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Main Ideas from What You Heard is a free printable Grade 3 English worksheet on naming the main idea of something a speaker said, aligned to Common Core standard SL.3.2. 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.

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All 25 sets ask different questions.

Main Ideas from What You Heard

SL.3.2

NameDate

Circle the main idea of what you heard.

1.A dentist says: "Brush for two minutes, twice a day, and the sugar that harms your teeth is cleared away." What is the main idea?
  • A.Dentists have chairs
  • B.Two minutes is short
  • C.Brushing properly protects your teeth
2.You hear on a podcast: "The Moon has no air and no wind, so footprints left there long ago are still there." What is the main idea?
  • A.The Moon is far away
  • B.Nothing on the Moon wipes the footprints away
  • C.People like podcasts
3.A librarian says: "The library is free. You can borrow ten books at a time and keep them for three weeks." What is the main idea?
  • A.Librarians like books
  • B.Anyone can borrow library books for free
  • C.Three weeks is a long time
4.A nurse says: "Washing your hands for twenty seconds gets rid of most germs. The soap does the work." What is the main idea?
  • A.Washing well with soap removes germs
  • B.Nurses wear uniforms
  • C.Twenty is a big number
5.A gardener says: "Worms are a garden's best friends. They mix the soil and let air and water reach the roots." What is the main idea?
  • A.Worms help gardens grow
  • B.Worms live underground
  • C.Roots need water
6.A baker says: "Bread needs time. If you rush the rising, the loaf comes out flat and heavy." What is the main idea?
  • A.Some loaves are heavy
  • B.Bread must be given time to rise
  • C.Bakers get up early
7.A zookeeper says: "Elephants keep growing new teeth. When one set wears down, another moves forward." What is the main idea?
  • A.Elephants keep getting new teeth
  • B.Elephants are heavy
  • C.Zookeepers feed elephants
8.A weather forecaster says: "Storms will reach the coast by evening. Bring in anything loose from your yard." What is the main idea?
  • A.Gardens have things in them
  • B.Get ready, because a storm is coming
  • C.Evening comes after afternoon

LessonPrint · SL.3.2 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Main Ideas from What You Heard

Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Brushing properly protects your teeth
  2. 2.Nothing on the Moon wipes the footprints away
  3. 3.Anyone can borrow library books for free
  4. 4.Washing well with soap removes germs
  5. 5.Worms help gardens grow
  6. 6.Bread must be given time to rise
  7. 7.Elephants keep getting new teeth
  8. 8.Get ready, because a storm is coming

Questions about Main Ideas from What You Heard

What does the Main Ideas from What You Heard worksheet cover?

It practices naming the main idea of something a speaker said — 8 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core SL.3.2: Pick out the main ideas and details from something you heard or saw. The instruction to students is “Circle the main idea of what you heard”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.

Which Common Core standard does Main Ideas from What You Heard practice?

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2 — SL.3.2, under Speaking & Listening for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.

What age or grade is this worksheet for?

Main Ideas from What You Heard is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on SL.3.2, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.

Does Main Ideas from What You Heard come with an answer key?

Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.

How many different versions of Main Ideas from What You Heard can I print?

25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.

Is Main Ideas from What You Heard free to print and photocopy?

Yes. Main Ideas from What You Heard, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.

Is there a lesson plan to teach SL.3.2?

Yes — “Getting the Main Ideas From Listening” is a 40-minute Grade 3 plan for SL.3.2, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Main Ideas from What You Heard is the practice that follows it.

More practice for SL.3.2

Pick out the main ideas and details from something you heard or saw.

Teaching this next? Getting the Main Ideas From Listening is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to SL.3.2 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.