Free Printable WorksheetEnglishGrade 3English CurriculumELA.3.39

3.39 Main Idea and Best Supporting Details Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Grade 3 English worksheet provides structured practice on 3.39 Main Idea and Best Supporting Details. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

ELA.3.39 - Determine the main idea and select details that directly support it; exclude extraneous information. (CCSS RI.3.2; TEKS §110.5 3.6(G); FL B.E.S.T. ELA.3.R.2.2; VA SOL 3.6c)

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Grade 3

Subject

English

Domain

English Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 3.39 Main Idea and Best Supporting Details skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery
Renewable energy
can come from several sources. Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity, so they work best where there are many sunny days. Wind turbines use moving air, so they work best in places with steady winds. Hydroelectric power uses moving water, often from rivers or dams, to spin turbines. Even though these sources are renewable, each has limits. Solar power drops at night and on very cloudy days. Wind can be calm for hours. Hydroelectric power depends on water levels and can change river habitats if dams are used. Because of these limits, some communities use more than one renewable source and may also store energy in batteries. What is the main idea of the passage?
ARenewable energy sources like solar, wind, and water each have strengths and limits, so communities choose and combine them based on local conditions.
BSolar works best in sunny areas, and wind works best where winds are steady.
CSolar power drops at night and wind can be calm.
DSome communities store energy in batteries to help with changes.
Solution & Explanation:The passage compares renewable sources and explains that each depends on conditions and has trade-offs. The correct option summarizes the comparison and the need to choose based on local conditions.
Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery
After a wildfire, a forest
can look empty and damaged. However, fire does not always mean the end of an ecosystem. Some plants have thick bark that protects the living part of the tree. Other plants have seeds that sprout better after heat opens their outer coat. Soon after a fire, sunlight reaches the ground more easily because many leaves are gone. New grasses and wildflowers may grow first. Insects return, then birds that eat insects. Over time, shrubs and young trees can grow, and animals that need more cover may come back. Recovery can take years, and the exact pattern depends on how hot the fire was and what plants lived there before. Which detail best supports the main idea that recovery happens in stages after a wildfire?
ASome trees have thick bark that can protect them.
BRecovery can take years depending on the fire.
CBirds eat insects that return after a fire.
DNew grasses and wildflowers may grow first, and later shrubs and young trees can return.
Solution & Explanation:The main idea focuses on stages over time. The best supporting detail is the one that shows a clear sequence—first grasses, then shrubs and trees—showing recovery in steps.
Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery
Two packages
can look like good deals, but comparing them can be tricky. One box might cost less, but it may also contain less food. That is why shoppers sometimes compare unit price, which is the cost for one unit, like one ounce or one sheet. For example, if a 10-ounce bag costs $2.00, each ounce costs 20 cents. If a 20-ounce bag costs $3.60, each ounce costs 18 cents, so the larger bag is cheaper per ounce even though it costs more overall. Unit price helps people make fair comparisons between different sizes. Which sentence best states the main idea?
AUnit price helps shoppers compare which item is a better value by using cost per unit.
BA smaller package can cost less but also contain less.
CYou can divide price by amount to find cost per unit.
DA larger package can be cheaper per ounce even if it costs more.
Solution & Explanation:The passage explains why total price can be misleading and how unit price allows fair comparisons. The correct option captures that overall purpose.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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QIs this 3.39 Main Idea and Best Supporting Details worksheet free for teachers and homeschoolers?

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Grade 3 English students. It aligns with educational standard ELA.3.39 (Determine the main idea and select details that directly support it; exclude extraneous information. (CCSS RI.3.2; TEKS §110.5 3.6(G); FL B.E.S.T. ELA.3.R.2.2; VA SOL 3.6c)).

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