Information and IdeasHardMain idea of a passage on translation
Information and Ideas practice question
Every translation of the poem ends on a different word, because the original's last line hinges on a term meaning both 'home' and 'grave'. Translators must choose one, and in choosing they decide whether the poem ends in comfort or in dread — a decision the poet, writing in her own language, never had to make.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
- A. A single ambiguous word forces every translator to settle a question that the original poem leaves open.Correct
- B. The poem is impossible to translate.
- C. The poet intended the poem to end in dread.
- D. Translators of the poem often make careless mistakes.
Answer: A. A single ambiguous word forces every translator to settle a question that the original poem leaves open.
'Home' or 'grave'; translators must choose; the poet never had to.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. The poem is impossible to translate.
- Translations exist; they differ.
- C. The poet intended the poem to end in dread.
- The original leaves it open.
- D. Translators of the poem often make careless mistakes.
- The choice is forced, not careless.
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