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

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Which term best describes the main idea of a paragraph?

Supporting detail
Overall theme
Central concept
Minor point

The correct answer is: Central concept

The term "central concept" accurately captures the essence of the main idea of a paragraph. The central concept serves as the focal point, encapsulating the primary message or argument that the author intends to convey within that specific paragraph. It acts as a guiding framework around which the supporting details and examples revolve, providing clarity and coherence to the reader. In contrast, supporting details refer to the examples or facts that reinforce the main idea but do not themselves encapsulate it. The overall theme usually pertains to a broader message that could span an entire text rather than focusing on a single paragraph. Meanwhile, a minor point implies a lesser idea that does not reflect the main direction or purpose of the paragraph. Thus, identifying the central concept allows one to grasp the main idea effectively, enhancing comprehension of the text as a whole.