16Hit1600
Information and IdeasMediumMain idea: a dictionary of a dialect

Information and Ideas practice question

The retired teacher spent twelve years compiling a dictionary of the valley's dialect, interviewing every resident over seventy. When she finished, the university that had promised to publish it had lost interest. She printed two hundred copies herself and gave them to the village school, where children now use it to talk to their grandparents in words the grandparents thought were gone.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. A teacher's self-published dialect dictionary is reconnecting the valley's children with their grandparents' speech.Correct
  2. B. The university refused to publish the dictionary.
  3. C. The teacher interviewed residents over seventy.
  4. D. Dialects disappear when the old die.

Answer: A. A teacher's self-published dialect dictionary is reconnecting the valley's children with their grandparents' speech.

Twelve years, two hundred copies, and children talking to grandparents.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The university refused to publish the dictionary.
A setback, not the point.
C. The teacher interviewed residents over seventy.
A detail of method.
D. Dialects disappear when the old die.
The text shows the opposite happening.

More Information and Ideas questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.