6

ENGLISH

GIVING THE MAIN IDEA (EXPLICIT)

Program supported by the Australian Agency for

International Development

A DepEd-BEAM Distance Learning

To the Learner

Dear Learner,
How are you today?
This is your first module in English for the second grading. Like in
the previous modules, you will also learn exciting lessons
here with activities that are especially made for you.
In this module, you will learn how to identify and give the explicit
main idea of a selection.
Have fun and good luck!

Lets

Le

This module will help you identify the main idea of a reading
selection that is explicitly stated. The explicit main idea identifies the
topic and states the overall meaning of the paragraph.

Lets Try
Read each paragraph and identify its main idea.
1. Deadlines are a fact of a writers l will occur under the pressure of time. A

writer must have the

ability to think fast to catch the deadline. News writers, for

instance, have to cover the happenings in the country for
people to know the soonest possible time.
1. Deadlines are a fact of a writer
2. Most of his writing projects will occur under the pressure of

time.

3. A writer must have the ability to think fast to catch the

deadline.

2. Pamela started working at a very young age when she left her

hometown. She saved money to buy materials for beaded

necklaces and bracelets. She put up a small business on
accessories in her town. Now, she owns twenty branches of
Pamelas Accessories in key cities o to make her dreams come true.
1. Pamela wore beaded accessories.
2. Pamela saved money.
3. Pamela worked hard to make her dreams come true.

3. Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses,

roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause
landslides. They often leave mud, sand and debris behind. It
can take months to clean up after a devastating flood.
1. Floods leave mud, sand and debris.
2. Floods can cause tremendous damage.
3. Floods can take down trees and cause landslides.

4. Animals

protect themselves by blending in with their

surrounding. The chameleon protects itself by blending the
color of its skin with its surrounding. The stripes of the tiger
help it hide in the jungle. Some fish blend in with the sand and
mud in the water. Certain birds shed brown feathers and grow
white ones to hide in the winters snow.
1. All animals hide from enemies.
2. Fish blends in with mud and sand in the water.
3. Animals

protect themselves by blending in with their

surrounding.

5. Whales talk with others by making different sounds. They make

clicks, whistles, squeaks, thumps and even low moans. Because

sound waves travel well in water, the songs of whales can be
heard more than a hundred miles away. Whales are very
sociable animals.
1. Whales talk with others by making different sounds.

2. Whales make clicks, whistles, squeaks, thumps and even low

moans.

3. Whales are very sociable animals.

Finished?
Are your answers like these?
1) a 2) c 3)b 4)c 5)c

Dont worry if you dont get all th other activities for you to do in the
succeeding pages.

Lets

Stud

Read this paragraph and take note of the details that are found in
each sentence.

The Filipino is a very respectful person.

He shows due respect to his parents, elders
and to people in authority. He never mis time
situations demand. This is a Filipino way of
showing respect which we are very proud of.
He kisses the hands of parents and
grandparents as a unique way of showing
respect to elders. He cal elder sister Ate.

1- adapted from the Lesson Guides in

Elem. English by the Ateneo de Manila
University

What is the main idea of the paragraph?

What are the supporting details?
Lets us use a diagram to illustrate the main idea and its
supporting details.

Main Idea: The Filipino is a very respectful person.

Supporting Details

He shows due respect

to his parents, elders
and to people in
authority.

He never misses to
say the word
every time situations
demand it.

He kisses the
hands of his
parents and
grandparents.

He calls his
older brother
Kuya o
older sister
Ate.

The main idea is the most important idea in a paragraph. It is

like a string that holds a necklace of beads together. It binds the
sentences in the paragraph so that they make sense. The details in
the sentences are related to one another and they usually refer to
one particular topic.
Furthermore, the main idea is the most important thought or
focus in the paragraph. It may be stated directly (explicit) or it may
be implied (implicit). If the main idea is stated directly (explicit), it
can neither be found at the beginning, middle or end of a paragraph.

Lets Do This
Read each paragraph and write the explicit main idea on your
paper.

1.

In the Philippines, Filipino doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers,

construction workers, and domestic helpers leave the country
to seek better paying jobs abroad. They sacrifice a lot, leaving
behind their loved ones so that their families can have better
lives. Truly the millions of overseas Filipinos workers are the
unsung heroes of our country.
1-

Noting
Details,
SOL
http://www.poquoson.org/VASOLS/details htm

(2001)

2- The Phoenix World of Reading 6

2.

The Philippines celebrates four national holidays. These are

Bonifacio Day, National Heroes Day,
Day. These are the holidays that Filipinos easily remember.

3.

Blind Roselle Ambuyog graduated as class valedictorian. She

tops the graduating class of 1,006 students at the Ramon
Magsaysay High School in Manila. She also garners eight other
awards and is given recognition as the model student of the
year. She, therefore, delivers the valedictory speech.
1-

adapted from English Expressway, Evelyn B.

Angeles, et. al

4.

Curiosity is a great enabler, and I believe, a natural inborn

asset. It can be enhanced and may become a constructive
inner resource. As such, it can be powerful motivator for selfdevelopment in all areas. However, it can also be stunted and
destroyed.

5.

Dancing is a form of exercise that is good for the heart, the

mind, and the spirit. Dancing makes a person healthy. The way
the body responds to the beat of the music, the holding of
hands with the partner is a collaboration of art. There is a good
mutual relationship between oneself and the people around
you. You become a better person.

Practice,

Lets

Do M

Using the graphic organizer, illustrate the main idea and

supporting details of this paragraph.

The Filipino is very thoughtful, loving,

understanding helpful, fair, friendly and
charitable. He shares even the little that he
has with the needy and the poor. When
calamities like typhoons, floods, epidemics
and earthquakes occur, you can be sure that
the Filipino is always there with a helping
hand and a ready smile to cheer up those
who suffer. He is humane and concerned to
his fellowmen.
-

adapted from Learning

Guides in English
by the Ateneo de Manila
Universirty

Are you done? Look at the answer key to check your answers.
How was it? Was your answer right?
If

not, dontre areworrymoreactivitiesforin thethismodule.

Lets

Rememb

A paragraph is a group of sentences that talk about

one important key idea. These sentences which are
connected to one another in some ways give small ideas
that support the key sentence.
The key sentence expresses the main idea of the
paragraph. It usually states, in one sentence, what the
paragraph is about. The sentence that contains the main
idea may be found at the beginning, middle or end of a
paragraph.

Lets Test Ou

The following paragraphs are excerp Kabataan Primer, Expanding Our

Hori

University Press, Inc., 2001)

Read each paragraph and write the explicit main idea on your
paper.

1.

There is a tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even

somewhat flighty. In the face of serious problems, both
personal and social, there is a lack of analysis or reflection. We
joke about the most serious matters and this attitude prevents
looking

deeply into the problem. There is no felt need to validate our

hypotheses or explanation of things.
2.

Our innate religiosity enables us to comprehend and genuinely accept

reality in the context,tragedyof God and bad fortune are accepted and
a certain degree of optimism characterizes even the poorest lives.
Indeed, Filipinos have a
deep faith in God.

3.

The
desire
to
raise
ones
standard
decentfamily,combinedlifewithforthe on right
incentives, makes the Filipino work very

essentials
of
a
opportunities and

hard. Filipinos have the capacity for hard work given proper
conditions. This trait is manifested most noticeably in
willingness to take risks with jobs abroad and, while there, to
work at two or three jobs. The result is productivity and
entrepreneurship for some and survival despite poverty for
others.
4.

Filipinos regard others with dignity and respect and deal with
them as fellow human beings. Pakikipagkapwa-tao is
manifested in a basic sense of justice and fairness and in
concern for others.
It is demonstrated in the Filipino others, in helpfulness and generosity
in times of need, in the practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance,
and in the famous Filipino hospitality.

5.

We have a pleasant disposition, a sense of humor and a

prosperity for happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino
charm but also to the indomitability of the Filipino spirit. We
have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups and
downs. Laughing at ourselves and the mess we are in an
important coping mechanism. Often playful, sometimes
disrespectful, we laugh at those we love at those we hate and
we make jokes about our fortune, be it good or bad.
Finished?
Check your answers against the answer key.
Whats your score?
Congratulations!
answers, you get a

If you got 4-5 right

If you got 3 and below, do the activity in Let

Lets
E
Ourselves
Read each group of sentences. Write the main idea on your paper.
1. The ostrich is the largest bird in existence.

Ostriches may weigh from 200 to 300 pounds (90-135 kg).

Some ostriches are nearly 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall.
2. Although they cannot fly, ostriches can run quickly.

Their long legs and sturdy feet help them run.

Ostriches can run as fast as 40 miles (64 km) per
hour.

3. An ostrich can usually outrun its enemies with ease.

The ostrichs strong legs help to pr

When an ostrich can run no farther, it will kick an enemy with its
powerful legs.
4. Carribean flamingos have coral-red feathers.

In South America, flamingos are pinkish-white; in North America,

they are bright red with black-eyed wings.
A flamingos color ranges from brigh
5. Flamingos strain mud to get their food.

In their bills, flamingos scoop up mud from the bottoms of lakes.

They strain out small plants and animals and eat them.

Answer Key

Lets Do This
1. Truly the millions of overseas Filipino workers are the unsung
2.
3.
4.
5.

heroes of our country.

The Philippines celebrates four national holidays.
Blind Roselle Ambubuyog graduated as class valedictorian.
Curiosity is a great enabler, and I believe, a natural inborn
asset.
Dancing is a form of exercise that is good.

Lets Do More

thoughtfu
l

charitabl
e

loving

unders

The Filipino is humane

and concerned to his
felowmen.
friendly
helpful

Lets Testlves Ourse

1. There is a tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even

somewhat flighty.

2. Filipinos have a deep faith in God.

3. Filipinos have the capacity for

conditions.

hard work given proper

4. Filipinos regard others with dignity and respect and deal with

them as fellow human beings.

5. We have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups

and downs.

10

Lets Enrich Ourselves

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The ostrich is the largest bird in existence.

Although they cannot fly, ostriches can run quickly.
The ostrichs strongtoprotectit fromlegsitsenemieshelp.
A flamingos color ranges from brigh
Flamingos strain mud get to their food.

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