Reading exercise- Finding the main idea of a text

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Learning goals

Today you will learn:

- to summarize the main idea of a text;

- to point out and explain the opinion of the writer. 

- refreshment of skimming and scanning

Native people in early North America liked to play games. Their favorite games were played with a stick and a ball, like lacrosse. In lacrosse, the rule is that you can't touch the ball with your hands. You catch the ball in a net on the end of a stick and use the stick to throw the ball.

1. Their favorite games were played with a stick and a ball, like lacrosse
2. Native people in early North America liked to play games.
3. You catch the ball in a net on the end of a stick and use the stick to throw the ball.
4. In lacrosse, the rule is that you can't touch the ball with your hands.

Not all plants grow in the same way. Some plants grow and reproduce in one year and are called annuals. Some plants grow and reproduce in two years and are called biennials. Other plants grow and reproduce for many years and are called perennials.

1. Other plants grow and reproduce for many years and are called perennials.
2. Some plants grow and reproduce in two years and are called biennials.
3. Not all plants grow in the same way.
4. Some plants grow and reproduce in one year and are called annuals.

Teeth can tell you what kinds of food a mammal eats. Plant eaters (herbivores) like deer have large, flat molars for grinding plants. Animals that eat both plants and meat (omnivores) have strong canines and molars for tearing and grinding foods. Animals that are meat eaters (carnivores) have canine teeth for cutting and tearing.

1. Animals that are meat eaters (carnivores) have canine teeth for cutting and tearing.
2. Plant eaters (herbivores) like deer have large, flat molars for grinding plants.
3. Animals that eat both plants and meat (omnivores) have strong canines and molars for tearing and grinding foods.
4. Teeth can tell you what kinds of food a mammal eats.

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of America's most important civil rights leaders. He inspired many with his famous, "I have a dream" speech. He believed in using non-violent methods to achieve his dream of racial integration. He was assassinated at age 39.

1. He was assassinated at age 39.
2. He believed in using non-violent methods to achieve his dream of racial integration.
3. He inspired many with his famous, "I have a dream" speech.
4. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of America's most important civil rights leaders.

It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true. Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations.

What is the main idea in the text? Write your answer down below.

Costs were low that year and the output high. There was a good person for each job and the market remained firm. There were no losses from fire. All in all, it was the best year in the history of the company.

What is the main idea in the text? Write your answer down below.

Advertising affects our lives every day. Brand names are common household words. We start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising.


What is the main idea in the text? Write your answer down below.

Thomas Alva Edison is remembered because of the huge number of things he invented that are still used today. He invented the light bulb. The storage battery was invented by him. Motion pictures (movies) were another of his inventions. The storage battery was invented by him.
What is the main idea in the text? Write your answer down below.

I have a better understanding of finding the main idea(s) in a text.

Yes

No