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Main Idea and Its Support is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on working out a main idea from the details that support it, aligned to Common Core standard RI.4.2. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 4 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Main Idea and Its Support

RI.4.2

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1.A paragraph says: earthworms tunnel through soil and let air in; they drag dead leaves underground; their waste makes the soil richer. What is its main idea?
  • A.Leaves fall in the fall.
  • B.Earthworms help keep soil healthy.
  • C.Earthworms live underground.
2.A paragraph says: honeybees carry pollen from flower to flower; without them many fruits would not grow; farmers rent hives for their orchards. What is its main idea?
  • A.Bees are important for growing food.
  • B.Farmers keep hives.
  • C.Flowers have pollen.
3.A paragraph says: beavers fell trees with their teeth; they build dams of sticks and mud; their ponds give homes to fish and birds. What is its main idea?
  • A.Beavers have sharp teeth.
  • B.Fish live in ponds.
  • C.Beavers change the places where they live.
4.A paragraph says: Arctic foxes grow a thick white coat in winter; their small ears lose little heat; fur on their paws stops them slipping. What is its main idea?
  • A.Arctic foxes are suited to the cold.
  • B.Arctic foxes are white.
  • C.Ice is slippery.
5.A paragraph says: trains ran to schedules across the country; each town had kept its own time; the railways needed one time everywhere. What is its main idea?
  • A.Trains were often late.
  • B.Towns had clocks.
  • C.The railways led to one time for the whole country.
6.A paragraph says: Roman roads ran straight for miles; they were laid in layers so water drained away; some are still used today. What is its main idea?
  • A.Romans liked straight lines.
  • B.Roman roads were built to last.
  • C.Water drains away.
7.A paragraph says: early phones were fixed to the wall; later phones had no cord; today's phones fit in a pocket and take photos. What is its main idea?
  • A.Telephones have changed a great deal over time.
  • B.Walls hold phones.
  • C.Phones take photos.
8.A paragraph says: libraries lend books for free; many offer computers anyone can use; they run reading clubs for children. What is its main idea?
  • A.Children like clubs.
  • B.Libraries offer many free services to a town.
  • C.Computers are useful.

LessonPrint · RI.4.2 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Main Idea and Its Support

Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Earthworms help keep soil healthy.
  2. 2.Bees are important for growing food.
  3. 3.Beavers change the places where they live.
  4. 4.Arctic foxes are suited to the cold.
  5. 5.The railways led to one time for the whole country.
  6. 6.Roman roads were built to last.
  7. 7.Telephones have changed a great deal over time.
  8. 8.Libraries offer many free services to a town.

More practice for RI.4.2

State the main idea, show the details behind it, and summarize.

Teaching this next? The Main Idea and a Summary is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 4 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.4.2 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.