California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

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What should students focus on when identifying the main idea of a text?

  1. The emotional tone of the writing

  2. The vocabulary complexity

  3. The overall structure of the text

  4. The central message the author conveys

The correct answer is: The central message the author conveys

Students should focus on the central message the author conveys when identifying the main idea of a text because the main idea encapsulates the primary point or arguments the author wishes to communicate. Understanding the main idea allows readers to grasp the essence of the text, which informs them about the author's intentions and the themes discussed throughout. While elements like emotional tone, vocabulary complexity, and text structure can enhance a reader's comprehension and provide context, they primarily serve to support or enrich the main message rather than represent it. Thus, focusing on the central message ensures that students can accurately identify what the text is fundamentally about.