• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Central ideas in complex texts; Why did the author include this detail?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is the proposed answer correct? Scientists studying the Arctic fox noticed something odd: one fox had walked more than 3,500 kilometres in 76 days, from Norway to Canada. What is the main purpose of the specific figures? → to compare Norway and Canada (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Ask: what would be lost if this detail were removed?
2. Many people assume that creativity is a rare gift. Psychologists, however, increasingly describe it as a skill that grows with practice, feedback and a willingness to fail. Which choice best states the central idea? (Most people are not creative. / Creativity may be a learnable skill rather than an inborn gift. / Feedback is always negative. / Psychologists study failure.) → Creativity may be a learnable skill rather than an inborn gift.Prompt: What is the WHOLE text mostly about, not just one part?
3. Is the proposed answer correct? Many people assume that deserts are lifeless. In fact, a single square metre of desert soil can contain thousands of tiny organisms. What is the function of the first sentence? → it presents a common belief that the writer then corrects (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Ask: what would be lost if this detail were removed?

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Main idea of a short academic text (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: For decades, researchers assumed that octopuses, being solitary, had little need for complex social behaviour. However, divers off the coast of Australia have recorded groups of gloomy octopuses living together, sharing dens and even signalling to one another by changing colour. These observations suggest that octopus social life may be richer than once believed. Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
• Step 1: The main idea is the central claim the whole text supports; details are evidence for it.
• Step 2: The text sets up an old assumption and presents evidence against it.
• Step 3: So the answer is: New observations challenge the view that octopuses have little social behaviour.
• Answer: New observations challenge the view that octopuses have little social behaviour.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Many people believe that the 'five-second rule' protects food dropped on the floor. In an experiment, scientists dropped foods onto surfaces contaminated with bacteria and measured how much transferred. Bacteria reached wet foods like watermelon in under a second, though dry foods such as sweets picked up fewer bacteria over time. Which choice best states the main idea of the text? (Floors are always clean enough to eat from. / Scientists enjoy dropping food. / Watermelon is healthier than sweets. / An experiment shows bacteria can transfer to dropped food almost instantly, especially to wet foods.) → An experiment shows bacteria can transfer to dropped food almost instantly, especially to wet foods.Prompt: Which choice covers the WHOLE text, not just one detail?
2. The composer Florence Price became the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra, in 1933. Her music blended European classical forms with African American spirituals. Which choice best states the main idea of the text? (Orchestras only played European music. / Florence Price was a famous singer. / Symphonies are very long. / Florence Price was a groundbreaking composer who combined different musical traditions.) → Florence Price was a groundbreaking composer who combined different musical traditions.Prompt: What is the text mostly about?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. For decades, researchers assumed that octopuses, being solitary, had little need for complex social behaviour. However, divers off the coast of Australia have recorded groups of gloomy octopuses living together, sharing dens and even signalling to one another by changing colour. These observations suggest that octopus social life may be richer than once believed. Which choice best states the main idea of the text? (Divers have discovered a new species of octopus. / New observations challenge the view that octopuses have little social behaviour. / Australia has more octopuses than any other country. / Octopuses change colour to hide from predators.) → New observations challenge the view that octopuses have little social behaviour.Prompt: Which choice covers the WHOLE text, not just one detail?
2. The composer Florence Price became the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra, in 1933. Her music blended European classical forms with African American spirituals. Which choice best states the main idea of the text? (Florence Price was a famous singer. / Orchestras only played European music. / Florence Price was a groundbreaking composer who combined different musical traditions. / Symphonies are very long.) → Florence Price was a groundbreaking composer who combined different musical traditions.Prompt: What is the text mostly about?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.