Central Ideas & Details - SAT Reading & Writing
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What is the central idea of a passage?
What is the central idea of a passage?
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The main point or message the author conveys. This is the fundamental definition of what readers should identify first.
The main point or message the author conveys. This is the fundamental definition of what readers should identify first.
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Identify the purpose of supporting details in a text.
Identify the purpose of supporting details in a text.
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To clarify, prove, or explain the central idea. Supporting details always serve the central idea in these specific ways.
To clarify, prove, or explain the central idea. Supporting details always serve the central idea in these specific ways.
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What type of sentence often contains the central idea?
What type of sentence often contains the central idea?
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The topic sentence. Topic sentences typically state the paragraph's main point directly.
The topic sentence. Topic sentences typically state the paragraph's main point directly.
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What question would help identify a supporting detail?
What question would help identify a supporting detail?
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What evidence supports the main idea. This question focuses on finding details that back up the main point.
What evidence supports the main idea. This question focuses on finding details that back up the main point.
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Identify a strategy for finding the central idea in a complex text.
Identify a strategy for finding the central idea in a complex text.
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Summarize each paragraph and find common themes. Breaking down complex texts reveals overarching themes and connections.
Summarize each paragraph and find common themes. Breaking down complex texts reveals overarching themes and connections.
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Find the central idea: 'The rise in sea levels poses a threat to coastal cities.'
Find the central idea: 'The rise in sea levels poses a threat to coastal cities.'
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Sea level rise threatens coastal cities. The central idea captures the main threat described in the sentence.
Sea level rise threatens coastal cities. The central idea captures the main threat described in the sentence.
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What is a thesis statement?
What is a thesis statement?
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A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the main idea of an essay. It serves as the central claim that the entire essay will support.
A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the main idea of an essay. It serves as the central claim that the entire essay will support.
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Which clue helps in identifying the central idea?
Which clue helps in identifying the central idea?
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Repetition of concepts or phrases can indicate the central idea. Authors emphasize important ideas through deliberate repetition.
Repetition of concepts or phrases can indicate the central idea. Authors emphasize important ideas through deliberate repetition.
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Choose the central idea: 'The documentary examines the effects of pollution.'
Choose the central idea: 'The documentary examines the effects of pollution.'
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The central idea is the effects of pollution. The verb 'examines' signals the documentary's main investigative focus.
The central idea is the effects of pollution. The verb 'examines' signals the documentary's main investigative focus.
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What is the function of a concluding sentence?
What is the function of a concluding sentence?
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A concluding sentence reinforces the central idea of a paragraph. It ties together all supporting ideas and restates the main point.
A concluding sentence reinforces the central idea of a paragraph. It ties together all supporting ideas and restates the main point.
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How does an author develop the central idea throughout a text?
How does an author develop the central idea throughout a text?
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By using supporting details, examples, and explanations. These elements work together to elaborate and strengthen the main message.
By using supporting details, examples, and explanations. These elements work together to elaborate and strengthen the main message.
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Identify the central idea: 'The article argues for renewable energy adoption.'
Identify the central idea: 'The article argues for renewable energy adoption.'
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The central idea is advocating for renewable energy adoption. The word 'argues' indicates the article's primary persuasive position.
The central idea is advocating for renewable energy adoption. The word 'argues' indicates the article's primary persuasive position.
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What is the purpose of supporting details?
What is the purpose of supporting details?
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Supporting details elaborate and reinforce the central idea. They add depth and credibility to make the main point more convincing.
Supporting details elaborate and reinforce the central idea. They add depth and credibility to make the main point more convincing.
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What question helps identify the central idea?
What question helps identify the central idea?
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What is the author trying to convey or prove. This question directs readers to focus on the author's primary purpose.
What is the author trying to convey or prove. This question directs readers to focus on the author's primary purpose.
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What details support a central idea?
What details support a central idea?
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Supporting details provide evidence or examples for the central idea. They function as proof and illustrations that strengthen the main argument.
Supporting details provide evidence or examples for the central idea. They function as proof and illustrations that strengthen the main argument.
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Identify the central idea: 'The article focuses on climate change impacts.'
Identify the central idea: 'The article focuses on climate change impacts.'
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The central idea is the impacts of climate change. The key phrase 'focuses on' directly signals what the article is primarily about.
The central idea is the impacts of climate change. The key phrase 'focuses on' directly signals what the article is primarily about.
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What is a central idea in a text?
What is a central idea in a text?
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A central idea is the main point or message of a text. This definition captures the essence of what readers should extract from any passage.
A central idea is the main point or message of a text. This definition captures the essence of what readers should extract from any passage.
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Which paragraph typically contains the central idea in an essay?
Which paragraph typically contains the central idea in an essay?
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The introductory paragraph often contains the central idea. Writers typically present their main argument early to guide readers.
The introductory paragraph often contains the central idea. Writers typically present their main argument early to guide readers.
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What distinguishes a central idea from a theme?
What distinguishes a central idea from a theme?
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A central idea is specific to the text; a theme is a broader message. Central ideas are text-specific while themes are universal concepts.
A central idea is specific to the text; a theme is a broader message. Central ideas are text-specific while themes are universal concepts.
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Which sentence best states the central idea of a paragraph?
Which sentence best states the central idea of a paragraph?
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The sentence that summarizes the main point of the paragraph. Look for the sentence that encompasses all other ideas in the paragraph.
The sentence that summarizes the main point of the paragraph. Look for the sentence that encompasses all other ideas in the paragraph.
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How can a reader identify the central idea of a text?
How can a reader identify the central idea of a text?
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By summarizing the main points and looking for repeated themes. These strategies help readers distill the author's primary message.
By summarizing the main points and looking for repeated themes. These strategies help readers distill the author's primary message.
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Select the central idea: 'The speech highlights the importance of education.'
Select the central idea: 'The speech highlights the importance of education.'
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The central idea is the importance of education. The word 'highlights' shows what the speech emphasizes most strongly.
The central idea is the importance of education. The word 'highlights' shows what the speech emphasizes most strongly.
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What is the role of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
What is the role of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
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The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It serves as the controlling idea that all other sentences support.
The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It serves as the controlling idea that all other sentences support.
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Identify a supporting detail: 'The report includes data on economic growth.'
Identify a supporting detail: 'The report includes data on economic growth.'
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Data on economic growth supports the report's central idea. Concrete data provides evidence that reinforces the main argument.
Data on economic growth supports the report's central idea. Concrete data provides evidence that reinforces the main argument.
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