Concept 1

Identify the main purpose and focus of a passage or paragraph.

Core Idea

Find the paragraph job before you judge any individual sentence. The right answer usually matches the exact task the paragraph is performing, not the broad topic it happens to mention.

Understanding

Rule: Find the paragraph's job before you judge any individual sentence. The right answer usually matches the exact task the paragraph is performing, not the broad topic it mentions.

  • A paragraph can be about one subject and still have a narrower purpose, such as explaining how a program works or showing why a result matters.
  • Summarize that purpose in one sentence before looking at the choices.
  • That quick summary often reveals the correct answer.

Step by Step

  1. Read the whole paragraph before judging any single sentence.
  2. State the main job in one sentence, such as explain, support, compare, or introduce.
  3. Separate the broad topic from the specific focus.
  4. Choose the answer that matches the paragraph job most exactly.

Misconceptions

  • Choosing the broadest summary because it sounds important.
  • Letting one vivid detail stand in for the entire paragraph.
  • Confusing background context with the actual main point.
Question

Worked Example

A student wrote the following paragraph:

[1] At lunch, Jefferson High students record temperature, rainfall, and wind speed from the small weather station beside the science wing. [2] They post the data online so nearby elementary classes can track local conditions in real time. [3] Science teachers also use the readings when students compare forecasts with actual weather.

Which choice best states the main focus of the paragraph?

Select an answer to see the explanation