Question 89·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
When journalist-activist Jane Jacobs published The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961, she upended prevailing ideas about how cities should look and function. Rather than endorse wide expressways and large housing projects—then the hallmarks of “modern” planning—Jacobs celebrated mixed-use neighborhoods, short blocks, and the daily interactions that give streets their character. Decades after its release, the book continues to guide architects, planners, and community groups who seek to create lively, inclusive urban spaces.
Which choice best expresses the main idea of the passage?
For main-idea questions, first quickly paraphrase the passage in your own words, focusing especially on the first and last sentences, which often frame the author’s main point. Then scan the answer choices and eliminate any that (1) introduce information not in the passage, (2) focus on a narrow detail instead of the whole passage, or (3) contradict something stated. Choose the option that captures both the overall action or change described and the passage’s view of its importance or impact.
Hints
Look at the beginning and ending of the passage
Reread the first and last sentences. What does the first say Jacobs did to existing ideas about cities, and what does the last say about how her book is used today?
Separate main idea from supporting detail
Ask yourself: Is the passage mainly about cost, disagreement, or technical language—or is it about something broader related to Jacobs’s impact and her book’s role over time?
Check for information that doesn’t appear in the passage
Eliminate any option that mentions ideas not found in the paragraph, such as specific budget issues, frequent disagreement, or people avoiding the book.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the question is asking
The question asks for the main idea of the passage, not a small detail. That means we need an answer that sums up what the whole paragraph is mostly about, not just one part of it.
Summarize each part of the passage
Break the paragraph into its main pieces:
- First sentence: Jacobs published a book in 1961 and “upended prevailing ideas about how cities should look and function.” This shows she challenged the standard planning ideas of her time.
- Middle sentence: Instead of supporting wide expressways and big housing projects, she favored “mixed-use neighborhoods, short blocks, and daily interactions.” This explains how her ideas were different.
- Last sentence: “Decades after its release, the book continues to guide architects, planners, and community groups.” This shows the book still has an important impact today.
So the passage is about both her challenge to old ideas and the ongoing influence of her book.
Decide what a good main-idea statement must include
A correct main-idea answer should:
- Mention Jacobs’s impact on existing urban planning ideas (she changed or challenged them).
- Reflect that the book still matters now (it continues to guide people).
- Not add new information that isn’t in the passage (like money, disagreement, or technical jargon).
- Not focus too narrowly on one small detail, such as only what she disliked or only who reads the book.
Match the best choice to the passage’s overall focus
Now compare the answer choices to that big-picture summary:
- One choice says that Jacobs’s book overturned conventional urban planning wisdom and remains a powerful influence on city design today. This directly matches the first sentence (she “upended prevailing ideas”) and the last sentence (the book “continues to guide” people designing cities). It also captures the overall focus of the paragraph, not just a detail.
Therefore, the best answer is: Jacobs’s The Death and Life of Great American Cities overturned conventional urban planning wisdom and remains a powerful influence on city design today.