Free printable worksheet to help 5th-grade students practice identifying main ideas and supporting details in text.

Let’s solve this step by step.

The worksheet asks you to write a summary and identify the main idea for two different passages.

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First Passage: About Electric Cars

Step 1: Read carefully.
- It talks about electric cars being popular now, but they were actually invented long ago — in the late 1800s.
- Back then, gas cars were slow and hard to start. Electric cars were quiet and easy to use.
- But gas cars got better (faster, cheaper), so electric cars disappeared by the 1930s.
- In the 1970s, people worried about pollution and oil shortages → interest in electric cars came back.
- Companies like GM and Toyota started making new electric/hybrid cars.
- Today, many big car companies make them, and governments are helping with money and rules.
- The U.S. wants more electric cars on the road.

Step 2: Find the main idea.
What is the whole passage mostly about?
→ It’s about how electric cars were popular long ago, disappeared, and are now coming back because of environmental and energy concerns.

Main Idea (short version):
Electric cars were once popular, faded away when gas cars improved, and are now returning due to environmental and fuel concerns.

Summary (a few sentences):
Electric cars were first made in the late 1800s and were easier to use than early gas cars. But as gas cars became faster and cheaper, electric cars vanished by the 1930s. Interest returned in the 1970s because of pollution and oil problems. Now, major car companies are making electric and hybrid cars again, and the government is supporting them to help the environment and reduce oil use.

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Second Passage: About Population Growth in Boulder

Step 1: Read carefully.
- From 1950 to 1990, Boulder’s population grew fast — from under 40,000 to over 86,000.
- People moved there for jobs, weather, or lifestyle.
- This growth caused problems: not enough water, traffic jams, higher housing prices.
- In 1967, voters said “no” to more growth by passing a law that limits building outside city lines.
- Since then, growth has slowed — only about 1% per year since 1980.
- Some people still think it’s growing too fast; others say it’s just right.
- A survey showed most residents want slower growth or no growth at all.

Step 2: Find the main idea.
What’s the big point?
→ Boulder grew quickly after 1950, which caused problems, so citizens voted to limit growth — and now growth is much slower, though some still debate if it’s enough.

Main Idea (short version):
Boulder’s rapid population growth after 1950 led to serious problems, so citizens passed laws to control growth — resulting in slower growth today, though opinions differ on whether it’s sufficient.

Summary (a few sentences):
Between 1950 and 1990, Boulder’s population more than doubled, causing issues like traffic, water shortages, and expensive homes. In 1967, voters approved a law to stop unchecked expansion. Since 1980, growth has slowed to about 1% yearly. While some feel it’s still too fast, most residents prefer even slower growth or none at all.

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Final Answer:

First Passage – Main Idea:
Electric cars were once popular, faded away when gas cars improved, and are now returning due to environmental and fuel concerns.

First Passage – Summary:
Electric cars were first made in the late 1800s and were easier to use than early gas cars. But as gas cars became faster and cheaper, electric cars vanished by the 1930s. Interest returned in the 1970s because of pollution and oil problems. Now, major car companies are making electric and hybrid cars again, and the government is supporting them to help the environment and reduce oil use.

Second Passage – Main Idea:
Boulder’s rapid population growth after 1950 led to serious problems, so citizens passed laws to control growth — resulting in slower growth today, though opinions differ on whether it’s sufficient.

Second Passage – Summary:
Between 1950 and 1990, Boulder’s population more than doubled, causing issues like traffic, water shortages, and expensive homes. In 1967, voters approved a law to stop unchecked expansion. Since 1980, growth has slowed to about 1% yearly. While some feel it’s still too fast, most residents prefer even slower growth or none at all.