Question

In response to the essay question, select the sentence that best represents the main idea of your essay.

Essay Question

Students choose to study in a variety of different ways. For example, some students need to study at a desk in a quiet room. Others insist that noise distractions, such as the television or music, help them to concentrate more effectively. They also find studying at their desks uncomfortable.

In about 200 words, discuss different approaches to studying. Select the study habit that you think is the most effective and support your choice with examples.


A. In conclusion, study habits vary greatly, and no one study habit can be said to be better than another.


B. One method of studying is to study while listening to music with headphones.


C. For example, when a favorite television show is on, a student may be tempted to watch the show instead of studying.


D. While there are many different ways to study, the most effective approach is to eliminate anything that might keep you from concentrating on the material.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option letter D (While there are many different ways to study, the most effective approach is to eliminate anything that might keep you from concentrating on the material.). The sentence presented in option D is the one that best represents the main idea of the essay about the different approaches to studying. Option D could be the thesis statement of the essay, since it states not only the main topic required in the essay question (different approaches to study) but also one approach as the most effective, which could be further developed in the body paragraphs. Option A is incorrect because it does not mention the main topic required in the essay question; it mentions “study habits” instead of “study approaches”. Option B is incorrect because it presents just one point that could be part of the essay and not the main idea of the essay. Option C is incorrect, since it presents just an example to be used in a body paragraph and not the main idea of the essay.