Main Idea!

Main Idea.

100

A penny for your thoughts? If it’s a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars. In 1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War II, so the 1943 copper penny is ultra-rare. Another rarity is the 1955 double die penny. These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have overlapping dates and letters. If it’s uncirculated, it’d easily fetch $25,000 at an auction. Now that’s a pretty penny

What is the main idea? This paragraph is about rare and valuable pennies.

200

Before you put on that skeleton costume and rove door-to-door pandering for candy, take a minute to reflect on this tradition. Halloween is believed to have come from an ancient Celtic festival dating back some 2,000 years. November 1st was the Celtic New Year and marked the end of summer to the Celts. They celebrated on its eve by wearing costumes made of animal skins and dancing around bon fires. Over the next two millennia, this primitive celebration grew to be the candy fueled costume ball that we know today.

This paragraph is about the origins of Halloween.

300

When one hears the term "reality" applied to a show, one might expect that the events portrayed occurred naturally or, at the least, were not scripted. This is not always the case. Many reality shows occur in unreal environments, like rented mansions occupied by film crews. Such living environments do not reflect what most people understand to be "reality." Worse, there have been accusations that events not captured on film were later restaged by producers. Worse still, some involved in the production of "reality" television claim that the participants were urged to act out story lines premeditated by producers. With such accusations floating around, it's no wonder many people take reality TV to be about as real as the sitcom.

This paragraph is about how reality television isn't always "real."

400

Yellowstone National Park is mainly located in Wyoming, although three percent is located in the state of Montana. The Continental Divide of North America runs diagonally through the southwestern part of the park. The park sits on the Yellowstone Plateau, which is an average elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level. This plateau is bounded on nearly all sides by mountain ranges. There are 290 waterfalls that are at least fifteen feet in the park, the highest being the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, which falls 308 feet.

This paragraph is about physical features of Yellowstone Park.

500

There are many types of lethal venom in the animal kingdom, but perhaps no stranger carrier than the platypus. The platypus is one of few venomous mammals. Male platypus carry a venom cocktail in their ankle spurs. This venom incapacitates victims with excruciating pain. Stranger still, the platypus is the only mammal that uses electroreception. That means that the platypus uses its bill to sense the electricity produced by the muscular movements of its prey. Electroreception is a sixth sense different from seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling. Perhaps most odd, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. What an odd creature indeed.

This paragraph is about strange and uniques attributes of the platypus.

Know you Definitions!

100

A ________ is important information that tells more about the overall idea of a paragraph or section of a text.

Main Idea

200

____ is information that explains, defines or proves an idea.

Supporting Details

300

Two ways to find the main idea?

Look at the First and Last Sentences of the Passage Look for Repetition of Ideas Summarize the Passage

400

What is the definition of topic?

The topic is the general subject of a paragraph or essay.

500

What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?

The topic is the general subject of a paragraph or essay. Topics are simple and are described with just a word or a phrase. The main idea is a complete sentence; it includes the topic and what the author wants to say about it.

More Main Idea

100

The games develop a player’s ability to gather and retain information quickly, through swift changes of scene. The player must make split-second choices, which enhance his or her ability to make real-life decisions in emergency situations. Computer games also help develop good reflexes as well as hand-eye coordination, as the player must respond immediately to abrupt changes in the game situation. Pick the best supporting detail. A.Computer games can be harmful and make children unwilling or even unable to learn. B.Computer games can be used for developmental purposes as well as for simple fun. C.Computer games keep kids busy and out of trouble.

A. Computer games can be used for developmental purposes as well as for simple fun.

200

While bread, cakes, and cookies existed in our grandparents’ time, they were made entirely of natural ingredients. Today, these foods are full of chemicals, additives, and preservatives, so they can be trucked for long distances and kept for sale on the shelves for much longer. Even fruit and vegetables, which should be fresh and natural, are force-grown with chemical fertilizers and are sprayed with preservatives until there is very little nutrition left. Pick the best supporting detail. A. Chemical additives enhance today’s foods and make them much more healthy. B.Today’s foods are a grand experiment in better living through chemistry. C.Chemicals make our food into something our grandmothers wouldn’t recognize as nutritious.

C.Chemicals make our food into something our grandmothers wouldn’t recognize as nutritious.

300

Babies use both hands. But babies use one hand more than the other. This hand may become the preferred one. How can you tell? Lay a baby on its back. Notice which side the baby faces. If the baby looks to the right most of the time, it will probably be right-handed. What does it mean if the baby faces left more often? The baby will most likely be left-handed. A.how to tell right- from left-handed babies B.that babies use their hands for many things C.that there are more left-handed babies

A.how to tell right- from left-handed babies

400

Farmers in Japan have a problem. There is not much land to farm, and there are many people to feed. Some farmers cut rows in the hillsides and grow crops there. This helps a little, but many kinds of food are shipped to Japan. They can choose anything they want to eat! A. There is little land to farm in Japan; so many kinds of food are shipped to Japan. B.Growing food on the hillside in Japan is hard work. C.The Japanese like getting food from different countries

A. There is little land to farm in Japan; so many kinds of food are shipped to Japan

500

As important as water conservation is, it is also very easy. A few simple habits can significantly reduce the water consumption of a household. One way to save water is to turn off the faucet when reduce the water consumption of a household. One way to save water is to turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Also, don’t allow faucets to drip; one drip can waste a large amount of water over a short period of time. Baths require less water than showers, so by taking a bath instead of a shower, you can reduce the amount of water your home uses. In the kitchen, running a dishwasher when it is completely full, rather than half full, can save up to 20 gallons a day. These simple changes will save water and save money. A. Water conservation is important. B. Consumers can save money by conserving water. C. A few simple changes can save water in the home. D. Baths take less water than showers.

C. A few simple changes can save water in the home.

Main Idea vs Topic

100

Passing fears are common in early childhood. Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark. Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures Which is the topic and which is the main idea? 1.passing fears 2.Passing fears are common in early childhood.

Topic- passing fears Main Idea- Passing fears are common in early childhood.

200

Congratulations! You have been offered a job. The time has come to negotiate your salary. The question to ask yourself is: "How much am I worth?" Your answer will likely affect the outcome of your salary negotiation. The point is, in order to negotiate the best possible salary, you must convince both yourself and the employer of the value that you will bring to the job. Which is the topic and which is the main idea? 1.The point is, in order to negotiate the best possible salary, you must convince both yourself and the employer of the value that you will bring to the job. 2.negotiating the best possible salary.

Main Idea- The point is, in order to negotiate the best possible salary, you must convince both yourself and the employer of the value that you will bring to the job. Topic-negotiating the best possible salary.

300

There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies. Compared with boys, girls are usually less happy with their bodies and have more negative body images. Also, as puberty proceeds, girls often become even more dissatisfied with their bodies. This is probably because their body fat increases. In contrast, boys become more satisfied as they move through puberty, probably because their muscle mass increases. 1. adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies 2.There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies.

Topic- adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies Main Idea-There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies.

400

Don't wait for your company to send you to school. Determine your needs and ask about the company's training program. If they don't have one, sign up for classes at a local college. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Put a high priority on learning new skills and on personal growth and professional development. Learn new software technology and improve interpersonal and writing skills. Which is the topic and which is the main idea? 1. When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. 2. being a lifelong learner

Main Idea-When it comes to your profession, you should be a lifelong learner. Topic- being a lifelong learner

500

One of the big programming surprises of the 2002 summer TV series was a show on the Fox Network called American Idol, a talent search that highlighted several aspiring performers. The final episode of the show garnered the biggest audience share among 18- to 49-year olds that the network has ever had. Based on a British series called Pop Idol, American Idol is another in a long list of shows that the United States has imported. In fact, many popular U.S. TV shows originated overseas. These include the quiz shows Who Wants to Be A Millionaire and The Weakest Link, both also from Britain . Other examples include Survivor, imported from Sweden; Big Brother , based on a Dutch series of the same name; and TLC's Trading Spaces, based on the British series, Changing Rooms Topic and Main Idea????

Topic-popular U.S. TV shows Main Idea-In fact, many U.S. TV shows have first originated overseas.