Which sentence is most likely a supporting detail for the main idea?

Which sentence is most likely a supporting detail for the main idea?

• A. The introduction explains the purpose.
• B. The topic is interesting.
• C. The opening anecdote illustrates the point.
• D. The statistics show a rise in attendance over last year.

Answer: (D)

Identifying a supporting detail means finding a sentence that backs up the main idea with specific evidence. The sentence about statistics showing a rise in attendance over last year does just that by providing concrete data that illustrate the trend, making the main idea feel real and verifiable for the reader. The other options serve different roles: an introduction explains the purpose, which is setup rather than evidence; a statement that the topic is interesting expresses a reaction rather than proof; an opening anecdote can illustrate a point but is a narrative example rather than data. So the statistics sentence is the strongest supporting detail because it grounds the main idea in measurable evidence.

Identifying a supporting detail means finding a sentence that backs up the main idea with specific evidence. The sentence about statistics showing a rise in attendance over last year does just that by providing concrete data that illustrate the trend, making the main idea feel real and verifiable for the reader. The other options serve different roles: an introduction explains the purpose, which is setup rather than evidence; a statement that the topic is interesting expresses a reaction rather than proof; an opening anecdote can illustrate a point but is a narrative example rather than data. So the statistics sentence is the strongest supporting detail because it grounds the main idea in measurable evidence.