Questions About the Main Idea of the Passage

After you have read the sentences in boldface type, answer the following question: Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage? (A) Russian immigrants in America were all musical and creative. (B) The Gershwins were school dropouts who became successes in show business. (C) George Gershwin became a famous composer before he was 30. (D) Musical training on Broadway did not prepare the Gershwins for success. TIP Main idea questions are usually asked first. The correct answer is (C). By reading those four sentences in bold type, you have not only saved yourself time, you have also learned what the passage is about. In addition, you have gotten the information necessary to answer the question.