Main Idea and Summarizing — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A paragraph about bees making honey has the main idea that bees play an important role in producing honey.
When every detail in a paragraph is about how bees make honey, the main idea focuses on that central topic.
2. When summarizing a story, you should include the characters, the problem, and the resolution.
A story summary covers the essential narrative elements: characters, problem (conflict), and resolution.
3. The main idea answers the question: What is this passage mostly about?
Asking "What is this mostly about?" is the key question for identifying a passage's main idea.
4. A strong summary uses the reader's own words instead of copying sentences from the text.
Paraphrasing (using your own words) demonstrates true comprehension rather than copying the author's words.
5. If every sentence in a paragraph is about how planets orbit the Sun, the main idea is about planetary orbits.
The topic that all sentences point to and support is the main idea of the paragraph.
6. Supporting details often include examples, facts, and explanations.
Supporting details take the form of facts, examples, statistics, and explanations that develop the main idea.
7. Leaving out minor details makes a summary more clear and easier to understand.
Removing irrelevant details sharpens a summary, making the main point clearer and easier to grasp.
8. The title of a passage can sometimes give you a clue about the main idea.
Titles often signal what the entire passage is about, providing an early clue to the main idea.
9. A summary of a news article should answer who, what, when, where, and why.
The five W's (who, what, when, where, why) cover the essential information needed in a news summary.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
A paragraph about how turtles protect themselves
→ Turtles use their hard shells to stay safe from predators.
Water moves through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
A paragraph listing supplies needed for a science project
→ You will need a beaker, baking soda, vinegar, and safety goggles.
Exercise strengthens muscles and improves heart health.
A paragraph about why exercise keeps you healthy
→ Exercise strengthens muscles and improves heart health.
You will need a beaker, baking soda, vinegar, and safety goggles.
A paragraph describing the water cycle
→ Water moves through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Turtles use their hard shells to stay safe from predators.
Turtle paragraph → hard shells; Science project → supplies list; Exercise paragraph → strengthens muscles; Water cycle → evaporation/condensation/precipitation.