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 that 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. others help ranchers protect and move sheep and cattle from place to place. 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 que la apoyan en cada párrafo. Se dan ejemplos correctos e incorrectos para guiar en la tarea.

Answer:

1. Idea principal: A new school is being built. Detalles de apoyo: Está cerca de la casa, los trabajadores usan tractores, una grúa, construyen paredes con ladrillo.
2. Idea principal: Giant pandas are rare. Detalles de apoyo: En peligro de extinción, solo quedan alrededor de 1000 en la naturaleza y 140 en cautiverio.
3. Idea principal: Pterosaurs were ancient flying reptiles. Detalles de apoyo: Vivieron millones de años atrás, tenían alas de membranas de piel, existían al menos 60 tipos con diferentes tamaños.
4. Idea principal: Kids who are home alone should be prepared. Detalles de apoyo: La mitad de los niños estadounidenses de 6 a 13 están solos en casa, se deben discutir reglas y planes de emergencia.
5. Idea principal: There are many types of working dogs. Detalles de apoyo: Son entrenados para proteger, ayudar a personas discapacitadas, a rancheros, a la policía y a buscar víctimas y drogas ilegales.