Chapter IV

Topic, Main Idea and Subject

Comprehension is a progressive skill in attaching meaning beginning at the

word level and proceeding to attaching meaning to an entire reading selection.
All comprehension revolves around the reader’s ability to answer two important
questions; 1) Who or what was the topic of this reading? and 2) What is the main point
or points the author is expressing about the topic? Thus, to find out topic, main idea
and subject is the most important comprehension skill in a reading.

Topic of a Paragraph
A paragraph's topic is the subject of the paragraph -- who or what the paragraph
is about. Finding the topic of a paragraph is the first step in finding out what the
paragraph is trying to say to us. This simple question will help us find the topic of a
paragraph:

In general, who or what is this paragraph about?

The answer to this question will be the paragraph's topic. The answer must not
be too broad nor too narrow. Read the paragraph below. As we do so, ask ourselves "In
general, who or what is this paragraph about?" After we have chosen what we think is
the topic, read the explanation that follows:
 100

Each year, thousands of people are bitten by snakes. Several steps should be
taken if you are a victim of a snakebite. First, keep still and warm. Next, remove rings
and tight clothing. Wrap a bandage above the bite, but do not apply a tourniquet, as
this may cut off blood circulation. Also, do not try to remove snake venom. Finally,
seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The topic of this paragraph is:

(a) snakebites
(b) things to do after a snakebite
(c) keeping still after a snakebite
Explanation:
The first choice, "snakebites" is too general. It is true that the paragraph is
about snakebites, but it is only talking about one aspect of snakebites.
The second choice, "things to do after a snakebite" is the right answer -- this is
what the paragraph is about.
The third choice, "keeping still after a snakebite," is too specific -- it is only
one of the things you should do after being bit.

Now, read the next paragraph and look at the choices for the topic. One is too
general, one is just right, and one is too specific. Think about which is which, then read
the explanation that follows.
The cost of printing new money and then destroying old money has become too
expensive for the government. As a result, serious efforts are being taken to replace
the dollar bill with a dollar coin. The dollar coin will last far longer than a dollar bill.
The coin would also be easier than the dollar bit to use in vending machines. Finally,
it would help cities. Cities spend a lot of time counting bills placed in collection
boxes. A dollar coin would change that.
 101

The topic of this paragraph is:

(a) Using a dollar coin in a vending machine
(b) Reasons for a dollar coin
(c) A dollar coin
Explanation:
The first choice, "using a dollar coin in a vending machine," is too specific. It
does not tell what the paragraph is about.
The second choice, "reasons for a dollar coin," is the right answer -- this is
what the paragraph is about. Most of the sentences present reasons that a dollar coin is
better than a dollar bill.
The third choice, "A dollar coin," is too general. The right topic will tell you
what the paragraph is likely to say about a dollar coin.

Read more to help you master the concept of "Topics." The texts increase in
difficulty.

1. A national contest to find the worst boss in the nation had some remarkable
candidates. One person nominated a boss who had a sign on his desk saying "people
are animals." Another named a boss who liked to choke and bite his employees. And
the winner was a boss who would not let his employees go to a funeral unless they
produced a death notice that was printed in the local paper.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "A national contest" is…….

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "A national worst boss contest" is……..
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
 102

The answers are; 1. a, 2. b. The explanations are that the paragraph gives
examples of bad bosses who have been nominated in a contest to find the worst boss in
the nation. "A national contest" is too general, since the paragraph is talking about one
particular contest.

2. Hot tubs have become popular places to relax and relieve muscle tension.
However, if you use a hot tub, you should be careful. Dipping your body in hot water
makes your heart beat faster. This can be a problem for people with high blood
pressure. The hot water also raises your body temperature. This can cause a loss of
important body fluids. And five to ten minutes in a hot tub burns off blood sugar. This
can be harmful for people with diabetes.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Cautions for using a hot tub" is…..

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "What five to ten minutes in a hot tub can do"
is…
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. b, 2. c because the paragraph lists cautions for people who
use a hot tub. "What five to ten minutes in a hot tub can do" is too specific because it is
one of the cautions.

3. The highest military honor in the land is to be named as Chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff. Only a few military men have held this post. The first Chairman
was General Omar Bradley, who was nominated by President Harry Truman. Other
Chairs have included General Maxwell Taylor, Admiral William Crowe, and General
Colin Powell, who became famous for his handling of the Gulf War.
 103

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "General Colin Powell" is…….

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff" is…..
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. c, 2. b. It is because this paragraph identifies people who
have been Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "General Colin Powell" is too specific
because he is only one of the people who were Chairmen.

4. There are currently 5.5 billion people living in the world today. Population
is expected to grow rapidly in coming years. By the year 2000, this figure is expected
to grow to 6.3 billion. It is estimated that twenty-five years later, over 8 billion people
will inhabit the planet. And in sixty years, population will be over 10 billion.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Population growth" is………….

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "The number of people in the world today" is…..
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. b, 2. c. The explanations are that if we ask ourselves the
question "Who or what is this paragraph about?", the answer should be "Population
growth in years to come." Thus, "Population growth" is just right; "The number of
people in the world today" is too specific, since it says nothing about the future.

5. People who don't brush their teeth regularly usually have bad breath.
However, there are other causes of bad breath. A throat infection is one source of bad
breath. A sinus problem can also cause bad breath. Even too much coffee or alcohol
can cause bad breath. And a stomach problem resulting in acid buildup can be a
contributor, as well.
 104

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Bad breath" is……….

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Causes of bad breath" is………
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. a, and 10. b. because this paragraph gives the causes of bad
breath. "Bad breath" is too general because it does not focus on the actual subject that
is discussed.

6. Thanks to technology, a new kind of toll road is likely to become more

popular in the future. The new toll roads will not have toll booths. As the driver
approaches the toll road, an overhead sign will indicate the fare. A second sign at
the entry to the toll road will contain a tiny electronic device that will record the
driver's identification number that is attached to the car's rear-view mirror. The
driver's account will then be billed automatically. If a car does not have an
identification card, a camera will photograph the car's license number, and a fine
will be sent to the violator by mail.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Toll roads" is……….

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "A new kind of toll road" is………
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The correct answers are; 1. a, 2. b because the paragraph discusses a certain
aspect of toll roads. This makes "Toll roads" too general to be the topic. The aspect
that is discussed is "A new kind of toll road." This is the topic of the paragraph.
 105

7. For the past fifty years, the most powerful telescope in the world was the
Hale telescope atop Mt. Palomar in rural Southern California. Recently, it was replaced
as the most powerful telescope by one installed in Hawaii. Plans are underway for even
more powerful telescopes to be built around the globe. By the end of the decade, it is
estimated that the Hale telescope will be only the seventh most powerful telescope in
the world.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Telescopes" is……..

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "The world's most powerful telescopes" is……
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The correct answers are; 1. a, 2. b. It is because the paragraph discusses a
certain aspect of telescopes. This makes "Telescopes" too general to be the topic. The
aspect that is discussed is "The world's most powerful telescopes." This is the topic of
the paragraph.

8. Making a home safe for toddlers requires careful planning. Here are ideas
that experts have suggested. Appliances should have child locks so that children can't
turn them on. Drawers in the bathroom and kitchen should have special latches that
make them impossible for children to open. All medicine and kitchen cleaning products
should be stored in locked boxes, such as fishing tackle boxes. Tables or counters with
sharp edges should be rounded or fitted with thick vinyl pads. Electrical outlets should
be covered with a spring-like mechanism that snaps shut when the outlet is not in use.
And gates that are screwed into the wall should be installed at the bottom and top of all
flights of stairs.
 106

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Making a home safe for toddlers" is…..

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Covering electrical outlets" is…..
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. b 2. c. If you ask the question "Who or what is the
paragraph about?", your answer should be "Making a home safe for toddlers." This is
your topic. Covering electrical outlets is just one way to make a home safe -- it is too
specific.

9. A centenarian is a person who is at least 100 years old. Centenarians

are honored by television shows such as NBC's Today show, where, each day, a
person of at least 100 is shown during the weather report. When this practice first
started a number of years ago, there were days when no one was honored.
Recently, however, the number of centenarians has increased so dramatically that
those shown are selected in a random drawing. The last census reported that there
were over 35,000 centenarians living in the United States, more than double the
number ten years ago. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that within a hundred
years, there will be more than one million centenarians in the country.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "The growing number of centenarians" is….

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Honoring centenarians on the Today show" is….
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. b and 2. c because this paragraph starts out by discussing
centenarians on the Today show, but uses this information to then move on to the
actual topic -- the growing number of centenarians in the country.
 107

10. Publicists at the Disney Corporation are always on the lookout for natural
yet unusual places where the image of Mickey Mouse's head and ears appear. So far
there have been some extraordinary sightings of Mickey's silhouette in some remarkable
places. A potato found in Nebraska looked just like Mickey. So does a tomato taken
from New Jersey. A Texas longhorn cow has the familiar head and ears on its side. So
does a pot-bellied pig in Chicago. A Michigan woman recently sent in a photo of her
newborn baby's bottom. Clearly visible on the baby's backside is a birthmark that looks
just like Mickey.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Mickey Mouse" is…..

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Unusual places where Mickey Mouse's
image has been found" is…….
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The correct answers are; 1. a, 2. b. The explanations are that the paragraph is
about Mickey Mouse, but focuses on just one aspect of the rodent -- places where his
image has been found.

11. One of the most famous native Americans was an Apache by the name of
Goyanthlay. If you've never heard of him, you will probably recognize him by the
nickname given to him by Mexicans: Geronimo. During the 1860's and 70's, Geronimo
led members of the Chiricahua Apache tribe against Mexican and American settlers in
Arizona. He was arrested and placed on the San Carlos Indian Reservation. He escaped
and continued his raids until 1886, when he surrendered. Geronimo was the last native
American to surrender to U.S. troops. He spent his last days in Fort Sill, Oklahoma,
where he posed for pictures and sold souvenirs to tourists. He died of pneumonia in
1909, at the age of 80. Five years after his death, the Chiricahua Apaches were set free.
 108

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Native Americans" is……

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "A famous native American" is………
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers;1. a, 2. c. This paragraph is not about "Native Americans," but
about a particular native American -- Geronimo. "How Geronimo spent his last days"
is too specific.

12. The "Star Trek" television series and motion pictures are exciting to
watch, but they violate several key laws of physics. The first is the speed at which the
spaceships travel. The Enterprise and other spaceships travel faster than the speed of
light, which is physically impossible. A second impossibility is the way stars pass.
When the crew looks out the windows of the spaceships, the stars appear much as
they do when we look at them in the sky. In reality, because of the speed at which the
spaceships are traveling, the stars should appear as a blinding light show, with stars
spread out in a rainbow of colors. Finally, the placement of the spaceship Enterprise's
engines would not propel the ship in a straight line. This is because they are not
centered near the ship's center of gravity. With the engines placed where they are, a
"Full speed ahead" command from Captain Kirk or Picard would actually catapult the
ship backwards in a series of somersaults.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Laws of physics" is……

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, " 'Star Trek' and the laws of physics" is………
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers are; 1. a, 2. b. The paragraph is talking about "Laws of physics," but
this is too general because the paragraph links "Star Trek" to the laws of physics, and
specifically tells how the television show and motion pictures violate the laws of physics.
 109

13. A growing number of people are expected to know how to use computers
to satisfy the demands of their job. Without proper training, workers are prone to
injuries of the hand, wrist, and back. Working at the computer demands proper
angles. The top of the monitor should be at eye level, so that the center of the screen
is viewed slightly downward. The keyboard should be on a flat surface, with the
user's arms relaxed, loose, and at a ninety degree angle. Forearms and hands should
be parallel to the floor. The back should be angled slightly to the rear to increase blood
circulation and reduce compression of the spine. The chair should fit the curve of the
lower back, with the seat angling forward slightly to reduce pressure on the spine.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Computers on the job" is……..

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Tips for using a computer on the job" is……
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The correct answers are; 1. a, 2. b. If we ask the question "Who or what is the
paragraph about?", the answer should be "Tips for using a computer on the job."
"Computers on the job" is too general.

14. "Summer Slide-back" is a term that applies to school children who do not
keep their minds active during summer vacation. It is not unusual for children who do
not read during the summer to have a reading level six months lower than what it was
at the beginning of the summer. There are a number of things parents can do to ensure
that "Summer Slide-back" does not occur. First, parents should limit the amount of
television children watch. Second, they need to set up a daily reading time for their
children and try to make reading an activity that is fun and educational. Third, parents
should show an interest in what their children are reading by asking questions about
what they have read or by taking turns reading out loud. Fourth, a parent should be a
 110

role model by reading novels, newspapers, and magazines and leave them around the
house so children can see them. Fifth, parents should remember that writing and
reading go hand in hand and leave notes for the child that require a written response or
buy a notebook for the child to keep a journal to record his/her activities and thoughts.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Summer Slide-back" is………

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "avoiding 'Summer Slide-back' " is……….
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
The answers; 1. a and 2.b because this paragraph starts out by defining "Summer
slide-back," but this is too general because in the third sentence the paragraph tells you
that there are things to do to prevent slide-back.

15. Sports attire is big business. Each year Americans spend over $2 billion
on caps, t-shirts, jacket, banners and the like, showing the team they root for. While
team attire sells best in the city where the franchise resides, some teams sell better
than others. In basketball. Chicago Bulls attire is most popular, even after the retirement
of their most famous player, Michael Jordan. In baseball, the Colorado Rockies sell
more t-shirts than anyone else. Their research showed that people would buy a shirt
that featured purple, silver, and black colors. They may have followed the advice of
marketing experts who advised them to follow football's number one seller, the
Raiders, whose "silver-and-black" venue have attracted fans for decades.

1. As a topic of this paragraph, "Chicago Bulls attire" is……..

a. too general b. just right c. too specific
2. As a topic of this paragraph, "Sports attire as big business" is………
a. too general b. just right c. too specific
 111

The answers; 1. c, 2. b. A good topic for this paragraph is "Sports attire as big
business."

From the preceding practices we can get the ideas how we can determine or
identify the topic of a paragraph and we should note that the topic of a paragraph
should be a word or a phrase, not a complete sentence. In conclusion the topic of a
paragraph tell us what that paragraph is about. A well-written paragraph discusses only
one topic and develops that topic. The topic must be precise, not too general nor too
specific.

Topic Sentence and Main Ideas

We may say that a topic sentence is a main idea because a topic sentence is a
sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph. It is a general statement that
covers all or most of the material in the paragraph. Generally, a paragraph is the
enlargement of the central idea of that paragraph. If the main idea is contained in one
sentence, that sentence is called the “topic sentence”, a complete sentence that states
the main point of the paragraph. It expresses a view about the topic and prepares the
reader for what to expect in the paragraph. Locating the topic sentence in a paragraph
is one of the most important reading skills. To find a paragraph's topic sentence, we
should do the following:
1. Identify the topic of the paragraph by asking ourselves, "Who or what is
this paragraph about?"
2. Find the sentence that is a general statement telling us what we need to
know about the topic.

Main ideas can be classified into two types; 1) stated main ideas and 2) unstated
main ideas and theirs sentences can usually be found in one of four locations:
 112

1. At the beginning of the paragraph (be the first sentence in the paragraph)
2. In the middle of the paragraph.
3. At the end of the paragraph (be the last sentence in the paragraph)
4. The combination of two sentences in the paragraph (split main ideas)

Now read the following paragraph together.

Pets are often an important part of people’s lives. Different types of animals
can be pets, ranging from reptiles to horses. One of the most common pets is a dog.
In fact, dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind. One way dogs serve
humans is they are great just for companionship. Many an only child has bonded
with his/her “Fido,” thus having a willing and loyal friend to play with on a daily
basis. Additionally, dogs have served humans as work animals, corralling sheep,
conquering rats, and guarding the homestead. Finally, dogs are also used to serve
the disabled, for example, by leading the blind, alerting the hearing impaired, and
alerting epileptics of impending seizures.

Now that we’ve read the preceding paragraph, ask ourselves the following
question. See if we can answer it in one word.
Who or what is this paragraph about?
The answer should have been “dogs“.
If we were correct, be good for us.
The next question is "What is the paragraph telling us about dogs?"
 113

Let’s look at the paragraph again:

Pets are often an important part of people’s lives. Different types of animals
can be pets, ranging from reptiles to horses. One of the most common pets is a dog.
In fact, dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind. One way dogs serve
humans is they are great just for companionship. Many an only child has bonded
with his/her “Fido,” thus having a willing and loyal friend to play with on a daily
basis. Additionally, dogs have served humans as work animals, corralling sheep,
conquering rats, and guarding the homestead. Finally, dogs are also used to serve
the disabled, for example, by leading the blind, alerting the hearing impaired, and
alerting epileptics of impending seizures.

Let’s examine each sentence to see what’s going on:

“Pets are often an important part of people’s lives.”
Now ask ourselves “Is this what that whole paragraph is about?
Is the whole paragraph telling me that pets are important?”
The answer is “NO.” So this cannot be the main idea. Let’s look at the next
sentence.
“Different types of animals can be pets, ranging from reptiles to horses.”
Is the whole paragraph trying to tell us about pets ranging from reptiles to
horses?
The answer is still “NO”. Look at the next sentence.
“One of the most common pets is a dog.”
Is the whole paragraph about how common dogs are?
The answer is still “NO”. Look at the next sentence.
“Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind.”
Does the paragraph tell us about the different purposes dogs serve for humankind?
Now the answer comes to “YES”.
 114

The whole paragraph is devoted to telling us about the variety of purposes dogs
serve for humankind; therefore, "Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind" is
the main idea!
Now examine the rest of the paragraph. Let’s look at the paragraph again.

One way dogs serve humans is they are great just for companionship. Many
an only child has bonded with his/her “Fido,” thus having a willing and loyal friend
to play with on a daily basis. Additionally, dogs have served humans as work animals,
corralling sheep, conquering rats, and guarding the homestead. Finally, dogs are
also used to serve the disabled, for example, by leading the blind, alerting the hearing
impaired, and alerting epileptics of impending seizures.

We have probably noticed that the rest of the paragraph gives us specific
information about the variety of purposes dogs serve for humankind. Those sentences
are called supporting details because they support (or prove) the main idea.
Now let’s analyze this paragraph—in other words, let’s look at how this
paragraph is organized (or put together).

Main Idea: Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind.

1. One way dogs serve humans is they are great just for companionship.
2. Additionally, dogs have served humans as work animals,
3. Dogs are also used to serve the disabled.

We have probably noticed that this main idea is supported by three points and
those three points are called major supporting details because they are the major details
that support or prove the main idea.
Let’s look at this organization another way.
 115

Main Idea: Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind.

Major Supporting Detail 1 Major Supporting Detail 2 Major Supporting Detail 3

One way dogs serve Additionally, dogs have Dogs are also used to serve
humans is they are great served humans as work the disabled
just for companionship animals

But is that all that’s necessary for a good paragraph?—just a main idea and two
or three major supporting details?

Let’s see how this would look as a paragraph.

Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind. One way dogs serve humans
is they are great just for companionship. Additionally, dogs have served humans as
work animals. Finally, dogs are also used to serve the disabled.

How’s that for a paragraph? It’s rather short. It’s well-organized, but it needs
something more. What this paragraph needs is something called “minor” supporting
details. Remember the “major” supporting details?
1. One way dogs serve humans is they are great just for companionship.
2. Additionally, dogs have served humans as work animals.
3. Dogs are also used to serve the disabled.

See that each of these supporting details needs more explanation and/examples.
Watch how major and minor supporting details make up the parts of a paragraph. If
the writer said to us, “Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind,” and then he
walked away, we’d be left with some questions, like “well, what are these purposes?”
The major supporting details can answer this question.
 116

Writer: Dogs serve a variety of purposes for humankind.

Us: Well, what are these purposes?
Writer: They are great for companionship, they serve as work animals, and
they serve the disabled.

Now we might ask the question, “How? How are they great for companionship,
how do they serve as work animals, and how do they serve the disabled?”
For these the minor supporting details can answer these questions.

Major Supporting Detail Minor Supporting Details

1. One way dogs serve humans is they Many an only child has bonded with
are great just for companionship. his/her “Fido,” thus having a willing and
loyal friend to play with on a daily basis.
2. Additionally, dogs have served corralling sheep, conquering rats, and
humans as work animals, guarding the homestead.
3. Finally, dogs are also used to serve the Finally, dogs are also used to serve the
disabled, for example, by Minor SD disabled, for example, leading the blind,
leading the blind, alerting the hearing impaired, and alerting
epileptics of impending seizures.

Consequently, the main idea is the central point of a paragraph and very often,
the main idea appears in one sentence - a general sentence called the topic sentence.
The rest of the paragraph contains sentences made up of specific ideas and details that
support and explain the main idea.
The main idea in a paragraph is a general idea. In contrast, the supporting
information in a paragraph is made up of specific ideas and details. To improve our
skill at finding main ideas, we need to practice distinguishing between general and
 117

specific ideas. First, try it on the three groups of words below. Each group of words
has one general idea and three specific ideas. The general idea includes all the specific
ideas. See if you can identify the general word in each group.
a) jealousy hatred emotion worry
b) bees cockroaches mosquitoes insects
c) chemistry science physics biology
The answers and explanations are;
a) The general idea is "emotions" because it includes all of the others as
examples.
b) The general idea is "insects" because it includes all of the others as
examples.
c) The general idea is "science" because it includes all of the others as
xamples.

Thus, a main idea may be recognized by:

1) The significance of its content or the force with which it is expressed.
2) The summation of the passage’s content.
3) An idea expressed as a well-written, formal-sounding statement and
a complete thought.
4) If the passage seems to have only one general point, it includes the
main idea. If it has two or more seemingly equal general points, the
relationship between the points includes the main idea.

1. Stated Main Ideas

A stated (explicit) main idea sentence is a SENTENCE FOUND IN THE
PARAGRAPH which states two pieces of information: 1) The topic of the paragraph
and 2) The main point or points being made about the topic.
 118

Stated main idea sentences may be anywhere in the paragraph, but are
typically found in the following locations: 1) First sentence 2) Middle of paragraph 3)
Last sentence and 4) Combination of two sentences or split main ideas and usually the
topic sentence or main idea appears as the first sentence in the paragraph. Now read
this passage.

A baby elephant is the biggest of all land babies. A newborn baby weighs
more than two hundred pounds. It is about three feet high. The new body is strong
too. Almost as soon as it is born, it can walk about.

After reading this passage, ask ourselves the question “what is the point of
this article? What is the author trying to tell us?”
We know that this passage talks about A BABY ELEPHANT. Thus, ABABY
ELEPHANT is the topic. But what the writer said about the baby elephant is that
“A baby elephant is the biggest of all land babies”. This is the main idea of the paragraph.
In conclusion, the main idea of the paragraph is “what the writer say about
the topic of the paragraph.” The next problem occurs. Where can we find the main idea
of a paragraph? As aforementioned we can find a main idea in one of four positions;

1. At the beginning of the paragraph

In most paragraph the main idea exists at the beginning - - the first
sentence. When this occurs, the first sentence will be a general statement that will
introduce a subject and will then be followed by sentences that will support that
statement in some important way, as in the following example:
 119

Example 1:

Example 2:
Main idea
Even in today’s scientific age superstition is still wide spread. Many tall buildings,
for example, do not have a floor numbered thirteen, because tenants consider this number
unlucky and will not rent apartment or offices on this floor. Like ancient man, some people
still carry good luck charms such as rabbit’s feet to protect them from misfortune. Many
people still shudder when a black cat crosses their path or are absolutely terrified about
opening an umbrella inside the house.

Supporting details

Example 3:
Main idea
Sleep problems can be avoided if you follow a few simple guidelines. First, don’t
drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not exercise
within three hours of bedtime. Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the
same time and get up at the same time.

Supporting details
 120

2. In the middle of the paragraph

In some paragraphs the main idea comes in the middle of the paragraph.
This will occur in two circumstances:
1. Sometimes, a paragraph begins with an introductory sentence that is
meant to grab your attention. It may be a very general statement that looks like a topic
sentence, but then is followed by a sentence than changes direction.
This sentence is the one that is explained in the rest of the paragraph, and it
becomes the topic sentence. See example:

Example 1:
Introductory sentences Main idea

Some people fall asleep easily. They drop off as soon as their heads hit the
pillows. Others aren't so lucky. They toss and turn well into the night. Fortunately,
there are solutions to sleeplessness. In many cases, one can avoid sleep problems by
following a few simple guidelines. First sleepless people should refrain from drinking
alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, they should not
exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, they need plan a sleep routine.
Every day, they should go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

The italic sentences are introductory sentences, not a main idea or topic
sentence of this paragraph. The main idea of this paragraph appears in the middle of
the paragraph with an underlined sentence.
 121

Example 2:
Supporting details

Supporting details
The topic of this passage is avoiding Christmas tree fire. The main idea is
“There are some suggestions for avoiding a Christmas tree fire. This appears in the
middle of the paragraph.

Example 3:
Supporting details Main idea

Wild animals and dangerous snakes lived in these forest, and other
dangerous animals lived in the river. The river was (and still is) very hot and unhealthy in
all seasons. Oko Valley was a dangerous place to live in, not many people lived there, and
they were backward and isolated from civilization. About fifty thousand people live
there. They were happy but their lives were hard. They built their houses out of mud and
the branches of trees. They wore very few clothes. They didn’t even keep cows for milk
or chickens for eggs. They had no education and therefore could neither read nor write.
They had no general knowledge about events in other parts of the world. They didn’t even
know what was happening in their own country. No one from outside ever went there.

Supporting details
 122

The topic of this passage is Oko Valley. The main idea is Oko Valley was a
dangerous place to live in, not many people lived there, and they were backward and
isolated from civilization. This also appears in the middle of the paragraph.

2. We will also find a topic sentence in the middle of a paragraph when the
paragraph starts with a question. A question will never be a topic sentence. Look for
the answer to the question -this will be the topic sentence or main idea of the paragraph.
Of course, if the answer to a question is "Yes," or "No," this will not be our topic
sentence. See the following example:

Example 4:

Do you know what to do if you have trouble sleeping? In many cases, one
can avoid sleep problems by following a few simple guidelines. First, don’t drink
alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not exercise
within three hours of bedtime. Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at
the same time and get up at the same time.

See that saying “yes” or “no” to the question cannot be the main idea of this
paragraph but we can find the answer in the next sentence which will be the topic
sentence or main idea of this paragraph.

3. At the end of the paragraph

A topic sentence can appear at the end- the last sentence. In this case, the
supports will be given first, and the topic sentence will end the paragraph either as
a summary or a conclusion. See the following example:
 123

Example 1:

The topic of the paragraph is “a person’s free time” and the main idea of the
paragraph is “These are various ways to spend one’s free time”, this is expressed in the
last sentence.

Example 2:

To avoid sleep problems, you should not drink alcoholic beverages or drinks
with caffeine before bedtime. Another way to avoid sleep problems is to not exercise
within three hours of bedtime. A final way to prevent sleep problems is to plan a
sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.
As can be seen, sleep problems can be avoided by following the above simple
guidelines.

A summary will bring together all of the points made in the paragraph.
A conclusion is where all of the points lead up to a final, important point.
Finally, a topic sentence or main idea can sometimes be found as the first and
the last sentences in a paragraph, as in the following example:
 124

Example 3:
One can avoid sleep problems by following a few simple guidelines. First,
don’t drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before bedtime. Next, do
not exercise within three hours of bedtime. Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every
day, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. If you follow these
guidelines, you will be able to avoid problems with sleeping.

4. Combination of two sentence or split main idea

In some paragraphs the main idea appears in some parts of a sentence
and continues in another sentence. It is combination of two sentences. See example;

Example:

Supporting details Split Main idea

You’ve probably had your doubts about the old adage “sugar and spice and
everything nice, that is what little girls are made of.” Finally, the evidence is in: girls
are no more moral, honest or righteous than boys. In fact, they are less so. When
teachers favor girls and parents consider them more trustworthy, both are setting for
the cultural stereotype that girls are good and boys are bad. One hundred twenty
seven children at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital were given a test of moral judgment and
three tests on which cheating could be measured. On the moral judgment test girls
ranked lower than boys indicating that boys have higher ideals than girls. What was
even more surprising was that girls did considerably more cheating as measured on the
cheating survey. Maybe the old adage should be changed.

Supporting details
 125

From the paragraph we can see that the main idea in the first part is girls are no
more moral, honest or righteous than boys and continues to the second sentence; In fact,
they are less so. It is combination of two sentences. This is considered as split main ideas.
The following practices will help us master the concept of "Locations of Main
Ideas." There are three practices, increasing in difficulty. In the following five
paragraphs, the topic sentence is in different places. Read each paragraph and decide
which sentence is the topic sentence. Write the number or numbers of the topic
sentence in the space provided. Let’s do together.

Self Practice 4.1

A. (1) Do you know what to do if you are stung by a bee or a hornet? (2)There
are a number of steps to take if this happens to you. (3)The first thing to do is remove
the stinger. (4) A stinger contains venom. (5) It will continue to release venom as long
as it is contact with skin. (6) When the stinger is removed, put ice on the wound.
(7)This will reduce the swelling. (8) Then, apply a small amount of baking soda. (9) It
contains enzymes that will weaken the venom. (10) Finally, look for signs of an
allergic reaction such as difficulty in breathing. (11) People have died from strong
allergic reactions to stings. (12) When such a reaction occurs, the victim should be
taken to the hospital for treatment.

The topic sentence is # ____.

B. (1)The world's oldest known bound book is a prayer book. (2) The book is
over 1,600 years old. (3) It was discovered in a child's grave in 1984. (4)The book's
nearly 500 hand-written pages were stuck together. (5) Experts had to separate each
page. (6)The book is now on display in the Coptic Museum in Cairo, Egypt.

The topic sentence is # _____.

 126

C. (1) Black ice is an invisible coating of ice that forms on an asphalt road
surface. (2) Black ice is very dangerous. (3) It is caused by drizzle falling on the frozen
pavement. (4) Drivers don't know the roadway is icy. (5) When their cars hit the ice,
they skid out of control. (6) Sometimes cars bounce off of each other like characters in
an video game. (7) Sometimes they skid off the roadway into ditches. (8) Incidences of
black ice have caused numerous collisions and deaths in the colder regions of the
country.

The topic sentence is # _____.

D. (1) Albert Einstein was one. (2) So was artist Pablo Picasso. (3) American
writer and humorist Mark Twain was one, as well. (4) Others include Babe Ruth,
General Norman Schwartzkopf, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Joan of Arc. (5) What do
all of these famous people have in common? (6) All of these people are left-handed.

The topic sentence is # _____.

E. (1) A low fat diet may prevent major illnesses, including cancer and heart
disease. (2) Because of this, doctors and nutritionists have suggested many ways for
people to lower the fat in their diets. (3) They recommend using non-fat milk instead
of whole milk. (4) Also, they suggest that people eat little or no meat. (5) For people
who eat meat, poultry is recommended. (6) It has less fat than beef or pork. (7) People
should also cut down on the number of eggs they eat. (8) Additionally, eating non-fat
yogurt for dessert instead of ice cream is also recommended.

The topic sentence is # _____.

 127

2. Unstated Main Ideas or Implied Main ideas

In some paragraphs the main idea is not directly stated in the paragraph and
it does not appear in any particular sentence or we may say that some paragraphs have
no topic sentence. This does not mean that there is no main idea in the paragraph.
When a paragraph has no topic sentence, the supporting details suggest the main idea.
The main idea is implied, or unstated, which means that you have to figure it out by
deciding what point the supporting details are making. We must grasp its main idea by
reading the whole paragraph. Look at the example.

Example 1:
(1) Area codes are numerical codes assigned by the telephone company to tell
from which part of the country you are calling. (2) Area codes were first introduced
in 1947. (3) At that time, there were 86 area codes. (4) Today there are over 150.
(5) California, the most populous state in the country, has the most area codes. (6) An
area code can serve almost 800 three-digit prefixes. (7) Each prefix has almost
10,000 possible telephone numbers.

See that every sentence in this paragraph is talking about "area codes," with
each looking at a different aspect of area codes. The sentences are connected only by
the fact that each deals with area codes. Thus, the implied main idea must reflect this
fact. It might read: "There are various interesting facts about area codes."
When we see that no sentence is general enough to include all of the others - that
each sentence is too specific to cover all the others - the paragraph's main idea is implied.
Our task is to figure out the author's main idea. We can do so by asking two
questions: 1) What is the topic, or subject, of the paragraph? In other words, who or
what is the entire paragraph about? and 2) What is the main point being made about
the topic?
 128

To find the answer to the first question, we must see what subject is constantly
being referred to. This is the topic of the paragraph. Once we have found the topic, ask
what the author's main point about the topic is. In other words, "What is the author
saying about the topic?" The answer should not be too general nor too specific. Try to
make it broad enough to include all the supporting details in the paragraph. This is the
implied main idea of the paragraph. Try it on the following paragraph. Read each
sentence, then ask what the topic of the paragraph is. Once we identify the topic, ask
what the individual sentences are saying about the topic.

Example 2:

(1) College and university sports teams have nicknames. (2) Most are common,
such as the Bears, Lions, and Tigers. (3)However, some are unusual. (4) For instance,
the University of California at Irvine is nicknamed "Anteaters." (5) The University of
Washburn's sports teams are called the "Ichabods." (6) Richland College sports teams
are called "Thunderducks." (7) And perhaps the strangest of all belongs to the University
of California at Santa Cruz. (8) Their nickname is the "Banana Slugs."

From the above paragraph “What is the main idea of the paragraph?” No one
sentence expresses it. When this happens, we must consider the topic of the paragraph
and then look at the details to try to piece together the "missing topic sentence." This
paragraph starts talking about college nicknames. But it does not focus on common
nicknames. The signal word "however" at the beginning of Sentence 3 tells us that the
paragraph is changing directions, and will focus on "Unusual college nicknames." This
is the topic of the paragraph and then we can use more details to support and create
topic sentence. This is implied main idea.
 129

Example 3:

1. The University of California at Irvine is nicknamed "Anteaters."

2. The University of Washburn's sports teams are called the "Ichabods."
3. Richland College sports teams are called "Thunderducks."
4. The University of California at Santa Cruz team nickname is the "Banana Slugs."

Once we have identified the important details, ask this question: "What point
do all the details add up to?" In the above paragraph, the details all add up to the main
idea that "Some college sports teams have unusual nicknames." This is the implied
main idea of the paragraph.

Example 4:
(1) What happens to thoroughbred race horses when they are too old to race?
(2) Essentially, there are two groups of "over-the-hill racer horses. (3) The first group
are the unlucky ones. (4) They are sold to slaughter houses, where they become pet
food or are killed and their meat becomes delicacies in Europe or Japan. (5) The second
group are the lucky ones who find their way to an Equine Retirement Foundation ranch.
(6) These ranches are run by people who love horses and who want to provide a final
resting place for horses that gave their all as they raced. (7) The people running the
ranches understand the stress and effort that each horse went through in training and in
running races. (8) They reward the horses by letting them roam pastures, feeding them
well, and letting them enjoy the companionship of other horses. (9) And the horses are
cared for by people who love and understand these gentle yet competitive animals
 130

This paragraph starts with a question. When looking for a paragraph's topic
sentence, we should always look for the answer to the question. In this paragraph, no
one sentence answers the question. When this happens, we have to piece together the
details to come up with the "missing topic sentence." First, look for the paragraph's
topic. The topic of this paragraph is "What happens to thoroughbred race horses when
they are too old to race." The details of the paragraph should provide us with the
answer -- they tell us that there are two categories of such horses. Identify them and we
have come up with the answer to the question. A good implied main idea might be:
"Thoroughbred race horses that are too old to race are either sold for slaughter or enjoy
life at an Equine Retirement Foundation ranch."
A note about paragraphs that begin with a Question sometimes, a paragraph
will begin with a question. The answer to that question is the main idea of the
paragraph. Often, that idea is expressed as a sentence. Sometimes, however, it is not.
When this happens, we must formulate the answer to the question in our mind. The
answer will be the "missing topic sentence," or the implied main idea of the paragraph.

Example 5:

On weekend as soon as Tom gets out of his bed, he seats himself right in front
of the television and start searching for his favorite program. “Have your breakfast,
please Tom”. His mother tells him, but he won’t make his move at all. At her second
call he will slowly get up and turn the television set to face the dining table. He doesn’t
miss any part of the program while having breakfast. After he has finished, he moves
the television set to its normal direction and watches on and on until the end of the last
afternoon program at 6.30 p.m.
 131

In this passage the main idea is not expressed in any particular sentence. To tell
what the main idea of the paragraph is the reader must read the whole paragraph.
We can see that every sentence in this paragraph expresses the main idea. The topic of
this paragraph is Tom’s weekends. The main idea or topic sentence can be something
like Tom watches television all day on weekends.

Example 6:

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It weighs a little more than three
pounds in an adult. It is wedge-shaped and is situated under the diaphragm, mostly on
the left side of the body, where it is protected by the lower ribs. Somewhat like an
intricate chemical factory, the liver takes the particles of glucose (which come from
digested starches and sugars) and change them into another kind of carbohydrate called
glycogen, which it then stores. When the body needs sugar, the liver turns the glycogen
into glucose again and sends it to the body tissues through the bloodstream.

In the paragraph no main idea is stated in one sentence. All the sentences work
together to describe the liver. The topic may “The Liver” and the main idea sentence
may be The liver is a very important organ in human body.

The following practices should help you to master the concept of "Implied
Main Ideas." The practices increase in difficulty. Read each paragraph and then choose
what you think is the implied main idea. Let’s practice together.
 132

Paragraph 1

The biggest living thing in America is a tree. So is the oldest living thing.
Both are found in California. The oldest living tree is a bristlecone pine tree.
Nicknamed "Methuselah," it is 4,700 years old. "General Sherman" is the largest tree.
It is a giant sequoia, standing 385 feet in height. It weighs over 1,400 tons, more than
the combined weight of 360 elephants.

The implied main idea of this paragraph is:

a. In America, things that are old and large have nicknames.
b. The biggest and oldest living things in the world are in America.
c. Trees are both the biggest and oldest living things in America.
d. General Sherman probably named the largest tree in America.
The answer is c. The explanation is there are three major details that have to be
pieced together to come up with the implied main idea. First, the paragraph is centered
in America. Second, it is talking about the oldest living thing. Third, it is talking about
the largest thing. The only choice that brings these elements together is "c: Trees are
both the biggest and oldest living things in America."

Paragraph 2

Each year, Fortune magazine lists the world's largest corporations. Of the top
500 companies, 157 call the United States home. Five of the ten largest companies
are from the United States. General Electric is ranked eighth. IBM is sixth. Ford is
ranked fourth. Exxon is third. At the top of the list is General Motors.
 133

The implied main idea of this paragraph is:

a. The United States has a significant number of the world's largest corporations.
b. More large corporations call the United States home than any other country.
c. The number of corporations calling the United States home is on the decline.
d. General Motors is always at the top of Fortune magazine's list of the largest
corporations in the world.
The correct answer is a. because the topic of the paragraph is "The world's
largest corporations." The point being made about the topic is that a lot of them are
located in the U.S. Thus, the implied main idea is "a. The United States has a
significant number of the world's largest corporations."

Paragraph 3

Is there any one day of you year you dread? For some people, it is their
birthday. After all, a birthday is a reminder that we are getting older. Others are
anxious as April 15 approaches. This is the day that federal taxes are due. For others,
the most feared day is Friday the 13th. On this day, wedding chapels are usually shut
down. Toy stores sell out ouija boards. Travel is down, especially on airplanes. And
people have been known to stay in their house the entire day rather than risk anything
happening to them.

The implied main idea of this paragraph is:

a. The most feared day of the year is Friday the 13th.
b. Different people fear different days of the year.
c. Everyone dreads the date their birthday falls on.
d. Someone whose birthday falls on Friday the 13th is in real trouble.
 134

The answer is b. The paragraph begins with a question. Answer the question
and you have come up with the implied main idea. The answer is "b. Different people
fear different days of the year."

Paragraph 4

Hummingbirds are the world's smallest birds. The Bee hummingbird of Cuba is
only 2 inches long. This is just a little bigger than a penny. Hummingbirds live only in
the western hemisphere. Most migrate north in the early spring and return south in
early fall. Their life span is between nine and twelve years. The colorful birds are very
curious. They are also aggressive toward each other. Perhaps their best known trait is
their ability to fly backwards. They are the only bird in the world that can do this.

The implied main idea of this paragraph is:

a. There are no hummingbirds in the eastern hemisphere.
b. There are a number of interesting facts about the hummingbird.
c. Hummingbirds are migratory birds that are curious, aggressive, and can fly
backwards.
d. Hummingbirds are the most fascinating birds in the world.

Item b. is a correct answer. See that each sentence in the paragraph focuses on
a specific fact about hummingbirds. The implied main idea must reflect this.
The only choice that does this is "b. There are a number of interesting facts
about the hummingbird." If we were tempted to answer "d. Hummingbirds are the
most fascinating birds in the world," remember that the implied main idea cannot be
too general. The statement may be true, but it is not made in the paragraph.
 135

Paragraph 5

Local pizza parlors are found in most neighborhoods throughout the country.
Because costs are low and their products are popular, most are money-making operations.
Estimates are that local pizza parlors and small chains take in well over a billion
dollars each year. Nationwide, three chains take in even more money. Little Caesar's
takes in over 2.2 billion dollars in sales. Domino's takes in $2.4 billion. And the leader
of the pack is Pizza Hut. Yearly, they take in $4.5 billion, accounting for 28% of all
pizza sales in the country.

The implied main idea of this paragraph is:

a. No pizza chain will ever make as much money as Pizza Hut.
b. If you want to get wealthy, you should own a pizza parlor.
c. Everyone in the Unites States loves pizza.
d. Pizza is big business in the United States.
The correct answer is d. The paragraph is talking about local and national pizza
establishments. Its focus is on the money that is generated by pizza establishments. The
only clear choice to connect these ideas is "d. Pizza is big business in the United States."

Paragraph 6

Scientists who work with domestic turkeys are concerned. A new disease
has been identified that is responsible for the deaths of sick and healthy turkeys.
The disease is called "round heart syndrome." It expands the hearts of turkeys to
four times normal size. This causes the turkey to die of cardiac arrest. It is not
unusual for healthy turkeys to die, as well. When they see a turkey that has died,
some turkeys become so panicked that they go into convulsions. This often leads to
their dying of a heart attack, too.
 136

"Scientists are worried

about________________________________________."
Possibilities: "Scientists are worried about the health of domestic turkeys.";
Scientists are worried about a new disease that is responsible for the deaths of sick and
healthy turkeys. Since this sentence is already started for you, you simply have to
figure out what scientists are worried about. Your answer must focus on turkeys, and
on their health.

Paragraph 7

Orthodontists usually straighten the teeth of children. Lately, they have found a
growing clientele with adults. The major reason for this is that different kinds of braces
are now available. Many adults do not like the "tin grin" that goes along with metal
braces. They now have two choices not available before. One is clear braces. Made of
plastic, they are much less obvious than metal braces. The second choice is lingual
braces. These are attached to the back of the teeth, so they are out of sight. Thus,
business people need no longer feel self-conscious about wearing braces.

"Because different kind of braces are available, ________________________."

Possibilities: "Because different kinds of braces are available, orthodontists are
straightening the teeth of more adults."; Because different kinds of braces are available,
more adults are having their teeth straightened. Our implied main idea must include the
fact that adults are getting their teeth straightened more than ever.
 137

Paragraph 8

Spring showers can result in hazardous road conditions. The National Safety
Council has put together a list of suggestions for drivers. First, make sure your windshield
wipers and tires are in good shape. Check the depth of the grooves in your tires by putting a
penny into the grooves. If the top of Abraham Lincoln's head appears, you need new tires.
The oil on the roadway mixes with water, causing slippery roads. Leave more distance
between you and the car in front of you. Cars need as much as ten times more space to stop
on wet roads. Next, don't drive through large puddles. The splashing water could affect your
brakes and your vision. Above all, drive defensively in the rain. Be alert for any hazard,
including other drivers who are not being cautious.

"The National Safety Council has suggestions for ______________________."

Possibilities: "The National Safety Council has suggestions for people who
drive during spring showers."; The National Safety Council has suggestions for driving
when spring showers have caused hazardous road conditions. Our implied main idea
must be broad enough to include the notion of "spring showers;" it should not be so
specific that any of the suggestions is listed.

Paragraph 9

Until recently, scientists thought the first humans to reach North America migrated
from Asia about 11,500 years ago. The first inhabitants were thought to have walked across
a land bridge that is now a body of water called the Bering Strait. New evidence from
archeological digs shows that the scientists may have been wrong. Digs from the past two
decades have turned up artifacts from much earlier. A dig in a cave in New Mexico turned
up steel tools, a human palm print in clay, and a spear imbedded in a bone. A scientific procedure
that dates artifacts shows that these are about 30,000 years old. Other digs have turned up
evidence that man may have been here even longer, perhaps as early as 45,000 years ago.
 138

"Scientists who thought the first humans to reach North America migrated from
Asia about 11,500 years ago now believe that _____________________________."
Possibilities: "Scientists who thought the first humans to reach North America
migrated from Asia about 11,500 years ago now believe that man may have been here
long before that."; Scientists who thought the first humans to reach North America
migrated from Asia about 11,500 years ago now believe that man may have been here
45,000 years ago. Our implied topic sentence must include the notion that scientists
now believe their earlier estimate was wrong. It is not enough to just say this, however.
You should go further by telling why they believe this.

Paragraph 10

Insurance companies are in business to make money. Some companies feel that
it is safe to insure just about anything. For instance, Bruce Springsteen's voice is
insured for $5.5 million. Actor Christopher Reeve was insured for $20 million during
the fliming of "Superman." A radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, offered a prize of
$1 million to anyone who found Elvis Presley alive. An insurance company guaranteed
the prize. And Chicago's Second City compedy troupe took out an insurance policy
should any member of the audience die laughing.

"Insurance companies have written _______________________________."

Possibilities: "Insurance companies have written some unique insurance policies.";

Insurance companies have written some strange policies. The examples in the paragraph
are of policies written by insurance companies that are hard to believe. This must be
reflected in your implied main idea; make sure that none of the examples are included
in your sentence.
 139

Paragraph 11

Kidney stones are calcium deposits that form in the kidney. These stones can
be very painful and may have to be removed surgically. Calcium deposits have been
linked to low fluid intake. For many people, kidney stones can be prevented. Doctors
and nutritionists recommend that people drink at least eight glasses of non-alcoholic
fluid per day. This should include drinking two glasses of fluids before going to bed.

Implied main idea is possibly “Kidney stones may be prevented by drinking

a large amount of non-alcoholic fluids.” The key details that must be included in
our implied main idea are "kidney stones," "prevention," and "a large amount of
non-alcoholic fluids." The above sentence combines all of these details in a complete
sentences.

Paragraph 12

"BMI" is a formula for estimating the amount of body fat people have. BMI
stands for "body mass index." The formula divides a person's weight by the square
of the person's height. This gives a figure that is designed to tell if a person is too
skinny, about right, or too fat. While the formula may seem complicated, it is
actually easy. It is becoming an accepted way to determine the amount of body fat a
person has.

The implied topic sentence is possibly “An easy formula can be used to
determine the amount of body fat people have”. This paragraph is about a formula
known as "BMI." Our implied main idea must acknowledge this, and tell what the
formula is designed to do. Naming the formula is not necessary, as this is done in the
paragraph.
 140

Paragraph 13

Have you ever wonderer how automobile models get their names? Some, such
as "Edsel," are named after a person. Edsel Ford a son of the founder of Ford Motors.
A second way is to remind people of another car. Ford's "Windstar" replaced its popular
"Aerostar." Ford wanted people to be reminded of the earlier minivan. A third way is to
take a word from a foreign language. "Mondeo" means "world" in Italian. The Mondeo
is a car that was designed in America and is built in the U.S. and Europe. Finally, some
cars are named with words that mean nothing but suggest something. "Acura" sounds
like the word accurate. It is meant to suggest that the car has been precisely engineered.

Possibly implied main idea is “Automobile models get their names in different
ways.” This paragraph begins with a question. The answer to the question's focus will be
our implied main idea. The focus is not whether we have wondered how automobiles
get their name. This is just the author's way of grabbing our attention. The focus is how
automobile models get their names. Several examples of ways that automobiles get their
names are given. We should not give each of these ways; rather, we should lump these
examples together using a general phrase such as "different ways" or "various ways."

Paragraph 14

Large companies can afford to spend millions of dollars to build up a following.

This is not the case for small companies. Most small businesses depend on word of
mouth to improve sales. This makes the company name especially important. It helps
to have a name that people will remember. For instance, a successful California health
spa that provides massages is called "Nice to be Kneaded." "You Gotta Have Art" is
the name of a successful graphics arts firm. And "The Pickup Artist" is a company that
doing a booming business in recycling.
 141

Possibly implied main idea is “A company name that people will remember is
important to the success of a small business”. The focus of this paragraph is on how
small businesses can become successful. While there may be many ways, the paragraph
mentions only one: the importance of a good company name. These are the only two
details that should be incorporated into our implied main idea.

Paragraph 15

The term "killer bees," refers to a group of aggressive bees that escaped from
an experiment in Brazil in 1957. They have migrated at a rate of 100-300 miles per
year, and have arrived in the United States. There have been reports that killer bees are
larger than the European honeybees we have grown accustomed to in the United
States. In truth, they are a little smaller. Some people who have been stung have said
that the killer bees have stung them repeatedly. They are incapable of stinging more
than once, as they lose their stinger with the first sting. Some have claimed that the
venom of the killer bee is stronger than other bees. Actually, it is the same strength as
other honeybees. And some people have claimed that they were "hunted" by killer
bees. They do not hunt. However, they are more easily provoked than other bees, and
when they become agitated they sting in groups, often chasing their victim.

The implied topic sentence can be “There are a lot of myths about "killer bees."
This paragraph is clearly about "killer bees." Your implied main idea must look at
what is being said about killer bees. The ideas that are presented are all incorrect
beliefs about killer bees.
We have done a lot of practices, especially the practices on implied main idea
because we often read the passage if there is a topic sentence. If we cannot figure out
the topic sentence or we cannot make sure if it is, we can answer in implied main idea.
 142

From the preceding information and some practices we may conclude that
features of a good topic sentence should; 1) states clearly the main point, 2) be something
you can show, explain, or prove, 3) prepares the reader for the rest of the paragraph
and 4) be a complete thought. And a valid topic sentence consists of two parts:
1. The Topic. It will always be a noun or an idea that the sentence is about.
2. The Assertion. This is a statement that says something about the topic.
(topic) (assertion)
Ex: Time management is a vital skill for college students.

(topic) (assertion)
Ex: Studying helps students earn good grades.
Topic sentence should be precise. It is not too broad. This results when
more than a single idea is expressed. It is not too vague. This results when the topic has
not been effectively narrowed. Remember that the topic sentence provides a preview of
us upcoming point in paragraph. When we can find the topic sentence at the beginning
of the paragraph, it will let us know where text is headed, and it helps to keep us
focused on main point. The topic sentence is an effective signal that keeps us on track.

Remember that the topic sentence or main central ideas must be backed up,
supported, restated, or reinforced by the rest of the passage. On some tests are
especially cautious of sentences posing as main ideas. These sentences are often:
1) A partial statement of the main idea.
2) A reference to the main idea, but not the main idea.
3) A reference to an idea in the passage that is expanded in the answers
with information not found in the passage.
4) A misinterpretation (often slight) of the main idea information in the
passage that results in choosing an answer that feels correct.
 143

Self Practice 4.2

To review what we've learned answer each of the following questions.
1. TRUE OR FALSE? A paragraph without a topic sentence may have an
implied main idea.
2. TRUE OR FALSE? A paragraph without a topic sentence does not have
supporting details.
3. An implied main idea is also called
a. a general idea
b. an unstated main idea
c. a non-essential idea
4. To find an implied main idea of a paragraph, you should first look for the
a. topic of the paragraph
b. length of the paragraph
c. topic sentence of the paragraph
5. To find the implied main idea of a paragraph requires
a. a dictionary
b. some detective work
c. topic sentences

Self Practice 4.3

To review what we've learned answer each of the following questions.
1. True or False? In a paragraph, supporting details are always more specific
than the main idea.
2. When the main idea is stated in one sentence of a paragraph, that sentence
is called the…….
a. topic
b. topic sentence
c. central point
 144

3. To find the main idea of a paragraph, you should first look for the ____.
a. topic
b. topic sentence
c. supporting details
4. The question to ask when looking for a paragraph's topic is:
a. What details support the main idea?
b. What meaning is the author trying to get across?
c. In general, who or what is the paragraph about?
5. The topic of a paragraph should be
a. neither too general nor too specific.
b. explained at the beginning of the paragraph.
c. explained by all of the sentences in a paragraph:

Self Practice 4.4

Read the following paragraph and then write down its main idea in your own
words in the space provided below.
Paragraph 1
How do adolescents become underachievers? Many underachieving
adolescents have had poor parent-child relationships. For example, their parents may
reject them, fail to encourage them to be independent, treat them inconsistently, and
rarely model achievement orientation. Generally, the parents of underachievers are not
happy with themselves as parents and show high levels of anxiety. The school
environment itself may be the culprit--underachieving adolescents may simply find
school boring. When both home and school situations are modified, a remedial program
is more likely to be effective in changing the adolescent’s achievement behavior.
Topic:__________________________________________
Main Idea:______________________________________
 145

Paragraph 2
Are you one of the many who lie awake at night listening to anything that
makes the slightest noise? Or are you aroused from sleep in the middle of the night
only to spend the rest of it tossing and turning? Insomnia is one of the most common
yet most misunderstood problems for which otherwise healthy and normal people seek
professional help. Conventional medicine, however, is of limited help: the typical
sufferer will be prescribed some form of medication that is effective in the short term,
but invariably wears off, leaving the insomniac back where he or she started--desperate
for a good night’s sleep. In recent years, in an effort to remove the cloud of mystery
surrounding insomnia, researchers have invited insomniacs to volunteer in treatment
programs so that their sleep patterns and behavior can be studied.
Topic :_____________________________________
Main Idea :_____________________________________

Paragraph 3
In our society a person who wishes to marry cannot completely disregard the
customary patterns of courtship. If a man saw a woman on the street and decided he
wanted to marry her, he could conceivably choose a quicker and more direct from of
action than the usual dating procedure. He could get on a horse, ride to a woman’s
home, snatch her up in his arms, and gallop away with her. In Sicily, until recently,
such a couple would have been considered legally “married,” even if the woman had
never met the man before or had no intention of marrying. But in the United States any
man who acted in such a fashion would be arrested and jailed for kidnapping and
would probably have his sanity seriously challenged. Such behavior would not be
acceptable in our society; therefore, it could not be considered cultural.
Topic :____________________________________
Main Idea :____________________________________
 146

Subject
While the topic tells what a paragraph is about, the subject tells what the whole
passage is about. One way to identify the subject of a passage quickly is by surveying,
that is, looking at the title, illustrations, and reading the first sentence of each
paragraph.

Example:
Read the first sentence of each paragraph to find the subject of the following
passage. Then read the passage again to find the topic and the main idea of each paragraph.

Climate, more than any other single factor, determines the distribution of life
on earth. Climatic boundaries establish the limits within which organisms can survive.
Plants even more than animals, must be well adapted to climate in order to survive.
They cannot move about or take shelter but must be equipped to endure whatever
weather conditions are likely to occur. In the harsh conditions of tundra, for example,
low growing mosses, lichens, and a few flowering plants all hug the ground for shelter
from winds.
Animals, despite their ability to move about and find shelter, are just as much
influenced by climate as plants are. Creatures such as the camel and the penguin are so
highly specialized that they have an extremely limited distribution. Others, such as
bears, are flexible enough to adapt to a broad range of climates. Ocean-dwelling
organisms are just as sensitive to climatic change--in this case temperature and salinity-
-as land animals. Reef corals can survive only in clear warm seawater. Certain
foraminifers are so sensitive to changes in their environment that their presence can be
taken as an index of sea temperature. Human being are among the least specialized of
all animals and can live almost anywhere. Their clothes and their homes act as a sort of
“miniature climate” that can be taken with them everywhere.
 147

From the paragraph we can figure out that;

Subject : The influence of climate on life on earth
Topic of P.1 : The influence of climate on plants
Main Idea of P.1 : Stated in the third sentence
Topic of P.2 : The influence of climate on animals including
human being
Main Idea of P.2 : Stated in the first sentence

By reading the first sentence of each paragraph, you can get the general idea
that this passage is about the influence of climate on life on earth and the life on earth
mentioned in this passage is animals and plants.
After reading through the passage, we can find that Paragraph 1 is about the
influence of climate on plants and Paragraph 2 --the influence of climate on animals.

Self Practice 4.5

Quickly read the following passages and then find
1. the subject of the reading passage
2. the topic and main idea of each paragraph
Passage 1
What is education? Certainly, it is the institution of basic skills like reading
and writing that are necessary for successful participation in modern societies. Still,
social scientists tell us that schools serve a second, and perhaps more important
function; they are social institutions that serve as agents of socialization.
Socialization is a process that encourages the acquisition of appropriate
culture, values and patterns of behavior. In other words, it is the training of children to
be acceptable members of a society. Children are taught to obey, conform, and be
 148

polite in school. Patriotism is one of the most important values they are taught; the
belief that one’s society is basically good and therefore worthy of love and loyalty is
one that all societies want their members to accept. The acceptance of this idea is the
basic for nationality and national defense.
To be sure, schools are not the only socializing institution. Values are
taught at home, on television and in a variety of other situation. Still the importance of
the school as a socializing agent should not be overlooked.
Subject :_______________________________
Topic of P.1 :_______________________________
Main Idea of P.1 :_______________________________
_______________________________
Topic of P.2 :_______________________________
Main Idea of P.2 :_______________________________
_______________________________
Topic of P.3 :_______________________________
Main Idea of P.3 :_______________________________
_______________________________

Passage 2
The scientific name of the koala is Phascolarctos cinereus, from the Greek for
“pouched bear” and “ash gray.” The koala lives in trees, specifically some 35 of the
more than 600 species of the genus Eucalyptus that grow in Australia. The diet of the
adult koala is almost exclusively eucalyptus leaves, and since the oils of eucalyptus
leaves are toxic to most other mammals, one wonders what adaptations enable the
koala to thrive on them.
A fully grown koala weighs about 9 kilograms and its body is at most about 62
centimeters long. Its fur is thick and woolly, its limbs are long, and its toes are strongly
 149

clawed. On each front foot the two innermost digits can be opposed to the others like
two thumbs as can the innermost digits on each rear foot. It is this articulation, or
moveable joint, that makes the koala a good climber. On the ground, to which it
normally descends only to move from one tree to another, the koala goes on all four
limbs. Most of the time, it is in a tree, intermittently sleeping and foraging among the
leaves by day and at night.
Subject :_____________________________
Topic of P.1 :_____________________________
Main Idea of P.1 :_____________________________
_____________________________
Topic of P.2 :_____________________________
Main Idea of P.2 :_____________________________
_____________________________

Passage 3
My friend is a globe-trotter, that is, he goes abroad frequently. He is an airline
pilot and he has visited many countries around the world. Whenever he returns home,
he tells me stories about his adventures. He has seen the Himalayas and the Alps as
well as the Amazon rain forests and the Sahara Desert. He’s seen Bengal tigers,
Australian kangaroos and the storks of Holland, too.
My friend has been to many places, but I have never actually traveled beyond
the borders of my own country. As long as I remain a teacher, I can’t expect to do
much traveling. I spend most of my time at school, preparing lessons, teaching and
marking examinations. As soon as school is over each year, however, I do take a brief
vacation and journey to some part of my country that I’ve not seen before.
Unless I win a big lottery prize I doubt that I will ever go to Australia or Africa
or Latin America. But in another sense, I’ve already seen those places and many more
 150

besides. How have I done this? The answer is simple: book: Thanks to books, I have
visited the far corners of the globe. Moreover, I have journeyed through time as well as
through space. I can read books, for example, about people and places in contemporary
times. I can also read books about people and places in ancient times. As an airline
pilot, my friend has seen the world in one way. As a reader, I have seen it in another
way-between the covers of books.
Subject :_____________________________
Topic of P.1 :_____________________________
Main Idea of P.1 :_____________________________
Topic of P.2 :_____________________________
Main Idea of P.2 :_____________________________
Topic of P.3 :_____________________________
Main Idea of P.3 :_____________________________
In conclusion, study the table below and tell how Subject, Topic and Main
Idea are different.

Table 4.1 How Subject, Topic and Main Idea are different

Subject Topic Main Idea

Superstition Modern people’s Modern people, in spite of their scientific
belief in superstition knowledge, often seem as superstitious as
their ancestors
Communications The future of The very success of communications
Satellite Systems communications satellite systems has raised widespread
satellite systems