Detractions

Identify information, statements, or details that detract

from the development of a main idea.
Look for the main idea of each sentence, and
simply find the option that doesnt belong.
For example:

The thought of being able to take the MTEL is so exciting!

I am eager to show my future employer that I am super competent.
In fact, I think Im going to earn the MTELs maximum score of 300.
My headmaster is going to be really impressed by my teaching skill.
Now, all I have to do is study until the day of the test.

Detractions
Identify information, statements, or details that detract
from the development of a main idea.
Look for the main idea of each sentence, and
simply find the option that doesnt belong.
For example:

The thought of being able to take the MTEL is so exciting!

I am eager to show my future employer that I am super competent.
In fact, I think Im going to earn the MTELs maximum score of 300.
My headmaster is going to be really impressed by my teaching skill.
Now, all I have to do is study until the day of the test.

Detractions
On the MTEL, you will receive
approximately 3-4 questions
asking you to identify
which passages
draw attention away from the main idea
or
does not support the main idea

(1) First the Curies sifted and ground

the pitchblende. (2) Marie boiled it in
a big iron pot, stirring for hours with
an iron rod. (3) The liquid was thrown
away. (4) Pierre would then take what
was left and treat it with different
chemicals. (5) This helped him
separate the elements and know
which he wanted to throw away and
which he wanted to study. (6) In this
way, Marie and Pierre found two
mysterious minerals. (7) The first
they names polonium in honor of
Poland. (8) It is located in eastern
Europe. (9) The second one they
called radium.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 1

b.

Part 4

c.

Part 6

d.

Part 8
TIP:
Identify the main idea
in each sentence
throughout the
paragraph.

(1) First the Curies sifted and ground

the pitchblende. (2) Marie boiled it in
a big iron pot, stirring for hours with
an iron rod. (3) The liquid was thrown
away. (4) Pierre would then take what
was left and treat it with different
chemicals. (5) This helped him
separate the elements and know
which he wanted to throw away and
which he wanted to study. (6) In this
way, Marie and Pierre found two
mysterious minerals. (7) The first
they named polonium in honor of
Poland. (8) It is located in eastern
Europe. (9) The second one they
called radium.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 1

b.

Part 4

c.

Part 6

d.

Part 8

TIP:
Isolate the specific
sentences referenced.

(1) First the Curies sifted and ground

the pitchblende. (2) Marie boiled it in
a big iron pot, stirring for hours with
an iron rod. (3) The liquid was thrown
away. (4) Pierre would then take what
was left and treat it with different
chemicals. (5) This helped him
separate the elements and know
which he wanted to throw away and
which he wanted to study. (6) In this
way, Marie and Pierre found two
mysterious minerals. (7) The first
they named polonium in honor of
Poland. (8) It is located in eastern
Europe. (9) The second one they
called radium.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 1

b.

Part 4

c.

Part 6

d.

Part 8

(1) Some tiny insects can be deadly

summer pests. (2) The stings of bees,
hornets, and yellow jackets can cause a
serious allergic reaction in five percent of
Americans. (3) Moths eat holes in fabrics
such as wollens. (4) The bull's-eye shaped
rash signals lyme disease from the bite of
a tick. (5) The encephalitis virus carried by
some mosquitoes can cause brain
inflammation.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 2

b.

Part 3

c.

Part 4

d.

Part 5
TIP:
Identify the main idea
in each sentence
throughout the
paragraph.

(1) Some tiny insects can be deadly

summer pests. (2) The stings of bees,
hornets, and yellow jackets can cause a
serious allergic reaction in five percent of
Americans. (3) Moths eat holes in fabrics
such as wollens. (4) The bull's-eye shaped
rash signals lyme disease from the bite of
a tick. (5) The encephalitis virus carried by
some mosquitoes can cause brain
inflammation.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 2

b.

Part 3

c.

Part 4

d.

Part 5

TIP:
Isolate the specific
sentences referenced.

(1) Some tiny insects can be deadly

summer pests. (2) The stings of bees,
hornets, and yellow jackets can cause a
serious allergic reaction in five percent of
Americans. (3) Moths eat holes in fabrics
such as wollens. (4) The bull's-eye shaped
rash signals lyme disease from the bite of
a tick. (5) The encephalitis virus carried by
some mosquitoes can cause brain
inflammation.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 2

b.

Part 3

c.

Part 4

d.

Part 5

TIP:
Isolate the specific
sentences referenced.

(1) If you lose your job, you should take

immediate action to curb your budget.
(2) Seek help with budgeting and
payment plans from a nonprofit credit
counseling service. (3) A good credit
rating is important to a family.
(4) Decide what payments must be
made first. (5) Stop using your credit
cards immediately.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 2

b.

Part 3

c.

Part 4

d.

Part 5
TIP:
Identify the main idea
in each sentence
throughout the
paragraph.

(1) If you lose your job, you should take

immediate action to curb your budget.
(2) Seek help with budgeting and
payment plans from a nonprofit credit
counseling service. (3) A good credit
rating is important to a family.
(4) Decide what payments must be
made first. (5) Stop using your credit
cards immediately.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 2

b.

Part 3

c.

Part 4

d.

Part 5

(1) If you lose your job, you should take

immediate action to curb your budget.
(2) Seek help with budgeting and
payment plans from a nonprofit credit
counseling service. (3) A good credit
rating is important to a family.
(4) Decide what payments must be
made first. (5) Stop using your credit
cards immediately.

Which of the following

sentences from the
passage should be
deleted because it
does not support the
main idea?
a.

Part 2

b.

Part 3

c.

Part 4

d.

Part 5

EDCITE
QUIZ