Here is the solution to the “Main Idea” worksheet, with explanations for each answer:
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1. The main idea is:
✔ B. Mary went for a hike.
Explanation:
The paragraph describes Mary’s entire Saturday activity — going for a hike in the woods, packing lunch, wearing a hat, following a trail, and eating by the river. While she *did* wear a hat (A), eat a sandwich (C), and walk to the river (D), these are all
details that support the bigger picture:
she went for a hike. The main idea is the central point or overall topic of the paragraph — and that’s her hiking adventure.
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2. The main idea is:
✔ D. Pete is kind.
Explanation:
This paragraph tells us Bob forgot his lunch and had no money, but then his friend Pete offered him half his sandwich. While it’s true that Bob forgot his lunch (B) and doesn’t have money (C), those are just the setup. The key event — Pete sharing his food — shows
Pete’s kindness. That’s the central message. Option A (“Bob went to school”) is just background info. So, the main idea is about Pete’s kind action.
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3. The main idea is:
✔ A. Mittens is tiny.
Explanation:
The whole paragraph focuses on how small Mittens is compared to the other kittens — she stays tiny, hides under furniture, gets lost, and even fits in a coffee mug! All the details (B, C, D) are examples proving how tiny she is. So, the main idea is that
Mittens is tiny — everything else supports this central idea.
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Final Answers:
1.
B. Mary went for a hike.
2.
D. Pete is kind.
3.
A. Mittens is tiny.
These answers capture the overall purpose or central theme of each paragraph — which is what “main idea” means!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of paragraph main idea worksheet.
