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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Can You Nail the Main Idea and Details?

Take our main idea quiz to sharpen your reading comprehension skills - start now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a reading comprehension and critical thinking quiz on a sky blue background

This main idea and details quiz helps you spot the central idea in a passage and the facts that support it. Use it to check gaps before a test, build confidence, and practice quick, clear reading. After you finish, try a short critical reading quiz for extra practice.

What is the main idea of the following passage? 'Electric cars produce fewer emissions than traditional gasoline vehicles, reducing air pollution and combating climate change.'
Electric cars help reduce air pollution and fight climate change.
Electric cars are more expensive than gasoline cars.
Gasoline vehicles are better for the environment.
Climate change does not affect air quality.
The passage focuses on the environmental benefits of electric cars in reducing emissions and combating climate change, which is summarized by option B. The other options introduce unrelated claims about cost or false statements about climate change. By identifying the key message about emissions and pollution, we pinpoint the main idea.
According to the passage 'Birds migrate south during winter to find warmer climates and more abundant food sources,' which of the following details is supported?
Birds migrate to find food and warmer weather.
Birds build shelters to stay warm during winter.
Birds hibernate until spring arrives.
Birds become nocturnal to conserve energy.
The passage explicitly states that birds migrate south to find warmer climates and abundant food, making option B the supported detail. Options A, C, and D introduce behaviors not mentioned in the passage. Recognizing stated details helps confirm the correct choice.
What is the main idea of this passage? 'A smartphone's battery life depends on screen brightness, background applications, and network usage throughout the day.'
Smartphone cameras drain battery life quickly.
All smartphones have the same battery capacity.
Battery life is affected by multiple usage factors.
Network usage improves battery performance.
The passage highlights that various factors like screen brightness, background apps, and network use all impact battery life, which option B captures. The other choices either focus on unrelated components or make incorrect generalizations. Identifying the statement that summarizes these elements reveals the main idea.
According to the passage 'Tahitians use copra oil for cooking and skin care,' what is one specific use of copra oil?
As a substitute for sunscreen.
To waterproof boats.
As a decorative paint.
For cooking.
The passage directly states that Tahitians use copra oil for cooking, which makes option B the correct detail. The other uses are not mentioned and thus unsupported. Focusing on explicit statements ensures accurate detail selection.
Which option best summarizes this passage? 'Many community gardens have emerged in urban neighborhoods lacking grocery stores, providing residents with fresh produce, educational workshops, and a place for social gatherings.'
Social gatherings at gardens have replaced grocery shopping.
Urban neighborhoods prefer grocery stores over community gardens.
Educational workshops are the main draw of community gardens.
Community gardens supply fresh produce, teaching opportunities, and communal spaces to underserved neighborhoods.
Option B captures the full scope of the passage by mentioning fresh produce, educational workshops, and community spaces, accurately summarizing the main idea. The other options focus too narrowly or contradict the passage. A strong summary includes all key elements without adding or omitting details.
In the passage 'The Amazon rainforest is home to millions of species, many yet to be documented,' which statement is a supporting detail rather than the main idea?
Wildlife protection is a global concern.
Ecosystems are important to the planet.
Rainforests receive heavy rainfall throughout the year.
Many species in the Amazon are still undocumented.
The detail that many species remain undocumented supports the broader main idea about biodiversity in the Amazon. Options B, C, and D introduce unrelated or overly broad ideas that are not specified in the passage. Identifying the fine distinction between main idea and supporting details is key.
What implied detail can you infer from this sentence? 'After months of drought, the reservoir levels dropped drastically, leaving communities to conserve water.'
There was little rainfall over the past months.
Communities were unaffected by the drought.
The reservoir has excess water.
Water usage increased despite the drought.
The drastic drop in reservoir levels after months of drought implies there was little or no rainfall during that period, making option C correct. The other options contradict the implied situation or introduce unsupported claims. Inferring unstated but logical details tests deeper comprehension.
Which sentence best serves as a supporting detail for this main idea: 'Regular exercise improves both mental and physical health'?
Exercising daily can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Diet alone is enough for good health.
Mental health is as important as physical health.
Some people prefer running over swimming.
Option A provides a specific way exercise benefits mental health by reducing depression and anxiety, supporting the main idea. Options B and D are general statements or contradict the main idea, while C is unrelated. Supporting details elaborate on aspects of the main idea.
What is the main idea of this persuasive statement? 'By installing programmable thermostats, homeowners can significantly reduce their energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions.'
Installing programmable thermostats reduces costs and emissions.
Programmable thermostats are difficult to install.
Greenhouse gases do not affect the environment.
Energy bills are unrelated to heating choices.
The statement argues that programmable thermostats offer both economic and environmental benefits, captured by option C. Other choices either oppose the argument or make incorrect claims. Persuasive texts often present benefits to convince the audience.
What is the main idea versus theme distinction in this excerpt? 'The tortoise and the hare shows that steady effort often yields better results than overconfidence and haste.'
The story is about animals racing.
Rabbits are faster than tortoises.
Tortoises are clever and hares are lazy.
Slow and steady effort leads to success.
Option B identifies the main idea by summarizing the moral teaching about steady effort. The other options are either literal observations or irrelevant details. Understanding the difference between what happens in a story and its central message is crucial.
Select the best summary for this paragraph: 'Corporate social responsibility has become a benchmark for modern businesses. Firms that invest in ethical practices often see improved brand loyalty, employee satisfaction, and long-term profitability. Many investors now assess a company's ethical record before deciding to invest.'
Brand loyalty does not affect profitability.
Corporate responsibility builds loyalty and influences investment decisions.
Ethical practices are too costly for businesses.
Investors ignore a company's social record.
Option C encapsulates the paragraph's message that ethical business practices boost loyalty, employee satisfaction, profitability, and attract investors. The incorrect options contradict or misinterpret the text. Effective summaries capture both main idea and critical supporting points.
What is the central idea of this complex statement? 'Globalization has interwoven economies, cultures, and politics across borders, leading to rapid technological diffusion and cultural exchange, but also economic disparity and cultural homogenization.'
Borders prevent any technological diffusion.
Cultural exchange happens without technology.
Globalization fosters both widespread connection and significant challenges.
Globalization only benefits wealthy nations.
The statement presents both positive outcomes (diffusion, exchange) and negative issues (disparity, homogenization), which option B captures. The other options ignore the balanced nature of the discussion or introduce false claims. An expert-level question often requires weighing nuanced arguments.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Main Ideas -

    Pinpoint the central message of a passage by recognizing its overarching concept and purpose.

  2. Distinguish Supporting Details -

    Separate key facts and examples that reinforce the main idea from irrelevant information.

  3. Analyze Text Structure -

    Examine how sentences and paragraphs work together to convey meaning and highlight essential elements.

  4. Apply Effective Strategies -

    Use proven techniques like skimming and summarizing to quickly locate the main idea in any text.

  5. Evaluate Comprehension -

    Assess your understanding by justifying why certain details support or do not support the main idea.

  6. Strengthen Critical Thinking -

    Enhance your analytical skills by interpreting nuanced passages and drawing logical inferences.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Identifying the Central Thought -

    Focus on the sentence that captures the passage's overall message, often found in the introduction or conclusion. For example, a Purdue OWL guide suggests underlining repeated themes to pinpoint the main idea without conflating it with specific examples. Practicing this skill with a main idea and details quiz can boost your confidence in spotting the core concept quickly.

  2. Distinguishing Supporting Details -

    Supporting details clarify, explain, and reinforce the main idea, whereas minor details merely add color or background. The University of North Carolina's writing center recommends asking "How does this fact prove or illustrate the main idea?" to filter out tangential information. Use the mnemonic "S.E.E.": State, Elaborate, Example, to remember the three roles of a strong supporting detail.

  3. Summarizing with Precision -

    Summaries should restate the main idea in your own words without copying phrases verbatim, as advised by Harvard's academic resources. Limit your summary to one or two sentences, ensuring each word contributes to the gist. When practicing, take a short paragraph and craft a one-sentence summary, then check against a main idea practice quiz for accuracy.

  4. Leveraging Context Clues -

    Words like "however," "for example," and "in summary" often signal shifts between main ideas and supporting details, according to research published in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. Identifying these cue words helps you map the structure of any text. Try highlighting transitional phrases in a supporting details quiz to sharpen your ability to navigate complex passages.

  5. Regular Practice and Self-Assessment -

    Consistent practice with a reading comprehension main idea quiz allows you to track progress and uncover recurring mistakes. The National Reading Panel emphasizes timed drills and immediate feedback to improve both speed and accuracy. Reward yourself after each quiz session to maintain an engaging, playful approach to learning.

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