Here is the solution to the "Main Idea" worksheet, with explanations for each answer:
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Paragraph 1: Scrabble
> *Scrabble is a game that provides hours of challenging fun for you and your friends. In this game you use your letters to build new words from words already on the game board. Scrabble is a fun way to learn new words and meanings.*
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
Correct Answer: A. Scrabble is challenging and fun.
✔ Explanation: The paragraph begins by stating that Scrabble provides “hours of challenging fun” — that’s the central point. While it also mentions learning vocabulary (B), that’s a supporting detail, not the main idea. Options C and D are too narrow or not the focus.
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Paragraph 2: Tortoise and Hare
> *The tortoise and the hare were going to have a race... the hare waited too long to try to win the race and the tortoise beat him.*
Question: Which statement provides the best moral for this story?
Correct Answer: B. Slow and steady wins the race.
✔ Explanation: This is the classic fable! The hare’s overconfidence and laziness lead to his loss, while the tortoise’s persistence leads to victory. Option B captures the universal lesson. A is false (the fast hare lost). C and D contradict the story’s message.
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Paragraph 3: Birthday
> *Yesterday was my birthday... I had a great day.*
Question: What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Correct Answer: C. Charles had a great birthday
✔ Explanation: The narrator (Charles) describes his happy birthday — gifts, favorite food, friend visiting, basketball gift — all leading to “I had a great day.” So the main idea is that Charles had a great birthday. Josh is mentioned only as the brother who hung up a sign; he didn’t have the birthday. Option B is close but doesn’t specify Charles (and the paragraph is written from his perspective).
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Paragraph 4: Madison
> *Carson's older sister, Madison, is a very good student... She also always tries to answer the teacher's questions in class.*
Question: What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Correct Answer: C. Madison is a very good student.
✔ Explanation: The entire paragraph supports this idea — she’s not satisfied just getting by, she joins clubs, answers questions. All details support that she’s a good student. A is a fact but not the main point. B and D are unsupported guesses.
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Paragraph 5: Floods
> *Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings... It can take months to clean up after a flood.*
Question: What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Correct Answer: A. Floods can cause a lot of damage.
✔ Explanation: The first sentence is the topic sentence — “Floods can cause tremendous damage.” Everything else (ruining houses, causing mudslides, cleanup time) supports this. B, C, and D are specific examples, not the overall main idea.
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
A
2.
B
3.
C
4.
C
5.
A
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Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 5th grade main idea worksheet.
