16Hit1600
Information and IdeasHardCentral idea of a literary text

Information and Ideas practice question

The following text is from a short story. At eighty, Ada took up the cello. She was, she said, not learning it to play well, which was out of the question, but to have something in the house that she was bad at, since everything else she had done for sixty years.

Which choice best states the central idea of the text?

  1. A. Ada takes up the cello for the novelty of being a beginner again, not to master it.Correct
  2. B. Ada expects to become a fine cellist.
  3. C. Ada has always played the cello.
  4. D. Ada is giving up her other activities.

Answer: A. Ada takes up the cello for the novelty of being a beginner again, not to master it.

Something to be bad at, after sixty years of competence.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Ada expects to become a fine cellist.
'Out of the question.'
C. Ada has always played the cello.
She took it up at eighty.
D. Ada is giving up her other activities.
Not stated.

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