FINDING THE MAIN IDEA

Book One explains how to answer questions about the topic or subject, the title, and the
main idea of a paragraph and a passage. The main idea discussed in Book One is the
explicitly stated main idea.
This unit reviews ways to determine the topic or the title of a passage, which is usually
not stated. The unit also discusses some strategies to find the main idea of a passage,
either explicitly or implicitly stated.

Example
Line Atemi waza is the striking techniques in aiki ju-jitsu, a Japanese martial art
which is a combination of aikido and judo.
The hand and arm strikes in atemi waza, called ude ate, include, among
others, shuto, tate zu, and hira ken. In shuto (knifehand), the strike uses the
5 outside, knife-edge of the hand. The target can be the temples, neck, collarbone,
nose, under nose and the groin. In tate zuke (lateral punch), the hand is made into
a fist and turned sideways. The wrist and elbow are bent slightly so that the contact
point is the flat portion of the hand, which is directed to the nose. To make a strike
with hira ken (knuckle strike), the tips of the fingers must be curled over, while the
10 rest of the hand remains flat. The strike is aimed at the opponent’s throat and can
interrupt the blood flow to the opponents’ brain. Receiving this strike, the
opponent may collapse.
The foot and leg strikes in atemi waza, ashi ate, include, among others, hiza
geri (knee strike), mae geri (front snap kick), and fumikomo geri (foot stomp). In
15 hiza geri, the knee is pushed into the sensitive area of the opponent’s body such as
groin, stomach or head. Mae geri is a kicking technique that is done quickly into
the opponents’ groin or side of the knee. Fumikomo geri as indicated by its name,
is stomping on the toes or the top of the attacker’s foot.
Adapted from www.geocities.com

Sample questions
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
(A) Atemi waza has several advantages.
(B) Aiki ju-jitsu is a very useful martial art.
(C) Atemi waza consists of two basic striking techniques.
(D) Aiki ju jitsu is similar to aikido and judo.

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
2. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
(A) The benefits of atemi waza
(B) The different strikes of atemi waza
(C) Why atemi waza is popular in Japan
(D) Where aiki ju jitsu comes from

Explanation
1. The first paragraph mentions the striking techniques or atemi waza; the second
paragraph explains techniques in hand and arm strikes; and the third paragraph
discusses foot and leg strikes. In general, the passage talks about the two techniques
of atemi waza. Therefore, the correct answer is (C).
2. Since the passage mostly explains about various strikes of atemi waza, the correct
answer is (B).

Strategies

1. Read the first or the first two lines of the passage; if the passage consists of more
than one paragraph, read the first or the first two sentences of each paragraph in
the passage.
2. Look for a general theme or idea that covers the details.
3. Go over the rest of the passage to check if you have found the correct general
theme or idea.
4. Choose the answer that has the same idea as the general theme.

Exercise 1
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Line The term “breakdancing” referring to the breaks in music and the movements
performed during the breaks, emerged and became popular in New York. In
disco parties in New York, dancers continued their dancing with movements when
a record was changed, or when there was a break in the music.
5 It was actually James Brown, who inspired dancers with an acrobatic dance
when in 1969 he performed on stage a dance with high-energy moves to his song
Get on the Good Foot. Soon, kids in New York were doing the Good Foot, which
was the direct precursor to the kind of breakdancing we know today. Now called
old-style breaking, the Good Foot was very different from the present style of
10 breakdancing. It had small variations on the headspin or backspin although its
floor works or floor rocks involved some extremely fast, complicated leg moves.
The Good Foot remained popular until about 1977, when the Freak took over.
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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
 This style was based on the hit record Freak Out by the Shrieks. Then, in early
1980 a new breakdance group named Rock Steady Crew was founded. This
15 group added a lot of acrobatic moves, and breakdancing now includes not only
floor rock, headspins, backspins, but also handglides, and windmills.
Adapted from http://www.jam2dis.com

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) How the Good Foot became popular
(B) Why people like breakdancing
(C) The founder of breakdancing
(D) The development of breakdancing
2. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
(A) Breakdancing: The Advantages and Disadvantages
(B) Breakdancing: A Popular Dance among Youth
(C) How Breakdancing Came into Existence
(D) The Styles and Movements of Breakdancing

Exercise 2
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Line Origami, coined from the Japanese words ori and gami meaning “to fold”
and “paper,” is an art of paper folding. Popular not only in Japan but also
around the world, origami has served various purposes from past to present time.
Origami is used in religious ceremonies, cultural events, education, and as
5 leisure activities. In the past, origami was practiced to make decorations for
religious ceremonies at shrines. Nobles would attach a piece of origami to their
swords to bring them luck in battles. Samurai warriors exchanged gifts adorned
with good-luck tokens of origami figures. They celebrated weddings with glasses
of sake or rice wine wrapped in male and female paper butterflies representing
10 the bride and groom. Tea ceremony masters received their diplomas specially
folded to prevent misuse in case the documents should fall into the wrong hands
because once the paper was opened, it could not be resealed without allowing
extra creases to show. Nowadays, origami is taught at elementary school to teach
concepts of geometry and mathematical skills. It also instills patience and
15 generates creativity in children. However, it is not only kids that enjoy folding
origami figures of animals, flowers and trees as a pastime, but adults also love
using origami to make usable items such as cups, boxes, and hats, and to
decorate houses such as lamp shades.
Adapted from web-japan.org and www.origami.as

1. What is the passage mainly about?

(A) Paper folding
(B) Origami artists
(C) Japanese cultures
(D) Geometric concepts

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
2. What is the main idea of the passage?
(A) Origami is an art in creating shapes.
(B) Religious ceremonies used origami.
(C) Origami has been used for different purposes.
(D) People show their creativity through origami.

Exercise 3
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Line A common sight in many countries, graffiti, referring to words or drawings on
a surface, is viewed both positively and negatively. Art critics have begun to see
artistic value in a certain type of graffiti and recognize it as a form of public art.
Most of those who practice graffiti art are avant-garde artists who aim at self-
expression and creativity. Their graffiti may involve high stylized letterforms drawn
5 with markers, finely detailed pictures, or cryptic and colorful spray-paint murals on
walls of buildings, underground passages, rooftops, and even freight trains.
However, some people regard graffiti as vandalism because it is done on public or
private property without permission. Some see graffiti as an unwanted nuisance
since oftentimes it exhibits profanity. Others think that the presence of graffiti
10 contributes to a heightened fear of crime. Graffiti artists would refer to this kind of
graffiti as “gang graffiti” which is different from their artistic graffiti in form and
intent. Gang graffiti is usually written by teenagers who want to be recognized by
their peers, and the way they express themselves reflects the pain and inner
confusion of their age group.
15 In an effort to reduce vandalism, many cities have provided walls or areas
exclusively for use by graffiti artists. Some believe that this policy encourages artists
to produce great art without the worry of being caught. Others disagree with this
approach, arguing that the presence of legal graffiti walls does not guarantee
illegal graffiti elsewhere.
Adapted from www.crystallinks.com, www-atdp.Berkeley.edu and www.hiphop-network.com

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

(A) Graffiti is everywhere in many countries.
(B) Graffiti is considered both good and bad.
(C) Some graffiti is highly artistic.
(D) There are ways to overcome vandalism.

2. What would be the best title for the passage?

(A) The Uniqueness of Graffiti
(B) The Phenomenon of Graffiti
(C) Graffiti: Pros and Cons
(D) Modern Graffiti

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
 REVIEW

Review 1
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line The microscope is a magnifying instrument that magnifies the apparent size
of very small objects. Since the invention of the microscope in the 1500’s,
scientists have developed various kinds of microscopes, among which are optical
and electron microscopes.
5 The optical microscope includes simple and compound microscopes. While
the simple microscope uses a single lens for magnification, the compound
microscope has two or more double convex lenses. The two lenses are fixed in the
two extremities of a hollow cylinder that can be raised or lowered to focus on an
object. In 1674, with the use of a simple microscope, Leeuwenhoek, a renowned
10 Dutch scientist, was able to observe bacteria and protozoa that he isolated from
different sources such as rain, pond and well water, as well as from the human
mouth and intestine. He was even able to calculate their sizes. Nowadays, the
more developed compound microscope is widely used in bacteriology, biology,
and medicine to examine extremely minute objects such as bacteria, other
15 unicellular organisms, and plant and animal cells and tissue.
Unlike the optical microscope, the electron microscope employs a stream of
electrons controlled by electronic or magnetic fields. It was first developed in
1932 by James Hillier and Albert Prebus. The more advanced electron
microscope, invented in 1982, is called the scanning tunneling microscope. It is
20 capable of imaging individual atoms and its resolution is an astounding one
Angstrom.
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org and www.fact monster.com

1. What is the passage mainly about?

(A) Different kinds of microscopes
(B) The role of the microscope in science
(C) The recent development of microscopes
(D) Ways to magnify objects

2. The word “which” in line 3 refers to _______.

(A) objects
(B) kinds of microscopes
(C) optical microscopes
(D) electron microscopes

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
3. Where in the passage does the author mention the difference between simple and
compound microscopes?
(A) Lines 2-4
(B) Lines 5-7
(C) Lines 7-9
(D) Lines 16-17
4. The word “renowned” in line 9 is closest in meaning to _______.
(A) serious
(B) intelligent
(C) famous
(D) hard-working
5. Which type of microscope did Leeuwenhoek use?
(A) The simple optical microscope
(B) The compound optical microscope
(C) The electron microscope
(D) The scanning tunneling microscope
6. Which of the following is NOT mention as a source from which Leeuwenhoek took the
bacteria and protozoa?
(A) Pond water
(B) Human mouth
(C) Rain
(D) Blood
7. The word “minute” in line 14 is closest in meaning to ________.
(A) strange
(B) tiny
(C) active
(D) complex
8. When was the scanning tunneling microscope invented?
(A) 1500
(B) 1674
(C) 1932
(D) 1982
9. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?
(A) The first microscope was invented in 1674.
(B) There are two kinds of microscopes used by scientists.
(C) The simple optical microscope is no longer used.
(D) The electron microscope has very high resolution.
10. The word “astounding” in line 20 is closest in meaning to ________.
(A) imprecise
(B) required
(C) confusing
(D) amazing
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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
Review 2
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.

Line Nearly all organisms have pigments—chemical molecules that give them
colors. As pigment coloration in organisms depends on the pigment’s selective
absorption of certain parts of the visible light spectrum and its reflection of others,
pigments have unique functions. Other than coloring living things, they serve as
5 catalysts and provide protection.
Some pigments act as catalysts—substances that facilitate chemical reactions
but are not used up in the reactions. Take for example the green plant pigment
chlorophyll. It absorbs the violet and the orange to red portions of the spectrum
and reflects the green and yellow portions of the spectrum. The chlorophyll
10 converts the absorbed light energy into chemical energy in the photosynthesis
process while it appears green. Another example is carotene from the carotenoid
group, pigments in fruits and vegetables. This orange to red substance, besides
being responsible for the coloration in fruits and vegetables, is involved in the
synthesis of vitamin A. Other carotenoids transfer the light energy they absorb to
15 chlorophyll for conversion to chemical energy.
Pigment coloration in animals serves as a means to deceive possible
predators, thus giving protection to prey. In some systems of coloration, the
concealed animals mimic their background so closely that predators cannot
distinguish them from the background. The pigmentation patterns of many tropical
20 moths and butterflies, for example, so closely match the background patterns of
the tree trunks on which they usually rest that they cannot be distinguished from the
trees from only a few centimeters away. Pigments also protect insects by providing
coloration that matches that of inedible or otherwise undesirable organisms. The
viceroy butterfly, for example, is pigmented orange and black in patterns that
25 resemble those of the poisonous monarch butterfly that is distasteful to birds and
other predators.
Adapted from http://encarta.msn.com

1. What is the best title for the passage?

(A) The Characteristics of Pigments
(B) The Functions of Pigments
(C) The Coloration of Organisms
(D) The Reflection of Light by Pigments

2. What is the main idea of the passage?

(A) Pigments function as catalysts.
(B) Pigments play important roles in organisms.
(C) Pigments reflect visible lights.
(D) Pigments provide coloration for insects

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
3. The word “its” in line 3 refers to _______.
(A) coloration
(B) absorption
(C) pigment
(D) spectrum

4. The word “they” in line 4 refers to _______.

(A) parts
(B) pigments
(C) things
(D) functions

5. The word “facilitate” in line 6 is closest in meaning to _______.

(A) help
(B) adjust
(C) build
(D) provide

6. How do carotenoids support photosynthesis?

(A) By synthesizing vitamin A
(B) By absorbing chlorophyll
(C) By sending out light energy to chlorophyll
(D) By converting chlorophyll to chemical energy

7. The word “deceive” in line 16 is closest in meaning to _______.

(A) evade
(B) weaken
(C) trap
(D) mislead

8. The word “which” in line 21 refers to _______.

(A) moths
(B) butterflies
(C) patterns
(D) tree trunks

9. How does pattern resemblance to that of the monarch butterfly help the viceroy
butterfly?
(A) The pattern helps it hide from predators.
(B) The pattern makes predators avoid feeding on it.
(C) Predators know that it is poisonous.
(D) Predators dislike the colors of the pattern.

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
 SUPLLEMENTARY EXERCISES

Supplementary Exercise 1
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Line Often described as the body’s chemical messengers, hormones are
chemicals that are manufactured and secreted by glands or tissues. Human
hormones have various roles such as controlling growth and development, and
regulating blood pressure and metabolism (the process of breaking down food to
5 create energy). They transfer information and instructions between cells, affecting
the activity of every cell in the body.
The growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, is responsible for the
growth of the body. It regulates growth by stimulating the formation of bone and
the uptake of amino acids, molecules vital to building muscles and other tissues.
10 Epinephrine—formerly known adrenaline—is a hormone secreted in the
adrenal gland. During periods of stress, epinephrine prepares the body for
physical exertion by increasing the heart rate, raising the blood pressure, and
releasing sugar stored in the liver for quick energy. It also instructs small passages
in the lungs to open up, allowing for a greater airflow and more oxygen transfer.
15 In a flash, your brain, heart, lungs and muscles are at peak readiness for trouble.
Several hormones take part in controlling metabolism. Thyroxine, a
hormone produced by the thyroid gland, regulates rates of body metabolism.
Insulin, secreted in the pancreas, together with other hormones, controls levels of
glucose in the blood and the availability of energy for the muscles. While insulin
20 lowers the blood glucose, others—glucagon, cortisol, the growth hormone,
epinephrine, and norepinephrine—raise it. In addition, several other hormones
participate indirectly in regulation. A protein called somatostatin blocks the release
of insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine, while another hormone polypeptide,
enhances insulin release in response to glucose absorption. This complex system
25 permits blood glucose concentration to remain within a very narrow range, despite
external conditions that may vary to extremes.
Adapted from encarta.com

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) Growth hormones
(B) Functions of hormones
(C) Body functions
(D) Chemical messengers

2. The word “secreted” in line 2 is closest in meaning to _______.

(A) replaced
(B) transferred
(C) hid
(D) discharged

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
3. How do growth hormones control the human body’s growth?
(A) By increasing blood pressure
(B) By stimulating bone formation
(C) By creating amino acids
(D) By breaking down food properly
4. The word “They” in line 5 refers to _______.
(A) glands and tissues
(B) human hormones
(C) roles
(D) growth and development
5. The word “stimulating” in line 8 can be replaced with _______.
(A) developing
(B) adjusting
(C) contract
(D) causing
6. The word “It” in line 8 refers to _______.
(A) growth hormone
(B) pituitary gland
(C) body growth
(D) bone formation
7. What does paragraph 3 say about epinephrine?
(A) It helps the organs to function better.
(B) It reduces the feeling of depression.
(C) It increases in nerve-racking situations.
(D) It triggers violent behaviors.
8. How is metabolism regulated?
(A) By blocking the insulin production
(B) By maintaining the levels of glucose in the blood
(C) By the increasing production of thyroxine
(D) By the cooperation of several hormones
9. Which of the following is responsible for controlling other hormones in regulating
blood glucose ?
(A) Insulin
(B) Glucagon
(C) Norepinephrine
(D) Polypeptide
10. Which of the following sentences is NOT mentioned in the passage?
(A) Human hormones control cells’ activities.
(B) Hormones influence the body’s build and stature.
(C) Some hormones regulate the production of other hormones.
(D) The hormone system is complicated.

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
Supplementary Exercise 2
Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Line Community Antenna Television (CATV) or cable television was developed to
meet the demand for television in the U.S. during the television licensing freeze
in the late 1940’s. It was John Walson, an owner of an appliance shop that
carried televisions in Mahanoy City, Penn., who first developed CATV. Because
5 of the poor signal reception from TV stations in his area, he had a problem
selling televisions. Walson built an antenna on the top of a nearby mountain
and strung a wire from it to his shop. He extended the wire to buyers of his
televisions.
CATV systems involve distributing a number of television channels collected
10 at a central location to subscribers within a community by means of a network of
optical fibers or coaxial cables to transmit its signals. As cable-only networks
began to appear on CATV systems, picked up via satellite rather than by
antenna, the use of the term CATV has faded and the term cable television has
taken its place.
15 Cable TV has gained popularity among viewers. Because cable TV carries
more bandwidth than broadcast TV, subscribers are provided with many more
specialized channels offering particular genres such as sci-fi and women’s
programs. Since cable TV networks rely much less on revenue from
commercials, they can also feature programs (such as minority sports or ethnic
20 programs) for much smaller numbers of viewers. Moreover, cable TV has more
lenient rules regarding acceptable content, allowing greater freedom in the use
of foul language, pornography, and violence. This lack of restrictions on content
has led cable TV programs with more adult-oriented programs.
Adapted from http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Cable+television

1. What is the topic of the passage?

(A) Community Antenna Television
(B) Cable TV in the United States
(C) Cable TV subscribers
(D) Cable TV networks

2. Why did Walson build an antenna?

(A) To meet the demand for television
(B) To get a television broadcast license
(C) To increase his television sales
(D) To attract people to subscribe to his TV broadcast

3. The word “it” in line 7 refers to _______.

(A) area
(B) antenna
(C) mountain
(D) wire

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea
4. Why did people come to use the term cable TV?
(A) CATV used optical fibers and coaxial cable.
(B) Cable-only networks became popular.
(C) The antenna was connected to cable.
(D) The transmitting of signals used antenna.

5. How has cable TV gained popularity?

(A) It is cheaper than CATV.
(B) It uses digital cable technology.
(C) It features specialized TV channels.
(D) It offers programs for women.

6. The word “genres” in line 17 is closest in meaning to _______.

(A) favorites
(B) types
(C) restrictions
(D) choices

7. The author mentions sci-fi programs (lines 17-18) to provide an example of _______.
(A) popular programs
(B) specialized channels
(C) less reliance on commercials
(D) feature programs
8. The word “they” in line 19 refers to _______.
(A) genres
(B) programs
(C) networks
(D) commercials

9. The word “foul” in line 22 can best be replaced by _______ .

(A) excessive
(B) bad
(C) precise
(D) irrelevant

10. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for cable TV to have more adult
programs?
(A) Lack of the number of viewers
(B) No control over unpleasant language
(C) No restriction on pornography
(D) Lack of regulation on showing excess violence

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Unit 19–Finding the Main Idea