This challenging worksheet has first graders read four short passages and pick the main idea from multiple choices, including Sam who feeds and walks his dog, birds that build nests with twigs and leaves for their babies, Lily who reads at the library and before bed, and Tom who grabs an umbrella and rain boots before heading out. A fill-in-the-blank section then teaches the language of analysis with sentences like "A ___ detail gives extra information about the topic" and "The ___ of a paragraph helps you guess the main idea," pushing readers from word recognition into real comprehension.
Style:
Main Idea & Supporting Details
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Sam has a dog. He feeds it every day. He walks it after school. What is the main idea?
A) Sam takes care of his dog.
B) Sam likes school.
C) Sam eats lunch.
D) Sam plays outside.
2. Birds build nests. They use twigs and leaves. Baby birds live in the nest. What is the main idea?
A) Leaves fall from trees.
B) Birds build nests for their babies.
C) Twigs are brown.
D) Baby birds can fly.
3. Lily loves to read. She goes to the library every week. She reads before bed. Which is a supporting detail?
A) Lily is seven years old.
B) Lily has a brother.
C) She goes to the library every week.
D) Lily likes to swim.
4. It was raining outside. Tom grabbed his umbrella. He wore his rain boots. What is the main idea?
A) Tom likes boots.
B) Tom has an umbrella.
C) Tom got ready for the rain.
D) Tom went to school.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The main idea tells what the passage is mostly about.
2. A supporting detail gives extra information about the topic.
3. To find the main idea, read the whole passage.
4. Details are facts that support the big idea.
5. The title of a paragraph helps you guess the main idea.
Main Idea & Supporting Details
★ Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Sam has a dog. He feeds it every day. He walks it after school. What is the main idea?
A) Sam takes care of his dog.
B) Sam likes school.
C) Sam eats lunch.
D) Sam plays outside.
2. Birds build nests. They use twigs and leaves. Baby birds live in the nest. What is the main idea?
A) Leaves fall from trees.
B) Birds build nests for their babies.
C) Twigs are brown.
D) Baby birds can fly.
3. Lily loves to read. She goes to the library every week. She reads before bed. Which is a supporting detail?
A) Lily is seven years old.
B) Lily has a brother.
C) She goes to the library every week.
D) Lily likes to swim.
4. It was raining outside. Tom grabbed his umbrella. He wore his rain boots. What is the main idea?
A) Tom likes boots.
B) Tom has an umbrella.
C) Tom got ready for the rain.
D) Tom went to school.
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1) The main idea tells what the passage is mostly about.
2) A supporting detail gives extra information about the topic.
3) To find the main idea, read the whole passage.
4) Details are facts that support the big idea.
5) The title of a paragraph helps you guess the main idea.
Ready to Practice?
Complete each section carefully.
9 Questions
12-18 minutes
Auto-graded
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