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Information and IdeasHardMain idea: a fountain restored by a petition

Information and Ideas practice question

The town's fountain had not run since 1975, when its pump failed. Repairs were priced at 4,000 pounds and refused. In 2010 a schoolgirl's petition raised 40,000 pounds in a month, enough to repair the pump ten times over, and the fountain ran again the following spring. The surplus now pays a gardener.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. A child's petition achieved what the town had refused to fund for decades, and more besides.Correct
  2. B. The fountain's pump failed in 1975.
  3. C. The town could not afford 4,000 pounds.
  4. D. The fountain needs a gardener.

Answer: A. A child's petition achieved what the town had refused to fund for decades, and more besides.

Refused for 35 years, funded ten times over in a month.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The fountain's pump failed in 1975.
A detail.
C. The town could not afford 4,000 pounds.
The repairs were refused, not unaffordable.
D. The fountain needs a gardener.
The surplus pays one; the fountain does not need one.

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