Question

All of this is considered one question, but I tried to seperate them. Read President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address. Then answer the questions that follow on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What sentence states the main idea?

2. What other clues do you find to help

you identify the main idea?

3. In one sentence, state the writer’s

main point in your own words.

4. What details does the writer use to

support the main idea?

5. What does the USA Freedom Corps

seek to do?

APPLYING THE SKILL

DIRECTIONS:

Use a local newspaper or the Internet to locate an article about a volunteer organization in your community.

Identify the main idea and restate

it in your own words. Then create a list

of the details the writer uses to support

the main idea.

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President Bush’s State of the Union

Address—January 29, 2002

None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September the 11th. Yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. We began to think less of thegoods we can accumulate, and more about the good we can do.

For too long our culture has said, “If it feels good, do it.” Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: “Let’s roll.” In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self.

We’ve been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass.

My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years—4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime—to the service of your neighbors and your nation. Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren’t sure how to help, I’ve got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and

extending American compassion throughout the world. . . . This time of adversity offers a

unique moment of opportunity—a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead

the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.

Answer 1

1. What sentence states the main idea?

Ans: And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.

1. What other clues do you find to help you identify the main idea?

Ans: Obligations to each other, extending American compassion, overcome evil with greater good, new culture of responsibility and the service to the neighbors and the nation.

1. In one sentence, state the writer’s main point in your own words.

Ans: To bring long lasting peace and harmony by serving the fellow men and the whole word by compassion and generosity.

1. What details does the writer use to support the main idea?

Ans: Reminder to the citizens that they have obligations to each other, to the country, and to history, to think more about the good they can do and to do acts of service and decency and kindness.

1. What does the USA Freedom Corps seek to do?

Ans: To respond in case of crisis at home, help in rebuilding communities while extending American compassion throughout the world.