dogs like to play fetch with balls. They can learn tricks like sit and stay. Dogs love to be with their families. Read the passage above. Then answer the questions below.
1. The passage is mostly about dogs.
The passage is mostly about dogs and why they make great pets.
2. Dogs wag their tails when they are happy.
Dogs wag their tails to show they are happy, which is a supporting detail.
3. Dogs like to play fetch with balls.
Playing fetch is a supporting detail that tells more about what dogs like to do.
4. Dogs can learn tricks like sit and stay.
Learning tricks like sit and stay is a supporting detail about how smart dogs are.
5. The main idea is that dogs make great pets.
Dogs make great pets is the main idea of the passage.
6. The main idea of the passage is that dogs make great pets.
True False
This is true because the whole passage talks about why dogs are wonderful pets.
7. The passage says dogs like to swim in pools.
True False
This is false because the passage does not mention dogs swimming in pools.
8. Wagging their tails is a supporting detail in the passage.
True False
This is true because wagging tails is one detail that supports the main idea about dogs.
9. The passage says dogs do not like to be with families.
True False
This is false because the passage says dogs are great pets, meaning they love being with families.
10. Put these details in the order they appear in the passage.
Dogs wag their tails.
Step 1
Dogs can learn tricks.
Step 2
Dogs play fetch.
Step 3
Dogs love their families.
Step 4
The correct order is: 2, 1, 4, 3 — each detail follows the order it appears in the passage.
11. Order these from the main idea to the last detail.
Dogs make great pets.
Step 1
Dogs wag tails.
Step 2
Dogs play fetch.
Step 3
Dogs love families.
Step 4
The correct order is: 2, 4, 3, 1 — the main idea comes first, then each supporting detail follows.