Read this passage: 'Bees are important pollinators. They carry pollen from flower to flower. Without bees, many plants could not make seeds. Farmers depend on bees to grow fruits and vegetables.' What is the main idea of this passage?

Read this passage: 'The Amazon rain forest is home to millions of animals and plants. More kinds of living things are found there than almost anywhere else on Earth. Scientists discover new species there every year.' What is too broad to be the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Penguins are birds that cannot fly. Instead, they use their wings to swim very fast underwater. Their thick feathers keep them warm in cold climates.' What is the main idea of this passage?

Read this passage: 'The sun is the closest star to Earth. Its heat and light make life possible on our planet. Plants use sunlight to make food, and animals depend on those plants.' What is a key detail that supports the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Recycling helps protect the environment. When we recycle paper, we save trees. Recycling plastic and glass keeps them out of landfills. Even recycling one item makes a difference.' What is too specific to be the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Dogs make great pets for many reasons. They are loyal and love people. Dogs can be trained to help people who are blind or deaf. Some even help police find missing people.' What is the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Water is found in three forms on Earth: liquid, solid, and gas. Rain is liquid water. Ice and snow are solid water. Water vapor in the air is gas.' A student writes 'Earth has water' as the main idea. Why is that NOT a good main idea?

Read this passage: 'Volcanoes are openings in Earth's surface where hot melted rock called lava flows out. Some erupt slowly, others with great force. Volcanoes can build new land but can also cause damage.' Which main idea best fits the passage?

Read this passage: 'Camels store fat in their humps. They can drink many gallons of water at once. Their wide feet keep them from sinking in soft sand.' What is the main idea of this passage?

Read this passage: 'Exercise keeps your body strong and healthy. Running and jumping build strong muscles. It also helps your heart work better.' A student says the main idea is 'Running and jumping build strong muscles.' What kind of statement is that?

Read this passage: 'An octopus has many ways to escape danger. It can squirt dark ink to hide. It can change color to match the rocks. It can also squeeze into narrow cracks.' What is the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Monarch butterflies fly more than 2,000 miles each fall. They travel from Canada and the United States to fir forests in Mexico. There they rest in huge groups until spring.' What is the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Making maple syrup takes hard work. Farmers drill small holes in maple trees to collect sap. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup.' Which key detail supports the main idea?

Read this passage: 'A public library does more than lend books. Many hold story times for young children. Some lend tools or musical instruments. Others offer free computer classes.' Which statement is too broad to be the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Firefighters train for many kinds of emergencies. They practice climbing tall ladders and holding heavy hoses. They also learn first aid so they can help people who are hurt.' Which sentence best states the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Beavers change the land around them. They cut down trees with their strong front teeth. They pile branches across streams to build dams. The dams make deep ponds where beavers stay safe.' What is the main idea?

Read this passage: 'Ants in a colony each have a job. The queen lays all the eggs. Worker ants gather food and dig tunnels. Soldier ants guard the nest.' Which statement is too specific to be the main idea?

Read this passage: 'A mother sea turtle crawls onto a beach at night. She digs a deep hole in the sand and lays her eggs. Then she covers the nest and returns to the ocean.' What is the main idea?

Read this passage: 'A cactus is built to live where rain is rare. Its thick stem stores water for months. Its waxy skin keeps water from escaping. Sharp spines keep thirsty animals away.' What is the main idea?

Read this passage: 'A bike helmet protects your head. It should sit level and feel snug. The straps should form a V under each ear. A helmet that fits right keeps you safer.' The last sentence is what kind of statement?