Maximizing Your SAT Grammar Score: The Role of Main Idea Questions
Getting the Main Idea is an IMPORTANT topic on the SAT. Learn how to strategically approach main idea questions on the SAT
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Tigerway Team Members, Parents, and Prospective Families,
For this email, I want to cover a VERY IMPORTANT topic with you: Main Idea. The Main Idea can be tested in BOTH the Reading and the Writing Sections of the SAT.
It is the absolute first step before diving into detail-oriented questions.
Main idea questions in the SAT Grammar section ask you to identify the central or most important idea in a passage or sentence.
Here are some types of Main Idea questions you will encounter on the SAT:
Passage-based main idea questions: These questions ask you to identify the main idea of an entire passage. To answer these questions, you'll need to read the passage carefully and determine the overall purpose or message the author is conveying.
Paragraph-based main idea questions: These questions ask you to identify the main idea of a specific paragraph. To answer these questions, you'll need to read the paragraph carefully and determine its main topic or focus.
Implied main idea questions: These questions ask you to identify the main idea that is suggested or implied but not explicitly stated in a passage or sentence. To answer these questions, you'll need to analyze the information presented and determine the underlying message or purpose.
Remember that identifying the main idea requires careful reading and analysis of the information presented. Pay attention to the author's purpose, tone, and use of language, as well as the context and organization of the information.
You want to identify the BIG PICTURE before understanding the details. Make sure to write down key topics of the passage or paragraph.
Let’s test your skills on getting the main idea on this real-life SAT question. An extra question is provided to test your transition skills!
Make sure to try this question out first before reading my commentary
May 2022 SAT Grammar
For number 7:
Let’s break down this paragraph!
We are first introduced to Albinoni, a musical dilettante
Then it mentions “The piece”, as one of his pieces that has gained popularity within musical and movie soundtracks.
The rest of the paragraph talks about the popularity of Albinoni’s well-known musical piece, Adagio, in various musicals and movies.
We can see that the main topic mentioned frequently throughout this paragraph is Adagio.
A change needs to be made because the first sentence does not provide much value to the rest of the paragraph.
The sentence "the high drama of the adagio proved to be popular, especially in the film industry" effectively establishes the main idea of the paragraph, which is that the Adagio by Albinoni has become well-known due to its use in films. This sentence provides more specific information about why the piece has become popular in the film industry.
For choices C and D, the two sentences do not add value to Adagio’s popularity within musical FILMS and movies (films). They do not relate or introduce the main idea of the paragraph. Instead, they mention other details about Adagio being available in other versions and instrumental combinations.
Answer B is correct
For number 8:
Looking at the sentence before and after, “In fact” is used appropriately to talk about Adagio being used in many movies.
It emphasizes the popularity of Adagio, which is the main idea of the paragraph. (Main idea is always the first step for other concepts too). The other choices do not emphasize the main idea.
Answer A is correct
It's important to remember the concept of Main Ideas, as it will remain a crucial topic for the SAT and other reading assessments you may encounter in the future!
Further resources:
Jack Delehey’s College Confidence Group is a forum-based community where Jack and I answer general questions for parents with college-bound teens.
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