Reading

Identify the writer’s main idea

Seemile Easy TOPIK I · reading · pp. 104–108

Understand the task

The writer’s main idea is the conclusion that the examples or reasons support. A statement can be true without being the main idea. Look for recommendations, desires and plans, then ask which option could serve as a one-sentence summary of why the paragraph was written.

Read for the writer’s central judgment or recommendation. Treat the other sentences as reasons or examples that may support it.

How to solve this question type

Identify the repeated subject and separate its examples from the writer’s evaluation.
Pay attention to the closing recommendation, but verify it against the earlier sentences instead of assuming every final sentence is the answer.
Reject options that exaggerate the claim with words such as always, only or everyone when the passage does not support them.

Grammar and expressions

V-는 것이 좋다

Express an evaluation or recommendation.

가까운 곳에는 걸어가는 것이 좋습니다.

It is good to walk to nearby places.

V-(으)려고 하다

Express intention, rather than an event already completed.

매일 운동하려고 합니다.

I intend to exercise every day.

N이/가 마음에 들다

Express satisfaction with something; 마음에 들지 않다 expresses dissatisfaction.

이 가방이 마음에 듭니다.

I like this bag.

Vocabulary for this type

중심 생각: main idea
건강: health
도움이 되다: to be helpful
가까운 곳: nearby place
기분: mood
의견: opinion

A worked example

걸으면 건강에 도움이 됩니다. 가까운 곳에는 걸어가는 것이 좋습니다.

Walking is good for your health. It is best to walk to nearby places.

The health benefit is a reason supporting the recommendation.
The recommendation is about nearby journeys, not every trip regardless of distance.
The best summary preserves both the recommendation and its scope.

Try it yourself

Practice 1

저는 가까운 곳에 갈 때 걸어갑니다. 걸으면 기분이 좋고 건강에도 도움이 됩니다. 가까운 곳에는 걸어가는 것이 좋습니다.

I walk when I go somewhere nearby. Walking makes me feel good and benefits my health. It is good to walk to nearby places.

Choose the main idea.

건강을 위해 멀리 여행해야 합니다.
걸으면 기분이 나빠집니다.
가까운 곳에는 버스를 타야 합니다.
가까운 곳에는 걸어가는 것이 좋습니다.

Answer and explanation

4. 가까운 곳에는 걸어가는 것이 좋습니다.

The last sentence sums up the recommendation. The other sentences explain its benefits.

The passage recommends nearby walking, not travelling far away.
It says that walking improves the writer’s mood, not worsens it.
The writer recommends walking rather than taking a bus for nearby journeys.
This is the conclusion supported by the mood and health benefits.

Review your reasoning

Option 1: The passage recommends nearby walking, not travelling far away.
Option 2: It says that walking improves the writer’s mood, not worsens it.
Option 3: The writer recommends walking rather than taking a bus for nearby journeys.
Option 4: This is the conclusion supported by the mood and health benefits.

Try the question again with the explanation closed. Identify the exact phrase that supports the answer, then explain which detail makes each other option unsuitable.