READING

READING STRATEGY
IDENTIFYING THE MAIN IDEA
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.

1. The main idea may be stated, or it may be implied.

2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. To find the main idea of any paragraph or passage, ask these questions:
o Who or what is the paragraph about?
o What aspect or idea about the ‘who’ or ‘what’ is the author concerned with?

Example 1

The railroad was not the first institution to impose regularity on society, or to draw attention to the
importance of precise timekeeping. For as long as merchants have set out their wares at daybreak and
communal festivities have been celebrated, people have been in rough agreement with their neighbors as
to the time of day. The value of this tradition is today more apparent than ever. Were it not for public
acceptance of a single yardstick of time, social life would be unbearably chaotic: the massive daily
transfers of goods, services, and information would proceed in fits and starts; the very fabric of modern
society would begin to unravel.

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. In modern society we must make more time for our neighbors.

B. The traditions of society are timeless.
C. An accepted way of measuring time is essential for the smooth functioning of society.
D. Society judges people by the times at which they conduct certain activities.

The main idea of the passage is that societies need to agree about how time is measured in order to
function smoothly. Therefore, you should choose answer C.
Example 2

Hurricanes generally occur in the North Atlantic from May through November, with the peak of
the hurricane season in September; only rarely will they occur from December through April in
that part of the ocean. The main reason for the occurrence of hurricanes during this period is that
the temperature on the water’s surface is at its warmest and the humidity of the air is at its
highest.

Of the tropical storms that occur each year in the North Atlantic, only about five, on the average,
are powerful enough to be called hurricanes. To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical storm
must have winds reaching speeds of at least 117 kilometers per hour, but the winds are often
much stronger than that; the winds of intense hurricanes can easily surpass 240 kilometers (10)
per hour.

2. The passage mainly discusses …

A. how many hurricanes occur each year

B. the strength of hurricanes
C. the weather in the North Atlantic
D. hurricanes in one part of the world

3. The best title for this passage would be ….

A. The North Atlantic Ocean

B. Storms of the Northern Atlantic
C. Hurricanes: The Damage and Destruction
D. What Happens from May through November

The main idea of the passage is hurricanes in one part of the world. Therefore, you should
choose answer D.

The best title for this passage main idea of the passage is Storms of the Northern Atlantic.
Therefore, you should choose answer B.
Example 3

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was perhaps the best-known American poet of the
nineteenth century. His clear writing style and emphasis on the prevalent values of the period
made him popular with the general public if not always with the critics. He was particularly
recognized for Line his longer narrative poems Evangeline, The Song of Hiawatha, and The
Courtship of Miles Standish, in which he told stories from American history in terms of the
values of the time.

Evangeline was set during the French and Indian War (1754–1763), when the British forced
French settlers from Nova Scotia; two lovers, Gabriel and Evangeline, were separated by the
British, and Evangeline devoted her lifetime to the search for Gabriel. With its emphasis on
sentimental, undying love, Evangeline was immensely popular with the public.

In The Song of Hiawatha, Longfellow depicted the noble life of the American Indian through the
story of the brave Hiawatha and his beloved wife Minehaha. The tear-inspiring poem follows
Hiawatha through the tragedies and triumphs of life, ending with the death of Minehaha and
Hiawatha’s departure into the sunset in his canoe. The Courtship of Miles Standish takes place
during the early period of the settlement of New (15) England, a period which was viewed as a
time of honor and romance. In this poem centeredaround a love triangle, Miles Standish asks his
friend John Alden to propose to Priscilla Mullins for him; John Alden ends up marrying Priscilla
Mullins himself, and it takes time for his friendship with Miles Standish to recover. As with
Longfellow’s other narrative poems, the emphasis on high ideals and romance made the poem
extremely popular.

4. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?

A. American history is often depicted in poetry.

B. Longfellow described American history even though people really did not enjoy it.
C. The popularity of Longfellow’s poems results from his stress on the values of the people.
D. Longfellow wrote long narrative poems that were not always popular with the critics.

The best title for this passage main idea of the passage is The popularity of Longfellow’s poems
results from his stress on the values of the people. Therefore, you should choose answer C.
EXERCISE

Each passage is followed statements. Select the statement that best expresses the topic and the
main idea. Circle the letter of that statement.

Passage One
Passing fears are common in early childhood. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially
dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. Other common fears are of
thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.
The topic of this paragraph is
A. Fear.
B. passing fears.
C. two-to-four-year olds fear of animals.
D. common fears
The stated main idea of this paragraph is
A. Passing fears are common in early childhood.
B. Many 2- to 4-year olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs.
C. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark.
D. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.

Passage Two

Don't wait for your company to send you to school. Determine your needs and ask about the company's
training program. If they don't have one, sign up for classes at a local college. When it comes to your
profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Put a high priority on learning new skills and on personal
growth and professional development. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and
writing skills.
The topic of this paragraph is
A. waiting for your company to send you to school.
B. the company's training program.
C. being a lifelong learner.
D. new software technology.
The stated main idea of this paragraph is
A. Don't wait for your company to send you to school.
B. Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program.
C. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner.
D. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills.

Passage Three
There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies. Compared with boys, girls are
usually less happy with their bodies and have more negative body images. Also, as puberty proceeds, girls
often become even more dissatisfied with their bodies. This is probably because their body fat increases.
In contrast, boys become more satisfied as they move through puberty, probably because their muscle
mass increases.

The topic of this paragraph is

A. adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies.
B. girls' negative body images.
C. puberty.
D. boys' muscle mass during puberty.

The stated main idea of this paragraph is

A. There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies.
B. Compared with boys, girls are usually less happy with their bodies and have more negative body
images.
C. Also, as puberty proceeds, girls often become even more dissatisfied with their bodies.
D. In contrast, boys become more satisfied as they move through puberty, probably because their
muscle mass increases.
 Passage Four
One of the big programming surprises of the 2002 summer TV series was a show on the Fox Network
called American Idol, a talent search that highlighted several aspiring performers. The final episode of the
show garnered the biggest audience share among 18- to 49-year olds that the network has ever had. Based
on a British series called Pop Idol, American Idol is another in a long list of shows that the United States
has imported. In fact, many popular U.S. TV shows originated overseas. These include the quiz shows
Who Wants to Be A Millionaire and The Weakest Link, both also from Britain . Other examples include
Survivor, imported from Sweden; Big Brother , based on a Dutch series of the same name; and TLC's
Trading Spaces, based on the British series, Changing Rooms.

The topic of this paragraph is

A. big programming surprises.
B. American Idol.
C. popular U.S. TV shows.
D. British quiz shows.

The stated main idea of this paragraph is

A. One of the big programming surprises of the 2002 summer TV series was a show on the Fox
Network called American Idol, a talent search that highlighted several aspiring performers.
B. Based on a British series called Pop Idol, American Idol is another in a long list of shows that the
United States has imported.
C. In fact, many U.S. TV shows have first originated overseas.
D. These include the quiz shows Who Wants to Be A Millionaire and The Weakest Link, both also
from Britain.
BEFORE YOU READ

Do you like the city where you are living now while studying in University? Why?

PASSAGE 1
London has been named as the world’s best city for students, according to the
latest rankings released today.

The QS BEST STUDENT CITIES RANKING, by global education consultancy

QS Quacquarelli Symonds, sees London beat international cities Tokyo (2nd) and Melbourne
(3rd) to first place for the second consecutive year. Other British cities featuring among the top
30 are Edinburgh (15th) and Manchester (29th).

The rankings highlight each city’s

performance across six categories1, with
London’s high number of top universities,
excellentemployment opportunities and
diversity of its student body as standout
factors cementing the capital’s number one
position - as well as the positive feedback
provided by London’s students.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The fact that London has again been ranked the
best city in the world in which to be a student is fantastic news – and is no surprise given that
London is home to world-leading higher education institutions and a vibrant cultural life. This is
further evidence that London is open to students and talent from around the world.”

Lalage Clay, Director, Education and Talent at London & Partners, the Mayor of
London's official promotional agency and home of Study London said: “These are truly
fantastic results for London, confirming its outstanding reputation as the best student city in the
world for the second consecutive year. We are extremely proud of London’s many world-class
universities, our talented and diverse student body and of the incredible experiences students
have in our city. (Source: media.londonandpartners.com)