California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

The main idea of a text expresses the primary focus or the overarching concept that the author wishes to convey. Supporting details serve to reinforce, enhance, and clarify this main idea by providing specific examples, explanations, or evidence. These details are integral to helping readers understand the complexity and depth of the main idea, guiding them through the argument or narrative presented.

In contrast, options that suggest supporting details distract from, contradict, or are irrelevant to the main idea fail to recognize the essential role that these details play in strengthening the text’s overall message. Supporting details are meticulously chosen to create a cohesive argument that elucidates the main idea, making the correct answer particularly relevant in understanding the relationship between different components of a text.