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Information and IdeasMediumMain idea: a clockmaker's apprentice

Information and Ideas practice question

The clockmaker took on one apprentice every ten years and taught each the whole trade, from cutting gears to engraving dials. He said a clock made by six specialists was six clocks pretending to be one. His apprentices, when they set up on their own, worked the same way, and the town's clocks are known for it.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. The clockmaker's insistence on teaching the whole craft to each apprentice shaped how the town's clocks are made.Correct
  2. B. The clockmaker disliked his apprentices.
  3. C. Engraving dials is the hardest part of clockmaking.
  4. D. The town has six clockmakers.

Answer: A. The clockmaker's insistence on teaching the whole craft to each apprentice shaped how the town's clocks are made.

Whole-trade teaching, passed on.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The clockmaker disliked his apprentices.
Nothing suggests dislike.
C. Engraving dials is the hardest part of clockmaking.
No ranking of tasks.
D. The town has six clockmakers.
'Six specialists' is a figure of speech.

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