16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardCentral idea of an argumentative passage

Information and Ideas practice question

It is often said that a museum should show its whole collection. But a museum that shows everything shows nothing well: the visitor's attention is finite, and a gallery of a thousand objects is a gallery in which each object is looked at for a second. The stores are not a scandal. They are the condition of a good display.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. Keeping much of a collection in store is what makes a good display possible, since attention is limited.Correct
  2. B. Museums should show their whole collections.
  3. C. Museum stores are a scandal.
  4. D. Visitors have unlimited attention.

Answer: A. Keeping much of a collection in store is what makes a good display possible, since attention is limited.

Finite attention: showing less shows better.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Museums should show their whole collections.
The view the text argues against.
C. Museum stores are a scandal.
'The stores are not a scandal.'
D. Visitors have unlimited attention.
'Attention is finite.'

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