Finding Main idea (2)

 Finding the main idea of each paragraph and the reading

A paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. All the details and sentences in a paragraph should develop the main idea. When you read a paragraph, find a main idea on which to focus. 

       The main idea is the most important idea of a passage. It is often stated in the first sentence of a paragraph and also what the paragraph is all about.

       It is easy to identify a main idea that is directly expressed in the text.

       - Main ideas are often found at the beginning of paragraphs. The first sentence often explains the subject being discussed in the passage.

       - Main ideas are also found in the concluding sentences of a paragraph. The main idea can be expressed as a summation of the information in the paragraph as well as a link to the information in the next paragraph.

       The main idea is not always clearly stated. It is more difficult to identify a main idea when it is inferred or implied. It can be implied through other words in the paragraph. An implied main idea can be found in several ways.

       - Several sentences in a paragraph can imply the main idea by introducing facts about the topic before actually stating the topic.

       - Implied ideas can be drawn from facts, reasons, or examples that give hints or suggestions concerning the main idea. These hints will be clues leading you to discover the main idea in the selected text. 

Reading Activity

Text 1: Read the following passage and do the exercises.

       Staying safe in you hotel can be as easy as being alert and taking a few special precautions. Here are a few suggestions to help make you stay safe. Firstly, when you get to your room, read the fire safety instructions. Then, know the location of the emergency exits and have an idea of where you will go if here is a fire emergency. Next, locate the stairs. Remember you cannot use the elevator in case of fire. If the fire alarm sounds, check the door with the back of your hand. Also check the door knob. If you don’t feel heat, crack open the door and exit toward the stairway. And always keep your door locked even if you are just going to the ice machine down the hall. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings as you go to and from your room, and never flash any money. Avoid dark and remote areas at night.   

Choose the best answer for each item

1. Which statement shows an opinion?

          a. Avoid dark and remote areas at night.   

          b. Remember you cannot use the elevator in case of fire.

          c. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings as you go to and from your room

          d. Staying safe in you hotel can be as easy as being alert and taking a few special precautions.

2. Which statement shows an assumption?

          a. Here are a few suggestions to help make you stay safe.

          b. If the fire alarm sounds, check the door with the back of your hand.

          c. And always keep your door locked even if you are just going to the ice machine down the hall.

          d. None of the above

3. What will closely happen next?

          a. You will be safe at night.

          b. You will be safe if you use the stir fire.

          c. You will be safe if you follow the suggestions.

          d. You will be safe when you read the fire safety instructions.

4. What is the main idea of the reading?

          a. Avoid dark and remote areas at night.   

          b. Remember you cannot use the elevator in case of fire.

          c. Firstly, when you get to your room, read the fire safety instructions.

          d. Staying safe in you hotel can be as easy as being alert and taking a few special precautions.

5. What is the writing style?

          a. suggestion

          b. discussion

          c. description

          d. narration

6. What can we conclude from the reading?

          a. When you get to your room, read the fire safety instructions.

          b. If you follow the suggestions, you will be staying safe in a hotel.

          c. You should avoid dark and remote areas at night when you stay at a hotel.

          d. You should be aware of your surroundings as you go to and from your room and never flash any money.

7. What is the passage mainly about?

          a. the dangers when staying at a hotel

          b. the problems when staying at a hotel

          c. the suggestions for staying safe at a hotel

          d. the behaviors when staying safe at a hotel

Text 2: Read the following passage and do the exercises.

Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on Certain Tundra Trucks to Inspect the Rear Drive Shaft

TORRANCE, Calif., April 26, 2011 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 51,000, 2011 model year Tundra trucks to inspect the rear drive shaft. The rear drive shaft in an estimated 0.05 percent of the vehicles may include a component (slip yoke) that could break due to improper casting during the foundry process. Toyota is aware of one drive shaft slip yoke failure in a customer-owned vehicle. There are no reports of accidents or injuries associated with this condition. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall.

Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a letter advising them of this recall by first class mail starting in May 2011. Toyota will also post this information on its website.

Toyota dealers will be instructed to perform an inspection to identify a specific "production lot" number located on the rear drive shaft. Based upon the inspection results, in a limited number of cases, the rear drive shaft may need to be replaced. The inspection is estimated to take ten minutes. If the rear drive shaft needs to be replaced, the repair will take more time depending on the dealer workload. The inspection and / or replacement will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at
www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Michael Connor. January 31, 2010 http://pressroom.toyota.com/safety-recall/

Choose the best answer for each item.

1. Which sentence shows a fact?

          a. There are no reports of accidents or injuries associated with this condition.

          b. The inspection and / or replacement will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.

          c. Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a letter advising them of this recall by first class mail starting in May 2011.

          d. All of the above

2. Which sentence shows an assumption?

          a. Toyota will also post this information on its website.

          b. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall.

c. Toyota dealers will be instructed to perform an inspection to identify a specific "production lot" number located on the rear drive shaft.

d. If the rear drive shaft needs to be replaced, the repair will take more time depending on the dealer workload.

3. What seems closely happen next?

          a. The dealer workload will increase properly.

          b. Some the rear drive shafts need to be replaced.

          c. The vehicle owners ask for replacing the rear drive shafts.

          d. There will be a lot of vehicle owners need to change the rear drive shafts.

4. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

          a. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall.

b. Around 51,000, 2011 model year Tundra trucks will be inspected the rear drive shaft.

c. The rear drive shaft in an estimated 0.05 percent of the vehicles has some problems.

d. Toyota is aware of one drive shaft slip yoke failure in a customer-owned vehicle.

5. What is the main idea of the reading?

          a. The inspection and / or replacement will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.

b. Owner of the involved vehicles will receive a letter advising them of this recall by first class mail starting in May 2011.

          c. Toyota dealers will be instructed to perform an inspection to identify a specific "production lot" number located on the rear drive shaft.

d. Toyota will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 51,000, 2011 model year Tundra trucks to inspect the rear drive shaft.

6. What is the writing style?

          a. narration

          b. explanation

          c. announcement

          d. discussion

7. How can we conclude from the reading?

          a. Toyota wants to recall customer reliability.

          b. Toyota is not responsible for safety properly.

          c. Toyota produced products with poor qualities.

          d. Toyota tries to solve the problem of the rear drive shaft.

Text 3: Read the following passage and do the exercises.

 Mr. Johnson: I have a customer X who is upset with the service being given by supplier Y. We carry the same product as supplier Y and customer X would like to use us as the new supplier. The dilemma is that supplier Y is also a customer of ours and we don't necessarily want to step on their toes to get this new business. Any ideas on how to proceed? 

Mr. Rex: You have to see the area where the customer X is dissatisfied about the service of  Y. Also you address the issue in friendly manner to supplier  Y  who is also your customer. While doing so, you should not give a feeling to  Y  that you are interfering with their activity, instead you can advice as 'customer care' through your organization for the betterment of the business of both you and  Y through improved customer satisfaction. Today's market is in a trend of "maximizing the profit through customer satisfaction" and try to satisfy both of your customers.

Choose the best answer for each item

1. Which statement shows an opinion?

          a. The customer X is dissatisfied about the service of  Y.

          b. I have a customer X who is upset with the service being given by supplier Y.

          c. We carry the same product as supplier Y and customer X would like to use us as the new supplier.

          d. Today's market is in a trend of "maximizing the profit through customer satisfaction".   

2. Which statement shows a fact?

          a. The dilemma is that supplier Y is also a customer of ours.

          b. We don't necessarily want to step on their toes to get this new business.

          c. We carry the same product as supplier Y and customer X would like to use us as the new supplier.

          d. All of the above

3. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

          a. I have a customer X who is upset with the service being given by supplier Y.

b. The dilemma is that supplier Y is also a customer of ours.

c. We don't necessarily want to step on their toes to get this new business.

d. We carry the same product as supplier Y and customer X would like to use us as the new supplier.

4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

          a. You have to see the area where the customer X is dissatisfied about the service of Y.

          b. Also you address the issue in friendly manner to supplier Y who is also your customer.

          c. While doing so, you should not give a feeling to Y that you are interfering with their activity 
          d. Today's market is in a trend of "maximizing the profit through customer satisfaction" and try to satisfy both of your customers.

5. What is the writer’s purpose?

          a. to describe about dilemma occurred

          b. to entertain readers with company information

          c. to suggest the customer how to solve the problem

          d. to explain the process about dealing with supplier 

6. What is Mr. Johnson’s tone?

          a. depressed

          b. intense

          c. disgruntled

          d. uncomfortable

7. What can we conclude the passage in term of business?

          a. Companies have to satisfied customers most.

          b. Suppliers should responsible for customers.

          c. Customers have rights to choose suppliers. 
          d. Companies should not take the opportunity from others.