Reading 9 : Identifying Main Ideas and Details
Objectives: TOEFL iBT Reading Skills: • Learn how to identify main ideas in a Reading passage.
• Practice distinguishing main ideas from details. • Practice answering summary chart questions.
Introduction In this lesson, you will focus on identifying main ideas in a reading passage and distinguishing them from supporting details. This skill is essential for understanding the overall message of a text and for answering many types of questions in the TOEFL iBT Reading section . Before you begin, think about these questions. Why is it important to identify the main ideas when you read? Why is it useful to distinguish main ideas from details? Take a moment to write down your thoughts on a separate sheet of paper. Understanding the purpose of this skill will help you apply it more effectively. Activity 9.1 1 . Classify the following types of information found in a Reading passage . Write M for main idea or D for detail . A . draws a conclusion from all of the evidence mentioned in the reading B . explains a concept mentioned earlier by giving an example C . explains the importance or significance of the topic D . explains why the author wrote the text E . presents interesting but less important facts F . gives the author’s overall opinion about the topic G . is often presented in at the beginning or the end of a paragraph H . needs to be proved, demonstrated, or explained by additional information I . often includes dates and figures J . provides support for other ideas in the text
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