Master Main Idea and Supporting Details: Enhance Your Reading Comprehension

Question 1

The main idea of a text is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A concise sentence that captures the central point

Answer

A brief paragraph that previews the topic

Answer

A single keyword that represents the essence

Answer

An inquiry that the text seeks to answer

Question 2

A supporting detail is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Evidence that supports the main idea

Answer

A personal opinion or anecdote

Answer

A question posed in the text

Answer

A summary of the entire text

Question 3

What is the main idea of the passage?

Accepted Answer

(B) Technology has changed the way we communicate.

Answer

(A) Social media is the most important way people communicate now.

Answer

(C) Email is no longer used in business.

Answer

(D) Video conferencing is only helpful for big companies.

Question 4

What is the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

A sentence that clearly states the main topic of the text.

Answer

A group of sentences that support a specific point, but are not necessarily the main focus of the text.

Answer

A random sentence that has nothing to do with the text.

Answer

A fact that is stated in the text, even though it might not be the main topic.

Question 5

Which of the following sentences supports the main idea that the literacy rate in the US has been increasing?

Accepted Answer

The literacy rate has been increasing steadily over the past few decades.

Answer

The United States has a high literacy rate.

Answer

More and more people have access to education.

Answer

Almost all adults in the US can read and write.

Question 6

Which sentence supports the main idea that the Amazon rainforest is under threat from deforestation?

Accepted Answer

However, the rainforest is under threat from deforestation, which is caused by logging, mining, and agriculture.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest globally.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is home to an estimated 10% of the world's known species.

Answer

The rainforest is also a major source of oxygen and rainfall for the planet.

Question 7

Which is a good strategy to identify a text's main idea?

Accepted Answer

Reading the whole text and identifying the sentence that best summarizes the topic.

Answer

Reading just the first and last paragraphs.

Answer

Reading the whole text and finding the most repeated sentence.

Answer

Reading the whole text and identifying the most important sentence.

Question 8

Select an example of a good main idea:

Accepted Answer

The Amazon rainforest is an extensive and significant ecosystem.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest has a large variety of species.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is a vital source of oxygen and rainfall.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is facing threats from deforestation.

Question 9

How can examining the connection between the main idea and supporting details aid in assessing a text's reliability?

Accepted Answer

It reveals any contradictions between the text's claims and the supporting evidence.

Answer

It helps determine the author's knowledge and experience.

Answer

It provides information about the text's overall tone and style.

Answer

It allows you to confirm the accuracy of the information in the text.

Question 10

The main idea of a text is its:

Accepted Answer

Central message

Answer

Illustrative example

Answer

Chronological sequence

Answer

Minor supporting point

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a supporting detail?

Accepted Answer

Contradicts the main idea

Answer

Illustrates the main idea

Answer

Provides statistical support

Answer

Expert citation

Question 12

What is the main idea of the following paragraph?
'The United States is a nation of immigrants. People from around the world have come here to live, bringing their diverse cultures and traditions, contributing to the country's rich diversity.'

Accepted Answer

The United States is diverse due to immigration.

Answer

The United States is a prosperous nation.

Answer

The United States is a large nation.

Question 13

To improve the sentence 'The park was crowded with visitors', the best approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Add a supporting detail

Answer

Change the verb tense

Answer

Add an adjective

Question 14

What is the primary purpose of supporting details in a text?

Accepted Answer

To substantiate the main idea

Answer

To slow down the pace of the text

Answer

To confuse the reader

Answer

To enhance the text's appeal

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effective supporting details?

Accepted Answer

Unrelated to the main idea

Answer

Credible

Answer

Relevant

Answer

Specific

Question 16

When writing a paragraph, why is it crucial to consider the order of your supporting details?

Accepted Answer

To present information in a logical flow

Answer

To enhance the text's appeal

Answer

To slow down the pace of the text

Answer

To confuse the reader

Question 17

The most effective way to practice identifying main ideas and supporting details is to:

Accepted Answer

Analyze various texts

Answer

Guess based on the text's title

Answer

Read only easy-to-understand texts

Answer

Memorize a list of main ideas

Question 18

The paragraph describes how the sun's energy affects Earth. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The sun's energy drives the water cycle.

Answer

Clouds form when water vapor cools and condenses.

Answer

Water changes states from liquid to gas and back again.

Question 19

Which statement is NOT a supporting detail about the Great Barrier Reef?

Accepted Answer

The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination.

Answer

The Great Barrier Reef is home to a wide variety of marine life.

Answer

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world.

Question 20

Which word signals that a supporting detail is coming next?

Accepted Answer

because

Answer

therefore

Answer

although

Answer

however

Question 21

What is the best main idea of the paragraph about the Amazon rainforest?

Accepted Answer

The Amazon rainforest is a vital and diverse ecosystem.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is important for the environment.

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is home to many plants and animals.

Question 22

What is a characteristic of a good main idea?

Accepted Answer

It is a complete sentence that summarizes the topic.

Answer

It is a question about the topic.

Answer

It is a single word that describes the topic.

Answer

It is a specific fact or detail about the topic.

Question 23

Which sentence supports the claim that renewable energy sources are becoming more popular?

Accepted Answer

They are clean, sustainable, and do not produce greenhouse gases.

Answer

They are the most efficient energy sources available.

Answer

They can be intermittent and expensive to install.

Question 24

What is a common misunderstanding about main ideas?

Accepted Answer

The main idea is always stated directly in the text.

Answer

The main idea can be figured out from the details.

Answer

The main idea is the same as the topic of the text.

Question 25

Which strategy is helpful for finding the main idea of a text?

Accepted Answer

Read the first and last paragraphs carefully.

Answer

Read the middle paragraph first.

Answer

Read every other paragraph to get the main idea.

Answer

Read the footnotes to get the key points.

Question 26

What does the main idea of a text tell us?

Accepted Answer

The central message or overall topic of the text.

Answer

A specific detail mentioned in the text.

Answer

The author's reason for writing the text.

Answer

An idea the reader comes up with.

Question 27

Which of the following is a characteristic of a supporting detail?

Accepted Answer

It provides specific evidence that supports the main idea.

Answer

It introduces a new topic.

Answer

It restates the main idea in different words.

Question 28

When identifying the main idea of a text, it is important to consider:

Accepted Answer

The title, headings, first and last paragraphs, and any key terms.

Answer

Only the supporting details.

Answer

Only the first sentence.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good main idea statement?

Accepted Answer

It is too narrow.

Answer

It is a complete sentence.

Answer

It is supported by evidence from the text.

Answer

It summarizes the main points of the text.

Question 30

When providing evidence to support a main idea, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Use specific examples, facts, or quotations from the text.

Answer

Use information that is not relevant to the topic.

Answer

Use only one type of evidence.

Answer

Use personal opinions.

Question 31

Which of the following texts most likely has a main idea about the history of the internet?

Accepted Answer

The evolution of the internet over the past few decades has been remarkable.

Answer

The internet has changed the way we communicate.

Answer

The internet has positive and negative effects on society.

Question 32

Which of the following supporting details best supports the main idea that climate change is a serious problem?

Accepted Answer

Rising sea levels have caused widespread coastal flooding.

Answer

Many people do not believe in climate change.

Answer

Climate change is a complex issue.

Question 33

When writing a paragraph about a main idea and supporting details, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Begin with a topic sentence that states the main idea and then provide supporting details in the following sentences.

Answer

Use only one supporting detail.

Answer

Include as many supporting details as possible.

Question 34

Which of the following is an example of an effective main idea statement?

Accepted Answer

The positive effects of exercise on mental health are significant.

Answer

Many people enjoy exercising.

Answer

Exercise is good for you.

Question 35

When evaluating the supporting details in a text, it is important to consider:

Accepted Answer

Their relevance, accuracy, and sufficiency.

Answer

Their chronological order.

Answer

Their entertainment value.

Answer

Their length.