MAMansoor AlMatrafiSTEP Academy
Find the Answer in the Text · reading

Topic vs Main Idea

الموضوع مقابل الفكرة الرئيسية

Distinguish what a passage is about from what the author says about that topic.

Unit: Find the Answer in the TextCourse

Strategy

الاستراتيجية

Teaching points

  • • Topic = the broad subject.
  • • Main idea = the author's central message about that subject.
  • • Read the first and last sentences carefully.
  • • Track repeated ideas, not just repeated words.
  • • Reject answers that are too narrow, too broad, or only one detail.
  • • STEP trap: a true sentence from the passage can still be the wrong main idea.

- الموضوع = المجال العام الذي يتحدث عنه النص. - الفكرة الرئيسية = الرسالة الأساسية للكاتب عن هذا الموضوع. - ركّز على الجملة الأولى والأخيرة. - لاحظ الأفكار المتكررة وليس الكلمات فقط. - استبعد الخيار الضيق جداً أو العام جداً أو الذي يمثل تفصيلاً واحداً. - فخ STEP: قد يكون الخيار صحيحاً في النص لكنه ليس الفكرة الرئيسية.

Reading passage

Many cities are redesigning public spaces to make walking easier and safer. Wider sidewalks, shaded paths, better street lighting, and clearly marked crossings can encourage residents to walk short distances instead of driving. These changes may also support local businesses because people on foot are more likely to notice shops and cafés. For this reason, urban planners increasingly view walkability as both a transport issue and a community-development issue.

Practice

Answer the 3 questions, then check — أجب عن الأسئلة الثلاثة ثم تحقق

  1. 1. What is the main idea of the passage? A. Walking is the only useful form of transport. B. Safer, more walkable streets can benefit both mobility and local communities. C. Local businesses should replace parking areas with cafés. D. Street lighting is the most important feature of a city.
  2. 2. What is the topic of the passage? A. Urban walkability B. Coffee prices C. Street crime only D. Public transportation fares
  3. 3. Which choice is too narrow to be the main idea? A. Better walkability can support local businesses. B. Walkability can affect transport and community life. C. Cities are redesigning spaces for pedestrians. D. Safer walking environments can create several benefits.