Main Idea
BasicThe main idea is usually at the start or end of a paragraph.
- The main idea is usually the first sentence, sometimes the last.
- Details (data, examples) exist to support the idea.
- The main idea must cover the whole paragraph, not a slice.
文體小知識：What the passage is about.
§Text Passage
1Bees are amazing insects, and there is so much to learn about them. They live in colonies with thousands of members. Each bee has a job, and together they work like one big family. The queen bee lays eggs, while worker bees collect nectar from flowers and fly home with it.
2Worker bees turn the nectar into honey, and people have loved honey for thousands of years. Bees also pollinate plants as they fly from flower to flower. Pollen helps plants grow fruit and vegetables. This means bees do not only make honey; they also help our farms. In fact, about one third of our food depends on bees.
3Without bees, we would have no food, so we must protect them. We should not use harmful chemicals in gardens, and we should plant more flowers. Good readers find the main idea of a paragraph by looking at its topic sentence and asking, 'What is this paragraph mostly about?' The other sentences are details that support the main idea. Even the title can give you a clue about the focus of the whole passage. If you write a short summary, you will remember what you read much better.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Bees are amazing insects, and there is so much to learn about them.
蜜蜂是很神奇的昆蟲，關於牠們有很多東西可以學。
They live in colonies with thousands of members.
牠們住在有幾千個成員的群體裡面。
Each bee has a job, and together they work like one big family.
每隻蜜蜂都有自己的工作，一起合作就好像一個大家庭。
The queen bee lays eggs, while worker bees collect nectar from flowers and fly home with it.
蜂后負責產卵，工蜂就負責在花上採花蜜，再帶回家。
Worker bees turn the nectar into honey, and people have loved honey for thousands of years.
工蜂將花蜜變成蜂蜜，人類喜歡吃蜂蜜已經有幾千年歷史。
Bees also pollinate plants as they fly from flower to flower.
蜜蜂在花同花之間飛來飛去，還會幫植物授粉。
Pollen helps plants grow fruit and vegetables.
花粉幫助植物結出果實同蔬菜。
This means bees do not only make honey; they also help our farms.
即是說，蜜蜂不止整蜂蜜，還幫了我們的農場。
In fact, about one third of our food depends on bees.
事實上，我們大約三分一的食物都靠蜜蜂。
Without bees, we would have no food, so we must protect them.
沒有了蜜蜂，我們就沒有食物，所以一定要保護牠們。
We should not use harmful chemicals in gardens, and we should plant more flowers.
我們不應該在花園用有害的化學品，還要多種花。
Good readers find the main idea of a paragraph by looking at its topic sentence and asking, 'What is this paragraph mostly about?'
好的讀者會看段落的主題句，問自己：「這段主要講什麼？」，這樣就找到主旨。
The other sentences are details that support the main idea.
其他句子都是支撐主旨的細節。
Even the title can give you a clue about the focus of the whole passage.
連標題都可以提示你整篇文章的重點。
If you write a short summary, you will remember what you read much better.
寫個簡短的摘要，就會更加記得看過的內容。
1Summary 重點摘要
The main idea is usually at the start or end of a paragraph.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Gist.
Main sentence.
Supporting fact.
Back up.
Short version.
Name.
Section.
Concentrate.
3Step by step Steps
- First sentenceThe main idea often appears in the first sentence, stating the centre at once. Example: Bees are amazing insects. Informational paragraphs often open this way; while reading it, ask whether the whole paragraph explains that sentence.
- Last sentenceSometimes the main idea comes at the end, after the examples. Example: In short, bees live like one big family. Signal words such as in short, in conclusion and therefore often sit right beside the main idea, so slow down there.
- DetailsSupporting details are concrete: numbers, examples and descriptions. Example: The queen lays eggs. Thousands of members each have a job. Details answer questions such as how, what and why; the main idea covers the whole paragraph. Do not mix them up.
- TitleA title for a paragraph is a phrase, not a full sentence. Example: Life in a Bee Colony. A good title covers the whole paragraph and stays brief; too narrow means it names one detail, and too wide means it goes beyond the paragraph.
- Try it on the bee paragraphTake the bee paragraph: the opening Bees are amazing insects is the main idea, and the details about the queen and thousands of members all support it. A quick test: cross out the details and see whether the idea sentence still covers the paragraph.
- Write your own titleAfter reading, try writing a short title, such as Life in a Bee Colony. Writing your own title checks whether you have truly grasped the idea; titles need no full sentence and no full stop, and five words or fewer is a good target.
5Worked example Example
Question: How do we find the main idea of a paragraph? Use four clues: the first sentence, the last sentence, the details and the width of the options.
- Step 1: Read the first sentence — Bees are amazing insects. The main idea is often here, so start by assuming it is the centre.
- Step 2: If the first sentence is unclear, read the last one — endings sometimes summarise, especially after in short.
- Step 3: Separate idea from details — the queen bee laying eggs and thousands of members each having a job are supporting details.
- Step 4: Drop options that are too narrow — an answer about only the queen covers a detail, not the whole paragraph.
- Step 5: Say it in your own words — Bees live and work together like one big family.
- Answer: Sample answer: The main idea is that bees live and work together like one big family. The details (the queen lays eggs, thousands of members each have a job) all support it. The method: read the first and last sentences, sort out the details, then sum up in one line.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Where is main idea?
Q2Topic sentence?
Q3Main idea vs title?
Q4Details support?
Q5How to find?
Q6Summary?
Q7What is the main idea?
Q8What do bees collect?
Q9What do bees make?
8Recap Recap
- The main idea is usually the first sentence, sometimes the last.
- Details (data, examples) exist to support the idea.
- The main idea must cover the whole paragraph, not a slice.
- A title is a phrase, not a full sentence.
- Stuck? Ask: what one thing is this paragraph about?