Combine main ideas from two texts
Key Notes :
Even when two texts are about the same topic, they often include different information. So, when you are trying to learn about a topic, you may want to read more than one text about it. Then you can combine the different pieces of information given in the texts.
First, find the main idea of each text. Then, think about how the two main ideas fit together. This will give you a more complete understanding of the topic.
Learn with an example
📢 Read the two texts.
Text 1
Daylight saving time was invented as a way to conserve electricity during the First and Second World Wars. Germany first started the practice, and then the US and other countries followed. The governments of these countries believed that people would use less electricity to light their homes if they had extra hours of sunlight. In 1975, US Congress calculated the energy savings of daylight saving time. They found the program created a one percent savings in national energy use.
Text 2
Twice per year, most Americans have to change their clocks because of daylight saving time. Most people are used to the idea, but others question whether we should continue the practice. Recent studies have found that the energy savings are small. In fact, some studies found an increase in electricity use during daylight saving time. In light of this finding, some people suggest that we should consider getting rid of daylight saving time altogether.
Which sentence best combines the main, or central, ideas of both texts?
- Daylight saving time was originally created to save energy, but now some people are asking if the time change still needs to occur
- Most Americans believe the energy savings of daylight saving time is small, so they think the program should stop.
This is the main, or central, idea of Text 1:
Daylight saving time was originally created to save energy.
This is the main, or central, idea of Text 2:
People have been questioning whether daylight saving time still needs to occur.
So, this is the sentence that best combines the main ideas of both texts:
Daylight saving time was originally created to save energy, but now some people are asking if the time change still needs to occur.
📢 Read the two texts.
Text 1
Lookout Mountain is a mountain ridge that offers lovely views of the area near Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the US. The mountain is known for its famous passenger railway that takes people on a one-and-a-half-kilometre train ride up the side of the mountain. The path up the mountain is very steep; at one point, the mountain reaches a grade of seventy-two percent. That amount of tilt makes it one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.
Text 2
The view from Lookout Mountain is great, but the mountain’s underground caves are amazing as well. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to Tennessee to explore these famous caves. One of the caves features Ruby Falls, one of the tallest underground waterfalls in the country. Visitors can admire the 44-metre waterfall along with a light-and-sound show.
Which sentence best combines the main ideas of both texts?
- Lookout Mountain is known for both its underground caves and its steep passenger railway.
- Lookout Mountain’s famous train features a light-and-sound show during the ride.
This is the main idea of Text 1:
Lookout Mountain is known for its steep passenger railway.
This is the main idea of Text 2:
Lookout Mountain is known for its underground caves.
So, this is the sentence that best combines the main ideas of both texts:
Lookout Mountain is known for both its underground caves and its steep passenger railway.
📢 Read the two texts.
Text 1
The banjo is an instrument that comes from Africa. Evidence of the banjo being played in Africa dates back to the early 1600s. Back then, the instrument had a different name and a different look from the banjo we know today. The original banjo was made from materials such as dried gourds and goat skins.
Text 2
In the 1940s, a young musician named Earl Scruggs developed a new way of playing the banjo. The technique used three fingers to quickly pick the instrument’s five strings. This created a different sound that led to a new style of music known as bluegrass. As a result, the banjo is a key instrument in bluegrass bands.
Which sentence best combines the main ideas of both texts?
- The musician Earl Scruggs created a new type of banjo using dried gourds and goat skins.
- The banjo is an instrument that has African roots as well as connections to bluegrass music.
This is the main idea of Text 1:
The banjo is an instrument that has African roots.
This is the main idea of Text 2:
The banjo is an instrument that has connections to bluegrass music.
So, this is the sentence that best combines the main ideas of both texts:
The banjo is an instrument that has African roots as well as connections to bluegrass music.
let’s practice!
Read the two texts.
| Text1 |
| In 1887, Andrew Carnegie, a rich businessman, met a young musical director during an ocean voyage. The musical director told Carnegie about his vision for a new concert hall in New York City. Carnegie used his wealth to make this dream come true, and in 1891, Carnegie Hall had its grand opening. Crowds of people gathered for the five-day opening festival. The event was a great success thanks to Carnegie’s efforts to bring the young musical director’s dream to life. |
| Text 2 |
| For many musicians, performing at Carnegie Hall is a dream. The concert hall’s reputation goes back to its grand opening event in 1891. The famous Russian composer Tchaikovsky conducted one of his own musical works at the hall. Since then, Carnegie Hall has continued to showcase the best composers and the most talented musicians throughout its history. Playing at Carnegie Hall remains a sign to musicians everywhere that they have achieved great success. |