Reading for the Main and Supporting Ideas with Practice Exercises

READING FOR THE MAIN AND SUPPORTING IDEAS 

Reading for the main and supporting ideas means identifying the most important point (main idea) that the writer wants to communicate, along with the details (supporting ideas) that explain or prove that main idea.

MAIN IDEA 

The main idea is the central point or message of a paragraph or passage.

It tells what the text is mostly about.

Example: Many children enjoy playing football because it helps them stay fit and make friends.

Main Idea: Children enjoy playing football because it keeps them healthy and helps them socialize.

SUPPORTING IDEAS 

Supporting ideas are details, examples, facts, or explanations that develop or support the main idea. They answer the question “How?”, “Why?”, or “In what way?” about the main idea.

Example: Football helps children stay fit by keeping their bodies active. It also teaches teamwork and discipline. Furthermore, they make new friends while playing.

Main Idea: Children benefit from playing football.

Supporting Ideas: 

A. It keeps their bodies active.

B. It teaches teamwork and discipline.

C. It helps them make new friends.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE MAIN AND SUPPORTING IDEAS 

Read carefully to understand the paragraph or passage.

Look for repeated ideas or key words.

Ask: “What is the author mainly talking about?”

Find the topic sentence — often the first or last sentence of a paragraph.

Identify the details that explain or support the topic sentence.

Example Paragraph – Plants are important to human life. They provide food, give us oxygen to breathe, and make the environment beautiful. Without plants, life on earth would be impossible.

Main Idea: Plants are important to human life.

Supporting Ideas:

A. They provide food.

B. They give us oxygen.

C. They make the environment beautiful.

TIPS FOR STUDENTS 

The main idea = the “big picture.”

The supporting ideas = the “smaller pieces” that explain the big picture.

Practice by summarizing paragraphs in one sentence.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The main idea of a passage is:

A. The title of the story
B. The most important point the author makes
C. The first sentence of every paragraph
D. The longest sentence in the passage

2. The supporting ideas in a paragraph are:

A. The conclusion of the text
B. The details that explain the main idea
C. The questions in the text
D. The topic sentence

3. What is the main idea of this passage?

“Dogs are helpful animals. They can guard our homes, help the police, and guide blind people.”
A. Dogs are friendly animals.
B. Dogs are helpful in many ways.
C. Dogs like to bark.
D. Dogs are blind animals.

4. The supporting details of a passage help the reader to:

A. Know the author’s name
B. Understand and explain the main idea
C. Find the date of publication
D. Write a title

5. Which sentence best states the main idea?

“Many people use bicycles because they are cheap, easy to maintain, and help reduce air pollution.”
A. Bicycles are cheap.
B. Bicycles are difficult to maintain.
C. Many people use bicycles for several good reasons.
D. Air pollution is caused by cars.

6. Which of the following is a supporting idea?

A. Pollution is bad.
B. Factories and cars produce smoke that pollutes the air.
C. We need to eat food.
D. Pollution has nothing to do with the environment.

7. What should you look for first when identifying the main idea?

A. The author’s name
B. The repeated words or key topic
C. The longest paragraph
D. The pictures in the book

8. Which statement contains both a main idea and supporting idea?

A. Reading is fun.
B. Reading helps people learn new things and improve their language.
C. Books are expensive.
D. Reading is boring.

9. What is the main idea of this passage?

“Clean water is essential for life. People need it to drink, cook, and stay healthy.”
A. People like drinking water.
B. Water is used for cooking only.
C. Clean water is important for human life.
D. Dirty water is better.

10. Why are supporting ideas important?

A. They make the passage longer.
B. They explain or prove the main idea.
C. They confuse the reader.
D. They show the author’s picture.

Answers (Quick Check) 

1. B 2. B 3. B 4. B 5. C 6. B 7. B 8. B 9. C 10. B