Stating the topic and the main idea of the article

Note. The topic of the article usually specifies what the article is about. The topic is formulated in a phrase. Some articles can have one major theme and several minor topics, which are closely connected with the major one. It may appear as a headline or title sometimes.

The main idea develops the topic and is formulated in a sentence, which introduces the readers to the essence of the article. The main idea is a sentence that expresses the most important point the author wants the reader to understand about the topic of the article.

Exercise. Read the articles below and choose

1. the best topic;

2. the main idea.

Set 1.

Pedal power helps charity

''Gazette and Herald'', July, 24, 2003

YOUNG cyclist Luke Johnson, nine, has raised more than £200 for charity in a 27-mile bicycle challenge. Luke, a Year Four pupil at St Mary's Primary School, Chippenham, took part in the Wiltshire Heart Cycle to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The challenge began at Lydiard Park, Swindon, and followed a circular route around the town.

Luke was the youngest person to complete the circuit, which he did in just over four hours. His uncle rode with him.

"It turned out to be an endurance test due to the very high temperature on Sunday," said Luke's mother, Rose Johnson. She said he was determined to complete the race and to help a good cause by raising as much money as possible.

The ride followed the hugely successful London to Brighton challenge last month, in which more than 27,000 cyclists took part.

1. Bicycle tour around England.

2. Raising charity money for the British Heart Foundation.

3. A young cyclist participation in raising charity money in the Wiltshire Heart Cycle.

b)

1. A nine-year-old cyclist from St. Mary's Primary School took an active part in raising charity money for the British Heart Foundation.

2. The Wiltshire Heart Cycle was organized around Swindon to raise charity money for the British Heart Foundation

3. The Wiltshire Heart Cycle was a successful continuation of the previous month challenge from London to Brighton to raise charity money for the British Heart Foundation.

Set 2.

Climate changes may extend tourist season

By Charles Clover

"The Daily Telegraph" July 25, 2003

CLIMATE change will extend the summer tourist season in Scottish islands and the Isle of Man and make summers in the Channel Isles much hotter, scientists said yesterday.

The report published by the British-Irish Council, created from the Good Friday Agreement, predicts warmer, drier summers and milder, wetter winters on islands off Britain. Sea levels will also rise.

The most dramatic change will be in the south, with summer rainfall in the Charm Islands falling by nearly half by the end of the century, the report by the Hadley Center part of the Met Office, predicts.

The report, which emphasizes that there are uncertain ties in the predictions, intended to be used to prepare regions for climate change, caused mainly by emissions of carbon from industry and transport.

1. Climate changes in Britain.

2. Possibilities to extend tourist season because of climate changes.

3. Possible consequences of the climate changes in Britain.

1. The climate changes caused mainly by the emission of carbon from industry and transport may lead to the dreadful changes in tourist business.

2. The report of the British-Irish Council on possible changes of the climate deals with the changes of summer and winter temperatures and rising of the sea level.

3. The report of the British-Irish Council cautiously predicts some changes in the Channel Isles climate, which may lead to the extension of the tourist season.

Assignment

Select any article from any newspaper and state its topic and main idea.

P A R T 2