Question

main idea: supporting details

• read each paragraph and circle the topic.
• underline the topic sentence in red (double underline, if you dont have a red pen)
• underline details that support main idea in blue (underline once, if you dont have a blue pen)

example (correct)
main idea: my mom makes homemade bread.
my mother bakes homemade bread. she mixes the flour and yeast into sticky dough, kneads it, and lets it rise before popping it into our oven. her bread is better than anything in the store.
non - example (incorrect)
main idea: my mom makes homemade bread.
my mother bakes homemade bread. she mixes the flour and yeast into sticky dough, kneads it, and lets it rise before popping it into our oven. her bread is better than anything in the store.

1. main idea: a new school is being built.

they are building a new school. it is near my house. every day, i watch the workers. they drive huge tractors. i watch them push a ton of dirt. they have a big crane. it helps them place tall beams. the workers build walls. they are using brick. every day, it looks more like a school. mom says i will go there in the fall!

1. main idea: giant pandas are rare.

today, giant pandas are at risk of becoming extinct. only about 1,000 giant pandas are left in the wild. all of these inhabit a small area in the bamboo forests of china. about 140 live in captivity. it is one of the most severely endangered species in the world.

1. main idea: pterosaurs were ancient flying reptiles.

the pterosaur was a flying reptile that lived millions of years ago. often referred to as pterodactyl or \wing - finger,\ at least 60 different types existed. the wings of the pterosaur were thin membranes of skin, similar to the wings of bats, and extended along the sides of the body. some were no bigger than a sparrow while others were monsters with wingspans in excess of 40 feet!

1. main idea: kids who are home alone should be prepared.

almost half of all american kids aged 6 to 13 are home alone for part of the day. while being home alone can sometimes be scary, being prepared can make all the difference. first, discuss with your family what to do in case you have an emergency. what should you do if someone gets hurt, if a stranger calls or knocks on the door? decide if any special rules apply when youre home alone. can you use the microwave? do you have to finish homework before you watch tv? finally, come up with ways to entertain yourself. are there books or games you might enjoy alone? if youre prepared, being home alone can be fun or even relaxing.

1. main idea: there are many types of working dogs.

working dogs are amazing animals specially trained to protect people and to make life easier for them. some working dogs act as eyes for blind people, ears for the hearing - impaired, and helpers for the physically challenged. police dogs help officers catch criminals, find illegal drugs and weapons. search dogs are trained to find disaster victims and missing people.

Explanation:

Se pide identificar la idea principal y los detalles de apoyo en varios párrafos. En cada ejemplo, la idea principal es la frase general que resume el tema del párrafo, y los detalles de apoyo son los enunciados que proveen información adicional sobre la idea principal.

1. Idea principal: Una nueva escuela está siendo construida. Detalles de apoyo: Está cerca de la casa, se ven a los trabajadores con tractores y una grúa, y se dice que el autor irá allí en el otoño.
2. Idea principal: Los pandas gigantes son raros. Detalles de apoyo: Están en riesgo de extinción, solo quedan alrededor de 1000 en la naturaleza y 140 en cautiverio en un área reducida de bosques de bambú en China.
3. Idea principal: Los pterosaurios eran reptiles voladores antiguos. Detalles de apoyo: Vivieron millones de años atrás, se les llamaba también Pterodáctil, tenían alas parecidas a las de los murciélagos y algunas especies tenían envergaduras de alas de más de 40 pies.
4. Idea principal: Los niños que están solos en casa deben estar preparados. Detalles de apoyo: Casi la mitad de los niños estadounidenses de 6 a 13 años están solos en casa, se deben discutir con la familia qué hacer en caso de emergencia, y se deben establecer reglas y formas de entretenerse.
5. Idea principal: Hay muchos tipos de perros de trabajo. Detalles de apoyo: Son animales entrenados para proteger a las personas y hacerles la vida más fácil, como ser ojos para ciegos, oídos para sordos, ayudantes para discapacitados físicos, y también ayudan a rancheros, policías y en búsquedas de víctimas y objetos perdidos.

Answer:

1. Main Idea: A new school is being built. Supporting Details: It is near my house, watch workers with tractors and a crane, will go there in the fall.
2. Main Idea: Giant pandas are rare. Supporting Details: At risk of extinction, about 1000 left in the wild, 140 in captivity in a small bamboo - forest area in China.
3. Main Idea: Pterosaurs were ancient flying reptiles. Supporting Details: Lived millions of years ago, also called Pterodactyl, wings like bats, some with wingspans over 40 feet.
4. Main Idea: Kids who are home alone should be prepared. Supporting Details: Almost half of American kids 6 - 13 are home alone, discuss family emergency plans, set rules and find ways to entertain.
5. Main Idea: There are many types of working dogs. Supporting Details: Trained to protect and help people, be eyes/ears/helpers for different disabled, help ranchers, police and in searches.