CXC English A: More finding the main idea exercises

The first step in writing a summary: Finding the main idea

The first step in writing a good summary is to understand the topic of the passage you are about to summarize.

Finding the main idea of a passage can be easy or difficult. If the main idea or purpose of the passage is stated, your job is easy, you simply restate the main idea of the passage in your own words.

Sometimes however, the main idea of a passage is not stated plainly, instead it is implied and you have to try to "figure out" what the writer of the passage is really talking about.

Here is another interactice exercise which helps you to develop your skills in identifying the main idea of passages.