If you what the passage is about should look at the?

You should look at the topic sentence to understand what a passage is about.

Here's why:

* Topic Sentence: The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of a paragraph (although it can sometimes be the second or even the last sentence). It introduces the main idea of the paragraph and acts as a guide for the reader.

* Focus and Clarity: The topic sentence gives you a clear understanding of what the passage will be discussing.

* Organization: The rest of the paragraph will then provide supporting details, examples, and explanations that elaborate on the main idea presented in the topic sentence.

Example:

Topic Sentence: *The invention of the printing press revolutionized communication and knowledge dissemination in Europe.*

Rest of the paragraph: *Before the printing press, books were painstakingly copied by hand, making them expensive and rare. The printing press allowed for mass production of books, making them more affordable and accessible to a wider audience. This led to a surge in literacy, the spread of new ideas, and the growth of scientific knowledge.*

By reading the topic sentence, you immediately understand that this passage is about the impact of the printing press on European society.