Main Idea vs. Theme

Main Idea

Poll

What is a main idea?

• The moral or lesson that the author develops in the story.

• The significance of what you have read.

Main idea: the significance of what you have read.

The main idea is specific to the passage, story, or article that you are reading. It cannot be applied to another text.

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph: Automation is the use of machines to reduce the need for human labor. In other words automation is when jobs done by people become jobs done by robots. Automation can be a good thing. Clothing, cars, and other manufactured products are available at good prices and in large supply because of automation. But automation can also be a bad thing. Because of automation there are over 700,000 robots in America that do jobs once performed by humans. The way of automation may not be best for humanity, but it is the course we are taking.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• Automation should be used at all times.

• Automation is both good and bad for humanity.

• There are over 700,000 robots in America.

• Automation reduces human labor.

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph: My grandma may not look very strong, but with the help of hydraulic power, she can stop a car with her foot. How does hydraulic power work? First, fluid is rapidly released into a chamber through a valve. As the fluid collects, the valve is slammed shut. This causes a pressure spike, but since the chamber is sealed, the pressure has nowhere to go. The hydraulic mechanism channels the pressure and provides great power. And that’s how, with the help of hydraulics, my grandma can stop a speeding car with one foot.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• Hydraulics is the only way to get energy.

• Grandmas are very strong with hydraulics.

• Hydraulics use fluid.

• The process of how the hydraulics process works.

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph: What do you get when you cross a robot and an astronaut? A Robonaut! Robonauts are robot helpers designed to work side-by-side with astronauts. Work on the first Robonaut began in 1997, and by 2002 Robonaut B was revealed to the public. Robonaut B featured interchangeable lower bodies, like four-wheel mode or hydraulic legs. Yet scientists and engineers continued to improve Robonaut. In February of 2010, Robonaut 2 was released to the public. Robonaut 2 moved four times faster than the first Robonaut. An advanced version of Robonaut 2 was finally tested in outer space in 2011. Robonaut 2 functioned exactly as designed.

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• Over the years, robonauts have made many improvements.

• The first robonaut was developed in 1997.

• Robonaut 2 was released to the public.

• Robonaut 2 functioned as designed.