Review: Main Idea

Review: Main Idea

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Which sentence from the paragraph is a general statement supported by other specific details in the passage?

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from the paragraph is a general statement supported by other specific details in the passage?

Many people feel that violence on television is harmless entertainment. However, we now know that TV violence does affect people in negative ways. One study showed that frequent TV watchers are more fearful and suspicious of others. They try to protect themselves from the outside world with extra locks on the doors, alarm systems, guard dogs, and guns. In addition, that same study showed that heavy TV watchers are less upset about real-life violence than non-TV watchers. It seems that the constant violence they see on TV makes them less sensitive to the real thing. Another study, of a group of children, found that TV violence increases aggressive behavior. Children who watched violent shows were more willing to hurt another child in games where they were given a choice between helping and hurting. They were also more likely to select toy weapons over other kinds of playthings.

• Many people feel that violence on television is harmless entertainment.

• However, we now know that TV violence does affect people in negative ways.

• One study showed that frequent TV watchers are more fearful and suspicious of others.

• They try to protect themselves from the outside world with extra locks on the doors, alarm systems, guard dogs, and guns.

Multiple Choice

In the list of words below, which three items are specific ideas, and which item is the general idea?

• dishonesty

• greed

• selfishness

• bad qualities

Look back at this paragraph. What SPECIFIC IDEAS support the GENERAL IDEA that "TV violence does affect people in negative ways.

Multiple Select

Which of the sentences from the paragraph are specific ideas that support the general idea (the main idea)?

Many people feel that violence on television is harmless entertainment. However, we now know that TV violence does affect people in negative ways. One study showed that frequent TV watchers are more fearful and suspicious of others. They try to protect themselves from the outside world with extra locks on the doors, alarm systems, guard dogs, and guns. In addition, that same study showed that heavy TV watchers are less upset about real-life violence than non-TV watchers. It seems that the constant violence they see on TV makes them less sensitive to the real thing. Another study, of a group of children, found that TV violence increases aggressive behavior. Children who watched violent shows were more willing to hurt another child in games where they were given a choice between helping and hurting. They were also more likely to select toy weapons over other kinds of playthings.

• Many people feel that violence on television is harmless entertainment.

• ...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.

• However, we now know that TV violence does affect people in negative ways.

Multiple Choice

What is the TOPIC of the following paragraph?

Recently a family of four were found dead in their suburban home in New Jersey—victims of carbon monoxide. Such cases are tragically common. Carbon monoxide is deadly for many reasons. To begin with, it is created in the most ordinary of ways—by the burning of wood, coal, or petroleum products. Once created, this gas is impossible to detect without instruments; it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Also, carbon monoxide mingles with and remains in the air rather than rising and being carried away by the wind. Then, when people unsuspectingly breathe it in, it chokes them, taking the place of the oxygen in their blood. Furthermore, it can do its lethal work in very small quantities: anyone exposed to air that is just 1 percent carbon monoxide for even a few minutes will almost certainly die.

• the tragic deaths of a New Jersey family

• carbon monoxide

• unsuspected threats

• the burning of wood, coal, and petroleum products

Multiple Choice

What is the MAIN IDEA of the following paragraph?

Recently a family of four were found dead in their suburban home in New Jersey—victims of carbon monoxide. Such cases are tragically common. Carbon monoxide is deadly for many reasons. To begin with, it is created in the most ordinary of ways—by the burning of wood, coal, or petroleum products. Once created, this gas is impossible to detect without instruments; it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Also, carbon monoxide mingles with and remains in the air rather than rising and being carried away by the wind. Then, when people unsuspectingly breathe it in, it chokes them, taking the place of the oxygen in their blood. Furthermore, it can do its lethal work in very small quantities: anyone exposed to air that is just 1 percent carbon monoxide for even a few minutes will almost certainly die.

• Such cases are tragically common.

• Carbon monoxide is deadly for many reasons.

• Once created, this gas is impossible to detect without instruments;

• Furthermore, it can do its lethal work in very small quantities:

Multiple Choice

Which sentence in the following paragraph states the MAIN IDEA?

For shy people, simply attending class can be stressful. Several strategies, though, can lessen the trauma of attending class for shy people. Shy students should time their arrival to coincide with that of most other class members—about two minutes before the class is scheduled to begin. If they arrive too early, they may be seen sitting alone or, even worse, actually forced to talk with another early arrival. If they arrive late, all eyes will be upon them. Before heading to class, the shy student should dress in the least conspicuous manner possible—say, in the blue jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers that 99.9 percent of their classmates wear. That way they won’t stand out from everyone else. They should take a seat near the back of the room. But they shouldn’t sit at the very back, since instructors sometimes make a point of calling on students there.

• For shy people, simply attending class can be stressful.

• Several strategies, though, can lessen the trauma of attending class for shy people.

• That way they won't stand out from everyone else.

• But they shouldn't sit at the very back, since instructors sometimes make a point of calling on students there.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence in the paragraph below states the MAIN IDEA?

A television ad for a new sports car showed scenes of beautiful open country that suggested freedom and adventure. The car never appeared in the ad at all. An ad for a hotel chain showed a romantic couple in bed together. They were obviously on vacation and having a leisurely, romantic morning. As these ads suggest, advertisers often try to sell products and services by associating them with positive images rather than by providing relevant details about the product or service. An ad giving the car’s gas mileage, safety rating, or repair frequency would be more important to a buyer, but it might not draw the viewer’s interest as much as beautiful scenery. Similarly, details on the hotel’s prices and service would be more informative than images of a glamorous vacation. But the romantic couple gets people’s attention and associates the hotel in the viewers’ minds with a good time.

• A television ad for a new sports car showed scenes of beautiful open country that suggested freedom and adventure.

• The car never appeared in the ad at all.

• advertisers often try to sell products and services by associating them with positive images rather than by providing relevant details about the product or service.

• details on the hotel's prices and service would be more informative than images of a glamorous vacation.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence in the paragraph below states the MAIN IDEA?

Only about 1 percent of insect species are destructive to crops and property. Nevertheless, this small group causes several billion dollars of damage each year in the United States alone. Harmful insects include household pests, such as termites; crop and livestock pests, such as boll weevils; and hosts of disease-causing organisms, such as mosquitoes infected with parasitic protozoa. Many insects, on the other hand, are beneficial to human society. Some insects pollinate fruit trees, flowers, and many field crops. Bees produce honey and beeswax, silkworms form cocoons from which silk is spun, and lac insects provide the raw material for commercial shellac. Some kinds of insects are natural enemies of destructive insects. For example, the larvae of certain wasps feed on caterpillars that destroy plants. Clearly, insects are both harmful and beneficial to human society.

• Only about 1 percent of insect species are destructive to crops and property.

• Nevertheless, this small group causes several billion dollars of damage each year in the United States alone.

• Many insects, on the other hand, are beneficial to human society.

• Clearly, insects are both harmful and beneficial to human society.

Multiple Choice

What is the TOPIC of the following paragraph?

When you're with your friends, it's okay to be loud and use slang. They'll expect it and they aren't grading you on your grammar. When you're sitting for an interview, you should use your best English possible, and keep your tone suitable to the environment. Try to gauge the personality of the interviewer and the setting of the workplace before cracking jokes or speaking out of turn. If you're ever in a position to speak publicly, always ask about your audience, and modify your language, tone, pitch and topic based on what you think the audience's preferences would be. You'd never give a lecture about atoms to third-graders! When you are giving a presentation in your English class, use good grammar, formal language, and an appropriate tone. Your teachers will appreciate it!

• Speaking

• Appropriate behavior

• Job interviews

• English presentations

Multiple Choice

What is the MAIN IDEA of the following paragraph?

When you're with your friends, it's okay to be loud and use slang. They'll expect it and they aren't grading you on your grammar. When you're sitting for an interview, you should use your best English possible, and keep your tone suitable to the environment. Try to gauge the personality of the interviewer and the setting of the workplace before cracking jokes or speaking out of turn. If you're ever in a position to speak publicly, always ask about your audience, and modify your language, tone, pitch and topic based on what you think the audience's preferences would be. You'd never give a lecture about atoms to third-graders! When you are giving a presentation in your English class, use good grammar, formal language, and an appropriate tone. Your teachers will appreciate it!

• One should always be respectful to teachers and potential employers.

• Different situations require different kinds of speaking.

• Proper English is essential to success in the classroom

• Speaking slang is a way to bond with friends.

Multiple Choice

What is the TOPIC of the following paragraph?

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.

• Man's friends and enemies

• dangerous animals

• coyotes

• destructive animals

Multiple Choice

What is the MAIN IDEA of the following paragraph?

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.

• Coyotes are enemies to man and other animals as well.

• Under certain conditions, coyotes are actually beneficial to human beings.

• Property owners should use coyotes to help them get rid of other animal pests.

• Coyotes are valuable animals that should be respected and protected.