SSAT Elementary Level Reading

A friendly introduction to reading comprehension skills for the SSAT Elementary Level.

Understanding Main IdeasFinding DetailsUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Making InferencesIdentifying Author’s PurposeComparing and Contrasting
Reading Everyday TextsDiscussing What You ReadUsing Reading to Learn New Things
Read the Questions FirstUse Process of Elimination
Understanding Main I...Finding DetailsUnderstanding Vocabu...Making InferencesIdentifying Author’s...Comparing and Contra...Reading Everyday Tex...Discussing What You ...Using Reading to Lea...Read the Questions F...Use Process of Elimi...
Basic Concepts

Understanding Main Ideas

What Is the Main Idea?

The main idea is what a story or passage is mostly about. It's like the heart of the story! Every paragraph or passage has one big point the author wants you to know.

How to Find the Main Idea

  • Look at the title and any headings.
  • Read the first and last sentences closely—they often tell you what’s important.
  • Ask yourself: "What is this paragraph or passage mostly talking about?"

Practice Makes Perfect

Finding the main idea helps you understand stories, articles, and even instructions better!

Why It Matters

If you can spot the main idea, you’ll do better on the SSAT and in real-life reading, like when you need to follow directions or pick out the most important facts in a news story.

Examples

  • A story about a lost puppy whose owner searches everywhere has a main idea about friendship and never giving up.

  • A paragraph listing reasons to eat vegetables has a main idea about why vegetables are healthy.

In a Nutshell

The main idea is the most important point in a passage.

Key Terms

Main Idea
The most important point or message in a passage.
Passage
A short part of a written work.
Next
Finding Details