Implied Main Ideas - Tutor Hints
The Implied Main Idea is one that is NOT clearly stated in any one sentence in a passage.
It is only
suggested or inferred
by the supporting details. The author doesn’t state it
directly.
On a reading test, some answers are there to confuse you. So before looking at them, cover
them up. Read the passage and note each of the
major supporting details
.
In your own
words,
what would you call this list: “Causes of the revolution”? “Ways to save money”?
“Stages of childhood”? The name of that list would be the topic.
• What is the author trying to tell you about the topic?
• Turn the topic into a sentence that reflects the author’s purpose, and that will be the
implied main idea
)
Once you think you have formed the implied main idea in your own words, confirm your answer
by using some of the following strategies:
• Does every
major detail
support it?
• Does your answer provide a general idea or summary for the details?
• Try to mark the
major supporting details
and notice what they have in common.
• If one of your major details talks about something else, you’ll have to rethink the
implied main idea
so that it is supported by all of them.
Practice: Try to formulate the implied main idea for each of these selections.
We’re often told “He who hesitates is lost,” but we’re also warned to “look before you leap.”
Most of us have heard the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind,” but then we hear “Absence
makes the heart grow fonder.” Everyone talks about “love at first sight.” But then someone
reminds us, “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.” It’s all very confusing.
* * *
The United States calls its basic unit of currency the “dollar”. Australia and New Zealand
have also measure their currency by “dollars”. The money in Great Britain is called the
“pound”. Korea uses the “won”. In Russia you spend “rubles”. Mexico and the Philippines use
a “peso”. And the country of Zaire calls its money unit a “Zaire”.
* * *
One myth about exercise is that if a woman lifts weights, she will develop muscles as large as
a man’s. Without extra male hormones, however, a woman cannot increase her muscle bulk as
much as a man’s. Another misconception about exercise is that it increases the appetite.
Actually, regular exercise stabilizes the blood-sugar level, which prevents hunger pains.
Some people also think that a few minutes of exercise a day or one session is enough, but at
least three solid workouts a week are needed for muscular and cardiovascular health.
