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Information and IdeasVery hardMain idea: a cruel review that spread

Information and Ideas practice question

The orchestra's first concert in 1890 was a failure: the hall was half empty and the review was cruel. Its second, a month later, sold out, because the review, reprinted in three other papers, had made the orchestra famous. The conductor kept the review framed in his study for forty years.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. A cruel review, by spreading, produced the success it had mocked.Correct
  2. B. The orchestra's first concert was poorly attended.
  3. C. The conductor was fond of the reviewer.
  4. D. Reviews should not be reprinted.

Answer: A. A cruel review, by spreading, produced the success it had mocked.

Mocked, reprinted, sold out.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The orchestra's first concert was poorly attended.
A detail.
C. The conductor was fond of the reviewer.
Not stated.
D. Reviews should not be reprinted.
Not claimed.

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