Main Ideas

1. Main Ideas This is the author’s idea about the topic

2. Possible main ideas: • Cats are usually very clean animals • Cats have very expressive faces • Cats eat fish • Cats are humans’ best friends So, main idea is what you want to say about the topic e.g. Topic: Cats

3. Oftentimes the main idea is expressed in the topic sentence • However, sometimes the main idea is not explicitly stated, so we have to infer from the text. Where to find the main idea?

4. In some parts of the world, many people use bicycles for transportation. First of all, they are much cheaper than cars. They also do not need gas to make them go. And bicycles are easy and cheap to fix. In cities, bicycles don’t have to wait in traffic. They can always go around a traffic jam. Finally , bicycles don’t need parking spaces. They can be parked anywhere. What is the topic?What is the main idea?

5. The topic is: bicycles • Main idea: • Bicycles are good for transportation • Bicycles are a problem in traffic • Bicycles are cheaper than cars The correct answer: bicycles are good for transportation. Answer b is too general Answer c is too specific Answer