Extra Practice on Main Idea

Sentences
Online Session #10
Lesson Objectives
• Practice stated and implied main idea sentences
SET 1: Stated Main Idea Sentences
What does your college education mean? One thing
it means is that you have a higher likelihood of
becoming an active citizen. Persons with a college
education are about 40 percent more likely to vote
than are persons with a grade school education.
Education generates an interest in politics,
confidence that one can make a difference
politically, and peer pressure to participate—all of
these are related to the tendency to vote. Education,
in fact, is the single best predictor of voter turnout.
Source: Thomas E. Patterson, We the People, 6th ed., p. 238. Copyright ©
2006 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill
Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is

a. What determines who votes?

b. Persons with a college education are about 40
percent more likely to vote than persons with a
grade school education.
c. All of these are related to the tendency to vote.
d. Education, in fact, is the single best predictor of
voter turnout.
People with learning disabilities are sometimes
viewed as unintelligent. Nothing could be further
from the truth. There is no relationship between
learning disabilities and I.Q. For instance, dozens
of well-known and highly accomplished individuals
suffered from dyslexia. They include physicist
Albert Einstein, U.S. General George Patton, poet
William Butler Yeats, and writer John Irving.
Source: Adapted from Robert S. Feldman, P.O.W.E.R. Learning, 2005 ed.,
p. 161. Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The
McGraw-Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is

a. People with learning disabilities are sometimes

viewed as unintelligent. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
b. There is no relationship between learning
disabilities and I.Q.
c. For instance, dozens of well-known and highly
accomplished individuals suffered from
dyslexia.
d. They include physicist Albert Einstein, U.S.
General George Patton, poet William Butler
Yeats, and writer John Irving.
Answer: B
Explanation
a. Two sentences. Each of these sentences
contains half of the main idea. If they were
written as a single sentence, it could be the
stated main idea.
b. general statement that sums up the paragraph
c. a detail that presents an example
d. a detail that presents an example
Ineffective messages don’t get results. A reader who
has to guess what the writer means may be wrong. A
reader who finds a letter or memo unconvincing or
insulting simply won’t do what the message asks.
Another story of ineffective communication is told
by Yvonne Alexander, a writing consultant. Yvonne
says an HMO once lost a claim in court because the
judge found its policy to be “written so badly that no
one could understand it.”
Source: Adapted from Kitty Locker, Business and Administrative
Communication, 7th ed., p. 10. Copyright © 2006 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by
permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is
a. Ineffective messages don’t get results.
b. A reader who has to guess what the writer
means may be wrong.
c. A reader who finds a letter or memo
unconvincing or insulting simply won’t do what
the message asks.
d. Another story of ineffective communication is
told by Yvonne Alexander, a writing consultant.
Answer: A
Explanation
a. general statement that sums up the paragraph
b. a detail that tells a reason; no topic
c. a detail that tells a reason; no topic
d. a detail that gives a research finding; no topic
Law enforcement officers are constantly faced with
danger. Events go from routine to life threatening
in seconds. The risk of being shot or having to
shoot someone—is high. Each year over 50,000
police officers are assaulted. Forty two were
feloniously killed in 1999.
Source: Adapted from Freda Adler, Gerhard Mueller, and William Laufer,
Criminal Justice: An Introduction, 3d ed., p. 192. Copyright © 2003
McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is

a. Law enforcement officers are constantly faced

with danger.
b. Events go from routine to life-threatening in
seconds.
c. The risk of being shot—or having to shoot
someone—is high.
d. Each year over 50,000 police officers are
assaulted.
More than four thousand Hispanic Americans
nationwide hold public office. Hispanics have been
elected to statewide office in several states,
including New Mexico and Arizona. About twenty
Hispanic Americans currently serve in the House
of Representatives. The number of Hispanic
Americans now in elected office is the highest in
this country’s history.
Source: Adapted from Thomas Patterson, We the People, 6th ed., p. 168.
Copyright © 2006 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-
Hill Companies.
The stated main idea in this paragraph is

a. More than four thousand Hispanic Americans

nationwide hold public office.
b. Hispanics have been elected to statewide office
in several states, including New Mexico and
Arizona.
c. About twenty Hispanic Americans currently
serve in the House of Representatives.
d. The number of Hispanic Americans now in
elected office is the highest in this country’s
history.
Not all relationships last a lifetime. Sometimes
they just wind down, as the two people involved
slowly lose interest in maintaining their
partnership. At other times, they break apart, as
disagreements build and there is not a strong
enough bond to hold the two parties together. Or
there may be an abrupt rupture if some event
occurs that destroys one partner’s feeling of trust.
Source: Robert S. Feldman, P.O.W.E.R. Learning, 2005 ed., p. 329.
Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-
Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is

a. Not all relationships last a lifetime.

b. Sometimes they just wind down, as the two
people involved slowly lose interest in
maintaining their partnership.
c. At other times, they break apart, as
disagreements build and there is not a strong
enough bond to hold the two parties together.
d. Or there may be an abrupt rupture if some
event occurs that destroys one partner’s feeling
of trust.
Answer: A
Explanation
a. tells the most important, general point
b. a detail that presents a reason; no topic
c. a detail that presents a reason; no topic
d. a detail that presents a reason; no topic
When two people first meet, they usually try to be as
explicit as possible. Even if the two share several
interests, one does not assume knowledge of what the
other is thinking or trying to say. This kind of insight
develops only after long acquaintance. Communication
style tends to change with the passage of time.
Sometimes two people get to know each other so well
that each anticipates what the other is trying to say—
they even finish each other’s sentences, so to speak. We
frequently see this relationship in very close friends or
in married couples.
Source: Adapted from Stewart Tubbs and Sylvia Moss, Human Communication,
8th ed., p. 172. Copyright © 2000 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The
McGraw-Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is
a. When two people first meet, they usually try to be as
explicit as possible.
b. This kind of insight develops only after long
acquaintance.
c. Communication style tends to change with the
passage of time.
d. Sometimes two people get to know each other so well
that each anticipates what the other is trying to say—
they even finish each other’s sentences, so to speak.
Answer: C
Explanation
a. detail that gives background information;
doesn’t make complete sense by itself
b. detail that explains; doesn’t make complete
sense by itself
c. general statement that presents the important
point about the topic
d. detail that illustrates the indepth level of
communication that can occur
The marketing plan helps managers analyze and
improve all company operations, including
marketing and advertising programs. It dictates
the role of advertising in the marketing mix. It
enables better implementation, control, and
continuity of advertising programs, and it ensures
the most efficient allocation of advertising dollars.
In short, the marketing plan has a profound effect
on an organization’s advertising program.
Source: Adapted from William Arens, Contemporary Advertising, 10th ed.,
p. 235. Copyright © 2006 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The
McGraw-Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is

a. The marketing plan helps managers analyze

and improve all company operations, including
marketing and advertising programs.
b. It dictates the role of advertising in the
marketing mix.
c. It enables better implementation, control, and
continuity of advertising programs, and it
ensures the most efficient allocation of
advertising dollars.
d. In short, the marketing plan has a profound
effect on an organization’s advertising program.
Answer: D
Explanation
a. detail that explains one effect
b. detail that explains one effect; no topic
c. detail that explains one effect
d. gives most important general point; contains
the extra clue In short
Carbohydrates are various combinations of
sugar units, or saccharides, and are the major
energy source for the body. Each gram of
carbohydrate contains four calories. The average
person requires approximately 2,000 calories per
day. Since about 60% of our calories come from
carbohydrates, it is recommended that 1,200 of our
daily caloric intake come from carbohydrates.
Source: Adapted from Wayne Payne, Dale Hahn, and Ellen Mauer, Understanding
Your Health, 8th ed., p. 131. Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by
permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
The stated main idea sentence in this paragraph is
a. Carbohydrates are various combinations of
sugar units, or saccharides, and are the major
source of energy for the body.
b. Each gram of carbohydrate contains four
calories.
c. The average person requires approximately
2,000 calories per day.
d. Since about 60% of our calories come from
carbohydrates, it is recommended that 1,200 of
our daily caloric intake come from
carbohydrates.
Answer: A
Explanation
a. tells most important point about the topic; all
other sentences explain or tell more about it
b. detail that explains
c. detail that provides related information
d. details that explain
SET 2: Implied Main Idea Sentences
1.
You may want to break the caffeine habit because it
generates dependence. You may want to break it
because you don’t like the headache you get when
you can’t find a vending machine or when nobody at
the office made coffee. Perhaps you want to set a
good example for your children to avoid caffeine. Or
you simply may want to live as drug-free as possible.
• Source: Adapted from Wayne Payne and Dale Hahn, Understanding Your
Health, 8th ed., p. 352.
• Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill
Companies.
The implied main idea sentence for this paragraph is:

a) You may want to break the caffeine habit because it

generates dependence.
b) There are several reasons you may want to break the
caffeine habit.
c) Caffeine is a dangerous drug.
d) Caffeine generates dependence and causes
headaches.
2.
Does working improve or undermine a couple’s relationship? The answer depends on
a number of things. One is the nature of the wife’s job. Long hours, frequent travel, or
a demanding boss can spill over into family stress. A second factor is attitudes towards
the gender roles, whether traditional, egalitarian, or transitional. Employed wives
tend to be happier and healthier than full-time homemakers, particularly when their
husbands approve of women working; married women are most depressed when
they are at home full-time but would like to be working. Not surprisingly, marital
satisfaction tends to be highest among working wives with high levels of education
who work out of choice, enjoy their jobs, and receive help from their husbands;
marital satisfaction tends to be lower among women who have low incomes from
undesirable jobs. Time together is a problem for most working couples. The less time
they spend together, the less likely they are to be satisfied with their marriage.
Source: Adapted from Richard Gelles and Ann Levine, Sociology: An Introduction, 6th ed., pp.
424–25.
Copyright © 1999 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
The implied main idea sentence for this paragraph is:

a) The answer to whether working improves or undermines a

couple’s relationship depends on a number of things.
b) The nature of a wife’s job can undermine a couple’s
relationship.
c) Employed wives tend to be happier and healthier than
fulltime homemakers are.
d) Wives should not work outside the home.
3.
Written memos and reports document what was said
and done and the reason for decisions. Carefully written
memos and reports enable a company to use its earlier
expertise without having to reinvent the wheel every
time a new set of people tackles a recurring problem.
Written documents also allow individuals and companies
to protect themselves. If there is no written record,
chaos—and expensive lawsuits—may result.
• Source: Kitty Locker, Business and Administrative Communication, 5th ed., pp. 5–6.
• Copyright © 2000 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill
Companies.
The implied main idea sentence for this paragraph is:

a) Written records can help companies prevent lawsuits.

b) Written documents also allow individuals and companies to protect
themselves.
c) Written memos and documents benefit companies and individuals in
several ways.
d) It is important for employees to learn how to write clear documents and
memos.
SET 3: Implied Main Idea Sentences
1.
A prototype of the abusive parent would be one who is single, is young (around 30 or
less), has been married fewer than 10 years, had his or her first child before the age of
18, and is unemployed or employed part-time. Spouse abusers also are far more likely
to be child abusers than are those who do not abuse their spouses. And the more
times someone has abused a spouse, the more likely that person is to be a child abuser
as well. Women are slightly more likely to abuse children than men, probably because
women are more intensely involved with children (and rates of child abuse are higher
in single-parent families which, for the most part, means single-mother families). Child
abusers tend to have lower self-esteem than others, to define their children as more
troublesome, to have serious financial problems, to have poorer mental health, to have
lower levels of social support, and to have a large number of stressor events in their
lives. Abusers are also more likely than non-abusers to have been abused themselves
as children.
Source: Adapted from Robert Lauer and Jeanette Lauer, Marriage and Family, 6th ed.,
p. 332. Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill
Companies
2. there are many Caffeine effects on the human body

Caffeine does have pharmacological effects on the function of the

cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and nervous systems, but at the low
fixed pattern of consumption that most people enjoy, caffeine is
merely a mild stimulant. However, withdrawal from even a mild
caffeine habit may cause headaches, fatigue, and depression. In high
doses, acute effects such as restlessness, agitation, tremors, cardiac
dysrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), gastric disturbance, and diarrhoea
have been reported.
Source: Adapted from Wayne Payne, Dale Hahn, and Ellen Mauer,
Understanding Your Health, 8th ed., p. 252. Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill.
Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
3.There are two types of polygamy
Polygamy is marriage involving more than one wife or husband at
the same time. Most often this takes the form of polygyny,
marriage of one man to two or more women. Polygyny was
practiced in ancient China, hardly a small, primitive society. It is
part of Judeo-Christian history: the ancient Hebrews (including
Kings David and Solomon) were polygynists. Up until 1890, so
were the Mormons of Utah. Islam, the second-largest religion in
the world today, allows a man four wives (providing he treats each
wife equally). Only four known societies have practiced polyandry
—marriage of one woman to two or more men.
Source: Adapted from Richard Gelles and Ann Levine, Sociology: An
Introduction, 6th ed., p. 405. Copyright © 1999 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted
4. people can relax using several
techniques
Everyone needs to rest, not only through sleep but through deep
relaxation. Too little of either causes irritability, depression,
inability to concentrate, and memory loss. Yoga is a great way to
unwind, stretch and tone the muscles, and focus energy. Many
people find that meditation is essential for relaxation and renewal.
You don’t have to practice a certain type of meditation; just create
a time for yourself when your mind is free to rest and quiet itself.
Other people find that a massage relieves physical and mental
tension. Visualization is another powerful technique for relaxing
your body.
Source: Sharon Ferrett, Peak Performance, 5th ed., p. 10–23. Copyright ©
2006 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
5. our notions of family come from two
sources
Where do our notions of family come from? One way we
get information is through experience. We know of our
own experience and that of our friends and relatives.
Another important source of information is the mass
media. Consider, for instance, the family life portrayed on
television. If you were a foreigner and the only thing you
knew about American families came from television
programs, how would you describe a typical family?
• Source: Robert Lauer and Jeanette Lauer, Marriage and Family, 4th
ed., p. 4. Copyright © 2000 McGraw-Hill. Reprinted by permission of
The McGraw-Hill Companies.