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Fifth Grade (Grade 5) Main Idea Questions

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Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RL.5.2

This question is a part of a group with common instructions. View group »

What is the main idea of the poem?
  1. Summer is very hot and annoying.
  2. Summer is a wonderful time.
  3. Summer is only enjoyed by kings.
  4. Summer is full of fun things to do outside.
Grade 5 Main Idea
It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year. Brach’s, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end. That’s a lot of candy corn, but that’s nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production. Over 64 million
Tootsie Rolls are produced every day! But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product, chocolate. Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year. Now that’s a mouthful!

What is the main idea of the passage?
  1. The United States only produces candy corn.
  2. The United States produces many types of candies in large amounts.
  3. It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year.
  4. But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry’s staple product, chocolate.
Grade 5 Main Idea
Those people who like going fishing know how important the bait is. Some people choose worms or night crawlers as bait. Others are fond of using minnows, which are very small fish that larger fish would be attracted to. Some people do not like to use live bait. They prefer to use artificial bait, like lures and spinners. Fish are often attracted to the colors and movement of the artificial bait.

Which of these could be used as the title for the passage above?
  1. Artificial Bait vs. Live Bait
  2. How People Choose a Bait
  3. Why Minnows make the Best Fishing Bait
  4. Fishing Bait: Many to Choose From
Grade 5 Main Idea
Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet explored the Mississippi River. Marquette was born in France. He went to Catholic schools and planned to become a missionary. He came to America to teach the Indians about his church. He heard about the great river from the Indians. Jolliet was a French Canadian explorer. He was sent to the Mississippi in hopes of finding a good trade route. Although their goals were different, Marquette and Jolliet worked together to explore the river.

The main idea in this passage is:
  1. It tells where Jolliet was born.
  2. It describes the Mississippi River.
  3. It tells who first discovered the Mississippi River.
  4. It compares the two explorers, Marquette and Jolliet.
Grade 5 Main Idea
Consider how many activities you do outside of school. Remember that school needs to be a priority. It's great to do extra things--as long as they don't rob you of needed energy for learning. If you feel like you are too busy, ask your parents if you can cut down to one or two favorite things. You may try one activity one semester (i.e. being in a play) and something different the next (playing a sport). We often feel we have to do everything at once at once, and that can wear us out!

The main idea in this passage is:
  1. People often feel as if they are too busy.
  2. The author suggests trying activities at different times.
  3. We should try to do as much as we can at once.
  4. School should be a priority.
Grade 5 Main Idea
If you are feeling blue, what do you do? Perhaps you enjoy being sad. Maybe you would rather be happy. When you feel sad, you can make yourself feel better. All you have to do is get some exercise and get some sleep. You should have at least one good friend. Doing good deeds will help. Writing in a diary about the good things in your life will help too. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

The main idea in this passage is:
  1. Magic works to make you feel better.
  2. You should have at least one good friend.
  3. Some people like to be sad.
  4. When you feel sad, you can make yourself feel better.
Grade 5 Main Idea
When you think of bands, you may think of a famous pop or rock music group. They represent one kind of band. There are actually a variety of bands that we can enjoy. Marching bands often perform in parades. Concert bands perform indoors, seated. Brass bands are often formed in the military. Then there is what we call "Big Band" music; this is large dance or jazz band music from the era of the mid-twentieth century. A garage band is a group of musicians that practice in someone's garage!

The main idea in this passage is:
  1. Most of us think bands are for pop or rock music.
  2. A group of musicians who practice in someone's garage are a garage band.
  3. Marching bands perform in parades.
  4. There are actually a variety of bands.
Grade 5 Main Idea
October 4, 1957 was a big day for scientists. It was the day the Russians launched Sputnik I into space. Sputnik I went into orbit and circled the earth. It was the first time that a man-made object had ever orbited the earth. It was a day for Russian scientists to celebrate. It challenged American astronauts to come up with the next big event.

The main idea in this passage is:
  1. Why did it present a challenge to American scientists?
  2. Where was Sputnik I launched?
  3. What was the first man-made object in space?
  4. Why was October 4, 1957 an important day?
Grade 5 Main Idea
What in the world is aerodynamics? It has something to do with air. The root word dynamic means it has something to do with action or motion. That's it! Aerodynamics is the study of air in motion. For instance, it is about what air does when it hits an airplane wing. The Wright brothers knew about aerodynamics. That's how they did what they did.

The main idea in this passage is:
  1. an argument against flight
  2. a story about an airplane
  3. a definition of aerodynamics
  4. a biography of the Wright brothers
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2

This question is a part of a group with common instructions. View group »

What is the main idea of the passage?
  1. July 4 is the true Independence Day.
  2. No one knows when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
  3. Other dates are also significant to America's independence.
  4. The Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 2.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2

This question is a part of a group with common instructions. View group »

What is the main idea of this passage?
  1. Halloween has been celebrated for centuries.
  2. Coins, fruits, and nuts used to be given for trick or treat.
  3. Americans spend billions of dollars on costumes and candy each year.
  4. All Souls Day traditions likely inspired modern-day trick or treating.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RL.5.2
Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and held a golden scepter. His vest was embroidered with golden thread and even his shoes had golden ornaments. He had a golden box filled with gold coins. He named his daughter Marigold.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?
  1. King Midas loved gold.
  2. King Midas sold lots of gold.
  3. King Midas had a heart of gold.
  4. King Midas hated gold.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2
The Babylonians were the first to set the measurement of a full circle at 360 degrees. They reasoned that the most important circle is the revolution of the earth around the sun, a period of time which we call a year. They knew that a year was approximately 365 days. However, the number 360 is much more convenient for mathematical computation, since it is divisible by many factors-- among them, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12.

What is the topic sentence in the paragraph above?
  1. They knew that a year was approximately 365 days.
  2. They reasoned that the most important circle is the revolution of the earth around the sun, a period of time which we call a year.
  3. The Babylonians were the first to set the measurement of a full circle at 360 degrees.
  4. However, the number 360 is much more convenient for mathematical computation, since it is divisible by many factors-- among them, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2
What is the main idea of the following paragraph?

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock, and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface.
  1. Several events can change the Earth's surface.
  2. Earthquakes can cause large cracks.
  3. Volcanoes can be dangerous.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2
Police depend on evidence to solve crimes. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, missing persons, and murders. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person.

What is the topic sentence in the paragraph above?
  1. Police depend on evidence to solve crimes.
  2. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person.
  3. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime.
  4. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, missing persons, and murders.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2
Mars, a reddish orange planet often seen in the night sky, has long been of interest to humans. Many years ago, scientists used telescopes to chart the movements of Mars. Modern scientists can do more than just look at Mars through a telescope.

Which sentence, if added at the end of Paragraph 1, best supports the main topic of the paragraph?
  1. Scientists first began using telescopes in the early 1600's.
  2. Cameras today can take much sharper images than earlier models.
  3. Scientists in the United States can actually study the surface of the planet.
  4. Photographs of planets are known to become important historical records.
Grade 5 Main Idea

This question is a part of a group with common instructions. View group »

What is the first haiku about?
  1. kids playing in a pool
  2. someone fishing off a dock
  3. a fish swimming in the water
  4. a frog splashing into the water
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.3, RL.5.3
Stuck again! I sat there in the front seat of my jeep, thinking "I can't believe it- not again!"

With a sigh, I stepped down to the ground and slowly walked around the jeep. There it was: my right rear tire was sunk into about 4 feet of loose sand. "Sand is the worst," I thought to myself. "This is going to take hours to dig myself out."

I got out my shovel and started digging. Sure enough, it was slow going, trying to get rid of all that sand so my tire would spin again. "Why can't I be more careful?" I kept asking myself. "I need to stop daydreaming and pay attention the road!"
                                                                            


Tony, a fifth grade student, wrote that the Main Idea of this passage was "If you get stuck in soft sand, it's really hard to get out of it."

Do you agree with Tony? If you agree, explain why. If you don't, explain why and indicate what you think the Main Idea should be.
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2

This question is a part of a group with common instructions. View group »

What is the main topic of this passage?
  1. The history of Valentine's Day
  2. An overview of Valentine's Day gifts
  3. A look at Valentine's Day candy
  4. The creator of Valentine's Day
Grade 5 Main Idea CCSS: CCRA.R.2, RI.5.2

This question is a part of a group with common instructions. View group »

What is the point of this passage about Santa Claus?
  1. To explain the history of Santa Claus
  2. To show how Santa Claus appears in other countries
  3. To give the history of Christmas
  4. To show how Christmas is celebrated in other countries
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