Finding the main idea of a paragraph along with making an inference or understanding vocab words in context is one of the reading skills you'll need to master before taking the reading comprehension section on any standardized test.
The main idea of a paragraph is the point the author is trying to make, minus all the details. It's the answer you give to a co-worker when he or she asks you what you did on Friday night. You'd probably say something like this: "I saw that new action movie."In essence, you are giving your friend the main idea of the event. Unless you're pressed, you're probably not going to launch into every chase scene in the movie or your dates' outfit. Those are the details. In most casual conversations, you simply give the main idea.
Sometimes, the main idea of a paragraph is very clear, but other times, such as when you're taking a standardized test like the TOEFL, TOEIC, SAT, ACT, PSAT or grad school tests, the main idea is murky and the answer choices are vague.So how do you determine the main idea?
1. Summarize the Passage
After you've read the passage given to you, summarize what you've just read in your head or on a scrap of paper. What would you tell someone the paragraph was about if asked? You'd probably come up with a one-sentence explanation.
Chances are good that you've found the main idea if you can summarize the whole passage down to one sentence. Just be sure your one sentence is broad enough to cover every detail in the text.
2. Look for Repetition of Ideas
If you read through a paragraph and you have no idea how to summarize it because there is so much information, start looking for repeated words, phrases, ideas or similar ideas. Read this example paragraph:
A new hearing device uses a magnet to hold the detachable sound-processing portion in place. Like other aids, it converts sound into vibrations. But it is unique in that it can transmit the vibrations directly to the magnet and then to the inner ear. This produces a clearer sound. The new device will not help all hearing-impaired people - only those with a hearing loss caused by infection or some other problem in the middle ear. It will probably help no more than 20 percent of all people with hearing problems. Those people who have persistent ear infections, however, should find relief and restored hearing with the new device.
What does this paragraph consistently talk about? A new hearing device. So the main idea is probably something like this: " A new hearing device is now available for some hearing-impaired people."
3. When the Main Idea is Stated
Sometimes, the author of a paragraph (often new writers) will write the main idea directly in the text usually in the first few sentences. In that case, the main idea is easy to find: just look for the sentence that summarizes the whole paragraph.
3a. Stated Main Idea Example:
Juan loves to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. Juan also likes to play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck. He prefers Monopoly because it requires luck and skill. If he’s alone, Juan likes to play action video games as long as they aren’t too violent.
The main idea here is "Juan loves to play games."
4. When the Main Idea is Implied:
This is a little trickier. If the author doesn't write down the main idea of the text, it's up to you to infer what the main idea is. Basically, all you do is compose a sentence that is broad enough to cover every detail from the paragraph.
4a. Implied Main Idea Example:
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 standing in a boardroom or sitting for an interview, you should use your best English possible, and keep your voice respectfully quiet. 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!
Here, there is no main idea written, so you have to ask yourself, "What is the author trying to tell me?"
It seems to me that the author is giving us different situations (having an interview, hanging out with friends, speaking publicly) and then telling us to speak differently in each setting (use slang with friends, be respectful and quiet in an interview, etc.).
So, a sentence like, "People should speak differently in different situations" would fit perfectly as the main idea of that paragraph. We had to infer that because that sentence doesn't appear anywhere in the paragraph. But it was easy enough to do when you looked at the ideas as a whole.
Summary
Finding the main idea can be challenging, but if you use the tools above, you'll be well on your way to the score you want on the verbal or reading sections of those standardized tests.
