New York State Literacy CST Practice Exam

The central idea is the main point the author is making about the topic. To find it, look for the overarching message that ties all the details together—sometimes it’s stated in a topic sentence, or it becomes clear from the pattern of ideas that recur throughout the paragraph.

Think about what the author is trying to say as a whole, not about a single fact. The central idea is broader than any one piece of information and explains why the details matter.

In this passage, the author isn’t discussing where they were born, so that kind of fact isn’t the central idea. A random detail may illustrate points, but it doesn’t express the main message. Focusing on the premise of a single paragraph can lead you astray if that premise doesn’t capture the overall claim the author wants you to take away.

So, identify the main point the author is asserting about the topic, and let that guide what you consider the central idea.