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The author’s message, idea, point, concept, or meaning he or she wants to portray to the reader is
what is known as the main idea of the passage. It may also be referred to as the controlling
idea, central idea, or gist. You, as the reader, must understand the importance in grasping
the main idea the author portrays.
The Main Idea is essential because:
 It helps you gain an understanding for further subtle clues in the reading.
 It helps you understand the point or object of the passage.
 It helps you answer other questions that test critical skills.
An easier way to understand how to derive the main idea of the passage is to ask the question,
“What is the point?” Your answer should be complete enough to cover the main points, and
give a general summary about what the point is.
Suppose Bill Gates was giving a presentation to a group of computer programmers. The
main idea of his lecture would be computers, specifically Microsoft. To make it more
specific, we can probably narrow his topic to programs for Microsoft Windows.
Here is a technique to help you identify the main idea of an article.
Topic/question/answer Model
1. Identify the Topic.
Determine the topic or subject by glancing quickly through the passage
2. Question.
Ask the key question: “What does the author want me to know about the topic?”
Follow it up with: “What about dogs does the author want me to know?”
3. Answer.
The answer to the previous questions will make specific the message of the passage.
Example:
Identify the Topic: Music
Question - Answer
What does the author want me to know about the topic? – Music is beneficial to one’s
health.
What about music and health does the author want me to know? – Infants, when exposed
to classical music, have increased brain activity.
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Journalistic Model
The journalistic model goes back to the primitive Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How
questions. The basic, most important questions that must be answered are
Who – identifies the subject (people, places or things).
What – represents the verb (what action is being expressed).
The rest of the questions may not be necessary to identify the main idea.
Two types of Main Ideas
Stated Main Idea
A stated main idea is bluntly expressed in a sentence or two. It is either in the passage or
individual paragraphs. They are usually, but not necessarily, located in the first or last
sentence.
Implied Main Idea
Implied main idea cannot be immediately pointed out by skimming the passage.
Summary
The main idea of a passage or paragraph is the basic message, the gist, or the central
or controlling idea the author tries to convey.
The two types of main idea are stated and implied. Stated is expressed very openly;
implied is derived from various places in the text.
Once you know the author’s main point, you will be prepared to understand other
critical skills necessary to pass the CLAST.
Hints
Read all your choices. This will enable you to avoid picking an answer that is not
specific over an answer that properly delivers the author’s main idea.
Watch out for too general or too specific answers.
The correct answer can paraphrase the stated main idea of the phrase.
Read actively! The main idea may seem prominent within the paragraph or phrase,
but specific details can give way to a better answer.
The following will help you prepare for the CLAST test before taking it.
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The Instructions will be: Read the following passage. Then choose the best answer for each
item.
Format to the questions:
 Which statement best expresses the central idea of this passage?
 The main idea expressed in this passage is…
 The most accurate expression of the central or controlling idea of this passage is…
Answer format:
 Correct option
 Incorrect options
o a misinterpretation of the main idea
o a misinterpretation of supporting details
o a misinterpretation of an idea other than the main idea
o a statement directing the reader to a supporting idea instead of main idea
o a statement that directs the reader to an idea with external non-relevant details
o an incomplete statement
Example:
Animals benefit human beings in many reasons. Direction, companionship, and security are a
few reasons people have pets. A study at one prison showed that owning a pet can change a
hardened prison inmate into a more caring person. Lonely individuals have purpose in their lives
after developing a relationship with a cat, dog, or fish. Children interact with their pets on a
basis that very few understand. Animals, then, can be viewed as beneficial to human beings.
Analysis:
WHO:
WHAT:
WHERE:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Animals
are beneficial
Direction, companionship, and security
OR
TOPIC:
Animals and humans
QUESTIONS: What about animals and humans?
ANSWER: Animals are beneficial to human survival.
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Now it is time to test your skills:
Directions: Read the following passage, and then choose the best answer for each item.
Coffee is a universal beverage that is served in different ways around the world. In London, for
example, some Englishmen dip mustard into their coffee, while in Denver, a person might add a
dash of ketchup. Strips of orange and lemon peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks are not unusual
additions to the brew in Europe. An Asian delight consists of coffee brewed in boiling sugar.
Perhaps the richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland where whiskey and whipped cream
are important ingredients. In Australia, a waitress will ask, “Do you want black or white?”
Black is plain black coffee, but white is half coffee and half warm milk. If an Australian orders
iced coffee, he will be served a cup of steaming coffee with a scoop of ice cream. It sounds like
the Australian version of a “snowball in hell.”
1.
Which statement best expresses the main idea?
a.
The richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland.
b.
Asians enjoy a sweet cup of coffee.
c.
Coffee is enjoyed in a variety of ways.
d.
Australians have an unusual sense of humor.
2.
The paragraph suggest that coffee can be
a.
Expensive
b.
Rare
c.
Common
d.
Exciting
3.
The paragraph could be entitled
a.
Some like it hot.
b.
Coffee around the World.
c.
Oriental Delights.
d.
A Snowball in Hell.
The Thames River stank. The air was filled with a “disease odor,” as Londoners called it, and
soot clung to ladies’ dresses. London grew so polluted that, by royal decree, the use of sea-coal
was forbidden. The government went so far as to empower a council to prosecute those who did
not obey the ban. The council handed out fines for the first offense, and destroyed furnaces after
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the second. It is believed that at least one lawbreaker was put to death for “fouling His Majesty’s
air.” Clearly, London law officials in the 1300’s were concerned about pollution.
4.
Based on the information supplied in the paragraph, which sentence expresses the main
idea?
a.
Disease was common in London during the 1300’s.
b.
English courts were harsh and unjust.
c.
Fourteenth century Londoners were poor and abused.
d.
Pollution was a serious problem in fourteenth century London.
5.
The government banned the burning of sea-coal because it
a.
spread disease among the people.
b.
was scarce and of poor quality.
c.
caused pollution and bothered people.
d.
was expensive and unsafe for use in homes.
6.
A major point of the paragraph is that
a.
concern about pollution is not new.
b.
pollution can cause serious problems.
c.
some people always disobey the law.
d.
governments should control fuel consumption.
7.
What is the sentence or sentence’s which expresses the main idea.
________________________________________________________________________
In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, “It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you lay
burdens upon it.” If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the names of those you have
just met, try this: the next time you are introduced, plan to remember the names. Say to yourself,
“I’ll listen carefully; I’ll repeat each person’s name to be sure I’ve got it; and I will remember.”
You’ll discover how effective this technique is and probably recall those names for the rest of
your life.
8.
The main idea of the paragraph maintains that the memory
a.
always operates at peak efficiency.
b.
breaks down under great strain.
c.
improves if it is used often.
d.
becomes unreliable if it tires.
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9.
Thomas DeQuincey believed that the memory can be improved. He most probably
would have agreed with which of these statements?
a.
Most people fail to make full use of their memory.
b.
Memory training is difficult.
c.
Remembering names is taxing.
d.
A few people have good memories, but most people do not.
10.
The author develops his main idea by
a.
comparing memory training to other forms of training.
b.
arguing with noted authorities.
c.
challenging Thomas DeQuincey.
d.
explaining a technique useful in memory training.
11.
What is the topic sentence(s) of the paragraph?
________________________________________________________________________
Check your answers at the back of the packet. If you need more help, feel free to consult a
Communications Lab employee.
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Answers
1.
C
2.
D
3.
B
4.
D
5.
C
6.
A
7.
Clearly, London law officials in the 1300’s were concerned about pollution.
8.
C
9.
A
10.
D
11.
In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, “It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you
lay burdens upon it.”
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