Finding main idea 1 docx

The correct answer, of course, is c, “increase, spread at a rapid rate.” It can’t be a or d because these are things associated with reduction, not growth. And everyone knows that weeds in an untended garden will grow fast and aggressively. And b is not an appropriate answer because if you replace proliferate with underes- timate or play down, it doesn’t really make sense. In addition, you can tell that c is the right answer because the rest of the passage provides other clues. It tells you that reality TV shows are replacing other network pro- grams, it tells you that they are popular, and it tells you that they are earning millions of dollars in advertising revenue. All these clues would indicate that reality TV shows are spreading and growing in number, not shrinking or declining. Hence, the meaning of prolif- erate must be c, “increase, spread at a rapid rate.”  How Much Context Do You Need? In the previous example, you would still be able to understand the main message of the passage even if you didn’t know—or couldn’t figure out—the meaning of obscure and proliferate. In some cases, however, your understanding of a passage depends on your under- standing of a particular word or phrase. Can you understand the following sentence, for example, with- out knowing what adversely means? Reality TV shows will adversely affect traditional dramas and comedies. What does adversely mean in this sentence? Is it something good or bad? As good a detective as you may be, there simply aren’t enough clues in this sentence to tell you what this word means. But a passage with more information will give you what you need to determine meaning from context. Reality TV shows will adversely affect traditional dramas and comedies. As reality TV increases in pop- ularity, network executives will begin canceling more traditional dramas and comedies and replacing them with the latest in reality TV. 5. In the passage, adversely most nearly means a. mildly, slightly. b. kindly, gently. c. negatively, unfavorably. d. immediately, swiftly. The correct answer is c, “negatively, unfavorably.” The passage provides clues that allow you to deter- mine the meaning of adversely. It tells you that as real- ity TV becomes more popular, network executives will cancel more traditional dramas and comedies and replace them with reality TV programming. So the meaning of adversely is neither a, “mild or slight,” nor b, “kindly or gently.” And based on the passage, you can’t really tell if these changes will be immediate or swift (d) because the sentence doesn’t say anything about the exact time frame in which these changes will occur. Remember, good detectives don’t make assumptions they can’t support with facts; and there are no facts in this sentence to support the assumption that changes will occur immediately. Thus, c is the best answer. You may also have noticed that adversely is very similar to adversary. And if you know that an adversary is a hostile opponent or enemy, then you know that adversely cannot be something positive. Or, if you know the word adversity—hardship or misfortune—then you know that adversely must mean something nega- tive or difficult. All these words share the same root— advers. Only the endings change. – DEFINING VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT– 36 Practice Read the following passages and determine the mean- ing of the words from their context. The answers appear immediately after the questions. Although social work is not a particularly lucrative career, I wouldn’t do anything else. Knowing I’m helping others is far more important to me than money. 6. Lucrative means. a. highly profitable. b. highly rewarding. c. highly exciting. When you are in an interview, try not to show any overt signs that you are nervous. Don’t shift in your chair, shake, or stutter. 7. Overt means. a. embarrassing, awkward. b. subtle, suggestive. c. obvious, not hidden. By the time our staff meeting ended at 8:00, I was ravenous. I had skipped lunch and hadn’t eaten since breakfast. 8. Ravenous means a. like a raven, bird-like. b. extremely hungry, greedy for food. c. exhausted, ready for bed. Answers 6. a. The writer says money is not important to him. If money is not an issue, it is okay that social work is not highly profitable, that it doesn’t earn a lot of money. 7. c. Shifting, shaking, and stuttering are all obvious, not hidden signs of nervousness. They are not b, subtle or suggestive; and though they may make the interviewee feel a, embarrassed or awkward, the signs them- selves are not embarrassing or awkward. 8. b. Because the writer hadn’t eaten since break- fast, she is extremely hungry, greedy for food. She may also be c, exhausted, but the context tells us that this word has something to do with eating.  Summary The ability to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words from their context is an essential skill for read- ing comprehension. Sometimes, there will be unfa- miliar words whose meaning you can’t determine without a dictionary. But more often than not, a care- ful look at the context will give you enough clues to meaning. – DEFINING VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT– 37 ■ Circle any unfamiliar words you come across today and the rest of the week. Instead of looking them up in a dictionary, try to figure out the meanings of these words from their context. Then, look them up in a dictionary to make sure you are correct. ■ Begin a vocabulary list of the words you look up as you work your way through this book. Many peo- ple feel insecure about their reading and writing skills because they have a limited vocabulary. The more words you know, the easier it will be to understand what others are saying and to express what you have to say. By writing down these new words, you’ll help seal them in your memory. Skill Building until Next Time . rate.”  How Much Context Do You Need? In the previous example, you would still be able to understand the main message of the passage even if you didn’t know—or couldn’t figure out—the meaning of obscure. terrible boss. I really don’t like him. He just can’t get along with people. And he has stupid ideas about politics. Why is the first paragraph so much better? Because it’s not just opinion answer yes to the second, you have a fact. – THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACT AND OPINION– 40 Practice 1 Try these questions on the following statements. Read them carefully, and then write F in the