Reading for main ideas
Reading is the key to the door of knowledge and information. By reading a reader can find a lot of information that he/she does not know before. However, reading has several techniques that a reader should know and apply in order to be able to grasp information easily. One of the many techniques of reading is to locate the main ideas of the passage.
The technique of locating the main ideas of the passage is to know how a paragraph is designed.A paragraph is made up of sentences that convey information about a topic. The writer usually introduces the topic of the paragraph in the first sentence of a paragraph.This is called a "topic sentence." The topic sentence states the main idea; other sentences are supporting details which offer more information, rephrasing, clarifications, and examples to help the reader understand the main idea.
For example, read the following paragraph and look for the topic sentence of the paragraph.
There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
The topic sentence of the paragraph above is shown in blue.
Position of Topic Sentences
The topic sentence of a paragraph may be in the first or last sentence. The topic sentence may also be the fist and last sentence of the paragraph—“sandwich-style.” The second topic sentence in the “sandwich-style” paragraph also serves as a concluding sentence.
Notice the positions for the topic sentence in each. The topic sentences are underlined[1].
Hurricanes
Hurricanes, which are also called cyclones, exert tremendous power. These violent storms are often a hundred miles in diameter, and their winds can reach velocities” of seventy-five miles per hour or more. Furthermore, the strong winds and heavy rainfall that accompany them can completely destroy a small town in a couple of hours. The energy that is released by a hurricane in one day exceeds the total energy consumed by humankind throughout the world in one year.
FamousSchool “failure”
Albert Einstein, one of the world’s geniuses, failed his university entrance examination on his attempt. William Faulkner, one of America’s noted writers, never finished college because he could not pass hid English courses. Sir Winston Churchill, who is considered one of the masters of the English language, had to have special tutoring in English during elementary school. These examples show that failure in school does not always predict failure in life.
Synonyms
Synonyms, words that have the same basic meaning, do not always have the same emotional meaning. For example, the words ‘stingy” and “frugal” both mean “careful with money.” However, to call a person stingy is an insult, while the word frugal has a much more positive connotation. Similarly, a person wants to be slender but not skinny, and aggressive not pushy. Therefore, you should be careful in choosing words because many so-called synonyms are not really synonymous at all.
For more information about locating main idea, please visit:
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Australian is currently undergoing a period of significant economic, educational and training reform. The catalyst for the reform has been falling inflation, increased unemployment and changing world trading patterns in the period since 1981. In response, the Australian government has focused attention on the fragility of the economy and the need to act urgently to reform, if it is to remain competitive on the world market. Under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there is growing acceptance that vocational education and training are an important component of economic recovery.[2]
Did you decide that the first line was the topic sentence that contained the main idea? It sets the scene for what the whole paragraph is about. There are other details that surround the main idea or follow it logically. The other details confirm the information that relates to the main idea and are called supporting information.
The structure of the paragraph can be broken down in the following way:
Topic sentence: 'Australian is currently undergoing a period of significant economic, educational and training reform.'
Main idea:Australia is going through reform-the reform being economic, educational and training.
A reading passage usually consists of a number of paragraphs, but in order to understand the passage you should be able to identify the topic sentence of each paragraph. So, it is extremely important for you to understand the topic sentence of each paragraph.
Now look at the following reading passage.
Activity 1: Identifying main idea of the paragraph
Although a bee sting and wasp sting can both be quite painful, these two types of stings have one basic difference. A bee sting is acidic, while a wasp sting is alkaline.
Because of this difference, these two types of stings should e treated quite differently. Because a bee sting is acidic, it should be treated with an alkaline solution, such as bicarbonate of soda. A wasp sting, on the other hand, is alkaline, so it should be treated with an acidic solution, such as vinegar.
The main idea of the passage is
(A)the pain of wasp stings
(B)treating stings with acids
(C)different treatments for bee and wasp stings
(D)the difference between acids and bases
The fist sentence of the first paragraph mentions a bee sting and a wasp sting and states that these two types of stings have one basic difference, and the first sentence of the second paragraph states that these two types of stings should be treated quite differently. From this, it can be determined that the topic of the passage is different treatments for bee and wasp stings. Answer (C) is therefore the best answer to this question.[3]
You have learnt how to locate and determine the main idea. Your task is to do some exercises on locating and determine the main idea.
Exercises:
Passage 1:
So You Have Allergies?
You’re feeling wretched: You’re sneezing, your eyes are watery and you have a runny nose. You might recognize these symptoms as those of allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, but are they? Many of the symptoms we experience that we believe to be allergies may in fact just be a cold, or some other non-allergic reaction to an irritant. But how do you know for sure?
There are many forms and types of allergies, and allergic rhinitis is considered to be the granddaddy of them all—responsible for the greatest misery in the most people. It usually shows up before age 20. But it can develop at any age, even in babyhood. Today, allergic rhinitis affects over 15% of Canadians. A third of them are children.
Hay fever used to be considered nothing more than an annoyance, not really worth treating seriously and certainly not capable of inflicting much of an economic and physical toll. But today we know that allergic rhinitis is associated with several other respiratory illnesses, including asthma, and that it can significantly affect your ability to work or study. In fact, it’s estimated that people with allergic rhinitis miss more than 400,000 days of work and school each year—and suffer through over three million days of restricted activity.
Unfortunately, most of us, even those of us who do have allergies, underestimate the consequences. A national survey conducted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that while 94% of allergy sufferers reported that allergies affected their quality of life—including work productivity, sleep, concentration, and even sex—just half of them considered the disease to be a serious medical condition. Nearly two-thirds hadn’t seen a doctor the last time their symptoms flared up.
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(Taken from Reader’s digest:
The main idea of the passage is
(A)consequences of allergic rhinitis according to a survey
(B)sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis
(C) the danger of allergic rhinitis
(D)The symptoms, and effects of allergic rhinitis
1. Correct Answer: D
Passage 2:
Sweat: It’s Good for What Ails You
If you are someone who needs serious incentive before putting on your sneakers and working up a sweat, it’s time to listen up. Exercise is one of the most effective prevention and treatment strategies you can do against many common ailments.
In fact, many health experts now advise everyone to be active at least 30 minutes every day, from light activities, such as walking, to more intensive workouts, such as aerobics. For conditions like arthritis, depression, diabetes, heart disease and many more, exercise is simply good medicine. If you have one of these conditions, even the thought of exercise might seem daunting, but give it a try—you won’t regret it. (Taken from Reader’s digest:
The main idea of passage 2 is
(A)Exercise is simply good medicine for arthritis and depression
(B)Exercise is one of the most effective prevention and treatment strategies against many common ailments.
(C)serious incentive before putting on sneakers and working up a sweat
(D)Every body should get a sweat.
2. Correct answer: B
Passage 3:
Eating Right to Age Well
As you age, your energy needs change. Your body requires fewer calories, but at the same time, it needs more of certain nutrients—nutrients that researchers are discovering may actually slow the aging process.
While aging is inevitable, many of the degenerative changes that prevail past middle age are not—if preventive steps are taken. Medical research confirms that good nutrition can prevent, or at least slow down, certain debilitating conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, one report estimates that one-third to one-half of the health problems of people over the age of 65 are related to diet.
(Taken from
The main idea of passage 3 is
(A)One-third to one-half of the health problems of people over the age of 65 are related to diet
(B)the effect of nutrition on age
(C)Good nutrition can prevent or slow down certain debilitating conditions
(D)old people should eat good nutrition
3. Correct answer: C
Passage 4:
Be Kind to Your Container Plants
Almost anyone who has grown container plantings has experienced the frustration of planters that look great for the first couple of weeks, but then start to decline. Not to worry. With a little understanding of how plants grow in containers, what to use for soil, and how to feed and water properly, you’ll have the tools to keep your container plants looking great throughout their growing lifetimes.
Potting Soils
Unlike plants growing in the ground, container plants don’t have the luxury of endless soil in which to stretch out their roots. Containers only hold a small volume of
soil in a defined space. And we often further reduce this available space by putting a number of plants in each container.
Success with container plantings, whether you’re planting in window boxes or in old work boots, begins from the ground up. Garden soils or purchased topsoils intended for garden beds aren’t appropriate for containers: they are too heavy, and tend to drain slowly, so roots confined to small spaces run the risk of rotting and dying. Additionally, the gardener who fills large planters with soil from a garden bed will find the planters excessively heavy to move.
(Taken from
The main idea of passage 4 is
(A) The soil used in container plantings.
(B) The management of container plantings
(C) The effects of container for plants
(D) The endurance of container plantings at homes
JAWABAN: B
Passage 5:
Used Car Buying Tips
Whether you go through a dealer or deal directly with a private owner, the simplest way to pay less for a car is to buy a used car. But the lower price tag often carries some risk with it. When it comes to buying used cars, the message is definitely buyer-beware. Find out all you can about the car’s history and its condition before you purchase it. And if you need to spend a little hard-earned cash in the process, rest assured it is money well spent.
Buying from a Dealer
Buying nearly new is often the easiest way to get your money’s worth. Many brand new models lose up to half their value in the first two years. So buying a two-year-
old car gets you a half-price bargain that is still in good shape and unlikely to incur high repair bills.
Buying from a dealer is usually more expensive than buying privately, but it may provide you with more recourse should there be problems down the road.
The main idea of passage 5 is
(A) Getting good used car with affordable price
(B)Carefulness in buying used cars
(C)Synchronization between buying vehicles and the allocation of fund
(D) New car is better than old car
Passage 6:
Passage 7:
Passage 8:
Passage 9:
Passage 10:
Activity 2: For your additional exercises, please visit: Pearson Longman Lab Manual Online at:
The rain forest is home to many creatures. Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest. Blue Morpho butterflies and anteaters also live in the rain forest.
Click on the main idea.
A) Sloths and tapirs are other creatures that live in the rain forest.
B) The rain forest is home to many creatures.
C) Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain forest.
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
Click on the main idea.
A) They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
B) Soccer players learn how to dribble.
C) Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.
There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.Click on the main idea. /
(A) There are many fun things to do at the beach.
(B) It is also fun to look for shells.
(C) Some people simply like to sunbathe.
1. Juan loves to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. Juan also likes to play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck. He prefers Monopoly because it requires luck and skill. If he’s alone, Juan likes to play action video games as long as they aren’t too violent.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a. Juan dislikes violence.
b. Juan likes to think.
c. Juan enjoys Monopoly.
d. Juan enjoys playing games.
2. Maria is watching too much television. A toddler shouldn’t be spending hours staring blankly at a screen. Worse yet, some of her wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons she watches. We need to spend more time reading books with her and pull the plug on the TV!
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a. Watching a lot of television isn’t good for Maria.
b. Books are good.
c. All cartoons are bad.
d. Some cartoons are bad for Maria.
3. Samantha, I can’t eat or sleep when you are gone. I need to hear your scratchy voice and see your lovely toothless smile. I miss that special way that you eat soup with your fingers. Please come home soon!
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a. Samantha, you have bad manners.
b. Samantha, you should see a dentist.
c. Samantha, I miss you.
d. Samantha, I have lost my appetite.
4. Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind. Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
Which sentence from the paragraph expresses the main idea?
a. Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants.
b. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind.
c. They will look and behave much like real humans.
d. Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.
At least two First Ladies, Bess Truman and Lady Bird Johnson, made it their business to send signals during their husbands’ speeches. When Lady Bird Johnson thought her husband was talking too long, she wrote a note and sent it up to the platform. It read, “It’s time to stop!” And he did. Once Bess Truman didn’t like what her husband was saying on television, so she phoned him and said,” If you can’t talk more politely than that in public, you come right home.”