How can you determine the central idea of an informational passage most efficiently?

• A. Identify the main claim and key details.
• B. Focus on the last paragraph for the answer.
• C. Skim for numbers only.
• D. Identify supporting details only.

Answer: (A)

The central idea is the overall point the author wants you to take away from the passage, and you get it most efficiently by pulling together the main claim with the key details that support it. The main claim is the core assertion or message the author is making, and it’s usually stated directly as a thesis or topic sentence, sometimes implied but still the driving idea. The key details are the specific facts, examples, explanations, or data the author uses to prove or illustrate that claim. When you identify both—the main claim and the details that back it up—you can summarize the passage in one clear idea and see how the rest of the information fits.

Relying on the last paragraph alone can miss where the central message is stated or how it’s developed, and skimming for numbers only overlooks how those figures relate to the overall point. Focusing on supporting details without tying them to a main claim leaves you with pieces that don’t show the larger purpose. So, zero in on the main claim and the supporting details to capture the true takeaway quickly.