The Main Idea

By Silvia Sowa

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​Let's learn about main ideas in English!

What is the main idea?

It is the author's message about the topic. It is often expressed directly, or it can be implied.
A main idea is a key thought or point that serves as the overall focus or theme of a longer piece of writing or communication.

How to identify the main idea in a paragraph?

To identify the main idea of a paragraph, read the first and last sentences carefully to determine the topic of the paragraph. Then, scan the rest of the sentences to support the main idea and make sure the information provided is relevant to the topic. You can also use tools like topic sentences and transition words to help you identify the main idea.

Multiple Choice

Identify the main idea of the passage.

Steve's family plans to take a vacation to Florida. They are going to drive to Disney World and spend a week there. Steve went to Disneyland a couple of years ago, but never to Disney World. He knows everyone in his family is looking forward to the trip.

• Steve goes to Disneyland.

• Steve's family will visit Disney World.

• Steve is too old to visit Disney World.

Multiple Choice

Identify the main idea of the passage.

Jack is going to a hockey game next week to see his favorite team. Jack knows that ice hockey is one of the fastest sports. It is played between two teams. Each team has six players. The players wear ice skates, helmets, protective padding, and carry a hockey stick. Jack hopes his team will win.

• Ice hockey is an individual sport.

• Ice hockey is a fast team sport.

• 
  Ice hockey is an unpopular sport.

Multiple Choice

Identify the main idea of the passage.

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!

• Weekends are times to travel.

• The author enjoys spending time with her family.

• The author's grandparents live far away.

• The author is sad to leave her cousins.

Multiple Choice

Identify the main idea of the passage.

Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.

• Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.

• We will be able to talk to robots and they will be able to respond.

• Robots will be untiring workers.

• Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.

Multiple Choice

Identify the main idea of the passage.

Toy cars and trucks were lying all over the floor. Ben had dumped his entire toy box in the middle of his room looking for his favorite blue car. His Uncle Lonnie had given it to him for his birthday. Uncle Lonnie was coming for a visit, and Ben wanted them to play together with it. Ben looked for about an hour and could not find the car. When his mother called him, he stepped on something hard. It was his blue car.

• Ben had many toys and trucks

• Ben dumped his entire toy box in the middle of the floor.

• Uncle Lonnie gave Ben a blue car.

• Ben found the blue car his Uncle Lonnie gave him by stepping on it.