UNIT 2

GETTING MAIN IDEAS

INTRODUCTION

In understanding a text, you have to find effective ways. Do not translate it into your
language, because it will take time for you have to know all sentence structures and all
vocabuaries inside the text. By one strategy, you can understand a text without too
many efforts. Here, you will learn some skills to develop your ability in comprehending
a text quickly and effectively. You are going to practice how to get main ideas in this
chapter.

STRATEGY

The main idea of a paragraph is the most important statement which the writer has
presented to explain the topic. You can get the main ideas by asking “What does the
text say about that topic?” Therefore, it is better for you to find the topic first, then
think about the most important statement about the topic. When the text consists of
several paragraphs, do these steps:

1 2 3

Identify the Group the Combine the

important important groups to get
information. information. the main idea.

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 EXERCISE

Exercise 1

Read each of the following passages and choose the best topic and main idea from the
choices given.

Text 1

Plants are necessary for life on earth. All living things need plants because they
provide food for animals. During photosynthesis, plants change the sun's energy
into food and energy for animals. They use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
All human beings and animals need oxygen to live.

1. What is the topic of this paragraph?

A. Living things
B. Photosynthesis
C. Green Plants
D. The Sun’s Energy
Your Answ er?

2. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

A. Plants supply food for animals.
B. Plants are necessary for life on earth.
C. All human beings and animals need oxygen to live.
D. During photosynthesis, plants change the sun’s energy into food
and energy for animals.

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Text 2

Alladin had a wonderful magic lamp. By rubbing it, he could go anywhere he

chose or could have anything he desired. A reader of good books has such a
wonderful lamp. When you come home from school and open your book, you
are whisked away in a moment to a world of adventure. Through this Alladin's
lamp of reading, you are master not only of space, but also of time. The joy of
reading, then, is the privilege of sharing the experiences of great men of every
time and from any part of the world.

3. What is the topic of this paragraph?

A. A Magic Lamp
B. Joys of Reading
C. Reading
D. The Advantages of Good Books

1. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

A. Alladin had a wonderful magic lamp.
B. Reading can take you to a world of adventure.
C. The joy of reading is the privilege of sharing the experiences of great men of
every time and from any part of the world.
D. Reading good books is as good as having a wonderful magic lamp.

Your Answ er?

Text 3

Nothing is as useful as a flashlight on a dark night if a tire goes flat. Few inventions
are as helpful to a child who is afraid of the dark. In fact, the modern flashlight
brings light to many dark situations. Finding something in the back of a closet is easy
with a flashlight in hand. A camper also needs one after the light of the campfire has
faded. Nothing is as useful as a flashlight on a dark night if a tire goes flat. Few
inventions are as helpful to a child who is afraid of the dark. In fact, the modern
flashlight brings light to many dark situations. Finding something in the back of a
closet is easy with a flashlight in hand. A camper also needs one after the light of the
campfire has faded. 7
5. What is the topic of this paragraph?

A. Modern Invention

B. How to Use Flashlight

C. Necessary Thing for the Camper

D. Flashlight

6. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

A. The modern flashlight brings light to many dark situations.

B. Nothing is as useful as a flashlight on a dark night if a tire goes flat.

C. Flashlight is helpful to a child who is afraid of the dark.

D. Flashlight is a necessary thing for the camper.

source:

English for Communication and Study Skills, Rajabhat Institut Suan Dusit. Retrieved from
http://dusithost.dusit.ac.th/~wanida_anc/tutorial, 30/07/2015, at 15.56)

http://arb.nzcer.org.nz/comprehension/ideas.php