Central Idea and Supporting Details
A Grade 5 ELA worksheet focusing on identifying the central idea and supporting details in informational texts.
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Central Idea and Supporting Details
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Read the passages carefully. For each passage, identify the central idea and the supporting details.
The Importance of Recycling
Recycling is a process that takes old, used materials and transforms them into new products. This practice is extremely important for our planet. When we recycle, we reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, which helps conserve space. It also helps conserve natural resources like timber, water, and minerals because we don't have to extract as many new raw materials. Furthermore, recycling saves energy. Producing new products from recycled materials often requires less energy than making them from scratch. For example, recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy needed to make new ones. By recycling, we can make a big difference in protecting our environment for future generations.
1. What is the central idea of the passage?
2. List three supporting details that explain why recycling is important.
Detail 1:
Detail 2:
Detail 3:
Read the following paragraph and answer the question.
Dolphins are very intelligent marine mammals. They use echolocation to find food and navigate in the ocean. They can communicate with each other using a variety of clicks, whistles, and other sounds. Dolphins are also known for their playful behavior and often interact with humans.
3. Which sentence best states the central idea of this paragraph?
Dolphins eat fish and other marine animals.
Dolphins are intelligent and complex marine mammals.
Dolphins are known for being playful.
Dolphins use sounds to communicate.
Read the central idea below. Then, complete the sentences with details that would support it.
Central Idea: Bees are crucial for our environment.
4. One way bees help the environment is by .
5. Another important role bees play is .
Read the passage below. Then, determine if the statements are true or false.
The Grand Canyon is a massive canyon in Arizona, United States. It is carved by the Colorado River and is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. It is known for its visually overwhelming size and its colorful, layered rock formations. Millions of years of geological history are exposed in its walls.
6. The central idea of the passage is that the Grand Canyon is a beautiful place to visit.
True
False
7. A supporting detail is that the Grand Canyon is located in Arizona.
True
False
8. Write a short paragraph about your favorite animal. Then, identify the central idea and at least two supporting details from your paragraph.
Central Idea:
Supporting Detail 1:
Supporting Detail 2: