SAT Main Idea questions

Main Idea questions in the Digital SAT Reading section assess your understanding of the central theme or primary point of a passage. These questions ask you to identify the main purpose or message conveyed by the author. To answer these questions effectively, it’s important to have a strong grasp of the passage’s overall content, tone, and argument.

Here are some strategies to approach Main Idea questions:

1️⃣ Read the passage carefully: Gain a thorough understanding of the passage’s main points, supporting details, and overall structure. Take note of the author’s perspective or argument.

2️⃣ Identify the topic: Determine the subject matter or topic the passage is primarily addressing. This will give you a big-picture view.

3️⃣ Look for repetition: Pay attention to any repeated ideas, phrases, or words throughout the passage. These elements can often point towards the main idea.

4️⃣ Consider the author’s purpose: Analyze the author’s tone, stance, or goal in writing the passage. This can help you identify the main idea or primary argument being made.

5️⃣ Eliminate distractors: Be cautious of answer choices that contain specific details or focus on minor aspects of the passage. The main idea question should address the central theme, not the specifics.

SAT Main Idea questions Tips

Remember, Main Idea questions require you to synthesize information from the entire passage and identify the most overarching concept. Practice active reading strategies and regularly work on sample passages with accompanying questions to improve your skills in this area.

SAT Main Idea Sample Question I:

“Climate change is a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention. Rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events are just some of the visible effects of climate change. If we fail to take action now, we will face catastrophic consequences in the future. It is crucial for individuals, governments, and industries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy sources, and adopt sustainable practices. By prioritizing environmental protection and sustainable development, we can mitigate the impact of climate change and create a better future for generations to come.”

What is the main idea of the passage?

A) Climate change is causing rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
B) Governments and industries should work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt sustainable practices.
C) Immediate action is required to address the pressing issue of climate change.
D) Climate change can be mitigated by investing in renewable energy sources.

Answer: C) Immediate action is required to address the pressing issue of climate change.

Explanation: In this passage, the author emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change, stating that it is a pressing global issue that requires immediate attention. This main idea is captured in answer choice C. While the other statements mentioned in the passage (rising temperatures, extreme weather events, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy sources) are supporting details, they are not the central focus or primary purpose of the passage.

SAT Main Idea Sample Question II:

“The importance of education in today’s society cannot be overstated. Education equips individuals with knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary for personal and professional growth. It is through education that people gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, develop critical thinking abilities, and broaden their perspectives. Moreover, education plays a pivotal role in promoting social equality and driving economic development. By investing in education and ensuring equal access for all, we can empower individuals and build strong, thriving communities.”

What is the main idea of the passage?

A) Education provides individuals with knowledge and skills for personal and professional growth.
B) Education promotes social equality and economic development.
C) Education fosters critical thinking and broadens perspectives.
D) Investing in education empowers individuals and builds strong communities

Answer: B) Education promotes social equality and economic development.

Explanation: In this passage, the author highlights the importance of education by emphasizing its role in promoting social equality and driving economic development. While the other statements mentioned in the passage (providing knowledge and skills, fostering critical thinking, empowering individuals, building strong communities) are indeed benefits of education, they are supporting details that contribute to the main idea. Therefore, answer choice B best represents the central focus of the passage.

SAT Main Idea Sample Question III:

“The theory of relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. Einstein’s theory consists of two major components: the general theory of relativity and the special theory of relativity. The special theory of relativity deals with objects moving at constant speeds in the absence of gravitational forces, while the general theory of relativity incorporates gravity and describes the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects. Einstein’s equations of general relativity have been confirmed through various experiments and observations, including the bending of light around massive celestial bodies and the existence of gravitational waves. The theory of relativity has profound implications for astrophysics, cosmology, and our understanding of the universe.”

What is the main idea of the passage?

A) The theory of relativity and its impact on astrophysics and cosmology
B) Einstein’s achievements in the field of physics
C) The relationship between space, time, and gravity
D) The confirmation of Einstein’s equations through experiments and observations

Answer: A) The theory of relativity and its impact on astrophysics and cosmology

Explanation: The main idea of the passage is the theory of relativity and its impact on the fields of astrophysics and cosmology. The passage discusses the two major components of Einstein’s theory, the special and general theories of relativity, and how they revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. It also mentions the implications of the theory for astrophysics, cosmology, and our understanding of the universe. Therefore, answer choice A accurately represents the main idea of the passage. The other answer choices, while mentioned in the passage, do not encompass the central focus of the passage as comprehensively as answer choice A does.