Main idea + Topic Sentence

Exercise
Practice 1: Identify topic of the paragraph.
1. Compared with the technical resources of a theater of today, those of a London public
theater in the time of Queen Elizabeth I seem hopelessly limited. Plays had to be performed
by daylight, and scenery had to be kept simple: a table, a chair, a throne, perhaps an artificial
tree or two to suggest a forest. But these limitations were, in a sense, advantages. What the
theater of today can spell out for us realistically, with massive scenery and electric lighting,
Elizabethan playgoers had to imagine and the playwright had to make vivid for them by
means of language. Not having a lighting technician to work a panel, -Shakespeare had to
indicate the dawn by having Horatio, in Hamlet, say in a speech rich in metaphor and
descriptive detail:
But look, the morn in russet mantle clad
Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.
—Kennedy and Gioia, Literature, p. 1243

a. Impact of technological limitations on Elizabethan theater

b. Benefits of modern technology in theater performances
c. Effects of Shakespeare’s writing style
d. The use of language to make ideas vivid

2. You’ve probably heard that older men die before older women virtually everywhere in the
world. In the United States, women are expected to live an average of 80.4 years, while men
live only 75.2 years. Sociologists attribute many factors to this trend. For example, men have
higher testosterone levels than women, which may make men more likely to abuse alcohol
and tobacco, drive aggressively, and engage in other life-threatening behaviors. Men also
choose riskier types of work and become involved in wartime aggression, which are
connected to men’s decreased life expectancy. Studies also show that women are less likely
to experience life-threatening illnesses and health problems than men are.
—Carl, Think Sociology, p. 211
a. women’s health
b. men and risky behaviors
c. testosterone and age
d. men’s life expectancy
3. In the past few years, social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter
have become hugely popular across all ages. Despite the opinions of some that young people
are in danger of turning into crouching androids glued to their computers, research shows that
the majority of friendships are still maintained offline. Offline friendships are characterized
by more interdependence, depth, understanding, and commitment, but online friendships can
gain some of these qualities with time. Most online friends tend to be rather cautious about
disclosing personal information. However, this does not apply to people with a negative view
of themselves and others; they instead seem to share more information, possibly in an attempt
to become more self-confident in their interactions. Interestingly, even in online friendships
people seem to gain more satisfaction when befriending people of a similar age and place of
residence.
—Kunz, THINK Marriages & Families, p. 82
a. offline vs. online friendships
b. technology and self-image
c. personal information sharing online
d. satisfaction in online friendships

Practice 2: Underline topic sentence.

1. Thinking about the 1990s brings back fond memories for me about fashion and popular
culture. During the 1990s, I really enjoyed watching Friends on television every Thursday
night. I really wanted Rachel’s haircut—I think every girl wanted Rachel’s haircut back then!
Rachel’s haircut went really well with the Guess Jeans that were so popular in the 1990s. I
remember all the advertisements for Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans that were in each month’s
Sassy magazine. I do not think Sassy magazine exists anymore, but it was one of the most
popular magazines for young women in the 1990s.

2. There are many excellent reasons for exercising several times each week. First, people who
exercise look better. Exercise is important to keep our bodies in good shape. In addition,
people who exercise have more energy. For example, a person who exercises can walk up
stairs or climb hills more easily. People who exercise have a healthier heart, too. Finally,
exercise reduces stress and helps you have a clear mind. Too much stress can cause you to
worry a lot, and that is not good for your health. For these reasons, if you want to improve
your health, you should exercise regularly.

3. Do you collect stamps, coins, baseball cards, autographs, dolls, or anything else? If you do,
you are not alone. Collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Almost
anything can be collected. Even very unusual things, such as old telephones, antique toys, or
insects can be collected. Some people collect things as an investment. Others collect things
that they love. Some collectibles, like seashells, are easy to find. Other items are rare and
require more work to find.
4. Rich counties have problems too. The concept of healthy eating is primarily a problem in
rich countries. The lifestyle in more rich countries includes a modicum of outdoor physical
activities. Further, there is high but not always high-quality food consumption, and a trend
towards industrially-produced foods instead of locally-sourced, locally-prepared meals.

5. Bangkok’s traffic can be a nightmare. Sure, you can easily take a taxi – if you want to
spend hours stuck in traffic jams – but there are two much better ways to get around the city.
To explore the temples and historical sites, catch an express boat river taxi or a longtail boat
along the Chao Phraya river and the canals. For the modern part of the city, the Skytrain is a
fast, cheap way to travel from the river to the shopping malls and nightlife of Sukhumvit, and
the famous Chatuchak street market.

Practice 3: Choose the best topic sentence for each paragraph.

1.____________________________________________________________ . Green curry is
the hottest Thai curry. People who will enjoy green curry are those who like very spicy food.
Red curry is medium hot. It doesn’t burn your mouth and is flavorful. Yellow curry is the
mildest of all. This curry is usually the choice of people who eat Thai food for the first time.
To summarize, you have three delicious choices when you order Thai curry.
A. Thai curry has three different colors.
B. The meaning of different colors in Thai curry.
C. Different colors have different meanings in Thai food.

2._________________________________________________________ . First, the classes

in small colleges are small. There are approximately twenty students in an average class in a
small college. Second, it is easy to meet with professors. Almost all professors in small
colleges have time to help students and are usually happy to do so. Third, small colleges are
friendly, so new students make friends quickly. Thus, small colleges are better than large
universities for many students.
A. Small colleges are friendlier than large universities.
B. Some reasons are stated for attending a small college instead of a large university.
C. An excellent education you can get at a small college.

3._____________________________________________________________ . One reason is

that employers want workers to be dependable. They certainly want workers who come to
work every day. The other reason is employers want workers who are responsible. The
employers would like to give the worker a project to do and know that it will be done well. In
addition, employers look for workers who can work well with others. The ability to get along
with co-workers is important to the success of business. In short, employers look for
dependable and responsible team players.
A. It is difficult to find good employers these days.
B. Employers read job applications very carefully.
C. The three main qualities the employers look for in their employees.
4.___________________________________________________________ . Firstly, living in
a foreign country helps you learn another language faster than studying it at school. Secondly,
you can learn directly about the history, geography, and culture of a country. Thirdly, you
become a more tolerant person because you experience different ways of living. The last,
living in a foreign country makes you appreciate your own country better.
A. You can learn by living in a foreign country.
B. We should live in a foreign country for a while.
C. Some benefits you can get by living in a foreign country.

5.__________________________________________________________ . There are some

private colleges and universities in the United States. Private colleges and universities are
usually more expensive because they do not get money from taxes. Meanwhile, some other
colleges and universities are public. It means the citizens of each state pay some of the costs
through their taxes so that public colleges are cheaper for students to attend. However, you
can get a good education no matter which type of college you attend – public or private.
A. Two main types of colleges and universities in the United States are private and
public.
B. Private colleges and universities get money from taxes.
C. There are only some colleges and universities in the United States.

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 Supporting details
Exercise
Practice 1: Use a single underline to identify the major details, and two underlines to
show the major details.

1. In the Hudson opposite West Point, is a famous little island that recalls heroic days of the
Revolutionary War. From one end of the island a great chain was stretched across the river to
the cliffs below West Point, to keep back the British fleet. The links of the chain were forged
in a blacksmith shop at New Windsor, New York, and were carried down the river on a log
boom. A part of the chain is today on view at Washington’s Headquarters, Newburgh, New
York. Another section of the chain is to be seen at West Point.

2. During the past century nearly one hundred kinds of living creatures have disappeared
from the face of the earth. Among the mammals some of the better known victims have been
the European wild ox, the Eastern bison, the sea cow, and the California grizzly bear. Among
the birds the victims have included the passenger pigeon, the heath hen, the auk, and the
condor. Most of these creatures have become extinct at the hands of the most destructive of
all animals- man himself.

Practice 2: Read each paragraph carefully. Decide on the major details. Then fill in the
blanks. Do not include the minor details and explanations. The main topic is provided
for you.

1. Time is a critical factor in college work; guard it carefully and use it economically - not
simply to say time but to save yourself. How can you develop the most successful time
schedule for your purposes? In the first place, find out exactly what you have to do. Make a
master list of responsibilities you must meet each week and special projects you must finish
during the term. Then study yourself. Discover the hours you work best. The next step is to
set up a plan to make the best use of your energies; schedule your best hours for the study of
your most difficult subjects, your next best hours for the easier subjects, and your low energy
hours for rest, relaxation, or simple mechanical tasks. Finally, settle down and follow the plan
until you form the habit.

I. Steps in making a time schedule

A._____________________________
B._____________________________
C._____________________________
D._____________________________
2. The search for ways of preserving foods is not new. Primitive man learned that he could
make foods last by drying them. The Indians, for example, hung buffalo and deer meat in the
sun. The greatest single advance began in 1800 when a Frenchman , Nicolas Appert,
discovered that he could preserve certain foods by sealing them in jars and keeping the air
from them. The process was the beginning of the vast canning industry which brings us a
variety of foods in all seasons. Pasteurizing is another process which delays spoilage; it is of
great importance to the dairy industry. Foods like apricots, prunes, peaches, and apples are
often preserved by drying. The use of chemicals is another method, and some foods are
cooked with sugar. But recently the use of frozen food cabinets has grown tremendously and
more foods than ever before are now being processed by freezing.

I. Ways of preserving food

A.________________________________
B.________________________________
C.________________________________
D.________________________________
E.________________________________
F.________________________________

Practice 3: Underline supporting sentences.

1. Use of the internet has grown very quickly. In 1983, there were 562 computers connected
to the Internet. By the turn of the century, there were 72.3 million computers in 247 countries
on-line. Experts say that the Internet is now growing at a rate of approximately 40 percent a
year. As time goes on, the Internet is becoming more and more popular.

2. There are many reasons I hate my apartment. The plumbing doesn’t work properly and the
landlord refuses to fix it. I also have noisy neighbors who keep me up all night. Furthermore,
there are so many bugs in my apartment that I could start an insect collection. I really want to
move.

3.Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. First, fruits and
vegetables are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body
functioning smoothly. In addition, they give you the carbohydrates you need for
energy. Fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber to help your digestive system work
properly. Finally, many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables
can help fight diseases. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you’ll be on
the road to better health.
Practice 4: Choose the best answer.
1. Choose TWO supporting sentences for this topic sentence: Students need to learn good
ways to study.
A. Sometimes doing homework in a group can be helpful.
B. Making friends is important to happiness and success.
C. Many high-paying jobs require a college degree.
D. Studying instead of sleeping doesn't help to learn or test scores.

2. Choose TWO supporting sentences for this topic sentence: I need to look for a new job.
A. Since we now have another child, my salary really isn't enough for our family.
B. I like working with my brother.
C. The commute is very long, and I would like to spend more time with my family.
D. This is a tough economy, and I am lucky that I still have a job.

3. John hates doing laundry and folding clothes. He thinks all this takes a lot of his time.
Also, he believes he is not good at it as he never gets any wrinkles out. In this paragraph,
what is the topic sentence?
A. John hates doing laundry and folding clothes.
B. He thinks all this takes a lot of his time.
C. Also, he believes he is not good at it as he never gets any wrinkles out.
D. None of the above.

4. Choose TWO supporting sentences for this topic sentence: Young children should not be
allowed to cross Fourth Avenue by themselves.
A. There are many good restaurants on that street.
B. Last year, two children were injured while crossing that street.
C. Cars are always speeding down that avenue.
D. There is a school located on Fourth Avenue.

5. Choose the best topic sentence: [________________________________] Many people

who earn the minimum wage are trying to support families with this salary. No one working
full-time and earning the minimum wage makes enough money to pay for rent, food, and
other necessities. If we raise the minimum wage, families will have more money to spend,
and therefore other businesses will make more money. For so many reasons, it is the right
thing to do.
A. We must worry about jobs, not wages.
B. Parents in New York City have a lot of expenses.
C. This economy is especially hard for small business owners.
D. It is time to raise the minimum wage.
Practice 5: Read each paragraph and answer the questions.
Paragraph 1
Tea has had a long and interesting history. The story began over four and a half
thousand years ago. According to legend, tea was accidentally discovered in China in 2737
B.C. by the emperor, Shen Nung. The story goes that the emperor was sitting under a tree
while his servant boiled water. Some leaves from the tree dropped into the water, and Shen
Nung decided to try the new drink. He liked the taste, and a new beverage was born. The
custom of drinking tea spread to Japan around A.D. 600. In the 1500s, tea arrived in Portugal
when the Portuguese established trade relations with China. It was then shipped to the Dutch,
who in turn sent it to France and the Baltic countries. In 1650, Peter Stuyvesant brought tea to
the American colonists in New Amsterdam, later called New York. Today, tea is still one of
the world’s most popular drinks.

1. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

A. The history of tea is long and interesting.
B. Tea was discovered by the Dutch.
C. Tea is the world’s most popular drink.

2. Which is NOT mentioned in the paragraph?

A. where tea was discovered
B. who brought tea to the American colonies
C. the number of people who drink tea today

3. According to the paragraph, the custom of drinking tea traveled around the world. Which
list of places is the correct order?
A. China, Japan, Portugal, France, Baltic countries, American colonies
B. China, Japan, France, Portugal, Baltic countries, American colonies
C. China, American colonies, Japan, Portugal, France, Baltic countries

Paragraph 2
The 1970s were a decade of fads and crazes. One of the strangest fads to hit the
United States during this time was the pet rock. In 1975 an advertising executive from
California named Gary Dahl created the first pet rock. He packaged the pet rocks and sold
them as gifts. The rocks came in a little box with straw on the bottom. Every pet rock came
with its own handbook of training instructions. Unlike real animal pets that require a lot of
care, the pet rocks were easy to take care of. They were quiet, clean, and always well-
behaved. In only a year, millions of people were the proud owners of pet rocks, making Dahl
a millionaire.

1. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

A. Gary Dahl was a millionaire.
B. Pet rocks were a popular fad in the 1970s.
C. Pet rocks came in a little box with straw on the bottom.
2. According to the paragraph, what is mentioned about real animal pets?
A. They require a lot of care.
B. They are quiet and clean.
C. They come in small boxes.

3. Which of the following is not mentioned in the paragraph?

A. The price of a pet rock
B. The advantages of pet rocks
C. When pet rocks were popular

Paragraph 3
The internet is changing the travel industry. People are not making their travel plans
the way they did in the past. Today, more and more people are using the internet to make
travel plans because they want to save time and money. They think they can find the best
prices for plane tickets, hotel reservations, and car rentals on the internet. They are looking
for online discounts and last-minute deals for their travel plans. Travel is the biggest category
of online purchases by U.S. consumers. Studies have shown that 64 million Americans now
research their travel choices online. This is a big jump from 1997, when just 12 million
Americans used the internet to make travel plans.

1. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

A. Many people use the internet to make hotel reservations.
B. The internet is changing the travel industry.
C. People buy many kinds of things on the internet.

2. In 1997, how many Americans used the internet to make travel plans?
A. 59 million
B. 12 million
C. 64 million

3. Which is not mentioned in the paragraph?

A. how people made their travel plans in the past
B. why people use the internet to make travel plans
C. how many Americans use the internet to make travel plans

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