To determine the main idea, a reader should locate which of the following?

• A. The sentence that states a device or key claim
• B. The central message supported by details
• C. A sentence with the most adjectives
• D. The final paragraph's conclusion

Answer: (B)

Finding the main idea means identifying the central message the author wants you to take away about the topic. You determine it by looking for the idea that ties together the details, examples, and arguments the author uses. The best option describes this central message that the supporting details reinforce throughout the passage. A sentence that states a device or key claim might be part of the argument, but it doesn’t by itself reveal the overall point. A sentence with lots of adjectives focuses on description, not meaning. The final paragraph’s conclusion often restates or wraps up the idea, but the main idea is the overarching message that those details support. So focusing on the central message supported by the details best captures the main idea.