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Grade 10 Main Idea & Supporting Details Worksheet with Answers

Grade 10 (US) · Year 11 (UK) · Class 10 (India) · English

Unit 5: Reading Informational TextCentral IdeaCCSS RI.9-10.2

Finding the main idea of a short passage and the details that support it. This free high school worksheet has 11 questions and a full answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF — every answer is checked by code, not guessed.

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Main Idea & Supporting Details

Grade 10 · English

Score___ / 11

Name

Class

Date

Learning goal: Central Idea · CCSS RI.9-10.2

Directions: This worksheet has 2 parts. Read the instructions at the start of each part.

RememberMain idea and details

Main idea: what the whole text is mostly aboutDetail1Detail2Detail3Details hold up the main idea, like legs hold up a table.
Part A

Read each short text. What is the main idea?

  1. 1

    The Great Wall stretches over 13,000 miles. Workers built it over many centuries to protect China from invaders.

  2. 2

    Recycling saves trees, uses less energy and keeps trash out of landfills.

  3. 3

    Dogs can guard homes, guide people who are blind and find lost hikers. Dogs do many important jobs.

  4. 4

    Sleep helps your body grow, your brain remember and your mood stay calm.

  5. 5

    Some volcanoes erupt with fiery lava. Others release ash clouds. A few sleep for thousands of years before waking.

  6. 6

    Penguins cannot fly, but they swim very fast. Their wings work like flippers in the water.

  7. 7

    Bees make honey. They also carry pollen that helps plants grow. Bees are very helpful insects.

  8. 8

    Apples can be red, green or yellow. Some are sweet and some are sour. There are many kinds of apples.

Part B

Answer each question. Use full sentences where you can.

  1. 9

    Where is the main idea of a paragraph often found?

  2. 10

    What is the difference between the main idea and a supporting detail?

  3. 11

    Which sentence is a supporting detail for the main idea 'Exercise keeps you healthy'? (a) Exercise strengthens your heart. (b) My shoes are blue.

★ Challenge corner for fast finishers

Unscramble the letters: USN (clue: it shines in the day)

How did I do?

Teacher's comments

Free printable worksheets with answer keys · aethelsystems.com/worksheets/english/10/main_idea

Answer key (click to show)
  1. 1.the Great Wall is huge and was built over centuries for protection
  2. 2.recycling helps the environment
  3. 3.dogs do many important jobs
  4. 4.sleep is important for your body and mind
  5. 5.volcanoes behave in different ways
  6. 6.penguins are fast swimmers even though they can't fly
  7. 7.bees are helpful insects
  8. 8.there are many kinds of apples
  9. 9.in the topic sentence, often the first sentence
  10. 10.the main idea is the most important point; details explain or prove it
  11. 11.(a) Exercise strengthens your heart.
  12. ★sun (challenge corner)

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