Reading: Understanding Text Structure, Cohesion & Coherence: B1 Lesson 1: Identifying Main Idea & Topic Sentences in Paragraphs
CEFR Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Target Reading Sub-skill: Understanding Text Structure, Cohesion & Coherence
Specific Focus: Identifying Main Idea & Topic Sentences in Paragraphs
What You Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand that most paragraphs have a main idea.
- Identify the main idea of a paragraph in a B1-level text.
- Recognize and identify a topic sentence, which often states the main idea.
- Understand that topic sentences are frequently found at the beginning or end of a paragraph.
Hello Cambodian Learners!
When you read an article, like one about Cambodian history or a blog post about visiting a place like the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, each paragraph usually discusses one main point. This main point is called the main idea. Often, one sentence in the paragraph clearly states this main idea – this is the topic sentence. Finding these helps you understand the structure of the text and what the writer wants to tell you most importantly in each section.
Main Ideas and Topic Sentences
The main idea is the central point or message of a paragraph. It's what all the sentences in that paragraph are trying to explain or support.
The topic sentence is the sentence in a paragraph that most clearly states the main idea. It's often the first sentence, but it can also be at the end, or sometimes in the middle.
Example: Click the paragraph to hear it. The topic sentence is highlighted.
Main Idea/Topic Sentence: Learning a new language offers many benefits.
The other sentences give examples or reasons for these benefits (job opportunities, communication, brain function).
Practice Time!
Activity 1: Choose the Best Main Idea
Read each paragraph. Then choose the option that best states the main idea of the paragraph.
Activity 2: Find the Topic Sentence
Read each paragraph. Click on the sentence that you think is the topic sentence (the sentence that best states the main idea of the paragraph).
Quick Quiz!
Great Job!
You are learning to identify main ideas and topic sentences! This skill is crucial for understanding how texts are organized and for extracting the most important information efficiently.