English DA1 22-11-2022

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

English 

15-11-2022

This lesson

Work our way through chapter 2 

Prepare for exam

Chapter 2

What's the Idea? 

In this lesson we will learn about

• Topic
• Main idea
• Topic sentence
• Main idea vs author's purpose

Topic

Every text has a subject. 

The general subject - or topic - of a text is what the text is about. 

Usually, the topic can be described in a few words or in a short phrase. 

Read the text

What is the topic of this paragraph?

1. recycling creates new industries
2. recycling reduces the amount of garbage
3. Advantages of recycling

Read the text

What is is about?

1. Mercy killing by active means
2. Euthanasia
3. Reasons for euthanasia

The main idea

Once you know what the topic of a text is, you can determine what the main idea is. The main idea of a text is not always the same as the topic of a text, but can be what the author says, thinks or wants to communicate about the topic. 

The main idea is the point the author is trying to make. 

Have a quick look at the text. 

What do you think the text will be about?

Now read the text

What is the main idea of the article?

Topic sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that clearly stated the main idea.

Read the text

What do you think is the topic of the text?

What is the main idea of the test?

What do you think the following phrase means: 'those at the top of the social food chain'?

1. de meest sociale mensen
2. de mensen met het meeste aanzien
3. degenen die boven aan de voedselketen staan

Read the text

Which sentence best describes the point the writer is trying the make?

1. British consumers watch more television online than people in any other country.
2. Britain leads the world in mobile internet use.
3. The UK has overtaken Japan in mobile internet use.

What is the best description of the main idea of the text?

1. British people have invented the most internet-based devices.
2. The UK makes more use of mobile internet than any other nation in the world
3. Britain shows the world how to use mobile internet.

Which country was leader in mobile internet use before the UK got the top spot?

1. Brazil
2. The Netherlands
3. Japan
4. It doesn't say

Were all countries in the world included in Ofcom’s study?

Do you think that the report is reliable or unreliable?

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Read the text

What is the main idea of this text?

1. According to a survey, teenagers don’t know anything about fi nancial matters.
2. According to a survey, teenagers do not have enough knowledge about f i nancial matters.
3. According to a survey, some teenagers have the mistaken idea that f i nancial aid will be provided when they need it.

Read the text

What is the main idea of this text?

1. Redwood trees do not die easily.
2. Redwood trees are the longestliving plants on earth.
3. Redwood trees can grow older than 2,000 years.

Main idea vs author's purpose

Most texts have a main idea. It is important to understand, however, that the main idea of a text is not the same as the author's purpose for writing the text. The author's purpose is the reason why a text was written. Authors have different reasons for writing: they want to inform, instruct, persuade or entertain their readers. 

Read the text

What is the main idea of this film review?

What was the author's purpose for writing this review?

Speaking exam

Write down tips for your speaking exam on the board

Tell us about your favourite animal

Thank you! 

Bye!