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Information and IdeasEasyMain idea of an accidental invention

Information and Ideas practice question

The tea bag began as an accident. In 1908 a New York tea merchant sent out samples in small silk pouches, expecting customers to empty the leaves into a pot. Instead they dropped the pouches into hot water whole — and wrote back asking for more.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. The tea bag came about because customers used a sample pouch in a way its sender never intended.Correct
  2. B. Silk pouches were designed as a new way of brewing tea.
  3. C. The merchant invented the tea bag after careful experiments.
  4. D. Customers disliked the samples they were sent.

Answer: A. The tea bag came about because customers used a sample pouch in a way its sender never intended.

The merchant expected one use; customers found another; the tea bag was born. Choice A states that.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Silk pouches were designed as a new way of brewing tea.
The pouches were meant to be emptied, not brewed.
C. The merchant invented the tea bag after careful experiments.
The text calls it an accident; no experiments are mentioned.
D. Customers disliked the samples they were sent.
They 'wrote back asking for more'.

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