🎯 Identifying the Main Idea
The main idea is the central point or message the author is trying to convey in a paragraph. It's often found in the topic sentence, which is usually the first or second sentence of a paragraph. This sentence introduces the paragraph's subject and the author's main point about it.

Topic Sentence: This sentence acts as a summary of the entire paragraph. Look for it at the beginning, but sometimes it might be at the end, summarizing the information provided.

Keywords: Pay attention to words and phrases that are repeated or emphasized throughout the paragraph. These keywords often relate directly to the main idea.

Supporting Details: The rest of the paragraph consists of supporting details that explain, prove, or expand on the main idea. These can include examples, statistics, or explanations. Don't get too bogged down in these details; your goal is to understand the bigger picture they support.

📝 Example
Let's look at a sample paragraph and how to find its main idea for a Matching Headings task.

Paragraph: "The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 marked a turning point in modern medicine. While Fleming's initial findings were not immediately developed into a usable drug, his work laid the foundation for later scientists to isolate and purify the antibiotic. This groundbreaking discovery saved millions of lives during World War II and paved the way for the development of countless other life-saving medications."

Topic Sentence: "The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 marked a turning point in modern medicine." This sentence immediately tells us the main topic: the importance of penicillin's discovery.

Supporting Details: The rest of the paragraph provides details about how Fleming's work laid the foundation for future developments, its impact during World War II, and its role in modern medicine. All these details support the main point that penicillin was a significant medical breakthrough.

Based on this analysis, a suitable heading for this paragraph would be something like "The revolutionary impact of penicillin" or "A pivotal moment in medical history." Both headings accurately capture the paragraph's main idea.