How to Approach Main Idea Questions on the ACT® & SAT®
Originally published on November 22, 2022
Updated on November 19, 2024
Main idea questions on the SAT® and ACT® focus on the passage as a whole, rather than on specific lines, paragraphs, events, dialogues, or details. While these questions require careful reading, they also demand that the test taker zoom out and understand the text's overall meaning. Essentially, they ask the reader to identify the author’s central thought and purpose for writing the passage, making them broader in scope and requiring a more general understanding of the entire passage, essay, or poem as well as strong reading comprehension skills.
Tackling Main Idea questions can feel intimidating, but they often become some of the easiest questions to answer—with the right approach. Let’s explore effective strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and practice tips to help your students confidently answer Main Idea questions on test day.
What Are Main Idea Questions?
Main idea questions focus on understanding the passage as a whole. They ask you to summarize the primary message or theme the author wants to communicate. You’ll often encounter these in forms like:
“The main idea of the passage is…”
“What is the primary purpose of this passage?”
“Which statement best expresses the central idea of the passage?”
“The passage is primarily concerned with…”
“Which of the following is the best description of the passage?”
“The central claim of the passage is…”
“Which of the following best summarizes the passage?”
Notice that every one of these examples mentions” rather than a specific line, paragraph, event, character, or detail. As such, Main Idea questions are fairly easy to recognize once you know what you’re looking for; the key is to look past specific details and focus on the overarching message.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Main Idea
Main idea questions are considered one of the three most common types of Global Questions. A Global Question does not direct the reader to a specific part of a passage or provide a line reference; it is more comprehensive and involves a much wider scope.
Keeping that in mind, here’s a clear strategy to share with your clients for how to approach Main Idea questions:
Step #1: Read the Entire Passage First
Reading through the entire passage before answering Main Idea questions is highly recommended. These "Big Picture" questions require understanding the main thrust of the passage, which can be better achieved by first reading the passage in full.
Step #2: Pay Attention to Key Sentences
Focus on the first and last sentences of important sections, such as:
The FIRST sentence of the passage often introduces the topic or central idea.
The LAST sentence of the FIRST paragraph usually reinforces the direction the passage will take.
The LAST sentence of the passage often concludes or summarizes the author’s argument or message.
These sentences are rich with clues about the passage's Main Idea.
Step #3: Consider Titles and Abstracts
The title can often provide valuable insights into the overall theme. If the passage includes an abstract or brief description, this may also serve as a clue.
For example, titles like A Tale of Two Cities hint at contrasting themes, while a description of Moby-Dick provides more direct information on the plot’s focus.
Not all passages will include this type of contextual information. That said, if the information is provided, students should give it some attention.
Step #4: Notice Transitional Words and Paragraph Breaks
Pay attention to transitions such as “On the other hand,” “However,” and “For instance,” which signal shifts in ideas and examples. Paragraph breaks can also indicate changes in tone, the development of ideas, or the introduction of new perspectives. These clues help to understand the passage’s structure and the author's intent.
Step #5: Summarize the Passage in a Sentence
Encourage your students to try to mentally summarize the “point” of the passage and ask themselves, “What is the author trying to communicate overall?”
Step #6: Use the Process of Elimination
Eliminate answer choices that are too narrow (focusing on a single detail) or too broad (missing the passage’s specific focus). The correct answer will always capture the passage as a whole, not just isolated details.
Step #7: Revisit Key Sections if Necessary
If the test taker is unsure between two answers, advise them to go back to the key paragraphs—the introduction, conclusion, and topic sentences—to clarify the author’s intent and reinforce their understanding of the passage.
Avoid These 4 Common Pitfalls
When tackling Main Idea questions, it's important to watch out for common pitfalls that can lead to incorrect answers. Help your students recognize trap answers and avoid answers that focus solely on a single line, event, character, or detail, as these are likely distractions. The correct answer will always reflect the overall main idea of the passage, not just a specific point. Common traps include:
1. Mistaking Supporting Details for the Main Idea
Supporting details enhance the Main Idea but don’t define it. Teach your students to always ask themselves, "Does this reflect the overall theme, or is it just one example?"
2. Choosing Partially Correct Answers
Some answers may be partially correct but incomplete. Advise your clients to make sure the choice they select captures the entire passage, not just a portion of it.
3. Being Misled by Extreme or Emotional Language
Teach your students to be cautious of answers that use exaggerated or emotional language if the passage maintains a neutral tone. Stick with choices that align with the author's established tone.
4. Overlooking the Author’s Purpose
Encourage your students to always consider the purpose behind the passage—whether it's to inform, persuade, or explain. Understanding this context will help them better identify the Main Idea of the passage.
By avoiding these traps, students can improve their ability to identify the correct Main Idea answer.
Practice Questions: Put Your Skills to the Test
Here are two sample questions to give you a deeper look into the type of Main Idea questions your students may encounter on the ACT® or SAT®:
SAT® Example:
Recent research on a fossil from the Dmanisi site in Georgia suggests that the evolution of a long childhood in humans may have preceded the increase in brain size. By analyzing the dental development of this early Homo specimen, scientists discovered that its tooth maturation pattern resembled that of modern humans, with a prolonged reliance on milk teeth and adult care. This supports the idea that a longer childhood, driven by cultural transmission and social support, played a key role in human evolution. The findings challenge the "big brain—long childhood" hypothesis, suggesting that it was the extension of childhood and the emergence of complex social behaviors that ultimately favored brain growth and longer lifespans, not the increase in brain size itself.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Scientists found that the tooth maturation pattern of the fossil resembled modern humans, showing a prolonged reliance on milk teeth and adult care.
B) The findings suggest that the extension of childhood and the emergence of complex social behaviors, rather than increased brain size, favored brain growth and longer lifespans.
C) The evolution of a long childhood in humans may have come before brain size increased, with adult care and cultural transmission playing a key role.
D) Research shows that increased brain size preceded the evolution of a long childhood, as evidenced by the prolonged resilience of milk teeth and tooth maturation.
The best answer is C because it summarizes the article's central idea that a longer childhood, supported by adult care and cultural transmission, may have evolved before brain size increased, challenging the traditional view.
This example is similar to a Main Idea question your students will encounter on the SAT®. The SAT® uses smaller, unique texts (usually a single paragraph) for each question. Make sure that your clients who are prepping for the SAT® are practicing using similar, SAT®-aligned questions.
ACT® Example:
The following text is an excerpt from the article “Mindfulness in Schools: A Path to Better Mental Health” featured in Mind / Matter Magazine, October 2022, issue 33.
Teen mental health in the U.S. is worsening, with 44% of teens reporting feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and nearly 20% considering suicide, according to a 2021 CDC survey. These issues are especially prevalent among LGBTQ+ teens, and the pandemic has intensified these struggles. In response, researchers are developing mindfulness-based programs to help students manage stress and improve mental well-being. These research findings highlight how mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises, can help students, especially those with behavioral challenges, regulate their emotions and reduce disruptive behaviors.
What’s more, research indicates that school mindfulness programs effectively reduce aggression and improve focus. Further studies indicate that mindfulness programs in schools also help prevent anxiety and depression while they promote positive classroom behavior. Mindfulness has proven an effective tool for reducing stress and supporting mental health, ultimately enhancing students' emotional regulation and academic performance.
The primary purpose of the passage is to
A) explain the benefits of mindfulness programs in schools.
B) describe how the pandemic has worsened mental health and academic struggles among teens.
C) highlight the challenges of implementing mindfulness programs in schools.
D) compare different mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, to determine which best helps regulate behavioral issues in schools.
The best answer is A because the central focus of the passage is on how mindfulness programs help students manage stress, improve mental health, and enhance behavior and academic performance.
Remember, the ACT® now uses shorter passages in the Reading and English sections. Make sure that your students prepping for the ACT® are practicing using current ACT®-aligned materials.
Key Takeaways
Focus on the Big Picture: Test takers must ask, “What is the author’s main point?” to avoid getting bogged down in details.
Look for Clues in Structure: Use the intro, conclusion, and topic sentences to guide understanding.
Practice, Practice, Practice: The more students practice Main Idea questions, the better they’ll get at identifying them, approaching them, and answering them correctly.
Mastering Main Idea questions requires test takers to develop a big-picture mindset and hone strategies that improve their reading comprehension. Teaching students to effectively tackle these questions is not just about test prep—it’s a skill that enhances their everyday reading skills.
Encourage your students to practice consistently, focusing on key sentences, summarizing passages, and using the process of elimination. By avoiding common pitfalls and staying focused on the author’s overall message, they’ll not only excel on the SAT® and ACT® but also build confidence in their ability to navigate complex texts with accuracy and understanding.
For more strategies and a full array of practice ACT® & SAT® Reading passages and questions, schedule a free demo of our 100% white-label test-prep platform. See how Clear Choice Prep’s software, custom-branded workbooks, and personalized curricular tools can help your students walk into test day ready for success.