Finding the Main Idea
A worksheet for 3rd graders to practice identifying the main idea in nonfiction texts.
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Finding the Main Idea
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Read each passage carefully. Then, answer the questions about the main idea.
Passage 1: All About Bees
Bees are amazing insects. They live in large groups called colonies. Each colony has one queen bee, many worker bees, and some drone bees. Worker bees fly from flower to flower, collecting nectar and pollen. They use the nectar to make honey, which is food for the colony. Bees also help plants grow by carrying pollen from one flower to another. Without bees, many plants would not be able to make seeds or fruit.
1. What is the main idea of the passage "All About Bees"?
Bees make honey.
Bees live in colonies.
Bees are important insects that help plants and make honey.
Bees collect nectar and pollen.
2. List two details from the passage that support the main idea.
Passage 2: The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a very large and colorful canyon in Arizona. It is about 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep! The Colorado River flows through the bottom of the canyon. Over millions of years, the river carved out the canyon, exposing layers of rock that are different colors. Many people visit the Grand Canyon every year to see its beautiful views and hike its trails.
3. The main idea of the passage "The Grand Canyon" is that it is a and canyon.
4. True or False: The passage mainly talks about how many animals live in the Grand Canyon.
True
False
5. In your own words, what is the main idea of a nonfiction passage?