ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ReadingEasy
A community health worker is reading a pamphlet about preventing the spread of influenza. One section is titled 'Good Hygiene Practices' and lists actions like handwashing, covering coughs, and avoiding touching the face. What is the main idea of this section?
- APersonal habits play a crucial role in disease prevention.
- BVaccination is essential for flu prevention.
- CInfluenza is a serious viral infection.
- DHandwashing is the most effective way to prevent illness.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Personal habits play a crucial role in disease prevention.
The section title 'Good Hygiene Practices' and the listed actions (handwashing, covering coughs, avoiding touching face) all relate to individual behaviors and habits that prevent disease transmission. Therefore, the main idea is about the role of personal habits in prevention.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Vaccination is a prevention method, but it is not a 'hygiene practice' and is not mentioned in the described section.
- C. This is a general fact about influenza but not the specific focus of the 'Good Hygiene Practices' section.
- D. While handwashing is listed, the section includes other practices, making 'personal habits' a broader and more accurate main idea.
Identifying Main Idea
The central point or message that an author wants to convey about a topic in a text or section.
- Often found in topic sentences or headings.
- Encompasses all supporting details.
- Answers the question: 'What is this mostly about?'
Memory trick: TOPIC + WHAT ABOUT IT?