“What is the main idea of the passage” is a typical question that is asked a lot in reading comprehension. In order to answer “main idea” question, most students would read the whole text at least once, then make the choice. But you never need to read the entire text to know the “main idea”. Try the following three strategies: first, try Pre-Reading. Read the title, headings, images (including pictures, tables and charts, diagrams, etc.), special fonts (bolded words, italicized words) and footnotes if they appear in the text. Some of the Pre-Reading items will be enough for you to know the “main idea” of the text; second, only read the beginning and the end of the text if there’s no or not enough Pre-Reading items. Depending on the type of text, if it is an essay, just read the introduction and conclusion; if it is a story, read the first few paragraphs and the last few paragraphs. From the beginning and the end of the text, you will surely know the main idea of the text. If the above two strategies don’t work, use the answers from other questions. The answers from other questions give you the impression of the whole text, so you will be able to figure out the “main idea” of the text. Without reading the whole text, you can easily answer the “main idea” question.
