Chapter 8: Mastery Test 7

A. Read the following paragraphs; then choose the best statement of the implied main idea for each paragraph.

¹Yao Ming is 7 feet 5 inches tall and weighs nearly 300 pounds. ²He plays professional basketball for the Houston Rockets. ³In 2003, Yao Ming took an active part in the battle against SARS; he hosted a live telethon in his homeland, China, to raise money to research its cure. ⁴Among National Basketball Association rookies in the 2003 season, Yao ranked second in scoring average, second in rebounding average, first in blocks per game, and third in field goal percentage.

1. Which sentence best states the implied main idea?

a. Yao Ming is a very successful basketball player for the Houston Rockets.

b. Houston Rockets player Yao Ming is a fierce competitor on the court and in life.

c. Yao Ming used his fame to fight a deadly disease.

d. Yao Ming is an extraordinary basketball player.

¹Be careful about the kind of information you put in an e-mail or on a Web site; both are public forms of communication. ²Be aware that you are not anonymous; every piece of information that you send through the Web or e-mail can be traced to you. ³Be brief and clear in your subject headings and messages. ⁴Be considerate of others; don't forward chain letters, use respectful language, and follow copyright laws when sharing information and images.

2. Which sentence best states the implied main idea?

a. Many people engage in rude or unwise behaviors when communicating on the Internet.

b. Communicating on the Internet or through e-mail is risky.

c. Following a few simple guidelines will enhance your ability to communicate effectively via the Internet or e-mail.

d. It is important to be brief and clear when communicating on the Internet or through e-mail.

¹The last three miles had been the hardest. ²By now the first 23 miles seemed like a foggy dream brought on by fatigue. ³She had started out vigorously, running with the strong runners in the first third of the pack, but after two hours, she had sifted into the back of the pack. ⁴Yesenia could no longer feel the blisters that had bothered her so much during her third hour of running. ⁵During the last hour, she had debated with every running step about just quitting; then she could get a decent breath and settle down the sharp stabbing pain in her side. ⁵Every step, she debated and kept on running. ⁶And now the sight of the finish line brought a new surge of emotion. ⁷She called on all her will and strength and picked up her pace. ⁸Weary, sore, with head held high, Yesenia finished her first marathon in just under five hours—long after the strong runners had cooled down.

3. Which sentence best states the implied main idea?

a. Yesenia was tempted to drop out of the marathon.

b. Yesenia is a talented marathon runner who placed well in the race.

c. Yesenia's first marathon ended in pain and frustration.

d. Yesenia finished her grueling first marathon with the attitude of a winner.

B. Read the following passage from a college communications textbook. Type the central idea in the space provided. Listening and Evaluating

¹Evaluating consists of judging the messages you hear. ²At times, you may try to evaluate the speaker's underlying intent. ³Often you evaluate without being aware that you are doing so. ⁴For example, Elaine tells you she is up for a promotion and is really excited about it. ⁵You may then try to judge her intention. ⁶Does she want you to use your influence with the company president? ⁷Is she looking for a pat on the back? ⁸Generally, if you know the person well, you will be able to identify the intention and respond properly. ⁹In other situations, your evaluation is more in the nature of critical thinking. ¹⁰For example, in a business meeting on upgrading office equipment, you would evaluate the request as you are listening to it. ¹¹You would ask yourself, "Are the requests logical? Will they increase output? What is the evidence? Are there better solutions?" ¹²The evaluation stage of listening can be made more effective in several ways. ¹³First, resist evaluating until you fully understand the speaker's point of view. ¹⁴Second, assume that the speaker is a person of goodwill, and ask the speaker to explain any unclear points. ¹⁵Third, separate facts from personal opinions. ¹⁶Finally, identify any biases or self-interests that may lead the speaker to slant the facts.

—Adapted from DeVito, Essentials of Human Communication, 4th ed., p. 83.

4. Central idea stated in a thesis sentence:

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.