Practice Set Worksheet

Getting the Main Idea NOW I KNOW | A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO READING

Name : ________________________ Date & Time : _____________

Program : _______________________ Score : _____________

Activity 4.1
Directions: After reading the paragraph, write a sentence stating the main idea.

Paragraph A

It has been said that to feel well, you must eat well. That is true, but you also need to get
adequate amounts of exercise. The combination of a nutritious diet and an exercise program is the
best thing you can do for yourself and those that love you. With a proper diet, you will more easily
maintain the proper weight and get the nutrients your body needs to function properly. Add exercise
to the mix, and maintaining the proper weight becomes easier. A proper diet consists of fresh foods
that are low in fat and sugar, high in fiber, and includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This
type of diet will help you ward off diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and many forms
of cancer. By adding exercise, you are keeping your heart healthy and your joints functioning
properly, which also helps ward off the same diseases as well as arthritis. Recent studies have also
shown that proper diet and exercise helps keep people mentally fit also by lowering the risk of a
stroke and even lowering your risk for developing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. So as
you can see, proper diet and adequate exercise may just be the key to helping you live longer and
healthier.
The main idea of the paragraph is:
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Paragraph B

The history of surgery is fascinating. When we think of surgeons today, we think of highly
educated doctors who have trained for years in their specialty area. Surgeons of today are very
skilled and have a very high success rate. They operate in sterile conditions and with the aid of
imaging such as x‐ray, CT scans, or MRIs. But this wasn't always the case. In fact, in the Middle
Ages, the barbers in a community were also the surgeons. Can you imagine that? Going to the same
place for surgery that you would to get your hair cut. Seems strange to us today, but it was the
common practice in those days. They also knew nothing about sterile techniques and even operated
without gloves. They also used rudimentary tools such as saws and pliers. The worst part, there was
no anesthesia. Sadly, most surgery patients died from infection. They also didn't understand the
way the body worked at that time. They would drill holes in people's head to let the demons out and
cut off a leg with a rusty saw. It is a wonder that anybody survived a surgery during those times.
Over the years, surgical techniques improved and eventually evolved into the highly trained field it
is today. We are lucky to live in a time in which medical advancements abound. The main idea of
the paragraph is:
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 Practice Set Worksheet
Getting the Main Idea NOW I KNOW | A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO READING

Name : ________________________ Date & Time : _____________

Program : _______________________ Score : _____________

Activity 4.2
Paragraph A

The general public is now getting more involved in environmental crises that pose a threat to
life in our planet. Decades ago, the level of alarm that people showed on environmental issues like
cancer – causing chemicals, radiation, carbon dioxide, and other harmful gases, ozone depletion
the greenhouse effect, oil spills, non-renewable resources, destruction of rainforests, natural
habitats and natural resources and a thousand other environmental issues was very minimal.
These days, not only the government, big companies and environmentalists are concerned with
environmental issues; everyone is. More and more people are vigilant of the devastation caused by
activities that pollute, contaminate, deplete and overwork our environment. Indeed, human
survival depends on our environment.

Directions:

1. Identify the main idea of the paragraph.

2. Get a partner and choose one environmental issue among the many issues cited in the
paragraph. Together write down a short paragraph suggesting simple ways by which you
can show your concern for our environment in our daily lives. This activity will strengthen
your understanding of the main idea of the paragraph. Be reflective as you write your
paragraph.

Paragraph B

The first and most basic criterion for the family of today is that the family must be rooted in the
marriage of one man and one woman. Today, there are many advocates of the idea that the
composition of the family is a matter of choice---any combination of individuals of whatever
gender. According to Prof. May, this is a folly because a child needs a father and mother who are
committed to each other in marriage to provide him/her with the security of a home. Non-married
individuals do not have the right to generate human life because they have not given themselves
unconditionally to one another.

Directions:

1. State the main idea of the paragraph.

2. To test your thorough understanding of the main idea, write a brief reaction to the
statement: “the family is a matter of choice---any combination of individuals of whatever
gender.” Complete your paragraph with an introduction, body and concluding statement.
 Practice Set Worksheet
Getting the Main Idea NOW I KNOW | A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO READING

Name : ________________________ Date & Time : _____________

Program : _______________________ Score : _____________

Performance Task 1

Directions: Develop a short REFLECTIVE ESSAY of not more than 15 sentences. You may
choose from any of the following topics:

When Did You Know You Were In Love?

When is success counted the sweetest?
Did Your Parents Ever Punish You Unfairly?
Water is life.
Have You Ever Helped Someone In Need?

Please be guided by the rubric below.

Write your composition here.

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 Practice Set Worksheet
Getting the Main Idea NOW I KNOW | A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO READING

Name : ________________________ Date & Time : _____________

Program : _______________________ Score : _____________

Criteria
CONTENT OF WORK Reflection is thorough.
_____/ 20 Makes meaningful connections to important
ideas covered over the course of the school
year.
Is supported with relevant details through
use of concrete, sensory language, narrative
accounts, and personal experiences.

SELF-ASSESSMENT Reflection reveals feelings and thoughts

_____/ 20 through presentation of the experience.
Is thoughtful, convincing, insightful, and
explanatory
Analyzes the experience by looking at more
than one angle.
Looks into the future.

WRITING STRATEGIES Effectively uses a variety of writing

_____/ 15 strategies make the reflection clear to the
reader
using specific, concrete details
comparing, contrasting
naming, describing
reviewing the history
explaining possibilities
creating a scenario

COHERENCE AND STYLE Consistently uses appropriate language.

_____/ 10 Shows deep insight through natural flow of
ideas and effective conclusion.