MAIN IDEAS

• The main idea is the central, or most important, idea in a paragraph or passage. It
states the purpose and sets the direction of the paragraph or passage.

• The main idea may be stated or it may be implied.

• When the main idea of a paragraph is stated, it is most often found in the first
sentence of the paragraph. However, the main idea may be found in any sentence
of the paragraph.

• The main idea may be stated in the first sentence of a paragraph and then be
repeated or restated at the end of the paragraph.

• The main idea may be split. The first sentence of a paragraph may present a point
of view, while the last sentence presents a contrasting or opposite view.

• To find the main idea of any paragraph or passage, ask these questions:
1. Who or what is the paragraph about?

2. What aspect or idea about the ‘who’ or ‘what’ is the author concerned with?

Main Idea Practice Paragraphs 1-6

Read and think about the following sample paragraphs, in which the main idea
sentences are underlined.

¾ Paragraph One

It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true.
Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that
every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations.

(Notice that the first sentence tells what the paragraph is about; the sentences that follow support the
idea stated in the first sentence.)

READING – Main Ideas

Rev. August. 2005
Paragraph Two

Costs were low that year and the output high. There was a good person for each job
and the market remained firm. There were no losses from fire. All in all it was the best years
in the history of the company.

(Note that the first three sentences give details to explain why it was the best year in the company’s
history.)
Paragraph Three

There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is great country for
hunters and fishermen. There are bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. To the east there are
streams full of trout, and there are ducks and geese.

(The author begins and ends with examples. The main idea is stated in the second sentence.)

¾ Paragraph Four

Advertising affects our lives everyday. Brand names are common household words. We
start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads
have made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and
entertainment are swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising.

(The main idea is stated at the beginning of the paragraph and then restated at the end.)

¾ Paragraph Five

Penicillin is one of the greatest of the wonder drugs. It has saved thousands of lives
already and will save many more in the future. Unfortunately it has no effect at all on most of
the ills of mankind. Penicillin is a very good drug, but it is certainly not a cure-all.

(The author has split the main idea. This paragraph begins with positive comments on penicillin.
The word but signals a shift in thought, and the paragraph ends with a statement of its limitations.)

¾ Paragraph Six

Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye
level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place
you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will
prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.

(The main idea is implied. All of the sentences in the paragraph give details about a main idea. In
this paragraph the implied main idea is that taking care of your glasses involves many steps.)

READING – Main Ideas

Rev. August. 2005
 MAIN IDEAS
EXERCISES: Each paragraph is followed by four statements. Select the statement that
best expresses the main idea. Circle the letter of that statement.

1. People often refer to taxes in terms of their being much too high. In reality, they are
probably even higher than you think, because in addition to the federal income tax we are
now studying, there are many other Federal, State, and local taxes, including sales taxes,
inheritance taxes, state income taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, and others.
These are just some of the most obvious ones.
a. Taxes are much too high.
b. We pay more taxes than we may realize.
c. Inheritance taxes and real estate taxes are unfair.
d. Some taxes are hidden.
2. The fact that electronic computers are now used for data processing has led the general
public to believe that it is a mysterious, complicated science and that the computers are
giant brains. Both of these ideas are false. A computer is basically just a high-speed adding
machine that performs the functions it is told to. If the input data are varied even a little,
the computer is unable to operate until it is programmed to accept the variations. The
business operations it performs are impressive only because of the extremely high speed of
manipulation, but most of these operations have been used for decades. Unlike man, the
computer performs repetitive calculations without getting tired or bored.
a. A computer is a high-speed adding machine.
b. A computer is a mysterious giant brain.
c. A computer is impressive because of its high speed.
d. A computer is superior to man in many ways.

3. The Louisiana Purchase proved to be one of the shrewdest business pacts in the entire
history of the United States. The purchase doubled in the area of the country and provided
territory from which fourteen new states were created either wholly or in part. It also gave
us control over the mouth of the Mississippi River and opened up the way to foreign trade.
Prior to the purchase, the waterway had been blocked by the Spanish, probably with the
approval of Napoleon. The land that was bought was rich in timber, minerals, and natural
resources of many kinds. Finally, the cost of the transaction was unbelievably low; the
total of $15 million amounted to about four cents an acre.
a. The Louisiana Purchase was a very good business deal for the U.S.
b. The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was rich in minerals.
c. The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was very cheap.
d. Most Americans were very pleased with the purchase.

READING – Main Ideas

Rev. August. 2005
 MAIN IDEAS (Continued)

4. There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst
enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he
hunts at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is
sometimes wise to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the
coyote will often free the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to
crops and certain trees. He is especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population.
Where coyotes have been allowed to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit
growers have found them so valuable that they would no more shoot them than they would
shoot their dogs.
a. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.
b. The coyote is feared because of his fondness for small animals
c. Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.
d. The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.

5. In earlier days those who had overseas business which they believed should be
discussed personally, took ship and set out across the briny deep. Once aboard they
transacted their affairs, engaging in commercial and social matters or conducting
government business. Today ships and passengers continue to sail the seven seas, and
airplanes soar overhead. But above them all, words speed through the sky – telephone
conversations quickly bring together in the most personal fashion people who are
separated by thousands of miles.
a. Overseas telephone service today is ruling out all need for overseas travel.
b. Nothing can take the place of person-to-person conversation in settling business,
social, and government problems.
c. Many conversations which once required overseas travel can now be conducted by
telephone.
d. Even with modern overseas telephone service people continue to travel abroad by
ship or by plane.

6. The attitudes of Americans toward gambling are amazingly contradictory. You may
find, for example, that horse racing is legal in your state, but that you cannot legally play
poker for money on your front porch; bookies may be prosecuted by state law, but they
are supposed to purchase a federal license nonetheless; one church condemns gambling,
while another raises money by sponsoring Bingo games. Gambling laws are inconsistent
from state to state or even from town to town and are very difficult to enforce.
a. Americans have negative attitudes toward gambling.
b. Gambling laws are difficult to enforce
c. Gambling laws are inconsistent from community to community.
d. Churches do not have uniform ideas about gambling.

READING – Main Ideas

Rev. August. 2005
 Writing a Topic and Main Idea

What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?

Topic
The topic is the general subject of a paragraph or essay.
Topics are simple and are described with just a word or a phrase.
Main Idea
The main idea is a complete sentence; it includes the topic and what the author wants to say about it.
If the author states the main idea in his paragraph it is called a “topic sentence.”

Writing the Topic and Main Idea

Find the Topic
 Ask yourself, “Who or what is the paragraph (or article) about?” or “What is the author
teaching me about?”
 Write a single word or phrase that answers who or what the paragraph is about. In
your mind think, “The author is teaching me about __” but only write down what you
would put in the blank space.
 Never write complete sentence.
Correct Incorrect (These are complete sentences)
growing up in a small town The author is teaching me about growing up
in a small town.
Growing up in a small town is good.

avoiding burglaries You can avoid burglaries.

Avoid burglaries.
Find the Main Idea
 Ask yourself, “What does the author want me to know about the topic?” or “What is the
author teaching me?”
 Look for a sentence that states the main idea. This is the stated main idea or topic sentence.
 At times the main idea will not be stated directly. This is called an implied main idea.
 Avoid detail. Think of a general statement that could sum up the specifics as effectively as
any stated topic sentence.
 Your main idea will include the topic and the central point that the author expresses.
Topic: growing up in a small town
Correct Main Idea: There are several advantages to growing up in a small town.
Incorrect Main Idea: Safe neighborhoods is one reason small towns are good.
The incorrect main idea is a detail and doesn’t sum up all of a paragraph.
Topic: avoiding burglaries
Correct Main Idea: People can avoid burglaries by taking certain precautions.
Incorrect Main Idea: How to avoid burglaries.
The incorrect main idea isn’t a complete sentence.
 Sample Topics and Main Ideas
Sample 1: Main Idea Stated in a Topic Sentence

1Does watching violence on TV make people more prone to violence themselves? 2Obviously, TV
violence has some negative effects. 3One study found that heavy TV watchers are more fearful of
others. 4They try to protect themselves with guns, alarm systems, and security locks on doors. 5In the
same study it was found that heavy TV watchers are less upset about real-life violence than are non-TV
watchers. 6All of the violence they see on TV makes them less sensitive to the real thing. 7A recent
study also found that TV violence increases aggressive behavior in kids and makes them more likely to
select toy guns rather than other kinds of toys.
Topic: TV violence
Notice that the subject of the 1st sentence is repeated throughout the paragraph, and ALL sentences in
the paragraph deal with “TV violence.”
Stated Main Idea: Obviously, TV violence has some negative effects.
Paraphrase of Main Idea: TV violence can have harmful results.
This paragraph has a stated main idea (topic sentence). Sentence 2 is a general summary statement of
the topic (TV violence) and the author’s central point (negative effects). It is important to paraphrase
by writing the main idea in your own words.
Sample 2: Implied Main Idea:

1Inancient time, irrational behavior was considered a result of demons and evil spirits taking
possession of a person. 2Later, Greeks looked upon irrational behavior as a physical problem—caused
by an imbalance of fluids called “humors”—or by displacement of an organ. 3In the highly superstitious
Middle Ages, the theory of possession by demons was revived. 4It reached a high point again in the
witch-hunts of eighteenth-century Europe and America. 5Only in the last one hundred years did true
medical explanations gain wide acceptance and were categories of illnesses changed.
Topic: irrational behavior or mental illness
Notice that the subject of the 1st sentence is repeated throughout the paragraph, and ALL sentences in
the paragraph deal with “irrational behavior.” The mention of illness in the last sentence gives the
reader a clue to infer that the paragraph is actually speaking of mental illness. Therefore, mental
illness may be a better topic choice.
Main Idea: People have explained mental illness in man different ways over the years.
This paragraph does not have a topic sentence. The main idea is implied. In this case the details show
how mental illness was explained over the years. This is a broad enough summary to include all the
material in the paragraph. The main idea sentence includes the topic (mental illness) and what the
author wants you to know (how it has been explained in the past and present).

Further explanation and activities for Identifying Cause and Effect Patterns can be found in the following texts:
Flemming, Loraine. Reading for Results, 12th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2014. (See pages 165-174, 182-203)
Flemming, Loraine. Reading Keys, 3rd ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2011. (See pages 91-100)
McWhorter, Kathleen T. Reading Across the Disciplines: College Reading and Beyond, 5th ed. San Francisco: Pearson Education, 2012. (See
pages 71-84)
The strategies explained in this section are:

1. Making your own main idea.

Ask three key questions:

 What is the topic?

 What is listed about the topic?
 What do the major details have in common?

Locating the Stated Main Idea Multiple-Choice Exercise

(See related pages)

Directions: Read each paragraph. Mentally determine its topic. Then identify its stated main idea
sentence by asking yourself, "What is the one most important point the author wants
me to understand about the topic?" The sentence that answers that question is the
paragraph's stated main idea sentence.

Tsunamis, large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, can be deadly and
destructive. For example, in December 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered a massive
tsunami throughout the Indian Ocean. The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and
caused billions of dollars of damage to the coasts of numerous Southeast Asian countries.

The stated main idea sentence is

tsunamis
A)
Tsunamis, large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, can be deadly and
B) destructive.
The tsunami killed more than 200,000 people and caused billions of dollars of damage
C) to the coasts of numerous Southeast Asian countries.

Even today, the U.S. Supreme Court does not reflect the U.S. population. It was 1967 before
the first black justice was appointed. It was 1981 before the first woman was appointed to
the Court. It was 1986 before the Court had its first justice of Italian descent. No person of
Hispanic or Asian descent has yet been appointed as a member of the Court.

The stated main idea sentence is

Even today, the U.S. Supreme Court does not reflect the U.S. population.
A)

It was 1967 before the first black justice was appointed.

B)
 No person of Hispanic or Asian descent has yet been appointed as a member of the
C) Court.

In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors. There is spontaneous music making as well
as performances by social and music groups at ceremonies and feasts. There is no musical
notation (written music). African music tradition, like folklore and history, is transmitted
orally. Music is a social activity in which almost everyone participates. Clearly, African music
has several interesting characteristics.

The stated main idea sentence is

In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors.

A)

There is no musical notation (written music).

B)

Clearly, African music has several interesting characteristics.

C)

High achievement motivation affects people's choice of occupation and job success. (High
achievement motivation refers to the psychological need for success in school, sports,
occupations, or other competitive situations.) People with high achievement motivation often
go into occupations that provide rewards for individual achievement, such as sales,
engineering, architecture, or law. Moreover, people with high achievement motivation tend
to go into occupations that realistically match their abilities. For this reason, they have little
anxiety or fear of failure. And when success is achieved, they enjoy the fruit of their labor
more than the average person.

The stated main idea sentence is

High achievement motivation affects people's choice of occupation and job success.
A)
Moreover, people with high achievement motivation tend to go into occupations that
B) realistically match their abilities.

For this reason, they have little anxiety or fear of failure.

C)

Democracy comes from the Greek word demos, which means "the people,"
and kratia, meaning "to rule." The term democracy refers to a form of government in which
the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives. In other words, it is a
set of rules for determining who will exercise the authority of government.

The stated main idea sentence is

The term democracy refers to a form of government in which the people govern, either
A) directly or through elected representatives.

the meaning of the term democracy

B)
 In other words, it is a set of rules for determining who will exercise the authority of
C) government.

Some believe that Americans have become merely consumers of material goods who no
longer care about helping others. This image is false, however. An estimated 90 million
Americans volunteer, and the monetary value of their volunteer time is estimated at $200
billion a year. Many of these volunteers serve on committees, baby-sit, sing in church choirs,
coach, and lead scout troops. More than 1.5 million of these volunteers provide fire
protection and ambulance service without pay.

The stated main idea sentence is

Some believe that Americans have become merely consumers of material goods who no
A) longer care about helping others.

This image is false, however.

B)
An estimated 90 million Americans volunteer, and the monetary value of their volunteer
C) time is estimated at $200 billion a year.

Is it an ant, you wonder, or a termite? Ants resemble termites, but they are quite different
and can be easily distinguished. In contrast to termites, ants are usually dark in color, are
hard bodied, and have constriction between the thorax and abdomen. Also, ants and
termites belong to different orders.

The stated main idea sentence is

Is it an ant, you wonder, or a termite?

A)

Ants resemble termites, but they are quite different and can be easily distinguished.
B)

Also, ants and termites belong to different orders.

C)

Adolescents tend to choose friends who are like them, and friends influence each other to
become even more alike. Friends are usually the same race and have similar status within
the peer group. Male adolescents tend to have many friends, but the friendships are rarely
close ones. Among teenage girls, friendships are fewer but much closer, and they provide a
great deal of emotional support.

The stated main idea sentence is

Adolescents tend to choose friends who are like them, and friends influence each other
A) to become even more alike.

Friends are usually the same race, and have similar status within the peer group.
B)

Male adolescents tend to have many friends, but the friendships are rarely close ones.
C)
9

An individual with the eating disorder bulimia first eats secretly, consuming an enormous
amount of food in one sitting. The large quantity of food is clearly beyond simple hunger.
Then, after the eating binge comes the purge. In this phase, the person vomits or uses
laxatives to make sure the food does not stay in the body and produce weight gain. With
bulimia, there is always a distinct "binge and purge" pattern.

The stated main idea sentence is

An individual with the eating disorder bulimia first eats secretly, consuming an
A) enormous amount food in one sitting.

Then, after the eating binge comes the purge.

B)

With bulimia, there is always a distinct "binge and purge" pattern.

C)

10

When you listen to a speech, can it help you to focus on the speaker's strengths and
weaknesses? By closely observing and listening to people when they give speeches, you can
learn a great deal that will make you a more successful speaker. If the speaker is not
effective, try to determine why. If he or she is effective, try to pick out techniques you can
use in your own speeches. If the speaker is ineffective, avoid the errors the person made.

The stated main idea sentence is

When you listen to a speech, can it help you to focus on the speaker's strengths and
A) weaknesses?
By closely observing and listening to people when they give speeches, you can learn a
B) great deal that will make you a more successful speaker.

If the speaker is ineffective, avoid the errors the person made.

C)

Before clocks were made, people kept track of time by other means. In ancient Egypt, people
used a water clock. Water dripped slowly from one clay pot into another. People measured
time according to how long it took one pot to empty and the other one to fill. Candle clocks
were common during the Middle Ages. As such, when a candle burned, marks on its side
showed about how much time had passed. A final ancient way to measure time was the
sundial, which used the movement of the sun across the sky. The shadows moving across
the face of the sundial showed the current time.What is the main idea?

a. As such, when a candle burned, marks on its side showed about how much time had passed.

b. Before clocks were made, people kept track by other means.

c. In ancient Egypt, people used a water clock.

 d. All the above.

Check Answ er

1 One common example of instinct is the spider's spinning of its intricate web. 2 No one
teaches a spider how to spin: its inborn instinct allows it to accomplish the task. 3 Another
example of instinctive behavior is the salmon's struggle to swim upstream to lay eggs. 4 It
would be much easier for the salmon to follow the current downstream, but instinct overrides
all other considerations. 5 Instinct is clearly a strong influence on animal behavior.What is
the main idea?

a. Sentence 1

b. Sentence 2

c. Sentence 3

d. Sentence 5

Caffeine is a natural ingredient in coffee, cocoa, tea, and chocolate, and is added to some
prescription and non-prescription drugs. 2. Despite being "natural," caffeine is also a
powerful drug which greatly affects the body. 3. In healthy, rested people, a dose of 100
milligrams (about one cup of coffee) increases alertness, banishes drowsiness, quickens
reaction time, it enhances intellectual and muscular effort, and increases heart and
respiratory rates. 4. Drinking one to two cups of coffee an hour before exercise encourages
the body to preserve glycogen and burn fat -----something that results in greater endurance.
5. In addition, caffeine masks fatigue. 6. In doses above 300 milligrams, caffeine can produce
sleeplessness, nervousness, irritability, headaches, heart palpitations, and muscle twitches.
7. Caffeine is also habit-forming, and those who try to suddenly stop after heavy use may
experience such withdrawal symptoms as headaches, lethargy, irritability, and difficulty in
concentrating. The main idea of this passage is that caffeine

a. is a powerful drug that affects the body in numerous ways.

b. is good to drink before working out.

c. is linked to various health concerns.

d. is a strong drug that only enhances the body when used.

Though fun to watch, chimpanzees should not be kept as pets. 2. They are dangerously
stronger that any NFL lineman. 3. Adult chimps weigh only 100 to 160 pounds, but have been
measured pulling six to nine times their own weight-----with one hand. 4. Thus, to match the
strength of an average chimp, a human being would have to be able to register a two-handed
pull of about a ton it takes a very strong man to pull a quarter of that. 5. Combined with this
strength is the fact that a chimp is capable of losing its temper -----for reasons known only to
the chimp. 6. Chimps signal their feelings with subtle cues of behavior that aren't apparent to
most humans. 7. It is quite possible for a chimp to be on the verge of violence while its owner
sits unaware or even unknowingly continuous to provoke. 8. Furthermore, it's not wise to
keep a cute young chimp and release it into the wild when it becomes dangerous. 9. Wild-
raised chimps will routinely gang up on and kill those raised in captivity. The main idea of
this passage is that

a. chimpanzees are not as reliable as dogs.

b. chimpanzees should not be kept as pets for a variety of reasons.

c. keeping chimpanzees as pets and then releasing them into the wild is a danger to the pet
chimpanzee.

d. no man is as strong as a chimpanzee.

Human beings have always polluted their environment, but in the past it was easier for them
to move on and live somewhere else. 2.They knew that given time, the environment would
take care of pollution they left behind and they relied on the "out of sight, out of mind"
philosophy. 3. Today, an increasing human population, which uses an increasing amount of
energy sources, no longer has the luxury to ignore pollution. 4. The human population is
approximately 7 billion. 5. Our overall energy consumption has gone up by a hundredfold
from 2,000 per/person/day to 230,000 per/person/day in modern industrial nations like the
United States. 6. This high energy consumption allows us to mass produce many useful and
economically affordable organic products that pollute the atmosphere and groundwater
damage forests and lakes causing global warming, and even deplete the ozone layer.
(Borrowed from a biology textbook) The main idea of this passage is that

a. pollution is difficult on the environment regardless of your location.

b. due to growth in the human population, humans can no longer ignore pollution.

c. pollution is destroying our environment.

d. modern nations like the United States should find ways to reduce the rapid growth of their
populations.
 1. If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple
things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a
friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your
life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel
better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel
better!
What is the main idea?

Sometimes people feel sad.

You should do good things for others.
We're not always happy.
There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

5. 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.
What is the main idea?

They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
Soccer players learn how to dribble.
They learn how to work together as teammates.
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

See also

https://www.thatquiz.org/tq/preview?c=difq0937&s=ly42i2

Main Idea
 1. Sailing is an exciting sport. People love to sail their boats in sunny, breezy weather. It is important
that all onboard know safety rules and how to behave when there is a problem. One day, Jill and her
father were caught in a storm. Jill helped her father. She put on her life vest and stayed inside the
cabin. Luckily, the storm passed quickly. It had been an exciting and safe trip because Jill had known
what to do. What is the main idea?

A) Sailing is not a very safe sport.

B) Jill's father taught her how to steer a boat in stormy weather.
C) For boating safety it is important to know what to do before a problem happens.
D) Storms can come up quickly when sailboats are near.

 2. When hot air rises and mixes with cold air, tiny little drops of water form and appear like clouds.
The four main types of clouds are: cirrus, stratus, nimbus, and cumulus. It is possible for you to
 forecast the weather by looking at clouds. When cumulus clouds appear, it may mean that there will
be fair weather for a few days. Large, black nimbus clouds usually appear before a thunderstorm.
What is the main idea?

A) Clouds are made from little drops of water that float in the sky.
B) Cumulus clouds mean fair weather.
C) Big, dark clouds may mean a thunderstorm in coming.
D) Clouds can be used to forecast the weather.

 3. Jack was alone on the lake fishing. Suddenly, foggy weather began to creep across the lake. "I
wonder if monsters really do attack in the fog," Jack said out loud. Suddenly, there was a loud noise
that came from the forest. Jack jumped and nearly knocked over his boat. "Oh, I guess I'll go back
home now," said Jack quickly to himself. He got ready to row home in a real hurry. What is the main
idea?

A) Jack should know not to fish alone.

B) Jack learns to fish in good weather but not in foggy weather.
C) Jack becomes frightened while fishing on a lake in the fog.
D) Jack heard a monster in the forest.

 4. Hurricanes are storms with strong winds of about 74 miles per hour. They begin over water and
rotate around an "eye" or center of the hurricane. Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage. Trees can
become uprooted. Buildings can be destroyed. People have died in some of the worst hurricanes.
Property damage can be in the millions of dollars. What is the main idea?

A) Hurricanes can destroy life and property.

B) Hurricanes have eyes.
C) Hurricanes are storms that start over land.
D) People find safe places to go during the worst hurricanes.

 5. Constellations are groupings of the stars in the sky. Long ago, people gave names to these
grouping of stars. They even made up stories about them. The names of some of the stars are Cancer
the Crab, Leo the Lion, Taurus the Bull, Orion the Hunter, the Big Dipper, and the Little Dipper. Not
all constellations can be seen at all times from most places on Earth. What is the main idea?

A) Constellations are grouping or stars in the sky.

B) Coyote made constellations in the sky.
C) All constellations can be seen from the equator.
D) The Big Dipper is the most famous constellation.

 6. The most important idea of a passage or reading selection is called ____________.

A) the main idea

B) a supporting detail
 C) a sentence fragment
D) the reading story

 7. The following sentences are not in order. Read the sentences to determine which one is the main
idea. Flour, beans, and coffee are in the wagon. A chuck wagon holds many things. The trail boss
keeps papers and maps there. There is a place for tin plates, cups, and forks.

A) There is a place for tin plates, cups, and forks.

B) The trail boss keeps papers and maps there.
C) Flour, beans, and coffee are in the wagon.
D) A chuck wagon holds many things.

 8. The following sentences are not in order. Which of the following is the main idea? Years ago, mail
was carried on horseback. Horses can pull wagons and carts. People ride horses. Horses are useful
animals.

A) Horses can pull wagons and carts.

B) Years ago, mail was carried on horseback.
C) Horses are useful animals.
D) People ride horses.

 9. Sometimes, the main idea is not stated. You will have to infer or read between the lines to find out
what the main idea is. Read the three details that support the main idea. (1) Shells, pebbles, and beads
have been used as money in some places. (2) So have cows and horses. (3) People have even used
dog's teeth as money. After reading the three supporting details, what could be the main idea?

A) Money is fun to have.

B) People have used different things for money.
C) Everyone likes money.
D) Money is cash only.

 10. Which of the following answer choices would NOT help to give more information about the
main idea?

A) closing sentences
B) fragmented sentences
C) supporting details
D) topic sentences
Students who took this test also took :

Find the verb

6th Grade Language Arts 2009

Figurative language review
Answer Key
1.C 2.D 3.C 4.A 5.A 6.A 7.D 8.C 9.B 10.B
Created with That Quiz — where test making and test taking are made easy for math
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 READING
Overview
The Reading Comprehension section of ACCUPLACER contains 20 multiple choice questions
that fall into two categories:

1. A reading passage followed by a question based on the text. Both short and long passages
are provided.

2. Sentence relationships presenting two sentences followed by a question about the

relationship between these two sentences.

Testing Tips
Do not rush. Take your time and make sure you understand what you are reading.
Read carefully. Sometimes, one word in the passage can change the entire meaning.
Double check your answer before moving to the next question.
Understand what the test question is asking about the passage before attempting to
answer. In many cases, reviewing the passage and answer choices will help.

Concepts & Practice Questions

Six skills prepare students to become better readers and for reading in college-level courses:
recognizing main ideas
identifying supporting details
recognizing implied main ideas and the central point
understanding relationships that involve addition and time
understanding relationships that involve illustration, comparison or contrast, and
cause an effect
understanding purpose and tone

Main idea
In order to become a better and faster reader, recognizing the main idea is the most important
skill you can develop.

Think of the main idea as an umbrella--it is the authors primary point about a topic. All other
material in the paragraph fits under the main idea. In a paragraph, authors often present the
main idea to readers in a single sentence called the topic sentence.

Consider this example:

TV violence does affect people in negative ways. Frequent TV watchers are more fearful and
suspicious of others. Heavy TV watchers are less upset about real-life violence than non-TV
watchers. TV violence increases aggressive behavior in children.

You will see the word topic used in two different ways. First, topic can be used generally to
mean the subject of the reading. Second, it can be used as a part of the phrase, topic
sentence.‟ In this example, the first sentence tells the reader the general subject, or topic, of
the passage. The second sentence is the topic sentence, and in this case also gives the authors
main idea. This sentence tells the reader what the passage is about and gives the main point the
author is making.
Supporting Details
Supporting details are reasons, examples, steps, or other kinds of factual evidence that explain a
main idea.

Consider this example:

Main idea: Our government should phase out the penny in the economy.
Supporting detail 1: Pennies take up more space than they are worth.
Supporting detail 2: Pennies are a nuisance to the business community.
Supporting detail 3: Pennies cost the nation as a whole.

In this case the supporting details give reasons to support the main idea.

Recognizing Implied and Stated Ideas

Sometimes a selection lacks a topic sentence, but that does not mean it lacks a main idea. The
author has simply decided to let the details of the selection suggest the main idea. You must
figure out what the implied main idea is by deciding upon the point made by all of the details
when they are all added together.

Passages that imply an idea give supporting details first. The reader must make an educated
guess in order to understand the main idea. In these sorts of passages, the main idea is the
general statement that all of the details make when they are considered as a whole. The main
idea must be general enough that all of the details fit into it.

Consider this example:

1. The smaller a group is, the more opportunities we have to get to know other people well
and to establish close ties with them.
2. Two-person groups are the setting for many of our most intense and influential
relationships.
3. In three-person groups, coalitions become possible, with two members joining forces
against a third member.
4. Five-person groups are large enough so that people feel they can express their emotions
freely and even risk antagonizing one another, yet they are small enough so that members
show regard for one another’s feelings and needs.

Which statement best expresses the unstated main idea of the above sentences?
a. Two-person groups are an important part of our lives.
b. A five-person group is better than a two-person group
c. The number of people in a group affects relationships within the group.
d. Groups play a central part in every human activity, within family, the workplace, and
the government.

Explanation:
a. Answer a is too narrow to be the implied idea. It is based on only one of the four
supporting details, statement 1.
b. Answer b covers only statements 2 and 4; therefore, it is too narrow to be the implied main
idea. In addition, it is a conclusion that is not based on the given facts, which say nothing
 about one group always being better than another.
c. Answer c is a general statement about the number of people in a group and how that
number affects a group. It is illustrated by all four of the supporting details. The answer c
is the implied main idea.
d. Answer d is true, but it is not what the supporting details are discussing. The supporting
details do not address the part that groups play in society.

The topic of the supporting ideas above is the number of people in a group. Ask yourself the
question, “What are the supporting details saying about the number of people in a group?” As
you think about the four statements, try to find a point about the number of people in a group
that is general enough to cover all of the specific details.

Understanding Relationships That Involve Addition and Time

To help readers understand the main points, authors use two common methods to show
relationships among ideas and to make ideas clear: transitions and patterns of organization.

Transitions are words or phrases (ex: first of all) that show relationships between ideas. Two
types of transitions are words that show:
 addition, contrast, exception
 time or sequence

Addition words tell you that writers are adding to their thoughts. The writers are presenting one
or more ideas that continue along the same line of thought as a previous idea. Addition words
include: furthermore, additionally, next, in addition, etc.

Contrast words show differences between two or more items being compared. Contrast words
include: on the other hand, in contrast, despite.

Exception words point out an unusual or unique feature of one item that is otherwise part of the
same main category. Exception words include: however, nevertheless, with the exception of, in
the case of.

Time words provide chronological organization to writing. Time words include: later, a decade, a
year, a month, a week, a century such as the 90‟s, the nineteenth century.

Sequential words provide step-by-step organization to writing. Sequential words include: next,
first, second, after, before.

Understanding Relationships That Involve Illustration, Comparison or Contrast,

and Cause and Effect
Illustration is one method of clarifying our ideas. Writers often use examples and illustrations
introduced by a phrase such as for example or for instance to demonstrate the point they are
trying to make.

Which of these two statements is easier to understand?

1. Even very young children can do household chores. They can run a duster along
baseboards or fold napkins for dinner.
2. Even very young children can do household chores. For instance, they can run a duster
along baseboards or fold a napkin for dinner.
The second item is easier to understand because the phrase “For instance” tells the reader that
there is a relationship between the first and second sentence. The second sentence offers an
example of the point the author makes in the first sentence.

Comparison and Contrast

Comparison shows similarities. Contrast shows differences. Writers often use comparison and
contrast together as a way of explaining and/or analyzing the relationship between or among
items, ideas, or people.

Consider the relationship among these sentences as an example of how comparison and contrast
can be used together and notice the role that the underlined transitions play in making this
relationship clear to the reader:

1. Advertising is part of the strategy manufacturers use to sell their products.

2. Manufacturers use advertising as a way to market established products as well as new
products.
3. New products are generally advertised differently from established products.
4. New products are often introduced with “informational” advertising telling what the
products are, why they are needed, and where they are available.
5. Established products on the other hand can rely on “reminder” advertisements, which
provide little hard information about the product.

The first sentence gives the general, or main, idea. The second sentence uses “as well as” to
signal that the writer is showing a similarity between the way new and established products are
advertised. The word “differently” in the third sentence and “on the other hand” in the fifth
sentence shows that the writer is also demonstrating differences in the way these two types of
products are advertised.

Cause/Effect
Information that falls into a cause-effect pattern addresses the question “Why does an event
happen?” and “What are the results of an event?” Often, authors try to tell about events in a way
that explains both what happened and why.

Consider how this passage reflects the relationship between cause and effect:

In 1970, about sixty small and medium-sized factories in the United States adopted a four-day
workweek. According to the plan, workers work forty hours but instead of the usual five-day
week, they now work only four days. Workers are enthusiastic about the three-day weekly
vacation. According to management, productivity has increased about 18% since the inception of
the new plan. Absenteeism has dropped by 69% and lateness is almost non-existent.

What are the effects being discussed in this passage?

A. shorter work weeks
B. sixty small and medium-sized factories decided to try the four-day work week
C. the seventies were a time of change
D. increased productivity and decreases in absenteeism and tardiness
Explanation:
a. Answer a gives the topic of the passage but does not discuss cause or effect.
b. Answer b explains who was involved in this experiment, but does not show a
cause/effect relationship.
c. Answer c is true, but is not discussed in this passage.
d. Answer d explains the results of the four-day workweek.

Tone
A writers tone reveals the attitude he or she has toward a subject. Tone is expressed through the
words and details the author selects. Just as a speakers voice can project a range of feelings, a
writer’s voice can project one or more tones or feelings: anger, sympathy, hopefulness, sadness,
respect, dislike and so on. Understanding tone is an important part of understanding what an
author has written.

To illustrate the difference a writer can express in tone, consider the following comments made
by workers in a fast food restaurant.

“I hate this job. The customers are rude, the managers are idiots, and the food smells like
dog chow.” (Tone: bitter, angry)

“I have no doubt that flipping burgers and toasting buns will prepare me for a top
position on Wall Street.” (Tone: mocking, sarcastic)

“I love working at Castle Burger. I meet interesting people, earn extra money, and get to
eat all the chicken nuggets I want when I go on break.” (Tone: enthusiastic, positive)

Words that express tone reflect a feeling or judgment. Some words that describe tone include:
amused, angry, ashamed, praising, and excited.

Sample Test Questions

Answer each of the following 10 questions. To review the questions you missed, return to the
reading strategies area in parentheses following the correct answers on the answer key.

1. Read the statements below and then choose the best answer to the question from the list of
lettered choices that follow.

Sometimes when we don’t get enough sleep we become very short-tempered.

It is important to set a time to go to bed that is realistic.

How are these two sentences related?

A. The first sentence explains the meaning of the second.
B. The second sentence explains why a lack of sleep affects us.
C. The second sentence contradicts the first.
D. The second sentence proposes a solution.

2. Read the statements below and then choose the best answer to the question from the list of
lettered choices that follows.

Most people collect Star Wars toys for sentimental reasons.

 Some people collect them strictly to make money.

What is the relationship between the two sentences?

A. cause & effect
B. contrast
C. repetition
D. statement & example

3. Answer the question based on what is stated or implied.

There are two kinds of jewelry that I do. There is commercial jewelry - class rings, necklaces, the
kinds of things most people wear. I sell these items to meet my expenses for raw materials,
supplies, and to make my living. The other more creative work I do, makes me feel that I am
developing as a craftsperson.

The author of this passage implies that:

A. artists are poor.
B. there is no market for creative work.
C. rings and necklaces cannot be creative.
D. commercial and creative work fulfill different needs for the artist.

4. Read the statements below and then choose the best answer to the question from the list of
lettered choices that follows.

Jenny does not like cake.

She does not like to bake it, to ice it, or to eat it.

What does the second sentence do?

A. It states the cause of the first.
B. It emphasizes what is stated in the first.
C. It compares the three things Jenny does not like about cake.
D. It draws a conclusion about Jenny.

5. Read the sentences below and then choose the best answer to the question from the list of
lettered choices that follows.

When we write a check that we know is going to “bounce,” we are in fact performing a
criminal act.

It is a crime to knowingly write a “hot” check, one in which we know we don’t

have sufficient funds to cover.

What does the second statement do?

A. It provides supporting evidence for the first statement.
B. It draws a conclusion from the first sentence.
C. It restates the central idea of the first sentence.
D. It provides a contradictory point of view.
6. Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to the question from the list of
lettered choices that follows.

Scuba diving is the most exhilarating experience I have ever had. The first time I went,
the dark mirror of the water beckoned me to drop from the side of the boat. I jumped feet
first and entered a brightly colored world populated with fish, plants, and objects I had
never dreamed of.

Which of the following best describes the mood of the author after having this
experience?
A. Bored
B. Anxious
C. Excited
D. Serene

7. Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to the question.

Huge beasts such as the dinosaur have never really become extinct. Mothra, a giant caterpillar
who later becomes a moth, destroys Tokyo, and stars in the 1962 Japanese film named for him.
Mothra is born, dies, and reborn regularly on classic movie channels. In Japan, Mothra is one of
the most popular films ever made. Mothra has survived the creation of more current scary
creatures such as giant apes, extraterrestrial beings and swamp creatures. More than 30 years
after his creation, Mothra still lives.

The main subject of the passage is:

A. the reasons that fads do not endure.

B. the lasting appeal of Mothra.
C. the difficulty of marketing good horror movies.
D. old models for creatures are still used because making new monsters is expensive.

8. Two underlined sentences are followed by a question or statement. Read the sentences, and
then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement.

Anxious to ensure that America would depart from European traditions regarding religion
and royalty, the early U.S. could be described as a place that focused more on work than on
the entertainment offered by spectacle and ceremony in the Old World.

However, national celebrations such as the lighting of the White House Christmas Tree and
the ceremonies used to swear in new federal officials give the American people some
experiences that are based upon national tradition.

What does the second sentence do?

A. It cancels the meaning of the first sentence
B. It provides an example of the first sentence.
C. It adds more detail to the first sentence.
D. It offers an exception to the information given in the first sentence.

9. Two underlined sentences are followed by a question or a statement. Read the sentences, and
then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement.
 Public speaking is very different from everyday conversation.

First of all, speeches are much more structured than a typical informal discussion.

How are these sentences related?

A. Sentence two offers support for the statement made in the first sentence.
B. Sentence two contradicts the statement made in the first sentence.
C. Sentence two shows an exception to the first sentence
D. Sentence two compares two kinds of speeches.

10. Read the passages below, and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the
question on the basis of what is stated or implied in these passages.

Many people who have come close to death from drowning, cardiac arrest, or other causes
have described near-death experiences - profound, subjective events that sometimes
result in dramatic changes in values, beliefs, behavior, and attitudes toward life and
death. These experiences often include a new clarity of thinking, a feeling of well being, a
sense of being out of the body, and visions of bright light or mystical encounters. Such
experiences have been reported by an estimated 30 to 40 percent of hospital patients who
were revived after coming close to death and about 5 percent of adult Americans in a
nationwide poll. Near- death experiences have been explained as a response to a
perceived threat of death (a psychological theory); as a result of biological states that
accompany the process of dying (a physiological theory); and as a foretaste of an actual
state of bliss after death (a transcendental theory).

The primary purpose of this passage is to:

A. entertain
B. persuade
C. inform
D. express disbelief in the afterlife

ANSWER KEY
Review the questions you missed in the Reading Strategies sections indicated in parentheses
following the correct answer.
1. D (Cause/Effect)
2. B (Comparison/Contrast)
3. D (Implied and Stated Ideas)
4. B (Supporting Details)
5. C (Main Idea)
6. C (Tone)
7. B (Main Idea)
8. D (Exception)
9. A (Supporting Details)
10. C (Main Idea)
 Name Date Page 1

Main Idea MULTIPLE CHOICE

The main idea of a text tells what the text is mostly
about. Supporting details are the sentences that
support the main idea.
Directions: Read the paragraphs below. Then choose
the best main idea from the multiple choice options. Highlight
or underline one supporting detail in the text. An example has
been done for you.

EXAMPLE:
Pizza is a favorite food in the United States. What is the main idea of the passage?
Pizza is from Italy in the late 1800s. It became a. Pizza is made from flour.
popular in the United States after World War II.
b. Pizza was first made in Italy.
People like to add toppings.Some toppings are
pepperoni, sausage, and vegetables. These c. You should eat the delicious pizza.
toppings give pizza more flavor. Pepperoni is d. Pizza is a popular meal in the United States.
America’s favorite topping.

1. Living things are organisms with certain What is the main idea of the passage?
characteristics. They need water, food, a. There are four characteristics of living things.
and air to survive. They grow and change,
b. Animals make their own food.
and they move on their own. Living things
reproduce, or make more of themselves. c. All living things need sunlight.
For example, plants and animals are living d. Plants eat other plants.
things. Plants make their own food and
animals eat plants or other animals for food.

2. Have you ever seen a giraffe at the zoo? What is the main idea of the passage?
Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. a. Giraffes are extremely tall animals.
The average height of a giraffe is 16-18 feet tall. b. Giraffes don’t sleep very much.
This animal has a very long neck and legs.
c. Giraffes are unique animals.
Giraffes eat the leaves from tall trees. Other
animals cannot reach that high. Male giraffes d. Giraffes eat leaves.
are even taller than female giraffes.

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 Name Date Page 2

Main Idea MULTIPLE CHOICE

Continued
3. Hurricanes are large storms. They begin over What is the main idea of the passage?
the ocean. They gather heat and energy from a. Hurricanes are summer storms.
the water. Hurricanes move slowly to land as
b. Hurricanes are one type of storm.
they grow stronger. Hurricanes are dangerous
because of their size. They are also dangerous c. Hurricanes are large, dangerous storms.
because of high winds and big waves. Hurricanes d. Hurricanes are just like tornadoes and floods.
can bring flooding, power outages, and tornadoes.

4. One way to stay healthy is to exercise. Exercise What is the main idea of the passage?
helps you feel better, lose weight, and grow a. Choose a fun way to exercise.
stronger. Taking a walk is a form of exercise. It b. There are many types of exercise.
helps you go outside and get fresh air. Playing
c. If you are not happy, exercise will fix it.
a sport is another form of exercise. This is a fun
way to be active. Taking classes at a gym is a d. There are many ways to make yourself
way to be healthy and fit. There are many types feel better.
of exercise you can do to improve your health.

5. Birds are a special type of animal that you What is the main idea of the passage?
may see either walking or flying in the air. a. Birds have a beak.
Birds have two legs, which are often covered
b. Light bones help birds fly.
with scales. A bird's body is covered with feathers
and they have wings. The feathers help birds fly c. Birds have unique features.
and control their body temperature. Birds have d. Birds have feathers and two legs.
bones that are light so they can fly easily. A beak
is a special word to describe the bird's nose. The
beak is used for eating. Beaks can be different
in size, shape, and color. Birds are a type of animal
with very unique features.

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