ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension focuses on developing critical reading skills through diverse texts and comprehension strategies.

Understanding Main Ideas and DetailsMaking Inferences and Drawing ConclusionsUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Analyzing Author’s Purpose and ToneIdentifying Organizational StructureEvaluating Arguments and Evidence
Applying Critical Reading to Everyday LifeEffective Note-Taking for ReadingReading for Research and Projects
Previewing the PassageProcess of Elimination
Understanding Main I...Making Inferences an...Understanding Vocabu...Analyzing Author’s P...Identifying Organiza...Evaluating Arguments...Applying Critical Re...Effective Note-Takin...Reading for Research...Previewing the Passa...Process of Eliminati...
Basic Concepts

Understanding Main Ideas and Details

What Is a Main Idea?

The main idea of a passage is the central point or the most important message the author wants to share. It's like the heart of the paragraph or passage, guiding all the supporting details around it.

Spotting Details

Details are the facts, examples, and descriptions that help explain or support the main idea. They can be numbers, events, or reasons that make the main idea clearer.

Why Are Main Ideas and Details Important?

Knowing how to find the main idea and supporting details makes reading easier and helps you answer comprehension questions accurately.

Tips for Identifying Main Ideas and Details

  • Look for repeated words or phrases.
  • Ask yourself, “What is this passage mostly about?”
  • Check the first and last sentences—they often contain the main idea.
  • Details are often “proof” or “evidence” for the main idea.

Practice Makes Perfect

The more you practice spotting main ideas and details, the faster and more confident you’ll become!

Examples

  • Reading a story about recycling, you find the main idea is 'Recycling helps the environment,' and details include 'Recycling saves energy' and 'It reduces landfill waste.'

  • A passage about volcanoes has the main idea 'Volcanoes can be dangerous,' with details such as 'They can erupt suddenly' and 'Lava destroys everything in its path.'

In a Nutshell

Main ideas are the big messages; details are the supporting facts.

Key Terms

Main Idea
The central point or most important message in a passage.
Detail
A fact, example, or explanation that supports the main idea.
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Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions