Main Idea & Supporting Details worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step and explain each part.

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Part 1: Main Idea and Supporting Details

We are given four detail sentences and two main ideas. We need to drag (or match) the correct details under the appropriate main idea.

#### Main Ideas:
- Cats can be nice pets.
- Dogs can be very fine pets.

#### Details:
1. They will run, bark, and chase after sticks or balls.
2. They will purr when their backs are stroked.
3. They like to play with balls of yarn and will chase mice.
4. They are sometimes called man’s best friend.

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Now let’s analyze:

- "They will run, bark, and chase after sticks or balls." → This describes dog behavior (barking, chasing sticks/balls).
→ Belongs under Dogs can be very fine pets.

- "They will purr when their backs are stroked." → Purring is a cat behavior.
→ Belongs under Cats can be nice pets.

- "They like to play with balls of yarn and will chase mice." → Playing with yarn and chasing mice are typical cat behaviors.
→ Belongs under Cats can be nice pets.

- "They are sometimes called man’s best friend." → This is a common phrase used for dogs.
→ Belongs under Dogs can be very fine pets.

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✔ Final Matching:

| Cats can be nice pets. | Dogs can be very fine pets. |
|------------------------|----------------------------|
| They will purr when their backs are stroked. | They will run, bark, and chase after sticks or balls. |
| They like to play with balls of yarn and will chase mice. | They are sometimes called man’s best friend. |

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Part 2: Reading Comprehension – Camels

Paragraph:
> Camels have special features that help them survive in the desert. They have double rows of eyelashes, hairy ear openings, and nostrils that can be closed down. All of these protect them from blowing sand. Camels also store fat in their humps. They lose body water very slowly. They can go for several days without any food or water.

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#### Question 1: What is the topic of this paragraph?

Answer: Camels and how they survive in the desert.

Explanation: The topic is what the paragraph is about — camels and their survival adaptations in deserts.

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#### Question 2: Which sentence gives the main idea of the paragraph?

Answer: *Camels have special features that help them survive in the desert.*

Explanation: This sentence summarizes the entire paragraph. The rest of the sentences give supporting details about those features.

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#### Question 3: Give two detail sentences that support the main idea.

I. They have double rows of eyelashes, hairy ear openings, and nostrils that can be closed down.
II. Camels also store fat in their humps.

Explanation: These are specific examples of "special features" mentioned in the main idea.

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#### Question 4: Give one special feature that protects the camel from the sand.

Answer: Double rows of eyelashes / Hairy ear openings / Nostrils that can be closed down.

Explanation: Any one of these is acceptable. They all prevent sand from getting into sensitive areas.

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#### Question 5: Why can camels go several days without water?

Answer: Because they lose body water very slowly.

Explanation: The paragraph states: *"They lose body water very slowly."* This is why they can survive long periods without drinking.

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✔ Final Answers:

Part 1: Matching

| Cats can be nice pets. | Dogs can be very fine pets. |
|------------------------|----------------------------|
| They will purr when their backs are stroked. | They will run, bark, and chase after sticks or balls. |
| They like to play with balls of yarn and will chase mice. | They are sometimes called man’s best friend. |

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Part 2: Questions

1. Topic: Camels and how they survive in the desert.
2. Main idea sentence: Camels have special features that help them survive in the desert.
3. Supporting details:
I. They have double rows of eyelashes, hairy ear openings, and nostrils that can be closed down.
II. Camels also store fat in their humps.
4. Feature protecting from sand: Double rows of eyelashes (or hairy ear openings or closable nostrils).
5. Why no water? Because they lose body water very slowly.

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