the main idea

[shy doc]

Main Idea questions should be easy. But sometimes I get these wrong too. Are there any strategies you recommend for main idea questions on the listening section?

[HenryN]

The main strategy applicable to main idea questions is Process of Elimination.

· Eliminate first answer choices that are too detailed. Remember you’re not looking for specifics but rather general idea.

· However you are also going to want to eliminate extremely general answer choices too.

· Eliminate irrelevant answers – including information not covered in the lecture/discussion.

Also—always be conscious of tricky answers. Sometimes, tricks include answers that seem too close to the main idea—using words very similar to those in the passage but with a meaning that is incorrect. You probably don’t want to eliminate these choices immediately (unless you are sure), but do be cautious of these TOEFL tricks.