Getting the Main Idea Answer Key
Directions: Read the following passages and circle the sentence that best summarizes the passage.
Example: On his way home from the party, Jason realized he was lost. He had been circling the same
street for 40 minutes. He had left the directions at the party and did not have a map. He was hoping to
see a familiar landmark so he could figure out where he is.
a) Jason went to a party
b) Jason was lost
c) Jason did not have a map
d) Jason was on his way home
1. Janie’s dog wasn’t feeling well today. He did not want to go out for his walk and did not eat his
food. She threw his toy across the yard hoping he would run to fetch it, but he just sat there.
a) The dog doesn’t want to play
b) The dog isn’t hungry
c) The dog is sick
d) The dog lives in the yard
2. Blair and Natalie are not speaking to each other today. It was weird sitting at their table during
lunch while they were glaring at each other. I hope they make up soon; we are three best
friends and I don’t want to choose sides.
a) Blair and Natalie had a fight
b) I ate lunch alone
c) I didn’t do my homework
d) Blair is glaring at Natalie
3. Julio decided to stay up and watch television instead of studying for his History exam. Today,
when it was time to take the test, he looked at the paper and could not answer any of the
questions. He swore that from this day forward he would always study for tests.
a) Julio did not study for his history exam
b) Julio had an exam
c) Julio likes to watch TV
d) Julio doesn’t like History
4. “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” Initially that advice sounds strange, but
people with energy and ambition often get things done. Throughout time, it has been proven
that people with ambition accomplish things that others thought were impossible. Whether a
person wants to set a world record or rise to the top, ambition is the one quality that is most
needed.
a) The ways in which ambition affects social life
b) The negative effects of ambition
c) How to have ambition
d) The value of ambition
