Question 116·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
The passage below is from a classroom scene in a contemporary novel.
Professor Harding paused before the class. “When we talk about relics,” she began, “we often think of museums, but everyday objects can carry history too.” She lifted a battered enamel cup. “My grandmother used this during the long journey she made across the prairie. To strangers it’s scrap metal; to my family it’s a voice.” The students leaned closer. Harding smiled. “What matters is not the object’s material worth but the stories we assign to it.” © aniко.аi
Based on the passage, which statement best expresses the central idea of Professor Harding’s remarks?
For central idea questions, first read the whole passage (or remark) and, before looking at the choices, briefly state the main point in your own words. Then, go through the answer options and eliminate any that introduce new topics, focus on minor details, or contradict clear statements in the text. Finally, pick the choice that matches your own summary in meaning (even if the wording is different), and be wary of answers that mention money, rules, or emotions that the passage never actually discusses. Written bу Anikо
Hints
Reread the ending
Reread the last sentence: "What matters is not the object’s material worth but the stories we assign to it." Ask yourself: what contrast is she making here? Аnікo AI Тutor
Notice the example of the cup
Think about why the professor shows the battered enamel cup and explains her grandmother’s journey. How does this example support the main point she is making?
Eliminate options that add new ideas
Look for answer choices that mention ideas the professor never talks about, such as scarcity, rules about privacy, or money. Cross those out before choosing your answer.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the question is asking
The question asks for the statement that best expresses the central idea of Professor Harding’s remarks. That means we must summarize the main point of what she is telling the class, not a small detail.
Focus on the key lines of the remarks
Look closely at what Professor Harding actually says:
- She contrasts "relics" in museums with "everyday objects."
- She shows a battered enamel cup and explains that her grandmother used it on a long journey.
- She says, "To strangers it’s scrap metal; to my family it’s a voice."
- She ends with: "What matters is not the object’s material worth but the stories we assign to it." These lines tell us what she wants the students to understand. аnikο.ai ЅAT Questіon Ваnk
Put her main message into your own words
In your own words, sum up what she is teaching:
- She is not focused on museums themselves.
- She is not warning about showing heirlooms or about money.
- She is emphasizing that the meaning of an object comes from the memories and stories people connect to it. Keep that idea in mind as you compare the answer choices.
Match the summary to the answer choices
Now compare each option with that main idea:
- A) talks about scarce historical artifacts and museums, which she never mentions.
- C) says heirlooms should not be displayed to strangers; she actually shows hers to the class, so this is the opposite.
- D) talks about students overlooking monetary value; she says the opposite: material worth is not what matters.
- B) states that common items can gain significance because of the personal histories attached to them, which directly matches her point about the cup and the stories it carries.
So the correct answer is: B) Common items can gain significance because of the personal histories attached to them.