HiSET: Language Arts - Reading focuses on developing reading comprehension skills essential for success in the HiSET exam and beyond.
The main idea is the central point or the most important thought in a passage. It tells you what the paragraph or text is mostly about.
Knowing the main idea helps you understand what you’re reading and makes it easier to answer comprehension questions.
In everyday life, identifying the main idea helps you summarize news articles, instructions, or even stories friends tell you.
Try reading a short article or story and writing one sentence that sums it up. That’s the main idea!
A passage about healthy eating repeats the phrase 'balanced diet' and focuses on why eating a variety of foods is important. The main idea is the importance of a balanced diet.
A story describes a student's struggle to finish homework on time. The main idea is the challenges of managing time as a student.
The main idea is what a text is mostly about—find it to understand any passage.