Practice

Identify the main idea of each of the following paragraphs. Then underline the key supporting details in each.

1. Philip Coates-Wright freely admits that his obsession with Napoleon rules his life. It has cost him his marriage, eats up all his spare money, and dominates his spare time. Philip, 29, a lecturer in modern history, is a founder member of the Napoleonic Association, which re-enacts battles all over England. On field, he is a French Brigade Commander and wears authentic uniforms. The orders he gives his troops are in 18th century French. Philip even got married in a French Hussar’s uniform.

The Main Idea:

( Coates-Wright’s obsession with Napoleon rules his life. )         

2. In 1949 a Bill to stop cats from going out at night was vetoed by Adlai Stevenson, governor of Illinois. The Bill required cat owners to keep their pets indoors at night. Any cat found out on the streets was to be locked up by police ─ if they could catch it first.
    The Governor explained that according to the law, cats were still wild animals whose nocturnal habits could not be controlled. "It is in the nature of cats to do a certain amount of unescorted roaming," he said. "The State of Illinois and its governing bodies have enough to do without trying to control feline delinquency."

The Main Idea:

 (A bill to stop cats from going out at night was vetoed by Stevenson. )