Main Idea & Supporting Details — Answer Key
Part A: Read and Answer
Rain is very important. It gives water to plants so they can grow. Rain fills up rivers and lakes. Animals drink the water from rain. People use rain water too. Without rain, the Earth would be very dry. Read the passage above. Then answer the questions below.
1. The passage is mostly about why rain is important.
The passage is mostly about why rain is important for the Earth.
2. Rain gives water to plants so they can grow.
Giving water to plants is a supporting detail about why rain matters.
3. Rain fills up rivers and lakes.
Filling rivers and lakes is a supporting detail that shows how rain helps the Earth.
4. Animals drink the water from rain.
Animals drinking rainwater is a supporting detail about why rain is important.
5. Without rain, the Earth would be very dry.
Without rain everything would be dry, which supports the main idea that rain is important.
6. The main idea is that rain is very important.
True False
This is true because the whole passage explains why rain matters for plants, animals, and the Earth.
7. The passage says rain makes the Earth too cold.
True False
This is false because the passage says rain helps the Earth, not that it makes it too cold.
8. Filling rivers and lakes is a supporting detail.
True False
This is true because filling rivers is one detail that supports the main idea about rain.
9. The passage says only people use rain water.
True False
This is false because the passage says plants and animals also need rainwater.
10. Put these details in the order they appear in the passage.
Rain helps plants grow.
Step 1
Animals drink water.
Step 2
Rain fills rivers.
Step 3
People use rain water.
Step 4
The correct order is: 2, 1, 4, 3 — each detail follows the order it appears in the passage.
11. Order from the main idea to the last supporting detail.
Rain is important.
Step 1
Plants need rain.
Step 2
Rain fills lakes.
Step 3
Earth would be dry.
Step 4
The correct order is: 2, 4, 1, 3 — the main idea comes first, then each supporting detail follows.