IREAD Nonfiction: Main Idea & Details 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage about penguins says: 'Penguins cannot fly, but they are excellent swimmers. Their wings act like flippers in the water. They can dive deep to catch fish.' What detail supports the idea that penguins are well suited to water?
- Penguins cannot fly like other birds.
- Penguin wings work like flippers in the water. (Correct answer)
- Penguins eat fish for their diet.
- Penguins live in cold climates.
Correct answer: Penguin wings work like flippers in the water.
Wings acting like flippers directly shows a physical feature that makes penguins suited to swimming.
Question 2: After reading a passage titled 'Why Forests Matter,' a student writes: 'Forests give animals homes, clean our air, and prevent floods.' This statement is MOST LIKELY the —
- main idea of the passage. (Correct answer)
- a supporting detail about animals.
- the author's opinion about trees.
- an example that does not belong.
Correct answer: main idea of the passage.
The statement covers all the main points of the passage, making it the main idea, not a single detail.
Question 3: Read this: 'Volcanoes erupt hot lava. The lava cools and forms new rock. Over time, this rock builds up to create new land.' Which detail is LEAST important to the main idea about how volcanoes create land?
- Volcanoes erupt hot lava.
- Lava cools and forms new rock.
- Rock builds up to create new land.
- Volcanoes can be found near the ocean. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Volcanoes can be found near the ocean.
The location near the ocean is not mentioned in the passage and does not support how volcanoes create land.
Question 4: A passage explains: 'Thomas Edison tried thousands of experiments before inventing the lightbulb. He never gave up even when he failed.' The main idea is that —
- Edison invented the lightbulb on his first try.
- Persistence and hard work lead to success. (Correct answer)
- Lightbulbs use electricity to make light.
- Experiments can be dangerous if done wrong.
Correct answer: Persistence and hard work lead to success.
Both sentences together show that persistence through failure is what led Edison to succeed.
Question 5: Which type of text structure makes it EASIEST to find the main idea and supporting details?
- A story written in first person.
- A paragraph with a topic sentence followed by examples. (Correct answer)
- A poem with rhyming words.
- A list of unrelated fun facts.
Correct answer: A paragraph with a topic sentence followed by examples.
A topic sentence states the main idea, and the examples that follow are the supporting details.
Question 6: A student reads a passage and notices that every sentence gives a fact about how spiders spin webs. The main idea is MOST LIKELY —
- Spiders are dangerous to humans.
- Spiders spin webs in interesting ways. (Correct answer)
- All insects build nests.
- Spiders live in forests and fields.
Correct answer: Spiders spin webs in interesting ways.
When all details focus on web-spinning, the main idea must be about how spiders spin webs.
Question 7: Which sentence would make the BEST main idea for a paragraph with these details: 'Ice cream is sold in many flavors. It can be served in cones or cups. Toppings like sprinkles and syrup can be added.'
- Ice cream comes in chocolate and vanilla.
- Ice cream can be customized in many ways. (Correct answer)
- Sprinkles are a popular topping for desserts.
- Cones are better than cups for ice cream.
Correct answer: Ice cream can be customized in many ways.
All three details show different ways to customize ice cream, so the main idea is about its variety of options.
IREAD Nonfiction: Main Idea & Details 3
A passage about penguins says: 'Penguins cannot fly, but they are excellent swimmers.
Their wings act like flippers in the water.
They can dive deep to catch fish.' What detail supports the idea that penguins are well suited to water?